The Great Log Posting: Arc III

Halbarad · June 25, 2006, 11:04:55 AM

[08:54] * Usagi-chan grins and shakes Rei's hand firmly. "Look out, world, we're on the prowl!" She giggles.
[08:57] <Rei-chan> "For all we know, love could be right around the corner!" Rei smiles. Even if she has a hard time really believing it herself, she's determined to remain upbeat.
[08:58] * Usagi-chan takes a spoonful of ice cream, then looks at Rei curiously. "I wonder... no, I'd better not ask." She blushes slightly and starts in to work on her ice cream more rapidly.
[08:59] <Ana-gaming> "Hey, Usagi!" Walking around the corner into view is Naru, who looks like she just got here and spotted you. She waves and smiles, the most energetic you've seen her since the incident over a week ago.
[09:00] <Rei-chan> 'Ask what?' Rei mentally prods, now very curious, but not sure if it's something they should talk about around Naru.
[09:01] <Usagi-chan> "Oh hey, Naru-chan!" Usagi waves to the redhead. 'It's not that important, I can ask later.' Usagi glances over at Rei as she replies mentally. Turning back to Naru, she smiles. "When did you get out of the hospital?"
[09:01] <Rei-chan> "Hi, Naru-chan," Rei also waves, "I heard about what happened - I hope you're feeling better."
[09:02] <Ana-gaming> "Yesterday," she says as she comes over, taking a seat next to Usagi. "Thanks, Rei," she nods. "I do, and so does my Mom." she smiles at that.
[09:03] * Rei-chan smiles. "That's good to hear."
[09:03] <Usagi-chan> "Well, glad to hear it. You really had me worried when you just collapsed like that!" Usagi says.
[09:04] <Ana-gaming> "I'm fine now," she assures you. "And thanks for getting me to the hospital, Usagi-chan." She reaches down, taking a advertisment poster from her case. "I was hoping I'd find you here," she says, as she lays a colorful poster showing normal people in some odd VR-like setup blasting monsters. "I wanted to take you to the new VR arcade as thanks, and to celebrate."
[09:05] <Rei-chan> "VR Arcade?"
[09:06] <Ana-gaming> "A virtual reality game where you actually battle yourself," she says. "It's like laser tag with added effects."
[09:06] * Usagi-chan breaks into a grin as she sees the poster. "Oh wow, I'd heard about that place but I hadn't gotten to go check it out yet!" She turns the poster around and passes it over to Rei. "It's like a laser-tag kind of thing - I've heard it's really cool!"
[09:06] <Rei-chan> "Wow, that does sound pretty cool," Rei says at both girls' descriptions.
[09:09] <Ana-gaming> "Yeah," Naru enthuses. "I also wanted to invite Makoto," she smiles, "But I heard she has a date today with Alan Grangier!" Naru sighs deeply, closing her eyes dramtically. "She's so lucky."
[09:10] * Usagi-chan grins. "Yeah, I heard from the grapevine at school today that she managed to get him to take her to the movies yesterday." Usagi grins. "I haven't gotten to talk to her about it yet though."
[09:11] <Ana-gaming> "If I were Makoto, I wouldn't be talking to anyone but Alan," she sighs, dreamily. "Oh, Usagi... he's just beautiful and tall and cute..."
[09:11] <Rei-chan> "I bet she did it by being more aggressive like we told her to," Rei grins, taking a small measure of credit for Makoto's romantic success.
[09:13] * Usagi-chan giggles. "Don't know about that, but good luck to her!" Usagi declares. "Yeah, he is awfully cute, Naru-chan - have you gotten to hear him play the flute yet?"
[09:14] <Ana-gaming> "Uh huh," she sighs again. "He's just so perfect when he's playing his heart out..." Naru falls back, as if swooning. "Tall, bishonen and cute... if he only had long hair, he'd be flawless," she says.
[09:15] * Rei-chan grimaces, thinking of Yuuichiro's hair...
[09:16] * Usagi-chan shakes her head and smiles. Nephrite may have been Naru's perfect guy, but it's good to see she's not moping over him anymore. "Right! Mako-chan may have a date, but so do we - with the VR Arcade!" She grins.
[09:17] <Ana-gaming> Picking up the poster and straightening up, Naru nods. "Yep! Let's blast some monsters and show them that not only the Sailor Senshi can dust monsters," she giggles as she says that, grinning.
[09:18] <Rei-chan> "Just as soon as we finish our ice cream," Rei points out, swiftly devouring said chocolatey treat. "Oh... head cold..." she remarks, shivering after consuming a large amount of frozen confection in such a short time.
[09:19] <Usagi-chan> "Brain freeze!" Usagi giggles, apparently suffering no ill effects from demolishing her own sundae in a matter of seconds.
[09:19] <Rei-chan> "Right, I'm ready to go," Rei stands up, pocketing half the tokens Motoki left them for a later visit to the arcade.
[09:20] <Ana-gaming> Naru gets up, putting away the poster and picking up her school bag. "Ready, Usagi?"
[09:20] * Usagi-chan takes the other roll of tokens, waiting for Naru to get up so she can get out of the booth. "Lead the way, Naru-chan!"
[09:21] <Ana-gaming> ---
[09:22] <Ana-gaming> The VR arcade is a large, dark building. A mural painted over the main wall and entrance shows a battle between light gun-shooting people and overdone monsters, which serves to keep you a bit entertained as you wait in line.
[09:23] <Rei-chan> "I wonder just how realistic this will be?" Rei muses, looking at the mural.
[09:23] <Usagi-chan> "Don't know about realistic, but I've talked with a couple of girls at school that have tried it and they said it's really cool!" Usagi smiles.
[09:24] * Usagi-chan spends a little time looking at the other people in line, figuring that this is as good a place as any to start looking for people with potential.
[09:24] <Ana-gaming> "Kasumi said it was really cool and scary," Naru says, referring to another girl in your class. "She and her boyfriend had a blast."
[09:25] <Rei-chan> "I dunno... can it be scarier than real life in Juuban these days?"
[09:26] <Ana-gaming> Naru hesitates a that. "Yeah, you may have a point," she admits, some of the cheer gone from her voice.
[09:26] <Ana-gaming> The line moves on, taking the better part of an hour to move you to the ticket office.
[09:26] <Usagi-chan> "Well, at least we can have fun with this kind of scary, right?" Usagi says cheerfully. "There's nothing real in here anyway."
[09:27] <Ana-gaming> "Three, please," Naru gets the tickets, paying herself despite the 1200 yen fee apiece. "Here you go," she hands out a ticket to Rei and Usagi each.
[09:27] <Rei-chan> "Thanks, Naru-chan," Rei says gratefully, "But you really didn't need to pay for me."
[09:27] <Usagi-chan> "Thanks, Naru-chan, but you didn't need to pay for me." Usagi still accepts the ticket gratefully.
[09:28] <Ana-gaming> "It's alright," she says. "Mom made some incredible sales over Christmas... heck, we made more this December than the last two years combined," she grins. "It's no problem at all."
[09:29] <Rei-chan> "That's good to hear," Rei smiles as she makes her way into the VR place.
[09:30] * Usagi-chan frowns slightly. "I'll bet." The jewelry Minako bought alone must have brought in a fortune...
[09:31] <Ana-gaming> Going inside, you are given a light gun, some faux armor with sensors and some basic instructions. They boil down to: no roughhousing, follow any announced directions, and have fun.
[09:31] <Rei-chan> "Sounds simple enough," Rei remarks, examining her light gun.
[09:31] * Usagi-chan checks out her armor to make sure it's seated comfortably. "I wonder how hard this will be..."
[09:32] <Ana-gaming> "Let's find out," Naru says, as the three of you start the game..
[09:33] <Ana-gaming> It starts with an array of shootable monsters as you dash and fire around. It's not too hard at all, and rather fun once you get into it.
[09:34] * Usagi-chan manages to zap a somewhat familiar looking monster that pops up behind Rei. "Ha, got another one!"
[09:34] <Ana-gaming> "Gotcha!" Naru cries as she zaps a two headed giant away.
[09:34] <Rei-chan> "This is pretty cool," Rei enthuses, cheerfully blasting away at everything vaguely monstrous that enters her field of vision.
[09:34] <Ana-gaming> Going on further, you progress through three rooms of this...but in the fourth...
[09:36] <Ana-gaming> This looks to be the 'boss' room. A creature strongly resembling a DD girl with ice blue skin is there, sans wings. She wears a top and skirt, almost like a faux Sailor. Several 'players' lay unconcious around the room.
[09:36] <Ana-gaming> "Ooooh, nice and scary," Naru grins, totally into it. "Let's avenge those fallen!"
[09:37] <Rei-chan> "Why are they down there?" Rei wonders aloud, "Shouldn't they have just left after losing?"
[09:37] * Usagi-chan frowns. "Why are they unconscious though? I thought these just beeped when you got hit." Usagi takes a closer look at the unconscious people.
[09:37] <Ana-gaming> To your surprise, they are real people. Their auras are weak, like Naru's was...
[09:37] <Ana-gaming> roll 2d6
[09:37] * Musk-bot --> "Ana-gaming rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[09:38] <Ana-gaming> As you chat, the monster sends out a glittering dust at all three of you!
[09:38] <Usagi-chan> 'Oh no... that thing's real, Rei-chan!'
[09:38] <Ana-gaming> OOC - Dodge rolls, all.
[09:38] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6
[09:38] * Musk-bot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[09:38] <Rei-chan> 'I figured!' Rei replies as she tries to leap out of the way.
[09:38] <Ana-gaming> Naru is caught in the dust, and quickly falls to the ground, her energy drained.
[09:38] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[09:38] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[09:39] <Ana-gaming> The dust is avoided by Rei and Usagi, however. "Come, give your energy to Glittera!" it cries.
[09:40] <Ana-gaming> OOC - Initiative for any more actions.
[09:40] <Rei-chan> "I've got a better idea," Rei replies, producing an ofuda.
[09:40] <Rei-chan> roll 1d6+10
[09:40] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 1d6+10 and gets 16."
[09:40] <Usagi-chan> roll 1d6+9
[09:40] * Musk-bot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 1d6+9 and gets 11."
[09:40] <Ana-gaming> roll 1d6
[09:40] * Musk-bot --> "Ana-gaming rolls 1d6 and gets 3."
[09:41] <Rei-chan> Leaping over the unconscious victims, Rei cries out "Akuryo Taisan!" as she brings her ward bearing hand down to smack against the creature's head!
[09:41] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[09:41] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[09:42] <Ana-gaming> The creature makes no effort to move, letting you plaster it right on it's head! To your surprise, the ward crumbles to dust a second after it impacts! Is it too strong for a ward to hold?
[09:43] <Rei-chan> "What...?!" Rei steps back in surprise, trying to sense just how strong this creature is.
[09:43] <Ana-gaming> OOC - Soul check, Mars.
[09:43] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[09:43] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[09:43] <Ana-gaming> It's quite powerful, and you can feel that it's glutted on the energy of all it's drained...it's greatly increasing its spiritual bulk and might.
[09:44] <Rei-chan> "Watch out!" Rei warns her friend, "It's powered up on the energy it drained!"
[09:44] <Ana-gaming> "Ha," Glittera laughs, spitting out another stream of dust. This on is concentrated right at Rei! (+2 mod to DCV check.)
[09:44] <Ana-gaming> roll 2d6
[09:44] * Musk-bot --> "Ana-gaming rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[09:45] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6+2
[09:45] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6+2 and gets 12."
[09:45] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6+2
[09:45] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6+2 and gets 13."
[09:45] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6+2
[09:45] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6+2 and gets 8."
[09:46] <Ana-gaming> With a dive, Rei-chan tumbles out of the way of the attack, the dust settling on the floor and fading.
[09:47] * Usagi-chan seizes her locket in her right hand, calling out the words of her transformation! "Moon Prism Power, Make UP!"
[09:48] <Usagi-chan> In a flurry of ribbons and light, Usagi is changed into the Soldier of Love and Justice, Sailor Moon!
[09:48] <Ana-gaming> OOC - Okay, next round.
[09:48] <Rei-chan> roll 1d6+10
[09:48] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 1d6+10 and gets 15."
[09:48] <Ana-gaming> roll 1d6
[09:48] * Musk-bot --> "Ana-gaming rolls 1d6 and gets 3."
[09:50] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+9
[09:50] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+9 and gets 11."
[09:50] <Rei-chan> "What I wouldn't give for Eudial's flamethrower right now..." Rei mutters, glaring at her light gun. "But still..." she looks at the monster with a smirk, before lunging forward to plunge the gun down its throat, not really caring if she breaks a few teeth on the way.
[09:50] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6+2
[09:50] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6+2 and gets 12."
[09:51] <Ana-gaming> The monster sways back, avoiding your charge and leaving Rei-chan out of position!
[09:52] <Ana-gaming> This time, it attempts to directly touch Rei! What will happen if this vile creature manages to succeed at this?
[09:52] <Ana-gaming> roll 2d6
[09:52] * Musk-bot --> "Ana-gaming rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
[09:53] <Ana-gaming> OOC - do over
[09:53] <Ana-gaming> roll 2d6
[09:53] * Musk-bot --> "Ana-gaming rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[09:53] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[09:53] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[09:54] <Ana-gaming> Rei reverses course, speeding backwards and out of reach for Glittera!
[09:55] * Sailor_Moon frowns, seeing the creature's bright glowing aura from the energy it's stolen! Placing her hands in front of her, she concentrates, trying to draw the energy away from the creature to leave it more vulnerable!
[09:55] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[09:55] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[09:55] <Ana-gaming> roll 2d6
[09:55] * Musk-bot --> "Ana-gaming rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[09:57] <Ana-gaming> You struggle with the creature for a moment, battling over a segment of it's stolen energy! With a final tug, it comes loose and flies right to you and into you! (20 EP regained) Usagi's head spins at the unexpected energy burst of energy! (-2 penalty to initiative next round due to this)
[09:57] <Rei-chan> roll 1d6+10
[09:57] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 1d6+10 and gets 15."
[09:57] <Ana-gaming> It's aura does weaken a few degrees, however, and the creature stumbles back as it stunned.
[09:58] <Ana-gaming> roll 1d6
[09:58] * Musk-bot --> "Ana-gaming rolls 1d6 and gets 6."
[09:58] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+10
[09:58] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+10 and gets 12."
[10:00] <Rei-chan> Dropping the useless light gun, Rei flexes her fingers, calling forth her familiar sword of flame before stepping forward and unleashing a wide horizontal slash at the monster!
[10:00] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[10:00] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[10:00] <Ana-gaming> roll 2d6
[10:00] * Musk-bot --> "Ana-gaming rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[10:00] <Ana-gaming> The monster is struck by the slash, its arm badly cut and burned by Rei's fearsome sword of fire!
[10:01] <Ana-gaming> As that happens, it grunts and concentrates! Glittera shimmers...and breaks into six identical forms circling the room! "Behold the power of Glittera!" it taunts you viciously, despite its wound.
[10:03] * Sailor_Moon looks around at the doppelgangers, her head still spinning as she tries to determine which one is the real thing.
[10:03] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[10:03] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[10:04] <Ana-gaming> Sailor Moon focuses...The one on the left is, the third one! The others are just a magical illusion!
[10:04] <Ana-gaming> roll 1d6
[10:04] * Musk-bot --> "Ana-gaming rolls 1d6 and gets 6."
[10:04] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+12
[10:04] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+12 and gets 18."
[10:05] <Rei-chan> roll 1d6+10
[10:05] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 1d6+10 and gets 12."
[10:05] <Sailor_Moon> 'It's this one!' Moon sends to Rei telepathically as she levels the Lunar Rod at the real Glittera. "Moon Princess Hallation!"
[10:05] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[10:05] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[10:06] <Ana-gaming> The Cardian's eye widen as it sees its technique be picked apart! It dodges with all its might, hoping to avoid Sailor Moon's attack!
[10:06] <Ana-gaming> roll 2d6
[10:06] * Musk-bot --> "Ana-gaming rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[10:07] <Ana-gaming> But it's caught in the stream, and sent flying into the wall! The other five copies of her vanish, and you can feel its hold on the stolen energy loosen as it fades into the air!
[10:08] * Sailor_Moon reacts quickly, trying to direct the fading energy back into the cardian's victims before it disappears completely.
[10:08] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[10:08] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[10:09] <Ana-gaming> "Urgh..." It slowly rises. "No, my beautiful energy! You'll pay!" it shrieks, managing another stream of dust concentrated on Sailor Moon! While this happens, Sailor Moon manages to direct some of the energy back into the poor victims! (-3 DCV mod if it hits)
[10:10] <Ana-gaming> roll 2d6
[10:10] * Musk-bot --> "Ana-gaming rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[10:10] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[10:10] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[10:11] <Ana-gaming> Sailor Moon merely steps away from the stream with unusual grace, the attack errant!
[10:13] <Rei-chan> Seeing that the creature is nearly crippled by its injuries and loss of energy, Rei produces another ward, hoping to incapacitate the monster long enough to get some answers! "Rin pyo to sha kai jin retsu sai zen..." she chants, the ward becoming stiff in her hand. "Akuryo Taisan!" she finishes, throwing the ofuda at her target!
[10:13] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[10:13] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
[10:13] <Ana-gaming> The creature stumbles out of the way, by as much luck as conscious effort due to its injuries!
[10:14] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+12
[10:14] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+12 and gets 18."
[10:14] <Rei-chan> roll 1d6+10
[10:14] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 1d6+10 and gets 16."
[10:14] <Ana-gaming> You can see the various people here beginning to stir thanks to your energy infusion...
[10:14] <Ana-gaming> roll 1d6
[10:14] * Musk-bot --> "Ana-gaming rolls 1d6 and gets 5."
[10:15] * Sailor_Moon directs her most powerful attack at the creature once again, hoping to finish it off before the arcade-goers in the room fully regain consciousness. "Moon Princess Hallation!"
[10:15] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[10:15] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[10:15] <Ana-gaming> roll 2d6
[10:15] * Musk-bot --> "Ana-gaming rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[10:16] <Ana-gaming> Glittera raises its arms to ward off the Hallation, but its efforts are futile! It's turned to dust, its card falling as her body breaks apart!
[10:17] * Rei-chan dashes over to where it disintegrated, trying to see if anything is left of the dust.
[10:17] <Ana-gaming> There is a odd card there, but it's blackening and turning to dust before your very eyes.
[10:17] * Sailor_Moon quickly ducks behind a support pillar, making sure she's out of sight of the reviving people before detransforming.
[10:18] * Rei-chan takes out an ofuda, tearing off the bottom character and rendering it useless, 'Don't want to accidentally purify it...' she thinks, scooping up the dust on the paper and folding it up.
[10:19] * Usagi-chan quickly emerges, running over to Rei's position. 'What are you doing, Rei-chan?'
[10:20] <Rei-chan> "We don't know anything about these creatures," Rei says quietly, placing the folded up piece of paper in her breast pocket. "I'm willing to take any clue I can get."
[10:21] <Usagi-chan> "Not a bad idea..." Usagi muses. "Maybe Ami can find something out about that dust with her computer?"
[10:22] * Rei-chan nods. "We don't have anything else to go on, right now." She then looks over to see what state the victims are in.
-------
Meanwhile, for Makoto...
-------
[13:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> The next day dawns, and class begins. The day goes without incident... except that you spy Alan talking to a few of your classmates at lunch. He seems to be asking them something.
[13:19] <Makoto> Though curious, Makoto doesn't head over to the group, figuring she'll just ask during class what Alan wanted. She does keep the corner of her eye on the group however.
[13:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> He stays with them perhaps ten minutes, finally leaving after a final snatch of conversation.
[13:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> Once in class, you notice the girls look at you with a mixture of jealousy and smugness. It's not quite what you were hoping for...
[13:21] * Makoto debates how best to ask about what Alan wanted, a bit discomforted by the stares.
[13:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> The girls continue this as class goes on, whispering and passing notes amoungst themselves.
[13:24] * Makoto tries to listen in on what's getting whispered
[13:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> You manage to get a few fragments... "What abou... She like coo... I can't believe that hottie would go for HER..."
[13:27] * Makoto decides it's better to tune the gossipers out and ask Alan directly what he was talking about after school.
[13:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[13:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> The rest of the day goes by. It's nearly time for the date...
[13:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> Alan meets you after class, in his normal school clothes. To your surprise, he's clearly holding something behind his back. "Hi, Makoto," he says, trying to be cheery.
[13:59] <Makoto> "Hello, Alan," Makoto replies back with a smile, though now wondering not only what the disccusion earlier was about, but what Alan is holding.
[14:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Um, I'm supposed to give you a gift to start off, aren't I?" he asks, a bit unsure of himself.
[14:02] * Makoto becomes a little amused at his effort to try to follow her request. "You don't have to, Alan, but the sentiment is usually appreciated."
[14:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Well, here you go," he reveals that behind his back was a bouqet of flowers, pure white roses. He smiles, but shows just a bit of 'I hope she likes them' tension.
[14:07] <Makoto> "They're beautiful, Alan!" Makoto exclaims as she sniffs them before giving Alan a dazzling smile. "When did you get them? School only just ended a while ago!"
[14:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Heh," he says. "I left my last class early to get them," he admits.
[14:17] <Makoto> "That's very sweet. Thank you, Alan," Makoto says. "I adore plants."
[14:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> Alan smiles. "So do I," he says. "Trees in particular."
[14:21] <Makoto> "That's so nice. Most guys don't particularly care for flora, normally," Makoto replies.
[14:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> Alan shrugs. "Trees are nice," he says, not elaborating. "So... I'm supposed to take you to a nice dinner first, aren't I? Any ideas?"
[14:52] <Makoto> "You know, you're not 'supposed' to do anything other than make sure we both have a good time," Makoto chides. "It's not really a date if either of us isn't having fun and enjoying the other's company."
[14:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Heh," he says again, rubbing the back of his head. "So, then... what do you want to do," he asks, as if fishing for ideas.
[15:03] * Makoto pauses in thought before saying, "Well, since we like plants and trees, why don't we try the park?"
[15:05] * Usagi-chan offers a wave to Makoto as she skips out of the school, her face turning into a grin as she spots the brunette talking with Alan. "Good luck, Mako-chan!" she shouts.
[15:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> "That sounds go..." he starts, turning to catch Usagi briefly.
[15:06] * Makoto blinks and looks back at Usagi. "Wait, how did she know about this date?" Makoto mutters.
[15:07] * Makoto begins to massage her head as she suddenly realizes it was probably the rumor mill.
[15:07] * Usagi-chan winks at the pair and continues on her way, humming to herself - you can just barely hear her voice.
[15:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> Alan shrugs again. "Shall we go?"
[15:09] <Makoto> Remembering Alan's chatting with her classmates now, she asks, "Sure. By the way, what were you asking my classmates about during lunch?"
[12:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> Alan blushes again. "You saw that," he asks, a bit surprised.
[12:07] <Makoto> "Well they -were- my classmates," Makoto says with a smile.
[12:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> You two begin to walk away from the school, getting going. "I asked what you like," he admits.
[12:10] * Makoto blushes. She'd imagined it was something like that, though she still wonders over the smug stares.
[12:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> "They said flowers and cooking," he goes on. "They said something about giving you a skillet or something in place of the roses," he says, like he doesn't quite get it.
[12:16] <Makoto> "Oh, heh..." MAkoto says scratching the back of her head. "I just really like cooking."
[12:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods, not pressing on the matter. Soon, you arrive at the park. It's springtime, and the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. The park is filled with the sweet smell of the blossoms, as well as lined with pink petals.
[12:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> Students and others are around lying on blankets, taking in the scene. It's peaceful, warm and pleasant, not to mention a touch romantic.
[12:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> Alan glances around, taking in the blossoms. "It's beautiful," he murmurs, enjoying himself already.
[12:25] <Makoto> "Yes it is," Makoto agrees.
[12:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> He wanders a bit, adoring the blooms. Without a care for his pants, he sits on the bare ground under a tree.
[12:29] * Makoto takes a seat besides him, enjoying both the company and atmosphere a lot more than yesterday. 'I wish I'd known we'd end up here so I could have had a picnic basket for us...' Makoto thinks wistfully.
[12:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> A few minutes pass in comfortable quiet as the both of you deal with your thoughts and the beauty around you. "Hm... so many lively, energetic people here," Alan murmurs as he surveys the area.
[12:34] <Makoto> "Huh? Well, who wouldn't be?"
[12:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods, still a touch distracted. "With such beauty and life around them, who wouldn't be full of vibrant life?"
[12:39] <Makoto> "Exactly!" Makoto says, agreeing with that statement. She then looks around to see if there's anything interesting they can do.
[12:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> There isn't all that much, but there are a few food vendors out the outskirts of the park - yattais and other portable stands.
[12:43] * Makoto isn't really hungry, and Alan doesn't seem to be either, so instead she leans closer towards Alan, to share in his warmth.
[12:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> Alan still seems a tad distracted, and doesn't object to Makoto's movement. After another minute or so, "I'll have to visit here again," he says. "After today. I really like it here."
[12:45] <Makoto> "That's nice," Makoto says with a smile.
[12:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> Alan leans back, resting on the tree trunk. But as he does so, he grimaces in surprise. "Damn!"
[12:47] * Makoto is startled out from her comfortable position and turns to look at Alan. "Alan? What's wrong?"
[12:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Nothing," he says, sounding annoyed. "Just an pestering thing," he says. 'And she hadn't even sent back energy yet! Shit!'
[12:50] <Makoto> "Anything I can help with?" Makoto asks worriedly.
[12:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> He turns his head to you. He's not really a happy camper - you can see his eyes, and he's borderline pissed. "No, nothing," he says a bit curtly. "I just remembered something I should have done before it was too late."
[12:54] <Makoto> "...oh." Makoto says, figuring the reason he's annoyed is because he was on a date with her instead of doing what he wanted.
[12:54] <Makoto> "I'm... sorry for dragging you to this instead of letting you do what you needed," she says in a somewhat depressed and dejected tone.
[12:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> Alan looks at you again, and sighs. "It's not your fault," he says.
[13:00] <Makoto> "I guess, but I still feel a bit guilty to have dragged you into this."
[13:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> He shrugs lightly. "It really isn't your fault, but..." he stops, thinking. "I need to do something about an annoying few bugs," he says.
[13:04] <Makoto> "...okay," Makoto says, agreeing if a bit confused. She doesn't see any bugs around them.
[13:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> He settles back, closing his eyes. He's not asleep, but he seems to be trying to calm down a bit and relax.
[13:11] * Makoto just stares at Alan, still confused.
[13:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> After a short while, he opens his eyes again. He still isn't happy, but the pissed-offness is gone.
[13:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> "So, Makoto," he starts. "Um...what subjects do you like in school," he asks, trying to spark some small talk.
[13:15] * Makoto blinks, and mentally shrugs. Must have just been some meditation exercise or something. Responding she says, "Oh, my favorite class is Home Ec. Like I said before, I really like cooking, so it's a fun class. Phys Ed isn't too bad either."
[13:16] <Makoto> "What about you? Which classes do you like?"
[13:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Science and math," he says. "I'm good at both of them, they're not hard at all." he pauses. "So you're a really good cook?"
[13:19] * Makoto blushes, but nods. "I'd like to think that I am. One day, I hope to maybe own a bakery or a restaurant. Although a flower shop would be nice too, to be honest."
[13:19] <Makoto> "Hey, do you know what you want to be? You know, when you get out of school?"
[13:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I have an idea," he nods. "A flower shop sounds nice, too."
[13:28] * Makoto giggles. "Maybe we should open a flower shop together then?"
[13:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Heh," he replies. "That could be fun," he smiles at that thought.
[13:40] <Makoto> "So why did you and your sister move her to Japan?" Makoto asks, broaching on the touchy subject of Ann, mostly to continue the conversation than out of curiosity.
[13:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> Alan seems prepared for this question, replying right off the bat. "We moved here because we had to," he says, which really isn't much of an answer.
[13:43] <Makoto> "...ah," Makoto says, unsure if she should really prod further when given a response like that.
[13:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> Alan doesn't volunteer anything else immediately. But as you chat, you can smell a couple walking by with fresh food from the vendor, and your stomach rumbles.
[13:50] <Makoto> Makoto's face gets a twinge of red as her stomach sounds. Even if she really couldn't control her stomach's sounds, it was still wrong during a date.
[13:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> Alan starts a bit. "What was that?" he asks curiously. "It sounded like..."
[13:53] <Makoto> "...sorry. I guess I'm hungry," Makoto mutters embarrassedly.
[13:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh," he says. To your surprise, he looks genuniely confused. "I see."
[13:59] * Makoto raises an eyebrow. Alan was such an oddball at times. Oh well, seeing as she was the one who broke the mood... "C'mon, let's get something to eat. I'll invite," she says as she gets up, dusting her skirt from any grass stuck to it.
[14:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I guess," he says, brushing off his pants. Both of you have grass stains, though, which means the washing machine will see work tonight.
[14:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> Getting up, you two head down to the food stands. The various sellers offer hot dogs, taiyaki, okonomiyaki, curry, and other treats. It smells wonderful down here...
[14:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> Alan hangs back, letting Makoto set the pace and choose.
[14:05] * Makoto decides to go for some okonomiyaki and heads for the stand with the best aroma.
[14:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> A middle aged, grey bearded man is running this, serving customers quickly and skillfully. He looks up at you two with a charming smile. "Hello, the menu and prices are printed on the sign on the front," he says, pointing above to a posted sign.
[14:08] * Makoto looks at the sign.
[14:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> The menu is comprised of the basics - plain, seafood, spicy, meat, vegetable, and so on. The prices aren't bad, easy enough to afford on a student's budget.
[14:16] <Makoto> "I'd like a meat special, please," Makoto requests before looking at Alan.
[14:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> Alan doesn't reply, standing there like a bump on a log. "One meat special coming up," he says, going right to work. His movements are quick and graceful, the okonomiyaki being formed and cooked on the open griddle with amazing speed.
[14:19] <Makoto> "Alan? You not hungry?" Makoto asks curiously
[14:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hm?" Alan blinks. "I'm fine," he shrugs.
[14:22] * Makoto nods and waits for the okonomiyaki.
[14:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> It's ready a minute later, zoomingly fast. The chef is good, and so is the okonomiyaki. Alan watches you with a strange fascination, surprised.
[14:25] * Makoto digs for her wallet and begins to count out the money for the okonomiyaki.
[14:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> The price is 600 yen, which is fairly cheap.
[11:49] * Makoto hands the man 600 yen and thanks him, before looking for a spot to sit in.
[11:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> There are a few seats around the bar. Two are empty...
[11:53] * Makoto heads to those seats, nudging Alan to come with her.
[11:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> Alan follows, taking long looks at the entire area, the food in particular.
[11:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> It's a bit strange. He looks to be studying them, like he's never really seen food before.
[11:57] <Makoto> As they sit down, Makoto sets the okonomiyaki between them. "Here, why don't you have some, Alan?" she offers, even though he had earlier refused her buying him.
[11:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> Alan sniffs the air, a truly curoius expression on his face. "I..." he starts. "Well, I guess I could try," he finally says, giving in to his curiosity.
[12:02] * Makoto separates off half of the okonomiyaki for Alan, before starting on her own half.
[12:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> He takes a set of chopsticks, mimicing your motions a bit roughly. Alan gets a small piece of it, putting it into his mouth...
[12:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> *GULP* "Hey," he says, surprised. "This is... good." Alan blinks, looking down at the rest of the okonomiyaki.
[12:06] <Makoto> "Isn't it?" Makoto says while savoring her own half.
[12:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> Wasting no time, he tears off three more bites from his half, gulping them down quickly. "Yeah, it's really good," he agrees between bites.
[12:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> Finishing the last of his portion with an alarming speed and somewhat sloppy manners, he digs out his wallet. "Can I get another one for myself," he asks, ordering his own.
[12:16] * Makoto restrains a giggle, at seeing Alan devastate through his half of the okonomiyaki. 'Guess that woke up his appetite,' she thinks with a grin.
[12:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> The chef quickly prepares another one, and takes Alan's 600 yen. He starts right in, wolfing down his 'yaki with vigor and zest.
[12:24] * Makoto just continues eating her own half of the okonomiyaki, watching Alan's surprising display of hunger.
[12:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> By the time you've finished your half, Alan has demonlished his half as well as a can of soda. "Thanks, Makoto," he grins broadly, clearly having enjoyed his meal. "That was really, really, really good."
[12:27] <Makoto> "I can see that," Makoto says with a smile, before cleaning her lips on a napkin. "Glad you're having fun."
[12:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods. "I'll have to come back here," he says. "Definitely."
[12:34] * Makoto smiles, glad that he was having fun as well on this date, instead of feeling forced.
[12:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> Glancing down at his watch, Alan frowns. "It's also getting a bit late and I do need to get home," he says, getting up.
[12:38] * Makoto frowns lightly at the abrupt attempt to leave, but nods, getting up. "I suppose I should get started on my homework," she mutters somewhat reluctantly.
[12:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> Alan smiles a bit, going on. "Maybe we can do this again, and eat again?" he asks.
[12:40] * Makoto smiles at that. "I'd like that," she states, while mentally planning on making a bento for him so he can enjoy -her- cooking.
[12:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Good," he still smiles and speaks warmly. "See you around, Makoto," he says, waving and walking off.
[12:42] * Makoto likewise heads off towards her apartment.
[12:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[08:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> Wednesday, after the VR Cardian clash the previous day, goes quietly until lunch.
[08:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> As always, Ann shows no real signs of being social, keeping to herself all morning.
[08:53] * Usagi-chan keeps a curious eye on Ann throughout the morning, wondering why the girl always seems so quiet.
[08:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> If anything, she seems oddly out of sorts today. Her responses to Miss H are clipped and border on rude, but she gets away with it due to Miss H's good mood.
[08:55] * Usagi-chan wonders what has Ann so grouchy today, but holds her tongue until she can get a chance to talk to her.
[08:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> Once lunch breaks, Ann seems quite happy to do nothing else except get up and escape from the classroom like there's a bee on her seat.
[08:58] * Usagi-chan follows the girl at a slower pace, not wanting to appear to be chasing her down.
[08:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ann doesn't turn or seem to notice you. She goes up to the tenth grade floor and goes right into an empty classroom.
[09:01] * Usagi-chan knocks on the classroom door quietly. "Grangier-san? Are you all right?"
[09:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> There is a short pause. "What is it?" she replies, sounding a bit defensive.
[09:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> "And I'm fine," she says a moment later.
[09:03] * Usagi-chan slides open the door a bit to look inside, a worried expression on her face. "I was just a little worried about you - you've seemed a little, well, snappish this morning and I was wondering if something was bothering you."
[09:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> You see Ann standing near the teacher's desk, while Alan is sitting on the desk. Ann looks less than happy to be disturbed, while Alan is more neutral. "I said I'm fine," she says. "Go away, Usagi."
[09:07] <Usagi-chan> "I'm... sorry." Usagi says quietly, a hurt expression on her face. "I didn't mean to interrupt you." She closes the door with a sigh.
[09:08] * Usagi-chan stands by the door, unmoving, feeling rather awkward for having broken in on the pair like that.
[09:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you stand, you can just hear the conversation filtering from inside...
[09:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> "What was that about," Alan asks. He doesn't sound mad at Ann, merely curious.
[09:10] <Usagi-chan> Letting her curiosity get the better of her, Usagi lingers, wondering what the siblings could be talking about.
[09:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> "She's a girl I sit next to in class," Ann replies, still angry. "She's a bit nosy like that."
[09:11] * Usagi-chan frowns at the comment, but keeps listening.
[09:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's not important," Alan brushes the subject away. "Anyway, I found somewhere we may want to go soon," he says, sounding a touch sinister? Or is that just an effect of the muffled voices?
[09:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> "While you were off with that little tramp," Ann sneers. "Oh, don't think I don't know about your park trip yesterday," she says, hurt in her voice.
[09:15] <Usagi-chan> 'How dare she talk about Mako-chan like that!' Usagi thinks indignantly.
[09:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> "No better than you running around with that black haired moron," Alan snaps back. Woah. Trouble in paradise?
[09:16] <Usagi-chan> 'Wow, this sounds more like a lover's quarrel than a brother and sister fighting.' Usagi thinks to herself. 'And while I might call Mamoru a lot of things, moron isn't one of them.'
[09:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Grrrr..." Ann doesn't seem happy with that description of Mamoru. "If it makes you happy, ALAN," she sounds extremely pissed now, "He dumped me yesterday evening. He gave some sappy speech about how another girl had his heart forever."
[09:19] * Usagi-chan winces. So close...
[09:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Heh," Alan laughs. "I'm amazed Miss Hanging all over him took the hint!"
[09:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Bah, and what about you and that brown haired troublemaker," Ann says. "She's not dumped you for another woman yet, has she," Ann says with disarming sweetness. "I'm sure she's not interested in your type just by looking at her."
[09:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> There is a short silence, then...
[09:21] <Usagi-chan> 'Mako-chan? Like THAT?' Usagi has to fight not to giggle - which she does succeed at, if barely.
[09:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Whatever, Ann," he says, sounding unconcerned. "Regardless of that for the moment, you agree about the park?"
[09:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah," she agrees. "We'll go there in a few days, maybe? Say Sunday when everyone is out of school?"
[09:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Sounds good," Alan agrees as well, calm again.
[09:24] * Usagi-chan wonders what the two would be doing at a park.... She decides to ask Makoto which park, so that she can check things out on Sunday, her curiosity aroused.
[09:25] * Usagi-chan gets the impression that the two are nearing the end of their conversation. Moving quietly, she heads back for the stairs down to her own classroom quickly, her lunch still untouched.
[11:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[11:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> By luck, Herb's classes for Wednesday afternoon are cancelled.
[11:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> One teacher has the flu; the other had a family emergency. Be that as it may, it leaves your afternoon free...
[11:36] <Prince_Herb> "Oh no," Herb thinks, "How will I ever pass the exams without that crucial class on Early Islamic ceramics?"
[11:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> However, this frees Herb to do some shopping he's been putting off. Mostly some reading material and a few other minor things...
[11:39] <Prince_Herb> "Every cloud has a silver lining, I suppose. If it's an important class, they'll schedule a replacement." Herb thinks, and heads off to the booksellers near the campus.
[11:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> The bookshop is quiet enough today, the influx of students not yet in full swing. This leaves the manga section mostly empty - only a few students from the local middle school are around.
[11:40] * Prince_Herb swithers for a moment, then heads straight for the manga section, and Record of Lodoss War.
[11:40] <Prince_Herb> 'Ah, Deedlit, my love...' Herb thinks.
[11:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you read, you notice a brown haired teen in the garb of Usagi's school is reading the same book as you. She's looking at Deedlit with a fair amount of interest...
[11:45] * Prince_Herb looks at the girl, then back at Deedlit.
[11:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> Glancing up, you can see she has slightly pointy eyes and a very cute face. It's like she's deciding whether to laugh or sigh at Deedlit...
[11:46] * Prince_Herb looks back at the girl. "Hello there. Are you another elf fan?"
[11:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hm," she looks up from her book. "Elf? That's what you call her?" she asks, pointing a finger at Deedlit's picture.
[11:48] <Prince_Herb> "Deedlit? Sure. Biggest cute elf girl in anime." Herb replies.
[11:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Huh," she says, looking again at her. "Are there others like her?"
[11:52] <Prince_Herb> "Sure; elf girls are sexy, after all. Pointy-eared guys get less of a look-in, though," Herb says, trying not to sigh.
[11:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Huh," she says again, but she seems to be interested. "Do you know of any other books about them?"
[11:55] * Prince_Herb nods. "Certainly. What sort of thing are you looking for?"
[11:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Any books with these elves," she says. "I'd like to see more of them."
[11:57] <Prince_Herb> Herb nods and shows the girl some of his own favourites, manga, RPG art and Tolkien artbooks.
[11:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> The girl reads through them, showing quite a bit of interest in each. One picture is of a greenish, black haired elf, which particularly interests her. "Ooooh... he's cute," she murmurs.
[12:01] <Prince_Herb> "Really? I prefer the girl on the facing page myself," Herb says, pointing to a green-skinned elf girl in snugly fitting chainmail.
[12:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> "She's okay, I guess," she admits, still into reading and looking at the mess of elf pictures.
[12:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> As she does so, she puts aside at least five books, presumably to buy them.
[12:10] * Prince_Herb looks at the five books.
[12:11] <Prince_Herb> "If only they still existed outside of books and games." Herb says sadly.
[12:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> One is the manga 'Elven Wars', with the green skinned elves you saw before. The second and third are fantasy elven books, of no real note. The last two are books from Lodoss War.
[12:12] <Prince_Herb> "You have pretty good taste, though." Herb acknowledges.
[12:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Still existed?" she asks. "Did they live here before?"
[12:16] <Prince_Herb> "I suppose they did, a long time ago in the West, or something like them. They turn up in old European legends quite often." Herb says, rationalising that if dragons are real, then elves may well also be.
[12:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> "That's way off on another continent, though, isn't it?" she sighs. "Oh well."
[12:19] <Prince_Herb> "It's a long way off, and I don't think anyone's seen any elves there for a long time, even so."
[12:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> She nods, then smiles. "Thanks for the books," she says. "I'm Ann Grangier."
[12:21] <Prince_Herb> "I'm Prince_Herb," Herb says. "I think I've heard of you, actually. You're a new classmate of Usagi Tsukino at Juuban, aren't you? I'm her t'ai chi instructor."
[12:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Prince?" she asks, surprised. "Like a name? Strange parents you have there."
[12:27] <Prince_Herb> "No, it's not my name, it's my title. I understand you come from some kind of republic, so I guess you're not very well acquainted with titles..."
[12:27] <Prince_Herb> "Eh, that sounds a bit pompous... Just don't worry about it. Call me Herb."
[12:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Um, right..." she says. "Anyway, thanks," she sounds a bit put off, but she recovers.
[12:35] <Prince_Herb> "You're welcome," Herb says, then remembers what he suggested at the last senshi meeting.
[12:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'll see you around, then," she says as she picks up her manga and books.
[12:36] <Prince_Herb> "Wait a moment," Herb says.
[12:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes," she says, turning back around to you.
[12:39] <Prince_Herb> "It's nice to meet a girl who likes elves as much as I do. Perhaps you would care to accompany me to a screening of the Lodoss War movie some night soon?"
[12:41] <Prince_Herb> "Bring your brother and his friend, if you feel you need a chaperone. We could go for a meal at the Tex-Mex afterwards, if you so desired."
[12:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Well..." she takes a moment to ponder things, thinking. "Oh, why not? Friday night, say?" she smiles. 'Hey, he's a nice recovery from Mamoru..'
[12:43] * Prince_Herb smiles. "Friday night it shall be."
[12:43] * Prince_Herb thinks, 'It'll give her a welcome break from Mamoru...'
[12:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> She nods. "Where do you want to meet? At the movies?"
[12:44] <Prince_Herb> "Sounds fine to me," says Herb and writes down a few details for Ann
[12:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> She smiles again, taking them. "I'll invite Alan, sure," she confirms.
[12:45] * Prince_Herb smiles. "See you on Friday, then."
[12:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Okay," she nods, going off to pay for her books.
[12:59] * Prince_Herb whistles a happy tune and heads of home with his own purchases
[09:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---

Halbarad · June 25, 2006, 11:29:26 AM

[09:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> Wednesday morning...after the VR clash, Rei has a sample of Cardian dust to analyze...
[09:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> Of course, that's a bit out of Rei's realm of knowledge, so she'll have to find someone else to do it.
[09:42] * Rei-chan enters the Witches 6 office, hoping Eudial is around. While the Professor would probably be able to come up with something from the analysis, she'd much rather not go running to him with every little problem.
[09:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial isn't around right now, by your luck. Cyprine is, but she looks to be taking a nap, head down on her desk and snoring softly. Kaolinite is reading another magic book, and is paying you no attention.
[09:45] * Rei-chan sighs softly. 'Oh well, it's still early... she'll probably show up soon.' She goes to her desk and takes out a textbook, deciding she might as well get some studying done while she waits.
[09:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> Kaolinite does glance up when she hears you getting set up, a small, annoyed curl of her lip the only sign she saw you.
[09:47] * Rei-chan ignores the older woman, hoping that at least one day at Mugen can pass without angry posturing and violence.
[09:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> About ten minutes pass. Just as you're really getting into the history text, the door opens again. Mimette comes in, her face covered in a white noseguard that covers most of her face, and her jaw is wired shut. It rather ruins her appearance.
[09:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> She sees you, turns her head with as much contempt as she can manage, and stalks over to her desk.
[09:50] <Rei-chan> Again, Rei remains silent. Though she is surprised Mimette is even coming in today... 'Where are you, Eudial?' she wonders, with some concern.
[09:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> The room seems to bubble with tension now that so many Witches are here at once. You can see that a few of them are sending less than pleasant glances around...
[09:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> Again, the door opens. This time, Tellu comes in. She looks around, a bit surprised so many of the Witches happen to be here at once. Shrugging, she goes to her desk and takes out a book to read.
[09:54] <Rei-chan> With some annoyance, Rei snaps her book shut, finding the tension becoming too much. Without a word, she gets up and stalks out of the office, heading down to the garage.
[09:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Heh," Kaolinite's chuckle teases your ears as you storm out. A bit into the hallway, you see Eudial walking towards you. She looks to be in a fine mood, if a little late.
[09:57] <Rei-chan> "Oh, hi Eudial," Rei waves, "I was wondering where you were. Feeling better, today?" she gives the older girl a concerned look.
[10:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> She smiles. "I'm fine," she says. "Just running a bit this morning." Eudial looks far better than she did after the catfight, her eyes clear and her step sure.
[10:00] * Rei-chan nods. "Glad to hear it - though truthfully I just wanted out of there with all the tension in the room," she shudders as she gestures towards the office.
[10:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Mimette's sending you dirty looks," Eudial chuckles, smirking at her question.
[10:03] <Rei-chan> "I'm surprised she even came in today," Rei admits, "She looks a real mess. Kaolinite's in there, too..." Rei shakes her head, sighing. "Anyway, I do have good news about our mission to deal with those elves and their energy draining monsters," she adds, cheering up.
[10:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Mimette's too stupid to stay down," Eudial shrugs. She picks up a bit when you mention that, however. "Did you find something?"
[10:06] * Rei-chan nods. "One of the monsters attacked the VR Arcade yesterday," she holds up the little plastic bag she had transferred the Cardian dust to after getting home. "This is what's left after Sailor Moon killed it. I was thinking we... well, you - I'm not very good at science stuff, could analyze it and maybe find out something useful."
[10:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial bends over, peering into the bag. "Huh, that's all that's left of it," she muses. "I thought I just vaporized the last one, are they supposed to die like that?"
[10:10] <Rei-chan> "I think you burnt away even the dust so there was nothing left," Rei smiles, recalling how Eudial had utterly annihilated the Cardian. "But I saw this one die - there was some little card thing left after the monster disintegrated, and then the card fell apart into this dust." She shrugs, "I'm not sure exactly what it can tell us, but it's at least worth a shot, right?"
[10:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah, it's worth a shot by far," she agrees, taking the baggie. "Did you see Sailor Moon fight at all?" she broaches that part of the subject.
[10:14] <Rei-chan> "Yeah," Rei nods. "She showed up right after I saw the monster and then blasted it. She disappeared while I was recovering that dust." 'That's all pretty much the truth, really...'
[10:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial shakes the bag lightly, watching the dust settle around with interest. "Did you fight with her at all, or did you challenge the monster?"
[10:18] <Rei-chan> "I didn't really do that much," Rei sighs. "I tried to stun the monster with an ofuda, but it was so bloated on stolen energy that it overpowered the ward quite easily. I did manage to burn it pretty badly with my flame sword right before Sailor Moon finished it off, but she probably could have done it without my help..." she looks rather downcast as she finishes.
[10:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You would've beaten it even without Sailor Moon," Eudial smiles, reassuring Rei. "They aren't that tough, anyway." She then pauses, thinking. "Did Sailor Moon mention anything about the monster?" she asks, "Does she know more than us?"
[10:25] <Rei-chan> "I don't think so," Rei shakes her head, "I did ask her about it before she vanished, but she seemed as lost as I was."
[10:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Darn," she says, sighing. "Then let's hope this dust turns up something."
[10:28] * Rei-chan nods. "It's all we have right now... if it doesn't turn anything up, I think we should try and capture one of the monsters alive next time."
[10:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial agrees. "It's a good idea, if we can find another one of them," she fiddles with the keycard door as she speaks, opening the way to the labs below.
[10:40] * Rei-chan follows along, hoping that they'll at least learn something useful out of this.
[10:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> Into the laboratories you go, Eudial leading the way to a quiet and well lit room, the latter an anomaly in this part of Mugen. She begins to work, getting a microscope and a few other tools to work with the dust.
[10:43] * Rei-chan keeps quiet so as not to distract Eudial, observing her actions closely in hopes of learning something.
[10:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial works, using the microscopes, petri dishes, and other myriad devices to examine the dust. Most of it goes over Rei's head, and an hour passes while she works.
[10:46] * Rei-chan blinks several times, hoping her eyes haven't glazed over completely...
[10:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> Shaking off your drowsiness, you see that Eudial seems to be wrapping up. She's taken some notes on a loose sheet of paper, and she's checking over them now.
[10:47] <Rei-chan> "So, did your tests turn up anything we can use?" Rei asks hopefully.
[10:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh," she looks up, a bit surprised. "Damn, forgot all about you, Rei," she laughs a bit nervously, rubbing the back of her head with her free hand. "Um, I found out a little bit."
[10:49] <Rei-chan> "That's alright," Rei smiles genially, "I know how it is to get wrapped up in something like that."
[10:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial smiles, relating to that quite a bit. "Anyway, I think this is a summoned creature of some sort - it's certainly not natural to the Earth."
[10:51] * Rei-chan nods. "Figured as much. Any idea about where it's being summoned from or how?"
[10:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Not really," she sighs. "We'd have to get a live specimen for that."
[10:55] <Rei-chan> "Oh, well... guess that'll be our next step..." she taps her chin thoughtfully, "Unless there's some way we can detect or track them in order to locate where they're based..."
[10:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Not any that I can think of from just this dust," she shakes her head. "It wasn't as useful as I was hoping it would be."
[10:57] <Rei-chan> After a moment, Rei perks up, "Oh, I wanted to ask you something non-work related. Do you have any other plans today?"
[10:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hm? No, nothing beyond going home and watching TV," she shrugs. "Have an idea?"
[11:00] <Rei-chan> "Well, we don't really do that much outside of Mugen, and I have a friend who'd like to meet you, so I was hoping we could get together and do something fun," Rei suggests hopefully.
[11:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I guess, sure," she nods.
[11:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[09:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> The rest of the day goes by until lunch. With Eudial, you go to the cafeteria, getting your food through a throng of hungry students. Eudial favors a spicy chicken dish, you notice.
[09:09] * Rei-chan tries the tuna pasta bake.
[09:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sitting down at a pleasant window table, you get it all to yourselves. As usual, the other students tend to give recognize the rank of the Witches and gives way to them.
[09:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> Around a first bite of her food, Eudial starts a conversation. "Who was it you wanted to introduce me to," she asks, gulping down her food. It does smell good today.
[09:12] <Rei-chan> "Her name's Usagi Tsukino. She's really nice, even if she is sometimes a Dumpling Head," Rei says fondly. "I hope you and her will get along."
[09:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial nods thoughtfully, taking another bite of her chicken. "Dumpling Head? Strange nickname," she says before going on. "Is she talented at all, in the way we're talented?" she inquires.
[09:18] <Rei-chan> "She wears her hair with two little balls on her head," Rei gestures, "Kinda like Tellu, but with long pigtails. And she's just sometimes a bit of a ditz, so the name fits," she chuckles, before sobering at Eudial's other question. "When I first met her I thought there was something very odd about her, but something was happening at the Shrine that made all my senses way off. She does have some supernatural sensitivity, though."
[09:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Supernatural sensitivity? What exactly do you mean, Rei," she takes another bite of lunch. "Does she shiver when there's magic around?" she shrugs.
[09:22] <Rei-chan> "That's pretty much it, actually," Rei nods. "She can sense auras and magic - kind of like I can, but she's never had any training in it."
[09:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> "A wild talent," Eudail notes, biting away at her food. "Does she have any other abilities?"
[09:25] <Rei-chan> "I know she has a lot of potential, but..." Rei shrugs helplessly.
[09:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial nods. "Are you lost on helping her learn and control her powers," she guesses, putting down her chopsticks for a moment. "Heh, I can relate to that. The Professor was helpful when I first came here," she relates, a strange smile on her face. "I was a bit raw, too."
[09:30] <Rei-chan> "I've given her a few pointers on being able to control her sensitivity, since it can leave you open to mental attack," Rei shivers slightly at the memory, "But there's really too much difference between what we can do, even if it seems similar on the surface. I haven't been much help at all. Still, she gets by well enough."
[09:30] * Rei-chan then gives Eudial an interested look, "What was it like for you? Did you even know about your talent before coming here?"
[09:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial rests her head on her hands, looking out the window. "I had an idea, yeah," she begins. "Remember when I told you about all that property damage? Most of those were about my untrained inventions and such that I made. I was totally unfocused, making this and that without any regard to what it would do," she relates, her eyes and voice a touch distant, wrapped in memories.
[09:40] * Rei-chan nods understandingly. "Yeah, must have been troublesome..."
[09:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I knew it wasn't natural. My Mom thought it wasn't, either, and it led her to becoming a teacher here so I could receive supervision from the Professor. Even back then," she smiles again, still remote, "he was known as a force in the mystical sciences."
[09:41] <Rei-chan> "Your mother is a teacher here?" Rei asks interestedly.
[09:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah, she teaches metal shop class," she says. "Like mother, like daughter, except I'm also magically gifted at it," she nods again, going back to her food and raising her head. "Anyhow, the Professor taught me how to focus and understand what I was making instead of just letting it trash a block or three."
[09:45] <Rei-chan> "So what kind of power does the Professor actually have? Is it some sort of technomagic thing like your own?"
[09:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I've been thinking about that for a long time now," Eudial goes on, twirling a bit of food around her plate. "As far as I can figure, he can make those shadow faces...and that's all I've been able to put together. Any other abilities he has I haven't seen."
[09:47] <Rei-chan> "Well, he did make that daimon seed thing. He's obviously no slouch," Rei says contemplatively.
[09:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial nods in agreement. "Yeah. Modern science can barely clone a sheep and he's making new creatures from scratch. Some talent has to be at work there," she says thoughtfully.
[09:51] * Rei-chan chews on her pasta as she ponders. "Then there's the Mistress... I barely had time to look at her before I was knocked out that time, so I don't really know what powers she has, but considering she keeps a group like ours in line, it must be something pretty damn impressive."
[09:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial takes a large bite of chicken and rice before going on. "I saw her use a bit of magic before," she recalls, and not in the fond way she did when she talked about the Professor's teachings. "Kaolinite got really out of line when we all went to see her..." she pauses again, thinking.
[09:54] * Rei-chan leans forward interestedly, waiting to hear what happened.
[09:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> "She got sent flying across the room in a second, and the rest of us were teleported out," she relates slowly. "But... afterwards, she started to get stronger and excel past the rest of us," she frowns. "She's now the strongest out of all of us by far..."
[09:56] <Rei-chan> "Hmm..." Rei ponders this. "You say Kaolinite got really out of line? She's normally very controlled - especially around the Professor. Did she used to be... more emotional?"
[09:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> "A bit more, yeah. She was also younger... she calmed down after that, but she was also starting to do so beforehand," Eudial shrugs.
[09:58] * Rei-chan shrugs, "I was probably on the wrong track with what I was thinking anyway. It's more likely that the Mistress just scared Kaolinite into working much harder to prove her usefulness."
[09:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Probably..." Eudial doesn't finish that thought, but she sounds fairly convinced of that. Maybe. "If she has gotten stronger, it would require more control on some level."
[10:01] <Rei-chan> "Well, my original thought was - you remember how you said that injection I got removed my humanity?" she doesn't wait for a response before continuing, "I never actually felt any different after it, but what if the Mistress did something more extreme to Kaolinite? Changed how her mind works to make her more compliant as well as making it easier for her to access certain powers?"
[10:01] <Rei-chan> She gets a distasteful look as she adds, "Like what Metallia did to me."
[10:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial finishes her lunch in three quick bites before saying anything else. "It's possible, I guess," she finally says, shaking her head. "But... ugh..." Eudial drops her chopsticks, shuddering a moment.
[10:03] <Rei-chan> "Eudial!" Rei reaches over the table to put a hand on the girl's shoulder, "Are you alright?"
[10:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Huh?" the shuddering stops and she blinks, chasing it away. "Yeah, I'm fine. What were you saying?" she asks, a bit dazed.
[10:06] <Rei-chan> "We were just talking about the Mistress," Rei says distractedly as she examines Eudial's head. "Are you sure you've recovered from yesterday?"
[10:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'm fine," she says. "Must've just been a bit of gas."
[10:07] <Rei-chan> "If you're sure," Rei leans back in her seat. "I guess you do seem fine, now."
[10:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> "At any rate," she says, pushing her plate back again and chaning the subject, "Did you hear what Tellu ran into yesterday evening?"
[10:11] <Rei-chan> "No," Rei blinks, recalling that she saw Tellu this morning and the girl seemed fine. "Those elves, or that person who attacked us when we went after the mime?"
[10:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> "The latter," she nods. "I heard her reporting back to the professor. Some shadowy figure knocked her away from the Heart Crystal before running off."
[10:12] <Rei-chan> "Shadowy," Rei repeats dully. "Damn, take it that means she didn't get a good look at them?"
[10:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Nope," Eudial confirms. "Just dashed in and out after scaring off the Witch."
[10:14] * Rei-chan sighs. "I guess it's not really our problem, since we're not responsible for hunting Talismans right now, but I'd still like to find out more about this."
[10:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah," Eudial agrees. "But one thing at a time - let's get these elves first." she grins at that, a bit of bravado showing up.
[10:16] * Rei-chan nods. "Yeah, we'll definitely deal with them."
[10:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial smirks, getting up. "Then shall we get back to work?"
[10:17] <Rei-chan> "Sure thing," Rei agrees, rising herself.
[10:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[10:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> After another hour or two of work, Eudial concludes nothing more will be gained from the dust. She asks Rei if she wants to leave a bit early, since she wanted to meet a friend.
[10:23] <Rei-chan> "Sure, just let me get changed," Rei says before heading into the Witches 6 locker room and changing into some casual clothes she has stored there.
[10:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial goes with you, changing into a pair of black slacks and a red sweater. That's unusual, she usually wears her outfit home.
[10:26] * Rei-chan changes into a purple turtleneck and short black skirt. "I was thinking we could go to that club you took me to before," she suggests. "We can pick up Usagi outside the Crown Arcade."
[10:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> "That's near Juuban Middle," she nods as she puts away her Witches outfit. She sits down and begins to undo her hair, letting it fall down in red waves to her waist.
[10:29] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, that's the school she goes to," Rei nods. "Why don't you wear your hair down like that more often? It looks nice," she comments.
[10:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's a pain," she shrugs. "I don't see how you manage it all the time." she takes out a small brush, working on parts of it.
[10:32] <Rei-chan> "True, it is high maintainance, but I just like it this way," Rei brushes a hand against her hair. "It was a lot better back when it was black, though..."
[10:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> She looks up a moment, studying you. "It would have been," she nods a moment later. She stands, content with her now loose and brushed hair.
[10:34] <Rei-chan> "Well, at least I won't even notice when I'm old enough for it to turn grey," Rei chuckles half-heartedly. "You ready to go, now?"
[10:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial at least has the sense not to chuckle herself. "Ready," she says, heading out. A short walk takes you the car, which causes her to grin broadly as usual. "Alright," she enthuses, "Time to get going."
[10:36] <Rei-chan> "Um... I don't really mind your driving, Eudial," Rei says in a concillatory tone, "But do you think you could maybe tone it down after we pick up Usagi? She's... um... well, she won't be quite as used to it as I am."
[10:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial sighs, a bit overly dramatic. "If you want it that way, why don't you drive instead?" she says. "I really want to go fast."
[10:38] * Rei-chan chuckles, "I'm not sure she'd get in the car if I was driving... but I guess it will be fun to see the look on her face."
[10:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial nods, tossing you the keys. She does look a bit dissapointed as she slides into the passenger seat, though.
[10:40] <Rei-chan> "I'll try to drive really dangerously until we pick her up if it'll make you feel any better?" Rei offers with a teasing smile as she gets in the driver's seat.
[10:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial does smile back at that. "Sure, let's see you try and outdo the great Eudial at driving!"
[10:41] <Rei-chan> "I'm not at that level yet, but I can try," Rei agrees, starting the car.
[10:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei does indeed try, making good time as you zoom towards the Crown Arcade...
[10:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[10:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> Usagi stands outside the Crown Arcade, having just arrived from another day of education. It's a short wait indeed as a car zooms up to Usagi, stopping right in front of her...
[10:52] * Usagi-chan hops back a step as the car screeches to a halt. "Whoa..."
[10:52] <Rei-chan> "Heya, Dumpling Head," Rei waves from the rolled down car window.
[10:53] <Usagi-chan> "Rei?!" Usagi says incredulously. "What are you trying to do, run me over?"
[10:53] * Rei-chan gets a hurt look. "Of course not! You were in no danger at all!"
[10:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yep, I did teach her how to drive, so you were fine," another voice calls out from the other side of the car.
[10:55] <Usagi-chan> "Why are you the one driving, anyway? Don't you need a license for that?" Usagi looks concerned.
[10:56] <Rei-chan> "Well... yeah..." Rei concedes reluctantly, "But that's just a formality. Just because I'm not legally old enough, I still have the skills."
[10:57] * Usagi-chan sighs. "Well, I guess you DID get here without running into anything - I don't see any dents in the car. But you don't have to go so fast!"
[10:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's not any fun if you go slow, though," the same voice from before points out.
[10:58] <Rei-chan> "Don't worry," Rei waves it off, "I'll go much slower, now. Come on, hop in."
[10:58] <Usagi-chan> "All right, I'm coming. Just be careful, okay?" Usagi climbs into the back seat of the car, still looking a bit nervous.
[10:59] <Rei-chan> "Anyway," Rei turns around and gestures between the two passengers, "I'd like you to meet my sempai; Eudial. Eudial, this is Usagi."
[10:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> Getting in, Usagi is able to see the other person. Eudial has long red hair that cascades down her back, with a red sweater and black slacks. "Hi," she says.
[11:00] * Usagi-chan gives the car's other occupant a bright smile. "Hi, I'm Usagi! Are you Eudial?"
[11:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial turns enough so that she can see Usagi. "Yeah. It's nice to meet you, Usagi," she says politely.
[11:01] * Usagi-chan smiles. "I've been wanting to meet you for a while - Rei-chan says you're her best friend at Mugen, so I was hoping to get a chance to meet you sometime."
[11:02] * Rei-chan returns her attention to driving, taking them to the club she went to with Eudial before, while hoping the two will get along.
[11:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial nods, glancing at the road once. "Rei's a good friend," she confirms. "She said you see unusual things," she asks off the bat.
[11:03] * Usagi-chan blinks in surprise. "She did?" 'Rei...?'
[11:04] <Rei-chan> 'I mentioned you can see auras, that's all,' Rei replies. 'Nothing about Sailor Moon.'
[11:05] * Usagi-chan nods after picking up Rei's thought. "Yeah, I can." she says, slightly subdued.
[11:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> She nods. "Cool," she smiles. "Do you see anything around me?"
[11:07] <Usagi-chan> "A little right now... hard to tell without getting a good look at you. I was planning to take a better look once we got to wherever we were going." Usagi smiles, glad to see that her 'ability' isn't creeping Eudial out.
[11:08] <Rei-chan> "We're nearly there," Rei puts in, "It's a club Eudial and I visited before."
[11:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Ah," Eudial nods again. "It's uncommon to meet people with talent," she explains, "It's so rare."
[11:09] <Usagi-chan> "Yeah, I know!" Usagi agrees. "I was really surprised when Rei-chan told me there were a bunch of 'talented' people at Mugen."
[11:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> "She mentioned the Witches 6," she asks neutrally. "You mean the club for magically inclined people?" she asks, digging a bit.
[11:13] <Usagi-chan> "Is that what they're called?" Usagi looks curious. "She didn't name any names, just that she really didn't like most of the magically inclined people at Mugen except for you."
[11:13] <Rei-chan> "Um, I didn't actually mention the club..." Rei says, wincing a bit.
[11:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial goes on, nodding. "Yeah, the others are bitches," she admits freely. Looking up, Eudial sees that Rei is just about there...
[11:16] <Usagi-chan> "Seems like a real shame though - with so few people out there that can do that kind of thing, it seems awful that they're so mean. People with things like that in common should stick together, right?" Usagi smiles.
[11:16] <Rei-chan> "That'd be nice," Rei agrees, "But some of them just see it as a way to elevate themselves above everyone else."
[11:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah," she says, agreeing. "Or they get all high and mighty because they're special."
[11:18] <Usagi-chan> "Well, I know I'M not going to do that, ever! Just because I can do some things that other people can't doesn't make me any better or worse than they are - just different." Usagi nods emphatically.
[11:19] * Rei-chan smiles, "That's the best way to look at it."
[11:22] * Rei-chan parks the car and shuts off the engine. "Alright, here we are," she tells her passengers, unbuckling her seat belt and exiting the car.
[11:22] * Usagi-chan hops out of the car. "That wasn't TOO bad... I guess Eudial-san must be a good teacher." Usagi grins.
[11:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You bet," Eudial grins, getting out of the car herself.
[11:24] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, she helped me out a lot," Rei adds, before grinning, "But when the student is this skilled, what can you expect?"
[11:24] <Usagi-chan> "I see you're still as modest as ever, Pyro!" Usagi retorts.
[11:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Heh," Eudial responds, taking a moment to stretch out now that she's out of the car.
[11:25] <Rei-chan> "I can't help but be the way I am," Rei replies smartly. "Come on, guys," she leads the pair into the club. "If you two get a booth I'll get us drinks."
[11:27] <Usagi-chan> "Okay, be there in just a second." She smiles and turns to Eudial. "You wanted me to take a look at you, right?" Usagi gives the Witch a penetrating gaze, although not an unkind one.
[11:27] * Rei-chan goes to the bar, getting an orange juice for herself, a mountain dew for Eudial, and a cream soda for Usagi.
[11:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial doesn't flinch under the gaze, but she does look a touch uncomfortable.
[11:31] * Usagi-chan takes on a somewhat wide-eyed expression. "Wow... you DO have a lot of potential." She smiles. "Way more than anyone else I've ever seen."
[11:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Of course," she smiles. "Anyway, c'mon," she nods, leading you inside.
[11:31] * Usagi-chan nods and follows the redhead into the club.
[11:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> The club is dark and vibrant with arcade machines in the front, a dance floor, and tables and booths for refreshments.
[11:33] <Usagi-chan> "Wow... this is WAY different from the Crown." Usagi says as she takes in her surroundings.
[11:35] * Rei-chan approaches the pair, handing over their drinks. "Come on, I saw an empty booth over there," she points, "Let's go get seated."
[11:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Thanks," Eudial says as she takes her drink and walks over. "Yeah, this is a real club," she says to Usagi.
[11:36] * Usagi-chan takes the cream soda with a smile and follows Rei quickly, her long pigtails bobbing. "I've only been to a place like this once before." She frowns slightly, but covers it quickly.
[11:37] <Rei-chan> "It's not a bad place," Rei nods, "Bit heavy on the couples, though..." she adds with a trace of annoyance.
[11:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> "More incentive to get a boyfriend," Eudial murmurs with an edge of annoyance.
[11:37] <Usagi-chan> "Oh yeah, that reminds me." Usagi sighs. "Guess who I overheard at lunch today?"
[11:38] <Rei-chan> "Dunno, what?" Rei asks, sitting down.
[11:39] * Usagi-chan seats herself next to Rei. "Turns out a certain tall dark-haired college student dumped Ann yesterday... said he just couldn't get over the girl of his dreams." She sighs and rests her head on her arms.
[11:40] <Rei-chan> "Ugh..." Rei groans. "You're just too darn irresistible, Dumpling Head."
[11:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial stays quiet, sipping her drink while the other two discuss gossip unrelated to her.
[11:42] * Rei-chan tries to include Eudial in the conversation. "Usagi's having trouble with her ex-boyfriend. He's rather obsessed..." she tells the older girl.
[11:42] <Usagi-chan> "Ugh, obsessed is like an understatement. I don't want to go out with him any more, but he just doesn't want to take no for an answer." She sighs.
[11:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial smiles. "I'd kill just to have an ex-boyfriend lately," she says. "At least you've gone somewhere in the love department."
[11:44] * Usagi-chan snorts. "That train never even made it out of the station. *I* thought it was love, and *he* thought it was love, but then he went and said some stuff and now I don't know what to believe out of him anymore."
[11:45] <Rei-chan> "It's annoying," Rei grouses, "Relationships just aren't worth the trouble they cause..." she says, it fairly obvious she doesn't really believe it.
[11:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> Taking a straw, she blows a few bubbles in her drink. "You make it sound like I'm better off for not having a boyfriend," she comments.
[11:47] <Usagi-chan> "Oh, I don't know..." Usagi sits back, a somewhat distant look on her face. "I'd really LIKE to be going out with someone, but the only person that's interested is Mamoru, and I already know he's not going to work out." Usagi sighs.
[11:47] <Rei-chan> "No..." Rei sighs, "I'm just bitter, you really shouldn't listen to me at all when it comes to romance..." she chugs down the rest of her drink.
[11:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial reaches over, patting your shoulder. "I'm sure that you'll find Miss Right sooner or later," she says. "Maybe even after I find Mr. Right."
[11:49] * Rei-chan chuckles, "I might find Mr. Right myself. I haven't totally given up on guys, you know."
[11:49] * Usagi-chan giggles. "I was just about to ask you that, Rei-chan. So you're still looking at guys too, huh?"
[11:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial laughs. "Well, just don't steal my Mr. Right when you can have Miss Right," she chortles.
[11:50] <Rei-chan> "Well, I'm keeping my options open," Rei says evasively. "I mean, I always thought I was straight until..." she grimaces slightly. "Now I just don't know... I suppose it's what's inside that matters most, right?"
[11:51] * Usagi-chan nods. "I guess it really doesn't matter if it's a guy or a girl as long as they make you happy."
[11:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Eh," Eudial says, drinking another gulp of her drink. "I just can't imagine doing THAT with another girl, yeah?" she shrugs.
[11:52] <Rei-chan> "I suppose I had thought of it before, but I just figured it was curiosity..." Rei shrugs helplessly. "Now I'm all confused," she sticks her tongue out slightly.
[11:52] * Usagi-chan blushes. "Well... it does seem a LITTLE weird." A traitorous image of herself and Rei runs through her head, and her blush deepens.
[11:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> She goes on, blushing a bit herself. "Maybe...maybe I could see kissing another girl, but touching her..and..." she goes beet red. "It's just strange."
[11:54] <Rei-chan> "Well..." Rei blushes a bit herself, "Who better to know a woman's body than another woman?" she looks down at her lap. 'I can't believe I just said that!'
[11:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Gurk!" Eudial chokes a bit on her drink, before laughing while blushing. "Yeah, you have a point there. A guy would fumble around for awhile first..."
[11:55] * Usagi-chan giggles nervously, the memory of her kisses with Rei coming back at Eudial's words. "I bet a girl would be a better kisser than a guy anyway." She tries to grin.
[11:56] <Rei-chan> "I just don't know... I mean, if I found the right guy, I wouldn't mind teaching him..." Rei giggles a bit herself, still blushing.
[11:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Teaching him could be a lot of fun," Eudial muses, staring mostly at her drink.
[11:57] <Usagi-chan> "Um... anyway!" Usagi says brightly. "Why don't we go try out some of the games or something?" She desperately tries to change the subject.
[11:58] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, lets do that!" Rei nods, more than a bit embarrassed herself.
[11:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh yeah," Eudial nods as well, still red faced. "How about some karaoke?"
[11:59] * Usagi-chan blushes - then remembering what happened to the LAST party she tried to dodge singing on, she sighs. "I guess that'll be okay."
[11:59] <Rei-chan> "Ah," Rei falters a bit, "Usagi doesn't like karaoke..."
[11:59] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "It's okay, Rei-chan. Just promise not to laugh at me too hard, okay?" Usagi makes a face.
[12:00] <Rei-chan> "Well, you don't have to sing if you don't want to. You could just listen to Eudial and me?" Rei offers, not wanting this to be ruined like last time they went to do karaoke.
[12:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> "If she doesn't mind," Eudial says after Usagi speaks, "Let's give it a try."
[12:01] <Usagi-chan> "I might as well get it over with, Rei-chan. I'd rather embarrass myself in front of you than a group of people I barely know from school or something." She nods to Eudial. "Lead the way!"
[12:01] * Rei-chan nods, resolving to be extra-nice if Usagi does stink.
[12:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial gets up, goes to the counter and speaks to the man there for a few moments. She comes back with a keycard. "We got room 4," she nods, "All to ourselves."
[12:03] <Rei-chan> "Great, let's go!" Rei enthuses.
[12:03] * Usagi-chan nods, still somewhat nervous about the idea of singing in front of the other two.
[12:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> You are led down past the dance floor into a more muted hallway. Doors branch off from here into the various karaoke rooms, and the one you go into is big enough for ten people. A few couches line the area, along with a jukebox, microphone and a drink bar. This looks a lot nicer than the usual run of rooms a school student would get.
[12:06] <Usagi-chan> "Wow.... this place is awesome!" Usagi stares around at the room wide-eyed, her nervousness forgotten.
[12:07] <Rei-chan> "Pretty swish," the miko agrees, before clapping her hands. "Okay, I'll go first," she volunteers, heading over to the jukebox.
[12:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> "And it's pretty much free," Eudial smirks. "There are a few perks to being an assistant to the Professor," she nods.
[12:08] <Usagi-chan> "What are you going to sing first, Rei-chan?" Usagi smiles.
[12:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> As Rei sets up, Eudial goes to the drink bar, working on something...
[12:09] <Rei-chan> "I... am going to... sing..." Rei bites her lip as she goes through the songs, before finding one she likes. "Kaze mo, Sore mo, Kitto," she announces brightly, keying up the song and grabbing the microphone.
[12:11] * Usagi-chan giggles excitedly. "All right, let's hear it, Pyro!"
[12:12] * Rei-chan sways slightly to the introduction, clasping the microphone over her chest as she begins to sing. "Disappearing into a crowd, I waved my hand to your turned back, Until yesterday, this all seemed like it wasn't true..." she begins softly, though her words seem to resonate through the small room as she puts all her feelings into it.
[12:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial listens as she works at the drink bar, listening to Rei's melody.
[12:15] <Rei-chan> Her voice picks up, becoming louder and more passionate as the song continues, before slowly working it's way back to the soft tones of the start. "That day, I had a dream, I will not forget the depth of your eyes, The wind, the sky, surely, Will wipe away all my pain inside..." she trails off, tapping her foot slightly to the melody as the song ends.
[12:15] <Usagi-chan> As before, Usagi listens to Rei's song almost entranced. As the miko finishes, she applauds wildly. "Way to go, Rei-chan!"
[12:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your red haired friend claps as well, coming back with a bottle and a few sake saucers. "Nice job, Rei!"
[12:15] * Rei-chan bows with a flourish. "Thank you," she grins. "Who's next?"
[12:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'll go," Eudial volunteers, putting down the bottle and saucers. "I'll give it a go."
[12:16] <Rei-chan> "Here you are," Rei hands over the microphone before taking a seat next to Usagi.
[12:16] * Usagi-chan sighs with relief... although she knows it's only a matter of time.
[12:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> She takes it, going up. She flips through the songs briefly before coming to one she likes. "Okay..." she says.
[12:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Enduring mortification, you kicked a stone... If it bounces back, it might even become a diamond." Eudial starts, feeling out the rhythm of the song slowly. As it goes past the first lines, she starts to put more of her feeling into it. "Dreams you can get right away aren't really dreams, you know. Still, I believe that they'll be granted without fail. I won't give in. I love you... If you ever want to cry, I'll always, always be by your side, and so..." She sings this part, building up for the next line...
[12:20] * Rei-chan watches raptly, appreciating the lyrics and Eudial's performance.
[12:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You get to burning!" she cries, getting into the Nadesico theme fully with that line, grinning as she sings onward, as if at a private joke. She peaks her voice again, "You get to burning!"
[12:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you pick up those pieces, I can see the courage to aim for tomorrow, to be... Going your days. Grow up!" she finishes with a florish, having sung her song quite loudly. She's not bad, but she won't rival Full Moon or even Rei's singing talent at all.
[12:22] * Rei-chan claps, "That was great, Eudial," she grins.
[12:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> She walks over, having finished the song. She grins, handing the microphone to Usagi and sitting down next to the bottle. "I've always liked that song for some reason," she says.
[12:24] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, Nadesico is a cool anime, too," Rei nods.
[12:25] * Usagi-chan smoothes her skirt down as she stands up, her face betraying her nervousness. "All right, I guess I can give it a try." She hunts through the catalog for a moment.
[12:26] <Rei-chan> "You'll do fine if you forget to be nervous," Rei suggests.
[12:28] <Usagi-chan> Finding the song she wants, she punches up the number and begins to sing as the music starts, a slow, sad refrain. "At night, the town is quiet like the bottom of the ocean, I continue down the road by myself. Guided by the distant voice, I keep searching for the soft blue light."
[12:28] * Rei-chan listens curiously, having expected Usagi to go with something a lot more energetic...
[12:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial listens as she fiddles with the bottle of warm saki, pouring a few tiny saucers of it...
[12:30] <Usagi-chan> Hey... I discovered myself within, and my spirit calls out to me. No matter how far away I am, I can hear it." Usagi's clear, pure voice rolls through the small karaoke room. "The silver light burns within every room, I walk around hoping for it anywhere, surely."
[12:31] * Rei-chan smiles softly, finding the lyrics to be rather appropriate.
[12:31] <Usagi-chan> Hey... I found you, and so, without leaving you again... no matter how much I hurt inside I'll always be near you. Forever, forever..." Usagi lowers the microphone as the chords of the song fade away, her look of concentration dissipating. She looks at Rei nervously. "Well... how bad was I?"
[12:32] <Rei-chan> "Usagi," Rei says, giving the other girl a stern look, "Didn't you say you were a really bad singer?"
[12:33] * Usagi-chan nods, trying not to meet Rei's gaze. "I must have really sucked, huh?"
[12:34] <Rei-chan> "Are you kidding?" Rei blurts, "You totally nailed that song! So why have you always been going on about how bad you are at singing? That was great!"
[12:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial nods in agreement as she walks over. "You sung really well," she agrees, smiling. "You had lots of heart in it."
[12:34] * Usagi-chan looks up at Rei in surprise. "You're kidding, right?" She looks over at Eudial. "You're not both just pulling my leg, are you?"
[12:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Nope," she smiles. "Oh, and do either of you want a drink? This is a lot more fun when you take the edge off," she explains, "and you don't care as much about who hears you singing."
[12:35] <Rei-chan> "Why would I do that?" Rei asks in all seriousness. "You know how much I enjoy making fun of you. If you were bad I'd make sure you knew it."
[12:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> She offers two of the small saucers forward, if either want them.
[12:36] * Rei-chan takes the saucer and raises it to her lips before pausing, "Umm... then who's going to drive?"
[12:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I can call my Mom if it gets that bad," Eudial shrugs. "It's not a big deal."
[12:37] * Usagi-chan takes the second saucer, raising it to her lips before she catches a whiff of the alcohol. "Whoa..." She looks at the saucer of sake for a second. "I'd probably get TOTALLY wasted if I drank this..."
[12:37] <Rei-chan> "Fair enough," Rei nods, sipping her sake, before looking at Usagi, "Just make sure you go easy on it, Dumpling Head - I don't want to carry you out of here."
[12:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> "That is at least part of the idea," Eudial comments, before downing her own. "It's all about having enough to loosen up but not enough to fall over and sleep with the first warm body you see."
[12:38] * Usagi-chan sets the saucer down. "Probably NOT a good idea for me to have that then... I STILL remember the headache I had after the Princess D reception, and that was just half a glass of wine!"
[12:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial shrugs. "There's some lighter stuff back there if that's your thing," she comments, sitting back down. "Who's up now?"
[12:40] <Rei-chan> "I'll go again," Rei gets up, already having picked out a song after listening to the other two. She keys it up and starts to sing.
[12:42] <Rei-chan> "Fly me to the moon and let me play among those stars, Let me see what spring is like on Jupiter or," she smirks slightly, "Mars..." She doesn't stumble at all over any of the English, giving quite a polished performance. "In other words, hold my hand, In other words, darling kiss me..."
[12:44] * Usagi-chan giggles as Rei sings the song, recognizing the planets' names fairly easily.
[12:45] <Rei-chan> "Fill my heart with song and let me sing forevermore, You are all I long for all I worship and adore..." Rei has a far away look as she clutches the microphone, smiling gently at the song's finish. "In other words, please be true, In other words, I love you."
[12:47] * Usagi-chan smiles gently. "That was really beautiful, Rei-chan, even if I DIDN'T understand all the words." She giggles again... "Fly me to the moon..."
[12:48] <Rei-chan> "Thanks," Rei smiles, "I thought you'd like that one." She goes over to take another sip of her sake, "So, which one of you wants to go next? Or does anyone want to try a duet with me?"
[12:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Sure," Eudial volunteers, taking a sip from a second glass of saki. "What song do you have in mind?"
[12:52] * Usagi-chan heads over to the bar as Eudial steps up onto the stage with Rei. Maybe they have ice cream in here somewhere...?
[12:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> Usagi finds that most of the items here are of the alcholic nature, along with a few sodas on the side. The only food is peanuts and chips...it's almost like a bar's selection.
[12:53] <Rei-chan> "I know just the one," Rei grins, heading back to the machine and punching it up.
[12:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial looks over, glancing at the song chosen.
[12:54] <Rei-chan> The title is 'Ai', though it says in brackets 'Excel Saga OP'.

Halbarad · June 25, 2006, 11:32:35 AM

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Placeholder for now. Rei, Usagi, and Eudial's fun at the karaoke parlor continues, although Eudial hits the sake a bit hard...
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Halbarad · June 25, 2006, 12:01:51 PM

[17:36] * Usagi-chan hurries forward, taking Rei's arm gently as she catches the miko's expression of pain. "You sure you're all right?"
[17:38] <Rei-chan> "It's just the noise," Rei mutters. "Feels like there's a jackhammer in my skull..." Nonetheless she gives Usagi a grateful, if slightly pained, smile, and makes no move to dislodge herself.
[17:39] <Ana-away> Exiting out of the club after that, cool/cold late afternoon air hammers you along with beams of still-strong sunlight.
[17:39] <Ana-away> Eudial lets loose an unhappy moan, covering her eyes. "Oooooh..."
[17:39] <Rei-chan> "It feels like it should be much later than this," Rei comments, shading her own eyes.
[17:41] <Usagi-chan> "Well, it's only about 4:45 or so." She guides Rei along behind Mrs. Kawashima.
[17:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial's mother grunts as she leads you to a slightly scruffy, oldish-looking four door car. She opens the back door, getting Eudial to sit in the back passenger seat. "Would you get Rei into the back driver seat?"
[17:42] <Rei-chan> "I think next time we'll definitely have to lay off the booze so it can last a bit longer..." Rei gets into the back of the car on the other side from Eudial without requiring much assistance. "Still, it was fun while it lasted, right?" she looks at Eudial and Usagi hopefully.
[17:43] <Usagi-chan> "Well, I know I had fun watching you two." Usagi giggles. "And it was fun getting to sing, too."
[17:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah," Eudial says. "I'll second everything Rei just said."
[17:45] * Usagi-chan climbs into the front seat of the car once Rei is settled.
[17:46] <Rei-chan> "I'm glad you two got along," Rei says, fiddling with her seatbelt. "We'll have to try this again sometime."
[17:46] <Usagi-chan> "Absolutely!" Usagi smiles. "Just without the sake next time, right?" She turns in her seat to smirk at Rei.
[17:47] <Rei-chan> "Yeah," Rei nods lazily. "I suppose that stuff really isn't worth the trouble it causes..."
[17:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Okay, where do the two of you live?" Yomiko cuts in, keying the car up. "Who's closest?"
[17:48] <Rei-chan> "Hikawa Shrine is closest to here," Rei puts in.
[17:48] <Usagi-chan> "You can drop Rei-chan and me off at the Hikawa Shrine - I don't live too far from there myself, so I can walk home from there."
[17:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Right, Hikawa Shrine," she nods, starting the car. It runs exceptionally smoothly despite its appearance, showing good car care.
[17:50] * Rei-chan feels a little bit queasy on the journey, but not too bad.
[17:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial stays mostly silent during the trip, staring at the non-moving floor in an attempt to keep her drinks on the inside.
[17:51] * Usagi-chan remains fairly quiet on the trip to the shrine, as she's not sure what to talk to Mrs. Kawashima about and the other two aren't exactly in a conversational condition.
[17:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> Because of all this, the trip passes in something of an uncomfortable silence. But soon enough, she parks just below the stairs of the Shrine. "This is it, Rei?" she asks, undoing her seatbelt.
[17:53] <Rei-chan> "Yep, this is where I live. Thanks for the ride," Rei says, undoing her own seatbelt. "See you tomorrow, Eudial," she gives the older girl a smile as she steps out the car, before giving the many steps up to the Shrine an unhappy look.
[17:53] * Usagi-chan unbuckles her own seat belt. "Thanks for your help, Mrs. Kawashima." She turns in her seat to face Eudial. "And thanks for a really fun afternoon, Eudial-san. We'll have to get together again sometime, all right?"
[17:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> The redhead returns the smile, but is obviously starting to feel under the weather. "See you tomorrow, Rei."
[17:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> She also nods to Usagi, not trusting her ability to open her mouth and keep her digestive tract from meeting the car uphostry.
[17:54] * Usagi-chan covers a smile as she gets out of the car, heading around to meet Rei on the other side.
[17:57] * Rei-chan waves to Eudial and her mother before starting up the long stairway to the Shrine.
[17:58] * Usagi-chan stays right next to Rei as she begins the ascent, not helping the miko just yet but prepared to at the first sign of trouble.
[17:58] * Rei-chan takes the steps slowly and carefully, determined to manage this on her own.
[17:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> As Rei climbs the stairs, "Hey, Rei!" Yuuichiro calls out as he descends. He's dressed in jeans and a white T-shirt, looking oddly normal. He waves as he passes.
[18:00] * Usagi-chan keeps a close eye on her friend, biting her lip to keep from asking if Rei needs any help - since she seems rather determined to make it on her own. She gives Yuuichiro a distracted wave as he greets the pair.
[18:00] <Rei-chan> "Hey, Yuuichiro," Rei replies, "What's up?"
[18:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> He stops, in too good a mood to be depressed or annoyed by seeing you, the norm since he found about Rei dating girls. "Just going out for a night on the town," he nods, then sniffs a moment. "Woah, you beat me to coming home smelling like booze," he blinks, clearly surprised.
[18:02] <Usagi-chan> "She just had a few drinks while we were out at karaoke." Usagi shrugs.
[18:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Smells like it," he agrees. "You need a shower and a clean set of clothes, Rei," he goes on. "You smell like a sake bottle."
[18:04] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, that's what I was planning on," Rei says, somewhat grumpily. "Have fun, Yuuichiro," she says, continuing on her way up the stairs.
[18:04] * Usagi-chan gives Yuuichiro a smile. "I'll take care of her, Yuuichiro. You go enjoy your night out, okay?" She gives the shaggy young man a smile.
[18:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Okay," Yuuichiro spares Rei a final glance, this one a bit wistful, before continuing down the temple steps.
[18:05] * Usagi-chan hurries up the stairs to catch up with Rei as she leaves Yuuichiro.
[18:06] <Rei-chan> After finally ascending the stairs, Rei then heads to her bedroom, sitting down fairly heavily on the bed.
[18:07] * Usagi-chan waits at the door of the bedroom, giving Rei a concerned look. "You need any help with anything, Rei-chan?"
[18:08] <Rei-chan> "I'll clean myself up in a bit," Rei says, gesturing Usagi to come in, "We might as well talk first." She seems fairly in control of herself now, the little nap she had earlier having gotten rid of most of her tipsiness.
[18:09] * Usagi-chan comes in and sits down on the floor, facing Rei. "What's on your mind, Rei-chan?"
[18:11] * Rei-chan blinks, "Well, I do recall that you wanted to meet Eudial for more than just getting to know her..." she says leadingly.
[18:14] <Usagi-chan> "Well, yeah. She DOES have way more magical potential than anyone I've ever seen before, but it looks... well, sort of raw. Your aura's stronger even than hers is, but yours is... more focused in a way. She DOES have enough raw potential to be a senshi though." Usagi considers her words carefully.
[18:17] * Rei-chan nods. "I'm pretty sure Eudial can't directly focus her energy at all. Her talent lies in creating, well... 'technomagical' objects. She can create things that can do pretty impressive stuff, but she can't do all that much entirely on her own."
[18:18] <Usagi-chan> "I can't really make out enough from her aura to figure out how exactly she uses it, but it's way past anything I've seen in anyone else." Usagi shrugs a bit.
[18:22] <Rei-chan> "Well, when using her inventions, she's one of the more powerful girls at Mugen, and she's definitely the only one I'd even consider for this. I don't know if we'll ever find anyone else suited to become a senshi, but even then I'm still hesitant to stick her with the job... It's certainly not a decision to be made lightly."
[18:23] <Usagi-chan> "Yeah, I know. I'd really like to get to know her a lot better before I even THOUGHT about asking her to do something like this. Anything else you can tell me about her?"
[18:28] <Rei-chan> "We'd also have to introduce her to the other senshi," Rei points out, before considering Usagi's question. "She can be a bit short tempered at times, but she's a loyal friend, and she's got a good attitude about getting tasks done. She's really scientifically minded, even with her knowledge of magic - I think she'd get on well with Ami-chan.
[18:28] <Rei-chan> "And... I think she's really lonely. It's been tough on her at Mugen, dealing with those other girls by herself - she said once that she'd forgotten what real friendship was like..."
[18:34] <Usagi-chan> "That sounds really sad..." Usagi replies. "I'm glad you guys have become good friends at least - hopefully she'll get along with all the rest of us." She snorts. "And of course I'd introduce her to everyone else first! If we're all going to be working together, it WOULD be kind of important."
[18:36] <Rei-chan> "Well, that's about everything I can think of right now, at any rate," Rei offers, shrugging.
[18:37] <Usagi-chan> "Well, like I said before I don't think there's any real rush or anything, so we should have plenty of time to get to know each other first." Usagi smiles.
[18:39] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, this sure isn't something we should rush into," Rei nods. "I guess I could try a Fire Reading at some point, maybe it could point us in another direction so we don't have to pin everything on Eudial."
[18:40] * Usagi-chan leans back on her elbows. "That's probably not a bad idea either - I know I'll be keeping my eyes open, but like I said, I've never seen anyone else with as much potential as Eudial has just walking around Juuban or anything."
[18:41] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, but there's more to the world than just Juuban... I mean, Herb came all the way from China, didn't he?"
[18:42] <Usagi-chan> "I guess so, but how am I supposed to look anywhere else without knowing where to start?" Usagi sighs. "I can't see the entire world - I don't even think I could get a look at everyone that lives in Tokyo, if it comes down to that."
[18:44] <Rei-chan> "I doubt the Sacred Fire would just pinpoint a single person, but it could point us in the right direction if we're lucky," Rei shrugs. "If we know to look in a certain area at a certain time, something might just come up."
[18:44] <Usagi-chan> "It would have been nice if Setsuna could have given me some sort of idea where to start looking." Usagi says glumly.
[18:47] * Rei-chan shrugs, "There's probably a lot more than one person out there who could make an acceptable Sailor Neptune. If she did know anything, she probably wouldn't have wanted to bias you towards a particular candidate."
[18:48] <Usagi-chan> "I guess so." Usagi looks over at Rei again. "How's your head doing?"
[18:49] <Rei-chan> "Just throbbing a bit," Rei replies, "It's not that bad. I didn't have nearly as much to drink as Eudial did."
[18:50] * Usagi-chan grins. "You were both still acting pretty goofy." Usagi giggles.
[18:51] * Rei-chan snorts, "Yeah, we sure were..." she takes out the scribbled on ward from her pocket. "Anti-hangover charms? Feh... I don't want to think about how much hassle it would be to test them until I got it right..."
[18:51] * Usagi-chan laughs. "I'll bet Yuuichiro would be willing to help out with that - probably Gramps too!"
[18:53] <Rei-chan> "Better them than me," Rei chuckles, crumpling the paper and tossing it in the bin. "Oh well, at least I didn't embarrass myself too badly... And hopefully Eudial will forget that she propositioned both of us..." she adds with a small wince on her older friend's behalf.
[18:54] * Usagi-chan grins at her white-haired friend. "Well, as I recall someone DID say they thought I was cute..."
[18:55] <Rei-chan> "Throw it back in my face, why don't you?" Rei grumbles good naturedly, sticking her tongue out briefly.
[18:56] <Usagi-chan> "I think I just did!" Usagi giggles and returns the gesture, catching a gust of Rei's breath again. "Phew... you need to go clean up, Pyro. You STILL smell like sake."
[18:57] <Rei-chan> "It hasn't been that long," Rei shrugs, "But I guess you're right. Wouldn't want the fumes to get to you, after all," she smirks, standing up. "I guess I'll just have a bath then lie down for a bit. Maybe read some manga..."
[18:58] <Usagi-chan> "Mind if I hang out here for a while? I already called Mom and told her I probably wouldn't make it home for dinner anyway - I figured we'd be out later than this."
[19:01] <Rei-chan> "Sure, I don't mind - but if I'm not back in fifteen minutes I'll have probably fallen asleep in the bath," Rei chuckles slightly as she heads out the bedroom, stopping off at the linen closet for a towel before going to the bathroom.
[19:01] * Usagi-chan giggles. "I'll be sure to come wake you up in a half an hour if you're not out yet!" she calls after Rei.
[19:02] <Rei-chan> "Thanks," Rei's voice calls back before she closes the bathroom door.
[19:03] <Usagi-chan> Without further ado, Usagi begins her raid of Rei's stash of manga. Deciding to be nice for tonight, she stays away from the shrink-wrapped copies and picks up some of the older, more well-used editions to leaf through.
[19:07] <Rei-chan> After about twenty minutes, there is still no sign of Rei returning...
[19:08] * Usagi-chan checks her watch after a while has passed... no Rei. Setting aside the manga, she gets up and pads down the hall to the bathroom, sliding the door open and sticking her head in to see if Rei is, indeed, asleep.
[19:10] <Rei-chan> Rei lies in the still steaming tub, her head propped up against the back of the bath with her hair bundled up in a shower-cap as she snores lightly.
[19:10] * Usagi-chan giggles quietly, then calls out to the miko quietly - trying NOT to startle her awake. "Rei-chan... Rei-chan, wake up!"
[19:12] <Rei-chan> While normally a light sleeper, the white-haired girl is currently far too relaxed to rouse easily. She mumbles something incoherent, but otherwise does not respond.
[19:12] * Usagi-chan sighs, calling a bit more loudly. "Rei, come on! You need to get up and get out of the bath!"
[19:14] <Rei-chan> "Hmm...?" Rei sits up, the water rippling around her as she rubs her eyes before stretching and yawning. "Usagi?" she looks at the blonde, "Did I fall asleep?"
[19:16] * Usagi-chan smiles, nodding. "You said fifteen minutes, and it's been closer to twenty so I thought I'd come see if you really DID fall asleep." She motions to the miko. "Come on, I think your bed will work out better if you want to take a nap - I always get a crick in my neck when I fall asleep in the bathtub."
[19:17] <Rei-chan> "Yeah," Rei rubs her neck before standing up, the water dripping off her. "And I'm starting to prune up," she notes, examining her fingers. Stepping out of the bath, she grabs the nearby towel and sets about drying herself off.
[19:20] * Usagi-chan blushes slightly as Rei climbs out of the bathtub, admiring her friend's figure with a small degree of jealousy. "I... umm.... did you want to have some pizza or something? I brought money for the club today, but since I didn't actually PAY for anything I've still got plenty."
[19:21] <Rei-chan> "That sounds great," Rei nods, wrapping the towel around herself, "I'm pretty hungry but I don't much feel like cooking."
[19:22] * Usagi-chan smiles. "I'll call it in while you get dressed - any preferences?"
[19:23] <Rei-chan> "Seafood special works for me," Rei says, removing the shower cap before heading back to her room.
[19:24] * Usagi-chan heads off to the phone in the main room of the temple, quickly calling in the pizza order. She's told that it should be about half an hour before it will be delivered; with that in mind, she heads back to Rei's room.
[19:27] * Rei-chan is now dressed in a pair of shorts and a polo shirt, and is sitting on her bed, leaning against the headboard. "How long till it gets here?" she asks as Usagi enters.
[19:28] <Usagi-chan> "About half an hour or so, they said. Good thing too, I'm absolutely STARVED! Why couldn't they serve chocolate sundaes at the karaoke place?" Usagi pouts.
[19:30] <Rei-chan> "Heh, no place is perfect," Rei shrugs. "I'd get us some snacks now, but if the pizza is only half an hour away, we can wait."
[19:32] <Usagi-chan> "I'll live until then... if barely." Usagi makes a face. "At least I've got plenty of money for a change, so I can actually PAY for a pizza."
[19:32] <Rei-chan> "And so nice of you to treat me, too," Rei grins.
[19:33] <Usagi-chan> "Well, you DID provide a lot of entertainment this afternoon so it's the LEAST I could do." Usagi smirks.
[19:34] <Rei-chan> "I'm going to charitably assume that by 'entertainment' you mean nothing more than my talented singing performances," Rei folds her arms and sticks out her tongue.
[19:35] * Usagi-chan giggles. "Maybe... maybe a few other things too." She stops giggling and grins. "Your Dumpling Head will serve you a feast this evening!"
[19:38] <Rei-chan> "I can deal with you serving it, it's if you'd cooked it that I'd worry," Rei replies teasingly.
[19:40] <Usagi-chan> "Hey!" Usagi replies indignantly, then grins. "Best kind, right? I know *I* wouldn't even touch my own cooking... but at least you get a cute waitress!"
[19:41] <Rei-chan> "If the service is good, I might even give you a tip, then," Rei shoots back, matching Usagi's grin.
[19:42] <Usagi-chan> "What, 'Don't trip over your own pigtails'?" Usagi sticks her tongue out at Rei.
[19:43] <Rei-chan> "I was thinking more along the lines of 'eat with your mouth closed,' Dumpling Head. But that's a good tip, too," Rei replies with a smirk.
[19:45] <Usagi-chan> "I'm just enjoying the food and the conversation all at the same time!" Usagi says loftily, her nose in the air.
[19:47] <Rei-chan> "And putting everyone else off both..."
[19:48] * Usagi-chan makes a face at Rei in reply. "No one said you had to look at me while I eat!"
[19:50] <Rei-chan> "If you're talking then it's polite to look at you. If you didn't talk at the same time as food is actually in your mouth, there'd be no problem!" Rei retorts.
[19:51] <Usagi-chan> "Well *I* don't care if you're being polite! Just... I don't know, look somewhere else when I do that or something! I don't want to have to stop talking to eat!" Usagi complains.
[19:53] * Rei-chan sighs, "It's not just me! You can't expect everyone in the world to avert their eyes when you eat. Besides, I can hardly ever understand you when you talk with a mouth full of food, anyway."
[19:54] <Usagi-chan> "But it's just so hard! I don't even think about it and I don't want to have to concentrate on not talking while I eat!"
[19:55] <Rei-chan> "Well, maybe if I yell at you enough times when you do it, you'll break the habit?" Rei suggests cheerfully.
[19:56] <Usagi-chan> "Gee, don't get me all excited or anything." Usagi grouses.
[19:57] <Rei-chan> "Just think it'll be worth it when you're able to eat a meal in peace without me giving you hassle?" Rei says, keen to stress the bright side.
[19:59] * Usagi-chan sighs. "I guess... I'd get to rub it in your face when I pulled it off, too." Usagi grins, getting into the idea.
[19:59] <Rei-chan> "There you go," Rei nods happily.
[20:01] * Usagi-chan flops down on the floor with a grin, stretching out in front of a manga. "I WILL admit it's nice not to have you yelling at me about your manga anymore..."
[20:02] * Rei-chan leans forward over the bed towards Usagi. "I'm watching you like a hawk, though!" she says in a low voice. "When the pizza gets here, the manga goes away."
[20:02] <Usagi-chan> "I know, I know!" She reaches up and pushes Rei back onto the bed. "There's no pizza here yet, so keep your shirt on!"
[20:04] <Rei-chan> "Okay, just be careful with them," Rei says agreeably, lying down on the bed with her head just at the side so she can see Usagi and the manga.
[20:05] * Usagi-chan leafs idly through the volume for a few minutes, but after a while Rei notices that Usagi's spent almost five minutes staring at the same two pages.
[20:06] <Rei-chan> "Getting bored?" Rei asks, slightly disbelievingly, since it's normally such a struggle to keep Usagi away from her manga.
[20:07] <Usagi-chan> "Hmm?" Usagi looks up at Rei. "What was that?"
[20:08] <Rei-chan> "You aren't actually reading the manga. Something else on your mind?"
[20:09] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "Just thinking about some stuff." She turns back to the manga, turning the page.
[20:09] <Rei-chan> "What kind of stuff?" Rei asks curiously.
[20:10] <Usagi-chan> "It's... no, we said we wouldn't talk about it anymore." Usagi shakes her head. "Don't worry about it, Rei-chan."
[20:11] <Rei-chan> "If you say so," Rei shrugs, rolling over onto her back. "But if you do want to talk about it, I don't mind."
[20:12] * Usagi-chan sighs. "It's Mamoru, big surprise. I just can't stop wondering what he's going to do now, if what I heard Ann say is right."
[20:14] <Rei-chan> "Couldn't give up on his dream girl, eh?" Rei snorts, "Yeah, I guess it was too good to be true that he'd moved on..."
[20:16] * Usagi-chan rolls over on her back, staring up at the ceiling. "I just wish he'd take no for an answer! Now I'm wondering what he'll try next - he's already snuck into my room at home and left me flowers before, what's next?"
[20:17] <Rei-chan> "Don't worry, Usagi," Rei rolls back on her stomach to look down at her friend, "If he tries anything drastic, we'll stop him."
[20:19] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "I just wish I knew what he was going to do... I don't really think he'd try anything drastic, but after what he said I'm not really sure I KNOW what he's capable of doing anymore. It's just that this not-knowing is driving me up the wall!"
[20:21] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, I wish I could tell you, but I have no clue what he could be thinking..." Rei sighs.
[20:22] * Usagi-chan snorts. "It'd be nice if I could be with someone else - maybe he'd finally take the hint then. But I don't know any guys that would be willing to do that - Motoki might, but Mamoru already knows he's dating Reika so that's no good."
[08:43] <Rei-chan> "What, you mean like a fake boyfriend just to give him the message that you've moved on?" Rei blinks.
[08:44] <Usagi-chan> "Well, yeah. I mean, it doesn't sound like he's going to listen from me just SAYING no - when I broke it off all he tried to do was convince me that things could still work." Usagi sighs. "There just doesn't seem to be any easy way to take care of this."
[08:45] <Rei-chan> "You could ask Herb," Rei suggests, smirking. "I bet he'd be only too happy to help his Queen like that."
[08:46] <Usagi-chan> "Ugh.... no thanks, I think I'll pass on that one. Herb's a nice guy, but... no, I definitely don't think of him like that."
[08:47] <Rei-chan> "Well, you don't have to. It's just fake, right?" Rei then pauses, before continuing in a less enthused tone, "On the other hand, you would have to make it at least look real..."
[08:48] <Usagi-chan> "Bingo. Which is why I don't think I could do it with Herb." Usagi sighs. "I guess I'll just have to deal with whatever Endymion cooks up by myself."
[08:50] <Rei-chan> "Well, if there's any way I can help, you only have to ask. You don't have to suffer all by yourself," Rei says encouragingly.
[08:51] * Usagi-chan gives Rei a wan smile. "Thanks, Rei-chan. It's nice knowing I can always depend on you."
[08:52] <Rei-chan> "It's what friends are for, right?" Rei nods.
[08:53] <Usagi-chan> "Absolultely - and I couldn't wish for a better friend than you, Rei." Usagi's smile is genuine now, as she sits up and faces Rei.
[08:54] <Rei-chan> "Aww," Rei blushes, reaching over to muss Usagi's hair slightly. "That goes double for me, Dumpling Head."
[08:56] * Usagi-chan grins, as a loud knock sounds on the main door of the temple. "That must be the pizza! I'll be right back!" Usagi scrambles to her feet and dashes out of the room.
[08:57] * Rei-chan sits up on the bed, crossing her legs.
[08:58] * Usagi-chan returns a few minutes later, two glasses of lemonade perched atop the pizza box. "Dinner is served!" Carefully balancing the pizza box on one hand, she hands one of the glasses of lemonade to Rei. "Your drink, madam..."
[08:58] <Rei-chan> "It's nice to have such good help," Rei smiles, accepting the glass.
[08:59] * Usagi-chan giggles and sets the pizza box down on the floor next to Rei's bed, taking her own glass before throwing the lid open. "Voila! One extra-extra-large seafood special!"
[09:00] * Rei-chan inhales deeply. "Smells delicious," she comments, leaning over to grab a slice and chewing contentedly on it.
[09:02] * Usagi-chan picks up her own slice and starts to scarf it down at near-record speed. She opens her mouth to reply.... and closes it again, waiting until she's finished her mouthful before speaking. "Tastes delicious too! And it's all thanks to the little weasel!" she giggles.
[09:03] <Rei-chan> "Shingo?" Rei gives Usagi a curious look, "How's this thanks to him?"
[09:04] * Usagi-chan grins as she finishes off another bite of pizza. "About 3 or 4 months ago SOMEONE bet me an entire month's allowance that there was NO way I'd pass this year. After Monday, he's got a lot less in his piggy bank."
[09:04] * Rei-chan laughs. "And it must have seemed like such a sure bet at the time..."
[09:05] * Usagi-chan sticks her tongue out at Rei. "Ha! I did it anyway!"
[09:06] <Rei-chan> "Yes, you did. And I'm proud of you," Rei acknowledges before finishing off her current slice and leaning over to grab another.
[09:08] <Usagi-chan> "Thank you." Usagi says graciously, polishing off her own piece. "Except for the news about Mamoru today, this has really been a good week." She reaches into the box to grab another piece for herself.
[09:09] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, just wish there was something we could do about him..." Rei muses before taking a bite of pizza and slowly chewing it as she tries to think of something.
[09:11] * Usagi-chan giggles as she's struck by an idea. "Maybe you should take me out on a date, Rei-chan!"
[09:12] * Rei-chan laughs. "He'd never buy it, although it would be funny to see the look on his face to find out that both his ex-girlfriends have switched teams. His masculine pride would be shot!" Rei grins rather evilly at that, still recalling how he bragged to Motoki about 'dumping' her.
[09:13] * Usagi-chan laughs harder. "I can just imagine the look on his face if he DID buy it though... oh man, I'd have that framed and on my desk at home!"
[09:15] <Rei-chan> "I'd probably put it on a dartboard..." Rei mutters, before suddenly brightening. "Hey! I just had a crazy idea!"
[09:16] * Usagi-chan is still caught in her fit of the giggles. "What's that, Rei-chan?"
[09:18] <Rei-chan> "Well, he'd never buy it if you suddenly started 'dating' your female best friend, but what if you started dating a mysterious handsome stranger?" Rei asks gleefully. 'I can't believe I'm even thinking of this...'
[09:18] * Usagi-chan raises an eyebrow, still grinning. "And just which mysterious handsome stranger would this be?"
[09:19] <Rei-chan> "Remember when you used the disguise pen to turn into a guy?"
[09:21] * Usagi-chan falls over backwards, she laughs so hard. "Rei, you can't be serious!" she replies as soon as she gathers her wits again.
[09:22] <Rei-chan> "Well... I dunno," Rei scratches her head. "It sounds funny but I'm not sure we could actually pull it off..."
[09:23] <Usagi-chan> "It WOULD be funny... but I think you're right. What would you do if he got all jealous or something?"
[09:30] <Rei-chan> "Jealous?" Rei's grin gets even nastier. "Then I'd rub his nose in it! Ha!" she laughs triumphantly.
[09:31] * Usagi-chan giggles. "I MEAN if he wanted to start a fight or something - I know I've seen that on TV shows and stuff, but I don't know if he'd actually do it or anything."
[09:32] <Rei-chan> "I can take him," Rei asserts confidently.
[09:33] <Usagi-chan> "Well, you'd definitely have me cheering for you!" Usagi grins.
[09:34] <Rei-chan> "Well, if he saw you cheering some other 'guy' to beat him up, I think it would be impossible for him not to take the hint," Rei points out reasonably.
[09:35] <Usagi-chan> "Hey, I thought 'This isn't going to work', 'I can't trust you right now', and 'No' would work too. He seems to be pretty stubborn about getting what he wants." Usagi sticks her tongue out slightly.
[09:37] <Rei-chan> "True enough," Rei concedes, shrugging.
[09:39] <Usagi-chan> "It IS a funny idea though." Usagi smiles. "Can you just imagine what he'd think if he saw us out on a date kissing or something? Both as girls, I mean."
[09:40] <Rei-chan> "He'd probably have a heart attack," Rei snickers.
[09:42] * Usagi-chan giggles. "I bet he would, too." She sighs with a smile. "Oh well... it's a fun idea, but I doubt we'd ever actually DO it."
[09:44] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, it's just a silly idea," Rei says, a tad wistfully, before returning her attention to the pizza.
[09:45] * Usagi-chan settles back with another piece of pizza, munching on it idly. "I wonder... if you WERE going to take me - or someone else for that matter - on a really nice date, what would you do?"
[09:48] <Rei-chan> "Well if I was taking you, I'd take you someplace Mamoru could see us," Rei shrugs. "For a real date, though, I think I'd like to go for dinner someplace fancy, and then dancing," she smiles contentedly as she starts in on her third slice of pizza.
[09:49] <Usagi-chan> "So a club somewhere, then? I somehow can't see you as much of a ballroom dancer." Usagi grins.
[09:52] <Rei-chan> "There are a few upscale restaurants that do have in house bands. I don't really care too much about the music, so long as it's something nice and romantic that I can hold my partner to..." Rei trails off with a dreamy sigh, before blushing. "What about you?" she turns the question back on the blonde.
[09:54] <Usagi-chan> "Me?" Usagi is taken aback for a second. "I don't know... I guess my ideal date would be a candlelight dinner somewhere - it wouldn't have to be too fancy as long as the food is good." She giggles. "Dancing would be really nice after dinner, but I'd end it with a walk in a park under the stars and the Moon, just talking with my date and stuff." Usagi smiles wistfully.
[09:56] <Rei-chan> "That'd be nice," Rei nods. "It's a pity you can hardly ever see the stars in Tokyo..."
[09:56] <Usagi-chan> "Yeah, I know - too many city lights." Usagi shakes her head, then giggles. "Maybe I should change it to a walk on the Moon, looking up at the stars and the Earth?"
[09:58] * Rei-chan giggles herself. "You wouldn't get very good service on the Moon. Unless Mako-chan opens a restaurant there."
[09:59] * Usagi-chan laughs. "Makoto Kino's Lunar Cuisine! She could even advertise that she caters for the queen herself!"
[09:59] <Rei-chan> "She gets the Royal Seal of Approval," Rei nods, grinning.
[10:00] <Usagi-chan> "In a heartbeat! No one tops Mako-chan's cooking!"
[10:01] <Rei-chan> "Of course, she might be too busy with her own dates to cook for you on yours," Rei grins slyly.
[10:02] <Usagi-chan> "Oh, like I'M going to have fancy dates that often." Usagi sticks her tongue out. "I can dream, but I really doubt it's going to happen."
[10:03] <Rei-chan> "You'll find someone, I'm sure of it," Rei says encouragingly.
[10:05] * Usagi-chan shrugs. "Time will tell, I guess." She gives Rei a smile. "I'm sure you'll find someone too, Rei-chan. Just because I'm gloomy about my own love life doesn't mean I can't wish you the best for yours."
[10:09] <Rei-chan> "And there's no reason why we can't both find someone," Rei replies. "I'm sure things will work out for us both in time."
[10:10] * Usagi-chan giggles. "You've got better chances than I do - more people to choose from."
[10:11] * Rei-chan snorts. "Kotono's got a new girlfriend, I think... though it didn't stop her checking me out last time I saw her. And I'd be quite happy to never see Minako again..."
[10:12] <Usagi-chan> "So? There's still a lot more people out there when you're willing to date girls too - even if it's only the girls that are interested in dating other girls." Usagi smiles.
[10:13] <Rei-chan> "Heh," Rei chuckles, "Hadn't though of it like that, but it's true enough. Good thing to keep my options open."
[10:14] * Usagi-chan smiles. "Sometimes *I* wonder what it would be like to date another girl, but I have enough trouble finding GUYS who are interested in me - I'd better just leave well enough alone." She laughs halfheartedly.
[10:16] <Rei-chan> "Heh, you never know, some beautiful girl might get taken in by your charms and decide to sweep you off your feet," Rei smiles.
[10:17] <Usagi-chan> "There's only one girl I know of who's good enough with a broom to sweep me off MY feet." Usagi grins and winks at Rei.
[10:23] * Rei-chan blushes, taking a moment to find her voice. "Oh, you'd like that, wouldn't you?" she retorts. "I can just imagine how bad it would be if we did get together like that - we fight enough as it is."
[10:25] * Usagi-chan giggles. "You're probably right...." A thoughtful look comes across her face. "But I bet making up afterwards would be a lot more interesting..." she muses, half to herself.
[10:27] <Rei-chan> "Ack!" Rei spits out the mouthful of pizza she was eating all over her lap. "Now look what you made me do!" she gives Usagi a dirty look.
[10:29] * Usagi-chan giggles. "Sorry, sorry! I was only kidding anyway - I already know there's no way you'd go out with me."
[10:30] * Rei-chan blinks at the phrasing. "You say that like you would."
[10:32] * Usagi-chan is a bit taken aback by the question. "Well..." She thinks for a minute. "I don't know, I guess I never really thought about it that seriously. I mean, after you broke up with Minako I HAVE wondered what I'd do if you ever asked me out, but I never really took it that seriously since I figured you'd never actually DO that."
[10:36] <Rei-chan> "Uh... um... Why would you even wonder... about that?" Rei flounders, before pressing ahead more confidently. "I mean, I'd just destroyed my friendship with Minako, why would I risk ruining another friendship?"
[10:37] * Usagi-chan shrugs. "I don't know - like I said, I never even really took it that seriously." There's almost an audible click as the pieces fall into place, and the blonde turns a rather surprised look to the miko. "You mean you actually WOULD think about asking me out?"
[10:38] <Rei-chan> "What?!" Rei leans back in surprise, "Where did that come from?"
[10:40] * Usagi-chan blushes a bit. "Well... it's just that when you asked, you looked kind of surprised - I mean I figured you'd laugh at the idea right off the bat, but you didn't. I don't know..." Usagi lowers her head. "Just forget I said it."
[10:42] <Rei-chan> "Of course it surprised me!" Rei asserts, wide-eyed, "I mean-" she begins before swallowing her words. "Uh, you're right. Lets just forget it."
[10:45] * Usagi-chan finishes of the rest of her slice of pizza in silence, a deep crimson blush still staining her cheeks. 'Great... I just made a complete idiot of myself in front of Rei - again. God, I am SUCH a Dumpling Head sometimes...'
[10:48] * Rei-chan also eats in silence, doing her damnedest NOT to think about Usagi like... that. And failing rather miserably.
[10:50] * Usagi-chan sighs after her pizza is finished. "I guess I'd better get home. Sorry I killed the conversation like that, Rei-chan." The blonde replaces the manga she 'borrowed' from Rei's collection, in the right places for a change.
[10:52] <Rei-chan> "Yeah..." Rei nods rather distantly. "I'll, um..." she sighs, "I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" she gives the blonde what she hopes is a friendly and engaging smile.
[10:54] <Usagi-chan> "Yeah, that sounds good." Usagi's smile is about a match for Rei's own in sincerity. "I'll, um, put the pizza and stuff away before I go, if you're done." She picks up her now-empty glass.
[10:55] <Rei-chan> "No," Rei stands up, "I'll take care of it."
[10:56] <Usagi-chan> "No, that's okay - I don't mind. You've got a headache, I can get it." Usagi's smile brightens a bit. "You just take it easy."
[10:57] <Rei-chan> "Okay... I'll just take a nap now, I think..." Rei says, rather certain that sleep will prove elusive the way her mind is currently running.
[11:00] * Usagi-chan places both the glasses on top of the pizza box again "Sleep well, Rei-chan." She says softly before leaving the room and sliding the door closed behind her.
[11:00] * Rei-chan sets about changing into her pajamas once Usagi is out of the room.
[11:01] <Usagi-chan> A few seconds later Rei hears a thump, a crash, and a cry of pain - in that order. "Owwww!"
[11:03] <Rei-chan> "That klutz," Rei huffs, though with some trace of fondness as she hurries out the room, replacing her half off polo shirt as she goes.
[11:05] * Usagi-chan is sitting in the middle of a cluster of glass shards in the hallway, clutching her finger. "I hate that stupid board!" she complains. The board in question has resisted Yuuichiro's best attempts at being nailed down, and used to be one of Usagi's biggest klutz attack culprits.
[11:06] <Rei-chan> "Oh, Usagi..." Rei sighs, going over and assisting the blonde to her feet. "And it's been so long since you've klutzed out, too."
[11:07] * Usagi-chan sighs, squinting at her finger. "I know... guess I just wasn't paying attention." With a wince, she pulls out the glass splinter embedded in her finger - making it bleed rather freely.
[11:08] * Rei-chan takes hold of Usagi's finger, squeezing it firmly over the cut. "Come on, lets get a band-aid on that," she says, leading the other girl towards the kitchen.
[11:09] * Usagi-chan follows Rei, carefully picking her way through the glass shards on the floor. "I can't even get being NICE down right." she grumbles.
[11:11] <Rei-chan> "You try, that's what matters most," Rei says, somewhat distractedly as she enters the kitchen and sticks Usagi's hand under the tap, running the cold water before she goes to get a band-aid from one of the cupboards.
[11:11] * Usagi-chan frowns at the red staining the water as Rei fishes through the cupboards. "I guess I'll get to try again in a minute - someone's going to have to clean up all that glass."
[11:13] <Rei-chan> "Don't worry, I'll take care of it," Rei says, returning to Usagi and pulling her hand out from under the tap. Taking a clean dishtowel from under the sink, she dries the finger before applying the band-aid over the cut. "There you go," she smiles brightly.
[11:14] * Usagi-chan gives the miko a wan smile. "Thanks, Rei-chan - sorry to put you to all this trouble. Really - you go ahead and go to bed and I can get the glass cleaned up. I PROMISE to pay more attention this time."
[11:16] <Rei-chan> "If you're sure," Rei shrugs, "You know where the band-aids are if you get another cut, but be careful with that glass," she reaches into another cupboard and takes out a small brush and scoop, handing them to the blonde.
[11:17] <Usagi-chan> "I will." Usagi smiles. "You go take care of that headache, I'll be fine." She shoos the white-haired girl back off to her bedroom and starts cleaning up the glass in the hallway.
[11:19] * Rei-chan proceeds to get changed and curls up in bed without any interruption this time, though sleep does not come easily to the miko...
[11:20] * Usagi-chan finishes up the cleaning with no further incident, other than a long string of curses for her own clumsiness in the privacy of her own head - or so she thinks. With the glass taken care of, she places the pizza box in the refrigerator and heads home with the sky darkening into twilight.
[11:20] <Rei-chan> -------
The next morning sees Usagi up early for t'ai chi lessons with Herb...
[16:28] <Prince_Herb> "I think that's enough for this morning, Usa-chan. You're coming on pretty well, really. I can't believe you're the same clumsy Usagi I met last year." Herb says. "Let's go get breakfast, eh?"
[16:29] * Usagi-chan giggles. "Well, I'm really trying hard - I thought it would be a lot harder than this." Usagi wipes her brow off with a small towel. "Sure, breakfast sounds great!"
[16:32] <Prince_Herb> As Herb heads for the little cafe by the park, he muses on this. "Maybe you're remembering things from your past life. I don't really understand how these things work, and Nian always gets evasive when I ask him, which leads me to believe he has only the very vaguest idea."
[16:33] <Usagi-chan> "I really doubt it for this kind of stuff. Some stuff I do remember how to do from my past life, but Mother and the senshi didn't want me anywhere near fighting back then so I didn't have any kind of training like this at all." Usagi stretches as she strolls along next to Herb.
[16:40] <Prince_Herb> Herb shrugs. "Another of life's mysteries, then." He is silent for a moment or two, and then broaches the subject that's been puzzling him. "What happened to Venus, by the way? You promised to tell me, and I have a funny story about Ryuu to compensate you with this time."
[16:41] * Usagi-chan blows out a long breath. "Not a lot to say about Minako, really. She left on a tour - I don't know if she ever told you or not, but if you've heard of the singer Full Moon, that's her. According to Artemis, she decided to go on a world tour and took off without telling any of the rest of us. If Artemis had gone with her, I expect we'd STILL be wondering where she went."
[16:43] * Prince_Herb looks stunned. "That's outrageous." And then "Wait... Full Moon... The girl that Lime and Mint have all the mucky pictures of?"
[16:44] <Usagi-chan> "They..." Usagi covers her face with a hand. "No... no, I'm positive I DON'T want to know about it. But yes, Full Moon is Minako Aino."
[16:45] * Prince_Herb looks so amazed that the wind's quite taken from his sails. "Just wow..."
[16:46] * Usagi-chan scowls. "It was sure nice of her to tell the rest of us before she took off. I didn't even know until I tripped over poor Artemis after..." Usagi shakes her head as she trails off.
[16:48] * Prince_Herb reaches the cafe and heads in, ordering two breakfasts from the waitress, one extra-large. "Well, you win. I can't top that with my story about Ryuu."
[16:48] <Usagi-chan> "Oh no you don't, you're not getting off that easy!" Usagi grins and pokes Herb in the chest. "Let's hear it, mister!"
[16:49] * Prince_Herb grins, bows and waits for the Queen to be seated before joining her. "Well, I saw another side of him..."
[16:50] <Usagi-chan> "Uh huh, go on...." Usagi leans on the table as she listens to Herb's tale.
[16:52] <Prince_Herb> "He was getting restless and going on about how he needed to find new opponents to test his skill against, and he said maybe one of these monsters or those sailor girls, though he didn't really believe that those girls could reallly be such good fighters as they say."
[16:53] * Usagi-chan giggles. "How good a fighter is he?"
[16:54] <Prince_Herb> "So I told him not to be so biased... Pretty good. If I don't use my ki attacks, he has a chance of beating me, if luck goes his way."
[16:55] <Prince_Herb> "So, he said 'It's hard to believe that a bunch of teenage girls dressed in next to nothing could be good fighters; they're like something from a wet dream...'"
[16:55] * Usagi-chan hides her face in her hands. "Please tell me that's a joke..."
[16:56] <Prince_Herb> "I teased him about that, but I felt a little offended. Sailor Cutie Dragon would have turned up and punished him, except that that would be a bit hard to explain away."
[16:57] <Prince_Herb> "No, no joke. He says he prefers more traditional girls to girls dressed like on the cards in phone boxes."
[16:57] <Usagi-chan> "Yeah, I know what you mean. It might be fun to have Sailor Moon show up and kick him around a little too, but that would be almost as hard to explain." She shakes her head. "It's not like I didn't know some guys thought about us that way - the doujins that are out there prove that. It's just kind of gross to hear about it first- or second-hand."
[16:59] <Prince_Herb> "Maybe if you wore a more traditional outfit, like Rei's temple maiden garb, he'd see you for the warrior you are!"
[16:59] <Prince_Herb> "He's a good guy, but he's as dumb as I am and knows even less about women."
[17:00] * Usagi-chan makes a face. "It's not like I can pick and choose how my senshi outfit looks, you know. I'll admit, it's nice that it doesn't get in the way when I'm fighting, but on the other hand it doesn't leave much to the imagination either." Usagi sighs.
[17:05] <Prince_Herb> "I don't really want him to get beaten up by beautiful sailor girls either, but I can't really think of how to alter his opinion. I don't really think it's the uniforms that set him off, except hormonally, just his masculine pride."
[17:07] <Usagi-chan> "No, it's not our job to go around beating people up - we're SUPPOSED to be protecting them, after all. Maybe if he's actually THERE at an attack he'll change his mind, but other than that, I don't think there's anything we can or should do. He's got a right to his own opinion, even if it is wrong." The blonde shakes her head.
[17:08] <Prince_Herb> "It's an opinion about me and my team, though, so I take it a little personally. Even though it was very funny to see Ryuu blush as he explained about the outfits."
[17:11] <Usagi-chan> "Oh, I'd take it personally if someone said something like that to me about the senshi too. You guys are all my friends and I know I can count on any of you to back me up if I need it - I guess that's really the most important thing. Maybe Ryuu doesn't think we're very good at fighting, but I sure wouldn't give any of you guys up." Usagi smiles.
[17:11] <Prince_Herb> "I met your Ann Grainger as well, by the way. She seemed very nice, but a bit of a geek when it comes to elves. I offered to take her to see the Lodoss War movie on Friday so that we can ooh and ah together over the elves."
[17:11] <Prince_Herb> "She said yes, before going off to buy a wagon-load of elf-related things." Herb says, "So long as I don't get splashed, it should be fun."
[17:12] <Usagi-chan> "Oh really? You ran into Ann? When was that?" Usagi looks interested.
[17:16] <Prince_Herb> "In the bookstore in the mall just yesterday. I didn't know who she was, but we had a conversation about elves, and then she introduced herself. Actually..." Herb pauses and frowns. "I just thought of something."
[17:17] <Usagi-chan> "Something wrong?" Usagi looks at Herb curiously.
[17:17] <Prince_Herb> "The picture she liked best was of a good-looking green-skinned elf guy. I was drooling over the green-skinned elf girl on the other page, so I didn't think about it at the time."
[17:18] <Prince_Herb> "Maybe she's seen one of the people we fought at Rei's place somewhere?"
[17:19] <Usagi-chan> "Might be worth asking her about... although it's really hard trying to catch her at school. She always leaves in the biggest hurry and she's never around at lunchtime - and it's not exactly a good idea to talk in the middle of class." Usagi makes a face.
[17:19] <Prince_Herb> "My hormones were getting a bit in the way at the time; she was wearing a very close-fitting suit of cleavage armour." Herb frowns.
[17:20] <Usagi-chan> "I overheard her talking to her brother today about going to the park on Sunday though, so I thought I might stop down there and see if they wanted to hang out then." Usagi smiles.
[17:21] <Prince_Herb> "Actually, half of Tokyo probably saw that fight." Herb says. "It's not really a clue."
[17:22] <Prince_Herb> "And that includes everyone in Juuban who wasn't deaf and blind. Forget it, it was a stupid idea." Herb sighs.
[17:22] <Prince_Herb> "We need Ami, or someone smarter than me, anyway."
[17:22] * Prince_Herb slumps in his seat.
[17:22] <Usagi-chan> "Half of Tokyo might have seen the monster, but I doubt very many people saw the elves. I really don't think everyone came running as soon as they saw a thirty-foot tall minotaur at the shrine." Usagi shrugs. "It might be worth asking her if she's seen any of the attacks though - maybe she's seen something we haven't."
[17:24] <Prince_Herb> "Well, we can but ask. Even if she turn out only to be a girl who likes handsome pointy-eared men, that's still a bonus." Herb says, grinning and regaining his posture.
[17:24] <Usagi-chan> "I don't remember having seen her among any of the unconscious people, and she hasn't been out of school, so if she HAS seen an attack she managed to get away without getting her energy drained - unless she was at the VR arcade the other day." Usagi muses.
[17:27] <Prince_Herb> "Lots of people saw that attack at the park near Toudai: that was pretty much out in the open. That's two she might have seen. Have there been any pictures on TV? Maybe I should ask Nian."
[17:29] <Usagi-chan> "I don't think so - Mom usually tells me if we've been on the news. I think the only one that made it to the TV news was the attack at the shrine, and there were just a few news helicopter views of the fight from that one - I saw the piece the next day myself. Even THAT'S pretty rare - they usually don't get any pictures at all."
[17:30] <Prince_Herb> "It can't help to ask, but I'd better think how to do it subtly." Herb says, knowing that this is not one of his best ideas or strongest points.
[17:32] <Prince_Herb> "And maybe we could get that footage and look for clues? There might be something in the background we missed."
[17:34] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "From what I saw, they didn't even make it to the shrine before Rei-chan killed the monster. You could see them zoomed way up on the monster and it just crumbles away after about half a minute. You can't even see US in the picture." Usagi thinks for a minute. "As for asking Ann, just bring it up in conversation or something. I know people talk all the time at school about what they think the attacks are and who's behind them."
[17:37] <Prince_Herb> "Oh, OK."
[17:39] * Usagi-chan grins. "Sounds like you're picking up Ann on the rebound then - when I heard her talking to Alan at lunch, she said Mamoru had just dumped her."
[17:40] <Prince_Herb> "What a cad."
[17:41] * Usagi-chan sighs. "It sounds like he's still hung up on me... I just wish he'd take the hint already."
[17:42] <Prince_Herb> "He's slow on the uptake. Maybe you should fake your own death?"
[17:43] * Usagi-chan giggles. "It's a tempting idea, except I don't think he'd actually buy it."
[17:45] <Prince_Herb> "I don't know what to suggest, really. You can't hide out on the moon all the time, and when you come down, it will be Rose City." Herb sighs. "It's a bigger problem than the elves, really."
[17:46] <Prince_Herb> "Sooner or later we'll find them, and force them to stop draining people, but we can't go around punishing Mamoru."
[17:46] <Usagi-chan> "In a way, yeah." Usagi makes a face. "I can't just go and moondust Mamoru - he hasn't really done anything THAT bad. He's just too... persistent."
[17:48] <Prince_Herb> "Are we still offering people the chance to reform? I don't really want to kill the elves if that's what they are." Herb says.
[17:49] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "As far as I'm concerned, I'll help anyone change that actually WANTS to change. If they don't, though..." Usagi sighs. "If they don't, we'll do what we have to. One way or another they'll have to stop what they're doing."
[17:55] <Prince_Herb> "No, no argument there." Herb says. "I guess I'm just a sucker for a pretty face and a pointy ear."
[17:56] * Usagi-chan giggles. "I can't imagine why you of all people would like pointy ears." The blonde winks at Herb.
[18:03] <Prince_Herb> Herb nods. "I am so shallow."
[18:04] * Usagi-chan shakes her head and smiles. "Like I'm one to talk - how many other people have YOU met that have their own personal flashlight attached to their heads?"
[18:05] <Prince_Herb> "I really don't notice that any longer. It's just part of you. I liked it better when you had the old hairstyle, though. It was prettier."
[18:06] * Usagi-chan looks up, even though she can't see her braid without a mirror. "Me too - I'm used to it now, but it's kind of a pain to have to worry about it all the time. Doing aerobics in gym class is a real pain."
[18:06] * Prince_Herb finishes his rice and miso soup and crunches up his last pickle.
[18:10] * Usagi-chan polishes off the last of her breakfast as well, sitting back with a satisfied sigh. "Thanks for the breakfast, Herb-kun."
[18:19] <Prince_Herb> "Well, see you later, Usa-chan." HErb says, standing up and bowing once more. "And roll on Friday" He winks and heads out of the cafe, stopping only to pay the bill at the till.
[18:19] <Prince_Herb> ---

Halbarad · June 25, 2006, 12:41:16 PM

[14:59] <Usagi-chan> -----
[15:01] <Usagi-chan> Thursday afternoon finds Usagi Tsukino - middle school student, senshi, and part-time royalty - on her way to the Crown arcade after school for a well-deserved break after the rigors of another day filled with algebra and world history.
[15:09] <Ami> "Usagi-chan!" a voice calls out from behind the blonde.
[15:10] * Usagi-chan turns at the sound of a familiar voice. "Ami-chan! What have you been up to? I haven't heard from you in a while!" Usagi breaks out a bright smile for the blue-haired girl.
[15:12] * Ami smiles back. "I was out of town visiting my father. I only just returned." Ami catches up swiftly, matching Usagi's pace. "So, have I missed anything?"
[15:13] * Usagi-chan grins. "Little of this, little of that... thirty foot monster attacking the shrine, nothing major." She giggles.
[15:15] * Ami nods sagaciously. "Only thirty feet this time? Sounds like a slow week."
[15:16] * Usagi-chan smiles. "You'll never guess what happened on Monday though... Miss H kept me after class and told me I'm actually going to PASS this year!" Usagi grins happily. "And I never would have made it without your help, Ami-chan!"
[15:20] <Ami> "I didn't do much, Usagi-chan," Ami says gently. "You passed all by yourself. Just like I knew you would."
[15:20] * Ami continues walking, a bemused expression on her face. "Although I would have liked to see the looks on your faces when she told you."
[15:21] * Usagi-chan giggles. "We were both shouting so loud that I think half the school came by to see what was going on. One of the teachers looked like he was going to have a heart attack when Miss H told him I was going to pass." Usagi grins.
[15:22] * Ami grins back. "Now comes the fun part."
[15:23] <Usagi-chan> "What fun part?" Usagi looks at Ami curiously.
[15:25] <Ami> "Now that they know that you can do it, they're going to expect more from you." Ami's grin widens. "Which means more study time for you!"
[15:26] * Usagi-chan groans. "That is NOT my idea of FUN, Ami!" Usagi grumbles. "Passing is just fine with me, thanks - I don't NEED to be ten chapters ahead like SOME people do."
[15:27] <Ami> "Only ten chapters?" Ami blinks.
[15:28] <Usagi-chan> "I'm quite happy where I am, THANK you." Usagi sticks her tongue out. "Besides, if I spend any MORE time studying I won't have any time to hang out or goof off anymore!"
[15:34] <Ami> "No time to hang out or goof off? Like me?" Ami favors Usagi with a bemused expression as they step into the Crown. "Oh, woe is Usagi! Forced to crawl the dungeon labyrinth of literature and decipher the perplexing mysteries of the languages of mathematics!"
[15:39] <Usagi-chan> "Not ALL of us can finish our assignments in two minutes flat, you know." Usagi grumps. "If I tried to catch up to you, I'd be doing homework from the second I woke up in the morning until I went to bed."
[15:42] <Ami> "You just need to manage your time better, Usagi-chan," Ami says reassuringly.
[15:46] * Usagi-chan gives Motoki a friendly wave as she steps up to the counter and orders her usual triple-fudge chocolate sundae. "Manage my time..." Usagi shakes her head. "Easy for you to say. I've got two weird elf people to worry about attacking Juuban and NOW I've got to start looking for another senshi!" Usagi speaks in low tones as she complains to Ami, not wanting to be overheard by Motoki.
[15:48] <Ami> "Hm?" Ami cocks her head. "What was that?"
[15:50] * Usagi-chan picks up her sundae from Motoki and beckons Ami over to a booth before continuing. "I had a little visit from Setsuna on Monday. Seems she wants me to look out for possible candidates to become senshi."
[15:53] <Ami> "So, Neptune didn't reincarnate," Ami muses quietly. "I thought that might be the case. So now what? Do you have any idea what to look for that would make someone a good senshi?"
[15:56] <Usagi-chan> "High magical potential, basically. I've seen one person that could qualify so far - a friend of Rei's from Mugen - but that's the only one I've seen with enough potential to become a senshi." Usagi sighs. "Pluto didn't say there was a deadline or anything, but it's kind of discouraging that I don't even know where to start looking."
[15:58] <Ami> "What about the crystal holders? Would any of them work?"
[15:59] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "I doubt it. Gramps doesn't have that kind of potential, and while I haven't checked any of the others specifically, I doubt they'll be any stronger than he was."
[16:00] * Ami nods. "It wouldn't hurt to check, though. Anyway, seeing as there is no deadline I wouldn't worry about it too much right now. So, elf people?"
[16:02] * Usagi-chan shrugs. "Not too much to tell there. We had a really big monster attack us at the shrine on Sunday, and then Rei and I fought another one at that new VR arcade on Tuesday. The elves showed up at the attack on Sunday, but we didn't see either of them there on Tuesday."
[16:03] <Ami> "So they're controlling the monsters then?"
[16:04] * Usagi-chan nods. "As near as we can tell, yeah. Herb was the first one to actually see one of them - they attacked the kendo club at Toudai last week, and the guy elf - there's a guy and a girl - was at that one."
[16:05] * Ami nods silently.
[16:25] * Rei-chan enters the arcade, quickly spotting her two friends and moving over to join them. "Hi guys, what's up?" she asks brightly as she takes a seat next to Ami.
[16:25] <Usagi-chan> "They're trying to protect their monsters, from the sound of it - the elf pulled it back at the Toudai attack and took off with it, but Rei managed to kill that same one a couple of days later."
[16:26] * Usagi-chan looks up at the white-haired girl as she comes in. "Oh hi, Rei-chan! I was just filling Ami in on what's been going on while she's been out."
[16:26] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, haven't seen you for about a week, now, Ami-chan," Rei comments, "What've you been doing lately?"
[16:34] <Ami> "I was at my father's place," Ami says, nodding toward the miko. "Sounds like it's been a week."
[16:36] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, we've been kept pretty busy," Rei nods. "Still, it hasn't been that bad - none of us have been really hurt in any of the battles lately. So, did you have fun at your father's?" she asks interestedly.
[16:37] * Usagi-chan nods at Rei's question, curious herself.
[16:38] <Ami> "Oh, it was the usual," Ami says, waving it off.
[16:39] <Usagi-chan> "Oh, come on - you can tell us more than that!" Usagi grins.
[16:40] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, we have no idea what 'the usual' is," Rei points out.
[16:41] <Ami> "Well, my father is an Artist," she begins, managing to make artist sound capitalized. "I've told you that before haven't I?"
[16:41] <Rei-chan> "You've mentioned it, yes," Rei nods.
[16:43] <Usagi-chan> "So what kind of stuff does he paint?"
[16:45] <Ami> "Oh, you know. This and that. He really hasn't settled down on a 'style', per se."
[16:46] <Usagi-chan> "So... does he paint portraits or landscapes or made-up stuff or what?"
[16:46] <Ami> "He does a bit of everything, really. It just depends on his mood."
[16:47] <Ami> 'And boy is he moody,' Ami does not say.
[16:47] * Usagi-chan makes a face. "Sounds like you didn't have such a great time then."
[16:47] * Rei-chan blinks, not having gotten that impression herself.
[16:48] <Ami> "Hm?" Ami looks at Usagi. "What do you mean?"
[16:49] <Usagi-chan> "Well, you said he was moody... that's usually not a lot of fun to hang around with, right?" Usagi replies.
[16:49] * Ami freezes. "I didn't..."
[16:49] <Rei-chan> "She didn't say that," Rei puts in.
[16:49] <Ami> 'Oh crud. Um, Usagi?'
[16:50] * Usagi-chan looks at Ami. "What's wrong, Ami-chan?"
[16:51] * Ami sighs. "It's contagious."
[16:51] <Rei-chan> "Contagious?" Rei looks vaguely alarmed.
[16:53] * Usagi-chan finally catches the subtle difference and breaks into a fit of the giggles. 'Sounds like someone caught a case of telepathy!' she thinks to Ami.
[16:53] * Rei-chan looks between the two, puzzled at Usagi's sudden mirth.
[16:57] <Ami> "Cursed! Cursed, I say! Destiny's plaything!' Ami thinks melodramatically. 'Thrice damned malefactor Loki hath fashioned much mischief this day!'
[16:57] <Ami> "It would seem I've developed telepathy, Rei-chan," Ami says calmly.
[16:57] <Usagi-chan> 'Ummm.... right, what you said.' Usagi looks a bit puzzled. 'Or thought, whatever.'
[16:59] <Rei-chan> "Ah," Rei nods. "Yeah, it can be a real pain - you'll have to watch your thoughts like a hawk from now on."
[17:00] * Usagi-chan grins. "I STILL catch myself sending stuff I don't mean to sometimes..."
[17:00] <Ami> "Only Usagi-chan can read my thoughts though, correct?"
[17:00] <Rei-chan> "Probably. I sure can't."
[17:01] * Usagi-chan nods. "And only when you think about something like you were going to say it. I can't pick up pictures or anything, just words."
[17:01] <Ami> "Good, good," Ami nods happily. 'Now I don't have to stab any of you.'
[17:02] <Usagi-chan> "Ami!" Usagi says, shocked. "You're terrible!"
[17:02] * Rei-chan looks at Ami in surprise. "Did you think something naughty?" she asks, smirking.
[17:03] <Ami> "Me?" Ami says, pointing to herself and taking on her most innocent look.
[17:03] * Usagi-chan giggles. "Don't trust her for a minute, Rei-chan! I know what she's REALLY thinking!"
[17:05] <Rei-chan> "And what might that be?" Rei asks, leaning towards Usagi.
[17:06] <Ami> 'Usagi's got a big ol' butt, oh yeah!' Ami thinks as loudly as possible.
[17:06] * Usagi-chan grins and leans over to speak to Rei in a stage whisper. "She's planning to kill us all in our sleep... HEY! I DO NOT!" Usagi sits back and elbows Ami in the ribs.
[17:07] <Rei-chan> "It's always the quiet ones," Rei chuckles as she settles back in her seat.
[17:08] * Usagi-chan grumbles. "My butt is just the right size, thank you." She sniffs.
[17:08] * Ami rubs the spot gengerly. "Ouch."
[17:09] <Rei-chan> "Ack!" Rei coughs. "Ami's thinking about your butt?!" she all but yells, quickly covering her mouth and looking around guiltily.
[17:10] <Usagi-chan> "Rei!" Usagi hisses in a loud whisper. "You don't have to tell the entire arcade!"
[17:10] <Rei-chan> "Sorry," Rei says, blushing.
[17:11] * Ami just nods at the onlookers. "Not really, but I bet you are now."
[17:11] <Makoto> "Tell people about what, Usagi?" Makoto says as walks up to the group. "Hey guys."
[17:11] * Usagi-chan groans and hides her red face behind her hands.
[17:12] <Rei-chan> 'Maybe a little...' "Oh, hey, Mako-chan!" Rei says suddenly, glad for the distraction.
[17:12] <Usagi-chan> 'I HEARD that, Rei...' Usagi looks up at Rei for a moment.
[17:14] <Rei-chan> 'Heard what?' Rei thinks back innocently.
[17:14] <Makoto> "...sooooo, what were you guys talking about then?" Makoto says, a bit confused over what she walked into.
[17:15] <Ami> "Hello Mako-chan!" Ami says enthusiastically, hugging the taller girl. "Looks like we're all here."
[17:15] <Usagi-chan> 'Only a little, huh?' Usagi frowns at Rei. 'Gee, thanks a lot.'
[17:16] <Rei-chan> 'What, you want me to think about your butt a lot?! Hey, does Ami normally greet people like that?' Rei flounders, feeling rather rattled right now.
[17:17] <Usagi-chan> 'No, I - huh? what do you mean?' The sudden change of direction in Rei's line of thought throws Usagi off guard.
[17:18] <Rei-chan> 'Well... she's not normally so physically demonstrative...' Rei replies, gesturing subtly at the hugging girls.
[17:18] * Usagi-chan glances over at the pair. 'I guess it IS a little strange...' she muses.
[17:20] <Makoto> "Oh, uhm, hey Ami," Makoto says, hugging back. "How you been?"
[17:20] * Rei-chan frowns slightly, deciding to test something. "Hey, Mako-chan, how are things going with Alan? I heard you had a date the other day," she asks, paying close attention to Ami's reaction.
[17:21] * Makoto whips to look at Rei. "How did you know about Al..." she starts to say before looking at Usagi. "U-sa-gi!"
[17:21] * Usagi-chan puts on her best innocent look.
[17:22] * Ami blinks, a bit surprised. "You're dating the transfer student?" 'Wow. She works fast.'
[17:22] * Usagi-chan giggles.
[17:23] * Makoto starts to admonish Usagi before looking at Ami, and sighing. "Yeah, he invited me to the movies and then we went to the par...HEY! What are you giggling about?" she ends on as she turns back to looking at Usagi.
[17:24] <Usagi-chan> "Ami." Usagi grins. "You wouldn't BELIEVE what she's thinking right now..."
[17:24] * Makoto looks down at the girl hugging her with a raised eyebrow.
[17:26] <Ami> "I just thought that was pretty fast, that's all." Ami shrugs. "Sooo, details?"
[17:28] * Makoto sighs but starts to give the details. "Well, I kinda crashed into Alan the other day, and we both ended up running to school to avoid being late. Later, he invited me to go buy some books with him. That's where we ran into his sister."
[17:28] * Makoto frowns as she starts thinking about Ann.
[17:29] <Usagi-chan> "Draped all over Mamoru, right?" Usagi grimaces.
[17:29] * Makoto continues frowning, but nods. "Alan is... overprotective of his sis, so when he saw her on a date with Mamoru, he ended up dragging me over to their movie date."
[17:30] <Ami> "Ouch," Ami mutters. "Sounds bad."
[17:30] <Makoto> "He ended up just using me to annoy his sister, which got me really pis... err, annoyed," Makoto corrects herself, not wanting to sound too coarse over the matter.
[17:30] * Usagi-chan nods. "I saw them on Monday going into the movies when I was on my way home from school."
[17:31] <Makoto> "Anyhow, after that movie ended, I kinda started to threaten him to give me one good reason not to pop him one...and he just gave the most adorable confused look I'd ever seen..."
[17:31] * Makoto has the decency to blush at what got her to forgive him.
[17:32] * Rei-chan snickers.
[17:32] * Ami just shakes her head.
[17:33] * Usagi-chan giggles, then sighs. "Well, you won't have to worry about him using you to get back at Ann anymore."
[17:33] * Makoto growls at Rei for snickering. "So, following Rei-chan's advice, I ended up threatening him into a good date the next day."
[17:34] <Rei-chan> "It worked, didn't it?" Rei asks, smirking.
[17:34] <Ami> 'Rei is...' Ami begins thinking, but clamps down on that thought before it forms.
[17:34] * Makoto fumbles at that, losing her growling look. "Well..." Makoto says before admitting to it, "Okay, so it did. You happy? I had a really nice date."
[17:35] * Usagi-chan smiles. "Well, that's good to hear at least."
[17:35] * Makoto pouts at that. "I still feel guilty about doing that though, even if he looked like he had as much fun as I did."
[17:35] <Rei-chan> "Sometimes you need to be assertive," Rei nods. "He'll be grateful."
[17:36] <Ami> "Love has formed from stranger things," Ami agrees.
[17:37] <Usagi-chan> "Got any more dates planned?" Usagi looks curious.
[17:42] <Makoto> "No, not really," Makoto admits. "I thought maybe he didn't eat that well though since he liked the park food so much, so I had thought of making a bento for him... but I wasn't sure if that was too personal or something."
[17:43] <Makoto> "I mean, I've seen him what, two times?" Makoto adds.
[17:43] <Usagi-chan> "Oh, you should DEFINITELY go for that!" Usagi smiles. "He'll fall for you in a second if he gets a taste of your cooking!"
[17:46] * Rei-chan nods. "Giving the guy a well made free lunch isn't overly personal, but it is a nice thing to do."
[17:47] <Ami> 'Is that what happened to you, Usagi-chan?' Ami thinks, keeping a straight face.
[17:48] * Usagi-chan rolls her eyes, then looks over at Ami. "Ha ha, Ami-chan - very funny. I may be in love with Mako-chan's cooking, but that's ALL."
[17:48] <Rei-chan> "By the way," Rei turns her attention to the blue-haired girl. "You comfortable there, Ami-chan?"
[17:48] * Rei-chan gives Usagi an odd look, but returns her attention to Ami, waiting for her response.
[17:49] * Makoto blinks at Usagi's statement from nowhere before blinking again at Rei's own and looking down at the girl still hugging her.
[17:49] <Makoto> "Uhhh..." is all she can say.
[17:49] <Ami> "Me?" Ami says, pointing to herself and taking on her most innocent look. "Perfectly fine."
[17:50] <Rei-chan> "Figured," Rei nods with a knowing look.
[17:50] * Makoto looks between Ami, Rei and Usagi. '...Did I miss something here?' she asks herself in confusion.
[17:51] * Usagi-chan looks over at Makoto. 'Your guess is as good as mine... just kind of odd to see Ami-chan glued to you like that.' She shrugs.
[17:55] <Ami> "Usagi-chan," Ami says in a sing-song voice.
[17:56] <Usagi-chan> "Yes, Ami-chan?" Usagi replies sweetly.
[17:56] * Makoto hadn't planned on broadcasting that thought, but seeing Usagi mention part of what confused her... 'Yeah, that's what I think I'm missing somehow. Why -is- Ami still hugging me?'
[17:57] <Ami> "I bet Rei-chan is still thinking about your..." Ami cuts off, hoping to lure the miko into her trap.
[17:58] <Rei-chan> "I am not!" Rei denies hotly.
[17:58] * Usagi-chan frowns as she replies to Makoto mentally. 'Your guess is as good as mine, Mako-chan.'
[17:59] <Ami> 'I bet she is now.'
[18:00] * Ami finally detaches from the taller girl. "So, anyone up for a game?"
[18:00] * Usagi-chan glares at Ami. 'Ami! I bet she isn't, either!' Or is she..? Usagi wonders privately.
[18:01] <Rei-chan> "What kind of game?" Rei narrows her eyes at Ami, trying to sense if she's been possessed or something. 'NO! I'm not! Dammit!' she sends to Usagi, who's thoughts aren't quite private enough.
[18:02] * Usagi-chan goes red and stares at her empty sundae glass.
[18:02] <Ami> "Vs the Negaverse?" Ami offers. 'Bet she is.'
[18:03] <Rei-chan> "Oh... an arcade game... of course..." Rei sighs. 'Thought she was going to suggest something perverted...'
[18:03] * Usagi-chan groans and lays her head on the table. 'Will you all just STOP already!'
[18:04] * Ami giggles. "We are at the arcade, Rei-chan. Uless you want to try the UFO catchers?"
[18:05] <Rei-chan> "Sorry, Usagi," Rei sighs again, gently rubbing the blonde's back. "I'll try not to think so loudly..." she then gives Ami a small smile. "No, those things are way too easy for me. I'd be tempted to cheat."
[18:06] * Usagi-chan sighs, enjoying the feel of Rei's hand on her back. '...wait, did I just think that?'
[18:06] <Ami> "Ok. Then Vs the Negaverse it is?" 'Think what, Usagi-chan?'
[18:07] * Usagi-chan shakes her head, which is still on the table. 'Never mind, Ami-chan... not important.'
[18:09] <Ami> 'Ok. You know, this telepathy thing doesn't seem so bad.'
[18:10] * Usagi-chan doesn't move, enjoying her backrub too much to put a stop to it quite yet. 'Yeah, it just takes some getting used to... and you have to learn to be REALLY careful about what you think.'
[18:13] * Makoto just continues musing over what was meant over Ami's confortableness by her, Rei's statements, et al.
[18:14] * Makoto suddenly gets a mental click as her face scrunches up. '...wait. Is this like Minako crushing on Rei? Is Ami-chan crushing on me?'
[18:15] * Makoto gets a bit face red as she thinks... 'Oh my...'
[18:16] * Usagi-chan is a little too relaxed to get upset by that thought. 'Maybe, Mako-chan....' she thinks a bit drowsily.
[18:17] * Rei-chan continues idly rubbing Usagi's back and neck, not really paying attention to what she's doing.
[18:17] * Makoto gets distracted from her thoughts on Ami by Usagi's response and looks at her blonde friend... and at Rei as she backrubs Usagi.
[18:18] * Usagi-chan manages to gather her wits enough to send her thought specifically to Rei. 'Mmmm.... that really feels good, Rei-chan...'
[18:19] <Rei-chan> "Huh?" Rei is jolted out of her current state by that thought intruding on her consciousness and pauses her movements.
[18:19] * Usagi-chan frowns, still feeling a bit drowsy. 'Why'd you stop?' she thinks to the miko.
[18:20] * Makoto just stares at Rei and Usagi, unsure of what to say or do
[18:21] * Rei-chan looks at her hand, then at Usagi, furrowing her brow slightly. "Uh..." 'What was I just doing?'
[18:21] * Ami just smiles toward Rei intently.
[18:21] * Usagi-chan raises her head, giving Rei a slightly hurt look. 'Rubbing my back, and it was really nice.'
[18:23] <Rei-chan> Noting the various stares directed at her, Rei starts to feel incredibly nervous. "I need to go to the bathroom," she announces, standing up. 'Hopefully everyone will have forgotten by the time I get back,' she thinks, swiftly retreating.
[18:24] <Makoto> "...So," Makoto starts after a brief moment of silence, looking at Ami and Usagi, hoping they'll start to normalize the conversation.
[18:25] * Usagi-chan sighs, realizing that the backrub is going to end and sits up, still looking rather sleepy. "Hmm...?"
[18:26] <Ami> "Nothing, Usagi-chan," Ami says softly, hiding her amusement. "I think I'll play with Dark Mercury."
[18:28] <Usagi-chan> "Okay, have fun." Usagi mumbles, laying her head back down on the table. A nap sounds like a really good idea right now...
[18:28] <Ami> "Come on, Mako-chan. Have you played it yet?" Ami says, drawing the taller girl away.
[18:29] <Makoto> "Once," Makoto states, deciding to just go and play the game with Ami.
[18:30] * Rei-chan returns, noting the absence of Ami and Makoto, and Usagi's current state. "Usagi?"
[18:31] * Usagi-chan raises her head again. "Hmm? What is it, Rei-chan?" she manages to say.
[18:31] <Rei-chan> "Where'd Ami-chan and Mako-chan go?"
[18:32] * Makoto whistles to get Rei's attention to where she and Ami are picking characters.
[18:32] * Usagi-chan points a thumb over at the remixed senshi game. "I think they said they were going to go play a game." She blinks a few times... apparently this ISN'T such a good time for a nap, people want to talk to her.
[18:32] <Rei-chan> "Aren't you coming?" Rei takes a few steps towards the arcade cabinet the other two girls are at.
[18:33] * Usagi-chan sits up and stretches. "Be there in a sec, Rei-chan." She yawns cavernously and gets out of her seat, following the other girl a few steps behind.
[18:34] * Rei-chan reaches the machine and sticks a token of in, selecting Sailor Mars of course.
[18:35] * Usagi-chan finds an empty controller and selects Sailor Moon almost automatically, still a bit too groggy to really think about what she's doing.
[18:35] * Ami sticks a coin in, selecting Sailor Mercury and holdind down all the buttons to get her Dark form.
[18:36] <Rei-chan> "Huh? What's that?" Rei points at the palette-swapped Sailor Mercury.
[18:38] * Makoto plays Sailor Jupiter, obviously, and seeing Ami press down all her buttons, does the same as well, curious to see if there's an effect.
[18:40] <Ami> "Raging Mercury!" Ami enthuses. "Like Raging Ryu." 'Only not gay.'
[18:40] * Makoto points to the screen where her Sailor Jupiter seems to have palette-swapped. "And what happened to Jupiter then?"
[18:41] * Usagi-chan snorts, finally waking the rest of the way up. "They have dark forms of all the senshi, but I don't like using them - they die too fast."
[18:41] <Rei-chan> "Like... demonically possessed?" 'If there's an evil Mars, I'm going to kill Artemis...'
[18:42] <Usagi-chan> "They don't really say WHY they're dark, but yes - there are dark versions of all the senshi, Mars included." Usagi sighs.
[18:42] <Ami> "Not possessed, no," Ami says quickly, not wanting to bring up that kind of thing around Mars. "Just raging."
[18:42] <Makoto> "...die too fast? But that's impossible, even for a dark Jupiter!" Makoto insists. "Dark Jupiter can't have less life than Sailor Moon!"
[18:42] * Makoto pauses before thinking, 'Uhm, no offense.'
[18:42] <Rei-chan> "Does my Dark version have white hair?" Rei asks, gesturing at her 'classically' coloured Sailor Mars.
[18:43] <Ami> "Nope. They just did palette swaps mostly."
[18:43] * Usagi-chan can't look at Rei as she answers. "Actually, yeah, she does Ami. I think they changed it because the hair doesn't show up against the fuku otherwise."
[18:44] <Rei-chan> "Guess there's nothing I can do about it," Rei sighs as the level starts, proceeding to punch and kick her way through the youma horde.
[18:46] * Ami gets into the game, throwing Dark Shine Aqua Illusions like they're going out of style.
[18:46] <Usagi-chan> "I'll be sure to talk to him when I get an update on the other merchandising stuff." Usagi grits her teeth in concentration as she dusts a youma.
[18:48] * Makoto eeps as she realizes she can only punch the youma, not knowing any of the special moves.
[18:49] * Usagi-chan grins as she lines up three youma and dusts them all with a well-placed Moon Princess Hallation.
[18:49] <Rei-chan> "Hold down punch for a few seconds or press punch and jump together for special moves," Rei tells Makoto, shooting a Fire Soul across the screen as she demonstrates.
[18:50] * Makoto tries the hold move, and smiles as she gets a Supreme Thunder out. "Alright! Now we're talking! Thanks Rei!"
[18:51] * Usagi-chan keeps focused on the screen as she talks to Makoto. "If you move into them, you can grab them - and Jupiter's throw moves are REALLY strong."
[18:51] <Rei-chan> "No problem," Rei replies as the Jadeite-alike boss appears on screen, promptly getting blasted for her inattention.
[18:52] <Makoto> "Even this Dark Jupiter character?" Makoto asks, as she continues to punch and supreme thunder along the screen.
[18:52] <Ami> "Rei-chan! Grab Tuxedo Mask's rose; it's a power up," Ami says, seriously into the game.
[18:53] * Usagi-chan huffs with frustration as 'Jedite' hits her with a fireball. "The Dark characters all have stronger attacks than the regular ones, but a lot less life."
[18:53] * Rei-chan gets the powerup, and then proceeds to get in grappling range of Jadeite, tossing him across the screen and knocking out a youma as he lands.
[18:54] <Ami> "And you can fly. Just double jump," Ami says, sacrificing some life to blast away the crowd of youma jumping her.
[18:57] <Usagi-chan> "Just be careful about hitting attack and jump - that actually eats a little of your life when you do that, so it's best to save that for emergencies." Usagi grins as she manages to hit Jedite with her tiara, knocking the last of his life off. "Got him!"
[18:58] <Rei-chan> "This level's annoying," Rei sighs as the next one comes up. "Try to avoid accidentally throwing each other into the water," she advises her friends.
[18:59] <Ami> "This is where flying comes in handy," Ami grins.
[18:59] <Usagi-chan> "Easy for you to say." Usagi quickly shoots her tongue out at the blue-haired girl.
[19:01] * Makoto double jumps, to see Dark Jupiter go into flying mode. "Cool."
[19:01] * Rei-chan stays near the edges of the screen, quickly throwing the youma into the river as soon as they appear.
[19:02] * Usagi-chan accidentally moves into grapple range of Rei, the two characters linking arms. "Stupid..." She jumps, the two breaking their hold as they land. "That's what you have to watch out for on this part."
[19:03] * Rei-chan nods, punching a nearby youma several times until it falls over, landing in the drink.
[19:04] * Ami sighs, cut down by a red youma with an axe for a hand. Plopping another coin in the machine she selects the same character and gets back to business.
[19:11] * Usagi-chan grabs a youma, flailing away at it with her arms and knocking it down. She grumbles to herself at the comical display. 'I'm not THAT bad at fighting...'
[19:12] <Rei-chan> "It's funny, though," Rei says, grabbing a youma and bitch-slapping it to the ground.
[19:12] * Ami giggles, picking a youma into the air and slaming it into the ground.
[19:12] <Usagi-chan> "Maybe when it's not supposed to be YOU on there..." Usagi complains.
[19:14] <Rei-chan> Rei is about to reply, but her inattention results in Sailor Mars' death, her onscreen avatar falling to the ground and crying like... well, like a girl. "Yeah..." she grumbles, fishing out another token and continuing.
[19:17] <Makoto> "...and I'm out," Makoto says as she dies a third time.
[19:17] * Usagi-chan gets floored by a little round youma that charges across the screen on its stomach. She slaps the control stick lightly in frustration. "Oh, just forget it... I've beaten this a ton of times anyway."
[19:18] <Makoto> "Well I should be getting on home and get started on cooking if I want to make an extra bento for tomorrow," Makoto says with a smile as she moves away from the arcade machine. "Have to get it as perfect as possible."
[19:19] * Usagi-chan smiles over at the tall brunette. "Good luck with Alan, Mako-chan! I'll be rooting for you!"
[19:20] * Rei-chan shrugs, deciding to leave Sailor Mars to her fate. "Yeah, see you, Mako-chan. I guess I might as well head home, too..."
[19:21] <Usagi-chan> "Oh, I thought you were going to stay longer." Usagi turns to Rei. "I guess I'll see you later, Rei-chan."
[19:22] * Ami shrugs, letting the game go. "I'll walk with you, Usagi-chan. Later Mako-chan, Rei-chan."
[19:22] * Rei-chan blushes slightly. "No, I think it's best if I leave, now," she mutters, beating a hasty retreat. "Bye, guys," she waves from the door as she exits.
[19:23] * Usagi-chan has a slightly troubled look at Rei's quick vanishing act. "Bye... Rei-chan." she says, the miko disappearing before she can even finish her sentence.
[09:40] <Ana-breakfast> ---
[09:42] <Evil_GM> Friday morning dawns, the day lighting up and glowing...if there wasn't a heavy cloak of clouds, anyway, that gives the day a dark cast.
[09:43] <Evil_GM> It isn't raining now, but it likely will be soon. The weathermen are saying a rain/snow mix for this chilly day is to be expected.
[09:46] <Evil_GM> If it were an off day, the only thing to do would be to curl back up in bed and nap... but...
[09:46] * Usagi-chan frowns as she stares out the kitchen window at the ugly day threatening. "Of all the days I could pick to do something..." she mutters to herself.
[09:47] <Evil_GM> At least Mom is serving a hot breakfast. "Usagi-chan, do remember to wear your jacket today," she says as she sets the table. "It's miserable today."
[09:48] * Usagi-chan nods absently. "I will, Mom." Her thoughts are elsewhere, on how she's supposed to get inside the school...
[09:49] <Evil_GM> "And make sure not to be late, even with this weather," she goes on. "You don't want a Friday detention, dear."
[09:51] * Usagi-chan snorts. "No, I wouldn't want that." 'Stinks that I have to tick Miss H off by doing this, but Rei really has me worried...'
[09:51] <Evil_GM> "Oh, and Usagi-chan," she says, pointing to a 1000 yen bill by your meal. "There's some money for hot drinks after school," she smiles.
[09:52] * Usagi-chan smiles up at her mother. "Thanks, Mom - what would I do without you?" She picks up the money, placing it in her purse.
[09:52] <Evil_GM> "You'd be a street urchin while fighting evil," she smiles back, starting to eat her own breakfast.
[09:54] * Usagi-chan giggles. "You're probably right!" Usagi finishes off the last of her breakfast and leans over to give her mom a kiss on the cheek. "I'll see you after I get home from school today!" She waves and heads out of the house, looking a lot more cheerful than she feels.
[09:55] <Evil_GM> "Have a good day, Usagi-chan," she calls out as you venture out into cold, bleak morning.
[09:55] * Usagi-chan huddles inside her coat as she trudges through the blustery streets... turning away from her usual route a few blocks from home to head towards Mugen Gakuen.
[09:56] <Evil_GM> There is even a 15 or so MPH wind to contend with, chilling you even with a coat. Ugh. As Usagi progresses to Mugen, she notes a few random students heading there and wearing the garb of Mugen.
[09:57] * Usagi-chan takes note of the way the girls' uniform looks, then as she nears the school itself she begins to look for a secluded spot to disguise herself.
[09:58] <Evil_GM> There's a spot with some trees you could use, likely.
[09:59] * Usagi-chan ducks into the small cluster of trees and checks to make sure there's no one paying attention to her before pulling out the Lunar Pen. "Disguise Power! Change me into a cute student at Mugen!"
[10:00] <Usagi-chan> With a flash of lights and stars, Usagi is disguised in the Mugen girls' uniform. While still the same height, she now has short brown hair and freckles, but the same blue eyes as before.
[10:03] <Evil_GM> Glancing about afterwards, you see that students are filing in on foot, as well as teachers and other assorted people to the large, multistory building.
[10:04] <Usagi-chan> Trying not to betray her nervousness, Usagi tries to blend in with the crowd of students heading into the building.
[10:04] <Evil_GM> By and large, the students pay Usagi no special note. She seems to fit in as the crowd heads inside...
[10:05] * Usagi-chan looks around once inside the building. She tries to see if she can detect Rei's aura in the building anywhere; failing that, she looks for a restroom where she can duck in for a moment and get her bearings.
[10:06] <Evil_GM> You do not sense Rei's aura at the present time. There are some restrooms right inside, which look to be fairly well used by the flow of people in and out.
[10:09] * Usagi-chan heads into the restroom, closing herself in an empty stall and taking a few deep breaths. 'Why am I so nervous about this?' she thinks to herself. Taking a moment to clear her mind, she tries to sense any other high concentrations of magical power in the school.
[10:09] <Evil_GM> OOC - Soul check, Usagi. +3 modifier.
[10:10] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6+3
[10:10] * Hatbot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6+3 and gets 8."
[10:11] <Evil_GM> There are hundreds if not thousands of auras around Mugen, making sensing difficult. You do feel a few very strong ones about, however.
[10:11] * Usagi-chan shakes her head at the sheer number of magical auras in the vicinity. She tries to focus on the closest of the "strong" ones, though.
[12:07] * Usagi-chan does her best to work her way through the throng of students, although her small stature works against her somewhat. She tries to catch up to her target before she enters a classroom, since it probably isn't going to be a good idea for her to poke her head into a class in progress.
[12:08] <Evil_GM> OOC - Hm.
[12:08] <Evil_GM> roll 2d6
[12:08] * Hatbot --> "Evil_GM rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[12:09] <Evil_GM> Usagi darts and presses through the crowd, making surprisingly good time amid the mass of Mugen students.
[12:10] <Evil_GM> Turning a corner, you catch up to the person with the aura. A green haired girl in a lab coat is walking down the hallway briskly, her hair style slightly reminiscent of yours. The other students give her quite a bit of leeway, an invisible field of respect.
[12:11] * Usagi-chan tries to keep out of the girl's notice, while checking her aura for as much detail as she can.
[12:13] <Evil_GM> Her aura is green and brownish, with a few dangling threads of black here and there. You think you detect a strong magic from her... she has the gift... but before you can confirm it, a student blocks your view for a few seconds, distracting you.
[12:13] * Usagi-chan glances up at the interloper with a mild look of annoyance, then turns her attention back to the green-haired girl - the black threads aren't reassuring.
[12:14] <Evil_GM> When you get to her again, she's gotten a bit ahead and is turning another corner.
[12:14] * Usagi-chan hurries to the corner, trying not to lose sight of her.
[12:15] <Evil_GM> roll 2d6
[12:15] * Hatbot --> "Evil_GM rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[12:15] <Evil_GM> Usagi sprints as best she can. When she turns the corner, you can see the green haired lady turning another short corner, down a darker hallway.
[12:16] * Usagi-chan grumbles to herself and goes on, stopping at the next corner.
[12:16] <Evil_GM> Ahead is a door, which has just closed when you get to it. A keypad is to the side of the sturdy metal door. It's oddly out of place so near a classroom.
[12:17] * Usagi-chan quirks an eyebrow at the security door, but simply frowns and returns to the main hallway, looking for any OTHER strong magical signatures as she does so.
[12:18] <Evil_GM> As Usagi enters the main hallway again, it's fairly less crowded now. Most of the students have gotten or are just getting into class now, and a ringing bell causes the few who are still here to break into a run.
[12:19] <Evil_GM> Sensing out a second time, none of the 'big' energy sources are close at all right now.
[12:19] * Usagi-chan grimaces, realizing she can't exactly roam around the hallways during classes or someone will turn her in. She darts down the hallway, looking for any empty classrooms.
[12:20] <Evil_GM> This hallway seems to have no empty rooms, but the next one has an empty room. It looks to be under work, as the floor is partially torn up and some supplies are scattered about.
[12:21] * Usagi-chan ducks into the room, sitting down against the wall a short way from the door and out of sight of the small window set into it.
[12:22] <Evil_GM> It smells like dust and chalk in here, a curious combination. There isn't much light, as the lights above are off and the windows outside show the gray, bleak day. It's just starting to drizzle now.
[12:23] <Usagi-chan> 'At least I'm not stuck outside today...' Usagi smiles wryly. Seeing as she has nothing else to do for the moment, she reaches out with her aura sense again, trying to get a better idea of where the most powerful magical signatures in the building are.
[12:23] <Evil_GM> OOC - Trying to focus on any and all strong signatures, right?
[12:24] <Usagi-chan> OOC - Pretty much. Going slow, killing time, trying to get a fix on them.
[12:24] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6+3
[12:24] * Hatbot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6+3 and gets 14."
[12:27] <Evil_GM> At first, you can only sense the vibrant general massed aura of the school and all it's students. Like a tapestry, you feel it, yet feel few individual threads. It's a touch overwhelming...*CRASH!* A thunderbolt echoes in the distance... thunder in winter? That's rare.
[12:27] * Usagi-chan lets out a small shriek of terror, huddling into a ball on the floor. "Not a thunderstorm..." Usagi whines. "I did NOT need this today!"
[12:28] * Usagi-chan slowly manages to calm her nerves, reaching out with her senses once again to try to find anyone outstanding inside the school.
[12:28] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6+3
[12:28] * Hatbot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6+3 and gets 13."
[12:28] <Evil_GM> The rain picks up, starting to ram into the windows with a fury. Another, smaller, bolt crashes on down, showing the wrath of Mother Nature is alive today.
[12:28] <Evil_GM> Usagi jumps at it, ruining her concentration again.
[12:29] <Usagi-chan> 'I HATE thunder!' Usagi scrunches her eyes closed, squeezing herself up as small as she can.
[12:30] <Evil_GM> Wind howls as another two shrieks of thunder rage and the rain pours in buckets. Worse, the rain is looking to start being interspersed with hail and ice. Lovely.
[12:31] * Usagi-chan tries to stop trembling from the thunderbolts and concentrate on the task at hand again, although it's far from easy.
[12:31] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6+3
[12:31] * Hatbot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6+3 and gets 14."
[12:32] <Evil_GM> A crash that must've been DAMN close causes the Odango'ed one to lose all concentration, the rap of more and more ice on the windows a loud staccato.
[12:33] * Usagi-chan lets out another startled scream and tries to tuck her head between her knees. "It's only thunder, it can't hurt me, it's only thunder..." Usagi repeats the phrase over and over like a mantra, although it doesn't seem to be helping her much.
[12:34] <Evil_GM> THis time, a blast that seems to have hit the Mugen building itself roars down, the sound deafening to poor Usagi! "Hey, is someone in there," a voice asks from outside. "Are you alright? I heard a scream."
[12:35] * Usagi-chan squeaks again, not having heard the voice in the hallway thanks to her near state of panic from the thunderstorm.
[12:35] <Evil_GM> Yet another close bolt hits, and as it echoes, the door opens. "Are you okay?" a voice asks, this time louder as he turns on the lightswitch...
[12:36] * Usagi-chan looks up quickly as the light goes on, cringing as another thunderbolt splits the skies above the school. Her eyes are wide with terror as she looks at the person who just entered the room.
[12:37] <Evil_GM> A sandy haired man stands in the room, of middle age but youthful-looking. He wears a simple lab coat and pants, along with a dressy shirt underneath. He also wears glasses, one eye covered with bizarre symbols that have no meaning to you. His aura is strange and strong - it's controlled and hard to read past the surface.
[12:39] <Evil_GM> "Are you alright," he asks, not unkindly. His face is curious, as if he's found a strange bug. "What ARE you doing in here, Miss...?"
[12:39] <Usagi-chan> "I...." Usagi shrieks and cringes again as another thunderclap booms above the school, any story she might have told this man driven straight out of her head by the damned THUNDER!
[12:41] <Evil_GM> "Hum," he glances outside at the wintery lightning-and-ice storm. Shrugging, he grins strangely for a moment before going over to the teacher's desk and taking the chair from behind it with him. Coming up to you, he places it in front of you and sits down.
[12:41] <Evil_GM> You'd almost say his face looked shadowy for a moment, but it must've been a trick of the light.
[12:41] * Usagi-chan looks up at the man, still trembling with terror from the storm outside - and not a little from the fact that she's apparently been found already.
[12:42] <Evil_GM> "It's alright," he soothes, but his grin is disarming. "If this bothers you, we can go to my office to discuss why you're not in class," he offers. "It's in the middle of the top floor, so the lightning shouldn't be that bad there."
[12:43] * Usagi-chan calms down a little, seeing that this man doesn't seem to be angry with her for being somewhere she obviously shouldn't be. She nods slowly. "All... all right."
[12:44] <Evil_GM> "Excellent," he chortles. "Shall we go, Miss," he says, getting up and beginning to walk out.
[12:44] * Usagi-chan slowly gets up and follows the lab-coated man out of the classroom, her heart sinking slowly.
[12:45] <Evil_GM> He leads you outside amid a flurry of distant thunderbolts, keeping one eye on you as you walk to an elevator.
[12:46] * Usagi-chan squeaks at a few of the louder thunderclaps, cringes at most, and generally presents a picture of frightened misery as she heads into the elevator.
[12:47] <Evil_GM> Getting on, he punches in floor 5. The elevator rises, the storm distant now. Getting out, you see you are in a pleasant administrative area, and he leads you down the carpeted halls.
[12:48] * Usagi-chan slowly manages to calm down as the storm noises lessen, although the prospect of being caught keeps her rather nervous - just not as OBVIOUSLY nervous.
[12:49] <Evil_GM> He heads inward, and to a large office. The door reads PROFESSOR SOUICHI TOMOE, FOUNDER on it, and inside is a pleasant, large, windowless and quiet office. A darkwood desk and plush chairs in front of it are the main features Usagi notice off the bat. "Help yourself to the candy dish there," he says as he goes to sit behind the desk, gesturing to a chocolate filled bowl at the front of said desk.
[12:51] * Usagi-chan's eyes widen as she realizes just who she's been found by - the famous Professor himself! She swallows hard, her nervousness even causing her to miss the man's invitation to help herself to chocolate.
[12:51] <Evil_GM> "Now, Miss....I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name," he starts as he sits down in his office chair.
[12:52] <Evil_GM> That strange grin is still there. There's something just off about it to you. Something odd.
[12:53] * Usagi-chan stammers for a minute, the odd grin putting her even further off her stride. She just barely remembers the name she'd decided to use for today's little trip. "Yuki, sir. Yuki Shirata."
[12:54] <Evil_GM> "Yuki Shirata..." he says, typing at a computer on one side of his desk. He is then silent for several seconds. "Ahhh, Miss Shirata. You're currently supposed to be in Astrophysics," he nods, his grin spreading even further.
[12:55] * Usagi-chan blinks. "Um... yes, sir." 'What in the world...?'
[12:56] <Evil_GM> "I suppose I can't blame you," he chuckles. "Astropyshics is so boring compared to the other subjects on your schedule," he comments, still chuckling. "But no matter, why WERE you in that room, Miss Shirata?"
[13:09] <Usagi-chan> "I... um... was on my way to the restroom when the thunder started and it scared me so bad I just wanted to find someplace to hide." Usagi winces, the excuse even sounding lame to her.
[13:10] <Evil_GM> "Heh," he says, typing a few more lines on his keyboard. "So, Miss Shirata, I see your grades in Oceanography and Applied Calculus are up."
[13:12] * Usagi-chan can't help but widen her eyes. Applied Calculus? HER?! "Um... I've really been working hard lately..." She scratches her head... THAT's true enough, even if she IS having trouble making sense of Miss H's algebra lectures.
[13:13] <Evil_GM> "You have, and it's good work. Miss Yamaguchi has nothing but praise for you in the comments section," he laughs. "In fact, you may make honor roll this semester."
[13:13] * Usagi-chan works her mouth silently for a minute... the idea of HER making the honor roll, much less at MUGEN... the universe has to be playing some kind of cosmic joke on her, right?
[13:14] <Evil_GM> "Good work," he nods again. "Oh, but I almost forgot. Could you hold on a moment, I have a telephone call to make," he smiles, picking up the phone.
[13:15] * Usagi-chan nods dumbly. Is there a REAL Yuki Shirata here and she just didn't know about it?
[13:16] <Evil_GM> "Yes, hello, Kaolinite," he says into the phone. "Is Rei there? Oh, she is? Good. Tell her to come up to my office on the 5th floor, I need to discuss something with her. No, it's nothing important, but do tell her to hurry. Thanks." He hangs up the phone with a loud click.
[13:17] * Usagi-chan closes her eyes for a moment. Great, now Rei's on her way... She opens her eyes again a moment later, trying not to betray her emotions.
[13:17] <Evil_GM> "Do you want something to drink," he offers. "I can get you some tea or coffee or soda if you want some," he says, that damned smile still there.
[13:18] <Usagi-chan> "Um... no thank you, sir." Usagi says in a tiny voice. Rei is going to KILL her once she figures this out...
[13:18] <Evil_GM> "Hungry at all, Miss Shirata," he asks further, still grinning. "I can have the cafeteria send up a late breakfast."
[13:19] * Usagi-chan gives a tiny shake of her head. No, Rei would probably decide that death would be too good for the Dumpling Head and devise something worse for her.
[13:23] <Evil_GM> "Oh well," he shrugs. "How about this," he reaches into a drawer in his desk. To your surprise, he takes out a portable gaming system with the latest romance sim game. "Care to game while we wait, Miss Shirata," he asks, laughing again.
[13:24] * Usagi-chan can't hide her incredulity as the Professor pulls out a dating sim and offers it to her. 'This is SERIOUSLY freaky...'
[13:25] <Evil_GM> "It's quite a bit of fun to chase that damn Mai down for a romantic date," he giggles. "Loads of fun if you're bored."
[13:26] <Usagi-chan> "That's... that's okay, thanks." Usagi manages to stammer out. No wonder Rei never said much about school...
[08:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[08:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> It's the sort of day that seems to beg a Fire Soul to the face. Thick clouds promise an ice storm as Rei gets on towards school.
[08:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> At least the Witches office has good heating. As Rei settles into her studies, you hear Kaolinite on the phone. "Yes, professor... yes, Rei is here... yes... Alright, I will," she says, putting the phone down.
[08:43] * Rei-chan looks up in the redhead's direction curiously.
[08:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Rei," she says the name with a touch of venom, "The Professor wants to you see you in his 5th floor office."
[08:46] <Rei-chan> "Okay," Rei gets up, heading out the office and towards the elevator. 'I hope he isn't just going to send me out to buy snacks... especially on a day like this.'
[08:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> As Rei heads up....
[08:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[08:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Well," The Professor says after a few more minutes, "If you excuse me a moment, Miss Shirata?" he says, getting up. "I'll be back in just a moment."
[08:48] * Usagi-chan nods slowly.
[08:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> Still chuckling strangely, he gets up and leaves you alone in the office, the door closing shut with an onimous thump.
[08:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[08:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> The 5th floor is full of offices and other administrative functionaries. As you begin to navigate, you see the Professor is coming and making a beeline for you. His normal shadow face is gone today, oddly.
[08:50] <Rei-chan> "Good morning Professor," Rei greets the man as she nears him, "Kaolinite said you wanted to see me?"
[08:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes, yes," he smiles as you two walk down a quiet hallway. He speaks softly, so his voice doesn't carry. "I stumbled on a student cutting class today," he begins. "Normally of minimal consequence, but she gave me a... heh... fake name," he laughs, amused by this.
[09:19] <Rei-chan> "A fake name?" Rei looks confused, "I suppose she probably thought that would get her out of trouble, but it's not very clever... So why did you ask for me?"
[09:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> "With the recent... interference and meddling we've had lately, I want to make sure it's just a scared student," he grins, shadows flickering into place for a moment. "And not something more sinister."
[09:22] * Rei-chan nods, dawning comprehension. "You think she might be a spy from that other group that's hunting the Talismans?" 'I doubt those elves would try something like this...'
[09:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Perhaps," he frowns. "Something about her is unusual, though. Call it an unscientific gut feeling," he chortles. "Your talents extend into the field of the supernatural sensing, I want you to make sure she's just a normal girl. Under less unusual circumstances, I would use a scanner, but if she IS a threat..." he leaves it hanging.
[09:25] <Rei-chan> "So is she in your office?" Rei asks, probing her senses in that direction to see what she can feel.
[09:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods as you walk up there. You sense an aura, sure enough, as he throws open the door... (OOC - Soul check, -1 bonus)
[09:26] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6-1
[09:26] * Hatbot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6-1 and gets 6."
[09:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sitting in one of the comfortable chairs is a brown haired, freckled girl. She looks scared, her blue eyes showing it. Her spiritual sense, however, is strong and pure. Strong and pure like only one other person you know...
[09:28] * Usagi-chan slowly turns to look at the door... and her eyes pop as she catches sight of Rei in her Witches' uniform.
[09:28] <Rei-chan> To her credit, Rei barely even twitches. 'U-sa-gi!' she mentally roars.
[09:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'm sorry for the delay, Miss Shirata," he nods, going back to his desk. "I just need to get something for an associate of mine."
[09:29] <Usagi-chan> 'Don't kill me!' Usagi squeaks mentally, cringing in her seat.
[09:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> The Professor is ruffling around in his desk drawers, as if looking for something. "Oh, where did I put that?"
[09:30] <Rei-chan> "Shirata-san, is it?" Rei asks coolly, slowly walking towards Usagi, her posture rather intimidating. 'You are in deep, Dumpling Head! What the hell are you even doing here?'
[09:31] * Usagi-chan frowns slightly, still facing Rei. 'I was... never mind, it can wait until we get out of here. What the heck is going ON here? What is this guy planning to do with me?'
[09:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Ah, found it," he says, pulling out a sheet of paper. "Come, Rei, let's not hold you up any more," he says, starting to walk out.
[09:32] <Rei-chan> 'He thinks you're a spy. I'll have to... dissuade him of that. Even though, he's probably right...' Rei mentally sighs. "Of course, Professor," she says demurely, following him out the door, pausing to throw one last look at Usagi that promises much pain in her immediate future.
[09:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> Once out, he closes the door. "Well?" he asks simply.
[09:33] * Usagi-chan winces as she catches the look, slumping down in her seat.
[09:37] <Rei-chan> "I'm not sure, Professor - she seems to have a fairly normal aura as far as I can tell. It's rather robust, but I can't detect any specific powers like we Witches have. And she doesn't feel anything like the person that interfered with the heart snatch Eudial and I were on, far less like those elves and their monsters." Rei shrugs, "I really have no idea what she could be up to."
[09:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hm, I see," he nods. "Thank you, Rei... my intuition must be wrong. My, I'd say I'm going mad if I thought she was a spy," he laughs, shadows again over his face.
[09:39] <Rei-chan> "If you like I can escort her off the school," she adds, her voice low and barely threatening, "I'll make sure she doesn't return."
[09:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> "That's fine," he says. "At least to the first floor. She still may just be a student who doesn't want to get busted for cutting class."
[09:41] <Rei-chan> "I suppose that would be embarassing if she got kicked out of school like that," Rei chuckles slightly. "Anyway, I'll take care of her and then get back to work downstairs," she says, nodding to the Professor as she goes back into the office.
[09:41] * Usagi-chan is still sitting, slumped in the chair.
[09:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Very well," he nods. "Oh, and Rei. Help yourself to the candy if you like," he grins again, walking off.
[09:42] <Rei-chan> "Shirata-san?" Rei says sweetly, through clenched teeth.
[09:43] * Usagi-chan looks up at the scantily-dressed miko, keeping her expression cowed although she's strung higher than a kite. "Yes... miss?" she replies quietly.
[09:43] <Rei-chan> "Hino," Rei supplies. "Would you please come with me?"
[09:45] * Usagi-chan stands up, nodding. She keeps a tight rein on her thoughts for the moment, a slight grimace on her face.
[09:45] * Rei-chan silently leads Usagi out the door, towards the elevator.
[09:46] * Usagi-chan follows a step behind Rei, still remaining stonily silent.
[09:47] <Rei-chan> Entering the lift and waiting for Usagi, Rei then pushes the button for the first floor, likewise silent.
[09:49] * Usagi-chan can't meet Rei's angry stare as she steps into the elevator, waiting for the lift to take the pair back down to the first floor of the school.
[09:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> With a beep, the elevator reaches the first floor.
[09:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> The hallways are quiet as students study away in the classrooms of Mugen.
[09:51] * Rei-chan steps out. "Come along, Shirata-san," she says, briskly leading the freckled girl to the main entrance/exit of Mugen Gakuen.
[09:52] * Usagi-chan trudges along behind Rei. "Yes, Miss Hino." she replies in the same subdued tone.
[09:53] <Rei-chan> Reaching the entryway, Rei turns to Usagi. "Now, I think you'd best be returning to your own school, right?" she suggests. 'And after you finish your detention this afternoon, you and I are going to have a long talk!'
[09:54] * Usagi-chan turns a hurt and angry look to Rei. 'Excuse me for caring!' With that single statement, she bolts out of the school, disappearing quickly into the streets of Juuban.
[09:55] <Rei-chan> With a put-upon sigh, Rei turns around and slowly walks back to the Witches 6 office. "Stupid Dumpling Head..." she mutters quietly.
[09:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[09:58] * Usagi-chan manages to run into an alley before letting the disguise slip away. Shivering at the ice still pelting down, she comes out of the alleyway, heading for the nearest cafe.
[09:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> The nearest cafe is a small, wood paneled place, mostly full of older adults.
[09:59] <Usagi-chan> Once inside, she orders a cup of hot tea, takes it to a table, and promptly breaks down crying, letting the tension that's built up over the past hour go in a flood of tears.
[10:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> As Usagi pours her heart out..."Are you alright, ma'...Usagi?" the voice of Kenji Tsukino is heard. "What in the world are you DOING here, Usagi?"
[10:01] * Usagi-chan looks up with a pair of puffy eyes. "D..daddy?"
[10:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> Kenji gets up, dressed in his normal suit. He comes over to your booth, sitting down next to you. "Usagi, dear, what's wrong," he asks, seeing your tear stained face.
[10:03] <Usagi-chan> "Oh, Daddy..." Usagi blubbers. "I was... I went to Mugen because Rei scared me and I wanted to make sure she'd be okay but there was thunder and I got caught by a really weird man and now Rei hates me!"
[10:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Um..." he starts, rather put off by the flood of information. Instead, he goes to the tried and true methods of dealing with women crying. "There, there," he murmurs, wrapping a supportive arm around. "It's okay, Usagi."
[10:05] * Usagi-chan calms slightly as her father hugs her. "I was so scared, Daddy... I didn't know what he was going to do to me." She leans into Kenji's embrace, still crying.
[10:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> Despite this, he blushes a bit and looks a bit uncomfortable with the situation. When that last sentence comes down, though..."He? Usagi, did a man try to do something to you?" he asks, twitching.
[10:06] * Usagi-chan manages to shake her head slightly. "He didn't... he didn't do anything to me, just scared me really bad." she sniffles.
[10:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Who was this, and what did he do to scare you," he asks, still twitching slightly. His glasses are fogged up, strangely enough.
[10:08] <Usagi-chan> "Professor Tomoe - he's the headmaster at Rei's school." Usagi wipes her eyes on the back of her coat sleeve. "He caught me looking around inside the school and took me up to his office to talk to me, and it was really weird."
[10:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Really," he asks, calming down a bit. "Why were you at Rei's school instead of at Juuban, Usagi," he asks, having gotten past his fatherly protective stage.
[10:11] <Usagi-chan> "She... she told me about some other girls there that were really strong and not very nice and I just wanted to make sure she'd be okay by herself around them." Usagi fudges the truth a little bit, not exactly comfortable with discussing magical matters with her father - especially in public.
[10:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> "....." "....." "...Okay." he finally says, utterly lost.
[10:13] * Usagi-chan takes a deep, shuddering sigh. "I'm okay now, Daddy... sorry I was skipping school, but it was kind of important." The blonde hangs her head.
[10:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You shouldn't cut class, Usagi," he goes on, slipping now into the familiar role of father. "Haven't you missed enough time due to your...ah, special circumstances," he dances around the big SM. "You don't need to waste time on larks, Usagi. If you have THAT much free time, perhaps you need to spend it at home."
[10:16] <Usagi-chan> "It was, um, kind of related to those special circumstances." Usagi says quietly. "I wouldn't have skipped school for just anything."
[10:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> He sighs. "Usagi... going to Rei's school and getting thrown out was part of your special circumstances?"
[10:18] * Usagi-chan nods slowly. "It'd take a long time to explain, but yes, it was." Well, sort of - having a better idea of what to look for in the way of magical potential would certainly help her search for a new Sailor Neptune...
[10:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> He sighs again. "I can't very well ground you for that," he sighs yet again. He takes a moment to glance at his watch. "I was on my way for an early lunch - I have the morning free today - and I can't well not invite you now."
[10:21] * Usagi-chan manages a small smile. "Thanks, Daddy... you're the greatest!" She leans over and gives her father a kiss on the cheek.
[10:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Heh," he blushes a moment. "So...where do you want to go for lunch," he asks.
[10:23] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "I don't really care... I haven't got much of an appetite right now, so whatever you want is okay with me."
[10:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> Blinking, he reaches out and feels your forehead. "Are you okay, Usagi? Fever? Stomach flu? Cancer?" he says in reply to your comment. The kicker is that he looks honestly concerned now.
[10:25] * Usagi-chan giggles. "No really, I'm okay. Just still a little jumpy - feels like my tummy's doing backflips right now."
[10:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> "If you say so," he says, still uncertain. "We'll go to that new American buffet, then." he shrugs. 'Just in case...'
[10:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---

Halbarad · June 25, 2006, 01:23:56 PM

[10:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> Once Usagi/Yuki has made haste away from the school, Rei goes back to the Witches 6 room. It's quiet now, with Rei being the only Witch around.
[10:32] * Rei-chan shrugs, not really caring where Kaolinite disappeared to. She goes to her desk and takes out a few strips of paper and her calligraphy set, deciding to make up some new ofuda, since she's been running through them pretty fast lately.
[10:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei works away, finishing three of them easily enough, before she gets interrupted. The door to the Witches room opens, and Cyprine stomps in. She looks highly annoyed, and a bit dusted up.
[10:34] <Rei-chan> "Hey, Cyprine," Rei greets the blue-haired witch distractedly. "What's up? Have a heart snatch interrupted?"
[10:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes," she grunts, clearly pissed. "Some freaky elf and his monster started draining energy in the middle of my snatch!"
[10:40] * Rei-chan nods in understanding. "Yeah, those idiots sure aren't winning any popularity contests..." she then brightens, "So how badly did you take them apart for their interference?"
[10:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> "We dispatched their science project monster easily enough, and gave them a good mental shock for the trouble," she grins at that. "They were astrally projecting, so we couldn't really do much to them directly."
[10:43] <Rei-chan> "Yeah," Rei nods, "I managed to tag one of their projections with an ofuda once, but it only disrupted him for a few minutes... I'm thinking next time I'll have to try something fancier than a regular ward. Either that or capture one of their pet monsters and try to interrogate it..."
[10:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> "The elves are good at projection," the Witch notes. "We couldn't trace them back - that's very good work."
[10:45] <Rei-chan> "It's annoying and cowardly," Rei sighs, "They can attack like that without risking themselves much... I bet they'd be real wimps in a proper fight."
[11:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah," the other girl agrees. "We'd tear them apart in no time."
[11:05] <Rei-chan> "Well, hopefully it won't be too long before we find their hideout," Rei smiles. "I don't think they'll be an issue for very long after we discover that."
[11:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> "After we scrape Rei off the floor and send a real Witch to do it," Kaolinite sallies forth as she enters the room, going to her desk. "I'm sure Mimette or Tellu would be more than enough to deal with these annoyances and carry Rei back to base."
[11:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> Her smile is nastier than usual. It holds you totally in contempt, like you are nothing but a baby.
[11:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> Cyprine turns, glancing at the oldest Witch but says nothing at first.
[11:10] * Rei-chan laughs. "Witty and charming as ever, old lady. I'm sure the Professor will take note of your wonderful personality sooner or later. After all, your other... talents haven't given you much success, have they?" she matches Kaolinite's look for sheer nastiness.
[11:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I've had more success with my talents," she moves up and down ever so slightly, to cause a jiggle, "than you've had with yours and your 'friend'," she sneers. "Tell me, you're regulated to escorting students around now?"
[11:12] <Rei-chan> "Ouch," Rei mock winces, "Gravity can be so cruel... But really, Kaolinite, can't you think of something better to harass me about? Considering how the only work you ever seem to do around here is going on snack runs for the Professor..."
[11:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> "My duties here are above yours," she snorts. "It's obvious that since you lack so much as a woman and as a Witch that you wouldn't realise this."
[11:22] <Rei-chan> "Yes, yes, old lady," Rei says disiniterestedly, "Why don't you go try and scare some pre-schoolers? Maybe they might buy it..." she sighs putting up a front of nonchalance even as she tries to confirm her suspicions by giving Kaolinite's aura a very intent look, searching for any sign that the Mistress might have 'boosted' the redhead in a similar fashion to what Metallia did to herself.
[11:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Soul check, +4
[11:23] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6+4
[11:24] * Hatbot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6+4 and gets 12."
[11:24] <Rei-chan> do-over!
[11:24] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6+4
[11:24] * Hatbot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6+4 and gets 16."
[11:24] <Rei-chan> another do-over >_>
[11:24] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6+4
[11:24] * Hatbot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6+4 and gets 16."
[11:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> "What do you think I'm doing," she laughs. "I'm playing with a child right now." Her spiritual sense is quite strong, and almost pitch black. It's impossible to see into those murky depths...
[11:26] * Rei-chan furrows her brow, trying again. 'If I can confirm this...' she thinks, forgoing a reply as she concentrates fully on the task.
[11:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[11:27] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[11:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Soul check, +4
[11:27] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6+4 burning 10 EP for effective soul of 12
[11:27] * Hatbot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6+4 burning 10 EP for effective soul of 12 and gets 16."
[11:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> You feel your sensing smacked back, a jolt passing through your mind. (-5 EP due to feedback shock). Her aura tightens, as if drawing in her defenses. Her smile twists a bit as she holds in laughter. "Poking your nose where it doesn't belong, GIRL?"
[11:32] * Rei-chan growls. "Just testing a theory I recently came up with..." 'I'm sure it has to be right, there's no way she should be able to repel me so easily!'
[11:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Save your... tests," she chortles darkly, "for Eudial. I'm sure she'd play along with ANYTHING you wanted." Kaolinite's grin is vicious, cutting and somehow demoralizing.
[11:47] * Rei-chan seethes, her fingers working into claw shapes as she fights the desperate urge to attack the older woman. 'She won't be laughing when I exorcise the Mistress' powerup right out of her!' she thinks darkly. "Eudial hasn't receieved the same... attention, you have," her lips turn into a cruel sneer, recalling what Metallia did to her. "Tell me, did it hurt when the Mistress broke you and remade you?"
[11:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> Her contemptous smile flickers for a few seconds, but she quickly tries to regroup, her hands twitching. "I wouldn't know what you're talking about, Rei," she says darkly. "I do know that you're butting your nose out of Eudial's crotch and into business that'll get you skinned." You can feel her aura flicking as well, as if she's losing control herself.
[11:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> Cyprine, who has been watching this entire exchange herself, sighs and sits down at her desk. "Can't even get a good nap here," she mutters, glancing at the two other Witches.
[11:55] <Rei-chan> Confident that her point has been made, Rei relaxes somewhat. "Save the innuendo. Just don't give me a reason to butt my nose in further."
[11:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Mind your own business, then," she grinds out the words from between clenched teeth, "bitch. Worry about your little field trip to Elfland instead."
[11:59] <Rei-chan> "Of course," Rei replies, not even batting an eye at the 'bitch' epithet. "It is as the Mistress wishes, after all. I certainly don't want to get on her bad side..."
[12:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Of course not," she agrees. "I doubt the Mistress would look kindly on another screwup from you," she comments. "After you were taken off the Heart Snatches already."
[12:01] <Rei-chan> "I'm sure she has her reasons. It's not the place of a mere Witch to question her decisions, though. Is it?" Rei asks innocently.
[12:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> She draws up a bit, then smirks at you. "Of course it's not the place of a mere bitch like yourself to." She twists the title around a bit, again insulting Rei coarsely.
[12:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oooooh..." Cyprine mutters. "Ptilol, is it strange that I can't take a nap in here?" she asks to no one in particular.
[12:04] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, I'm a bitch," Rei agrees easily. "So glad you noticed." She then casts an odd look at Cyprine, deciding not to continue the argument so she can get her nap. She returns to her desk, signalling her part in the conversation is over as she performs a few meditative exercises to get back in the proper frame of mind for writing ofuda.
[12:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> Seeing you leave, Kaolinite finally lets the matter drop with one last snort. She goes to her desk as well, reading one of her difficult, magical tomes.
[12:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> Despite the tension in the air, the day slowly passes for Rei...
[17:33] <Ana-brb> ---
[17:34] <Ana-brb> Friday is a miserable, icy day, and to top things off, Usagi's absent, so you're alone for lunch. At least that was the thought.
[17:35] <Ana-brb> As Makoto starts into her meal... "Hi, Makoto," Alan says, walking up amid a virtual sea of female stares.
[17:38] <Makoto> "Oh, Alan! I was just about to go looking for you," Makoto says, cheering up, glad that she didn't have to risk not finding him and that extra bento she made going to waste.
[17:41] <Ana-brb> Alan smiles, glancing at your food, and then staring... "Huh? Oh, cool," he says, his smile a bit odd for a moment. He grabs a nearby empty chair and sits on the opposite side of your desk.
[17:44] <Makoto> "Yes, I wanted to have lunch with you," Makoto explains with a smile as she pulls out the extra bento too. "I even made some food for you too."
[17:45] <Ana-brb> He perks up at that, smiling brighter. "Thanks, Makoto," he says, taking it. "It smells good."
[17:49] <Makoto> "Thanks. Now please, dig in," Makoto says as she snaps her disposable chopsticks apart and starts digging into her food.
[17:52] <Ana-brb> He does so, getting a pair of chopsticks and digging in. He attacks his bento heartily, taking large bits and generally wolfing it down.
[17:54] <Makoto> "So how are classes?" Makoto asks while eating her meal at a pleasant pace, noting with amusement that he attacks her food almost as voraciously as Usagi. Not quite like Usagi, but near there.
[17:54] <Ana-brb> The other girls are spying, of course, a few sending you looks that would wither a flower. "They're going good," he says around a bite of rice. "How're yours going?"
[18:01] <Makoto> "Eh, not doing too well in physics, but otherwise I think I'm okay. A friend's been trying to help me with classes," Makoto says.
[18:03] <Ana-brb> "MMmmm," he replies, his mouth currently filled with food. Gulping, he goes on. "Anyway...um, are you free tonight, Makoto?"
[18:05] <Makoto> "Who isn't on a Friday evening?" she asks, giving off a bemused look to the girls giving her the evil eye.
[18:09] <Ana-brb> The various girls shoot nasty looks back. "Well... if you are, would you like to go to the movies?"
[18:11] * Makoto brightens at the thought of a nice Friday evening date. "Of course I would."
[18:13] <Ana-brb> Alan smiles, having just finished his bento in Usagi-level time. "Well... my sister got a new boyfriend," he looks a touch unhappy at that, "And he wanted to go on a double date with me and my girlfriend," he says. "Nothing like the first time we went to the movies, though."
[18:15] * Makoto raises an eyebrow, but slowly nods. "Did Ann agree to this? I don't want to be stepping on her toes..." she asks.
[18:15] <Ana-brb> He nods. "I agreed to it," he says. 'Ann nearly threw a fit talking me into this. At least I can go with Makoto and maybe have some more food...'
[18:17] <Makoto> "Well, then, I'd love to," Makoto says with a smile.
[18:21] <Ana-brb> "Cool," he says. "Ann wants to meet at 7, at the Juuban Theater," he says. "She already has the movie picked out."
[18:25] * Makoto nods. "You know what movie she picked?"
[18:27] <Ana-brb> "A cartoon, I think," he says. "Record of something."
[10:43] <Makoto> "Hmm, doesn't ring a bell, but I guess it'll be fun to see," Makoto says.
[10:45] <Anastasia> He nods. "Anyway, I need to get going. I'll see you tonight," he smiles again, brushing his bangs back a bit.
[10:55] * Makoto nods, and finishes her own bento before putting hers and Alan's away.
[10:57] <Anastasia> ---
-------
Yay swiss cheese....
-------
[12:01] * Makoto raises an eyebrow, and takes it Herb hasn't revealed his little...situation to Ann from the way he looks at her water bottle.
[12:01] <Anastasia> AS this happens, the lights dim...it looks like the previews are starting.
[12:03] <Prince_Herb> 'Good,' thinks Herb. "Darkness can cover a multitude of sins."
[12:05] <Anastasia> The first preview is for some sugar coated anime, Hyper Happy Happy Choko-chan's Magical Adventure! It makes your teeth itch just watching it.
[12:05] <Anastasia> Alan, for his part, spends more time glancing at Makoto and her outfit than this preview.
[12:07] * Makoto looks mostly at the previews, though she does occassionally glance over at Alan with a smile.
[12:08] <Anastasia> Ann looks at this preview, but is mostly bored as well. The next one is for a space anime, Gundam Wing - The eternal silence of space.
[12:09] <Anastasia> Robots fly about battling in outer space while bishonen pilots angst about the 'silence of space' and so forth.
[12:11] <Anastasia> Alan and Ann both look a touch more interested in this one, especially the space part. Although, Alan does snort at it. 'It's not nearly so sparkly most of the time' he thinks to himself.
[12:11] * Prince_Herb keeps one eye on the bottled water, one on the screen and one on Ann's pretty face, despite the fact that this really requires 50% more eyes than he has
[12:13] <Anastasia> Without any further ado, the movie begins. RECORD OF LODOSS WAR is the big print of the screen before things get started.
[12:14] * Prince_Herb goes starry eyed, since Deedlit is so cute, and Pirotess is so seductive and evil
[12:14] <Anastasia> It's a medieval anime, and of note is the cute female elf heronie. Alan takes one look at her and seems to almost forget about Makoto, staring openly. Ann, while sending a darkly amused look at Alan, studies her as well as the movie goes on.
[12:15] * Makoto seems to be in a similar stink as Herb and Alan both go into their starry eyed mode. 'Hmmph, fanboys...' she thinks with her arms crossed.
[12:16] <Anastasia> The movie goes on... and on... and on. Finally, the last reel plays, the elven woman and her new husband riding off into the sunset.
[12:17] <Anastasia> Alan is smiling, having enjoyed the movie muchly. "That was really good," he says, turning to Makoto. "How'd you like it?"
[12:19] <Anastasia> Ann, on her part, is smiling herself. "You got that one right, Alan," she agrees. "It was qute an entertaining film."
[12:19] <Makoto> "It wasn't bad," Makoto admits, having focused more on the movie once her date had ceased to pay attention to her.
[10:42] <Prince_Herb> "It was pretty good. I'm a sucker for a beautiful elf girl and a happy ending." Herb admits.
[10:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ann giggles at that. "Yeah... so that was fun," she says again, stretching as she gets up. "And someone said something about dinner?"
[10:47] * Prince_Herb looks worriedly to the exit, hoping that it's not raining. "Yes, I booked a table for four at the Tokyo Lone Star."
[10:48] <Prince_Herb> "It's Tex-Mex: I thought that would be nice for you two, remind you of America."
[10:48] <Makoto> "You eaten there before, Herb?"
[10:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ann and Alan share a quick glance before replying. "Uh... yeah, just like home," Alan says, but he sounds a touch unsure of himself.
[10:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> "We had it all the time back at home," Ann goes on, trying to smile a bit too much. "It's good stuff."
[10:51] <Prince_Herb> "Yes, it's pretty good." says Herb. "Nian says..."
[10:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Nian?" Ann asks. "A friend of yours?"
[10:51] <Prince_Herb> 'Wait, I can't tell people that I have a talking cat...' Herb thinks.
[10:52] <Prince_Herb> "My cat... Well, he doesn't *say* but he mews pretty appreciatively. He likes the iced tea a lot." Herb says, a little lamely
[10:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> Alan sends a glance to Makoto this time, his eyes asking if this guy is kooky. "I guess," Alan says, trying to smile.
[10:54] * Makoto smiles and nods to Alan's unspoken question.
[10:55] <Prince_Herb> "But the food is very good, and they give you a lot of it." Herb finishes.
[10:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> "A lot of food..." Ann says, smiling quite a bit at that. "Well then, let's GO."
[11:00] * Prince_Herb leads the others to the restaurant which is not too far away. It's filled with faux-Western and Confederate paraphernalia, but the staff have found space on one wall for a rogues gallery of satisfied customers. One of the polaroids there shows the Musk Prince pigging out with his companions.
[11:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Wow," Ann notes, "This is totally different than other Tokyo places I've seen," she says, as she looks at the photo wall. "So... colorful and lively."
[11:04] <Prince_Herb> "The owner learned to cook somewhere called Wichita Falls, so it's genuine American cuisine too." says Herb, as he waits for one of the waitresses dressed in skimpy cowgirl outfits to come and seat the party.
[11:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Very lively," Alan agrees, looking at the various tables and the waitresses.
[11:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> One of the waitresses soon arrives. "Can I help you cowboys and girls today," she says, mangling the English words just a touch.
[11:08] <Prince_Herb> "Party of four, for Haabu-sama," Herb says, trying not to ogle her legs, a gentleman to the last.
[11:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> She takes a second to pull out and check a list. "Right. Table 2, reserved, party of 4?"
[11:11] * Prince_Herb nods. "That's us."
[11:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Right this way," she nods, leading you to a table. It's in a good position, right near a pleasant window view. A few moments later, the waitress comes back with menus. "Let us know when you're ready, okay?" she smiles and goes off.
[11:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> "This place is really nice," Ann says after she leaves. "Everyone looks happy and full of energy," the disguised girl comments. "Isn't that right?"
[11:15] <Makoto> "Well, like you said, it's a pleasant and lively atmosphere," Makoto says as she picks up her menu.
[11:15] <Makoto> "You guys have eaten here before, right? You have any recommendations?"
[11:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes. It's just bursting with vitality..." Alana comments, picking up the menu. "Um..." he quickly glances over it. "Try the... chicken."
[11:17] * Makoto points to the chicken section, and raises an eyebrow. "Which one? Silly..."
[11:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Er... the chicken tacos!" he says quickly, again stealing a glance at the menu. "Yeah, those are really good."
[11:20] * Makoto blinks and looks at the menu. "Chicken Tacos?"
[11:21] <Prince_Herb> "I'm going for the ribs and barbecue sauce," Herb decides. "But most of the stuff is good."
[11:22] <Makoto> "Hm... I think I'll try the grilled chicken," Makoto says after looking through the chicken section. "Don't quite feel like trying tacos."
[11:22] <Prince_Herb> "I had the enchiladas last time. Very good."
[11:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'l have the chicken tacos," Alan says. "Me too," Ann agrees.
[11:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> The waitress comes back bit later, takes your orders and then brings drinks. "It should be out in about fifteen minutes," she says, smiling and walking off.
[11:28] * Prince_Herb sips his iced tea. "Ah, it is good. How are you two finding life in Japan?" he asks. "It must be very different from America."
[11:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's different, yeah," Ann nods. "There are so many people here... and everyone one is so energetic."
[11:30] <Prince_Herb> "I suppose so. It's certainly a lot more lively and bustling than where I come from, but I always thought of America as the sort of place that never stops going. I guess there are quiet spots there as well."
[11:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> Alan nods. "Yeah. Anyway, Makoto, can you cook like they do in here?"
[11:36] <Prince_Herb> 'In a skimpy cowgirl oufit?' Herb thinks to himself.
[11:37] <Makoto> "Well, I'd need the recipe, and I don't know if it'll turn out as good, but probably," Makoto says after a short moment's pause.
[11:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> Alan grins. "If this comes out well... would you be willing to cook me some later?" he asks. Ann frowns at this, but stays quiet.
[11:39] * Makoto blushes at the request. "Uhm... s-sure," she stammers out.
[11:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Great," he grins, in full bishonen mode, his eyes hidden by his bangs. "I'd really like tha-OW! What was that for, Ann?"
[11:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> Alan glares at her. "You didn't need to stomp on my foot, you know," he says, clearly annoyed.
[11:41] * Makoto rolls her eyes. These two kept making her glad that she was an only child sometimes.
[11:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> Shortly later, the food arrives. It smells great, and looks far different than the normal Tokyo offerings.
[11:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Looks good," Ann comments, getting into her food. After one bite... "Gah!" she gasps. "Hot!" Strangely, you could swear that she shimmered a moment. Probably just a trick of the light with her fast movement.
[11:48] * Makoto takes a deep breath of her grilled chicken, and smiles, forgetting about the troublesome siblings. "Itadakimasu!" she says while grabbing her utensils.
[11:49] * Prince_Herb doesn't bother with the utensils as he tucks into his pork ribs. "Hot and tasty, just like you girls." He winks at Ann.
[11:56] * Makoto represses a groan at Herb's outburst, and tries to enjoy her grilled chicken.
[11:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> Alan takes small, careful bites of his food at first, as if avoiding Ann's mistake. Ann only picks at her meal after her first enthusiastic bite, sticking to her Pepsi instead.
[11:59] <Prince_Herb> "Don't you like it?" Herb asks. "Would you like something else instead?"
[12:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'm fine," she comments. "I'm just not as hungry as I thought I was."
-------
More swiss cheese, yay.
-------
[12:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[12:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> After school, Rei changes clothes and goes to wait at the front of Juuban Middle for the detention bound Usagi to head on out...
[12:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> Time passes, but there is no sign of the meddling Dumpling Head.
[12:10] * Rei-chan sighs, "Where the hell is she? No way she'd have avoided detention..." she grumbles, before broadcasting a thought towards her Princess. 'Usagi, where are you?'
[12:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> The weather is still icy, and a good pile of ice has stacked up. Most everyone looks to have hurried home.
[12:11] <Usagi-chan> There is no reply from Usagi, although Rei does get the sense that the odangoed one is listening.
[12:11] <Rei-chan> 'Usagi, you better not be napping!'
[12:12] <Usagi-chan> There is still no response.
[12:12] * Rei-chan grumbles some more, pulling out her communicator. "Haven't used this in a while," she muses as she tries to contact Usagi.
[12:15] <Usagi-chan> The communicator beeps for a couple of minutes, but again there is no response.
[12:16] <Rei-chan> 'Fine, be like that!' Rei mentally snaps, her patience expired. Sighing, she begins walking home.
[12:19] <Rei-chan> Reaching Hikawa Shrine, Rei trudges up the steps, looking forward to an evening of respite from the various problems which have assaulted her all damn day.
[12:20] <Usagi-chan> A small figure in a rather familiar-looking pink raincoat is standing in front of the door to the temple, her hand raised to knock. She drops her hand a moment later though without knocking, her shoulders slumping.
[12:21] <Rei-chan> "Usagi?"
[12:22] * Usagi-chan slowly turns to face Rei, her face a picture of dejection. "Hi, Rei." she says quietly.
[12:23] <Rei-chan> "Thought you were avoiding me," the miko observes, reaching the blonde and opening the door. "Come on, let's go to my room," she kicks her shoes off in the entryway and hangs up her coat.
[12:24] * Usagi-chan slips out of her coat and shoes, following Rei. "I didn't know what to say." She hangs her head.
[12:26] <Rei-chan> "Oh?" Rei quirks an eyebrow as the pair enter her room and she closes the door. "So you can't explain why you snooped around Mugen after I explicitly warned you to stay the hell away from that place?!" her voice rises several notches so she is just a shade away from yelling at the end.
[12:28] * Usagi-chan looks up at Rei, her voice still subdued. "I went because I was worried about you, Rei-chan."
[12:30] <Rei-chan> "And I told you not to go because I was worried about you, Usagi! If you'd ran into someone like Kaolinite there's no telling what could have happened!" She sighs, deflating a bit. "Dammit, Usagi. I was really serious when I warned you away... why couldn't you listen?"
[12:31] * Usagi-chan blazes up a bit herself. "Because I was really scared for you, Rei, that's why! What you said on Tuesday really got me worried for you, and meeting Eudial only made it worse! I know she's really cool, but if there are other people there as strong as she is and they try to do something to you..." Usagi trails off and looks away from Rei, tears forming in the corners of her eyes. "I just don't want you to get hurt."
[12:35] <Rei-chan> "They wouldn't dare," Rei says, not all that convincingly as she thinks of how close she and Kaolinite came to killing each other today. "Besides, I can handle myself. There's no reason for you to put yourself in danger like that!"
[12:36] * Usagi-chan sighs. "I know you can take care of yourself, Rei, but it doesn't mean I don't still worry about you." The tears fall down Usagi's cheeks, the blonde still not meeting Rei's gaze.
[12:38] <Rei-chan> "Well don't make me worry about you by pulling lame-brained stunts like that," Rei sighs. "You're damn lucky it was me the Professor asked to check you out."
[12:40] <Usagi-chan> "I'm sorry... I thought I could hide but the stupid thunderstorm scared me half to death and I guess the professor heard me." Usagi shrinks down into herself. "I didn't mean for it to cause any trouble, Rei!"
[12:42] <Rei-chan> "Well, it's over with, and no harm done. Just don't go behind my back like that again, Usagi," Rei replies, her anger mostly petered out by now.
[12:42] * Usagi-chan looks up at Rei with red eyes. "Then... you don't hate me?"
[12:44] <Rei-chan> "No," Rei blurts, honestly surprised that that would ever be in question.
[12:45] * Usagi-chan manages a small smile. "Good... I thought you'd been upset at me for a while because it seemed like you were avoiding me... ever since that stupid thing I said when we were having pizza."
[12:47] <Rei-chan> "Uh... that was only two days ago, Usagi. And I saw you yesterday..." Rei points out, not really seing where the 'avoidance' comes into play.
[12:48] <Usagi-chan> "Well, you ran off from the arcade before I could even say good-bye, and, well, it seemed like you didn't want me around on Wednesday after I said it... I thought you were mad at me about it. And then this happened today and I was sure you were going to hate me for it..." Usagi half-turns away from Rei.
[12:50] <Rei-chan> "I guess I left in a bit of a rush yesterday," Rei admits, "But I'm not mad at you, Usagi. It was just a silly thing you said and we can both forget it, right?" she gives the blonde an encouraging smile.
[12:52] * Usagi-chan wipes her eyes on her sleeve again, sniffling a little. "I guess so. I just... oh, I don't even know what's wrong with me!" Usagi wails. "It seems like all I've done lately is mess things up!"
[12:54] <Rei-chan> "Come on," Rei goes to sit on the bed, patting the spot next to her. "It's nothing too major, there's no need to cry."
[12:58] * Usagi-chan plops down on the bed next to Rei, resting her elbows on her knees. "I was only going to look and then it started to thunder and I got scared and then that Professor guy found me and I didn't know what was going to happen and I thought you were going to hate me and..." Usagi trails off into an unintelligible string as her tears take over.
[13:01] <Rei-chan> "There, there," Rei offers consolingly, putting her hand over Usagi's back and gently rubbing it in an attempt to calm the distraught girl down. "It's alright now..."
[13:03] * Usagi-chan just continues to sob, letting her fears out in a rush as Rei tries to soothe her. "The Professor was acting all weird.... and there was this girl with a lot of nasty stuff... and there was a thunderstorm.... and you were mad at me..." Usagi gets out between hiccups.
[13:05] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, the Professor is a bit wacky," Rei sighs, before pausing in rubbing Usagi's back. "Wait, girl with a lot of nasty stuff?"
[13:06] * Usagi-chan finally manages to calm down a little, Rei's soothing touch helping quite a bit. She nods, still hanging her head. "A girl with green hair - she had a lot of magical potential like Eudial, but parts of her aura were really nasty-looking." she sniffles.
[13:07] <Rei-chan> "Probably Tellu..." Rei leans round to look Usagi in the eyes, "Did she do anything to you?"
[13:08] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "No, I don't even think she saw me... I saw her in the hallway when I first got there, before I tried to hide."
[13:11] * Rei-chan nods in relief. "Tellu isn't as bad as Kaolinite. She's generally pretty standoffish towards me."
[13:12] <Usagi-chan> "You mean there are people there that are worse?" Usagi stares at Rei, wide-eyed.
[13:15] <Rei-chan> "Well," Rei shrugs, "Kaolinite is by far the worst, both in power and attitude. The others are all pretty much the same, I guess... I don't get on with Mimette in particular, but towards other people I doubt she's any worse."
[13:18] * Usagi-chan gives Rei a look of deep concern. "Rei, you HAVE to be careful then... The girl I saw, and Eudial - they're not QUITE as strong as a senshi, but they're not far off either. If this Kaolinite person is stronger... Rei, just be really careful, please." The blonde gives her friend a pleading look.
[13:22] <Rei-chan> "I know," Rei sighs. "It's not easy... Kaolinite and I came pretty close to fighting each other today, and it's not the first time... I got her to back down, though," Rei replies, only a touch of cockiness in her voice. For the most part, she's rather worried about what the confirmation of her suspicions means regarding the Mistress' ultimate agenda.
[13:23] * Usagi-chan grabs one of Rei's hands in both of her own. "You haven't actually been in a fight, have you?" Her voice is sharp. "Have you been hurt?"
[13:24] <Rei-chan> "Huh?" Rei blinks, "No. Like I said, most of the others prefer to leave me alone if they can. Kaolinite's the only one who really tries to provoke me."
[13:26] * Usagi-chan sighs with relief, still not releasing her hold. "Thank goodness... I don't know why, Rei-chan, but something about that place just doesn't seem right to me. The Professor was..." Usagi shakes her head slightly. "Weird."
[13:27] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, I know what you mean," Rei nods. "Still, he's basically a harmless nut."
[13:28] <Usagi-chan> "I hope you're right... his aura was REALLY strange, and strong, too." Usagi shudders. "He really creeped me out."
[13:29] <Rei-chan> "Hm?" Rei gives Usagi a curious look. "How strong do you mean?"
[13:30] <Usagi-chan> "That was the weird part about it... I could tell it was strong, but it was like he was hiding something in it too - I could barely make anything out about it at all."
[13:32] <Rei-chan> "Really?" Rei says, making a note to investigate this. "I hadn't ever thought much of the Professor's abilities... I figured it was technomagic similar to what Eudial can do, but I dunno..."
[13:34] <Usagi-chan> "I couldn't even begin to tell you... like I said, all I could tell is that it was powerful and that he was controlling it really tightly." Usagi sighs.
[13:36] <Rei-chan> "Well, I know he's definitely very skilled, even if I don't know how much actual power he has..." Rei muses. "Eudial says he taught her how to control her own powers."
[14:47] * Usagi-chan can't suppress another shiver. "Whatever it is, I'm just glad he didn't do anything to me... between that and the way he was acting, he just really freaked me out." She shakes her head, speaking almost too softly for Rei to hear. "I don't like that place."
[14:48] <Rei-chan> "Yeah," Rei sighs. "I kinda miss T*A at times... things were a lot less complicated back there."
[14:51] <Usagi-chan> "I know I keep saying it, Rei, but I'm sorry I didn't listen to you. I know you can take care of yourself, but I don't like that I can't help you if you DO get into trouble there... I don't like feeling helpless like that." Usagi deflates. "I just didn't know what else to do..."
[14:56] * Rei-chan warms up a little at the honest concern being shown for her. "It's alright, Usagi. I appreciate that you only did it out of genuine concern." She puts her hand on Usagi's shoulder and gives a reassuring squeeze. "But you don't need to worry about me like that. I'll be just fine, really."
[14:58] <Usagi-chan> "I shouldn't have gone..." Usagi says in a small voice, staring at her knees. 'I'm even more worried now that I've seen what it's like...'
[14:59] <Rei-chan> "Usagi, stop that," Rei says sternly, picking up on the thought. "You really have nothing to worry about, okay?"
[15:03] <Usagi-chan> "I know!" Usagi moans. "I know you can take care of yourself, and I believe you, but I can't stop worrying about it for some reason! I just..." The blonde lets out a sigh, her voice dropping. "I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you, Rei-chan."
[15:04] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, who else would keep you on track when you screw up?" Rei chuckles.
[15:05] * Usagi-chan doesn't reply to the jibe, the troubled look still on her face.
[15:06] * Rei-chan sighs. "Come on, Usagi, cheer up. This isn't like you."
[15:08] <Usagi-chan> "I'm sorry, Rei." Usagi whispers. "Maybe I'd better just go... I don't want to cause you any more trouble."
[15:10] <Rei-chan> "You're not causing me trouble, Usagi, but you are starting to worry me," Rei says seriously. "I don't want you leaving like this."
[15:17] * Usagi-chan pulls her feet up to the edge of the bed, wrapping her arms around her knees. "I just don't know! I just can't stop..." She rests her forehead on her knees, hiding her face from the miko.
[15:18] <Rei-chan> "Isn't there anything I can do?" Rei asks earnestly, "I don't like seeing you this way."
[15:20] <Usagi-chan> "I don't know, Rei! I really do believe you when you say you can take care of yourself, but the worry won't go away either! Why won't it go away?" Usagi's voice cracks as she begins to sob again.
[15:22] <Rei-chan> "You're too sensitive for your own good," Rei says with a somewhat fond smile. "Just try to let it go," she adds in a soothing tone.
[15:23] <Usagi-chan> "I'm trying, I really am, but it's not going away." Usagi says in a small voice. "Why?"
[15:26] <Rei-chan> "Like I said, you're just too caring," Rei smiles almost sadly, "It's part of what makes you such a wonderful person, but I wish you wouldn't fret so much over me... I don't like being the reason for you to be so upset like this, especially since there's nothing I can really do to make it better..."
[15:31] * Usagi-chan turns her head to look at Rei, a sad expression still on her face. "You just mean so much to me, Rei-chan..." she says quietly, the wet trails of her tears shining on her cheeks. 'Probably more than anyone else I know...' she thinks to herself as she studies Rei's face.
[15:34] <Rei-chan> "Wh-what?" Rei repeats hoarsely, her throat suddenly dry. 'That almost sounded like... ohmygodohmygodohmygod!' with an effort, she kicks her brain out of its short-circuited state. 'No, I'm misinterpreting her, there's no way in hell she could mean it like that... right?' Somehow the miko isn't convinced.
[15:36] * Usagi-chan's sad expression quickly changes into one of concern as she sees the look of near panic flash over Rei's face. The miko's mental ramblings are too rapid for Usagi to make out immediately, but she can tell that something has seriously affected her friend. "Rei? What's wrong?"
[15:38] <Rei-chan> "N-nothing, Usagi," Rei replies unconvincingly. "Just my mind playing tricks on me, I think," she adds, while mentally berating herself for being so stupid.
[15:41] * Usagi-chan lets her mind work for a minute, slowly going over what she picked up from Rei. "You misinterpreted... wait, what did I..." Usagi puts on a look of concentration as she tries to remember exactly what she said and thought. 'Let's see... I said she means a lot to me, and then... I thought that she probably...' Usagi falls silent mentally, completely still for a moment. 'Does she?'
[15:43] <Rei-chan> "Never mind," Rei says quickly, "It's nothing." 'She probably only means like a friend anyway, I'm just letting myself twist her words...' she tries to convince herself.
[15:44] * Usagi-chan wears that same thoughtful look as she begins to think about Rei and all that the miko means to her. One by one, she compares her friendship with the fiery priestess to all the other people close to her, and finds that she feels closer to Rei than to anyone else she's ever known. A look of realization slowly comes over her face as the pieces fall into place, and is quickly replaced by a surprised expression.
[15:47] <Rei-chan> Rei's mind is a mess of confusing thoughts as she looks at Usagi with an expression of somewhat fearful disbelief. 'There's no way she could... but what she said the other day... and we have been getting awfully close lately... and it would be nice...'
[15:50] * Usagi-chan flushes bright red as she picks up Rei's thoughts. 'Do I really... and she just thought... oh no way, she'd never... would she?' Usagi quickly hides her blush from the miko, but raises her head enough to peek up at Rei.
[15:54] * Rei-chan swallows, deciding to stop pussyfooting around the issue. "Usagi," she says in a surprisingly level and calm voice, "Do you remember when we kissed?"
[15:55] * Usagi-chan eeps and hides her face again, blushing to the roots of her hair now. "Yes..." she says in a tiny voice.
[15:55] <Rei-chan> "Do you," Rei licks her lips, "want to do it again?"
[15:57] <Usagi-chan> Those words are enough to get the crimson-cheeked blonde to look up at Rei in shock. "...what?" she manages to choke out. 'Did she actually just ask for a kiss? From ME? Oh my god, this can't be happening...'
[16:02] <Rei-chan> Having the blonde's attention, Rei gives a mental shrug. 'To hell with it, I'm finding out, one way or the other!' she declares to herself, wrapping her arms around Usagi and leaning into her. Taking advantage of Usagi's surprise, she plants her lips against the other girl's, sliding her tongue in and pushing her down onto the mattress.
[16:04] * Usagi-chan can only stare as Rei kisses her and the pair fall to the bed. Her shock quickly gives way to pleasure as she tastes the miko's kiss, however. Her eyes close as she lets herself be drawn into it, her arms coming up to encircle Rei's back in a tight embrace.
[16:09] <Rei-chan> Moaning into the kiss, Rei loses herself in the pleasant sensations of Usagi's warm body against her own as she leisurely swirls her tongue around her partner's. After an indeterminate length of time, she pulls away, still resting on Usagi's body as she gazes down at her. "I think that clinches it," she murmers breathily.
[16:10] * Usagi-chan still wears a look of stunned surprise as she looks up at Rei. "Then you do... too?" she manages to get out after a moment.
[16:12] * Rei-chan nods slowly. "I never would have imagined it could actually happen, though..."
[16:13] <Usagi-chan> "Me either... I didn't even realize until just now..." Usagi raises one hand to caress Rei's cheek, a happy smile on her face. "I never would have dreamed in a million years that you'd feel that way about me, Rei-chan."
[16:15] <Rei-chan> "I've been trying not to," Rei admits, tilting her head into Usagi's caress. "The last couple of days have been hell..."
[16:16] * Usagi-chan can't hide the quirky smile that comes to her lips. "So that's why you were acting so weird... I thought I'd completely grossed you out or something." She giggles quietly.
[16:18] <Rei-chan> "I didn't think you could possibly have thought about me like that," Rei says with a slight pout, "I was worried I'd wind up doing something stupid and ruining our friendship."
[16:19] * Usagi-chan stares into Rei's eyes. "I've been finding myself thinking about the... the other kisses at the strangest moments. I couldn't figure out why, why it felt 'right' - but it did."
[16:20] <Rei-chan> "I wouldn't say that," Rei says, a teasing glint in her eye. "It felt rather naughty to me."
[16:21] * Usagi-chan giggles again. "That too!" She grins up at Rei, giving the miko a wink. "But I think I could get used to being a little naughty sometimes..."
[16:23] * Rei-chan chuckles, getting off Usagi and sitting up next to her. "Who'd have thought that this would ever happen, though? I mean, it really does change everything, doesn't it?"
[16:25] <Usagi-chan> "I guess so..." Usagi sits up and shyly takes Rei's hand in her own. "But I think it's a change for the better." The look of joy on her face is unmistakeable as she turns to look at her friend - more than a friend, now.
[16:26] <Rei-chan> "Me too," Rei smiles, squeezing Usagi's hand. "I just wonder how everyone else is going to react..."
[16:28] * Usagi-chan grins. "I expect Daddy will probably have a heart attack - but he'd do that no matter WHO I said I was dating." She giggles.
[16:30] <Rei-chan> "I hope your family accepts this..." Rei says, slightly worriedly. "I really don't think Ami-chan and Mako-chan will be surprised, though. Not the way they were looking at us yesterday," she chuckles slightly before a shadow passes over her expression. 'Thank God Minako's not around,' she thinks, quickly dismissing thoughts of her ex and brightening again.
[16:30] * Usagi-chan grimaces as she picks up on Rei's thought, her face blanching. 'You don't know how right you are, Rei-chan...' she replies mentally.
[16:32] <Rei-chan> Colouring slightly at having her unspoken thought read, Rei tries to dismiss the matter. "She's gone, enjoying her life as a glamourous idol. I don't want to worry about her - even if she comes back, I won't let her ruin this."
[16:34] * Usagi-chan nods. "Me either." She strokes the back of Rei's hand with her thumb, staring down at the priestess' hand. "I never thought I'd find love again..." She looks up at Rei with a shy smile. "I never would have believed I'd find it in a Pyro, of all people."
[16:37] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, what a pair we make..." Rei sighs happily. "Pyro and Dumpling Head..."
[16:38] * Usagi-chan smiles and leans over to plant a kiss on Rei's cheek. "I love you, Rei Hino."
[16:40] <Rei-chan> "Don't think I'll get tired of hearing that anytime soon," Rei smiles, gently pushing up Usagi's hair braid and kissing her forehead right over the crescent moon marking. "I love you, Usagi Tsukino," she returns the favour.
[16:42] * Usagi-chan smiles happily, leaning against Rei and letting her head rest on the white-haired girl's shoulder. "I like the sound of that myself."
[16:43] <Rei-chan> -------
-------
See attached file for the next portion, a chat between Rei and Usagi about their new love.
-------

Halbarad · June 25, 2006, 02:07:09 PM

[16:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> ----
[16:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> Once again, Rei Hino dreams of the past, the present and perhaps even the future.
[16:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> Silence. The city is covered in silence and blood. Perfect, dead silence. Not a whisper disturbs the Silence...
[16:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> Three glowing objects float in front of you... Sword. Mirror. Rod. Together...
[16:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> A sandy haired schoolgirl wearing Mugen clothes...
[16:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> Images race in Rei's mind, forming a blend of familiar and foreign sights.
[16:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> The symbol of Neptune, floating in the void, peaceful and asleep...
[16:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> The battle with Metallia... your black fuku as you climbed the Tokyo tower... the final battle...
[16:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> Flying through the air, once under your own power as you throw fire, and the other under the lashes of the Cosmic Blade...
[16:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial aims her Fire Buster at the shadowy interloper, a scream coming as the shadow falls under the cone of fire, never to rise again...
[16:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> Handing the prize... Mistress 9...
[16:53] <Rei-chan> 'Mistress... 9?' Rei wonders at the odd suffix.
[16:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> Thousands of eyes... the room... two hands of light...
[16:54] * Rei-chan tries to focus on the light.
[16:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> The light blinds you, another image buffering from that.
[16:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> A girl, with short black hair, laughing with Usagi, Rei and the other girls...
[16:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mugen Gakuen, rocking like a massive Earthquake is shaking it, yet the quake is silent.
[16:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> 90... 90... Ph... Mistress 9... Instead of images, these strange words echo in Rei's mind, even as she wakes from a disorienting nightmare.
[17:00] * Rei-chan sits up, coming into full wakefulness as she tries to process the dream, trying to hold onto the images of the sandy haired Mugen student and the girl with short black hair even as she realises that she now knows what the Talismans are.
[17:01] <Rei-chan> And her doubts about the Mistress have not come close to being put to rest...
[17:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> The one theme besides that still stays in your mind - silence. Eternal silence.
[17:03] <Rei-chan> "Is that what the Mistress wants...?" Rei asks herself, somewhat fearfully, "Is that what the Talismans will do?"
[09:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[09:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> Saturday morning is still cloudy, with drizzles of ice and snow. It's a mess outside, and you know a few schools cancelled. Mugen, however, didn't, so into the void Rei goes.
[09:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> The weathermen go on how this has severely hurt the cherry blossoms this year, along with the normal news of the day.
[09:36] * Rei-chan makes her way to the Witches 6 office, her nerves still rather frayed from her earlier nightmare. She keeps her spiritual senses alert for any sign of her 'co-workers'.
[09:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you enter, you both sense and see Eudial and Viluy. Surprisingly, they are around the same computer at Viluy's desk, enraptured at something on screen.
[09:38] <Rei-chan> Curious, Rei walks over to take a look at what has them so engrossed.
[09:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> There are lines of code across the screen, most of which doesn't make sense. However, embedded in the code, is a strange sprinkling of symbols...
[09:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hey," Eudial says absently as you come over.
[09:40] <Rei-chan> "Morning," Rei replies. "What's up?"
[09:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> "This is a base coding for an advanced method of Heart Snatching," Viluy replies, smirking. "This could take far more than one Crystal at a time," she brags.
[09:43] <Rei-chan> "Really?" Rei perks up with interest, though not exactly a happy interest. "How does it work?" she expects to get assaulted by a barrage of incomprehensible technobabble, but it can't hurt to ask...
[09:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Like I'd tell you my trade secrets," she snorts, amused. "Besides, I doubt you have the computer skills to understand it."
[09:46] * Rei-chan nods amiably. "That's true enough, I was just curious." With a shrug, she heads over to her own desk and boots up her computer.
[09:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> As it boots up, Eudial pulls herself away, heading over to your desk. "Hey," she repeats herself. "what's up?"
[09:51] <Rei-chan> "Nothing much," Rei replies, deciding that confiding her doubts to Eudial would be a bad idea while they are in the office with Viluy. "Did you hear about what happened yesterday? Cyprine ran into those elves and one of their monsters on a heart snatch."
[09:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah, I heard it from her," Eudial nods. "It's a shame the monster didn't last long against them," she smirks a bit, but a real bit of regret is there. "We'll have to find one ourselves, after all."
[09:55] * Rei-chan nods. "We'll run into them again before long, I'm sure. Though I don't really feel like traipsing around town waiting for an attack on a day like this," she makes a face, thinking about the weather.
[09:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial nods, grabbing a spare chair and sitting at the side of your desk. As you do this, Viluy continues to work on her computer, putting on headphones and humming away as she works.
[09:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Probably, unless someone gets to those elves first," she comments. "They're making enemies left and right."
[09:59] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, I know the Sailor Senshi will be trying to hunt them down as well," Rei agrees. "Unless the elves actually have some big surprise up their sleeves, it's really just a matter of time before they get trapped and destroyed - they've failed to do any real damage against us or the senshi in any of the recent battles."
[10:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hah. They really aren't that good... damn, they remind me more and more of our 'respected' working partners every day," her catty smile is back in force today, you notice, "and less like a real danger."
[10:02] * Rei-chan snickers slightly, before sobering. "Yeah, but even if they aren't a danger to us, they could still kill a lot of innocents with their powers..."
[10:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial pauses a minute, as if thinks. "Yeah... that's a point," she finally says, her smile gone to a more somber expression.
[10:04] <Rei-chan> "Don't worry, though," Rei gives a reassuring smile. "We'll stop them. It's only a matter of time."
[10:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Of course it is. We'll burn'em next time we see them," Eudial nods in agreement. "Between the Fire Buster and your pyrotechnics," she grins, "they're charcoal."
[10:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> The faint sound of Viluy humming along to music is the background noise as you talk, her head bobbing on occasion as she works and listens.
[10:08] <Rei-chan> "Damn right," Rei agrees cheerfully, before moving onto another topic. "So, do you have anything on the agenda for today? I was pretty much planning to just do some research on the computer," she taps the monitor, "For a bit."
[10:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Heh," she says, glancing over at Viluy. Seeing that she's occupied, she goes on. "I was planning on leaving in a half hour or so," she admits. "I kinda have plans."
[10:11] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, there isn't too much point sticking around here on the weekend, is there?" Rei sticks out her tongue briefly. "So what plans do you have?"
[10:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Just going to go home and enjoy today," she says blandly enough. "No need sitting around here on a day like this, right? Maybe watch some TV or work on the Fire Buster at home."
[10:25] * Rei-chan nods. "Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if we three are the only ones who bothered to come in today."
[10:26] <Rei-chan> "Not that I'll complain if I don't see Kaolinite at all," she adds under her breath.
[10:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Mimette's here," she notes, laughing a bit. "Face brace and all, she's here. Have you see that contraption she has to wear because of what I did to her jaw and face," Eudial laughs, clearly amused at this.
[10:29] <Rei-chan> "Yeah," Rei nods, "At least it keeps her quiet."
[10:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you chat, you see Viluy remove her headphones and get up, heading out the door.
[10:30] * Rei-chan doesn't really give Viluy's departure any thought.
[10:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> "No more singing, no more bitching, no more annoying voice," she notes, still grinning. "If she'd just stop leaving her idol magazines all over the place," Eudial gestures to one of the floor, a new one. It has the title of 'Full Moon's new SMASH tour' on it, with a picture of Minako's Full Moon form singing.
[10:32] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, who actually cares about this crap?" Rei grimaces, scooting her chair over so she can lean over and pick up the magazine, promptly tossing it in the bin before bringing her chair back to her desk.
[10:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial chuckles. "She's just hooked on them. Can't say it ever interested me."
[10:34] <Rei-chan> "There was a time when I wanted to be an idol singer myself, actually..." Rei sighs softly. "But it was a stupid, childish dream," she continues in a harsher tone. "There are more important things in life than singing."
[10:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial is quiet a moment. "Yeah, like finding the Talismans," she says, but she doesn't really sound convinced. "Or finding a boyfriend..." That one does sound more true and believed, however.
[10:40] <Rei-chan> "Finding the Talismans is important to the Mistress," Rei says noncommitally, not really wanting to get into this when anyone could walk in and overhear. "But finding a boyfriend is important to you. Don't lose sight of the difference," Rei gives Eudial an encouraging smile.
[10:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> The redhead doesn't say anything back for a goodly while, lost in her own thoughts. Her eyes are turned inward, her mind working on that one. AFter nearly a minute..."Yeah. Yeah, that's right," Eudial says. "Life isn't just hunting for Talismans and hunting down elves."
[10:46] * Rei-chan nods. "Yeah, there's more to life than just duty. Your own needs are important, too..." she says softly, thinking how lucky she is that her duty and her love are wrapped up in one neat little package.
[10:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah..." Eudial echos, shaking her head for a moment. "Oooooooh... my head..." she moans suddenly.
[10:47] <Rei-chan> "Eudial?" Rei stands up, reaching towards the older girl in concern.
[10:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Ugh.... oh..." she moans, her hands going up to her head. "No..." she suddenly sits bolt upright, then collapses back in her chair.
[10:50] <Rei-chan> "Eudial!" Rei panics, quickly moving round to Eudial's chair and checking her over.
[10:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Uhhhh... Rei?" she says, her voice fuzzy. "My head hurts..."
[10:51] <Rei-chan> "Can you stand?" Rei asks worriedly, "I'll take you up to the clinic."
[10:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Ooooh... Rei... Rei?" she cries out, tears beginning to leak from her eyes. A moment later, she slumps down completely into her chair, her legs lying on the floor. "Oww... ooooh... that hurts..." Rei feels the equivalent of a spiritual crack, like something just gave way, coming from Eudial.
[10:54] <Rei-chan> 'That didn't feel reassuring at all!' Rei frets, trying to make a more in-depth examination of Eudial's aura to see what has changed.
[10:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> There is a small, dissipating energy around her head, a fuzz that's been there the entire time. It's fading and sparkling away now.
[10:56] * Rei-chan blinks, recalling what Usagi said about her own aura being blurred around there. She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, trying to sense the same thing within her own aura.
[10:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei - Sensing out, you feel it around you... weak and bursting at the edges. Two things race to mind - Eudial's aura, which just did the same thing, and seeing the Mistress the first time, and your confusion and fear as you were drugged. A moment later, a blinding pain fills your skull! (OOC - Soul check+2 mod.)
[10:58] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6+2
[10:58] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6+2 and gets 6."
[10:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> You distantly hear Eudial calling your name, but another vision has Rei's attention.
[11:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> Dancing in front of you, the two winking images of DK Rei and then Witch Rei shimmer, both with white hair. Behind them, the black haired Sailor of Mars shimmers brightly. The image of Mars is stronger, and seems to be focusing into view while the others are fading away...
[11:01] * Rei-chan reaches out towards her true self, brushing past the two imperfect copies created by those who sought to control the fire of Mars!
[11:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Soul check and a Mind check, +2 mod.
[11:01] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6+2 for soul
[11:02] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6+2 for soul and gets 11."
[11:02] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6+2 for mind, burning 20 EP
[11:02] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6+2 for mind, burning 20 EP and gets 11."
[11:02] <Rei-chan> do-over!
[11:02] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6+2 for mind, burning 20 EP
[11:02] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6+2 for mind, burning 20 EP and gets 8."
[11:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> As Rei reaches forward, you feel the other two images reach at you... the raw emotion and spiritual corruption of your past as Metallia's Dark Servant, and the mental warping of the Deathbusters and mind domination...
[11:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei reaches ever closer as the two claw at her... but then, behind Sailor Mars, appears the image of Sailor Moon, smiling her friendly and charming smile like always. Or is it Princess Serenity, ruling over the Moon?
[11:05] * Rei-chan redoubles her determination to once more become her true self and be with her beloved.
[11:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> Pushing again, Rei brushes past the two and touches the hand of Sailor Mars! A splitting agony erupts in your head, spreading through out your entire body. Rei only knows she screamed because she heard it...(Body check.)
[11:06] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6 burning 10 EP
[11:06] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 burning 10 EP and gets 8."
[11:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei feels herself falling to the floor as her head almost explodes. Or at least it feels that way from the pain that is still raging in her head.
[11:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> Finally, after what feels to be an eternity, it begins to clear... and the thoughts of the past month and change pour in like a dam gave way.
[11:09] * Rei-chan feels bile rise up in her throat at the recollection of how easily she was once more swayed to fight against everything she believes in, swearing her service to an undeniably evil group.
[11:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Rei...?" Eudial calls out, her voice weak. "Oh man... that son of a bitch..." she mutters, with a fair deal of heat even in her stunned state.
[11:11] * Rei-chan pulls her legs under herself to sit, kneeling. "You felt it, right?" she asks, her voice coming hoarsely from her pained throat. "Oh, God... what have we been doing all this time?"
[11:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial, who is still in her half on the floor position, slowly raises herself back into the chair. "We've been helping the Professor look for those damn Talismans, that's what," she growls. "The hell did he do? Brainwashing us?"
[11:15] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, remember the injection to remove our humanity?" Rei replies furiously, rising to her feet. "I know, I'm angry too... I'm half tempted to burn this place to the ground right now," she snarls, "But we can't risk doing anything stupid. If the others knew what just happened... there's only two of us, Eudial." She licks her lips, considering, "At least for now..."
[11:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> "For now..." Eudial shakes her head again. "Ooooh. I just want to get out of here now," she manages. "What if the Mistress or the Professor can tell what happened?"
[11:19] <Rei-chan> "If she felt it, where can we go?" Rei asks, "They know where we live - hell, your mother even works here!"
[11:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial pales at that. "Oh... fuck." She does manage to straighten up in the chair a bit more, however. "If they did... I don't know if I even feel like I can really fight right now," she admits.
[11:23] <Rei-chan> "Well, you're right about one thing, sticking around here isn't going to be good for our health - no way I want to end up like Kaolinite." Rei takes a deep calming breath. 'Usagi?'
[11:24] <Usagi-chan> There is a slight delay, then you get a reply. 'What is it, Rei-chan?'
[11:25] <Rei-chan> 'Too much to explain right now,' Rei replies, 'You were right about Mugen. I need you to get near the school and be ready - Eudial and I are getting the hell out of here, and I don't know if we'll have to fight our way out.'
[11:25] <Usagi-chan> 'Right - where do you want me? I'll be there in about a minute, once I know where.'
[11:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I sure don... Rei?" Eudial pauses a moment, looking at you. "What's happening to your hair," she asks, staring in confusion.
[11:28] <Rei-chan> 'Just stick around outside the school and be ready to transform. You'll know if we run into trouble,' Rei then returns her attention to Eudial. "Okay, lets go. I've arranged for- huh...?" she trails off, "My hair?" she holds up a few white strands for inspection.
[11:28] <Usagi-chan> 'Right, I'll contact the others once I get there.'
[11:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> You see that the strands of hair are slowly turning brown, the white fading away as pigment rushes into them.
[11:28] <Rei-chan> "What the...?!" Rei gasps, watching the change take place.
[11:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> The hair shimmers again, the brown darkening to the raven purple/black that you haven't seen since Metallia touched your very soul.
[11:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> As it does so... the feeling of finally overcoming something, of finally discarding something echos in you. Having finally chosen yourself, of your own free will...
[11:31] * Rei-chan manages a small grin. "I'm back!" she exults, before quickly composing herself. Giving Eudial an apologetic look, she wards off questions, "No time to explain right now, we have to get out of here!" Grabbing the older girl's hand, she rushes out the office, heading towards the main entrance/exit of Mugen.
[11:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial follows along as you traverse the quiet halls of Mugen. Even the student showing today is down, testament to the miserable weather.
[11:33] * Usagi-chan rushes out of her house in a flurry, not even stopping to grab a coat in her mad dash out the door. She sends an urgent mental message. 'Guys, whoever can hear me - get over to Mugen, and hurry!'
[11:35] * Makoto blinks as she's distracted by the sound of Usagi's voice in her head. 'Huh? Usagi?'
[11:35] <Usagi-chan> 'Mako-chan! It's an emergency, Rei's in trouble! If you can reach any of the others, she needs us at her school as fast as you can get there!'
[11:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> You encounter no one of note as you reach the main exit. In fact, you'd almost think it was a quiet, peaceful day of schooling.
[11:36] <Makoto> 'Alright,' Makoto thinks back in reply to the urgency as she grabs a jacket and rushes out of her apartment. As she runs, she tries to use her communicator to contact Ami and Herb.
[11:37] * Rei-chan doesn't let her guard down, half expecting the Mistress herself to pop up right as they leave the building.
[11:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you step outside, the icy and still icing weather strikes you. Eudial sends a nasty look at the sky as you exit the gates, shivering.
[11:38] <Rei-chan> "I'd almost think that was too easy," Rei comments, trying to sense the Mistress or any of the other Witches nearby.
[11:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei - You feel a bit inside of the school, but nothing outside.
[11:40] * Usagi-chan has a determined expression on her face as she sprints towards the school. 'Makoto's on her way too, Rei - I should be there in a couple more minutes.'
[11:41] <Rei-chan> "I think we're okay, for now," Rei sighs in relief, focusing a bit to warm up the air around herself and Eudial. "Come on, we'll go to the Shrine so we can figure this out - I have some friends who can help us," she says, making the decision that she trusts Eudial enough to share her secret identity. 'Usagi, we seem to be out okay, meet us at the Shrine and tell the others - this is big news.'
[11:41] <Usagi-chan> 'You sure you don't need any help now?' Usagi pauses for a moment, catching her breath.
[11:42] <Rei-chan> 'Yeah, I think we got out clear. We're heading to the Shrine, now.'
[11:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah," Eudial says. She still looks and sounds a bit shaky from what happened to her, but she follows along.
[11:43] <Usagi-chan> 'Got it, I'll pass word to Mako-chan.' Turning her steps towards the shrine - which is much closer than the school - Usagi turns her thoughts towards the tall brunette. 'Change of plans, Mako-chan - meet at the Shrine now. Still something big up, Rei didn't give many details.'
[11:43] <Prince_Herb> Prince_Herb answers Makoto's call. He's in the library refectory at Toudai, just catching a quick sandwich before going to up to study. Ducking behind a pillar, he answers. "Hiya, what's up?"
[11:43] * Rei-chan trots along at a not-quite run, keeping her senses sharp in case the Deathbusters do decide to leave Mugen and chase them down.
[11:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei reaches the Shrine without incident, only a few other people out in this weather.
[11:44] * Makoto screeches on the brakes as Usagi's message hits her and Herb answers the communicator. "Uhm... there was some kinda incident with Rei... but it seems fine now?" Makoto says somewhat confused. "Usagi just told me to meet her and Rei at the shrine."
[11:46] <Prince_Herb> "Do you want me to come over? I was going to study in the library, but if there's trouble, I should be there."
[11:46] * Usagi-chan arrives at the base of the temple stairs a few minutes after Rei and Eudial. Stopping just for a moment to catch her breath, she begins the long ascent to the grounds above.
[11:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> Going inside, you see Rei and Eudial entering the residence part of the Shrine, where you hold Senshi meetings.
[10:19] * Usagi-chan jogs over to the main temple building, not even stopping to knock as she bursts inside panting. "Rei... Eudial... are you guys okay?"
[10:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> Turning, Eudial sees Usagi running up and sends a look to Rei.
[10:22] <Rei-chan> "We are now, thankfully," Rei replies. "You were right about that place, Usagi... more right than you probably even realised..."
[10:23] * Usagi-chan looks up, her hands on her knees as she tries to catch her breath - and stops dead as she sees Rei. "Oh my god... Rei, your hair!" Usagi's eyes are wide. "It's back to normal!"
[10:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sensing that something is afoot here between Rei and Usagi, Eudial speaks to Rei. "You told her about Mugen?" she asks, curiously as Usagi freaks out to Rei's hair.
[10:26] <Rei-chan> "She didn't know much more than what we told her the other day," Rei says to Eudial, "And that was enough to make her suspicious." She sighs, "I can't believe I never saw that place for what it was..."
[10:27] * Rei-chan turns back to Usagi. "Yeah, it went back to normal after I got rid of whatever the hell brainwashing the Professor put me through," she says angrily.
[10:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Same here," she agrees, anger present in her voice. "I can't believe they used us to collect Heart Crystals and try to find the Talismans!"
[10:27] <Usagi-chan> "Brainwashing?!" Usagi practically shouts. "You were brainwashed by the Professor?"
[10:29] <Rei-chan> "Yeah," Rei nods, "That 'Witches 6' club I was part of is part of the 'Deathbusters'. The Professor and the 'Mistress' have been brainwashing magically talented students to help them get those Talismans," Rei shudders, "Talismans that can only be gotten by taking the Pure Heart Crystals from people."
[10:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial nods as well. "They told us to find them, and we took the Heart Crystals from likely targets..." Eudial stops a moment, fuming. "Pop the Crystal out and if it's a Talisman..."
[10:30] * Usagi-chan gives the pair a dumbfounded look. "Talismans? Heart Crystals? Wait a second, I think you lost me somewhere..."
[10:32] * Rei-chan sighs, trying to get things in order. "Okay, the three Talismans are a sword, a mirror, and a rod. They are hidden within people's pure heart crystals. The Witches go to people with pure hearts, and remove those crystals. If it's a Talisman, we take it back to the Mistress, and the person dies." Rei shudders again, "Luckily no one has found any Talismans yet."
[10:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial goes on after Usagi speaks. "A Heart Crystal is kind of like the crystallized spirit or life force of someone. We were given the ability to extract Crystals... because in three Pure Hearts, there are Talismans."
[10:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah... the Mistress needs these Talismans. What for, we don't know," Eudial shrugs, a bit helplessly. "Never really thought about why until recently."
[10:33] * Usagi-chan blanches as Rei mentions people dying, but relaxes once it's clear that no one HAS been killed yet. "So... why is this 'Mistress' after these Talismans? Do you have any idea?"
[10:34] <Rei-chan> "I think I know actually," Rei nods, paling. "I had a vision last night. I saw the Talismans, and some other stuff... but the overriding theme was that if the Mistress got all three Talismans, there would be Ruin and then... Silence. The end of everything."
[10:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Gah..." The redhead mutters. "You mean that if you're right...we were trying to end the world?! Big boom, bye bye Earth end of the world?" Eudial declares, angry, stunned and still a bit unbelieving.
[10:35] * Rei-chan nods slowly, "If my vision was accurate..."
[10:36] * Usagi-chan takes a deep sigh as Rei's words sink in. "Great..." With a glance over at Eudial, Usagi switches over to speaking mentally. 'And I thought those elves were bad enough.' She shakes her head.
[10:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> The scantily clad girl pales, the white stark against her black and red garb. "That...little...URGH!" Eudial almost roars, angry and getting highly pissed by the moment.
[10:37] <Rei-chan> 'The elves are nothing compared to the Deathbusters, Usagi. Me, Eudial, and the other Witches have fought the elves and their monsters a couple of times - the elves have lost badly each time.'
[10:38] * Makoto enters the temple building much like Usagi did, though with a different question. "Okay, Usagi, what's going on with Rei?"
[10:38] * Usagi-chan sighs. 'And so far, the Deathbusters have been REALLY low-key - other than you, none of us had any idea they were even OUT there.'
[10:39] * Usagi-chan turns to greet Makoto. "Hey, Mako-chan... sorry to call you out in such a hurry like that, but it looks like we've got big trouble." Quickly, she outlines the gist of what Rei and Eudial have told her so far about the Deathbusters.
[10:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial very briefly glances at the new entry, but it too pissed to really do much but note her arrival.
[10:40] * Makoto looks over at Eudial as Usagi finishes her recap, then at Rei. "...well, I can see why you were worried, at least."
[10:40] * Usagi-chan looks over at Eudial and Rei. "So you both managed to shake off the brainwashing then?"
[10:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial nods. "Yeah... thanks to Rei," she manages a genuine smile at the now black haired again miko.
[10:42] <Rei-chan> "I've been having more and more doubts lately," Rei nods, "And this morning when Eudial and I were talking, she nearly fainted and I saw something leaving her aura. I remembered what you told me about the blurriness, so I probed my own, then," she pantomines an explosion with her arms, "Poof! Gone."
[10:43] <Usagi-chan> "Then that blurry thing was..." Usagi closes her eyes tightly. "Way to go, Dumpling Head, you've only been staring at it for the past month and a half..."
[10:43] <Rei-chan> "Don't blame yourself," Rei says, putting a hand on Usagi's shoulder. "Aside from when I was actually doing things for the Mistress, I've been acting completely normally. You had no way to know."
[10:44] <Usagi-chan> "I know, it's just... I thought it was funny when I saw it, but you seemed okay so I let it go." Usagi sags a bit.
[10:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> "The Professor is really good at this, I think," Eudial comments. "Even when you saw it, you didn't realize what it was..." she speaks mostly to herself, as if pondering something.
[10:46] <Rei-chan> "Anyway," Rei moves on, "If the Mistress doesn't know about Eudial and I breaking free, it does give us a pretty good advantage over them - we know exactly where they are and how they work. And with the other Witches being brainwashed like we were, if we can remove the control from them, we'll have even more help against the Mistress."
[10:46] * Usagi-chan shudders. "That Professor is REALLY creepy... even ASIDE from his aura he really freaked me out."
[10:46] <Makoto> "...do you really want to risk going back in there, Rei?" Makoto asks worriedly.
[10:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You met the Professor, Usagi?" Eudial stares at the blonde girl. "What was so strange about his aura?"
[10:48] <Rei-chan> "Not alone," Rei snorts at Makoto's question. "I'm not going to do something stupid like sneak in myself. I say we go in full force and blast the hell out of their whole operation!"
[10:48] <Usagi-chan> "It's..." Usagi waves her hands aimlessly. "Kind of hard to describe, really. It's strong, but it's like he's got a really tight control over it or something - it's almost impossible to see any kind of detail in it. But it gave me the creeps when I saw it yesterday." Usagi closes her eyes.
[10:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial nods, but lets the matter go for a moment. "Yeah, I'd love to blast 'em and burn the entire damn school down," Eudial agrees vigorously. "But can the two of us take all the other Witches and whatever the Professor has up his sleeves... or whatever daimons he has?"
[10:50] * Usagi-chan hides a grin behind her hand. "Just two?"
[10:51] <Rei-chan> "It won't be just us two, Eudial," Rei gives the older girl a smile.
[10:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Wait." She says a moment after that. "I think I still have that daimon see... what?" she stops, turning to look at Rei.
[10:52] * Makoto blinks and looks at Usagi. 'Wait, are we telling...?'
[10:52] * Usagi-chan turns to look at Rei. 'Have you told her about the senshi?'
[10:52] * Usagi-chan glances back at Makoto. 'Not sure, that's what I'm asking Rei right now.'
[10:52] <Rei-chan> 'I haven't even told her about myself,' Rei replies, 'But she needs to know if we're going to do this together. And I trust her.'
[10:53] * Usagi-chan nods, both to Rei and Makoto, addressing the latter mentally. 'She says she's going to tell her, and if Rei trusts her that's good enough for me.'
[10:53] <Rei-chan> "Remember how I was so vehement that we don't ever fight the Sailor Senshi, no matter what the Professor said?" Rei reminds Eudial.
[10:54] * Makoto isn't sure how good an idea is, but decides to trust in Usagi and Rei's judgement.
[10:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah," she replies, still looking at Rei expectantly. "When he said that we should kill them if they interfered, you went bone white."
[10:55] * Usagi-chan's face tightens at the mention of the senshi being killed, but she remains silent.
[10:55] * Rei-chan nods, recalling how upset she was back then. "That's because I'm Sailor Mars."
[10:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh. .........What?!" she yelps, completely taken off guard when it sinks it. "You're Sailor Mars?! The flame throwing, charm using..." she trails off as she says that, then sighs a bit ruefully.
[10:58] <Rei-chan> "Yep, that's me," Rei smiles, "Even though most people never notice the ofuda - they don't even appear in that arcade game..."
[10:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I did a bit of research on them after you raised such a stink over it," she admits. "You look just like her... and I didn't even notice."
[10:59] * Usagi-chan smiles slightly, watching Eudial's reaction.
[11:00] <Rei-chan> "Her hair even changed colour at the same time mine did," Rei comments, shaking her head. "I don't understand how no one ever sees it. It must be magic, I guess."
[11:01] <Usagi-chan> "It WAS kind of surprising really... that kind of white isn't exactly a common color." Usagi grins.
[11:02] <Makoto> "Nor is your hairstyle, Usagi," Makoto says with a smirk
[11:02] <Usagi-chan> "Oh, and girls your height are?" Usagi grins and sticks her tongue out at the brunette.
[11:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial nods, agreeing. "Yeah..." she says, then looks at Usagi and Makoto, thinking a moment. "Does that mean that...?" she asks of Rei, still looking at the other two girls.
[11:04] * Ami enters the temple building hurriedly, taking stock of the others present. Not recognizing the fourth girl she nods slightly toward her while asking , "Usagi, you called?"
[11:05] * Makoto gives a small cough at Eudial's unfinished question, and looks away.
[11:05] * Usagi-chan giggles. "Just in time, Ami-chan, we were about to introduce ourselves." With a smile at Eudial, she poses. "I'm the pretty sailor-suited Soldier of Love and Justice, Sailor Moon - at your service." She drops a mock curtsy.
[11:06] * Makoto still feels odd with giving away her identity, but if both Rei -and- Usagi did it...
[11:06] <Makoto> "Sailor Jupiter," Makoto mumbles, still looking away.
[11:06] * Ami stares openly, surprised that they're just giving their identities out. 'What's going on here?!'
[11:07] <Rei-chan> "Don't worry, Mako-chan," Rei reassures the brunette, "You can trust Eudial. And we're going to be fighting alongside her when we go back to Mugen, after all."
[11:07] <Usagi-chan> 'Long story, Ami-chan, I'll fill you in in a minute. You can trust Eudial though.' Usagi replies to the blue-haired girl.
[11:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> "They are," she nods to herself. "Wow... right under my nose."
[11:08] <Rei-chan> "The Mistress won't stand a chance against all of us," Rei says confidently.
[11:08] <Usagi-chan> "Darn right!" Usagi grins.
[11:09] <Ami> "Um, hello?" Ami says, bowing uncertainly toward Eudial. "Pleased to meet you?"
[11:11] <Rei-chan> "Ami-chan, I'd like you to meet Eudial," Rei gestures between the two, letting them at least get introduced before she fills Ami in on current events.
[11:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial bows back politely. "Nice to meet you, Ami."
[11:13] * Rei-chan quickly fills Ami in on the Deathbuster situation. As she concludes, she turns to Eudial, "You said you still had that daimon seed? You might want to let Ami scan it with her computer so we can learn a bit more about the Professor's creations."
[11:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I have it, but it's in my car," she comments, "the one sitting in the Mugen tunnels."
[11:15] <Rei-chan> "Damn," Rei mutters, "By the time we go back there, we'll probably be getting up close and personal with a whole bunch of daimons..."
[11:16] <Usagi-chan> "Is there any way in there except through the school?" Usagi asks.
[11:16] * Prince_Herb arrives at the temple, and hurries inside.
[11:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> "There's a series of underground tunnels I use to drive around under the city," Eudial explains, starting to smile. "If you know how, you can get right into the guts of Mugen through them."
[11:18] * Ami nods, recalling her own use of Tokyo's subterranean waterways to enter another building.
[11:18] <Makoto> "What -are- daimons anyhow?" Makoto says, having heard about daimons for a while now, and not sure of what they are.
[11:19] * Prince_Herb enters the room and blinks for a moment as he sees Eudial
[11:19] <Rei-chan> "Some kind of magical/genetically created creatures the Professor makes," Rei shrugs, "I don't know that much about them, how about you, Eudial?"
[11:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> "That's about it," she says as Rei speaks. "He made them for when we needed help on Heart Snatches. The Professor creates them and they obey the Witches."
[11:20] <Prince_Herb> "Um... hi?" he says, distracted by Eudial's charms
[11:21] <Usagi-chan> "Oh hi, Herb!" Usagi gives the Musk prince a wave. She heads over to talk to him, giving Herb a brief outline of the morning's events.
[11:22] <Ami> "So they're the Deathbuster equivalent to the Elves' monsters basically?"
[11:22] <Rei-chan> "That's Herb," Rei nods to Eudial. "He turns into a girl as Sailor Dragon. None of us really understand it, but he seems happy with it..."
[11:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial nods. "Right," she nods.
[11:23] <Ami> "Hm," Ami muses, lost in her own thoughts. 'If I could get my hands on one...'
[11:24] * Ami grins slightly at the thought.
[11:25] * Usagi-chan glances over at Ami. 'What's up, Ami-chan?'
[11:25] * Prince_Herb looks embarassed.
[11:26] <Ami> "Hm?" Ami looks up, distracted. "Did you say something?"
[11:26] * Prince_Herb tries to explain, but can't find the words
[11:27] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "Forget it, not that important I guess." The blonde turns back to Rei and Eudial. "So, knowing all this... what do we do from here?"
[11:28] <Rei-chan> "Well," Rei replies loud enough for everyone to hear, "I think Usagi could get rid of the brainwashing on the other Witches quite easily with her Moon Healing Escalation. So if we can deal with all the other Witches one at a time before going after the Mistress, we'll have a far easier time of it," she nods, thinking that it's a good idea.
[11:29] * Usagi-chan nods. "If nothing else, it means we won't have to deal with them - even if they don't want to help. How many others are there? I know there's that one green-haired one that I saw in the hall yesterday..."
[11:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's not a bad idea," Eudial agrees. "If Usagi can break the hold the Mistress put on them, it'll at least get them out of the way."
[11:30] <Rei-chan> "Considering how arrogant they are, I bet they'd be only too happy to teach the Mistress and Professor a lesson," Rei chuckles, before responding to Usagi. "That one is Tellu. She has a strong affinity for plants, but I'm not really sure of what exactly she can do in a fight..."
[11:31] * Makoto perks up at the mention of plants and starts listening in. "Plants, huh?"
[11:31] <Usagi-chan> "Maybe she can help you tend your garden, Mako-chan." Usagi giggles.
[11:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> "There's also Mimette, Viluy, Cyprine and Ptilol... and Kaolinite," Eudial comments. "Each of them are highly gifted in magic, and the last two are extremely powerful." Eudial frowns.
[11:32] * Ami giggles as well.
[11:32] <Rei-chan> "Mimette isn't worth worrying about. She's in no shape to fight right now," Rei points out.
[11:32] <Usagi-chan> "Maybe, but if she's been brainwashed we should still pay her a visit. We can at least do that for her." Usagi nods.
[11:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Heh," Eudial breaks into a vicious grin. "No, you're right. She's not in any shape to do anything but send us dirty looks."
[11:33] * Makoto's eye twitches. They'd said they'd stop talking about that! 'Do you want me to start teasing about you and Rei making out, Usagi? You guys said you wouldn't tease about the garden anymore!' Makoto thinks to Usagi.
[11:33] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, we should get rid of her brainwashing, but she isn't going to be getting in our way, much, I expect."
[11:34] * Usagi-chan blushes slightly, but simply gives Makoto a grin. 'Sorry, Mako-chan, I just couldn't resist.'
[11:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah..." Eudial finally agrees. "I'd prefer if she just goes away, though."
[11:35] <Ami> "If we hope to hold onto the advantage of surprise we'll have to hit them all quickly, before they can regroup. This time we have the element of surprise and the ability to choose the battlefield. Let's take advantage of it."
[11:35] <Makoto> 'Next time, I'll tease you and Rei mercilessly,' Makoto promises.
[11:36] <Usagi-chan> "So... when do we want to do this? Right now?" Usagi asks Rei.
[11:37] <Rei-chan> "Viluy and Mimette are probably still at Mugen right now," Rei muses, "I don't know about the others, but they'd probably be in their homes on a day like this..."
[11:37] * Usagi-chan looks back and forth between the dark-haired miko and the redhead. "You guys are running this show - you both know way more about who we're dealing with than any of the rest of us do."
[11:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I say we go now," Eudial nods firmly. "If the Mistress knows we broke free, she'd just have more time to make preparations."
[11:39] <Rei-chan> "Well," Rei shrugs, "It wouldn't hurt to wait a few hours at the very least - shaking off that brainwashing did take a lot out of us. After that I think it'd be easier to just go round to each Witch's house and purify them in turn before we hit Mugen itself."
[11:40] * Usagi-chan nods. "That's fine with me... I didn't really have any serious plans for today anyway, other than cleaning my room up a bit more since it's just about finished."
[11:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Do you know where they live, Rei?" Eudial asks. "I can't say I do."
[11:41] <Makoto> "I don't have any plans at all for a while," Makoto says. 'Well, except maybe trying to spend time with Alan,' she thinks but doesn't say, forgetting to not project her thoughts.
[11:41] <Rei-chan> "Uh..." Rei stumbles slightly. "Darn... um..." she suddenly spins on Ami. "Ami-chan! Can you hack into the Mugen student database?"
[11:41] * Usagi-chan grins at the stray thought, but doesn't say anything.
[11:42] <Rei-chan> "Actually, you wouldn't even need to hack - you can use my passwords," Rei says, blushing. "You'd just need to be able to access it from here with your Mercury Computer."
[11:45] <Ami> "I can try, I guess." Ami summons the Mercury Computer and waits for Rei's instructions.
[11:48] * Rei-chan notes the attention on her. "I don't know how it works," she suddenly blurts. "I just turn it on and it tells me to enter my username and password. I have no clue how you go about connecting remotely like this."
[11:50] <Ami> "Just give me the passwords, Rei-chan," Ami says, holding back a laugh.
[11:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You can't," Eudial says bluntly. "It's set up so that only computers registered on the network can log on and access the data. The Professor went on a security kick with all this - it's why we have all those keycard doors around, too."
[11:51] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, but Ami's computer is magic!" Rei says brightly, "I bet she could get past any security." She turns back to the blue-haired girl. "My username is Hino underscore R, and my password is Phobos."
[11:52] <Ami> "We'll see about that," Ami mutters, her fingers dancing across the keyboard.
[11:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> Processing... Processing... Processing... Welcome to Deathbusters Database... Program Viluy 002 activated... Reads the screen, with no sign of the database.
[11:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> Illegal terminal detected. Begin protocol Viluy 666... the screen reads a few seconds later.
[12:07] <Ami> roll 2d6 and burn 20 ep
[12:07] * Musk-bot --> "Ami rolls 2d6 and burn 20 ep and gets 10."
[12:08] * Rei-chan watches Ami work, wishing she understood all this computer stuff.
[12:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ami clatters away on her keyboard as Protocol Viluy 666 is annouced! The dry sound of her fingers striking the keys is heard, and the screen goes white... processing... processing...
[12:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> *BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!* A loud, ear wracking beep comes from the computer! Finally, the screen goes normal again. "Proper terminal logged in."
[12:14] <Makoto> "Gooo, Ami!" Makoto cheers.
[12:14] <Usagi-chan> "Way to go, Ami-chan!" Usagi grins.
[12:14] * Ami just smiles. "What were those passwords again?"
[12:14] <Rei-chan> "Hino underscore R, and Phobos," Rei recites faithfully.
[12:15] * Ami types it in, entering the system.
[12:16] <Ami> The moment she's in she begins to search for the files on the Witches members.
[12:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> Witches 6 database - Access which member?
[12:18] <Ami> 'TELLU' Ami types in.
[12:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> TELLU
[12:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> AGE 16
[12:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> AFFINITY SPHERE PLANTS
[12:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> ASSIGNMENT HEART CRYSTALS, PLANT RESEARCH
[12:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> POWER LEVEL 21.29
[12:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> NOTES
[12:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> The first thing in notes is a picture of Tellu.
[12:21] * Usagi-chan nods as she sees the picture, remembering the girl from the day before.
[12:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> Past that...
[12:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> TELLU IS A PLANTROMANCER. NO RELATIVES OR HINDRANCES OF NOTE.
[12:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> That's the main useful information on the file.
[12:24] <Rei-chan> "No address?" Rei looks surprised.
[12:24] * Prince_Herb gags at the clumsy term 'plantromancer'.
[12:25] <Ami> "Plantromancer?" Ami boggles at the word. 'That just sounds so very off.'
[12:25] <Prince_Herb> "They could have come up with something better than that, surely?" he complains. "And what do they mean by 'hindrances'?"
[12:26] * Rei-chan sighs, "People she cares about that she would put before her work, Herb."
[12:26] * Ami checks for an address.
[12:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> There isn't any personal information of that sort past their age in this file. It looks to be strictly dealing with their Witch duties.
[12:27] * Ami continues to another file. 'Rei'
[12:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> REI
[12:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> AGE 14
[12:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> AFFINITY FIRE, TELEKINESIS, OTHER
[12:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> ASSIGNMENT EXTERMINATION
[12:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> POWER LEVEL 79.05
[12:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> NOTES
[12:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> REI IS A PYROMAGE, AS WELL AS A GIFTED PSYCHIC. UNKNOWN OTHER POWERS AS WELL, UNABLE TO BE ANALYZED AT THE CURRENT TIME. HIGH POTENTIAL. IS A SHRINE MAIDEN, MAY POSE MINOR HINDRANCES.
[12:29] * Rei-chan snorts, recalling how Kaolinite had said Tellu was more powerful than her.
[12:30] * Ami inputs 'Eudial'.
[12:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> EUDIAL
[12:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> AGE 17
[12:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> AFFINITY TECHNOLOGY MAGIC
[12:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> ASSIGNMENT EXTERMINATION
[12:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> POWER LEVEL 71.67
[12:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> NOTES
[12:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> EUDIAL IS TALENTED IN TECHNOLOGICAL BASED MAGIC. ABLE TO CREATE AND POWER MACHINES WITH HER OWN ENERGY. MOTHER IS A TEACHER HERE.
[12:32] * Rei-chan blinks, noting the lower power level and recalling how easily Eudial had wasted Racy that time.
[12:34] * Ami looks up at Eudial. "Tech-based magic?"
[12:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'm really good at making machines," she shrugs. "Like my Fire Buster or Gunk Cannon."
[12:35] <Rei-chan> "She wasted one of the elves' monsters in one hit with her Fire Buster," Rei puts in. "It's really powerful."
[12:35] <Ami> "Hm. We should talk later," Ami comments idly, typing in 'Viluy'.
[12:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Heh, those elves didn't know what hit them," she laughs as Ami goes on.
[12:36] <Prince_Herb> "We certainly should," agrees Herb.
[12:36] <Ami> 'Who knows? Maybe she can help with some of the moon restoration.'
[12:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> VILUY
[12:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> AGE 16
[12:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> AFFINITY TECHNOLOGY, OTHER
[12:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> ASSIGNMENT HEART CRYSTALS
[12:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> POWER LEVEL 47.88
[12:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> NOTES WORKS ON COMPUTERS AND TECHNOLOGY - A VARIANT OF WITCH EUDIAL'S ABILITIES. NO HINDRANCES OF NOTE.
[12:37] <Usagi-chan> 'It's under consideration already, Ami-chan.'
[12:37] <Ami> 'Just checking.'
[12:39] * Ami ponders the benefit of having two more technologically able people on the team. 'That would be nice.'
[12:40] * Ami types in 'Mimette'.
[12:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> MIMETTE
[12:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> AGE 14
[12:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> AFFINITY OTHER
[12:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> ASSIGNMENT HEART CRYSTALS
[12:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> POWER LEVEL 39.17
[12:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> NOTES
[12:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> USES SINGING AND OTHER AURAL DISPLAYS TO EXTRACT CRYSTALS. HAS MAGICAL POTENTIAL, BUT IS LARGELY STILL UNFOCUSED. NO HINDRANCES OF NOTE.
[12:43] <Rei-chan> "She can't do much if she can't sing..." Rei mutters.
[12:44] * Ami types in 'Cyprine'.
[12:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial merely smirks again, but stays silent as Ami works.
[12:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> CYPRINE
[12:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> PTILOL
[12:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> AGE 15
[12:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> AGE 15
[12:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> AFFINITY MAGICAL ENERGY, ENERGY AMPLIFICATION
[12:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> AFFINITY MAGICAL ENERGY, ENERGY AMPLIFICATION
[12:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> POWER LEVEL 152.00
[12:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> POWER LEVEL 152.00
[12:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> NOTES
[12:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> TWIN SISTERS. ABLE TO AMPLIFY AND UNLEASH ENERGY DISPLAYS AND ENERGY MANIPULATIONS UP TO THE LEVEL OF 300~. MOTHER IS A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER AT MUGEN.
[12:46] <Rei-chan> "Damn..." Rei shakes her head, "I knew they were powerful, but that's nearly twice as powerful as my reading..." 'Well, they never did get a reading of my senshi form...'
[12:47] * Usagi-chan glances over at Rei. 'How much stronger do you think you are as a senshi than when you're not?'
[12:48] <Ami> "They're going to be a problem I bet," Ami comments, reading over the information.
[12:48] <Rei-chan> 'The biggest change is that I can use my Fire Soul and Snake Fire. Those attacks are a lot more powerful than anything I can do untransformed... but I'm not sure exactly how much...'
[12:49] * Ami types in 'Kaolinite'.
[12:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> KAOLINITE
[12:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> AGE 18
[12:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> AFFINITY ALL MAGIC
[12:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> POWER LEVEL 569.31
[12:50] <Rei-chan> "Eighteen?!" Rei gasps, "No way! She's way older than that!"
[12:50] * Rei-chan chokes slightly as she sees the power reading.
[12:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> NOTES
[12:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> PERSONAL SERVANT OF PROFESSOR TOMOE. A CLASSICAL MAGE, WITH SUPERIOR CONTROL OVER MAGIC. RANKED AS MAGUS.
[12:51] * Usagi-chan sighs. "Great..."
[12:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial looks on, scowling darkly.
[12:52] <Rei-chan> "Damn... I'm kind of glad I never actually fought her, now..." Rei mutters.
[12:52] * Ami releases a low whistle.
[12:53] <Usagi-chan> "I wonder how the rest of us would rate..." Usagi shakes her head slightly.
[12:53] <Prince_Herb> "Are there entries for the Professor and Mistress?" Herb asks.
[12:53] <Ami> "I'll check," Ami says, imputing 'Mistress'. "I wonder how she stands against someone like Starfire?"
[12:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> No entry is turned up.
[12:54] <Rei-chan> "She's definitely above Beryl's level," Rei says.
[12:55] <Usagi-chan> "Is there any way we can get addresses for the Witches?"
[12:55] <Makoto> "Can you check for daimon entries? We might want to know the power of those, right?"
[12:55] <Ami> "Beryl wasn't such hot stuff. Her master, on the other hand..." Ami let's the sentence trail off.
[12:56] <Ami> "What's this professor's name? I'll check his entry first."
[12:56] * Usagi-chan deflates at Ami's words. Another Metallia... and no crystal this time.
[12:56] <Rei-chan> "Souichi Tomoe," Rei provides.
[12:57] <Rei-chan> "I think the actual school database will have their addresses in with their student records, so you can check that next, Ami-chan," Rei suggests.
[12:57] * Ami types in 'Tomoe'.
[12:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> The Witches database gives you nothing on Tomoe, oddly.
[12:59] * Ami leaves the Witches database and searches for the registration records.
[13:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> The school registry is simple to get to from here, Ami finds.
[13:41] * Ami looks up Tellu's information.
[13:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> The name string 'Tellu' doesn't turn up any information, strangely enough.
[13:44] * Ami tries for Rei Hino, seeing as she knows her last name.
[13:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei's profile pops up a moment later. All of her vital information shows up, from hair color(White here), to weight to the classes she's in(not in.)
[13:46] <Ami> "Eudial, what's your last name?" Ami asks.
[13:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Kawashima," she replies, reading over your shoulder as are the other girls.
[13:48] * Usagi-chan glances up at Rei, still finding it hard to believe Rei's hair is back to its normal deep black color.
[13:48] * Ami inputs Eudial's name into the search.
[13:48] * Ami takes a moment to glace at Rei's GPA first, though.
[13:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei's GPA is listed at 3.5.
[13:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial's profile comes up, with the same basic information as Rei's did. Of note, her mother is a teacher at Mugen.
[13:51] * Usagi-chan frowns at the reminder about Eudial's mother. "We've got to make sure your mom doesn't go in to work anymore too, Eudial." Usagi looks over at the redhead.
[13:51] <Ami> "Ok. Either of you know the others' last names?" Ami queries.
[13:52] <Rei-chan> "I don't," Rei says apologetically, "What about you, Eudial?"
[13:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> The redhaired Witch blanches at that. "Well, she wasn't teaching today, at least." she says, sounding a bit relieved. "And I think I know Tellu's name."
[13:54] * Ami waits for it.
[13:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Teruno," she supplies.
[13:55] * Ami enters the name.
[13:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> A profile for one Lulu Teruno comes up. The picture supplied in the profile is of Tellu in a typical Mugen uniform.
[13:58] <Ami> "Looks like we have a winner," Ami says, commiting the information to memory.
[13:58] <Rei-chan> "Lulu?" Rei quirks an eyebrow.
[13:59] * Ami looks to see if special intrests or clubs are listed as well.
[13:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Tellu is a nickname," Eudial comments. "She hates the name Lulu," she chuckles. "She nearly threw a fit when I called her Lulu once."
[13:59] <Rei-chan> "Can't imagine why..." Rei comments dryly.
[13:59] * Usagi-chan giggles. "Well, maybe she'll know someone else's name... at least we have a place to start now."
[14:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> Her club is listed as 'Botany.'
[14:00] <Rei-chan> "Yeah. I know she wasn't in Mugen today, so we could go to her house first... although I'd hate to think what kind of stuff we'll find in her garden..." Rei shivers.
[14:01] * Ami sighs. 'I suppose it was too much to hope for Witches to be listed,' Ami thinks.
[14:01] <Ami> "Any others? THe only other surname I recall you giving was Tomoe."
[14:01] <Rei-chan> "Wait, Tellu isn't part of her real name at all," Rei points out, "That's why it didn't come up in the first search. Try Viluy, Ami-chan."
[14:02] * Usagi-chan knits her brow. "Wait a minute, Ami-chan. She's in the Botany club, and she's good with plants - what about looking for, I don't know - something like a singing club or a computer club for the others?"
[14:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you talk... Unauthorized access detected. Protocol Viluy 1000 activated. A moment later, the interface window with Mugen closes.
[14:02] * Ami blinks.
[14:03] <Rei-chan> "Crap," Rei mutters. "Looks like they're onto us."
[14:03] <Ami> "It would seem that way. Now what?"
[14:03] <Prince_Herb> "I doubt they can trace the Mercury computer, but we'd better start moving before they can act." Herb says.
[14:04] * Usagi-chan glances between her companions. "Do we go to this Tellu's place now, or should we wait?"
[14:05] <Rei-chan> "Might be a good idea to go now. Eudial and I will get her out of the house, and then Sailor Moon will hit her with a Moon Healing Escalation?" Rei suggests.
[14:05] <Usagi-chan> "Sounds like a good plan to me... the rest of you guys can wait nearby in case something goes wrong, I guess." Usagi nods.
[14:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial nods in agreement. "It sounds good."
[14:06] <Ami> "What about your mother?" AMi asks.
[14:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> "She's not at Mugen today," Eudial says again. "She's probably at home or at the shop," she shrugs.
[14:09] <Usagi-chan> "We can check up on her after we take care of Tellu."
[14:09] <Rei-chan> "Okay, um..." Rei blushes slightly, "Before we leave, just give me a second to get changed." She then retreats to her room.
[14:09] * Ami brings up a map and locates Lulu's address.
[14:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> It's about twelve miles away, in a residential part of Tokyo. With the weather as is... it would be a hellish walk or long run.
[14:09] * Usagi-chan jumps up and follows Rei. "Hold on a minute, Rei-chan!"
[14:10] <Rei-chan> "Huh?" Rei pauses at the door.
[14:10] <Usagi-chan> "I did mean to ask you about that... what's up with your outfit?" Usagi asks.
[14:11] <Rei-chan> "It..." Rei reddens a bit, "We all wear stuff like this... I wanted to fit in..." she mutters.
[14:12] * Usagi-chan blushes slightly, glancing over at Eudial. "I can, um, kinda see that." She pauses for a moment. "But... if that's what you usually wear to school, wouldn't it be a good idea to keep it on if you're meeting one of the other Witches?"
[14:14] <Rei-chan> "Uh... I dunno... we only dress like this at school." She looks at Eudial, "Do you think Tellu would really care how I was dressed?"
[14:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I doubt she'd be wearing her outfit at home," she says back, shrugging. "I was going to ask if you had something warmer to wear, Rei," she goes on.
[14:16] * Rei-chan nods. "You're a bit taller than me, but I think I'll have something you can borrow. Come on," she resumes heading towards her room.
[14:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial follows, commenting quietly to Rei that she has a nice room as they enter.
[14:18] * Usagi-chan nods to Rei, going back to sit down with the other girls. She gives the miko one last look just before she steps out of the room, then turns back to the discussion at hand.
[14:20] <Rei-chan> "Thanks," Rei shrugs, pulling out a black sweater and jogging pants for Eudial, both of which are slightly baggy on herself, so should fit the older girl. Quickly stripping off her own outfit, she puts on a pair of jeans and a tight red turtleneck, admiring how it looks in the mirror with her hair back to normal.
[14:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial carefully takes off her Witch outfit, changing into the warmer clothing before going back out.
[14:21] * Rei-chan heads back to the living room with Eudial.
[14:21] <Makoto> "Okay, so we're off to see this Tellu now, then?" Makoto asks.
[14:23] <Ami> "Yes. Her house is some twelve or so miles away from here. Not too far, really," Ami says.
[14:24] <Rei-chan> "Not if we take the bus," Rei nods, wishing they'd thought to drive out of Mugen in Eudial's car this morning.
[14:24] <Usagi-chan> "Twelve miles?" Usagi groans. "I hope the buses are running today, I sure don't want to walk that far."
[14:24] <Ami> "Herb, want to drive us?" Ami asks.
[14:25] <Rei-chan> "Uh... Ami-chan... you've seen Herb's car, right?"
[14:26] <Prince_Herb> "Ferrari doesn't make buses." Herb says. "It could get four in, at a squeeze."
[14:26] <Prince_Herb> "We'd be better taking the underground by far."
[14:27] * Rei-chan shrugs, "Bus, subway. Makes no difference to me."
[14:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You have a Ferrari," Eudial asks, quite interested in that tidbit. "What model?"
[14:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> Her eyes lock onto Herb with a strange enthusaism, a grin playing across her face.
[14:28] <Prince_Herb> "It's an F355 Spider. 3.5 litre V8 engine..."
[14:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Ooooh," she says, hooked, next asking about the horsepower while leaving the other girls rather lost in the conversation.
[14:29] * Rei-chan edges away from Eudial, her eyebrow twitching slightly.
[14:29] * Usagi-chan glances over at Rei. "Will this take long? We should probably get going..."
[14:29] * Prince_Herb fills Eudial in on the technical specifications..."268 foot pounds torque at 6 000 rpm..."
[14:30] <Rei-chan> "You're right," Rei nods, sticking her fingers in her mouth and whistling loudly.
[14:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You'll HAVE to show that to me," she euthuses, before the whistle gets her attention. "Huh, Rei?"
[14:30] * Usagi-chan wiggles a finger in her ear, wincing a little. "Remind me to stand back a little the next time you do that, Pyro."
[14:31] <Rei-chan> "You guys can discuss cars as we head there. We're leaving, now," Rei informs them, ignoring Usagi's jibe.
[14:31] <Prince_Herb> "Eh, oh, sorry..." Herb says. "If you want, we can go out to an old airbase I know, and pu

Halbarad · June 25, 2006, 02:44:57 PM

[14:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[14:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> Roughtly an hour later, you are dropped off near Tellu's street. Another band of dark clouds have moved in, spitting more ice in this vicious March ice storm.
[14:33] * Rei-chan extends her senses towards 2310 Hime Road, just in case Tellu has any evil mutant plants in the garden.
[14:33] * Usagi-chan wraps her arms around herself, staunchly refusing to complain despite her lack of a coat in the icy weather.
[14:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> It's a decently nice residential area here, full of houses that speak of good money. Walking down the street, you come to Tellu's house in short order. It's... something of a sight to see.
[14:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> The front of the house is normal, but the back two-thirds have been converted to a giant greenhouse, taking up most of the back lawn and butting into an empty lot behind it.
[14:37] <Usagi-chan> "Wow... she really DOES love plants, doesn't she?" Usagi stares at the massive greenhouse.
[14:38] <Makoto> ".....ooooooh," Makoto states, looking at the greenhouse.
[14:38] <Ami> "Down girl," Ami jests at Makoto.
[14:38] * Rei-chan looks around for a place Sailor Moon can transform and hide, while trying to sense Tellu's location inside the house.
[14:38] * Usagi-chan also looks around for a good place to transform.
[14:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> There are some trees about, and no one is out in this weather. It looks fairly safe.
[14:41] * Usagi-chan nods. "Okay, I'm getting ready." With one last glance around to make sure no one is looking, Usagi calls out the words of her transformation. "Moon Prism Power, Make UP!"
[14:42] <Rei-chan> "Okay, the rest of you stay out of sight unless we need you," Rei turns to Eudial, "Well, shall we go drop in on our 'colleague'?"
[14:43] * Sailor_Moon extends her hand, pulling the Lunar Rod out of storage and concealing herself beside the house's front gate. "Just tell me when, Rei-chan. Ready when you are."
[14:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah," she nods simply. "Let's get rid of this damn mind washing."
[14:43] * Rei-chan walks into the garden and up to the front door, before ringing the doorbell.
[14:44] * Ami ducks out of sight.
[14:45] * Makoto likewise moves out of sight
[14:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> A chime is heard... then nothing for several seconds... then nothing for several more.
[14:45] * Rei-chan rings the doorbell again.
[14:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> The chime sounds again. After about ten more seconds, you see the door crack open. "What do you want, Eudial," Tellu asks from behind the door. "I'm busy right now."
[14:47] <Rei-chan> "The Professor wanted us to deliver some seeds to you, Tellu," Rei blatantly lies.
[14:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Seeds? Fine," she says, unlatching the door and opening it wide. She's wearing a short-sleeved green shirt and shorts, versus her normal Witch garb.
[14:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> You can feel the heat coming from her house.
[14:50] <Rei-chan> 'Now, Usagi!' Rei mentally yells, grabbing Tellu by her arms and yanking her out the doorway.
[14:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> "What? Gah!" Tellu shouts. "What the hell are you doing, Rei?"
[14:50] * Sailor_Moon springs out of her hiding place near the gate to the yard, executing the motion for her attack. "Moon Healing Escalation!"
[14:50] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[14:50] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[14:50] <Rei-chan> "You'll thank me in a minute," Rei replies, holding Tellu securely.
[14:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> The Healing Escalation surges forth, washing over Tellu, Rei and Eudial. Tellu lets forth an inhuman screech, almost like a bird's, as her aura shudders. The green haired girl falls straight to her knees after it, eyes open and stunned.
[14:52] * Sailor_Moon studies Tellu's aura as the magic fades away, looking for any signs of the blurriness she noted in both Rei's and Eudial's auras before.
[14:53] * Rei-chan kneels down next to Tellu, waiting for her to process what just happened, since she remembers how disoriented she was right after breaking the brainwashing.
[14:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial does the same on the other side, with much the same thought as Rei.
[14:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hey, are you alright," she asks of the plantromancer.
[14:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Uhhhh..." she moans deeply, her eyes blinking. "Whaa... what... that..." she goes through each word slowly, like she's a robot fighting the crushing grip of rust.
[14:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> Usagi - The blurriness around her head is fading away now.
[14:55] <Rei-chan> "We just removed the mental control the Professor put on you," Rei says with a small smile. "Your mind is your own, now."
[14:55] * Sailor_Moon lets out a sigh, nodding as she walks towards the green-haired woman. "Are you all right?"
[14:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> "The Professor," she says, oddly. "That... that injection..." she staggers on verbally, like she's in shock.
[14:57] <Rei-chan> "Yeah," Rei nods slowly. "To make you into the Mistress' willing servant. The same as he did to us."
[14:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> She nods. "What... he did. I remember that now..." she's still flailing verbally, her face now a mask of horrified confusion.
[14:59] * Sailor_Moon reaches out, putting a hand on Tellu's shoulder. "It's okay now... you're free of it." She smiles gently, trying to reassure the girl.
[14:59] <Rei-chan> "Come on," Rei helps Tellu to her feet. "Let's get inside so you can sit more comfortably. I know how confused you must feel right now."
[15:00] <Sailor_Moon> 'Do you want me in there, Rei?' Moon asks mentally.
[15:00] <Rei-chan> 'If you don't mind. She'll probably be curious as to how you were here to begin with,' Rei replies.
[15:01] * Sailor_Moon nods. 'I'll tell the others to wait out here, it probably wouldn't help to have us all try to cram into her house.' Turning her thoughts to her other friends, she broadcasts the message. 'We're going to get Tellu settled inside her house - probably be better if you guys wait out here for now. We'll try not to be too long.'
[15:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> With Eudial's help, Rei gets the stunned Witch to her feet and inside. The front room is also a simple living room, with a plant motif and a few couches.
[15:02] <Ami> 'Try to see if she knows where any of the others live if you can,' Ami sends back.
[15:03] <Makoto> 'Alright, Usagi,' Makoto sends back in acknowledgement.
[15:03] * Sailor_Moon follows the three former Witches into the house, closing the door behind her. 'Will do, Ami.'
[15:03] <Rei-chan> "How are you feeling now, Tellu?" Rei asks gently.
[15:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> Tellu stumbles to the nearest couch, sitting down with a plop. It's very warm in here, almost balmy. The faint scent of earth and plants fills the room.
[15:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> "My head is pounding," she murmurs, "like a migraine."
[15:04] <Rei-chan> "Do you want me to get you a glass of water?"
[15:06] * Sailor_Moon stands at the edge of the room, studying Tellu's aura as the last of the brainwashing fades away.
[15:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'm alright," she says quietly. Her aura is now almost back to normal. She has magical skills, not on the level of Eudial or to be a Neptune canidate, but she's gifted in her areas.
[15:07] <Rei-chan> "You'll probably be wanting an explanation," Rei muses, wondering how best to break this. "Have you ever thought about why the Mistress wanted those Talismans? Why they were so important?"
[15:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> She shakes her head tiredly, leaning back and then looking up. "Not really," she says.
[15:10] * Rei-chan nods. "It's an obvious question, but one we never thought to ask ourselves. But recently, I've started to wonder. And I've talked to Eudial about my doubts... The Professor used that injection to keep us loyal, and to keep us from questioning him or the Mistress. But we broke free of that control this morning, and I think I know why the Mistress wants the Talismans..."
[15:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> Tellu takes it all in, sighing. "When you said that, it made perfect sense," she says mournfully. "Why didn't I think of that?"
[15:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's part of the programming," Eudial says, looking a bit down herself. "I never thought of it either until near the end."
[15:13] <Rei-chan> "Don't feel bad," Rei says softly, "We were all taken in so easily by it... I had a vision last night - I sometimes get prophecies. And I saw what the Mistress wants. If she gets the Talismans, it means the end of the world. I can't imagine why she would want that, but it seems to be the case. That vision was enough to help me break free of the mental control at last."
[15:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You're serious?" Tellu asks, shocked and stunned. "Like Armageddon?"
[15:14] * Rei-chan nods. "The end of everything. The world would be nothing but a dead wasteland," she says, completely serious.
[15:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I was working for that end..." she says softly, looking at the wood inlaid floor. "I made all my plants for that..." she sniffles, a tear running down her face, then another and another...
[15:16] * Rei-chan puts a hand on Tellu's shoulder. "I know. It hurts. But you can't blame yourself. You weren't in control of your actions, even if it felt like it. And we're going to make sure they don't get away with it."
[15:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> The purified Witch merely cries softly, her shoulders heaving up and down.
[15:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial closes her own eyes, a pained expression on her face. Her posture slumps a bit, too.
[15:21] <Sailor_Moon> "Hey, you guys, don't get down on yourselves too much." Sailor Moon speaks up. "The end of the world isn't here yet, and none of you are working for that terrible Mistress person anymore. She can still be stopped." The senshi puts on a confident smile.
[15:23] <Rei-chan> "It still doesn't change what we did," Rei says softly. "This isn't something that can be forgotten easily. It just needs time..."
[15:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You're right, Sailor Moon, but...." Eudial trails off, eyes still closed. "Let's just stop them first."
[15:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> Tellu sniffles, then looks up. As if seeing her for the first time, her eyes go stark wide. "Sailor Moon?"
[15:25] * Sailor_Moon can't help but grin slightly. "That would be me."
[15:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You got rid of that taint on me," she asks, her voice still wobbly with tears and sorrow.
[15:27] * Sailor_Moon nods. "I did, and I'm going to get rid of it on all the other Witches too if I can."
[15:28] <Rei-chan> "She will. She's good at that," Rei gives Tellu an encouraging smile.
[15:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> She rises, still teary faced. With simple dignity, she bows. "Thank you, Sailor Moon."
[15:29] * Sailor_Moon returns the bow, shaking her head as she stands. "You don't need to thank me, Tellu. I was happy to help you."
[15:31] <Rei-chan> "We're going to try and get the other Witches in their homes before we deal with the Professor and Mistress at Mugen. That's easier than having to deal with everyone at the school, but we were only able to get your address before Viluy locked us out of the computer system..." Rei says to Tellu, hoping she might be able to volunteer something.
[15:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> "So was I," The redheaded Witch of the group comments, smiling. "The Professor used us....will you help us stop him for good?"
[15:32] * Sailor_Moon nods. "If you know where any of the other Witches live, it would really help us out. It'll be a lot easier to purify them at home than trying to charge into Mugen."
[15:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'm sorry," she says quietly. "I don't know where any of them live... and I'm not any good without my plants," she goes on. "I doubt I could help you if you fight the Professor."
[15:33] * Sailor_Moon smiles. "That's all right... knowing you're back to being yourself is enough."
[15:33] <Rei-chan> "Yeah," Rei says, recalling the green-haired girl's power reading. "Just so long as you're okay, that's enough for us."
[15:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> She looks away, sighing. "Rei... Eudial... after how I treated you, you still helped me?" she asks.
[15:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Even after all that... you're happy enough just to save me." she shakes her head. "Just promise me you'll help the others."
[15:35] <Rei-chan> "Come on," Rei says, chuckling, "You weren't anywhere near as bad as Mimette or Kaolinite. And we will do everything we can to help the others." She shakes her head, looking sombre, "No one should have to live with their thoughts compromised like that."
[15:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> She nods, managing to finally look up. Her face is sad, but at least peaceful now. "Are you going back to Mugen?"
[15:37] <Rei-chan> "Since we have no idea where we could find the others, it might be our only option right now," Rei says, nodding.
[15:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hold on, then," she says, getting up. She goes out of the room, and comes back a few minutes later with a keycard. "This will open the back doors of the greenhouse," she says, "if you need another way in."
[15:39] <Rei-chan> "Thanks," Rei says gratefully as she accepts the card. "It could come in handy."
[15:40] <Rei-chan> "Well, we're going now." Rei stands up, "You take care of yourself, Tellu."
[15:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I will. Thank you...all of you," she smiles shyly. "I owe you a ton for today."
[15:41] * Sailor_Moon nods to the green-haired former Witch. "Good luck, Tellu." She offers a friendly wave as she heads to the door.
[15:42] <Rei-chan> 'I just hope the rest of them go so easily...' Rei thinks as she departs.
[15:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> Once outside, the other girls are still waiting for Usagi, Rei and Eudial.
[15:43] * Sailor_Moon regroups with the others outside. "Looks like we're headed to Mugen, guys." She sighs slightly. "The only question I have is, what are we going to do when we get there?"
[15:43] <Ami> "What do we normally do when we 'get there'?" Ami asks, a small smile on her lips.
[15:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I hope it involves stringing Tomoe up by that tie he wears," Eudial comments darkly.
[15:45] <Rei-chan> "If he's just the Mistress' dupe like the rest of us, he can be purified." Rei reminds Eudial. "Viluy and Mimette are probably the only ones there right now, and they might have even left already, but I bet Kaolinite and Cyprine could show up in a hurry if needed..." Rei says, pursing her lips thoughtfully.
[15:45] <Sailor_Moon> "Is there any chance we could get inside and on one of the computers there? Maybe we could get the rest of the information we need that way."
[15:46] <Ami> "I'm sure we could pull that off," Ami says, looking away.
[15:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> "If we haven't been found out yet, getting inside would be easy," Eudial says. "If we have been... it's not good," Eudial finally finishes.
[15:46] * Rei-chan nods. "That's the thing, and we won't know if we've been found out until it's too late."
[15:47] * Sailor_Moon sighs. "That's what I was afraid of... this could either be really easy or really hard."
[15:47] <Ami> "Should we try multiple points of entry?"
[15:48] <Rei-chan> "There are lots of different access points," Rei nods, "But I don't like splitting up. What if some of us run into one of the Witches? Only Sailor Moon can purify them."
[15:49] * Sailor_Moon sighs. "And only Rei and Eudial know their way around enough inside the school to figure out where to go. That stupid place is like a maze."
[15:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial ndos agreement. "It was built that way, especially on the lower levels where the Professor keeps his labs and equipment."
[15:49] <Rei-chan> "Come on, we'll go to Mugen, and see what it looks like from outside before we decide what to do," Rei suggests.
[15:49] <Ami> "If the group without Sailor Moon encounters trouble they run. Simple, really."
[15:50] <Sailor_Moon> "Let's just get to Mugen and we can decide what to do from there." Glancing around to make sure no one is watching, Usagi releases her transformation.
[15:51] <Prince_Herb> "Do you think my SEP field would work inside the building?" Herb asks. "It's not magic, as such."
[15:51] <Rei-chan> "What field?" Rei blinks at Herb in confusion.
[15:54] <Prince_Herb> "My Somebody Else's Problem field; I use my ki to cloak myself..."
[15:55] <Prince_Herb> "I've used it to sneak about before."
[15:55] <Rei-chan> "If it only hides you, there isn't much point unless you're travelling alone," Rei points out. "We're not going in blind and exploring, we know exactly where we're headed, so there isn't much reason to split up."
[15:56] <Prince_Herb> "Except to surprise someone, that is."
[15:56] <Prince_Herb> "Well, all right. Let's go and see what happens."
[15:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> ----
[15:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> Going up to Mugen, it's still icing like hell. The trees creak under the weight of the weather, and the just-getting-going cherry trees are suffering like mad. It's a shame, really.
[15:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> The building is quiet in the mid-afternoon now, with no bustling activity.
[15:58] * Usagi-chan tries to see if she can sense any powerful energy signatures in the building from outside.
[15:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Soul check. +3 was the mod last time, wasn't it?
[15:59] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6+3
[15:59] * Musk-bot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6+3 and gets 11."
[15:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> Simmering inside like a boil, you sense 3 strong auras. All are exceptionally powerful...
[16:00] * Usagi-chan frowns. "Three really strong people inside right now, but just three. I can't tell any more than that from here though."
[16:00] * Rei-chan tries to sense into the building to identify the three auras Usagi spoke of.
[16:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Soul check. +3
[16:03] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6+3
[16:03] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6+3 and gets 10."
[16:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei senses out. Below is Kaolinite, the Professor, and Cyprine/Ptilol. The Professor's aura is somewhat unbound... it's surprising how much energy is in it, it's rivalling Kaolinite's.
[16:05] <Rei-chan> "It's the Professor, Kaolinite, and the twins," Rei sighs, "Just had to be the toughest, didn't it... From what I can tell, the Professor seems really pissed. His aura is flaring up like I've never seen it before."
[16:06] * Usagi-chan looks grim. "I'll bet he knows then... well, it's up to you two. If you don't want to risk going inside, we can try watching the school for a while I guess."
[16:06] <Rei-chan> "No, that just gives them longer to prepare," Rei shakes her head. "I say we go in and get it over with."
[16:07] * Usagi-chan nods. "All right... how do you want to do this then?"
[16:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial nods. "Let's end this, then. Before anyone else gets stuck in it."
[16:09] <Rei-chan> "I say we use the tunnels to sneak up from that direction. If we have to fight, the rest of us will try to distract the Witches so Usagi can purify them," Rei suggests.
[16:10] * Usagi-chan glances around at the other senshi. "Probably best if we go in ready to fight then... no sense in wasting time transforming when we're already in trouble."
[16:11] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, there's a tunnel entrance nearby we can use. We'll transform there," Rei says.
[16:11] * Ami nods. "I'm ready."
[16:11] <Makoto> "So we're going in guns blazing?" Makoto says, cracking her knuckles.
[16:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Same here," Eudial nods too. "We'll burn this place to the ground in time for dinner," she grins a bit.
[16:12] <Rei-chan> "Try not to hurt anyone if you can avoid it," Rei reminds Makoto, "We want to help them, remember? And hopefully get them on our side for when we take on the Mistress."
[16:12] <Usagi-chan> "All right, Rei-chan, lead the way." Usagi nods to the raven-haired priestess.
[16:13] * Rei-chan leads everyone to a tunnel entrance she used for driving out of the school.
[16:14] <Usagi-chan> Once inside the tunnel entrance and out of sight of the street. Usagi closes her eyes. "Moon Prism Power, Make UP!" Ribbons and feathers fly as the odangoed blonde transforms into Sailor Moon!
[16:15] * Prince_Herb calls out "Dragon Prism Power Makeup!" and transforms into the silken-thighed fighter for love and justice, Sailor Dragon!
[16:15] * Makoto nods at Rei's reminder, as she raises her pen in the tunnel. "Jupiter Power, Make UP!"
[16:16] * Rei-chan holds her pen aloft, crying out "Mars Power, Make UP!" as rings of flame swirl around her, leaving her clothed once more in her distinctive sailor suit.
[16:17] * Ami throws a hand heavenward, crying out "Mercury Power, Make UP!" as water swirls around her, transforming her into the senshi of Wisdom, Sailor Mercury!
[16:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial watches the transformation with wide eyes. "Wow... Rei?" she asks. "You do know you just flashed me, right?"
[16:18] * Sailor_Mars stumbles out of her confident post transformation pose. "Wha?"
[16:18] * Sailor_Dragon blushes
[16:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> "When you transformed, you're naked for a few seconds," she comments. "All of you are to a degree."
[16:19] <Sailor_Dragon> "I'm glad you weren't looking at me, then..." Herb says, crimson-faced
[16:19] * Sailor_Mercury shrugs. "It isn't as though many people get to see us transform."
[16:19] * Sailor_Moon blushes. "Oh man... thank god we never do that in public then." Usagi makes a face.
[16:19] <Sailor_Mars> "I never noticed..." Rei says, putting a hand over her crotch and her forearm across her chest.
[16:21] * Sailor_Moon sighs. "Are you ready for this yourself, Eudial?"
[16:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial shakes her head. "Nevermind... and I'm ready," she says, whipping out her Fire Buster.
[16:22] <Sailor_Mars> "Right, let's go," Rei says, leading the way down the tunnel towards Mugen itself.
[16:22] * Sailor_Moon walks beside Rei. "Who's closest to us? All I can tell is that there are strong auras somewhere, not who they are."
[16:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> The tunnels are cold concrete, and rather dim. Despite this, you quickly reach a keycard door in the wall, which promises to lead inside. A swipe of Eudial's card causes the sturdy metal door to swing open noiselessly...
[16:24] <Sailor_Mars> "They were all pretty close to each other," Rei replies. "Probably in the lab getting yelled at by the Professor..."
[16:24] <Sailor_Moon> "All right then, where are WE headed?" Moon asks.
[16:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> "We aren't all that far from the Professor's lab," Eudial says quietly.
[16:26] * Sailor_Mars nods. "Try to hit one of the twins with a Moon Healing Escalation first. I bet if you get one it'll disorient the other a fair bit so you can get the other. The two are very strongly linked."
[16:26] * Sailor_Moon nods. "I'll do my best... it'll probably help if you can distract the other one while I try it."
[16:27] <Sailor_Mars> "They fight as a pair, so it'll be tough to separate them. But I can do it," Rei says grimly.
[16:27] <Sailor_Jupiter> "You have backup, Rei, don't forget," Jupiter states.
[16:28] <Sailor_Mars> "Yeah," Rei nods to Makoto, "They aren't the only ones who know about teamwork."
[16:28] * Sailor_Mercury summons the computer and visor and begins scanning their surrounding area.
[16:29] * Sailor_Moon stays alert, watching and listening for any sign of approach.
[16:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mercury - There seems to be a large cluster of underground rooms, as well as lots of machinery about.
[16:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> The hallways you pass through are very dark and shadowy, with strange capsules of water, like you'd see a creature held in in a movie. You can't make out what's in there, but the vague shadows show that each one is filled.
[16:32] <Sailor_Mercury> "Any idea what these are?" Ami says, gesturing toward the capsules while scanning them.
[16:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mercury - There are faint, inhuman life signs coming from the pods. They're at some level of being alive, and they aren't human.
[16:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> "They're the tubes that daimons are grown in," Eudial says grimly. "Each one contains a partially grown monster."
[16:33] * Sailor_Moon frowns at Eudial's words.
[16:34] <Sailor_Mars> "We'll take care of them after we deal with the Professor and the others," Rei says grimly, continuing onwards to the lab.
[16:35] * Sailor_Mercury continues forward.
[16:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> Through a final, wide door, you enter into what should be the lab. It's pitch black inside, though, except for a man sitting a goodly ways away. Professor Tomoe sits, the only light in the room coming from him. His shadowy mask is gone, his normal face highly amused. "Welcome, Eudial," he grins madly, his voice underlaid by something darker. "Welcome, Sailor Moon!"
[16:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Professor," Eudial snarls, pointing her Flame Buster at him. You can feel anger flowing off the former Witch in waves.
[16:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei - You can sense the other two in the darkness, but not quite where they are. They're probably behind the Professor, though.
[16:39] * Sailor_Moon narrows her eyes. "Professor Tomoe, I take it?"
[16:39] * Sailor_Mercury scans the professor.
[16:39] <Sailor_Mars> "We won't let your Mistress destroy the Earth, Professor!" Mars yells angrily.
[16:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Germatou, actually," it says, chuckling darkly. "Servant to Pharaoh 90, at your service," A flash of its old humor shines through...
[16:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mercury - The Professor has a daimonic entity inside of him.
[16:40] <Sailor_Mars> "Pharaoh..." Rei whispers, remembering that single word briefly flashing in her vision.
[16:41] <Sailor_Mercury> "Watch it guys. He's got one of those things in him," Mercury warns.
[16:41] <Sailor_Moon> "The only service you can do for me is to go back to wherever it was you came from, mister." Moon glares at the man.
[16:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> In response to that, it bends over in it's chair, laughing heartily. There isn't any comfort in its amusement, only a chilling and scary void. "I must admit, neither I or the Pharaoh ever imagined you'd be this good or this quick at interfering with us."
[16:44] * Sailor_Moon grins wryly. "Sorry to burst your bubble then, but there's no way we're going to let you continue what it is you're up to."
[16:44] <Sailor_Mars> "Why do you want to do this?" Mars demands, taking a step closer. "Why destroy everything?"
[16:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I thought so," it grins. "Fine then. You win," he says, laughing again. "Mugen is yours... the Pharaoh has all the time in the world to find the Talismans," he says. Giggling, he addresses Rei. "Wouldn't you like to know," he taunts. "No matter. I'm afraid the Pharaoh has another booking for me now... but do enjoy the parting gift I'm leaving you."
[16:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> The Professor's body jerks a moment, and slumps forward on the floor. The feeling of the daimon possessing him is gone all at once to Rei and Usagi, but the two Witches are still here. With a flash, the lights turn on brightly, flooding the room with white light.
[16:48] * Sailor_Mars blinks repeatedly, quickly adjusting to the new light level.
[16:48] * Sailor_Moon squints, shielding her eyes against the brightness as her eyes adjust.
[16:48] * Sailor_Jupiter likewise blinks, wincing a bit from the change, and states, "...wait, was that it?" somewhat confusedly.
[16:48] <Sailor_Moon> 'Stay on your toes, guys... this isn't over yet.'
[16:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> The room is now empty, you notice, all the equipment of the Professor's gone. A bit behind where the Professor lies slumped are Kaolinite and the Twins. "Traitorous bitch," Kaolinite hisses when she sees Eudial. "Yes," Cyprine agrees. "You've quite angered the Mistress," Ptilol chimes in.
[16:50] <Sailor_Mars> "Stop it!" Rei cries, "Why do you care what the Mistress thinks? She wants to destroy everything!"
[16:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> "She's going to kill you all if she gets what she wants," Eudial shouts. "What good does that do you?"
[16:51] * Sailor_Moon looks back and forth between the three women carefully, trying to gauge their strength.
[16:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Such disrespect," Cyprine tsks. "It is what the Mistress wants... so she shall get it!"
[16:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> Moon - All three are very powerful. Together, this could be a hellish battle.
[16:53] <Sailor_Mars> "You'd die for her?!" Rei says in disbelief. "Why? Why is she so important? Why do you care so much about someone who would throw your life away in an instant?"
[16:54] <Sailor_Mercury> 'Any ideas, Usagi? I don't think they're going to give us much chance to purge them all.'
[16:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> Raising her hand, a small blast of red energy lands just in front of Rei, burning the floor a bit. "Enough, you bitch," she cries out. "Enough with your disrespect for the Mistress!"
[16:55] <Sailor_Moon> 'I'm checking them out now... hold on a second.' Moon begins to look at the three for signs of their brainwashing, to see if it's the same as what Rei, Eudial, and Tellu all had.
[16:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> Usagi - You can see it around the twins, but not around Kaolinite.
[16:55] <Sailor_Mars> "You'll be saying differently in a minute," Rei swears, readying herself for the upcoming battle.
[16:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - I'd consider initiative rolls now.
[16:55] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 1d6
[16:55] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 1d6 and gets 4."
[16:56] <Sailor_Mars> roll 1d6+10
[16:56] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6+10 and gets 13."
[16:56] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+12
[16:56] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+12 and gets 16."
[16:56] <Sailor_Mercury> roll 1d6+9
[16:56] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 1d6+9 and gets 10."
[16:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[16:56] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 1."
[16:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[16:56] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 5."
[16:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[16:56] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 6."
[16:59] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 1d6+13
[16:59] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 1d6+13 and gets 16."
[17:02] <Sailor_Jupiter> From what she recalled of those power levels in Mercury's computer, Jupiter decides that lowering her power might be a bad idea, and so as she looks towards the Twins, she aims at one of them while calling up her attack. "Supreme Thunder Dragon!"
[17:03] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 2d6
[17:03] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[17:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[17:04] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[17:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> The lighnting flies forth, but Ptilol merely laughs. Turning in tandem, Cyprine catches the attack in her right hand, the energy going harmlessly into her!
[17:06] <Sailor_Jupiter> 'Well this is going to suck...' Jupiter thinks with a grimace, realizing that even with no kid gloves this is going to be hard.
[17:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Traitor to the Mistress and the Professor!" Kaolinite turns at Eudial, eyes blazing. "My Buster shall be your ticket to hell!" she cries. Raising her hand, a massive red ball forms and flies for Eudial, compacted energy aimed at the Witch!
[17:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[17:06] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[17:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[17:06] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[17:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Whoa!" Eudial cries, diving to the right, out of the path of the ball. It crashes into a wall, leaving a large circular hole where it did.
[17:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> Glaring up at Kaolinite and then back at the wall, Eudial fixes her eyes on the Witch. "You're going down for that!"
[17:10] * Sailor_Dragon wonders just how much of the school will survive these kind of attacks. "Dragon Spirit Attack!" she calls out, testing out Kaolinite's defences with a low-level attack
[17:10] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[17:10] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[17:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[17:10] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[17:11] * Sailor_Moon watches Cyprine absorb Makoto's attack. 'Rei, do you think you can distract the Twins with an attack so I can try to hit them with purification?'
[17:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> The black clad Witch blinks a moment as the attack passes by where she was, reappearing after it's safely past!
[17:11] <Sailor_Mars> 'Not a problem,' Mars replies, grinning.
[17:12] * Sailor_Dragon scowls, but was expecting something of the sort
[17:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> Still entwined together, the two twins speak as one. "Prepare yourself for the Twin Buster!" they chorus, a ball of red energy coming from Ptilol and a ball of blue coming from Cyprine! One hurtles at Sailor Jupiter, and the other at Eudial! (Blue at Jupiter, red at Eudial.)
[17:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[17:13] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 2."
[17:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[17:13] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[17:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[17:13] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 1."
[17:13] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 2d6
[17:13] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[17:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6+2
[17:14] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6+2 and gets 9."
[17:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sprinting backwards quickly, Sailor Jupiter dodges the vicious attack as it turns a large section of the floor to a melted mess. However, Eudial is not so lucky, the ball slamming right into her and propelling her into the wall!
[17:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> "AAAAAAAAHHHH!" Eudial cries in agony as she hits the back wall, landing hard.
[17:16] <Sailor_Mars> "Eudial!" Mars cries in alarm, turning to glare at the twins. 'One distraction, coming right up!' "Fire," she holds up her clasped hands, index fingers pointed outwards, "SOUL!" she cries, spraying a stream of flame at the entwined Twins.
[17:16] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[17:16] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[17:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[17:17] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[17:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> This time, they merely just evade the attack, laughing together. "Nothing to us! Nothing!"
[17:18] * Sailor_Moon times her attack carefully, releasing it as the twins slide out of the way of Mars' fireball. "Moon Healing Escalation!" Waves of sparkling energy stream from the end of the Lunar Rod towards the entwined girls!
[17:19] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[17:19] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[17:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[17:19] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[17:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> Cyprine spins, holding out her hand as if to take the purification to stop it. But at the last moment, her eyes widen hugely, unable to react when she realises what it is! The light pours over both of them...
[17:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> The two buckle and twist in the light...
[17:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Usagi, make a Soul check.
[17:26] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[17:26] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 12."
[17:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> The light clears for a moment, the Twins a bit stunned but still alright. "You dirty brat," Ptilol shouts, "Trying something like that on the both of us!"
[17:28] <Sailor_Mars> "Trying to help you see that you don't have to be slaves to the Mistress, you mean?" Mars asks, confused as to why it didn't work.
[17:30] <Sailor_Mercury> Picking her first target, Cyprine, Mercury crosses her arms, light coalescing into a sphere a hand's breath from her skin. She throws her arms open, the sphere exploding into a freezing shower of water racing toward her prey!
[17:30] <Sailor_Mercury> "Shabon Spray Freezing!"
[17:30] <Sailor_Mercury> roll 2d6
[17:30] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[17:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> The attack blows a thin, weak bit of ice and mist around, of little use in the brightly lit room!
[17:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial, meanwhile, begins to stagger to her feet, moaning.
[17:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Initiative.
[17:32] <Sailor_Mars> roll 1d6+10
[17:32] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6+10 and gets 14."
[17:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[17:32] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 2."
[17:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[17:32] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 5."
[17:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[17:32] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 4."
[17:33] <Sailor_Dragon> rolld 1d6+11
[17:33] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 1d6+11 and gets 14."
[17:33] <Sailor_Mercury> roll 1d6+9
[17:33] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 1d6+9 and gets 11."
[17:33] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+12
[17:33] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+12 and gets 18."
[17:34] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 1d6+13
[17:34] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 1d6+13 and gets 17."
[17:42] * Sailor_Jupiter tries to hit the two Twins, seeing that Usagi and Rei had focused their efforts on them. With a shout of "Supreme Thunder!" she raises her arms as an antenna raises from her tiara.
[17:42] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 2d6+1
[17:42] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 2d6+1 and gets 10."
[17:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[17:43] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[17:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> Again, the twins twist and twirl, batting away your attack like it's a bubble in the bath!
[17:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> Turning her glare on Sailor Moon, Kaolinite speaks as she aims her blast at her! "You little pest!"
[17:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[17:46] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
[17:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> The blast files left, however, making another nice dent in the wall!
[17:47] * Sailor_Dragon continues her attack, reckoning that a continuous stream of Dragon Spirit Blasts are bound to impact with Kaolinite sooner or later.
[17:47] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[17:47] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 2."
[17:48] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 1d6
[17:48] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 1d6 and gets 4."
[17:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[17:48] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
[17:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> The Dragon Spirit flies forth, cutting into Kaolinite's gut, sending a spray of blood out as it hacks away her flesh! She gasps, holding her stomach and staggering back!
[17:50] <Sailor_Mars> Glaring at the two twins (and not seeing the gory damage inflicted on Kaolinite), Rei focuses on Cyprine, reaching out telekinetically to grab her and yank her away from Ptilol, keeping her immobilised in the air so Moon can target her easier.
[17:50] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6-4
[17:50] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6-4 and gets 5."
[17:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[17:51] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[17:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> The twins are yanked apart, Cyprine yelping in shock! The energy Usagi and Rei sense from them fades considerably when they are separated...
[17:52] <Sailor_Mars> 'Now, Usagi!'
[17:52] <Sailor_Moon> Still maintaining her attack, Moon redirects it to bear completely on the immobilized Cyprine!
[17:52] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[17:52] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[17:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> The healing washes over the twin! This time, without the boosted power of being together, she is unable to resist the Healing!
[17:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> Both twins go bolt upright, then fall to the ground without another sound!
[17:54] * Sailor_Mars gently sets Cyprine down on the ground, sensing Usagi's purifying attack do its job this time.
[17:55] <Sailor_Mercury> Once again forming the glowing Mercury shouts "Shabon Spray Freezing!", directing the icy deluge toward the wounded witch to immobilze her!
[17:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> Meanwhile, Kaolinite is nearly doubled over as she stands, blood falling in a slow stream from her midsection despite her attempts to hold it with her arm.
[17:55] <Sailor_Mercury> roll 2d6
[17:55] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[17:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[17:56] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[17:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> The ice coats and freeze Kaolinite, a pain shout coming from her as she falls to the ground, icy crystals of blood still falling!
[17:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial, still staggering with a nasty looking burn over her entire front which has toasted most of her clothing, still points her Fire Buster at the falling girl!
[17:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[17:59] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[17:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> A wave of fire comes forth from it, frying the girl right after the ice gets her! She doesn't even scream this time, knocked down and back from the blast.
[18:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> She lands face down, and does not move in the least.
[18:01] * Sailor_Moon quickly looks over at Kaolinite, trying to get a look at her aura as the blast of fire erupts from Eudial's flamethrower.
[18:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Got her..." Eudial mutters, before falling to her knees, the Fire Buster clattering to the floor.
[18:01] * Sailor_Mercury scans her fallen enemy quickly with the visor.
[18:01] * Sailor_Mars turns away from the twins, just in time to see Kaolinite's end.
[18:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> Usagi and Ami - Kaolinite's aura is fading, and fast. She's dying or just died.
[18:03] * Sailor_Moon moves at incredible speed, pointing her scepter at the fallen mage. "Moon Healing Escalation!" she cries out desperately, trying to keep the woman's life from leaving her entirely.
[18:03] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[18:03] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[18:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[18:03] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[18:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> The light washes over her...then fades.
[18:04] * Sailor_Moon stares, panting slightly as she looks for any signs of life at all.
[18:04] * Sailor_Mercury continues to scan.
[18:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> Seeing her now, the both of you can tell from your scans that she died moments before the healing got to her.
[18:05] * Sailor_Moon collapses on her knees, her head drooping. "No... not again..." Tears begin to seep from the corners of her eyes.
[18:06] * Sailor_Mars goes over to Sailor Moon and kneels in front of her, wrapping her arms around the blonde and offering silent comfort, not really having any words that would help her.
[18:07] * Sailor_Mercury moves to help Eudial, shaking her head sadly.
[18:07] * Sailor_Moon sobs quietly. "I'm supposed... to help people... not watch them die."
[18:07] * Sailor_Jupiter sees Rei comforting Usagi, and leaves them be, going to help Mercury check on Eudial.
[18:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial is burned badly across her front, charred skin showing second and third degree burns. Her eyes are distant, her body shaking lightly.
[18:08] <Sailor_Mars> "You did everything you could," Rei whispers, stroking Usagi's head. "No one could ask for more."
[18:08] <Sailor_Mercury> "Usagi, we need help over here," Ami calls.
[18:09] * Sailor_Mars looks over in alarm, letting go of Usagi.
[18:10] * Sailor_Moon takes a shuddering breath and climbs to her feet at Ami's words. "I'm coming, Mercury." She looks up in alarm as she sees Eudial's injuries; ignoring her feelings for the time being, she once again calls forth the healing energies of the Moon. "Moon Healing Escalation!"
[18:10] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[18:10] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
[18:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> Only a few sputters of light come from the drained Usagi, only a tiny bit reaching Eudial. You don't see much, if any, improvement. The injured girl looks up, her eyes watery and foggy. "Rei...?"
[18:12] <Sailor_Mars> "I'm here, Eudial," Rei rushes over and takes her hand.
[18:12] <Sailor_Moon> "NO!" Usagi practically screams. "Not another one!" She focuses all her will on the magic, desperate for it to work as she tries to maintain the flow.
[18:12] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[18:12] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
[18:12] * Sailor_Dragon touches Usa-chan to lend her power to the Queen
[18:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> Again, nothing but a few fizzles come out from Usagi...
[18:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It hurts, Rei..." the girl murmurs, dazedly.
[18:13] * Sailor_Moon pours the last of her strength into the wand. "Work, damn it!"
[18:13] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[18:13] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[18:14] <Sailor_Mars> "I know, Eudial. But you're going to be okay," Rei promises, sending a pleading look at Usagi.
[18:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> Finally, a gentle light comes over Eudial, slowly soothing away the burns...
[18:15] <Sailor_Dragon> "Take my energy, Moon-hime." Herb says, trying clumsily to cooperate with the Queen
[18:16] * Sailor_Mars sags in relief, watching the magic do its work. "You'll be fine, Eudial. Just rest, now," she says gently.
[18:17] * Sailor_Moon holds the healing energy as long as she possibly can, blackness creeping up the corners of her vision as the last of her strength fades.
[18:17] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[18:17] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[18:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> The burns largely heal as Sailor Moon falls to the ground, Usagi Tsukino reappearing.
[18:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> The fog vainishes from Eudial's eyes, and she blinks. "Ugh... What happened?"
[18:17] * Usagi-chan collapses to the floor with a groan, the Lunar Rod disappearing as her transformation dissipates.
[18:17] * Sailor_Mars notices Sailor Moon falling, and rushes over to her, "Usagi!" she cries in alarm, gently cradling her unconscious form.
[18:18] <Sailor_Mercury> "Usagi!" Ami cries out, scaning her vital.
[18:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ami - Usagi has greatly overtaxed her body and her spirit. She looks to be utterly drained.
[18:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ami - Her vital signs are weak, but steady.
[18:19] <Sailor_Mercury> "She'll be ok, Rei. She just needs rest," Ami says. She scans Eudial again.
[18:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oooooh..." A moan comes from the battlefield, from Professor Tomoe who stil lays on the ground.
[18:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ami - Eudial is healed now, and in good health.
[18:20] <Sailor_Jupiter> Noticing that Eudial is safe, she hopes that this will allow Usagi to live better with what happened to Kaolinite.
[18:21] <Sailor_Jupiter> Hearing the professor, Jupiter moves to check on him and then the Twins if he's fine.
[18:21] * Sailor_Mars continues holding Usagi, watching the gentle rise and fall of her chest as she breathes.
[18:21] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Are you alright, Professor Tomoe?" she asks of the dazed man.
[18:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> Slowly, the man sits up and rights himself, his glasses on the ground and broken. "Hotaru?" he looks around frantically, shaking his head. "Hotaru?!"
[18:23] * Sailor_Mars looks over to see what the commotion is, showing no real desire to be seperated from Usagi right now.
[18:24] <Sailor_Dragon> "Who is Hotaru?" Sailor_Dragon asks the confused professor. "Don't worry, you're safe now."
[18:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> He reaches for his glasses and puts them on. When he does, you notice the runed lens is shattered, while the good one is still intact.
[18:24] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Hotaru? Who's Hotaru? I'll try to help you look for her," Jupiter says as she tries to calm down the professor.
[18:24] * Sailor_Mercury makes her way over to the Twins, pausing only briefly to see what the commotion is.
[18:24] * Sailor_Jupiter sincerely hopes that Hotaru wasn't Kaolinite's real name or some such.
[18:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> "She's my daughter," he says swiftly, "The Mistress 9..." he trails off.
[18:25] <Sailor_Mars> "Your daughter is the Mistress?!" Rei gasps upon hearing that.
[18:25] * Sailor_Jupiter pulls back shocked, at the statement of both the professor and Rei.
[18:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes," he hangs his head. "The vessel of Pharaoh 90, and the Bringer of Silence."
[18:28] <Sailor_Mars> "Where is she? And where did that Germatou thing go?" Rei asks.
[18:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I don't know!" he cries out, still looking around frantically as he gets up. He sounds panicked.
[18:33] <Sailor_Mercury> Keeping an eye on the man, Ami scans the Twins.
[18:34] <Sailor_Jupiter> "When did you last see her," Jupiter asks, wondering if maybe the daimon's surprise had referred to the professor's daughter and not Kaolinite and the twins.
[15:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ami - Your scan shows that the twins are unconcious. They have stable life signs, and are in no danger.
[15:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Today," he says, balancing his still wobbly form. "Before you got here."
[15:47] <Sailor_Mars> "Was she here? In that room with all the stuffed toys?" Rei asks, considering the almost infintesimal chance that maybe she's still there...
[15:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial stares at the Professor the entire while at these recent revelations. "...His own daughter?..." she murmurs, echoing Rei's sentiment.
[15:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> He blinks, then breaks into a straight sprint for the back door, which you remember leading to that strange throne room of sorts.
[15:49] * Sailor_Jupiter follows after the professor.
[15:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial breaks into a run as well, chasing after the Professor as he makes speedy haste to another part of the labratory.
[15:51] * Sailor_Dragon flies after Eudial, the professor and the beautiful girl soldier Sailor_Jupiter.
[15:52] * Sailor_Mercury stays back with the others, just in case.
[15:52] * Sailor_Mars looks torn, but decides to remain where here to watch over Usagi and the Twins. Picking up the blonde, she walks over to where Cyprine and Ptliol lie, sitting down herself and watching over them so they'll have someone to answer the questions they'll no doubt have when they awaken.
[15:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[15:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> Lead by a frantic Professor Tomoe, a caravan of sprinting Sailors head through more dark passageways under Mugen. Throwing aside a final steel door, you enter into a oddly room, dimly lit and with stuffed animals all about. In the center of the room is a seat - no, a throne. It's empty, with no sign of the Mistress who reigned there just before today.
[15:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> "HOTARU," the troubled man cries, zooming up to the throne.
[15:56] * Sailor_Dragon looks at the plushies and at the throne, and then at the Professor. "There's no one here."
[15:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> He stops there, and scoops up a little thing that was left on the throne...his head is hanged and limp. "She's gone..."
[15:58] * Sailor_Dragon looks around, to see where this Hotaru could have gone.
[16:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> There is no visible trace of this Hotaru, nor are there any signs that would point to any clues.
[16:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial slowly walks up to the throne, looking around the room as she does so.
[16:03] * Sailor_Dragon looks at the thing that the professor is holding. "What's that, Professor?"
[16:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> She glances at the Professor, then at what he's holding. It's a girl's barette, white.
[16:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> He clutches it in his hand, looking at it with intensity.
[16:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Dammit... Hotaru..." he mutters, despair and quite a bit of self-loathing written into his voice.
[16:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> ----
[16:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> Meanwhile...
[16:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> In another room, almost identical room to the one where Professor Tomoe despairs over the fate of his daughter, sits Hotaru Tomoe/Mistress 9. Away from her, in the shadows, a woman chuckles. "Soon enough, Mistress. Soon enough... we have time and patience..."
[16:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> ----
[16:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> A bit later, the caravan comes back to the battle room. The Professor is holding something as he comes in, his face clearly troubled.
[16:15] * Rei-chan looks up, a glance at everyone's expressions confirming her thoughts.
[16:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial shakes her head to Rei, then comes over. "How's Usagi?" she asks, while the Professor stumbles to his chair, sitting down numbly.
[16:18] <Rei-chan> "She's totally wiped out," Rei says, giving a fond look to the girl cradled in her lap. "All those healing attempts really took a lot out of her."
[16:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> She nods. "The daimon possessing the Professor and the Mistress are both gone," she sighs. "Just like that."
[16:21] * Sailor_Mercury makes her way toward the professor. "Excuse me?"
[16:21] * Rei-chan sighs. "We're going to have to figure out some way to track them down... we can't let them rebuild and just start all over again with a fresh batch of dupes..."
[16:22] <Sailor_Dragon> "Well, maybe the Professor can give us some usable information on the daimons that might help us track them down, as well as the addresses of the other victims."
[16:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> Slowly, the man looks up at Ami, as if seeing her for the first time. "Yes?" is his simple question, not seeing to overly care that his questioner is none other than Sailor Mercury.
[16:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah... we have to put an end to this," she agrees quietly. "Another Mugen would be a disaster," she sighs, remembering her recent life...
[16:25] <Sailor_Mercury> "I know you must be hurting now," she begins uncomfortably. "But we could really use your help. The other Witches, Viluy and Mimette; we need to know where they live."
[16:25] * Rei-chan looks over at the gutted/frozen/charred corpse of Kaolinite and sighs again. "Did Kaolinite have any family?"
[16:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh..." he murmurs. "Yes, it's all on my computer," he says absently, looking down at the white barette he still clutches.
[16:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> "No," he replies, not even glancing up at her body, still in his own thoughts.
[16:29] <Sailor_Mercury> "Where is your computer, sir?" Ami asks gently.
[16:30] <Rei-chan> "The computers are up in the office, Mercury," Rei calls over. "I'll show you them in a bit," she says, making no move from her current position.
[16:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's in my office. Third hallway, on the left," he says, still introverted. "All that, for this..." he murmurs, distantly, still staring at the hair ornament.
[16:32] <Rei-chan> "We'll get her back, Professor," Rei says determinedly. "We're not going to let Germatou and his master get away with this."
[16:32] <Sailor_Mercury> "Rei, can you watch everything in here?" Ami says, already making her way toward the location.
[16:33] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, I'm not going anywhere," Rei nods as Mercury departs. "You remember my passwords, right? Just use them."
[16:34] * Sailor_Mercury nods, heading out.
[16:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Thank you," he says, but stands up. "Wait. I'll go with her... and would you come with me, Rei," he says, still quiet.
[16:35] * Rei-chan looks at Usagi, feeling momentarily torn. After a moment, she sets the blonde down. "Look after her, Eudial," she says to the redhead, following the Professor.
[16:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial nods, bending down to watch over Usagi.
[16:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> Once in the hallway, he stops as the door closes behind the both of you. "Rei," he starts, looking ashamed, "For everything... I'm sorry."
[16:37] <Rei-chan> "I know, Professor," Rei says softly. "And I know you were just as much a victim in this as anyone else. There's nothing to forgive."
[16:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods. "And... Rei," he pauses a moment. "Germatou was starting to suspect something about you," he begins. "It thought your power ran far deeper than you showed... and after what I've seen here just now... are you Sailor Mars?" he asks.
[16:40] <Rei-chan> "No point in hiding it now," Rei shrugs. "Yes, I am. Though it's not something I want widely known, as I'm sure you can imagine."
[16:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods. "I want to ask you to convey my thanks to Sailor Moon," he says simply, starting to walk again.
[16:43] <Rei-chan> "I'll make sure she knows," Rei says to the departing Professor. "And I promise we'll find your daughter."
[16:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[16:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> Professor Tomoe's office, as it were, is a sprawling room full of strange items of science, with a desk near the right side wall with a computer. A short bit of work easily gets you the addresses needed.
[16:51] * Sailor_Mercury looks for any other information on the Deathbusters.
[16:54] * Sailor_Mercury is looking for information on daimons, selection for Witches process, details on their ultimate motives, and any information that may lead to finding them again.
[17:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> There is, as follows: Some technical details on the daimons, various information on the Witches and scanners, some basic plans, and other gobs of information.
[17:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> It looks to be a large wad of information, one that will take some time to read fully.
[17:19] * Sailor_Mercury shuts down and unplugs the computer, sliping the whole thing into her subspace pocket. "Ok, this should be useful."
[17:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you do so, Professor Tomoe enters, raising an eyebrow. "What exactly ARE you doing?"
[17:23] <Sailor_Mercury> "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing," Ami says, hoping it passes for an answer.
[17:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You're taking my computer," he asks, rather stunned over again by this development. "My... computer?"
[17:27] <Sailor_Mercury> "Yes. Yes I am," Ami replies curtly. "We'll need to be heading out now if we hope to reach the others. That is, if they haven't already taken off."
[17:30] <Sailor_Mercury> "It may hold the key to finding and combating the Mistress, professor. I'll need to look over this information thouroughly."
[17:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> He relents at that, sighing. "Very well," he says, "It's not a big deal, if that's what's at stake."
[17:32] <Sailor_Mercury> "If you want, I can return it to you after I've finished with it?" Ami suggests.
[17:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Uh, yes," he nods.
[17:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> ----
[17:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> Meanwhile, again.
[17:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> After Mercury left and Rei just walked back in, Cyprine and Ptilol begin to stir.
[17:44] * Rei-chan goes over to the Twins and kneels down between them. "How are you two feeling?"
[17:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Ooooooh..." Cyprine moans softly, Ptilol saying the same. They both open their eyes, looking around.
[17:58] <Rei-chan> "Do you remember what happened?" Rei prods the duo, hoping they'll both be a lot more civil now.
[18:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> "We were..." Ptilol starts, "Brainwashed," Cyprine finishes, scowling.
[18:01] <Rei-chan> "Yeah," Rei nods. "How are you feeling, now?"
[18:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> "We have a headache," Cyprine supplies, "And we're quite angry," the other says.
[18:03] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, I can imagine," Rei agrees. "Unfortunately the Mistress and Germatou are both long gone. And we don't have a clue where," she sighs.
[18:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> They nod, and get up. As they do so, the air around them glows a moment, Ptilol vanishing. "Damn," she sighs. "That little pest tried to control us!"
[18:08] <Rei-chan> "I don't suppose he blurted out any of his plans to you guys before we showed up?" Rei asks hopefully.
[18:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> Cyprine scowls again, picking up her staff. "That daimon? He has some half baked scheme to bring his Pharaoh into the world, we heard a bit about it."
[18:11] <Rei-chan> "I'm not really too sure about the Pharaoh thing," Rei shrugs, "The way I had it figured was if the Mistress got the Talismans she'd destroy the world somehow... maybe she's not powerful enough on her own and the Talismans will help summon the Pharaoh. I just wish we knew where they were hiding, now..."
[18:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Something like that," Cyprine agrees. "I think it's an extradimensional creature, probably a low level demon lord or even a rogue being," she shrugs.
[18:16] <Rei-chan> "Low level," Rei snorts, "Well, they were certainly enough to pull the wool over our eyes... for a while

Halbarad · June 25, 2006, 06:56:02 PM

[00:49] <Halbarad> -----
[11:05] <Ana-shower> A short while later...
[11:07] <Ana-shower> Usagi is moved up into the empty clinic by Rei and Eudial. The twins go off to the Witches room, while the others...(Tell me what you're doing, girls._
[11:08] * Sailor_Dragon waits in the clinic with the Queen.
[11:10] * Sailor_Jupiter is currently in the Mistress' room still, not really doing anything though.
[11:12] * Sailor_Mercury is once again with the professor.
[11:13] <Ana-shower> The Professor ends up in his office again, looking over some papers and thinking.
[11:16] <Sailor_Mercury> "Professor, is there any way to contact Mimette and Viluy? At the very least we can make sure they haven't disappeared with the others."
[11:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> He looks up from the document he was reading, his face tired and a bit haggard. "Telephone numbers, and addresses," he says.
[11:21] * Sailor_Mercury nods. "We'll need you to do the calls, I'm afraid. They would trust you, if they don't already know the situation. All we'd need is for you to call them here. That's all," she says sympathetically.
[11:24] * Sailor_Anastasia nods. "If you wish, I can."
[11:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> He goes to the office telephone and makes two short calls. They are to the effect of telling them to report immediately, both seem to go as planned.
[11:29] <Sailor_Mercury> "Thank you," she says sincerely. "You should stay out of the way now. We'll handle this from here, sir." She heads off to inform the others.
[11:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[11:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> Going back to the clinic, you find Sailors Dragon and Jupiter there, as well as Eudial. Rei seems to have stepped out for a moment.
[11:35] <Sailor_Mercury> "Ok, Mimette and Viluy are on their way here. If we act quickly we can subdue them quickly and with little fanfare until Usagi can work her magic. Eudial, are you the only one with an alternative means of entering this place?"
[11:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I don't think either of those two can get in easily," she says, "But they can get in any keycard door."
[11:41] <Sailor_Mercury> "Are there any paths they'd have to take to reach this area?"
[11:44] * Rei-chan returns to the room, sitting on a seat next to the bed Usagi is on. "Paths who'd have to take?"
[11:46] <Sailor_Dragon> "Tomoe-sensei summoned Mimette and Viluy to the school, Rei-chan."
[11:47] <Rei-chan> "Ah," Rei nods. "Well, if he didn't tell them otherwise, I assume the first place they'd go would be our office. I think Cyprine is still down there."
[11:48] * Usagi-chan groans slightly as she opens her eyes. "What... where am I?" she says weakly.
[11:49] <Rei-chan> "Usagi!" Rei turns to the blonde, taking her hand. "You're in the clinic at Mugen - you fainted after healing Eudial."
[11:49] * Usagi-chan turns to look at Rei. "Is she all right then?"
[11:49] <Rei-chan> "See for yourself," Rei gestures to the redhead.
[11:50] * Usagi-chan sits up after a moment, turning to look at Eudial.
[11:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'm fine now," she says, and her clear eyes seem to say as much. Her ruined clothing is hidden with a white lab coat.
[11:51] * Usagi-chan nods slowly, still seeming a bit out of it. "Glad to hear it... this has not been one of my better days."
[11:52] <Sailor_Mercury> "It get's better," Ami says. "Mimette and Viluy are on their way."
[11:53] * Usagi-chan sighs. "I don't think I can do anything for them right now... I still feel completely exhausted."
[11:53] <Sailor_Mercury> "Don't worry. I have a plan," Ami says confidently.
[11:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Then we'll have to stall them," Eudial says.
[11:54] <Rei-chan> "Well maybe if we talked to them they could break the brainwashing themselves like Eudial and I did," Rei suggests, sounding rather doubtful on that prospect.
[11:56] <Sailor_Mercury> "Do you really believe you can get them to listen?" Ami asks, not unkindly. "I recall mention of someone breaking someone else's jaw..."
[11:58] <Usagi-chan> "And they're not too likely to listen to any of the rest of us." Usagi shakes her head. "They don't know us, why should they believe what we have to say?"
[11:58] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Why wouldn't they believe the professor though?"
[11:59] <Sailor_Mercury> "Can we put him through this, though? He just lost his daughter. I'd rather we didn't."
[12:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Rei and I could stall them, perhaps," Eudial suggests, "Since the Professor is likely indisposed."
[12:02] * Usagi-chan nods. "That's probably the best thing... it's going to be a few hours before I can do much of anything to help them."
[12:04] <Sailor_Mercury> "We could render inoperative. A good shock or freezing could hold them until you're ready. Mimette shouldn't need even that much."
[12:07] <Rei-chan> "Mimette does hate us both," Rei nods, "But Viluy isn't that bad. Besides, Cyprine will be there as well. We can at least try talking to them."
[12:08] <Sailor_Mercury> "If you think it will work, I'm willing to give it a try. Eudial?"
[12:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial nods. "Let's try."
[12:10] <Usagi-chan> "Do you need me to come along too, Rei-chan?" Usagi gets off the clinic bed.
[12:11] <Rei-chan> "You're not going anywhere," Rei gently but firmly pushes Usagi back into the bed. "You need to rest. Eudial and I will go down to wait for them. I'll let you know if we need any help."
[12:11] * Usagi-chan crosses her arms and frowns at the miko. "I'm not made of glass, you know. Just because I'm tired doesn't mean I can't do anything."
[12:13] <Rei-chan> "I know that, Usagi. But there's no reason for you to overexert yourself. Just relax for now," Rei replies.
[12:14] * Usagi-chan deflates a bit. "All right, Rei. But let me know if you need me for anything." The blonde moves to sit on the edge of the bed.
[12:14] <Rei-chan> "I will," Rei nods, before starting for the door. "Coming, Eudial?"
[12:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah," she gets up, ready to go.
[12:15] * Rei-chan heads on down to the Witches 6 office.
[12:15] * Sailor_Mercury follows Rei out.
[12:16] * Sailor_Dragon follows, cloaking herself with her SEP field.
[12:16] * Sailor_Jupiter stays back, not wanting to make the two remaining witches any more nervous than they might become.
[12:17] * Sailor_Dragon hangs well back, unseen, in case of an emergecy
[12:17] * Rei-chan stops, noting the entourage. "Um... guys? If you're coming along, you'll have to stay out of sight. We don't want Mimette and Viluy panicking."
[12:18] <Sailor_Mercury> "I'll wait out here," Ami says, indicating the area outside the door. "If you need help..."
[12:19] <Rei-chan> "I'll tell Usagi telepathically, then she can tell you," Rei nods. "With luck we'll be able to handle things peacefully, though," she says, not really sounding all that confident of such a resolution.
[12:21] * Rei-chan resumes heading to the Witches 6 office once more.
[12:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[12:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> Twenty minutes later, Rei and Eudial are at the office. Cyprine is gone when you get there, but the other two arrive quickly.
[12:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mimette gives the both of you an evil look and settles down, while Viluy does the same with words. "The Professor said he needed us in," she says, "Where is he?"
[12:26] <Rei-chan> "He's probably in his office, but we can explain just as well as him," Rei begins neutrally.
[12:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> The blonde crosses her arms and frowns, while the silver-haired Viluy goes on. "What is it then, Rei?"
[12:28] <Rei-chan> "Quite simply, we've all been had. The Witches, even the Professor and the Mistress, we were all being controlled by someone... something else. A thing which wants to destroy the world."
[12:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> "She's right,
[12:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> " Eudial picks right up, looking down a bit. "We were all had by this THING for it's own aims."
[12:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> There isn't a reply at first, both Witches thunderstuck. If Mimette's mouth wasn't bound shut, it would probably be an open fly hole now. "What?" Viluy manages, blinking and staring a moment. "You're JOKING me."
[12:35] <Rei-chan> "It's no joke, I'm afraid," Rei shakes her head. "The Deathbusters are finished. The daimon that was controlling the Professor has left, and taken all the professor's daimon making equipment with it. The Mistress - who is the Professor's own daughter - is gone, too."
[12:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> Only laughter greets your comments - harsh, nasty laughter. Did you sound like this just a day ago? "That's absurd," Viluy asserts, shaking her head. "Just pathetic. Now where is the Professor, Rei," she says, a gleam in her eye.
[12:40] <Rei-chan> "It's not absurd," Rei says sadly, "You only think it is because you're still under the effect of the daimon's brainwashing - the same as we were earlier. Haven't you ever wondered why you gave your loyalty to the Mistress? What had she done to earn it? Haven't you wondered what makes the Talismans so important that people have to die so she can get them?" she asks, desperately hoping they'll put the pieces together themselves.
[12:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You're insane," Viluy says flatly, clearly not amused now. "I don't know or care what game you're playing, but it's a dangerous one," she growls, anger seeping in. Mimette is quieter, but she looks unhappy as well.
[12:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Rei's not insane, and neither am I," Eudial tries. "You're being controlled, even now," she tries with a bit of force in her voice.
[12:44] * Rei-chan sighs. "What danger? You two are the only ones still loyal to Germatou. Tellu and Cyprine have already seen the truth as we have. If you really want to, why don't you try asking the Professor?" she gestures to the phone at Viluy's desk. "He's in his office right now. Ask him."
[12:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> She glares at you harshly, taking her phone and dialing. "...Yes, Professor... Yes... What?" she says the last word flatly, "...................."
[12:48] * Rei-chan watches impassively. "Well?"
[12:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> She gently hangs up the phone, her face now a iron mask of coldness. "I don't know what you've done," she says levelly, and icily, "but I'm not going in for it."
[12:52] <Rei-chan> "Think of what you're saying, Viluy!" Rei tries one last time, "The Deathbusters wanted to destroy the entire world! How can you be loyal to that?"
[12:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I won't listen to it!" she suddenly shouts out, emotion pouring into her voice. "You're LYING, and I won't listen to it!" she growls, getting up. "I'll find the Professor myself!"
[12:55] <Rei-chan> "I'm not lying," Rei says, her voice softening, "You only wish I was. It's easier to believe I'm lying than it is to believe you've been serving something so utterly evil. Please Viluy, open your eyes. You can't continue like this," she pleads.
[12:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Please listen," Eudial pleads as well. "Can't you feel it, feel what's wrong? It's like there's something off you don't want to think about, right?"
[12:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Urgh," the silver haired baddie says, frustrated. She turns her back to you, almost sprinting out of the Witches room. Mimette looks at the both of you for a moment, her face momentarily torn, before following.
[13:03] <Rei-chan> 'Usagi, it didn't work, they're bolting!' Rei sends telepathically, running after the pair.
[13:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial follows, after taking a moment to ready her Gunk Cannon should it be needed.
[13:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - body check 'round the board.
[13:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[13:03] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[13:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[13:03] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
[13:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[13:03] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[13:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[13:03] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[13:03] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[13:03] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[13:03] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[13:03] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[13:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> Viluy dashes out, making good speed. Eudial is hung up trying to get her Cannon in place, and loses some ground while Rei stumbles. Mimette is just getting out the door...
[13:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sailor Dragon sees a set of dashing girls come out, Viluy, Mimette, Rei and then Eudial.
[13:09] * Sailor_Dragon rugby tackles one of the running witches; she can't tell them apart, but either one will do
[13:10] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[13:10] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
-------
Once more missing logs, but the gist is that Viluy and Mimette wind up gunked and taken to the clinic.
-------
[09:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> Despite her exhaustion with the events of the day, Usagi heads towards the office she was in recently, the one of the mad professor Tomoe. Up the elevator she goes, to the empty administrative areas...
[09:23] * Usagi-chan takes a deep breath. 'There's nothing to worry about, Usagi.' Still, the sight of the familiar hallways does make the blonde a bit nervous.
[09:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> As if mimicking the underway passages of Mugen, the lights are dim here, unlike last time. The scent of old coffee and printer ink fills the air as you go the heavy oaken door to Professor Tomoe's office. It's cracked open.
[09:24] * Usagi-chan pokes her head inside the office. "Professor?" she says quietly.
[09:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> Tomoe sits at his desk, his head in his hands. Slowly he looks up, amid the shadows of his tastefully low-lit office, his glasses off and his eye red. "Come in," he says simply.
[09:26] * Usagi-chan slowly steps inside the office, examining the man's aura as she does so.
[09:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> His aura still has shreds of black energy clinging to it, the last remnants of Germatou's possession... hopefully. Past that... his aura is that of a normal man's, not the tightly wound one of his previous persona.
[09:29] <Usagi-chan> "Hi, I just wanted to come see how you were doing." Usagi smiles a bit. "I thought you might have been hurt when you collapsed like that."
[09:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'm pefectly fine now," he says, his expression grave. "Germatou's hold is gone; I'm not possessed any longer," he shakes his head tiredly. "Are you alright as well?"
[09:32] <Usagi-chan> "I'm okay, just a little tired still." Usagi sits down in the chair she occupied the day before. "I'm sorry about your daughter, Professor."
[09:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Thank you," he says. "Further, thank you for all you and your friends did today. I owe you a debt..."
[09:37] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "You don't owe us anything at all. I - we were all more than happy to help you." Usagi looks a bit sad. "I just wish we'd been able to do more."
[09:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> He smiles wanly. "You did enough, Sailor Moon," he takes a moment for that to hang in the air, then goes on. "My daughter, Hotaru Tomoe, is the Mistress 9 and the vessel for Pharaoh 90 to bring the Silence into this world."
[09:42] * Usagi-chan doesn't seem overly surprised at Tomoe identifying her. "And what does that mean, exactly?"
[09:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Pharaoh 90 wants to bring Silence to the world; it would be the end of the world from our view." Tomoe picks up his glasses, putting them on.
[09:45] <Usagi-chan> "Do you know HOW he plans to do that?"
[09:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> "By finding three Talismans and summoning the Holy Grail," he says simply. "There's a bit more to it, but that's the general scheme."
[09:50] <Usagi-chan> "Is that what all that Heart Crystals stuff was about, then? Rei told me a little about it, but I didn't really understand it completely." Usagi looks thoughtful.
[09:50] <Rei-chan> There is a knock at the door before a raven-haired miko enters. "Hello?" she takes in the scene, "I'm not interrupting anything, am I?"
[09:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods, his head sagging a bit. He looks drained and tired. "Yes. The Talismans reside in the Pure Hearts of... hello, Rei," Tomoe stops mid sentence, nodding to the former Witch.
[09:51] * Usagi-chan glances over at the door and smiles. "Hi Rei-chan... I was just talking with the Professor a little."
[09:52] * Rei-chan nods as she comes further into the room. "Viluy and Mimette are both settled in the clinic right now - they didn't listen to us, but we were able to restrain them without hurting them," she tells them both. "What were you talking about?"
[09:53] * Usagi-chan gives the professor a short look before replying to Rei. "He was telling me some about Mistress 9 and Pharaoh 90 and what they're planning to do."
[09:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> "About Pure Heart Crystals," he says, picking back off, "And how the Talismans reside in them."
[09:55] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, I'm sure Germatou will still be looking for them, but without the support base he had here it won't be very easy..." Rei muses.
[09:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I would not be so sure about that, Rei," Tomoe comments. "He left without a fight, and I'm sure he had another backup plan if he did."
[09:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> After he says that, he shakes his head again, like he's tired. His eyes are bloodshot.
[09:57] * Usagi-chan gives the Professor a concerned look. "You should get some rest, Professor. No offense, but you look terrible."
[09:57] * Rei-chan deflates. "Yeah, you're right..." she shakes her head, "Anyway, the reason I came up was to ask if you have any photographs or personal belongings of your daughter I could borrow. They'd help me focus for fire readings to try and locate her."
[09:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> He merely nods to Usagi, then responds to Rei in a somber voice. "Of course," he even manages a small smile at that. "I have a photo of her right here, as well as her barette..." Then the smile is gone as he trails off.
[09:59] <Rei-chan> "We'll get her back, Professor," Rei says determinedly, walking over to the man.
[09:59] * Usagi-chan reaches over and takes the Professor's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.
[10:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Thank you," he says quietly, looking down at his hardwood desk before going on. "If I can help at all..."
[10:01] <Usagi-chan> "Just don't give Rei too much homework." Usagi smiles, trying to lighten the mood a bit.
[10:03] * Rei-chan snorts. "I'm just glad I don't have to leave another school so soon."
[10:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> He pauses at that. "That's another issue," he murmurs. "You girls have catchup to do... mostly..." he shakes his head. He really does look beat.
[10:04] * Usagi-chan quickly stands and goes over next to the Professor. "Come on, is there someplace here where you can get some rest?"
[10:05] <Rei-chan> "We can worry about it on Monday, Professor," Rei reassures him. "If you can just give me the photograph and barette, I'll do fire readings over the rest of the weekend. It'd be best if you just went home to rest right now."
[10:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods, taking a framed photo from the side of his desk and a barette from his poket, handing them over. The picture is of a smiling, 12 year old girl, with short black hair and violet eyes. She's cute.
[10:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'll go rest," he agrees, standing. "There are a few beds in the back."
[10:07] <Rei-chan> "That'd be best," Rei nods, hiding her shock at recognising the girl from her dream.
[10:07] * Usagi-chan glances over his aura one more time. "If you don't mind, Professor, I'd like to purify you too once I get my strength back. You still have a bit of dark energy clinging to you, and I'd like to make sure it's nothing serious."
[10:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Alright," he agrees tiredly, not debating the point. "Can you let yourselves out?" he asks as he walks to the door.
[10:08] * Usagi-chan nods. "Sleep well, Professor - and don't worry, we'll get Hotaru back for you." The odangoed blonde gives Tomoe a reassuring smile.
[10:09] <Rei-chan> "Yes, you just get some sleep now, Professor," Rei echoes Usagi's sentiments.
[10:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> He smiles one last time. He's surprisingly attractive without the shadows framing him, almost debonair even now as he exits.
[10:11] * Rei-chan turns to Usagi after he has left, showing the blonde the photo. "Usagi, Hotaru is the girl I saw in my dream."
[10:11] * Usagi-chan looks at the picture. "Is she?"
[10:12] <Rei-chan> "Definitely," Rei confirms, "I recognise her quite clearly..." she shakes her head sadly, "Who'd have thought a little girl like this could have been the Mistress..."
[10:13] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "We've got to help her, Rei-chan... I just wish I knew how or where to start."
[10:14] <Rei-chan> "Hopefully the Sacred Fire will help me," Rei says hopefully. "Anyway, lets go back down to the clinic. Everyone else is there right now."
[10:15] * Usagi-chan nods. "Sounds okay to me... I was just getting bored in there before."
[10:16] <Rei-chan> "I suppose you did miss all the fun with Viluy and Mimette," Rei gives her a small smile as she takes Usagi's hand, leading her out, "How are you feeling now, then?"
[10:17] * Usagi-chan smiles as Rei holds her hand. "Still kind of drained, but I'm not sleepy. It'll probably be a little while before I can help Viluy and Mimette, but hopefully they won't be any trouble until I can help them."
[10:18] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, they're both unconscious right now," Rei nods, heading towards the elevator. "If we're lucky they won't be so stubborn when they wake up, but I'm not too hopeful on that..."
[10:19] <Usagi-chan> "I guess they didn't listen then, huh?" Usagi says a bit glumly.
[10:20] <Rei-chan> "No, they just couldn't. But at least they didn't attack us, they just tried to run off... it just came as too much of a shock to hear the things we were telling them, I think..."
[10:21] <Usagi-chan> "Maybe we can talk them around in between now and when I've got enough energy to purify them myself?" Usagi says hopefully. "Once they wake up, anyway."
[10:22] <Rei-chan> "We can try," Rei sighs, "I tried dispelling the 'fog' in their auras myself with ofuda, but it was only partially effective." She smirks, "But it did at least knock them out," she adds, entering the elevator and pushing the button to take them to the floor the clinic is on.
[10:23] * Usagi-chan lens back against the back wall of the elevator and sighs. "What a day this has turned out to be..."
[10:24] <Rei-chan> "At least things have mostly turned out for the best," Rei gives the other girl an encouraging smile.
[10:25] <Usagi-chan> "I guess so..." Usagi smiles wryly. "Although those elves were enough of a pain by themselves, and now we've got this Germatou character to worry about besides."
-------
Another small gap...
-------
[11:12] * Serenity-hime returns Rei's smile. "I think I'm going to do just that." She leans her head to the side, resting it against Rei's forearm.
[11:14] * Rei-chan smiles softly at the contact. "You don't want to sleep like that, Usagi. You'll be sore when you wake up," she warns the girl.
[11:15] * Serenity-hime smiles wryly, straightening up her head. "Who says I'm going to sleep?"
[11:16] * Rei-chan shrugs, "Well, if all you're doing is relaxing, there's no harm in sitting, I guess," she says agreeably.
[11:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> The Witches are out most of the afternoon, with predictable results of remorse once they wake. Thus, another long day in the life of the Sailor Senshi comes to an end...
[11:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[11:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> The ice storm is just finishing Sunday, but it's still so nasty that everyone pretty much stays inside. Nothing of note happens on the monster attack front, and it's quiet otherwise. Monday seems to be the big day...
[11:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> Despite the difficulties of yesterday, Rei is now safe and sound at home, the ice coated Shrine quiet and empty today. This leaves Rei-chan with the time she needs to do what must be done.
[11:50] * Rei-chan enters the Shrine of the Sacred Flame, her thoughts clear as she prepares to meditate and find the Professor's lost daughter. The Mistress of the Deathbusters...
[11:51] <Rei-chan> Kneeling before the firepit, Rei places the photograph in front of herself, fixing the image of Hotaru Tomoe in her mind as she clutches onto the girl's barette, hoping the well-worn item still carries enough trace of Hotaru's aura to help locate her.
[11:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6+1
[11:52] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6+1 and gets 13."
[11:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei focuses on the fire, with the images of Hotaru in her soul... Slowly, she slips into the trance...
[11:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Soul check, Rei
[11:53] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[11:53] * Shai`Hulud --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[11:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> For the next half hour, Rei only sees the flimsiest traces of black hair and violet eyes, of no help whatsoever. Finally looking up, her face is slick with warm, salty sweat. These tiny fragments of sight are of no help to you...
[11:56] <Rei-chan> Unwilling to let it go with so much at stake, Rei focuses herself once more into a meditative state. "Sacred Flame, please help me," she beseeches the Kami of Hikawa Shrine to show her something more tangible.
[11:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Soul check.
[11:58] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[11:58] * Shai`Hulud --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[12:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> Twenty minutes later, the sweat soaked miko again opens her eyes, this attempt even less fruitful than the last. (-10 EP due to mental effort)
[12:01] <Rei-chan> Dispirited and tired, Rei gathers up the photograph and barette, deciding to take a bath and get some rest as she leaves the Shrine and returns to her house.
[12:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[12:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> The next morning dawns early for Rei, having fallen asleep early by chance. She wakes up refreshed, and ready for what should be a long, interesting day. Hopefully.
[12:16] * Rei-chan gets dressed in her Mugen girls' uniform, packing her bag with actual school supplies while her Witch uniform remains in the closet.
[12:17] <Rei-chan> That done, the miko heads off to school.
[12:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> The ice has mostly settled and the roads are dry now; the trip to school is uneventful. The halls of Mugen loom ahead to Rei, the poison purged. But where does she go now?
[12:19] <Rei-chan> Entering the main entrance hall of the school, Rei looks around in case any of the other former Witches have arrived.
[12:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> If they have arrived, they aren't around here. You only see smatterings of the normal student population...
[12:21] <Rei-chan> With a shrug, Rei decides the best thing would be to go directly to the Professor, heading over to the elevators so she can go up to his office.
[12:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> The adminstrative staff pay you no mind once they catch your face, the same treatment everyone gave you here... deference to the Witches...
[12:22] * Rei-chan continues past the other offices, knocking on the door of Professor Tomoe's as she reaches it.
[12:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Come," Professor Tomoe calls out. "It's open." His voice is strong again, and surer, not the tired warble from the day before yesterday.
[12:24] * Rei-chan enters, "Good morning Professor," she greets him with the same respect she always showed him in the past, checking to see how he looks today.
[12:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> His face is clear today, with alert eyes and a new pair of glasses. He dresses as he always had, minus a shadowy mask over his face. "Good morning, Rei," he nods. "You're here early. Did you get the note I left in the Witches office?"
[12:26] <Rei-chan> "No, actually," Rei replies, "I came straight up here. I didn't think there'd be anything for me down there."
[12:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> He turns to his computer, shutting off the monitor as you speak and pushing away the keyboard. "Ah. I left a note there for the Witches to report here."
[12:29] * Rei-chan nods. "Yes, looks like it's back to normal classes for us..." she sighs, "I tried searching for Hotaru yesterday, but other than a few glimpses I didn't get anything to go on... But I'm not going to give up."
[12:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I see," he sighs. "And to the second matter..." Tomoe glances at his watch a moment. "No, let's wait for the others. Would you like some breakfast while you wait?" he offers.
[12:31] <Rei-chan> "Maybe just a snack," Rei says agreeably. She'd already eaten, but it would be polite to accept.
[12:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> He makes a short call on the phone and soon a cart with refreshments is wheeled in. Breakfast stuff, juices and sweet rolls, along with a few fruits. A few moments later, Tellu comes in, dressed in the Mugen uniform as well. She looks short and almost meek in it now...
[12:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> She smiles at Rei, then pauses a moment at the Professor before nodding. "Good morning, Professor," she says, any sign of hesitation now gone after she saw his face.
[12:34] <Rei-chan> "Hi, Tellu," Rei says in a friendly tone, waving a hand which contains a half eaten sweet roll.
[12:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> The Professor merely nods to her, as if not to preempt the other girl's response. "Hey, Rei," she nods, getting a small carton of apple juice from the cart and sitting down. With the cart, a few more chairs were brought in, enough to accomodate all the Witches should they show. And a few moments later, Eudial comes in, dressed casually in the outfit she wore to the outing with you and Usagi.
[12:36] <Rei-chan> "Morning, Eudial," Rei greets the redhead, taking a seat herself.
[12:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Morning," she nods to the group, smiling at the shy Tellu a moment before sitting down herself, skipping breakfast. "Has the Professor talked to you yet?"
[12:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Not yet, Eudial," he says, shaking his head. "I was waiting for everyone else to get here."
[12:37] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, we're waiting on the rest," Rei nods.
[12:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Mimette won't be coming," Tomoe interjects. "I already spoke with her, so to speak, since due to her current condition, communication is difficult."
[12:39] * Rei-chan nods.
[12:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> A bit of small talk takes the room while you wait for more Witches - the nasty weather, the news of the morning, and so on. About ten minutes later, Cyprine enters, Mugen outfit-erized and ready.
[12:40] <Rei-chan> "Hey, Cyprine," Rei waves, wondering if Ptliol will appear or just stay... wherever it is she stays when not visible...
[12:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hi," she nods, taking two sweet rolls, two oranges, and two milks. "It's nice to come into a Witch meeting without a argument or a fistfight," she notes. "It might even be possible to nap in here."
[12:42] * Rei-chan chuckles slightly at that. "Yeah, friction's went way down among us, hasn't it?"
[12:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Better than catfights," Tellu agrees, smiling.
[12:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> Again, the group falls into pleasant chatter, only Professor Tomoe staying out of it. It feels right that he does, though, in his position of authority. Ten minutes later... Viluy is still a no show.
[12:45] <Rei-chan> "Wonder what's keeping Viluy?" Rei says, looking around for a clock to check the time.
[12:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> There is a clock on one of the walls. 8:43 AM. "I wonder if she'll show," Eudial speculates. "Maybe it's too much for her right now."
[12:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah... It was hard to me to even show up at Mugen today," Tellu echos the redhead. "Professor, have you heard from her?"
[12:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Not since Saturday," he shakes his head. "Perhaps she needs some distance - I'm sure Sailor Moon removed the brainwashing from her, so there is no worry from that."
[12:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> The most powerful living Witch nods, sipping her milk. "Viluy could be emotional," she noted. "When she wasn't neck deep in a computer."
[12:48] * Rei-chan nods, sighing. "She probably needs more time to process everything."
[12:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Regardless," The Professor raps lightly on his wood desk once, to bring order. "Let's get started then. If Viluy joins us later, she can be brought up to speed then."
[12:50] * Rei-chan turns her attention to the Professor, waiting to hear what he has to say.
[12:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> "First," he begins, standing. "I'd like to apologize to each of you again. Pharaoh 90 was able to use you because of my weakness," he says plainly, not hiding from his shame. "Because I wanted to protect Hotaru... he got a foothold into this world."
[12:52] <Rei-chan> "How did it happen?" Rei asks gently, "If you don't mind talking about it..."
[12:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> Tellu and Cyprine nod at this, while Eudial frowns a bit, glancing over at Rei with a raised eyebrow. "Yes," she nods, seconding Rei, "How were you possessed in the first place?"
[12:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> He sits at that, letting out a long breath. "Pardon the expression, but it is a long story. To begin..."
[12:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Several years ago, I was working on an experiment involving time/space relations with the real world and the unseen spatial and geometric dimensions. During this... there was an accident in the lab," he winces, recalling the day clearly.
[12:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> The Witches remain silent, Tellu sniffling slightly.
[12:57] * Rei-chan doesn't get all the techspeak, but has the impression the Professor accessed a dimension inhabited by Pharaoh 90. The idea of reaching another dimension through non-magical means coming as something of a surprise to her.
[12:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'm still not sure of the exact cause even now," he speaks softly, "But there was a large explosion. Hotaru... she was there, watching... she was right by the accident..." he pauses, needing a moment to compose himself. "She died instantly."
[12:58] * Rei-chan gasps quietly.
[12:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial sighs softly, while Tellu sniffles again. The last Witch is quiet, waiting for the Professor to go on.
[13:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> "When I found her... that daimon," a spark of anger fills that word, "offered to save Hotaru in exchange for possession." He looks up, his eyes clouded. "What could I say but yes?"
[13:01] * Rei-chan nods, unable to keep from understanding, much as she may despise demonic creatures.
[13:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> The Witches are quiet at this, merely nodding as well.
[13:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> "From there, Hotaru was raised as Mistress 9, the Messiah of Silence for Pharaoh 90 under my guidance." He sighs again, regret visible. "From there... the Mistress needed servants. Once humans with magical potential were found, they were made into willing servants."
[13:06] * Rei-chan hates to ask, but... "Can Hotaru survive if the possession is removed?" she asks hesitantly.
[13:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> "The Witches 6," Eudial says aloud, to the Professor's last comment.
[13:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I... don't know for sure," Tomoe says, then nods to Eudial.
[13:08] <Rei-chan> "We'll find a way, I'm sure," Rei asserts, even as she acknowledges to herself that death is preferable to never-ending possession.
[13:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes," he nods simply. "Further... what do you plan on doing now," he asks of each of you."
[13:33] <Rei-chan> "Germatou is still out there, and so are those energy draining elves..." Rei shrugs, "I'm still going to be pretty busy, I think..."
-------
More log gaps. Dammit.
-------
[17:18] * Usagi-chan sighs. "As far as it goes, I'm in favor of it, at least for now. Aside from having been brainwashed, they haven't done anything against us, and like Rei-chan said - if they do change, it'll be easier to see if we're there with them."
[17:19] <Makoto> "Isn't us going in with suspicious minds just asking for trouble though?"
[17:20] <Ami> "No more than going in blindly does."
[17:20] <Usagi-chan> "Why do we have to be suspicious?" Usagi replies. "Can't we just be cautious without thinking they ARE going to do something?"
[17:21] <Ami> "I didn't say they were going to do something, just that it would not be a good idea to assume," Ami says.
[17:24] <Rei-chan> "I think considering how upset they all were at the things they were doing while brainwashed, we can assume they're basically decent people," Rei puts in.
[17:25] * Ami shrugs. "Well, let's hope it doesn't matter in the end."

Halbarad · June 25, 2006, 07:29:09 PM

[09:32] <Rei-chan> ---------
[17:27] * Usagi-chan comes home with a grin plastered on her face after having spent some quality time with Rei after the meeting. "I'm home!" she calls out as she enters the house.
[17:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hello, Usagi," Ikkuko calls from the kitchen, as per usual. "Your Dad brought home steaks, so we'll be eating a bit late."
[17:30] * Usagi-chan positively skips into the kitchen, giving her mother a peck on the cheek as she does so. "Steaks sound REALLY good... especially since I've got some good news for you." She grins.
[17:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh," she asks, smiling. "It's a good day for our family - your father got a raise, and Shingo brought home an A+ on his recent test," she notes.
[17:32] <Usagi-chan> "You guys aren't going to BELIEVE what I've got to tell you... but I'm keeping it a secret until dinner." Usagi giggles.
[17:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you speak, you can smell steaks cooking in the oven broiler and potatoes as well.
[17:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> She nods. "You didn't find a boyfriend, did you," she teases with a smile and wink.
[17:33] * Usagi-chan blushes. "Well... not exactly, but my good news isn't about that."
[17:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Well, then... since you're in such a good mood, why don't you go make the table," she instructs. "We'll be eating in about twenty minutes."
[17:34] <Usagi-chan> "Sure thing!" Usagi does as requested, her footsteps light as she hums to herself. 'Just WAIT until they see that scholarship...' She giggles to herself at the thought.
[17:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> Dinner is set up shortly after, Shingo coming from his room and Kenji from the living room. Over dinner, "As you heard, I got a raise at work today," he begins, smiling broadly. "We'll be able to take an extra vacation this year now, as well as put away more money for Shingo's college."
[17:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> "That's wonderful, dear," Ikukko nods. "Maybe we could even manage a trip to Hawaii or the Caribbean," she muses, sunny beaches in her blue eyes.
[17:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> As she says this, you notice a new ring on your mother's finger. It's diamond, and quite pricy if it's real. From the way she's been glowing with happiness today....
[17:39] * Usagi-chan smiles, the envelope sitting next to her chair. "And like I told Mom earlier, I got some good news today myself."
[17:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes, Usagi," Kenji asks, glancing at Shingo. He's being quiet and obedient, not risking starting something to ruin such good news. "Did you do well on another test, dear?"
[17:41] <Usagi-chan> "Sort of." The blonde giggles. "To be honest... I got a full scholarship to Mugen Gakuen. I just found out about it today."
[17:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> *PLUNK!* The sound of your mother's fork hitting her plate echos, Ikkuko and Shingo staring at you in utter shock. Kenji, on the other hand, calmly takes off his glasses, wipes them off with his napkin before putting them back on, and then smiles. "No, really. What's your good news, Usagi?"
[17:43] * Usagi-chan reaches down next to her chair, still grinning, and takes the envelope, pulling out the letter and certificate and handing them to her father. "I'm serious, Daddy."
[17:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> With a bemused expression, he takes the documents, reading them throughly. "..... ..... ..... ...... ..... ..... ..... ..... Usagi, are you sleeping with a professor there," Kenji says, his face scowling. "What piece of dirt got his hands on my daughter, USAGI?" Meanwhile, Ikkuko's is doing her impression of a fish out of water, while Shingo is still just staring.
[17:46] <Usagi-chan> "DADDY! It's nothing like that, I swear!" Usagi fumes. "I just helped Professor Tomoe out, and he said I could come to Mugen as a way of saying 'thank you'."
[17:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> He blinks at that name. "Professor Souichi Tomoe, the founder of Mugen? That's who... at least you went to the top," he says, his voice strangely calm now. Or in shock, whichever.
[17:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> You can almost hear his gears grinding against each other inside, and see the showers of sparks coming from his ears.
[17:48] * Usagi-chan sighs. "It's nothing like that, Daddy. And yes, it's Souichi Tomoe." Usagi lowers her face for a moment. "I still have to help him find his daughter though," she says quietly.
[17:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> Coming a bit out of her daze, "Find hir daughter? Do you mean you helped him as Sailor Moon, Usagi?" Ikkuko asks, her steak forgotten.
[17:50] * Usagi-chan nods slowly. "He and some of his students were being controlled by something, and I helped purify them of it." She seems hesitant to go into too many details, however.
[17:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ikkuko nods. "Usa-" Kenji starts, but Ikkuko cuts him off. "Shut up, dear," she says forcefully, surprisingly so. "You mean... you'll be going to the best school in Tokyo now, Usagi?"
[17:51] <Usagi-chan> "I..." Usagi hesitates. "I'm thinking about it still, but I'd really like to. Rei-chan goes there..." This elicits a very faint blush from Usagi. "and I know it's a really good school. I just don't know if I'm good enough for it, though."
[17:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Usagi, you're going if he's offering," Ikkuko says, even more forcefully than before. Her face is serious now, despite Kenji's sputterings in the background. "Not only would going bring honor on our family and be a huge accomplishment for yourself, the status from going to that school will help you go to a good college or get a good job after you graduate."
[17:55] * Usagi-chan can't stifle a small giggle as her mother mentions a job after graduating. "Rei said he could get us tutoring if we needed it, so I thought I could go talk to him about it tomorrow after school."
[17:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> She nods. "Get a starting date so we can get you a uniform," she nods, "And set up tutoring."
[17:56] <Usagi-chan> "I guess it would help me get into a good college though..." Usagi says thoughtfully. "I hadn't really thought about that."
[17:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes it will, Usagi." Ikkuko agrees, giving Kenji a kick under the table when he tries to open his mouth again. "You've pulled up your grades while managing as Sailor Moon. Mugen shouldn't be a problem for Sailor Moon, will it?"
[17:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> There's more than a touch of steel in the last part of the sentence, her voice indicating that as far as she's concerned, Usagi accepting is a foregone conclusion.
[17:58] * Usagi-chan smiles. "I HOPE it'll be LESS of a problem for Sailor Moon... the Professor knows who I am, so it's not like I'll have to make up a ton of excuses if I have to leave class in a hurry."
[17:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> "That's useful," she agrees, thinking back to the times she had to make up reasons for Usagi leaving class without reason. "And it will save me a few parent/teacher conferences."
[18:01] * Usagi-chan nods. "Anyway, I'll let you know what the Professor has to say tomorrow after I talk to him - maybe set up a meeting for you with him if that's what you want."
[18:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> "That's a good idea, Usagi-chan," she smiles. Shingo, for his part, is venturing into his dinner while sending wide-eyed glances at Usagi. Kenji is still in a state of primal stuttering, his brain frankly overloaded.
[18:03] * Usagi-chan can't help but send her goggle-eyed brother a cheeky grin.
[18:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> Shingo can't even really manage much for that right now, looking back at his half eaten dinner.
[18:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> Later, after dinner, in the living room.
[18:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> Shingo was sent off to do homework right after dinner, at the unusually firm behest of your mother. Once in the living room, Ikkuko sits primly on the couch with Kenji. "Usagi-chan," she starts. "I know you've stuggled with school. But you've also grown up in the past year... I'm sure you'll do fine at Mugen."
[18:07] * Usagi-chan nods, smiling slightly. "I hope I can... I do want to go, although it does mean I'll have to leave behind a lot of my friends at Juuban. I kinda don't want to do that, but I want to go to Mugen at the same time. It's hard."
[18:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's no problem, Usagi. You can still see them after school, and you'll make plenty of new friends at Mugen," she says, batting aside your objections. "You're just spreading your horizons some."
[18:10] * Usagi-chan fidgets with her hands a little. "I know, I'm just nervous, I guess. It's a big change - I've been with most of the same people in school since I first started, and now I'm going to be in a whole new group."
[18:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You'll do fine," she assures you again, smiling now. "Right, Kenji," she asks, giving him a bit of a nudge.
[18:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Usagi'll do fine," he repeats, still trying to grasp another night of bombshells.
[18:17] * Usagi-chan giggles at her father's reaction. "You okay, Daddy?"
[18:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'm fine, Usagi dear," he smiles a bit, getting up and yawning. "Oh, I'm tired so I'll hit the sack early," he says, going to the stairs, still shaking his head.
[18:19] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "I didn't think you guys would believe me when I said it... although the look on the baka's face was priceless." She grins.
[18:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ikkuko allows herself a smile. "Usagi... what exactly happened," she asks. "It must have been something huge if you got a free scholarship to Mugen and he knows you are Sailor Moon."
[18:21] * Usagi-chan gets quite a bit more solemn at that. "It is... I... I'd rather not say, I guess. I don't want you to worry about me." She looks up and gives her mother a smile. "We'll take care of it though."
[18:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ikkuko ponders a moment, then nods. "Alright, for now. But later," she emphasizes, "We're going to have a long talk about this."
[18:24] * Usagi-chan nods. "I promise I'll tell you later."
[18:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> She smiles, willing to accept that for now. Then, as if her smile isn't up to muster, she grins and rushes forward, hugging you. "Usagi, I'm so proud of you..."
[18:25] * Usagi-chan is surprised at the sudden hug, but she returns it after a second. "Thanks, Mom..."
[18:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Even if you didn't get into Mugen the normal way, you're doing so much better at everything now," she smiles. "I was worried we'd have to marry you off or get you a easy job somewhere."
[18:27] * Usagi-chan gives her mother a wry grin. "I think I've got the job picked out already, and it's definitely not an easy one."
[18:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> "What do you have in mind, Usagi," she asks, curious.
[18:29] <Usagi-chan> "Probably the last thing you'd ever guess... but I'm still waiting to see how it turns out. I've kind of started on it already." Usagi says somewhat cryptically.
[18:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ikkuko smiles. "You're thinking about going to college," she asks, curiously further. "You didn't freak out like you did the last time I mentioned it."
[18:31] <Usagi-chan> "...yeah, I am." Usagi nods. "I think I know what I want to study, too - it has to do with that job. I just hope I can get into a good college."
[18:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> "If you even get C's at Mugen, getting into a good college will be easy," she agrees. "If you do well at Mugen, you could even manage Tokyo University..." she trails off, pondering Usagi at that sort of school.
[18:32] * Usagi-chan raises her eyebrows. 'Toudai? Me? Wow...'
[18:34] <Usagi-chan> "That WOULD be really cool... but college is a long way off yet." Usagi sighs. "I guess I'll have plenty of time to think."
[18:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> "There isn't any hurry," she agrees. "But I'm also glad to see you're thinking about your future. Before Sailor Moon, all you thought from the future was getting a boyfriend."
[18:36] * Usagi-chan shakes her head, blushing slightly. "Having a boyfriend wasn't all it was cracked up to be, that's for sure."
[18:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> Blink. "You had a boyfriend, Usagi," she asks quickly after blinking.
[18:37] <Usagi-chan> "Sort of, yeah." Usagi says wryly. "Remember back in December when I told you about Mamoru?"
[18:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes..." she says, letting you go on.
[18:39] <Usagi-chan> "Well... I guess you could TECHNICALLY say he was my boyfriend for a little while..." Usagi waffles. "But things... weren't working out very well."
[18:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> She frowns, sitting back down. "I see," she says neutrally. "You 'broke up' this 'technical' relationship?"
[18:40] * Usagi-chan nods, not elaborating any further.
[18:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> She lets it go again. Maybe she's in such a good mood from today that you're not getting roasted? "You're not seeing anyone now, at least? Right?" she goes on, trying to assure herself.
[18:41] <Usagi-chan> "Um..." Usagi blushes, not sure exactly how to broach the subject of her new-found relationship with Rei.
[18:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Um...? I don't like the sound of that, Usagi. Don't keep secrets from your mother," she warns, slipping into her parental mode.
[18:42] <Usagi-chan> "Well... kind of." Usagi squeaks.
[18:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Kind of," she asks. "Usagi Tsukino... spill it."
[18:44] * Usagi-chan closes her eyes tightly. "You're going to hit the roof if I tell you who it is."
[18:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> She blinks, then smiles. "Oooooh..." she croons, a mix of happiness and amusement. "It's Umino, isn't it?"
[18:46] <Usagi-chan> "Umino?! Oh god no, never in a million years!" Usagi makes a face. "Not if he was the last person on Earth!"
[18:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh," she says, deflating slightly. "Then who is it?"
[18:48] <Usagi-chan> "You promise you won't get mad?" Usagi asks in a small voice.
[18:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> She sighs, going back to a more serious demeanor. "After the previous news, I don't think I'd be mad if you were dating the President of the United States."
[18:49] * Usagi-chan sighs. "I don't have a boyfriend... I have a girlfriend." she says quietly.
[18:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> "What?" is her only response, looking down at you sharply. Her face is again surprised.
[18:51] * Usagi-chan nods in confirmation. "It's Rei." she says, almost too quietly to be heard.
[18:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> "That shrine girl," she echos, even though she already knows that's correct. She closes her eyes and leans back on the couch, not responding...
[18:55] * Usagi-chan nods, closing her eyes as well.
[18:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> She sighs after a little while of silence. "Have you always been a lesbian, Usagi?" she asks, her voice tired. "I would have spared you the Unimo press, at least, if you'd told me."
[18:58] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "I didn't even know until the end of last week myself," she says meekly.
[18:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> She sighs again, not replying for another good while. "You're sure you really want to... get together with Rei?"
[18:59] <Usagi-chan> "I... I'm sure." Usagi nods.
[19:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> A third sigh. She does open her eyes now, her face grave. "I can't say I'm overly happy about this," she openly admits. "and I hope it's just a phase or a schoolgirl crush gone a bit out of bounds. But... we'll deal with it, Usagi-chan. Just like you're Sailor Moon."
[19:02] * Usagi-chan nods slowly. "Sorry, Mom..."
[19:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Thanks," she says quietly. "Your Dad will be hurt, too," she observes. "In spite of his overprotectiveness, he was looking forward to grandchildren..." Ikkuko then smiles a bit, wanly. "But if Rei makes you happy... Shingo'll just have to take care of that part of the family life."
[19:05] * Usagi-chan winces slightly at the thought of her father's reaction. "I really didn't mean to hurt you with this... I didn't even expect it to happen." Usagi looks down. "I didn't really expect anything after I let Mamoru go." she whispers.
[19:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's alright..." she says, only half believing it. "Heck," she smiles, a bit twistedly, "You've been spending so much time with her after she lost Minako. I should have seen it coming."
[19:09] * Usagi-chan nods, blushing a little. "I think that is when I started to get a lot closer to her - but nothing like that at first." she finishes hurriedly.
[19:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Comforting a heartbroken friend," she observes, nodding. "A romance book thrown upside down." Ikkuko still smiles, both twisted and a bit sad.
[19:11] * Usagi-chan is a bit downcast, seeing her mother's expression.
[19:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> "She didn't seduce you, did she," she asks, as her mind works on. "You went into this willingly?"
[19:16] <Usagi-chan> "I... did." Usagi thinks back over the events of the past few weeks, from the first kiss at the sleepover through the end of last week. "I - we both chose to go into it."
[19:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> She nods again. "Why don't you go upstairs and study," she says suddenly. "I'm sure you have some homework tonight."
[19:18] * Usagi-chan nods silently, collecting her bookbag before heading up the stairs.
[19:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[17:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> The next day goes by at a drag, the interest in class minimal. Besides Makoto's much more interesting lunchtime, the day crawls by.
[17:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> After the last bell rings, the girls again head to Rei's temple. It's sunny today, with the ice storms of the weekend a forgotten memory.
[17:31] * Usagi-chan has been glancing at the contents of her envelope all day, thinking over whether she could actually make it as a student at Mugen.
[17:33] * Usagi-chan hurries up the steps of the shrine, looking around for Rei as she enters the temple grounds.
[17:34] * Rei-chan is standing by the edge of the courtyard, broom in hand, idly sweeping with a faraway look in her eyes. She hasn't noticed Usagi arrive.
[17:35] * Usagi-chan sneaks up behind the miko, slipping her arms around Rei's waist and leaning forward to kiss the miko on the cheek before she can react.
[17:38] * Rei-chan jolts slightly, "I must be getting sloppy, I never even noticed you," she murmurs, turning her head to kiss Usagi on the lips before belatedly looking around in case anyone saw.
[17:38] * Usagi-chan giggles and releases Rei. "You looked like you were a million miles away, so I thought I'd give you a little surprise."
[17:39] * Makoto drops her schoolbag as Rei looks straight at her right after kissing Usagi. "...Buu...wha..." she says eloquently while pointing at Usagi and Rei.
[17:39] <Rei-chan> "... busted..." Rei mutters, not really hearing Usagi as she looks at Makoto.
[17:40] * Usagi-chan turns to look at Makoto, going bright red as she catches the brunette's flabbergasted expression. She smiles halfheartedly. "Well, we WERE going to have to tell everyone sooner or later..." she murmurs to Rei.
[17:41] <Rei-chan> "Yeah... guess so..." Rei replies, not looking terribly enthusiastic. "Hey, Makoto," she waves lamely at the taller girl, "Surprised?"
[17:41] <Makoto> "Wha? This has been going on for a whi... oh. Fiery kiss. Right..." Makoto starts yelling, but slowly dropping her tone to a small mumble before smacking herself in the head.
[17:41] <Makoto> "I can't believe I didn't catch it!" she grumbles.
[17:42] * Usagi-chan giggles, still blushing. "Well, it was true..."
[17:42] <Rei-chan> "Well, we only really got together on Friday..." Rei blushes, 'Even though we kissed well before that...'
[17:43] <Makoto> "...F-friday?" Makoto stammers out as she thinks of something else that happened on friday, and her face involuntarily turns red as Alan's face pops into her head.
[17:44] * Usagi-chan nods shyly, looking over at Rei. "It really hasn't been all that long."
[17:45] <Rei-chan> "We haven't really had the chance to do all that much with all the other stuff going on over the past few days..." Rei agrees. 'Wonder why she reacted so strongly to that particular day?'
[17:46] * Usagi-chan glances up at Rei's thought, finally catching sight of Makoto's crimson cheeks. "You okay, Mako-chan?"
[17:48] * Rei-chan takes Usagi's hand. "This doesn't bother you, does it?" she asks the brunette, a bit hesitantly since Makoto did miss pretty much her entire lesbian relationship with Minako. Lucky for her...
[17:49] <Makoto> "No, not at all!" Makoto says with a rapid shake of her head, trying to ignore Usagi's question.
[17:50] <Usagi-chan> "We would have said something sooner, but neither one of us could figure out how." Usagi mumbles.
[17:51] <Rei-chan> "Yeah... we were pretty surprised at it ourselves, we didn't really know how to tell you guys..." Rei agrees, blushing.
[17:55] * Makoto scratches her head, somewhat dazed. "I... guess I can understand."
[17:56] * Rei-chan considers now asking about Alan, but decides it might not be very appropriate. "Anyway, you guys want to come inside while we wait on Ami and Herb?"
[17:57] * Prince_Herb walks through the gateway into the temple courtyard just as these words are spoken and gives the others a cheery wave.
[17:57] <Usagi-chan> "Sure, we might as well." Usagi smiles, giving Rei's hand a squeeze.
[17:57] <Rei-chan> "Oh, just Ami, then," Rei says, noticing Herb's arrival.
[17:59] <Makoto> "I wonder if she had another problem to deal with like yesterday..." Makoto wonders out loud, while thinking to herself with a cattish grin, 'and I wonder if that problem is a guy...'
[18:00] * Usagi-chan giggles as she picks up on Makoto's thought. 'Just like you have a 'problem' named Alan, right?'
[18:01] <Rei-chan> "Anyway, let's go inside while we wait," Rei leads the others to the house, "I need to get changed anyway," she gestures at her hakama.
[18:01] <Prince_Herb> "Should I go as I am?" asks Herb, worriedly.
[18:02] * Usagi-chan waves a hand at Herb. "You're fine, Herb."
[18:02] * Makoto blushes. 'He's... not a problem.'
[18:02] <Makoto> 'Much.'
[18:02] <Rei-chan> Entering the living room, Rei lets go of Usagi's hand, "I'll be back in a minute," she tells everyone, heading off to her bedroom.
[18:04] * Usagi-chan grins. 'So how are things going with you two, Mako-chan?' the blonde sends as she nods to Rei.
[18:04] <Makoto> 'How are things going with -you- two?' Makoto thinks back.
[18:06] * Usagi-chan blushes, thinking back to the cozy evening she spent with Rei on Friday night. 'Really... nice,' she sends somewhat lamely. 'It really caught me by surprise, but... I can't say I'm not really happy about it.' She looks down shyly.
[18:08] * Makoto smiles at Usagi's response, and decides to reveal what happened on Friday. 'A surprise... I could say the same about what happened Friday night.'
[18:09] * Usagi-chan looks up, a twinkle in her eye. 'Oh really? And just what DID happen on Friday night?'
[18:09] <Makoto> 'I was blushing because I was remembering my Friday night, not because of yours,' Makoto sends with a small smile as she thinks back to that night.
[18:11] * Usagi-chan leans forward, her elbows on her knees. 'Come on, then - spill it!' she thinks eagerly.
[18:14] <Makoto> 'He... I... we kissed and it was just so...' she starts thinking before wrapping her arms around herself. '...Wonderful.'
[18:15] * Usagi-chan smiles warmly. 'I... know what you mean, Mako-chan.' She leans back, still looking at the brunette. 'So did you kiss him or did he kiss you?'
[18:15] * Prince_Herb watches with some amusement as the two girls have their silent conversation.
[18:16] <Prince_Herb> 'It must be far too smutty for me, judging by their expressions,' he thinks.
[18:17] * Rei-chan returns, now dressed in a sleeveless purple top and unbuttoned flannel shirt with pale blue trousers. "Ami still hasn't arrived?" she asks, sitting down next to Usagi.
[18:18] * Makoto quickly unwraps herself at Rei's entry, remembering that Herb was also in the room, and looks away, distractedly, with a blush in her cheeks.
[18:19] <Rei-chan> Blinking, Rei looks at Usagi, 'What did I miss?'
[18:19] * Prince_Herb sees that blush on Makoto's cheeks and thinks his worst fears are confirmed.
[18:20] * Usagi-chan glances over at Rei. 'I'll fill you in later... let's just say I found out what Mako-chan was blushing about.' She looks back at the tall senshi. 'So which was it?' she sends.
[18:20] * Rei-chan just gives Makoto a knowing look and smirks, her suspicions regarding Alan running rampant.
[18:21] <Makoto> '...both.' Makoto grudgingly admits. 'I kissed him once on the cheek, then the other two times he kissed me on the lips.'
[18:22] * Ami enters the room. "Hey guys."
[18:22] * Usagi-chan smiles. 'Well, I'm really happy you found someone, Mako-chan. I hope you guys have a great time together.'
[18:22] <Prince_Herb> "Hiya, Ami-chan!" Herb says.
[18:23] <Rei-chan> "Hey, Ami-chan," Rei waves, standing up. "Okay, now we're all here, shall we be off to see the Professor?"
[18:23] * Usagi-chan stands up as well. "I'm ready if you guys are."
[18:24] * Ami waves in a vaguely distracted way. "Ready."
[18:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[18:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> It's getting towards dusk when you reach Mugen, the vast majority of the students having gone home for the day already. The last rays of sunshine fade behind the school as you enter.
[18:28] * Usagi-chan grins wryly. "At least I'm not sneaking in this time."
[18:29] <Rei-chan> "At least the place isn't a den of evil this time," Rei adds with a grin of her own, heading towards the elevator.
[18:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> Besides a stray pair of students just now leaving, the walk to the elevator and the trip up is uneventful. Most of the upstairs staff has left already, so it's pleasantly quiet as you go to the Professor's office.
[18:30] <Usagi-chan> "Although I swear if the Professor offers to play a dating sim with me I'm going to scream." Usagi smirks.
[18:31] * Rei-chan chuckles. "He's been a lot less wacky lately... although I'm kind of disappointed the wackiness was a sign of evil..." Rei says before she knocks on the door.
[18:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Enter," Tomoe calls out.
[18:32] * Rei-chan opens the door and leads her friends in. "Good afternoon, Professor," she greets him in her usual deferential manner by force of habit.
[18:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Good evening," he replies. Again, there is a tray of light refreshments as well as a few extra comfortable chairs moved into the office, "Please, make yourselves comfortable."
[18:33] * Usagi-chan ducks a quick bow to the professor. "Nice to see you again, Professor."
[18:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Good to see you again, Usagi," he agrees, nodding politely from his perch at his desk.
[18:34] * Rei-chan takes a roll from the tray and sits down.
[18:35] * Usagi-chan takes a couple of odango from the tray and takes a bite as she sits down next to Rei.
[18:35] * Ami takes one of the offered seats, bowing lightly. "You look well, professor."
[18:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'm much better, thanks to you Sailor Senshi," he says, going nicely through the motions of starting small chat.
[18:37] <Makoto> 'Uhm, Usagi, shouldn't he not call us that when we're not transformed?' Makoto asks.
[18:38] <Usagi-chan> 'He already knows, Mako-chan, so I don't think there's any harm in it. It's not like there's anyone here to hear him.'
[18:40] <Makoto> 'I know that he knows, it was just that in case someone eavesdrops or something.'
[18:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> "But let us get to the core of the matter," he says, seeing that the small talk died down. "Rei relayed my offer to you girls," he asks.
[18:42] * Usagi-chan nods, waiting for the Professor to continue.
[18:42] * Rei-chan takes a bite of her roll before getting to the matter at hand. "Yes, we discussed things, and we came to a decision," she looks to Usagi as their leader to take over.
[18:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods, looking to Usagi as well.
[18:43] <Usagi-chan> "Rei said she told you that we have other duties as senshi, and those would always have to come first. But other than that, I think it would be great to work with you and the Witches." The blonde smiles.
[18:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> He smiles at that, not broadly, but quite visibly. "Excellent!" Letting the word hang for a moment, he then goes on. "I can perfectly understand other duties coming up," he nods. "And of my other offer?"
[18:45] * Rei-chan looks at the other girls before her gaze rests on Usagi, wondering what they decided on their own over that.
[18:46] * Usagi-chan hesitates a moment, then nods. "I was hoping to talk with you about that after we got done with the senshi business. I can't speak for anyone else, but I think I'd like to take you up on your offer." She smiles a bit hesitantly.
[18:46] <Makoto> "Uhm," Makoto starts, trying to get the professor's attention after Usagi's statement. "I'd like to decline on my part. As much as I'd love the chance to get out of Suzuki's clutches, I have someone important in my school."
[18:46] * Makoto hopes he doesn't ask just who Suzuki is.
[18:48] * Rei-chan smiles at Usagi, thinking of how great it will be to go to school with her girlfriend... so long as said girlfriend doesn't get her kicked out of school, but considering Usagi isn't crazed, that's pretty darn unlikely.
[18:49] <Ami> "I accept," Ami says simply, and reaches for a cookie. Nibbling it thoughtfully she looks around. "Of course, you already knew I would." A small smile tugs at the corners of her mouth.
[18:51] <Rei-chan> Hearing Ami's acceptance, Rei feels a bit bad for Makoto...
[18:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods to all. "Makoto... the offer stands should you change your mind," he says before moving on to the other two Senshi. "We can probably have you started by next week," he explains, "in the basic tutoring program. We'll gauge what class you'll go into from there."
[18:55] <Ami> "Is there any way to get that out of the way before classes start?" Ami asks hopefully.
[18:55] <Usagi-chan> "My parents also said they'd like to meet with you about the scholarship, if that's okay." Usagi adds.
[18:55] <Makoto> "Thank you," Makoto replies with a nod to the professor.
[18:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> "No, I'm afraid. We use it as a bellwether to what group and class you should be in, and since you're not going through the entrance exam, it's doubly important." He pauses, turning to Usagi slightly. "Certainly. We can arrange that at the end of the meeting."
[19:00] * Usagi-chan sighs slightly. 'I just hope I don't get drummed out in the tutoring...' she thinks to herself.
[19:01] <Rei-chan> 'You'll be fine, Usagi,' Rei sends encouragingly to the blonde, before adding with a touch of steel, 'I'll make sure of that...' whether she's threatening Usagi or her future tutors is unclear...
[19:02] * Ami sighs. 'I wonder if taking the tests would be faster.'
[19:02] <Usagi-chan> "Is there anything you needed from us besides that, Professor?" Usagi asks after a minute or so of mental communication.
[19:04] <Rei-chan> 'Aren't you going to tell him about the Moon?' Rei mentally prods.
[19:06] <Usagi-chan> 'If he wants to know now, I will. We should have plenty of time for that later if he doesn't have the time right now.'
[19:06] <Rei-chan> 'Well, we can wait until we meet the Witches again so we don't need to repeat it, I guess,' Rei agrees.
[19:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> "For now, no. I'd like to talk to each of you again later, but it can wait if you like," he says, seemingly content with the progres he made today.
[19:10] * Usagi-chan nods, then glances around at the other senshi. "I guess... we're done here then?"
[19:12] <Rei-chan> "I don't have anything to add right now. We'll need to arrange a meeting for all of us and the Witches, but if that can wait I suppose I'll see you on Thursday, Professor?" Rei asks, standing up.
[19:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods. "That's fine. Usagi, you wanted to talk to me about your parents?"
[19:14] * Usagi-chan nods. "Yes, and I had a few questions of my own if you have time."
[19:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods.
[19:16] <Rei-chan> "Want me to wait for you, Usagi?" Rei asks, having taken a couple of steps to the door.
[19:16] <Usagi-chan> "If you want to, Rei-chan." Usagi smiles over at the miko. "You don't have to, but I'd appreciate the company on the way home."
[19:17] * Rei-chan nods, heading out the office and waiting for Usagi to finish her business.
[19:18] * Ami follows Rei out, nodding toward the professor.
[19:18] * Prince_Herb bows and leaves.
[19:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> Watching the rest walking out, he turns to Usagi.
[19:22] <Usagi-chan> "I'm really looking forward to coming here to Mugen, but I was kind of worried about my grades." Usagi bites her lip. "I mean, I don't even have very good grades at Juuban, and if I'm taking stuff like astrophysics or applied calculus here..." she trails off, looking rather nervous.
[19:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods, smiling. "You don't have to take classes QUITE like that," He leans back, pulling his keyboard close. "The classes here are advanced, but we have a decently good program for more basic students. It's highly advanced by the standards of a normal school, but you'll avoid those classes until you're ready."
[19:24] * Usagi-chan nods, seeming a bit reassured by that. "I'd hate to take up your offer and then flunk out," she says, embarrassed.
[19:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Heh, don't worry about that. If you have trouble, we have a fine tutoring program, and I'm sure I can get the Witches to help you study."
[19:26] * Usagi-chan smiles. "Well, I don't want you to have to go to a ton of trouble on my account... but I would like to come here." She shakes her head. "Anyway, my parents wanted to know if I could set up a meeting with you for them, so they could get some more details too."
[19:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> "That's not a problem at all. What time is good for them," he goes on. "I can fit them in without a problem."
[19:27] <Usagi-chan> "Just about any time in the evening would be okay - Mom doesn't work, and I think Daddy said he doesn't have any late meetings for the rest of this week. Maybe... tomorrow night?"
[19:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods consent. "Say... 6 PM?"
[19:30] <Usagi-chan> "That should be fine - I'll let them know when I get home." Usagi rises from her seat, giving the professor another deep bow. "Thank you very much for this opportunity, Professor."
[19:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Thank you for the chance to live normally again," he seconds as Usagi leaves.
[08:49] <Usagi-chan> -----
[08:50] * Usagi-chan steps out of the Professor's office a few minutes after the other senshi have left, to find Rei leaning against the wall opposite the door. She gives the miko a smile. "All done... ready to go?"
[08:51] <Rei-chan> "Sure," Rei pushes off the wall, coming to Usagi's side. "How did it go?" she gestures with a nod of her head towards the office as she begins walking back to the elevator.
[08:52] <Usagi-chan> "Pretty well, I think... he said not ALL the classes are extra hard, so I might be able to manage it." She shakes her head. "It's STILL kind of crazy to think about me coming to school here."
[08:54] <Rei-chan> "Yeah," Rei nods, slipping an arm around Usagi's waist as they enter the elevator and she pushes the button for the ground floor, "But it'll be nice to go to school together. And we don't need to worry about getting in trouble if 'work' comes up during school hours."
[08:55] * Usagi-chan smiles. "That'll be nice." She shakes her head. "You should have seen Mom when I told her - she acted like it was already decided that I WAS going to be coming here. Daddy and Shingo were too shocked to even say much of anything." She giggles.
[08:57] <Rei-chan> "Well, you will get a first rate education here, without costing your parents a penny," Rei replies, "I can see why she'd be in favour of it."
[08:59] * Usagi-chan steps out of the elevator as the doors open on the ground floor. "I'm hoping we can get at least a couple of classes together, but I guess we won't know about that until I get through the tutoring stuff."
[09:00] <Rei-chan> "I still don't know what classes I'll be in myself," Rei admits, "I got drafted into the Witches before my own tutoring had gotten very far..."
[09:01] * Usagi-chan heads out of the school building, turning her steps towards home. She falls silent as the pair leave the school, seemingly studying the sidewalk a few feet in front of her as she walks.
[09:02] <Rei-chan> After a few moments Rei notes that the silence is more tense than comfortable... "Something on your mind?" she asks, giving the blonde an inquisitive look.
[09:04] <Usagi-chan> "Rei..." Usagi gives the miko an uncomfortable look. "Mugen wasn't the only thing I told Mom about last night," she says quietly. She sticks her hands in the pockets of her jeans as she continues. "I... told her about us, too."
[09:05] * Rei-chan comes to a halt, turning to stand in front of Usagi. "How did she take it?" she asks with some trepidation, the answer already made clear by Usagi's demeanour.
[09:05] * Usagi-chan doesn't meet the dark-haired girl's gaze. "...not very well."
[09:06] <Rei-chan> "How not well?" Rei prods, her stomach twisting.
[09:07] <Usagi-chan> "She didn't forbid me from seeing you or anything, but she was really disappointed." Usagi sighs. "REALLY disappointed."
[09:09] <Rei-chan> Rei's shoulders slump and she looks away. "I'm sorry..." she says, the words sounding insufficient by far to her own ears.
[09:10] * Usagi-chan turns a weak smile to Rei, reaching out to take the miko's hand. "Don't be... I'm not." Giving Rei's hand a squeeze, she goes on. "I wish Mom wasn't upset about it, but that doesn't change the way I feel about you at all."
[09:12] * Rei-chan squeezes back. "It doesn't change my feelings either, but... I still feel rotten for causing any difficulty with you and your mother," she says sincerely, looking Usagi's eyes now.
[09:15] <Usagi-chan> "It'll work out in time, I'm sure." The blonde puts on a wan smile. 'At least I hope so.'
[09:18] * Rei-chan steps forward and wraps her arms around Usagi, holding her in a soft embrace. "We'll find a way to make it work, I'm sure," she says, sounding confident even though she feels rather crushed at Ikkuko's disapproval.
[09:20] * Usagi-chan rests her head against Rei's shoulder. "Thanks, Rei-chan." She slips her arms around the miko's waist, returning the embrace.
[09:23] <Rei-chan> Holding her love like this in the dusky twilight, the miko feels a measure of contentment return. After a time, she breaks the hug, feeling more at peace now. "Come on, we can't just stand around here all night," she gives Usagi a quirky smile, taking the blonde's hand.
[09:24] <Usagi-chan> "And just why not?" Usagi shoots back with a grin. "Maybe I was enjoying that!"
[09:26] <Rei-chan> "Well if we get some privacy we could do something even more fun," Rei suggests, a mischevious glint in her violet eyes.
[09:28] * Usagi-chan puts her fists on her hips, giving the raven-haired beauty a mock glare. "Rei Hino, you're terrible!"
[09:29] * Rei-chan puts her index finger over her lips, a thoughtful expression on her face. "You know... I think you're right," she removes the finger and gives Usagi a grin, "But I'm pretty sure you like me that way."
[09:30] * Usagi-chan grins. "You know me too well, Pyro."
[10:39] <Anastasia> ---
[10:40] <Anastasia> The next day is bright and sunny, and warmer as well. With highs in the upper 50s, you almost don't have to bother with a jacket walking to school...
[10:40] <Anastasia> Then again, it's doubtful that Usagi Tsukino is really paying attention to the weather after yesterday. As she walks...
[10:41] <Anastasia> "Hi, Usagi!" Naru calls out, coming up from behind you. She's as sunny as the weather is today, a smile and a cheer on her face.
[10:42] <Usagi-chan> "Oh hi, Naru-chan!" Usagi smiles, turning to face her friend.
[10:43] <Anastasia> "Nice day, isn't it," she says as she catches up to you, settling into a slower, more agreeable pace.
[10:44] <Usagi-chan> "Way better than that ice storm last weekend... that was a real pain!" Usagi nods. "How are things going for you, Naru-chan?"
[10:45] <Anastasia> "Yeah," she comments, bobbing her head in a nod. "Fairly good. It's been nice and slow this week, it's nice."
[10:45] * Usagi-chan stares ahead, a fixed smile on her face. "Um... I have some kind of good and kind of bad news, Naru-chan."
[10:46] <Anastasia> She turns to you fully. "Ah, Usagi. You got grounded again," she guesses, not really teasing.
[10:47] * Usagi-chan giggles. "No, it's not that." The blonde turns to face Naru, still smiling. "I got a scholarship to go to Mugen Gakuen."
[10:48] <Anastasia> One... two... three... "WHAT?!" she shouts, dropping her schoolbag without realising it. "The brain farm?"
[10:48] * Usagi-chan nods slightly, a grin on her face. "The very same."
[10:50] <Anastasia> Naru twitches... Naru twitches... "Heh... heh.... heh... hahahahahahahahaha!" Seeing your grin, she breaks out into a loud laughter, gripping her sides as she falls into a gale of merriment. "That... hehehhaahah... good, Usagi! Good one... heheh..." she squeezes out as she laughs.
[10:51] * Usagi-chan's smile fades a little. "I wasn't kidding, Naru-chan," she says quietly.
[10:52] <Anastasia> Still grinning, Naru manages to contain her laughter. "Please, Usagi," she needles you, "You're now just passing Miss H's class. How on Earth would you go to Mugen?"
[10:53] * Usagi-chan riffles through her bookbag for a minute. "Hold on, I can prove I'm not making it up... I talked with the Professor about that, and he said it'd be okay, even with my grades."
[10:54] <Anastasia> 'Wow, Usagi's going all out for this prank. This should be good...' "Really," she says, still skeptical. "It's not April 1st already, is it?"
[10:56] * Usagi-chan sighs, finally coming up with the certificate she'd tucked in with her notebooks that morning. She hands the paper over to Naru. "No, it's not a joke, Naru-chan."
[10:58] <Anastasia> She takes it, reading over the document. "It looks real," she admits after reading it, feeling the paper in her hands.
[10:59] <Usagi-chan> "Check out the signature." Usagi says with a grin.
[11:00] <Anastasia> Naru glances back down. "Souichi Tomoe," she shrugs, the name not meaning anything to her. "Okay, Usagi-chan, you got me," she smiles. "This is a good prank, but if we don't quit it, we'll be late."
[11:01] * Usagi-chan sighs. "It's not a prank, Naru-chan," she says quietly. "This is my last week at Juuban - I start at Mugen next Monday."
[11:02] <Anastasia> Naru takes a good look at Usagi's serious face, then her eyes widen a bit. "You aren't kidding," she asks, disbelieving.
[11:02] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "I'm not."
[11:03] <Anastasia> "You're really not," she prods you again. "This isn't Candid Camera or some big school prank, is it?" she asks.
[11:04] <Usagi-chan> "I swear it's not, Naru-chan. I brought this in today to find out what I need to do here from Miss H."
[11:06] <Anastasia> The girl shakes her brown haired head. "I'll have to see this for myself," she says, her voice, skepticism still present.
[11:07] * Usagi-chan sighs. "I guess you will."
[11:07] <Anastasia> Glancing at her watch, Naru gasps. "We're gonna be LATE now!" she exclaims, breaking the mood... and nearly your wrist as she grabs you and sprints to class.
[11:08] <Usagi-chan> "Gah!" Usagi quickly gains her feet as Naru pulls her off balance, easily matching the other girl's pace in their headlong dash to school.
[11:08] <Anastasia> Thus, for perhaps the last time, Naru drags Usagi off to class from the streets of Juuban...
[11:08] <Anastasia> ---
[11:10] <Anastasia> Fortune is not with the two girls today; they reach class a good four minutes late. Miss H is already in there, and glares at you two in annoyance when you come in. "Usagi and Naru, you're late," she says, putting down the book she was reading aloud from.
[11:11] * Usagi-chan cowers slightly as she comes into the room. "Sorry, Miss H..."
[11:11] <Anastasia> Naru hangs her head and bows quickly. "I'm sorry, teacher," she says.
[11:12] <Anastasia> "Hallway, both of you," she says after you apologize.
[11:12] * Usagi-chan sighs, putting her bookbag next to her desk before heading to the closet to grab a pair of buckets.
[11:12] <Anastasia> Naru sighs, and turns to Usagi. "Let's get the buckets..." she agrees, going with Usagi and then out the door.
[11:13] <Usagi-chan> Once in the hallway, Usagi gives Naru a wry smile. "Sorry about that, Naru-chan - I didn't mean to make you late with all that."
[11:15] <Anastasia> She smiles back. Despite it all, this isn't the first time the two of you have shared a bucket in the hallway, not by far. "It's alright," she nods a bit, not trying to upset her buckets. "Are you really going to Mugen?"
[11:15] * Usagi-chan nods, smiling a bit. "I really am... I can still barely believe it myself."
[11:16] <Anastasia> She sighs. "Really...How in the world did that happen," she asks.
[11:17] <Usagi-chan> "I... helped Professor Tomoe out with something, and he offered me a scholarship as a way of saying thanks." Usagi replies.
[11:18] <Anastasia> She blinks, mulling it over. "What in the world could you have done to help this Professor Tomoe, enough so you'll get into Mugen?"
[11:18] * Usagi-chan sighs. "THAT would be a really long story."
[11:19] <Anastasia> "I doubt Miss H wil let us in anytime soon," she replies, glancing at the schoolroom door.
[11:20] <Usagi-chan> "I... really can't explain it a lot better than that, Naru-chan." Usagi lowers her head. "I wish I could."
[11:20] <Anastasia> She doesn't reply, letting her brain work overtime. A silence settles over you as Naru thinks...
[11:21] * Usagi-chan shifts her weight from one foot to the other uncomfortably. 'I wonder when Miss H is going to let us back in...' She glances over at the pensive redhead.
[11:22] <Anastasia> She's still in her own world, but a slight frown is on her face as she thinks.
[11:22] * Usagi-chan lowers her gaze guiltily, still feeling bad about not being able to tell Naru the real reason why she's going to Mugen.
[11:24] <Anastasia> About ten long, arm aching minutes pass this way, before Naru speaks up. "Usagi..." she starts...
[11:25] <Usagi-chan> "Hmm?" Usagi looks up, a bit startled after the long silence. "What is it, Naru-chan?"
[11:25] <Anastasia> "Are you sleeping with this Professor," she asks outright.
[11:26] * Usagi-chan splutters, almost dropping her buckets. "Wh-what? No, of course not!" she says quickly, and rather loudly. 'Geez, first Daddy and now Naru...'
[11:39] <Anastasia> "Then..." she is cut off by Miss H calling out. "Usagi and Naru, you may enter class now."
[11:40] * Usagi-chan sighs. "Finally..." She takes the buckets back into the classroom, putting them away before returning to her desk.
[11:43] <Anastasia> Naru grunts as she walks in, stretching her arms gingerly before sitting down. Thus, class goes on....
[11:44] <Anastasia> ---
[11:53] <Anastasia> Miss H lectures for over an hour, going on about something that you can't quite manage to care about...
[11:53] * Usagi-chan lets her eyes glaze over, not quite drooling as Haruna drones on and on and on...
[11:54] <Anastasia> Finally, she comes to a stopping point. "All this will be on the test next Friday, so I hope you took good notes," she says.
[11:54] * Usagi-chan glances down at her blank notebook and smiles wryly. 'At least I don't have to worry about THAT...'
[11:55] <Anastasia> Seeing as there are no questions, she takes a moment to prepare for the next lecture...
[11:57] * Usagi-chan raises her hand. "Um... Miss H? Can I talk to you for a minute?"
[11:58] <Anastasia> "Yes, Usagi?"
[11:58] <Usagi-chan> "Well... in private, if it's okay." Usagi ducks her head a bit in embarrassment.
[12:00] <Anastasia> "We can talk at lunch, then," she says, pulling out another book. "Class, if you would open your English books to page 421..."
[12:01] * Usagi-chan nods, sighing as she pulls out the hated English text...
[12:03] <Anastasia> A few hours later, class finally breaks for lunch.
[12:04] * Usagi-chan heads up to the front of the classroom to talk to Haruna, her bookbag clasped somewhat nervously in both hands.
[12:13] <Anastasia> Miss H is waiting, expecting you. "Yes, Usagi," she prompts you. "Is something the matter?"
[12:14] <Usagi-chan> "Well... I wanted to know what I need to do." She takes a deep breath before continuing, and, remembering Naru's initial reaction, decides to try a slightly different tack this time. "I'm transferring to another school next week."
[12:16] <Anastasia> She looks up, an honest frown on her face. "I'm sorry to hear that, Usagi," she replies, sounding sincere. "Are your parents moving?"
[12:16] * Usagi-chan shakes her head quickly. "Oh no, it's not that - I just got a scholarship and I decided to take it."
[12:19] <Anastasia> Your teacher is a bit surprised by that, looking at you quite intently. "A SCHOLARSHIP," she comments, a bit louder than you would have wished. "As in, someone is paying your way in another school?"
[12:19] * Usagi-chan nods shyly. "Yes."
[12:22] <Anastasia> "REALLY?" she leans forward to you, quite interested. "This isn't some science school that wanted a test subject, is it?"
[12:22] <Anastasia> You notice Miss H's loud comments have managed to get some attention thrown your way... more than a few people are glancing up from their lunches to look at you.
[12:23] <Usagi-chan> "No!" Usagi says quickly. 'At least it isn't now...' The blonde huddles down, embarrassed at all the attention.
[12:25] <Anastasia> Miss Haruna gets up, walking to you. She pokes your forehead, just below your braid. "They didn't lobotomize you and switch your brain with another student's, like Mr. Urawa or Ms. Mizuno, did they," she says quite openly, poking with a curious expression on her face.
[12:26] * Usagi-chan frowns. "No they did not! I really did get a scholarship." She harrumphs, crossing her arms.
[12:27] <Anastasia> "And it isn't some mix up or a tragic mistake," she asks, staring right at your eyes now, like you're some sort of oddity. "I mean, Usagi...you've done better lately, but you're not scholarship material."
[12:28] <Usagi-chan> "It's not a mistake, either." Usagi says primly. "I really did get a scholarship to Mugen."
[12:29] <Anastasia> Miss Haruna jumps back at least four feet, like she just saw a cockroach on the floor. "MUGEN!" she shouts, stunned. "THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE!"
[12:30] <Usagi-chan> "Not so loud!" Usagi hisses, not wanting to be the subject of gossip for the rest of the week. "And it's true!"
[12:30] <Anastasia> She points at you, sticking her finger out. "Usagi Tsukino, you shouldn't lie to your teacher!" As she loudly declares this, you notice the entire class is now gawking at you, Miss H's annoucement heard.
[12:31] * Usagi-chan stomps one foot. "I am NOT lying!" she retorts in much the same tone. "Here, I'll prove it!" Once again digging through her bag, she fishes out the certificate from Professor Tomoe, shoving it in Miss H's face.
[12:33] <Anastasia> She snatches away the certificate, reading it over swiftly. "Oh... my... God..." she says slowly. "It's real..." she is standing straight up now, her face slack with stunned eyes and an open mouth. The certificate falls from her now limp fingers, landing on the floor.
[12:33] * Usagi-chan quickly snatches up the precious piece of paper... since it's obvious the poor thing is going to be seeing a lot of use.
[12:34] <Anastasia> "Usagi's going to Mugen Gauken?" Unimo pipes up, zooming up from his desk. "No way! I couldn't even make the scholarship program there!" Meanwhile, Miss H does the only sensible thing under the circumstances. She passes out, straight backwards.
[12:35] <Usagi-chan> "Miss H!" Usagi quickly runs around the desk to check on her poor teacher, leaving the certificate on top of the desk.
[12:36] <Anastasia> AS you tend to Miss H, who is unconscious but doesn't look to have hurt herself falling, the class begins to buzz. "Usagi at Mugen... It's an act of God... Impossible... She must be in an omai with someone there!..."
[12:37] <Usagi-chan> 'Great, just what I DIDN'T want... thanks a lot, Miss H.' Usagi grumbles mentally as she checks Haruna over.
[12:42] <Anastasia> She's not stirring, but she looks fine. "Usagi, how did you do it?" Umino runs up to you, grabbing you by the shoulders. "Did you take a special medicine to become smarter? Did you suck out someone's brains? Are you carrying the baby of someone there?" he asks rapid fire, shaking you. He sounds both stunned and rattled, clearly.
[12:43] * Usagi-chan leaves the poor teacher alone at Umino's shaking. "Umino, stop it! No, no, and NO I did not sleep with anyone there!" She sighs. "I talked with Professor Tomoe and he said he'd like to have me at Mugen."
[12:43] <Anastasia> The class gossip poll, already brewing, takes Umino's comments and adds them in. You can almost smell the rumors being cooked up.
[12:44] <Anastasia> "You talked to PROFESSOR TOMOE!" He freaks out, gasping. "He's super famous! He wants you at Mugen?!"
[12:44] * Usagi-chan is already starting to wonder if she can somehow talk her parents into letting her skip the rest of this week... "Yes, I've talked with the Professor - he was the one who gave me the scholarship." Usagi says with an air of long-suffering.
[12:45] <Anastasia> Umino's next words fail to come out, only a spray of spittle escapes. "B-b-b-but... it just can't BE!" he says.
[12:47] <Usagi-chan> "Well, it is!" Usagi snaps.
[12:48] <Anastasia> "IT DOES NOT COMPUTE!" He shouts, loud enough to be heard four classes down. He holds his head, moaning. "It's illogical! It's impossible!"
[12:49] * Usagi-chan grabs Umino by the shoulders. "Get a hold of yourself, Umino!" She shakes the boy lightly. "I swear, you'd think it was the end of the world."
[12:50] <Anastasia> It doesn't really take, Umino reaching to shake Usagi since they're close. "It must be! Aliens are invading! Professor Tomoe must be leading them or something!" he babbles, overloaded. Behind you, the class continues to speculate. "Usagi's dating the head of Mugen... Usagi's going to space... Usagi's really an alien..." Oh boy.
[12:51] <Usagi-chan> 'I didn't want to have to do this, but...' Usagi pushes away from Umino and gives the babbling boy a firm slap. "Snap out of it, Umino!"
[12:56] <Anastasia> "OOOoooooh," the class murmurs as one, taking in the fine drama. Umino reels a moment, a red mark on his face. Then his expression breaks as he glomps onto Usagi desperately. "Don't leave me, Usagi! You can't be going to Mugen while I'm here!" he wails, clenching you tightly.
[12:58] <Usagi-chan> "Ewww, gross! Get away from me, Umino!" Usagi shoves the bespectacled genius away somewhat roughly.
[12:58] <Anastasia> OOC - Body check. The boy is holding on for dear, berserked life.
[13:00] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6
[13:00] * Hatbot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
[13:01] <Anastasia> The boy doesn't even budge, instead holding on tighter! "How can you be going to the best school in Tokyo?!"
[13:02] <Usagi-chan> "It's called WALKING there, OPENING the door and GOING inside!" Usagi continues to struggle, trying to escape Umino's grasp.
[13:02] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6 (20 EP for body)
[13:02] * Hatbot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6 (20 EP for body) and gets 9."
[13:05] <Anastasia> While you do get a bit of space, he's still quite close... "But..." he stutters again.
[13:05] <Usagi-chan> "Umino, let GO of me!" Usagi shoves again.
[13:05] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6
[13:05] * Hatbot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[13:06] <Anastasia> This time, despite him not really moving, he gets the idea. He takes a breath, composing himself again. "Sorry," he admits, "But I can't believe it! It's like a bad rumor come to life, Usagi!"
[13:07] * Usagi-chan gives an exasperated sigh, dusting off her uniform. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."
[13:08] <Anastasia> Umino shakes his head. "I'm going to lay down," he says, "This just doesn't make any sense..."
[13:08] * Usagi-chan checks on Miss H again as Umino stumbles off, not particularly eager to face the rumors back at her desk.
[13:09] <Anastasia> As you do, the school nurse comes in, another student from your class behind her. "What happened to Miss Haruna?"
[13:10] * Usagi-chan sighs. "I told her something and it surprised her so much she fainted."
[13:12] <Anastasia> She kneels down, checking Miss H's neck pulse. "I see. Would you help carry her to the clinic, then?"
[13:12] <Usagi-chan> "Sure, that's no problem." Usagi nods, taking the unconscious teacher's ankles.
[13:14] <Anastasia> It's not a hard deal to carry her out of class, although it has the upswing of having the second half of the day be a 'free study block' for your class, as it takes her a bit to wake up and she's a bit dazed when she does so.
[13:14] <Anastasia> On the down side, that translates to free talking time, and rumor mill grinding.
[13:15] * Usagi-chan spends most of the afternoon with her head on her desk, occasionally animating when the rumor about her sleeping with someone at Mugen emerges again.
[13:16] <Anastasia> Naru, for her part, tries to play damage control for her friend. It doesn't make much of a impact, but she at least tries.
[13:18] * Usagi-chan gives the redhead a grateful smile as the day winds down. "Thanks, Naru-chan... god, I can't believe what a circus that whole thing turned into..." she groans.
[13:19] <Anastasia> Naru is waiting beind after the rest of the class winds out, rather quickly and a bit early today since there isn't a teacher around.
[13:19] <Anastasia> "It's still amazing," she says. "You're going to Mugen on a scholarship."
[13:20] * Usagi-chan smiles. "Yeah, I know... I can still hardly believe it myself."
[13:21] <Anastasia> "I'm happy for you," she says, smiling wistfully and sadly, "but I'm going to miss you."
[13:22] * Usagi-chan gives Naru a tight hug. "I'm going to miss you too, Naru-chan. I almost didn't want to go, since I knew I wouldn't see you very much any more if I did go."
[13:26] <Anastasia> Naru hugs you back tightly as well, sniffling despite her smile. "Yeah... I'm going to be all alone with Umino now..." she laughs a bit.
[13:27] * Usagi-chan giggles, starting to cry a bit herself. "Nothing a good slap won't straighten out..."
[13:40] <Anastasia> "I'll keep that in mind," she says softly. "You know, we'll have to hold a going-away party for you," she goes on.
[13:41] * Usagi-chan leans back, smiling through teary eyes. "You don't have to do that, Naru-chan - it's not like I'm moving away or anything. You'll still see me around Juuban."
[13:44] <Anastasia> "So? We still have to have a party," she says, laughing. "Usagi's great trip into the unknown!"
[13:44] <Anastasia> As she laughs, another tear goes down her face, however.
[13:46] * Usagi-chan takes Naru's hand and squeezes it. "It'll be great, I'm sure... thanks, Naru-chan." She giggles a little. "I'll have to come over to your store a lot more now - there's no way I'm going miss out on all the gossip just because I'm going to a new school."
[13:49] <Anastasia> "I'll keep you in the loop," she agrees. "And how all the boys will be falling for me now that they don't have Usagi to gawk at," she teases.
[13:49] <Anastasia> ---

Halbarad · June 25, 2006, 08:04:43 PM

[19:55] <Anastasia> ---
[20:00] <Anastasia> Tuesday evening. Ami heads home after the meeting with Professor Tomoe, another day behind her.
[20:01] <Anastasia> Arriving home, she finds Artemis waiting for her. "Hey, Ami," he calls as she enters. "You missed your mom by a half hour or so."
[20:04] * Ami nods, kicking off her shoes and slipping into her slippers. "Good evening, Artemis," she greets the cat warmly. "Yes, we do miss each other a lot."
[20:05] * Ami heads toward the kitchen, calling over her shoulder, "So how was your day? Learn anything interesting?"
[20:05] <Anastasia> "I can relate," he comments. "I haven't seen much of you girls or Luna lately," he says, hopping down and over to the blue haired genious. "Not really, I spent it on what Usagi told me to do."
[20:28] <Ami> "Oh?" Ami asks, pulling food from the fridge.
[20:32] <Anastasia> "Yes," he nods, as Ami gets her dinner out. "It's going... alright, I guess," he hesitates, then sighs. "I don't know if it will be overly successful, but it'll get some progress, at least."
[20:40] <Ami> "Don't work yourself too hard, now," Ami says, placing a saucer on the table and filing it with milk. "There's plenty of time to work things out. I wish I could say the same for this whole Mugen thing, though." With a rattle of metal on metal she begins pulling out cookware.
[20:41] <Anastasia> "Thanks," he says, lapping at the milk. After a bit of this, he looks up. "How did that go today?"
[20:45] * Ami looks up for a few moments, choosing her words carefully. "It was rather anticlimactic, actually. Usagi chose Mugen, so Rei was pretty happy. Mako-chan decided to stay." She begins rinsing the vegetables.
[20:46] <Anastasia> Artemis nods. "That's rather good, actually. Did you accept, Ami," he asks.
[20:49] * Ami nods. "Although I hate to leave Mako-chan back there by herself since the whole point was for us all to go to school together, but this a great opportunity for me. Not only that, but I can keep an eye on the Witches as well this way." She continues washing.
[20:53] <Anastasia> He nods. "That's good... and Usagi will need your help there," he says, shrugging.
[20:57] <Ami> Finishing up with the vegetables Ami removes them from the sink, tapping them lightly to remove excess water. "I think so as well. If she thought the study sessions were hard before her brain might explode now."
[20:58] * Ami giggles as the image of a simmering meatball comes to mind.
[20:59] <Anastasia> "If she's lucky," Artemis chuckles. "I don't know how she'll do it... but that hasn't stopped her before. I didn't know how she'd manage to beat Metallia, or all those criminals..."
[21:02] <Ami> "She's pretty amazing when she puts her mind to something," Ami agrees. "I guess that's what draws us all to her, eh Artemis?" She produces a knife from somewhere and begins cutting the produce, with a tad more flash than necessary.
[21:04] <Anastasia> "Yeah. Being the Queen doesn't hurt, either," he laughs a bit. "She's really something...Luna said she nearly was ready to give up on her at first, she was so bad. She's really grown up."
[21:06] <Ami> "I think we all have, though some more than others. Speaking of queens, you've never really told me what you think about the moon restoration," she says, changing the subject.
[21:10] <Anastasia> "I'm all for it," he replies quickly. "It's a good thing to do... even though Usagi is going against what the Queen wanted in the end, it's her choice as the new Queen."
[21:16] <Ami> "You have memories of the old Kingdom. What do you think would be best to do next?" Ami rips open a package of meat, running it under cold water. "Other than my work on another robot and more research in the library, I've been debating whether we should continue rebuilding the rooms one at a time or if we should go for a larger project, like reestablishing power. What do you think?"
[21:17] <Anastasia> He pauses, hiding it by attacking his milk again. "The power sounds good, but we'd have to make sure we don't have any critical damage to the system first - we may have to do some more room repairs before we can get the power up, anyway."
[21:23] <Ami> "Do you have any idea how the system is hooked up?" Ami asks curiously. "From my readings the Moon Kingdom was primarily mana-centric, but they did seem to have a grasp on the workings of electricity. Do you remember if the power grid was electrical or some sort of magic?" She begins working on the meat, slicing it into bite-sized pieces.
[21:24] <Anastasia> "I'm..." he frowns, thinking. "I'm fairly sure it was at least partially magic," he finally says. "It wasn't my strong suit, though, but I think it was at least magically effected." He looks at Ami's meal in progress. "Whatcha making, by the way?"
-------
Not missing here, but I don't think this scene was ever finished.
-------
[21:35] <Usagi-chan> -----
[21:39] <Ami> Later in the day...
[21:44] <Ami> Safely hidden in her room and away from the feeding pools of schoolhouse gossip, Usagi's much needed relaxation is interrupted by a knocking at the door. A few moments later she can clearly hear the door close and the footfalls of someone making their way up the stairs. The sound of footsteps approaches, until stopping right outside her door. A gentle rapping soon follows.
[21:46] * Usagi-chan looks up from her prone position on her bed, raising her arm from where it lay over her eyes so she can see the door. She pauses a moment, then lays back in the same position as before. "Come on in, Ami-chan."
[21:47] * Ami enters. "Hey Usagi. How'd you know it was me?" she asks, closing the door behind her.
[21:48] * Usagi-chan smiles, still with her arm covering her face. "Your aura. It's easy to tell when one of the senshi is around."
[21:51] <Ami> "Heh. So, how was school today?" she asks with a cheshire grin.
[21:51] * Usagi-chan groans. "Don't give me that... you already KNOW how my day went. I'd be shocked if the entire SCHOOL didn't know by now."
[21:54] * Ami pulls up a chair, a small chuckle escaping her lips. "I don't think the WHOLE school knows, but the rumors are flying fast and furious. Umino looked like he just found out there was no Tooth Fairy."
[21:55] * Usagi-chan makes a face from where she lies on the bed. "I practically had to pry him off me with a crowbar... he was almost hysterical when he found out I was going to Mugen. Miss H fainted, and half the class thought I was sleeping with someone at Mugen just so I could get in."
[21:59] <Ami> "Hm. I'm glad I gave mine to the principal in private, now. There's no telling what they would have thought if they'd found out I was going as well. 'Usagi is Ami's love Slave: Takes her to new school!'" she says dramatically, spreading her hands as though the words were appearing between them.
[22:00] * Usagi-chan giggles, dropping her arm to her side. "They'd probably think I had you take the entrance exam for me or something... NO ONE believes I could get into Mugen on my own, and they're probably right." The blonde sighs.
[22:02] <Ami> "There, there," Ami says consolingly. "You'll prove them all wrong, even if I have to chain you to a text book and study by the sea."
[22:03] * Usagi-chan glowers at the blue-haired genius. "You are NOT chaining me to a textbook, Ami-chan. I'm not going to slack off, but I'm not going to kill myself over school either."
[22:04] <Ami> "It wouldn't kill you. Don't you know the golden rule of training?" she asks as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
[22:04] <Usagi-chan> "No..." Usagi eyes Ami suspiciously.
[22:08] * Ami nods gravely, rising from her sitting position. Her bangs fall over her eyes, obscuring her face. "Usagi, the golden rule of training is..."
[22:08] * Ami suddenly strikes a dramatic pose! "The harder the training, the more payoff you get! Even more so when training by the sea!" At the mention of sea, a wave breaks behind her, evaporating before it gets anything wet.
[22:09] * Usagi-chan stares for a second, then sighs. "I know I'm probably going to get more out of it if it's harder, but that DOESN'T mean I'm putting every spare second I have into my schoolwork." 'And what the heck does training by the sea have to do with anything?'
[22:10] <Ami> "Everything!" Ami says, grasping Usagi's shoulders. Enthusiasm practically radiates from her.
[22:12] * Usagi-chan winces slightly as Ami grabs her shoulders, the motion shaking her slightly. "Well, I can tell you're excited about going to Mugen." She smiles.
[22:14] <Ami> "Of course! I get to go to a great school and my friends are attending with me. What's not to love?" Catching the wince she releases her hold, blushing. "Sorry."
[22:15] * Usagi-chan shakes her head almost imperceptibly. "It's okay... just have a headache after this afternoon," she grumbles. "I wish Mako-chan was coming, but I can understand her wanting to stay with Alan."
[22:18] <Ami> "Such is love, I guess," Ami shrugs. "I wish she had come, but I can't make up her mind for her. I'll just wish her the best." Ami begins to pace, her energy not subsiding. "So, did something else happen today?"
[22:20] <Usagi-chan> "Not as far as I've heard... I thought about going over to visit Rei-chan, but my headache insisted otherwise so I just came straight home," Usagi grouses. "It makes my head throb whenever I think about sending someone a message, too, so I haven't tried to talk to her either."
[22:24] <Ami> "Oh," Ami says, her enthusiasm waning slightly. "I just thought something might have happened. You mom was looking at me oddly when she answered the door."
[22:25] * Usagi-chan sighs. "Probably thought you were Rei." Usagi seems to deflate a bit at this admission, but doesn't immediately volunteer any further details.
[22:26] <Ami> "What? Did Rei do something?" Ami asks, apparently bitten by the gossip bug.
[22:30] <Usagi-chan> "I might as well tell you, everyone else seems to know already." She turns her head to face the wall, not looking directly at Ami. "Rei and I are... seeing each other now. And Mom is definitely not happy about it."
[22:31] * Ami pauses for a long moment. "I see."
[22:32] <Ami> 'Well, can't say I didn't see this coming,' Ami thinks to herself. "So, how long have you two been, um, together?"
[22:34] * Usagi-chan has her eyes closed, still facing the wall. She makes no reply to Ami at first, seemingly lost in her own thoughts - and not pleasant ones from the look on her face. "It... we.... Friday." She finally says. "Last Friday was when we both confessed to each other."
[22:38] * Ami moves to sit beside Usagi, resting a hand on her shoulder. "You don't have anything to be ashamed of, Usagi. You two are some of the kindest, most sincere people I know. If anyone deserves happiness you two do."
[22:40] * Usagi-chan turns back to Ami, giving her a hurt look. "I'm not, really, but... I feel like I'm letting my parents down somehow, and I don't know... I just don't want them to be upset with me." She sighs. "But I really do love Rei, and I wouldn't give that up for anyone."
[22:52] * Ami takes a deep breath, a pensive look on her face. Suddenly she turns and flops across the bed, flopping on Usagi in the process. "Not enough room. Scoot."
[22:52] * Ami nudges Usagi over, forcing the blonde over and making room. "Scoot, scoot scoot scoot."
[22:53] * Usagi-chan shifts sideways on the bed a bit, making enough room for Ami to sit down on the side of the bed.
[22:56] * Ami bounces as though testing the mattress. "Hey, this is pretty comfortable."
[22:56] * Usagi-chan can't help but grin a little. "It works for me, but you know me - I can sleep on just about anything."
[22:58] <Ami> "Heh. That's true." Ami returns the smile.
[23:01] * Usagi-chan's smile slowly fades as she slips into a pensive mood again, her eyes not really focusing on anything as she stares at the ceiling.
[23:01] <Ami> "So, too tired to make a little trip?" Ami asks, also staring up.
[23:02] <Usagi-chan> "I guess I could run you up to the Moon if you want." Usagi smiles a bit. "It HAS been a while."
[23:04] <Ami> "Yay!" Ami small-cheers, only exaggerating a little.
[23:04] * Usagi-chan nudges Ami from her seated position on the bed, sitting up slowly with one hand to her head.
[23:07] * Ami rolls with the nudge, right off the bed.
[23:08] * Usagi-chan sits up quickly, her headache forgotten for the moment. "Oh my god, are you okay, Ami-chan?"
[23:10] * Ami waves from the floor, head resting gently on the pillow she pulled along with her. "Just peachy. Are you going to change now?"
[23:11] * Usagi-chan sighs. "Yeah, hold on. Don't scare me like that!" Usagi closes her eyes for a moment, and the familiar flash of light heralds her transformation into Princess Serenity once again.
[23:13] * Ami pushes herself into a headstand, eventually lowering her feet and standing properly. "I'm ready when you are."
[23:14] * Serenity-hime sticks her tongue out at the blue-haired girl. "Showoff." 'Actually, my headache's not as bad now.' she thinks to herself. Standing from her position on the bed, she moves over next to Ami - and a brief incantation later, the pair reappear in the Ami's workshop in the Moon Palace.
[23:18] <Ami> "Who did you think Lita got it from, Usagi?" she says with some amusement.
[23:18] * Ami glances around her studio, letting the feeling of the ancient place seep into her. "Ah, my home away from home. It feels so good to be back." She moves to turn on the lights.
[23:20] * Serenity-hime gives Ami a skeptical look. "Riiiight... anyway, did you have anything in particular you needed help with up here? I'm kind of concentrating on the temple with Rei at the moment, so I don't have much to do on my own for now."
[23:22] <Ami> "There isn't anything in the library that needs repair. At least not anything that needs it right away." The humming of electricity signals the restoration of power in the library.
[23:22] <Ami> "Hm. I haven't seen what you've been working on. Would you like to show me?"
[23:23] * Serenity-hime shrugs. "Sure, I guess. We finished up my bedroom last week, and we've been trying to clean up the grand temple - which one did you want to see?"
[23:24] <Ami> "Whichever you want to show. You're leading, after all."
[23:27] <Serenity-hime> "I guess we can look at my chambers first and then head down to the temple." Usagi nods, gliding out of the library workshop and on the short trip up the levels of the palace to the royal residential wing.
[23:28] * Serenity-hime opens the door, activating a few strategically placed light globes around the room. "Voila..." she says drily.
[23:29] * Ami enters and looks around.
[23:31] <Serenity-hime> The room is fairly simply decorated, at least for now. Most of the antique-looking furniture has been fully restored and polished, and a couple of large rugs - looking like ones that came from Earth - cover a good portion of the stone floor. A large fireplace sits dormant at one side of the room, although a small pile of ashes inside it reveals that it has been put to use recently.
[23:33] <Ami> "Niiice," Ami says, taking in the room. "I wish our rooms were this nice."
[23:34] * Serenity-hime smiles. "They can be again, and they will." Usagi looks around the room slowly. "It's probably selfish of me, but I just wanted to do something for myself after the great hall."
[23:38] * Ami nods. "I know how that goes. Which reminds me, I have to grab some books from the library before we go back." Spotting the bed Ami slips out of her slippers and sprints toward it, performing a belly flop onto it.
[23:39] * Serenity-hime shakes her head and giggles. "I'm just glad I wasn't in the bed this time."
[23:45] * Ami bounces. "This is a very nice bed. Soft, yet firm. Bouncy, yet not overly so. I bet it was made in Denmark."
[23:46] * Serenity-hime shakes her head. "No, I think it was made on Uranus... although I'm not positive about that. I seem to remember they did make beds there though."
[23:48] * Ami bounces on the bed, a far off look in her eyes. "My god, you're right!"
[23:48] * Serenity-hime gives the senshi of wisdom an odd look. "Are you feeling okay, Ami-chan?"
[23:49] * Ami shakes her head, blinking. "Sorry. Random memory."
[23:50] * Serenity-hime smiles. "That's okay... I know how it goes."
[23:50] * Ami rolls out of the bed regretfully. "So, where to now?"
[23:51] <Serenity-hime> "I guess over to the temple... kind of a long walk though, and it's not done yet."
[23:52] <Ami> "Not much is," Ami says, slipping into her slippers once again. "Though that will change, right?"
[23:54] * Serenity-hime nods, sighing a bit. "Yeah... I just wish it didn't take so long." She starts on the long trip down to the temple, leading Ami on an unfamiliar route through the meandering hallways of the palace.
[23:58] * Ami follows closely, trying to remember the path.
[23:59] * Serenity-hime eventually comes to a halt in front of an enormous pair of carved wooden doors, pushing their ponderous weight open slowly. "Come on in, Ami-chan."
[00:00] * Ami follows, pondering what new wonder she's likely to see.
[00:01] <Serenity-hime> Once inside, the ice senshi finds herself in a large, cathedral-like chamber. Large stained-glass windows - all but a couple of which are intact - line the walls, and a huge, if broken, stained-glass skylight dominates the dome at the center of the ceiling. A series of benches surround a central dais. A fair amount of debris still litters the area, however, and most of the benches have some sort of damage to a greater or lesser degree.
[00:03] * Ami quietly begins walking. "You know, I never figured Rei to like this kind of place."
[00:05] * Serenity-hime smiles, her thoughts on the miko. "Yeah, it's definitely a lot showier than her shrine. But she said that whatever spirit used to be here is still here, so she wanted to try to restore it. We've been working on this since I finished off my chambers, although we haven't had a lot of time with all the trouble back home."
[00:07] <Ami> "Ah. That would explain it." She pokes at a bit of broken glass. "This place will be something to see when it's finished."
[00:09] * Serenity-hime chuckles drily. "I catch myself saying that a lot up here."
[00:11] <Ami> "The truth is usually easier to say than lies, Usagi," Ami says. "This just means the reward for our work will be that much better."
[00:13] <Serenity-hime> "It's not that I don't think it's worth the effort - I really do." Usagi stares up at one of the repaired windows. "I just wish it didn't take so long." Not for the last time, Usagi wonders how things would be different if she hadn't lost the Silver Crystal...
[16:47] <Anastasia> ---
[16:49] <Anastasia> Wednesday is bright and happy, with the warm weather insuring the temple is bustling early on. Since Rei's free, she's right at it as a shrine maiden...
[16:49] <Anastasia> It's about 11 AM now, the morning going by quickly enough with Yuuichiro's help.
[16:49] * Rei-chan is happy to help visitors, selling charms, giving out blessings, and explaining the history of the Shrine to any who care to listen.
[16:50] <Anastasia> Just as you finish talking to a lovely elderly pair who showed interest in your shrine, another voice gets your attention... "Rei!"
[16:51] * Rei-chan turns around at the voice.
[16:52] <Anastasia> Tellu, dressed in a tasteful green dress for the weather, waves. Eudial is a few steps behind her, dressed in her normal tastes of a red shell top and black pants.
[16:53] <Rei-chan> "Hi guys," Rei smiles at the pair, coming over to greet them. "What brings you two here, today?"
[16:55] <Anastasia> Eudial smiles, her hair tied into a single long ponytail today. "We wanted to invite you out," she says. "and treat you to lunch."
[16:58] <Rei-chan> "Really?" Rei perks up, "I've been pretty busy today, but I'm sure the Shrine can manage without me - I would normally be in school right now." She nods decisively, "Come on in, you can wait in the living room and I'll get changed in a couple of minutes."
[17:00] <Anastasia> Tellu smiles at that, and Eudial nods. "Sure," she nods, following. As you walk, "It's nice here," Tellu quietly comments. "The cherry trees are so vibrant and alive."
[17:04] <Ebiris> Rei smiles at that, "You can almost pretend you're not in the city at all up here," she says, leading them into the living room. "Just make yourselves comfortable, I'll be back in a second," she adds, heading off to her room.
[17:05] <Anastasia> They sit, Tellu looking around politely while Eudial sits down, stretching out.
[17:06] <Rei-chan> It being a sunny and warm day, Rei picks out a short skirted red dress she hasn't worn since last Summer, folding up her hakama neatly before dressing and returning to rejoin the other two girls. "So, where are you taking me for lunch?" she asks brightly.
[17:08] <Anastasia> Eudial grins, taking a silvery credit card out from her pocket. "It's on the Mugen tab, so what sounds good?" She laughs a bit, a wide smile on her face. "It's nice to have a petty cash fund, isn't it? The Professor set it up for us, and he wanted us to keep it even after we were depossesed.""
[17:09] <Rei-chan> "That is handy," Rei agrees, blinking as she considers just how much more resources they'll have for allying with Mugen. "But you're the ones taking me out, so I don't mind where we go," she grins, "Surprise me with something new!"
[17:11] <Anastasia> Eudial matches your grin, while Tellu shows a bit more restraint. "There's a new place that does American food down by the park," Eudial suggests. "The Diner, or something."
[17:13] <Rei-chan> "Sounds good to me," Rei nods. "Let's go," she leads the other two out, putting on her red high heels at the door and waving to Yuichirro in the courtyard, "I'm going for lunch, I'll see you later," she calls over to the unkempt young man.
[17:14] <Anastasia> He looks up, brushing aside his bangs with his free hand while his other holds a broom. He sends a momentary glare at the two Witches before shrugging and going back to work, a bit less cheery this time. "Bye, Rei..."
[17:15] <Anastasia> Once your down the stairs, you see the Eudial's car awaits you. Tellu pauses a moment in front of it, hesitating...
[17:16] * Rei-chan represses the urge to smirk. "Still not used to Eudial's driving?" she says sympathetically to the green-haired girl.
[17:16] <Anastasia> Eudial looks up from unlocking her door while looking at the Witch. "Oh, come on," she says. "I didn't drive THAT fast on the way here," she protests.
[17:17] <Anastasia> Her voice isn't mad as much as slightly teasing, however.
[17:17] <Anastasia> "I guess......" the green haired beauty murmurs, still staring nervously at the car.
[17:18] * Rei-chan shakes her head, giving Tellu a pat on the shoulder. "Don't worry, considering how she drives and the fact that she hasn't crashed yet, I think we're pretty safe," 'Unless the law of averages catches up to us...' she does not say.
[17:19] * Rei-chan then gets in the car, taking shotgun.
[17:20] <Anastasia> Tellu nods, slowly getting into the opened back door, clamping her seatbelt on QUITE tightly and firmly. "We're fine, I know just what I'm doing," she assures the other girl, gunning the engine.
[17:21] <Anastasia> As if to prove it, she seems to drive at the car's maximum, breaking the laws of the road, gravity, Newton's, and probably a load of others that aren't named.
[17:21] <Anastasia> On the plus side, you get to where you want to go awfully quick.
[17:22] <Anastasia> Tellu goes pale early on, sinking into her seat and closing her eyes. She really doesn't seem to like going this fast...
[17:22] <Rei-chan> After arriving, Rei gets out of the car, bravely resisting the urge to kiss the pavement in gratitude as she takes in the appearance of The Diner from outside.
[17:23] <Anastasia> Eudial grins broadly as she gets out, satisfied on a level that driving seems to reach for her. Tellu, on the other hand, gets out of the car quickly and seems deathly relieved to be out.
[17:24] * Rei-chan gives Tellu a sympathetic look. "You... sort of get used to it... after a while..." she offers.
[17:24] <Anastasia> The Diner is a standalone building, with windows and silvery walls. A mural of a Western car (a 1957 Bel Air Chevrolet) driving over a highway takes up the front wall, with a smaller mural of four black men singing the blues.
[17:25] <Anastasia> "I guess..." she murmurs again, still a touch shaken.
[17:26] <Anastasia> "Once you get used to it," Eudial chips in, "you start to like it. There's nothing like zooming down the narrow streets, Tellu."
[17:27] <Rei-chan> "Think of it like a free rollercoaster," Rei says encouragingly as she heads into The Diner.
[17:29] <Anastasia> Tellu just shakes her head as you enter. Inside... it's all booths, with a bar counter in the very back. The paths between the red and white plastic booths are smooth, strangely, complimented by white tables. A moment later, you see why the floors are smooth.
[17:29] <Anastasia> A waitress rolls up, rollerskating through the wide booth passages. "Hi, can I help you?"
[17:30] <Anastasia> "Table for 3, please," Eudial says, eyeing the footwear of the waitress.
[17:31] * Rei-chan also eyes the rollerskates, dearly hoping that the waitresses are adept at moving on them without falling over and spilling food everywhere...
[17:32] <Anastasia> For what it's worth, you don't see any evidence of spills in your vicinity. "Sure thing, right this way," she skates off, her short skirt having the intended effect of showing off her teenage rear. She leads you to a window table, three menus already there.
[17:33] * Rei-chan takes a seat by the window and looks over the menu, having not been interested at all by the waitress' bottom.
[17:34] <Anastasia> The other two do as well, scanning the offers. All of it is what would be classic home food for your typical American, so it's a bit out there for Rei and company. Hamburgers, omelettes, breakfast platters, chicken, meatloaf, milkshakes, chili, and so forth are the offerings.
[17:35] <Rei-chan> "I think I'll try the chili," Rei says, looking up from the menu, "How about you guys?"
[17:36] <Anastasia> "Same here," Eudial nods. Tellu puts down her menu. "The hamburger for me, hold the lettuce and tomatoes," she says, having read over the description of the food already. "No vegetables on it at all."
[17:37] <Anastasia> Eudial blinks as the waitress takes the orders, looking over at Tellu. "I would have thought you'd have gotten a salad," she comments.
[17:38] <Rei-chan> "And a strawberry milkshake for me," Rei adds to the waitress.
[17:38] <Anastasia> "Strawberry, too," Eudial shrugs, still looking at Tellu. "Water, please," she orders, waiting for the waitress to go.
[17:39] <Anastasia> "Ugh," Tellu mutters, wincing. "I can't eat vegetables, not since I developed my powers. It would be like being a cannibal," she shudders.
[17:39] <Rei-chan> "How do you get all the vitamins and stuff you need, then?" Rei asks, propping her chin on her clasped hands, elbows on the table.
[17:41] <Anastasia> "Vitamins," she says, leaning back. "It's a pain, but I can't stomach vegetables, fruits, or anything from living plants."
[17:43] <Rei-chan> "That'd be weird..." Rei says, before shaking her head, "But then, I've never understood vegetarians either..."
[17:45] <Anastasia> She shrugs, not elaborating. The talk falls to a discussion about what classes you're going to be in. "Any idea yet, Rei," Eudial asks. "I'm going to start as a assistant tomorrow, too," she comments, looking up as the waitress brings your drinks.
[17:47] <Rei-chan> "I'm mostly interested in history and social sciences," Rei says, taking a sip of her milkshake, "Except modern politics," she adds with a grimace.
[17:49] <Anastasia> She nods, taking a sip of her milkshake. "Mmm. Why not modern politics?"
[17:51] <Rei-chan> "I just find it distasteful. Makes me think of my father... he's pretty high up in the Democratic Liberal party," Rei says with a faint scowl marring her features.
[17:55] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[17:55] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[17:55] <Anastasia> Eudial thinks a moment, pondering, then shrugs. "You're not on good terms with him," she asks, swirling her straw in the 'shake idly.
[17:58] <Rei-chan> "No," Rei shakes her head, "I haven't even seen him since I was twelve..."
[18:01] <Anastasia> "Ah..." she shrugs, letting the matter drop. Shortly after, your meal comes.
[18:01] <Anastasia> The chili is spicy, like a hot, meaty stew.
[18:02] <Rei-chan> "I like this," Rei says approvingly after a few bites, trying to get back in a cheerful frame of mind after the sour topic of her father was brought up.
[18:02] <Anastasia> "It's good and hot," Eudial agrees, starting into hers. Tellu seems to enjoy her hamburger, working away at it.
[18:03] <Anastasia> As you really start to get into it...
[18:03] <Anastasia> Tellu looks up, putting down her hamburger. "Did you just hear someone scream?" she asks, quickly looking out the window.
[18:04] <Rei-chan> "No..." Rei says, also looking out and trying to sense anything amiss.
[18:04] <Anastasia> "No," Eudial comments, looking out after Tellu says.
[18:04] <Anastasia> Rei - You sense a disturbance nearby, in the park. As if to accent that, a moment later a faint scream is heard...
[18:05] <Rei-chan> "I do now, it's in the park," Rei says, getting up and putting down a wad of yen on the table, "We better check it out," she says, hustling Eudial to get out so she can do likewise.
[18:06] <Anastasia> "Elf?" she asks in a single word, getting up quickly. After a mental moment of thought, Tellu follows. Another, more audible scream pierces the air, causing most of the restaurant patrons to look up as you girls exit. Ahead in the park, you can see that several victims of a blue, white and grey robed figure are laying about, energy flowing into the monster!
[18:07] * Rei-chan looks around for a place where she can transform without being seen.
[18:08] <Anastasia> There are a few quiet alleys about. "My Flame Buster is in my car," she says quietly, nodding to Rei.
[18:08] <Rei-chan> "Get it," Rei says, dashing into the alley and raising her pen, calling out "Mars Power, Make Up!"
[18:09] <Anastasia> When Rei emerges a few moments later, Eudial has it out and ready, looking your way, ready. Tellu hangs back, staring at the monster.
[18:10] * Sailor_Mars dashes into the park, posing in front of the monster. "The park is a place for people to enjoy the sanctity of nature! You'll pay for turning everyone's retreat into a place of evil! In the name of Mars I'll chastise you!"
[18:14] <Anastasia> Eudial runs right behind Mars, shouting out after Rei does her speech. "You're firefood, elf toy," she shakes her fist at the monster.
[18:23] <Anastasia> Tellu stays behind, far out of what will be the likely combat zome. The robed creature turns, a long white beard rolling down it's front, long enough to touch the ground despite its five feet plus height.
[18:26] <Anastasia> A wooden staff is in its hand, crooked and burnt. "Lightna!" it cries, seeing more targets to be drained!
[18:26] * Sailor_Mars readies herself for the impending battle, deciding to try and take the creature down without killing it so they can hopefully garner some info.
[18:26] <Anastasia> OOC - Initiative
[18:26] <Sailor_Mars> roll 1d6+10
[18:26] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6+10 and gets 16."
[18:26] <Anastasia> roll 1d6
[18:26] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 2."
[18:26] <Anastasia> roll 1d6
[18:26] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 1."
[18:28] <Anastasia> Pointing her flame thrower, Eudial grins. "Fire Buster, GO!" she cries, letting loose her flames!
[18:28] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[18:28] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[18:29] <Anastasia> At the same time, the monster points its staff out. "Lightna!" A crackling bolt of lighting comes from it, rushing in a collision course with Eudial's fire!
[18:29] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[18:29] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[18:30] <Anastasia> The two attacks clash, fire and lightning mixing for a moment! With a crackling flash, the lightning is dissipated, while a bit of the flame makes it through to the monster. It doesn't even flinch at the attack, even though it's slightly burned by it!
[18:31] <Sailor_Mars> Dashing to the side, Mars yells "Mars Snake Fire!" launching her own attack hot (pardon the pun) on the heels of Eudial's, at a different angle so as not to get caught up in the other two competing attacks.
[18:31] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[18:31] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[18:32] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[18:32] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[18:32] <Anastasia> The thing raises its staff in defense, but the Snake Fire isn't nearly weak enough to be stopped by it! It is charred and thrown back by the fiery force, damaged a fair deal.
[18:33] <Anastasia> It lands on its feet, however, and is still quite feisty.
[18:34] <Anastasia> OOC - Initiative
[18:34] <Sailor_Mars> roll 1d6+10
[18:34] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6+10 and gets 13."
[18:35] <Anastasia> As you battle, a stray bit of force from Mars's fire attack strikes a cherry tree, knocking forth a flood of pink petals. It's strangely beautiful in the middle of this battle.
[18:35] <Anastasia> roll 1d6
[18:35] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 5."
[18:35] <Anastasia> roll 1d6
[18:35] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 2."
[18:37] <Anastasia> Seeing the petals, the mage like creature raises it's staff! "Come to Lightna," it cries forth, the petals plucked by an unseen force in the air to him, then coated into a loose web connected with bolts of lighting! "Fry, Lightna!" He hurls the ball at Eudial!
[18:37] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[18:37] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[18:37] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[18:37] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[18:38] <Anastasia> The lighting net wraps around Eudial, causing her to shriek as lighting courses through her and drags her to the ground, caught in an electric web!
[18:40] <Sailor_Mars> "Eudial!" Rei cries in alarm, turning a fierce glare at the creature, "You'll pay for that," she promises, producing an ofuda and leaping towards the robed monster. With a yell of "Akuryo Taisan!" she tries to smack the ward on its head to stun it and stop it from feeding power to the web holding Eudial.
[18:40] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[18:40] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[18:40] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[18:40] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[18:42] <Anastasia> OOC - Redo.
[18:42] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[18:42] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 12."
[18:42] <Anastasia> OOC - Redo again. I know how Mars felt that one time she blew all hers on two 12s and a 10. -_-
[18:42] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[18:42] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[18:45] <Anastasia> The creatures move out of the way of Rei's ofuda in a stunning, out of appearance burst of speed! Thus, the dreaded charm attack is evaded for now!
[18:46] <Anastasia> OOC - Initiative.
[18:46] <Sailor_Mars> roll 1d6+10
[18:46] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6+10 and gets 15."
[18:46] <Anastasia> roll 1d6
[18:46] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 6."
[18:46] <Anastasia> roll 1d6
[18:46] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 5."
[18:47] <Sailor_Mars> Taking a few steps away so she can see both Eudial and the monster, Rei reaches out mentally towards the redhead, trying to telekinetically burst the web apart by forcing the sakura leaves away from each other.
[18:48] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6-4
[18:48] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6-4 and gets 5."
[18:48] <Anastasia> Between Eudial's own struggles and your help, the web of lightning and petals is broken apart, a lightshow of burnt pink flakes floating across the area around Eudial.
[18:50] <Anastasia> "Thanks," she says, as she slowly gets up, a bit frizzed from the electricity.
[18:51] <Anastasia> Meanwhile, the monster snarls, annoyed now at the both of them. "Lightna!" The voice of the female elf calls out, her image appearing beside the monster, transparent as a ghost. "They must have a lot," she purrs the words, "of energy if they're fighting so hard. Drain them dry with me!"
[18:52] <Sailor_Mars> "It'll end up just like your Minataron, elf!" Rei yells angrily at the astral projection.
[18:53] <Anastasia> The monster agrees wordlessly, the both of them pointing at you as an unseen force tugs at both of your very energies!
[18:53] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[18:53] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[18:53] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[18:53] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[18:54] <Anastasia> OOC - Dodge roll, rei.
[18:54] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[18:54] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[18:54] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[18:54] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[18:55] <Anastasia> Rei is able to spritiually defend the attack, but Eudial staggers, her energy siphoned away from her visibly!
[18:56] <Anastasia> "Dammit!" she curses angrily, still up despite a visible energy drain. "You fucking fantasy escapee," she growls, throughly pissed.
[18:57] <Anastasia> OOC - Initiative.
[18:57] <Sailor_Mars> roll 1d6+10
[18:57] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6+10 and gets 14."
[18:57] <Anastasia> roll 1d6
[18:57] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 3."
[18:57] <Anastasia> roll 1d6
[18:57] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 5."
[18:57] <Anastasia> roll 1d6
[18:57] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 1."
[18:59] <Anastasia> Gripping her Flame Buster tightly, she sneers at the laughing elf as she lets loose a wide spread of flame at the both of them!
[18:59] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[18:59] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[18:59] <Sailor_Mars> Moving to the side so the elf and monster are mostly lined up, Mars releases her most powerful attack once again, crying out "Mars Snake Fire!" as she directs the flaming viper to hit both the elf and then the monster in sequence!
[18:59] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6+1
[18:59] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6+1 and gets 5."
[18:59] <Anastasia> Tragically, however, Eudial misaims, the fire just missing their heads for empty air!
[19:00] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[19:00] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[19:01] <Anastasia> The attack causes the projection to vanish for several seconds, reappearing just as the monster is consumed by a second Snake Fire! The impact rocks it, and it falls, disintegrating down to dust and a blackened card as it does so!
[19:01] <Anastasia> "Urgh!" She scowls at the pile of fine dust that was her monster, pissed. "You little brats!"
[19:04] * Sailor Mars glares at the projection, "Going to try and take us yourself, or just going to piss and whine while you're safely hidden away behind a projection?" she taunts, desperately hoping the elf will be stupid and angry enough to appear physically.
[19:05] <Anastasia> She scowls at the black haired Senshi of Mars, banging her fists into her side. "Next time," she vows, vanishing.
[19:06] <Sailor_Mars> "The latter, then," Mars mutters, jogging over to Eudial, "You okay?"
[19:06] <Anastasia> "I'm fine," she says, still shaking the cobwebs from a combination of energy drain and shocking damage. "My ego hurts more than my body."
[19:07] * Sailor_Mars looks around to see how the draining victims are, as well as looking out for Tellu and other witnesses.
[19:08] <Anastasia> Looking around, you see that the drain victims are quite unconscious, as is usual... you and Eudial turn away, seeing Tellu now crossing the street. As she reaches the other side, she stops and starts to point...
[19:08] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[19:08] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[19:08] <Anastasia> OOC- Dodge check, +4 mod, Mars.
[19:09] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6+4
[19:09] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6+4 and gets 8."
[19:10] <Sailor_Mars> Feeling the hairs on the back of her neck tingle, Mars suddenly twists to the side, taking several rapid steps away from her previous position.
[19:11] <Anastasia> A blast of pure force zings the area where Mars was a split second ago! Turning, you see a very solid female elf standing where the image was, throughly annoyed. "It's time to get rid of you pests," she comments. "No more mercy!" she then smiles, sinister and beautiful. "Next time is NOW."
[19:12] <Sailor_Mars> 'YES!' Mars thinks triumphantly, a savage grin lighting up her face, "So glad you see it my way," she says, getting ready to resume fighting.
[19:12] <Anastasia> Eudial whips around, still with her Flame Buster ready. "Alright," she grins herself. "I've been waiting for a chance to fry for for a few weeks now!"
[19:12] <Anastasia> OOC - Initiative.
[19:12] <Sailor_Mars> roll 1d6+10
[19:12] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6+10 and gets 12."
[19:13] <Anastasia> roll 1d6
[19:13] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 5."
[19:13] <Anastasia> roll 1d6
[19:13] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 6."
[19:14] <Anastasia> Flying up a few feet, she opens her hand palm first, pointing at the both of you! "Get lost!"
[19:14] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[19:14] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 2."
[19:14] <Anastasia> roll 1d6
[19:14] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 1."
[19:14] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[19:14] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[19:14] <Anastasia> A burst of forceful energy bursts between the two of you, a small forcebomb of pure intensity!
[19:15] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[19:15] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[19:15] <Anastasia> Eudial and Rei both dive to separate sides, narrowly avoiding having their bodies hurled quite forcefully about!
[19:16] <Anastasia> Turning into a roll, Eudial ends up in a crouch, pointing her Flame Buster at the female elf. "Oooh, that's IT!"
[19:16] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[19:16] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 12."
[19:17] <Anastasia> ...and nothing. "Wha?" she says, looking down at her Flame Buster in annoyance. "Shit!"
[19:18] <Sailor_Mars> Not taking the time to gape at Eudial's misfortune, Mars once again summons flames to her hands in the form of an angry viper's head. "Mars Snake Fire!" she yells, launching her attack at the elf!
[19:18] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[19:18] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[19:18] <Anastasia> roll 2d6 (Burning 20 EP)
[19:18] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 (Burning 20 EP) and gets 7."
[19:21] <Anastasia> She smirks, her still open palm deflecting the attack like a wall! "That's nothing!" she taunts you, her face a smirk ridden insult to Sailors of Fire everywhere.
[19:21] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[19:21] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 12."
[19:22] * Sailor_Mars growls, deciding a change in tactics is in order.
[19:23] <Anastasia> Having spent a few moments tinkering with her gun, Eudial smiles again. "Next shot of mine cooks ya!"
[19:25] <Anastasia> Right after that, however, the male elf appears in body as well. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" he says, angrily.
[19:25] <Anastasia> "I'm getting RID of these annoying girls, that's what," she shoots back, angry as well.
[19:27] <Anastasia> "You're almost out of energy," he says back, grabbing her arm. "Let's GO!"
[19:28] <Sailor_Mars> "Like hell!" Mars yells, her blood up, "This was just getting good!"
[19:28] <Anastasia> "We'll meet again," he vows, glancing back. "You ARE getting in our way!" With that, the duo vanish.
[19:29] <Anastasia> "Damn!" Eudial says, kicking the ground in general annoyance. "That was a golden opportunity!"
[19:29] * Sailor_Mars growls, working her fingers as all her built up stress suddenly lacks an outlet.
[19:30] <Sailor_Mars> "I hope they're as pissed off as I am," Mars replies, walking closer to Eudial and speaking quietly, "I'll meet you back at the car," before dashing off out of the park.
[19:30] <Anastasia> "Yeah," she says, nodding, making haste before the crowd wakes up.
[19:31] <Anastasia> A few minutes later, you're safely in Eudial's car, Tellu having followed.
[19:33] <Rei-chan> "Well, at least we know we're pissing them off, and the fact that they need to conserve their energy pretty badly," Rei says, trying to find an upside.
[19:34] * Rei-chan then yawns, "Though I have to admit, I doubt I could manage another big attack myself right now..."
[19:41] <Anastasia> Eudial grunts, gunning the engine and taking out her anger on the road. As she zooms, "Neither could I," she admits. "I think that last missed blast clipped my Fire Buster." Eudial grimances. "It needs some repairs now."
[19:42] * Rei-chan snorts, "I guess we were kinda lucky that they left, but when I'm in the middle of a fight I just can't see it that way..."
[19:42] <Anastasia> "They looked pretty powerful," Tellu comments quietly, still coping with Eudial's neckbreaking speeds.
[19:43] <Anastasia> "Bah, we would've fried them somehow, anyway," Eudial says, before sighing and banging her hand on the steering wheel. "Argh! We missed a golden chance, Rei."
[19:44] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, that second blast from the elf girl showed she sure wasn't playing around," Rei nods. "And I'm pretty annoyed with how easily she deflected my Snake Fire..."
[19:45] <Anastasia> Eudial relents a bit. "I'm glad that one missed," she confesses. "It was a killing shot."
[19:46] <Rei-chan> "Maybe it might be a good idea to not take them on directly without more backup..." Rei sighs, looking out the window, "Usagi's going to kill me when she finds out..."
[19:47] <Anastasia> "I... didn't even think about that," she comments. "We Witches are used to fighting alone...I guess we'll have to learn differently."
[19:48] <Rei-chan> "I'm used to fighting with the other senshi... we cover each other's backs and complement each other pretty well," Rei nods, "It's good to have someone to back you up when things get dicey." The miko snorts, "Even though Usagi always says I try to do too much by myself..."
[19:49] <Anastasia> Eudial doesn't reply, thinking and driving. "That's probably true...with another person or four..."
[19:51] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, some of the things we've fought, I wouldn't stand a chance against on my own," she chuckles slightly, "Much as my ego might disagree. But working together we can accomplish so much more."
[19:55] <Anastasia> On that, the drive goes on...
[11:06] <Anastasia> ---

Halbarad · June 25, 2006, 08:42:24 PM

[07:32] <Anastasia> ---
[07:33] <Anastasia> Dressed in her Mugen uniform for perhaps the truly first time, Rei goes forth to begin her real Mugen education...
[07:37] <Anastasia> Having recieved a basic class schedule already, it shows that her first class is Math. Of course, first thing in the morning...
[07:38] * Rei-chan checks the schedule to find out where her class actually is, then makes her way to the classroom.
[07:41] <Anastasia> Room 173, to be precise, is the room in question. Calculus AB is the class, to be even more precise. Inside the pleasantly spread out classroom are perhaps fifteen students, all of your age, more or less. Most glance up at you, taking note of the new student quietly.
[07:44] * Rei-chan gives a small smile to the students before going over to the teacher's desk, wondering if she'll have to do a self-introduction to her new classmates.
[07:45] <Anastasia> The teacher hasn't arrived yet. It's about ten minutes before class, so that's not a huge deal. To their credit, most of the students at least smile back at the cute new girl.
[07:47] <Rei-chan> Not really knowing the procedure here, since new students at T*A were always escorted in by the teacher on their first day, Rei stands around somewhat awkwardly since she hasn't been assigned a seat.
[07:48] <Anastasia> You find yourself under the curious gaze of the class as you wait. It isn't unfriendly, but it's still not comfortable. After a few minutes of this, the door opens again. A skinny man, dressed in a nice brown suit, enters. He's middle aged and quite bald, otherwise unremarkable. "Ah, Miss Hino," he says to, going right to you. "I had heard I would have a new student today."
[07:50] * Rei-chan bows politely. "Good morning, sensei," she greets him.
[07:52] <Anastasia> "Good morning," he returns politely. He quickly glances at the student populace, then nods. "I see the class is already here, so why don't you introduce yourself? You're transfering in from..." He pulls a slip of paper from his breast pocket, "T*A Academy."
[07:55] <Rei-chan> "That's right," Rei nods, turning to face the class. "My name is Rei Hino and I'm a miko at Hikawa Shrine. In my spare time I like to write songs and spend time with my friends," she bows, "I'm very pleased to meet you all." Lowering her head in the bow also helps cover her grimace at making such a lame speech.
[07:57] <Anastasia> The class nods generally. "Hey," one girl calls out, a long, blue haired girl with overly thick pair of glasses, "I go to Hikawa Shrine sometimes."
[07:57] * Rei-chan looks at the girl, trying to recognise her.
[07:58] <Anastasia> Now that you look at her, she does look slightly familiar, like a face in the crowd you've seen a few too many times to quite forget. She stands, smiling. "You have a wonderful shrine," she goes on, bowing politely. "My grandparents love it there as well."
[08:00] * Rei-chan smiles at the compliment. "Thank you," she says sincerely, "I actually do recall seeing you there a few times. I'm glad you like it - it's a lot of work to keep the place looking so nice at times," she adds a bit ruefully.
[08:00] <Anastasia> "That's good," the teacher nods. "Miss Hino, why don't you sit next to Miss Koetsu, then," he says, pointing at an empty desk besides her.
[08:02] * Rei-chan nods, going over to sit next to the girl and getting out her math supplies.
[08:02] <Anastasia> The girl smiles at you again as you sit next to her. "Glad to meet you," she whispers as you get your materials ready.
[08:03] <Rei-chan> "Likewise, Koetsu-chan," Rei replies easily, matching the other girl's volume.
[08:04] <Anastasia> "Call me Shiori," she whispers back, getting her own pencils and paper ready.
[08:05] * Rei-chan nods before falling silent and waiting for the lesson to begin.
[08:06] <Anastasia> The teacher - Mr. Tengo - begins. Rei finds that while she has an idea of what's going on, this is still a touch ahead of her personal studies. Thus, the period is spent figuring out where she is and making do for the day as best she can.
[08:08] * Rei-chan barely resists the urge to telepathically contact Usagi and ask the blonde to ask Ami about some of the math problems, determined to figure it out on her own.
[08:08] <Anastasia> At the end of the period, "Class, your test is Friday. Miss Hino, would you see me after class about this?"
[08:10] <Rei-chan> "Yes, sensei," Rei says, tidying up her things before standing up from her seat and going over to the teacher's desk.
[08:11] <Anastasia> "Miss Hino, I don't expect you to take this test tomorrow, as you've just entered the class. However, it needs to be taken at some juncture in the semester." he says, tidying up his desk all the while.
[08:15] <Rei-chan> "Yes, I think I still need a bit of time to catch up," Rei admits, "I think maybe three weeks will give me enough time to be prepared for the test, since I expect I'll have to do a fair bit of catch-up work for other classes as well."
[08:15] <Anastasia> He nods. "That's fine," he says.
[08:17] <Rei-chan> "Thank you, sensei," Rei replies, returning to her desk.
[08:17] * Rei-chan gathers up her belongings and checks her schedule for the next class.
[08:19] <Anastasia> Room 203, Physics, Miss Yamai. Sounds like fun.
[08:19] <Rei-chan> replacing her schedule in her pocket, Rei heads off to room 203.
[08:21] <Anastasia> A quick trip up the stairs leads to room 203. Entering, you see that Viluy is already standing at the teacher's desk, talking to a mousy, again middle aged woman.
[08:21] * Rei-chan goes over to join the two, remaining silent until they acknowledge her.
[08:23] <Anastasia> Viluy turns as you enter. A moment of indecision crosses her face before she smiles politely at you. "Oh, you're the other new student," the woman breaks off from Viluy, looking at you. "Miss... Hino, correct?"
[08:25] <Rei-chan> "Yes, that's right," Rei agrees, smiling at Viluy before becoming slightly confused. 'Isn't Viluy sixteen?'
[08:27] <Anastasia> She nods. "Why don't you introduce yourself while I talk to Miss Hino," she says to Viluy. She smiles at you as Viluy goes up to speak. "Welcome to my class, Miss Hino. Do you have any questions you'd like to ask me?" Meawhile, "Hello, class," the silvery girl starts. "I'm Viluy Nakajima, age 16. I'm taking this class as a refresher before advanced physics. I like computers, machines and games," she nods, going to a desk in front.
[08:29] <Rei-chan> "I don't think so," Rei shakes her head, "I might have questions after the class if any problems come up, but I don't have any right now."
[08:30] <Anastasia> She nods. "You'll be sitting in the third row, seat 5," she gestures at an empty desk in the class of 12 or so. "Go introduce yourself, now."
[08:31] * Rei-chan goes to stand in front of the class. "My name is Rei Hino, I'm 14 years old and I'm a miko at Hikawa Shrine. I transferred here from T*A Academy and I like manga." she bows, "I'm very pleased to meet you all." 'Oh, God, that speech was even worse!' she thinks, ducking her head as she makes her way to the indicated desk.
[08:33] <Anastasia> The class as a whole takes in your speech, no noticeable reaction. The lesson starts right after that - to your surprise, they're about where you were in your studies. That's a good thing, as you're able to understand what's being said and not have to dig out of a hole.
[08:34] <Anastasia> It's a small class of 13 now, and you sit in the first three rows only. To your surprise, the teacher encourages discussion as she teaches, letting students ask questions and make their own points at times. Doesn't look to be too bad a class at all...
[08:35] * Rei-chan works her way through the lesson without difficulty, even though she's not the most scientifically minded person in the world, physics does come quite easily to her. She tries to join in the discussion where possible, finding that she quite enjoys this class.
[08:35] <Anastasia> Viluy seems to be throughly up on the lesson, showing no signs of being lost and making a few good comments herself. With surprising speed, the class ends.
[08:36] <Rei-chan> Gathering up her things, Rei goes over to Miss Yamai. "I enjoyed the lesson, sensei. I don't think I'll have any problems with this class," she says, smiling.
[08:37] <Anastasia> "Good," she nods. "You looked like you were enjoying the lesson."
[08:38] <Rei-chan> "I liked how we all got to participate - it's a lot different from what it was like at T*A," Rei agrees. "Anyway, better get to my next class. I'll see you tomorrow, sensei," she says, leaving the room and getting out her schedule to find out what said next class is.
[08:39] <Anastasia> Your next class is Japanese History. Standard enough, really, even at a school like this. Room 319.
[08:40] * Rei-chan smiles, wondering if she might actually be ahead of the curve at Mugen in this class as she makes her way up to room 319.
[08:40] <Anastasia> The teacher, a young, pockmark-faced man, nods briskly when you introduce yourself. "Well, do your introduction. Sit wherever you like when that's done."
[08:43] <Rei-chan> Going to the front of the class, Rei does so. "My name is Rei Hino, I'm 14 years old and I'm a miko at Hikawa Shrine. I transferred here from T*A Academy and I like music and spending time with my friends." she bows, "I'm very pleased to meet you all." 'Ugh... at most schools I'd only ever have to make this speech the one time...' she thinks despondently before going to take the nearest seat.
[08:45] <Anastasia> The class nods. The girl from first period, Shiori, is sitting a few desks from you. She smiles again and waves before the lesson begins.
[08:46] * Rei-chan turns and gives the blue-haired girl a wave of her own before focusing on the teacher.
[08:47] <Anastasia> The class is going over 15th century Japan, a subject that Rei knows well enough. Easy, even though the teacher is almost a pure lecturer, and a slightly boring one despite attempts to liven things up with his 'flair'.
[08:47] * Rei-chan represses a sigh, breezing through the lesson and not learning anything new, or even hearing old things in an interesting manner...
[08:49] <Anastasia> You notice the class alternates between taking notes when he does cover something relevant and important (30 percent of the time), and quietly passing notes and whispering when they can the other seventy percent. Near the end of the lesson, the guy sitting next to you passes you a note.
[08:49] * Rei-chan looks at the note to see if it has her own name or if she should pass it on.
[08:49] <Anastasia> It has 'Rei' on it.
[08:50] * Rei-chan opens the note, guessing it came from Shiori.
[08:50] <Anastasia> You're new here, Rei. Did you want to eat lunch with me next period? It sucks to be lonely here. Shiori.
[08:53] * Rei-chan writes underneath the message 'I actually know a few people from my tutoring before I got put in normal classes, but I'd be happy to have lunch with you. Rei.' Then folds it up so 'Rei' isn't visible and writes 'Shiori' on it, passing it back to the guy who gave it to her.
[08:53] <Anastasia> A minute later, Shiori gets the note, flashing you a friendly grin before going back to her studies.
[08:55] * Rei-chan smiles as well, having a flashback to when she was a little girl and repeatedly rejected all overtures at friendship extended by her classmates at T*A before they just gave up and she became forevermore known as 'the creepy psychic girl who talks to birds'. At least things here at Mugen are starting off on the right note.
[08:56] <Anastasia> The rest of the period goes by quietly, beside passing a few notes along. As the class ends, Shiori comes up, having her supplies already taken care of and put away.
[08:57] * Rei-chan puts away her things and stands up. "Thanks for asking me to have lunch with you," she says to the blue-haired girl.
[08:57] <Anastasia> "Hi," she says. "You made it through Mr. Boredom's lesson," she says quietly, in deference to the fact that he's still in the room.
[08:57] <Anastasia> "Sure," she smiles nicely. "It's lonely here if you don't have any friends."
[08:57] * Rei-chan snickers slightly. "Yeah, this is my favourite subject, too..." she says, pouting.
[08:58] <Anastasia> "That's terrible," she notes, "drawing him," a slight nod in the departing teacher's direction is given, "for it."
[08:59] <Rei-chan> "Well, the term is nearly over," Rei shrugs philosophically, "Maybe after April I'll get someone better," she says, hefting her schoolbag and starting out the classroom towards the cafeteria.
[09:00] <Anastasia> She nods as you exit. "You should. I imagine you'd already know most of this, because of your Shrine duties."
[09:02] <Rei-chan> "Well, for the Shrine I only really have to know the history that directly affects it," Rei admits, "But I just happen to find the history of our country in general to be pretty interesting. I'm much better at things like this than at more technical subjects," she says, walking along to the stairs and down to the cafeteria with her new friend.
[09:04] <Anastasia> The girl nods, reaching back to untie her hair from a loose ponytail. When unbound, it reaches down to her waist easily. "Oooh, it's nice to let my hair out of that tie," she comments. "I'm the same way about modern history," she comments, as you get close to the cafeteria. "Especially government...I'd like to be a civil servant of some sort when I graduate," she admits, smiling.
[09:10] <Rei-chan> "It does look nice like that," Rei nods approvingly at Shiori's unbound hair. "I haven't really decided what I'll do after school myself..." she admits, expertly masking her initial reaction to Shiori's choice of career.
[09:13] <Anastasia> She nods, but then turns her gaze to a blonde haired studend wearing the male uniform of Mugen right inside the cafeteria doorway. He's chatting with a cute girl, and looks to be flirting from his easy smile. Opening the door,"Hey, Haruka," Shiori calls, getting the attention of the blonde. Looking at his face, Rei...
[09:14] <Anastasia> Haruka smiles at Shiroi, and then glances at Rei. His expression hardens a half-degree, his eyes narrowing before resuming a normal expression. "Hey, Shiori," he calls, a soft yet masculine voice.
[09:16] * Rei-chan tilts her head, noticing the reaction and also feeling a nagging sense of familiarity. 'Where have I... that dream!' Her eyes widen for a second before she also resumes a normal expression. "Haruka, is it?" she says, looking intently at the 'boy's' aura.
[09:18] <Anastasia> "Yeah," he replies, a touch more guardedly. Haruka's aura is golden yellow but otherwise perfectly normal. "Friend of yours, Shiori," he asks, walking away from his previous target of attention.
[09:19] * Rei-chan looks for an adam's apple as she waits for Shiori to introduce her.
[09:20] <Anastasia> You don't notice one, at least from the short time you've observed her. "Rei, this is Haruka Tenoh. Haruka, this is Rei Hino," she smiles, introducing you.
[09:22] <Rei-chan> "Pleased to meet you, Haruka-chan," Rei says, a small smile tugging at her lips even as she wonders if Haruka is a Talisman holder then how no one noticed her. 'You'd think all Mugen students would be checked... but I guess I'll need to keep an eye on her from now on...'
[09:25] <Anastasia> He raises an eyebrow, now regarding you seriously. "Good to meet you, Rei," he says.
[09:26] <Anastasia> Shiori startles a bit. "You could tell, Rei," she asks, surprised.
[09:28] * Rei-chan looks over at the cute girl Haruka was flirting with. "Tell what?" she asks, returning her gaze to Shiori.
[09:31] <Anastasia> "Um... that..." she stumbles, realising what she just did. Haruka sighs. "Nevermind, Shiori," he says, starting to walk off. "See you around, Shiori."
[09:33] * Rei-chan shrugs. "None of my business," she says, heading over to join the line for lunch.
[09:33] <Anastasia> Shiori follows, an awkward silence falling over the both of you as you get your meals. Once equipped with food, you end up at a table simply enough.
[09:34] * Rei-chan sits down. "I probably shouldn't have said anything, should I?" she admits ruefully.
[09:35] <Anastasia> "Probably not," she agrees. "Haruka... is... special," she gets out, frowning as she tries to phrase it nicely.
[09:37] * Rei-chan snorts, "You mean she's gay. Believe me, I don't have a problem with that," she says, repressing a chuckle. "I just thought it was odd that she dressed like a man."
[09:40] <Anastasia> "Wow..." she says, further surprised. "How'd you figure all that out at once, Rei," she asks, openly interested.
[09:40] <Rei-chan> 'Because I'm psychic,' Rei does NOT say. "No adam's apple," she tilts her chin up and taps her throat.
[09:43] <Anastasia> Shiori shakes her head. "I'd never had noticed that," she says in wonder. "Yes, Haruka's a girl," she confirms. "Just don't spread it - it's not common knowledge that she is."
[09:44] * Rei-chan shrugs, "Like I said; none of my business." She chews on some of her lunch before adding, "But how does she handle gym class?"
[09:48] <Anastasia> "She doesn't have gym," she shrugs. "Probably for that reason." Taking a bite from her food, Shiori goes on. "I don't think she liked you," she admits, a bit gloomy.
[09:50] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, I noticed too," Rei says, frowning, "And it seems she didn't like me even before I noticed she was a girl..."
[09:52] <Rei-chan> "Oh, well," Rei shrugs, putting on a smile, "I probably wasn't her type. I won't complain."
[09:53] <Anastasia> Shiori nods. "Maybe not," she shrugs, a bit lost herself.
[09:56] <Rei-chan> Searching for another topic of conversation, Rei glances at her schedule to see her next class and ask Shiori about it.
[09:57] <Anastasia> Chemistry, Room 130, Mr. Irabu.
[09:58] <Rei-chan> "I've got Chemistry with Mr Irabu next," Rei says, "Any idea what that'll be like?"
[10:00] <Anastasia> "No," she shakes her head. "I have gym next period, and I've never had Mr. Irabu."
[10:01] <Rei-chan> "Oh, well," Rei shrugs, "Hopefully it'll be like my Physics class earlier and not like History was," she makes a face.
[10:05] <Anastasia> She nods, and the two of you fall into a pleasant enough conversation afterwards. Of note, however, is one question. "Rei, how was your last school?" she asks, "I've never met anyone who went to T*A."
[10:07] * Rei-chan grimaces. "It's... it wasn't really a bad school, but I was really lonely there. There were a lot of nasty rumours, and from what I hear they only got worse after I left..." she shakes her head, "I'm trying to put it all behind me, really."
[10:09] <Anastasia> She nods. "That's hard to live with," she says understandingly. "A bad reputation is worse than death."
[10:11] <Rei-chan> "I wouldn't go that far," Rei replies, "It was tough, but there's a big world outside of the playground. I just found friends who didn't go to T*A."
[10:13] <Anastasia> "Anyone here," she asks, curious. "I know it's your first day and all..."
[10:16] <Rei-chan> "I've actually been here since January," Rei points out, "I only just started normal classes today, but I did make friends with a few girls while I was getting tutored. But the friends I made before I transferred here all go to Juuban Junior High - although two of them are going to transfer here, actually, which will be nice," Rei smiles at the prospect.
[10:19] <Anastasia> She smiles. The conversation then turns towards them, but nothing of note happens until lunch finishes. Time for class again...
[10:19] <Rei-chan> "I'll see you later, Shiori-chan," Rei waves, heading off to room 130 as her new friend goes to gym class.
[10:21] <Anastasia> She waves, smiling. "See you, Rei!"
[10:22] <Anastasia> Mr. Irabu is a utterly boring man, a dull brown suit, light glasses and a face that is completely unremarkable. He greets you when you enter. "Hello. Miss Hino, isn't it? Introduce yourself to the class now."
[10:22] <Rei-chan> Once more... "Hello, I'm Rei Hino. I'm a miko at Hikawa Shrine. Nice to meet you all," she says, bowing.
[10:24] <Anastasia> THe class nods and then begins. You're a bit behind here, more so than the other classes. This looks to be catchup hell from the get-go, the lesson almost completely over your head.
[10:26] * Rei-chan struggles as best she can, deciding that getting some extra help from Eudial or Ami will most definitely be a good idea.
[10:27] <Anastasia> By the end of the period, that would seem to be the gospel truth. You're really behind in here...
[10:27] <Rei-chan> 'At least there's no test,' Rei thinks, gathering up her things and checking her schedule.
[10:30] <Anastasia> Gym is next.
[10:31] <Rei-chan> Nodding, the miko exits the classroom and heads over to the girls' changing rooms by the gym.
[10:33] <Anastasia> Once changed into the skimpy gym outfit, Rei heads out, and is quickly organized into the class. At least there is no introduction today, just softball in the warm weather.
[10:36] <Anastasia> By chance, Rei ends up high in the batting order, which means she bats third in the first inning. Two outs, no one on for the fiery SAilor Mars...
[10:37] * Rei-chan takes a few practice swings with her bat before stepping up, getting ready to hit this one out of the ballpark!
[10:37] <Anastasia> OOC - Body check.
[10:37] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[10:37] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[10:38] <Anastasia> Rei swings vailantly at the pitch! IT's up... and not moving much. A lazy pop fly that is caught by the pitcher ends your at bat.
[10:40] * Rei-chan shrugs, stepping off the plate and letting someone else go.
[10:41] * Rei-chan makes her way to the outfield. Whatever position she has...
[10:42] <Anastasia> Rei ends up in right field. The game goes on until the bottom of the second, when a ball is popped up in Rei's direction!
[10:42] <Anastasia> OOC - Body check.
[10:44] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[10:44] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[10:44] <Anastasia> Easily getting under it, Rei catches the ball!
[10:44] <Anastasia> That ends the inning. To the third... where with a runner on second and third, Rei comes to bat again.
[10:45] * Rei-chan resolves to do better this time.
[10:45] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[10:45] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[10:45] <Anastasia> "Strike 3!" the coach calls, who is umping the game. Struck out...
[10:46] * Rei-chan gives her bat a glare, blaming it for her failure as she drops it and returns to the outfield.
[10:46] <Anastasia> The rest of the game goes without note for Rei, and the period ends.
[10:47] * Rei-chan returns to the changing room and redresses in her uniform, checking her schedule once more.
[10:50] <Anastasia> Period 7, your last class of the day, is Drama.
[10:57] <Anastasia> Right now, it meets in room 192. About twenty students are here, none of them which you know.
[10:58] <Anastasia> The teacher, a spastic and energetic girl named Miss Kanzaki greets you. "Hi, Rei," she smiles widely, using your first name. "Why don't you tell us about yourself before we get started?"
[11:00] <Rei-chan> "Okay," Rei turns to the students, "My name is Rei Hino, I recently transferred here from T*A Academy and work as a miko at Hikawa Shrine. I'm fourteen years old and enjoy writing songs and spending time with my friends." She bows, "It's nice to meet all of you."
[11:01] <Anastasia> Miss Kanzaki grins. "That's GREAT, Rei," she says, gushing interest. "You like writing songs?"
[11:02] <Rei-chan> "Uh... yeah..." Rei nods, surprised at a teacher actually paying attention to her boring little speech, "It's just something I do with my spare time... I like to sing as well," she adds.
[11:04] <Anastasia> "ReaLLY?" she radiates cheer, while the rest of the class looks on in interest. "Let me go get the chorus leader, then! She'll love to know we have a songstress in here!" she literally dashes off, her dress fluttering as she runs.
[11:05] <Rei-chan> "Uh... okay..." Rei replies hesitantly, wondering if this is really such a good idea...
[11:08] <Anastasia> About five minutes later she returns, rescuing you from the awkward situation you were in. Behind her is the chorus leader, face brace and all. Mimette's eyes widen as she sees you as the 'sonstress'. "Here's that singer I told you about, Mimette, dear," she says, sugary and almost obscenely hyper.
[11:09] * Rei-chan chokes back on a sudden coughing fit. "Ah... hi, Mimette..." she waves lamely. 'Why me?!'
[11:11] <Anastasia> She nods to Mimette. "Due to an unfortunate biking accident," she comments, "Mimette is stuck in a secondary role in the chorus. She's running things while she can't sing."
[11:12] <Rei-chan> "Right..." Rei nods with a wince. 'I avoided taking Music just so this wouldn't happen!'
[11:13] <Anastasia> "You should go with Mimette, Rei," Miss Kanzaki says. "I wouldn't want to keep a SONGSTRESS," she emphasizes the line dramatically, and to bad effect, "from singing!"
[11:14] <Anastasia> She even puts a hand on her head, back of hand first, in a further dramatic feat.
[11:16] <Rei-chan> "Uh... okay..." Rei repeats, wishing for a hole to open up and swallow her. "Where are we going?" she looks between Mimette and Miss Kanzaki.
[11:21] <Anastasia> "You're going to the Chorus room," Miss Kanzaki chirps. "Mimette will take you there, I'll make sure your schedule gets changed this afternoon."
[11:21] <Rei-chan> "Does this mean I won't get to act?" Rei asks. 'I did not sign on this to be a singer!'
[11:23] <Anastasia> She nods. "You'll be SINGING, as your talent and destiny command," she declares. "Oh, if I were not so skilled in the acting arts, I would pray to God to be a songstress..." Meanwhile, to her credit, Mimette is managing to look annoyed even in her face gear.
[11:24] <Rei-chan> "But you haven't even heard me sing!" Rei protests. "What talent? What destiny?"
[11:25] <Anastasia> "If you say you like singing, it must be written in the stars that you are a singer! The stars know everything, and they say that you are not meant to be an actress, but a beautiful SINGER!" She completely overacts this, making dramatic motions and ending with a punctuating shout.
[11:26] <Rei-chan> 'If you become a singer you won't need to deal with Miss Kanzaki as much,' a mental voice whispers in Rei's ear. Her eyes lighting up, Rei nods. "Singing it is! Let's go, Mimette!" she says, turning to the blonde.
[11:28] <Anastasia> Mimette nods, and the both of you make haste out of the room, fleeing Miss Kanzaki's growing diatribe about destiny, the stars, singing, and the Kami who watch your temple only know what else.
[11:29] * Rei-chan heads over to the Chorus Room with Mimette, unsure really what to say to her in these circumstances.
[11:30] <Anastasia> Due to her current injury, Mimette isn't able to offer any comments of her own. The Chorus room is a few doors down, a large room with what looks to be nice acoustics. About seventeen students are milling about, along with a teacher who is reading a booklet.
[11:31] * Rei-chan waves as she enters with her mute companion.
[11:32] <Anastasia> To your surprise, he's of African decent, speaking Japanese with an English accent. Strange combination, that. "You're the singer Miss Kanzaki was going on about," he asks, then smiles. "Oh, and I'm Jeremy Lodeson. Good to meet you."
[11:33] <Rei-chan> "Nice to meet you, Lodeson-sensei," Rei bows, "I'm Rei Hino... although I only mentioned that I liked singing - Miss Kanzaki never heard me actually sing..." she admits, blushing.
[11:35] <Anastasia> He smiles, his tiny bit of stubble enhancing the look. He's cute, with a trim body and warm eyes. "I'm not surprised. Miss Kanzaki is rather..." he laughs lightly, "excitable, I daresay."
[11:35] * Rei-chan nods. "She was still getting rather worked up as we left..."
[11:36] <Anastasia> Getting up - he's dressed a bit less formally than the other teachers, in black slacks and a green polo shirt -, he nods. "Well, can you? Far from it for me to leave someone who can sing in Miss Kanzaki's care."
[11:37] <Anastasia> Mimette, in the meanwhile, has gone to a chair, observing events with a wary eye and rubbing her jaw gently.
[11:37] <Rei-chan> "Well, it's really just a hobby," Rei says, looking at her feet for a second before raising her head. "I did perform at the T*A School Festival last year, though."
[11:39] <Anastasia> "Aaah. Excellent. Now, Rei, if you would not object; I would like if you would give the class a demonstration of your vocal skills." he smiles, still warm and pleasant.
[11:40] <Rei-chan> "Okay, then," Rei says, "This is a song I wrote myself. It's called 'Eternal Melody'." she turns to the class before clearing her throat.
[11:41] <Anastasia> The class goes silent, waiting for Rei to sing. "Ready when you are," Mr. Lodeson comments.
[11:41] <Rei-chan> Establishing the rhythm in her head, the raven-haired miko begins. "Shaded by the sunlight. In my heart you are here. Even without saying you love me. You are here in my heart..." she sings softly, without the backing of music, but soon raises her voice as the song hits its stride.
[11:43] <Anastasia> As Rei sings, the class listens intently. A few smile as it goes on, and several clap at the end. Mimette, however, gives you a slightly nasty look. "That wasn't bad at all, Rei," he judges. "You do have some talent at singing."
[11:45] <Rei-chan> "It's just something I do for fun," Rei says, all too aware of Mimette's nasty look.
[11:46] <Anastasia> "You do it very well," he nods. "Would you be interested in the chorus, Rei? I can promise you will not have to deal with Miss Kanzaki any further should join." he smiles again, putting a fair bit of charm into it. It doesn't hurt that he's cute, either.
[11:47] <Rei-chan> "Done!" Rei agrees quickly, not wanting anything further to do with Miss Kanzaki. "Ah..." she blushes, "I mean, I think maybe joining the chorus would be a good idea..." she giggles nervously.
[11:49] <Anastasia> He laughs again. "That's excellent news," he agrees. Mimette looks -quite- annoyed now, however. "I suppose you should introduce yourself to the class now; it seems to be the tradition in your school system."
[11:50] <Rei-chan> 'Guess a fresh start would be too much to ask for...' Rei thinks, noting Mimette's reaction. "Okay," she smiles warmly at the other students, "I'm Rei Hino, I'm 14 years old, and I'm a miko at Hikawa Shrine. As well as singing, I like manga and spending time with my friends. I'm pleased to meet you all," she bows.
[11:51] <Anastasia> The class takes this in, as did the others. "Sit wherever you like, Rei," he offers. "We're studying a play for next month's school musical, Peter Pan..." The rest of the period is spent going over this, and taking in the group's input on it. By and large, they seem to support it.
[11:52] <Anastasia> A few in particular are interested in the English songs, even if they aren't translated to Japanese.
[11:52] * Rei-chan is unsure how the songs would sound in 'Engrish', but keeps quiet, not wanting to cause a fuss on her first day.
[11:53] <Anastasia> Finally, the last bell rings. Your first school day is down...
[11:54] * Rei-chan packs up her stuff and leaves the classroom, heading downstairs and out the school.
[11:55] <Anastasia> As you walk out..."Rei!" Eudial calls just before you reach the front door. She's dressed in a white labcoat over a red skirt and black top. She really seems to like those colors...
[11:56] <Rei-chan> "Hi, Eudial," Rei stops and waves, walking over to the redhead. "What's up?"
[11:57] <Anastasia> "I wanted to ask how your first real day at Mugen went," she finishes walking up to you. "How was the daily grind?"
[11:58] <Rei-chan> "Not too bad, I suppose," Rei shrugs, "My Japanese History teacher is really boring, and I'm pretty far behind in the Chemistry class, but otherwise things are okay..."
[11:58] <Rei-chan> "Oh, and I made the mistake of telling my drama teacher I liked to sing - she chucked me out the class and put me in the Chorus group. Mimette wasn't very happy..." Rei adds, shaking her head.
[12:01] <Anastasia> She nods. "Figures, you usually will get at least one teacher you don't like," she comments, before smirking a bit at the mention of Mimette. "No, I imagine she wouldn't. She's still not happy at either of us, brainwashed or no."
[12:02] * Rei-chan nods. "Yeah, I doubt we'll be friends anytime soon... But I saw Viluy today - she's in my Physics class, and seems to be doing okay, now," she adds on a lighter note.
[12:04] <Anastasia> "Good," Eudial comments. "Anyway, do you have some time," she asks, "There's something I want to show you."
[12:04] <Rei-chan> "Oh?" Rei perks up, "I was just going home, but there's no rush. What is it?"
[12:05] <Anastasia> Eudial leans a bit closer, speaking very quietly. "The Professor is redoing the Witches room for our," it sounds like she means both the Witches and perhaps you other girls, "use."
[12:06] <Rei-chan> "The place could use better lighting," Rei notes.
[12:07] <Anastasia> "Among other things," Eudial agrees. "I spent all day cooridinating a bunch of the changes, at the Professor's request."
[12:07] <Rei-chan> "Well, let's go see, then," Rei says, smiling.
[12:08] <Anastasia> Going into the back ways of the school that are still dimly lit, you take the passages down to the Witches Room. The door has been repainted again, and it now reads just Witches.
[12:10] <Anastasia> "Careful of the door," she comments, carefully grabbing the handle. "It was just painted today."
[12:10] * Rei-chan nods, following Eudial in without touching the door.
[12:12] <Anastasia> Inside is a work in progress. The large room is in the middle of quite a renovation. The heaps of junk have been firstly moved out, showing that there was quite a bit of space back in the room, more than you would have guessed. The Witches' desks have been moved into a line at the middle of the room, although Kaolinite's is gone. New light fixures hang from the ceiling, spilling warmth and glowing white light all about to dispel any lingering shadows.
[12:13] <Rei-chan> "Place looks a bit better already," Rei notes, turning to Eudial, "So what specific changes are planned besides just tidying it up a bit?"
[12:14] <Anastasia> "The basics are a paint job, some nice furnature, and a few more desks...after all, Usagi and Ami are honorary Witches now," she smiles. "Anyway, the Professor wants us to have a central meeting and work place should we need it, and it's nice and secluded back here."
[12:16] <Rei-chan> "Yeah..." Rei nods, before recalling something else, "It might be a good idea to ward the place in case Germatou ever manages to get his hands on another psychic so we can prevent ourselves being spied on."
[12:16] <Anastasia> She nods. "Yeah, that's a good idea. Could you do it, Rei?" she asks, recalling your skill with mystical charms and scrolls.
[12:18] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, it won't be as simple as warding the Temple, but since it's only one room I could do it fairly easily. I don't have enough ofuda on me right now, though - I'll bring more in tomorrow and take care of it."
[12:20] <Anastasia> "Sure," she agrees, going over to her desk. It's still right next to yours, with empty space on the left hand side of yours. It looks like where any new desks would go...Sitting down, Eudial goes on. "Rei...are you excited about this?" she asks.
[12:24] * Rei-chan smiles sitting on top of her own desk and looking at Eudial. "I suppose I am. As Sailor Senshi the only real support we had before were trio of talking cats - Tuxedo Kamen helped us at first, but he had his own agenda. And now he's not really an issue..." she shakes her head to clear it. "But now we've got a much larger support base - it makes the burden of duty a lot easier to bear."
[12:28] <Anastasia> She takes in the Senshi history lesson dutifully, listening to Rei. "It must have been hard dealing with all this, even as Sailors, by yourself," she notes, then goes on. "For us, we get to do something to stop the bastard who did this to us, as well as put our skills to good use. Not to mention we get to work with the Sailor Senshi, so it's a pretty good setup."
[12:29] <Rei-chan> "That's right," Rei nods, "When you have powers like this, I think it's a crime to let them go to waste, but what we do really makes a difference," the miko chuckles, "Even if most people will never be able to comprehend just how important what we do is..."
[12:30] <Anastasia> Eudial laughs a bit as well. "Who would believe all that stands between them and the end of the world is a group of teenage girls," she shakes her head.
[12:32] <Rei-chan> "Well, even if we're just teenagers, what we do makes us grow up awfully fast..."
[12:35] <Anastasia> Eudial finds herself nodding, speaking from her heart. "Yeah. Before I was possessed... I was an almost normal teenage girl. Now I'm done with high school and fighting monsters..." she muses, frowing a bit wistfully.
[12:36] <Rei-chan> "How old were you when they got you?" Rei asks gently.
[12:38] <Anastasia> Eudial thinks, pausing. "It was well over a year ago, at least," she comments. "I've been here quite a while..."
[12:39] * Rei-chan shakes her head. "So much time wasted looking for those damn Talismans..." she says regretfully.
[12:42] <Anastasia> She nods. "And... maybe more," she says. "Rei, Germatou will still be searching for the Talismans. We know what'll happen if he finds them - it might we worth trying to figure out a way to find them ourselves." Eudial frowns again. "In a less violent manner than we employed before, of course. If we DO find a Talisman bearer, we could protect that person instead of leaving them open."
[12:43] * Rei-chan nods. "Of course, we'd have to protect them in a way that didn't draw attention to them," she points out, deciding not to say anything about her suspicions regarding Haruka until absolutely sure no one can spy on her.
[12:45] <Anastasia> Eudial nods. "Or... if there was a way to extract the Talismans without killing the bearer, that would be even better," she muses.
[12:46] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, but if the Talismans are the heart crystals, I don't see how someone could survive very long without one of those..." Rei says sadly.
[12:47] <Anastasia> "That's the problem," she nods. "The Professor has been trying to think of a way of doing so, but he's not getting anywhere." she sighs herself.
[12:48] <Rei-chan> "I suppose if anyone can figure it out, he's the guy, but I certainly can't see any way to do it..."
[12:50] <Anastasia> Eudial nods. "Yeah... Rei, you mentioned before that Usagi has power over the soul," she moves on, broaching another subject. "And the Heart Crystals are kind of like that. Is it possible she could do something herself?"
[12:52] <Rei-chan> "Hmm..." Rei looks thoughtful there. "I'm sure with the Ginzuishou she could do it easily, but without it..." she bites on her bottom lip as she considers it. "Maybe. Her Moon Healing Escalation just might be able to do something, but it's not something I'd bet a person's life on. There's a difference between healing something and replacing it, and if the heart crystal is gone there might not be anything she can do."
[12:55] <Anastasia> She ponders this. "Yes, but it looks like it should be looked into," she says finally. "If we can find a way..." she suddenly smirks. "I'd love to wave his precious Holy Grail in his face before we obliterated Germatou," she says a bit meanly.
[12:56] * Rei-chan chuckles, "Yeah, just make sure he doesn't snatch it out your hand when you do it."
[12:57] <Anastasia> Eudial laughs, shaking her head. "It's something to hope for," she laughs. "Someting to hope for."
[12:58] <Anastasia> ---
[11:08] <Anastasia> Lately, Makoto has found herself looking forward to lunch more than usual. Thursday is no exception, Alan dropping by shortly after the lunch break begins. By this point, despite some grumbling from the female population, they've stopped sending you overtly evil looks.
[11:10] <Anastasia> "Hey, Makoto," he smiles as he comes up, glancing down at your extra large lunch. "How's class going today?"
[11:11] <Makoto> "Same as usual," Makoto says with a smile. "And you?"
[11:11] <Anastasia> "Nothing big," he shrugs. "Um... it's nice outside," he begins, "so did you want to go eat outside?"
[11:12] <Makoto> "Sure."
[11:13] <Anastasia> He smiles, offering his hand as you get up. Even with his rather strong bishonen thing going with the hair, you can see his eyes light up when you said yes.
[11:14] * Makoto blushes lightly as she takes his helping hand to get up, and then follows him outside.
[11:20] <Anastasia> Going outside, he leads you to a secluded corner of the schoolyard, under one of the fragrant cherry trees. You see that a cloth is already spread under it for sitting...
[11:24] <Makoto> "Oh, did you set this here, Alan?" MAkoto asks.
[11:25] <Anastasia> "Yeah," he replies, blushing a bit. "I knew all the tables would be taken, so I figured we could eat under the cherry tree."
[11:28] * Makoto smiles at him as she sits on the cloth, leaning against the trunk of the tree with closed eyes. "I prefer to eat here anyway, closer to nature," she says.
[11:31] <Anastasia> He nods. "It's nicer out here than inside," he sits right next to you against the tree, smiling as he leans his head back on the rough bark. "It's so confining indoors."
[11:35] <Anastasia> As he talks, he takes his lunch and opens it, revealing a machine-bought meal and drink. "Just being outdoors makes me feel better, you know?"
[11:36] * Makoto opens her eyes, while nodding in agreement. "Yeah, it does."
[11:39] <Makoto> Noticing Alan's lunch, she gives a light pout. "Don't want to eat from my lunch? And here I'd gone and made it large..."
[11:39] <Anastasia> He looks over, then at his own meal again. "Yours does look better," he agrees, putting his aside. "And... um... did you want to go out again this Friday," he asks quickly, staring at your lunch.
[11:43] * Makoto giggles. 'As sweet as he is, he's completely clueless about being romantic,' she thinks in between giggles before nodding in reply to his question.
[11:47] <Anastasia> He grins. "That's great," he smiles. Impulsively, he leans forward, giving Makoto a peck on the cheek.
[11:49] * Makoto blushes and gives a quick darting look around.
[11:50] <Anastasia> In this quiet corner of the schoolyard, no one seems to be around...
[11:51] * Makoto blushes a bit more as she returns Alan's action tenfold, by pressing her lips onto his for a second before pulling away and looking down at the food.
[11:54] <Anastasia> The bishonen blushes, then after a moment of hesitation, leans forward while raising her chin up with his hand and delivers another kiss...
[11:56] * Makoto briefly hesitates, thinking of the possible consequences of kissing like that in public, but as Alan's warmth begins to sip into her through his lips, all hesitation is lost and she raises her hand, to gently hold his face as she kisses back.
[11:58] <Anastasia> You fall into the romantic kissing, losing all sense of time and awareness...
[11:59] <Anastasia> Meanwhile...
[11:59] <Anastasia> "Where did he get off to this time," Ann asks herself, as she walks around outside. Frowning, she wanders the schoolground, finally happening to glance at one out of the way cherry tree...
[12:01] <Anastasia> "ALAN! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!" Ann shouts, running up to them in confusion... but mostly anger. Your happy trance is broken by Ann's shout, causing the both of you to quickly seperate.
[12:02] * Makoto is beet red, while looking away, realizing just the sort of thing she'd worried about in that brief moment of hesitation had occured, and her hands tightly clench to her uniform's skirt.
[12:02] <Anastasia> He whips his head forward, seeing his 'sister'. "Ann?!" he gasps, not expecting this.
[12:04] <Anastasia> "You're... with that girl...?!" she sputters, enraged. Her hand flies out, slapping Alan soundly. His head whips back again, the force of the slap leaving a large handprint on his face.
[12:06] * Makoto starts to get annoyed at being referred to as 'that girl', when Ann slaps Alan. "Alan!" Makoto exclaims as she moves to check on his face.
[12:07] <Anastasia> Besides the bright red mark, his face looks okay. He looks rather angry himself now, though. "Why don't you mind your own business, Ann," he shoots back, staring at her nastily.
[12:09] <Anastasia> "Like HELL I will," she fumes. "Not when you're mashing faces with that little tramp." Her look to Makoto is even more venomous than her words.
[14:30] <Makoto> "Hey!" Makoto exclaims in anger as she turns to look at Ann, just barely holding in her fists from meeting Ann's face after that outburst. While her fists are held back, her tongue is not. "Why the hell am I a tramp? I'm not the one who jumped into another guy's arms immediately after getting dumped, you know!"
[14:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ann stares at you coldly, with icy, haughty comtempt. Crossing her arms in front of her chest, she scowls at you. "You're poking your nose where it doesn't belong," she declares. "And Alan's business is my business," she says to her brother.
[14:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> Alan grows angrier, clenching his fists by his sides. "Ann, this ISN'T any of your concern," he repeats. "Or are your dates with Herb open for a third person," he jabs back.
[14:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It is damn too my concern," she shrieks, suddenly becoming a raging storm instead of a iceberg.
[14:40] <Makoto> "Why? He's your brother, not your boyfriend," Makoto replies with a flat stare, not impressed by her antics.
[14:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Because..." she pauses, angry. "Hmmmmp! It's none of your business," she says, giving you a nasty look. "Alan, we're going home," she then declares, grabbing him arm.
[14:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hey!" Alan objects, pulling his arm back. "What the hell is wrong with you, Ann?"
[14:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> "What's wrong with ME," she says loudly. "I'm not the ONE kissing some random girl they met!"
[14:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Makoto isn't some random girl!" Alan objects with heat, waving his arm in front of him in a swift motion.
[14:49] <Makoto> 'No, you're the one kissing random boys...' Makoto thinks after Ann's accusation, but deciding to let Alan handle himself. For now.
[14:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ann draws up, furious. "You sound like you like her," she accuses.
[14:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Of course I do," he hisses, "I love her! She's cute, pretty, friendly, everything you're not!" Alan shouts. Ann's eyes go wide and her mouth goes agape in shock, but Alan is too riled up to notice. "She acts like she cares about me! When's the last time I can say that about y..." he stops there, however, the full impact of what he said registering in his anger clouded mind.
[14:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> Om a moment, his anger melts away as realisation dawns. "Ann... I'm sorry..." he manages, suddenly looking very guilty.
[14:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You... love her?" Ann says, all of her anger gone as well. Not waiting for a response, she goes on. "Fine," she says hollowly. With that, she turns and walks off, surreally at a normal pace.
[14:57] * Makoto looks on, blushing a bit at Alan's declaration, but somewhat confused at the abrupt end to this between the two.
[14:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> Alan raises his hand feebly as Ann walks off, his face dismayed. "Ann...."
[15:02] * Makoto frowns at how Alan appears to feel from this, and walks over besides him, putting her hand on his shoulder. "You okay, Alan?" she asks worriedly.
[15:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> As Ann walks away, Alan stares down, not replying. He looks to be lost in his own gloomy thoughts.
[15:08] * Makoto grabs Alan into a hug. "It'll be okay..." Makoto says as soothingly as she can. "She'll cool off when you get home, and you can make up with her."
[15:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> Alan doesn't respond, instead slowly looking up in the direction Ann walked off in. "Yeah..." he murmurs.
[15:11] * Makoto smiles faintly. "If you want to try to make up with her now, you can go after her," Makoto offers, even though she doesn't really want to let Alan go.
[15:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> He doesn't reply, but he doesn't move, either. Finally... "No, let her go for now," he decides.
[15:16] * Makoto lowers her head, pressing it to his body as she continues holding him in a hug. "I'm sorry..."
[15:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> Again, Alan doesn't respond, instead finally turning to you again. "Makoto..."
[15:19] * Makoto raises her head, looking at him in the eyes. "Yes?" she asks.
[15:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I..." he trails off again, his eyes troubled even from what little of them you see with his hair in the way.
[13:01] <Anastasia> "I... do like you," he confesses. "I think I like you a lot." Alan is staring in your eyes. "But..."
[13:04] <Makoto> 'But?' Makoto thinks as her heart skips, and she waits for Alan to finish what he wants to say.
[13:07] <Anastasia> "I..." He stares into your eyes still, troubled deeply. "I... can't tell you to go," he finally says all at once. Alan turns away, looking now at the grass. "I should tell you to leave and go make sure Ann's okay, but..."
[13:16] * Makoto smiles slightly and tightens her hold around Alan. "I don't really want you to do that either..." she says, glad that he didn't follow on her earlier offer.
[13:18] <Anastasia> Alan turns to look at you again. "If anything..." he finally manages a wan smile, "I want to ask where you wanted to go tomorrow."
[13:32] <Makoto> "Surprise me," Makoto says after a brief pause. "Any place with you will be fine."
[13:34] <Anastasia> He nods, mind working. Meanwhile, you find him slowly wrapping his arms around you again. "Makoto... I don't know why, but I want to keep doing this," he says, embracing you tightly.
[13:35] <Makoto> "Me too, Alan. Me too," Makoto whispers.
[13:46] <Anastasia> ---

Halbarad · June 25, 2006, 10:24:54 PM

[09:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> Friday. What should be Usagi's last day at Juuban is instead spent elsewhere. The arcade in the morning, to be precise.
[09:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> This goes by fine... until about noon. Having played her favorite games all morning, it's time for Usagi to eat lunch.
[09:21] <Usagi-chan> With a bleep and a bloop, Sailor Jupiter perishes for the last time of the morning. With her stomach rumbling in protest, Usagi waves goodbye to Motoki and steps out of the arcade, headed for an inexpensive ramen shop a few blocks away.
[09:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> The trip is uneventful. Sitting at the main bar area, Usagi gets her lunch without any incident...
[09:24] * Usagi-chan eats in her usual manner, tucking away the triple-size order of beef-flavored ramen in a matter of minutes.
[09:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> Tearing through her noodles, Usagi is interrupted by someone bumping her shoulder as they sit down. "Sorry," A male voice says as orders. "One chicken ramen, please."
[09:26] * Usagi-chan just barely manages to evade slopping broth all over her shirt. She looks up at the source of the voice testily.
[09:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> The man turns as well, your eyes locking as the both of you see each other. Mamoru blinks, caught off guard by seeing Usagi here of all places, his normal clothing of a green jacket and slacks of no note. "Usagi?" he says, surprised.
[09:30] <Usagi-chan> "Mamoru?" Usagi retorts, just as surprised to see him. "What are you doing here?"
[09:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Getting lunch," he says, a bit too off guard to do anything but tell the truth. "Shouldn't you be in school?"
[09:33] <Usagi-chan> "Yes," Usagi replies evasively, not giving any further reason for her presence at the small restaurant.
[09:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> There is a long silence after this, Mamoru's face in a cast of awkwardness as he debates what tack to try from here. "Usagi... it's nice to see you again," he ventures. "You look good."
[09:36] * Usagi-chan smiles a bit. "Thanks... you look like you're doing okay yourself." She replies somewhat stiffly as well. 'Oh man, just my luck to bump into him here...'
[09:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'm doing decently," he agrees, smiling even more awkwardly. It feels like you could cut the tension with a tiara toss right now. "I've been wanting to talk to you again, actually, Usagi," he says.
[09:38] * Usagi-chan feels her stomach do a backflip. Finishing her current mouthful of ramen, she looks up at Mamoru. "About what?"
[09:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> With a glance at the chef who is just finishing his order, "Stuff," he says, his meaning rather clear.
[09:41] * Usagi-chan sighs. "What's left to say?"
[09:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mamoru's eyes narrow just a bit, his expression souring. "Quite a bit," he comments.
[09:43] * Usagi-chan frowns at the change in Mamoru's expression. "I'm listening."
[09:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Why don't we go somewhere more private," he suggests, "Since this will be a private conversation."
[09:45] * Usagi-chan finishes off the last of her ramen. "All right."
[09:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods tensely, getting a 1000 yen note from his pocket and putting it on the counter. "Let's go," he says, heading outside.
[09:46] * Usagi-chan follows, Mamoru's demeanor definitely making her nervous.
[09:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> Once outside, he leads you to a relatively quiet back way with a bench under an old, leafless tree. It's not much, but it is out of the way.
[09:48] * Usagi-chan remains standing, her arms crossed as she looks at the dark-haired college student.
[09:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mamoru stands as well, his demeanor serious. "Have you been well," he asks again, quietly. His voice changes slightly, becoming deeper. "There has been danger afoot recently."
[09:50] <Usagi-chan> "I've been fine, thanks." Usagi says simply.
[09:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods, smiling ever so slightly. "I'm glad to know I was correct again. You've really grown up... Your Majesty."
[09:53] * Usagi-chan can't help but blush slightly at the compliment. "Thanks... I've been trying."
[09:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods. "I feel your energy, it's stronger now. More like it was before," he comments. Without pausing, he looks up slightly, his eyes aiming for your forehead. He smiles. "Has that come to light as well, that old symbol of your bloodline?"
[09:55] <Usagi-chan> "It has." Usagi nods slightly. 'He can feel my energy?'
[09:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> He smiles again, this time a real, happy smile, not one born of tension and awkwardness. "It's been a long time since I've seen it... Usagi, could you lower your braid?"
[09:58] * Usagi-chan looks around to make sure that no one else is in the area, then complies with Mamoru's request, letting the braid hang to one side and revealing the glowing crescent concealed beneath it.
[09:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> He studies it for several seconds, grinning. "It's... good to view that again."
[10:02] * Usagi-chan smiles a bit awkwardly. "It's... weird to have to get used to it again, though." Once Mamoru's inspection is finished, she fastens the braid in place again.
[10:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods. "With that... how much do you remember now," he asks, moving on to a more serious topic.
[10:04] <Usagi-chan> "I remember a lot more, yes." Usagi nods.
[10:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> He smiles, nodding. He then sits on the bench, resting his body. "Such a life it was, before the cataclysm." he looks upward, as if gazing at the currently invisible Moon. "Do you remember ice skating on the Moon's craters, Usagi? Or eating snow lupur afterwards?"
[10:08] <Usagi-chan> "I remember the ice skating..." Usagi smiles. "But I don't remember snow lupur - my memory still isn't perfect."
[10:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> He smiles back at you. "Snow lupur was a kind of wild game animal, usually caught during the colder months and served hot, traditionally after a day of ice skating," Mamour lets his mind go into automatic, his collection of memories flowing strongly. "You'd always get a bit of juice on your clothes, no matter how hard you tried not to."
[10:10] * Usagi-chan giggles a bit. "I can certainly remember getting chewed out on more than one occasion by Luna for having stains on my dress."
[10:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods. "Luna always liked to yell at you for that," he agrees. "Luna always liked to yell..." he muses, still smiling. "She hasn't changed much, has she?"
[10:14] * Usagi-chan makes a face. "She hasn't been too bad in a while... these days she likes pigging out on fish and watching TV. I swear if she puts on any more weight she'll start getting stuck in her pet door."
[10:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mamoru laughs, shaking his head again. "I could see that. It sounds like all she needs is a litter of baby Mau and she'll be perfecly matronly."
[10:22] <Usagi-chan> "Ugh, don't give her ideas! All I need is a bunch of mini-Luna's running around the house... ONE of them is more than enough, thanks." The blonde makes a face. "Although kittens WOULD be cute..."
[10:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Perhaps," he agrees neutrally. "You would never get rid of Artemis and Minako, either," he smiles. "Artemis would be over all the time and Minako would tag along with him."
[10:24] * Usagi-chan's smile fades into a flat expression. "Minako is no longer an issue," she says rather coldly.
[10:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mamoru stares, stunned by Usagi's cold tone. "What?" he asks simply.
[10:26] <Usagi-chan> "She left." Usagi states simply. "And no one has any idea when or if she'll be back. Artemis is staying with Ami now."
[10:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> "What?!" he gasps, honestly shocked and appalled. "She abandoned her duties to the Queen?"
[10:27] <Usagi-chan> "Without a word." Usagi replies. "I didn't even know she'd gone until Artemis told me about it."
[10:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mamoru's face stiffens into a harsh frown. "I see. My sympathies on your betrayal," he says quietly, but with a fire burning underneath that. He sounds rather pissed.
[10:29] * Usagi-chan looks down at her lap. "To be honest, it may have been for the best," she says quietly.
[10:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Was it?" he asks, again curious. "Were her behavior and actions errant?" Mamoru puts his indignation aside for the moment, pressing Usagi.
[10:32] <Usagi-chan> "She... was having some problems." Usagi replies. "I don't know for sure, but I think the stress was getting to her, or something. She killed Cynthia after she was completely defenseless."
[10:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mamoru lowers his head, thinking. "I see..." he murmurs again. "Again, my sympathies on both of your losses," he says. "I know you were close to Cynthia, even in the end." He looks up at you, his face hard. "Did she... did she ever find her way, like you hoped?"
[10:35] * Usagi-chan closes her eyes. "I think... she did, right at the very end. I just wish there had been more of a chance for her to stay on that way."
[10:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods, sighing. "Indeed. She had her flaws, but she was a good person at heart. Had she not been cursed with her gifts in summoning demons... she might still be at your side today."
[10:37] * Usagi-chan remains silent, the memory of the summoner's untimely death having put her in a thoughtful mood.
[10:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> Gently, you feel Mamoru's hand on your shoulder, lightly resting there. "And... of the rest," he asks gently. "She was not the only one held in that crystalline cage."
[10:40] * Usagi-chan doesn't open her eyes. "All dead, except for two that we never found and one who simply wanted to be left alone."
[10:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods. "Orestes?" he asks simply. "I know he was close to Jupiter in the way you were close to Cynthia."
[10:42] * Usagi-chan frowns sourly. "No, he was a LOT closer to her than that. He ripped her power away from her and left her for dead... I was lucky to be able to heal her as well as I did."
[10:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mamoru blanches. "I see..." he uses that line again. "Who evaded you, and who was the one who wanted to live peacefully?"
[10:45] <Usagi-chan> "Starfire was the one who wanted to be left in peace... the other two were a rogue Sailor Dragon - we never got her actual name - and a man named Pytha."
[10:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods. "Starfire I remember studying," he comments. "She led a rebellion and was finally captured. Pytha I know not, but a rouge Sailor Dragon?" He looks at you. "Her name is Guinvain," he smiles a bit, remembering.
[10:49] <Usagi-chan> "You remember her?" Usagi gives Mamoru a curious look. "We never were able to dig up much information about her."
[10:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I remember her," he confirms. "Hair as black as the night, and a spirit to match. A terrible creature, dreaded and rightfully cast out."
[10:52] <Usagi-chan> "Black hair?" Usagi looks even more interested now. "Do you remember anything else about what she looked like?" the blonde continues, wondering if this might have some connection with Hotaru and the dark-haired Mistress.
[10:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Slanted, pointed eyes, like many of Draconic blood," he says. "Her actual eyes were bloody red, with streaks of pale yellow in them. A bit tall, I recall, and on the attractive side."
[10:54] * Usagi-chan nods. "Definitely not what I was thinking then..."
[10:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh," he inquires. As he does so, you realise his hand is still resting on your shoulder. "What were you thinking of?"
[10:56] <Usagi-chan> "Just... something that's come up recently." Usagi sighs. "Those elves aren't the only ones causing trouble right now."
[10:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I see," he says again. "Usagi... I'm still here for you if you need help," he smiles, flashes of the old Tuxedo Kamen coming to light for just a moment. "Even the strong need support."
[10:59] * Usagi-chan gives the dark-haired man a genuine smile. "I appreciate that... we just got a lot of new help, but I'm definitely not turning down anyone who wants to give us a hand."
[11:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> He pauses, but decides not to pursue that for the moment. "Even if you reject me," his face is serious, with a bit of old pain splashed across it, "you are still my Princess. Just talking to you today again was enough to remind me of that."
[11:03] * Usagi-chan places her hand atop Mamoru's where it rests on her shoulder. "Only if you want to be, Mamoru. If you want to follow me, I'm not going to stop you, but I'm definitely not going to make you do anything either." She looks at her lap for a moment. "I do still want to be your friend, Mamoru - just because I don't love you doesn't mean I don't like you." She turns back to him with a somewhat sad smile.
[11:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mamoru closes his eyes, emotions playing openly across his face. "I don't want to lose you entirely," he whispers. "We have too many memories... too much of a life spent together for that. I still love you, Queen Serenity, even now." He opens his eyes, smiling at you with a deep, heart-aching sadness. "But... I can't leave you either, Usagi."
[11:09] <Usagi-chan> "And I loved you, Endymion, I truly did with all my heart. And I'm always going to treasure those memories we have together." Usagi returns his sad smile. "I wouldn't give them up for the world. I'm just sorry I... can't be to you now what I was then."
[11:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mamoru opens his eyes, a pained, sad smile on his face. "I understand... somehow, I understand that now." he sighs. He glances around for a moment, then with a shimmer, Prince Endymion sits where Mamoru did. "Just... one last memory," he says, reaching out and lifting up your braid. "May I kiss you one last time, my Princess," he asks solemnly. "One last memory in honor of a life gone by?"
[11:14] * Usagi-chan takes Endymion's hand from her braid gently, giving him a small smile as she slips into the form of Princess Serenity.
[11:14] <Serenity-hime> "You may."
[11:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> Smiling still, he leans in, kissing you tenderly. He refrains from making it anything but chaste, yet you can feel the depth of his feelings even now.
[11:16] * Serenity-hime matches his kiss, the contact bringing up old memories of the love once shared between the prince of the Earth and the princess of the Moon.
[11:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> But even this must come to an end, Mamoru seperating slowly from Usagi. "Thank you," he says softly, his eyes moist. "For a lifetime of memories."
[11:19] * Serenity-hime catches the prince's hands in both her own, giving them a gentle squeeze. "You don't need to thank me... you gave me just as many beautiful memories." She smiles softly. "Thank you."
[11:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods, breaking the contact to stand up, still as the Prince of the Earth. "I'll... see you around, Usagi," he asks. "I want to go and relive past memories now, I think, and the ruins that are left of them."
[11:24] <Serenity-hime> "I might as well be going myself..." She smiles secretively. "I have to give life to the past." Standing herself, she takes a step back from the Prince and curtseys to him. "Until we meet again, Prince Endymion."
[11:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Until we meet again, Princess Serenity," he bows. With a final, tired smile, he vanishes.
[11:27] * Serenity-hime shakes her head. "Wish I could do it that easily." With a final glance around to make sure she has no audience, the princess teleports herself to her restored chambers in the Moon Palace.
[11:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[11:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> After a short rest, Usagi finds herself in the Temple, working away. Entering her focus zone, not many things would startle her out of it. Bootsteps echoing in the quiet reaches of the Moon Kingdom, however, is on that list.
[11:32] * Serenity-hime tenses, whirling around at the sound of footsteps in this long-abandoned palace. "Who's there?" she calls out.
[11:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> Walking down the center path between the pews is Prince Endymion, his gaze fixed on you. "We meet again," he says simply.
[11:33] * Serenity-hime shakes her head, a quirky smile coming to her lips. "I should have guessed... not many other 'ruins of the past' around."
[11:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> "No," he agrees. "You have worked long and hard here," he says, stating a simple fact. "I saw the Great Hall."
[11:37] * Serenity-hime feels a touch of pride. "What did you think?" she asks quietly.
[11:44] <Anastasia> "It's wonderful," he says, smiling. "It's wonderful to see the past alive like this."
[11:45] * Serenity-hime stands from where she had been kneeling next to one of the benches, stretching as she does so. "It is... I just wish it wasn't quite so much work."
[15:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You have done all of this with just your magic?" he asks, then nods. "Of course, the Silver Crystal is gone now..." Endymion remembers back to the last battle with Beryl, and how the great artifact vanished after resetting the last three days of carnage on Earth. "You remember that much of your magery lessons?"
[15:20] * Serenity-hime snorts. "I barely remember any of them - I can do all of two spells at this point. This is actually a cantrip that mother taught me after I tripped into one of the china display cabinets in one of the dining rooms, just a small spell to repair something that was broken."
[15:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Really?" Endymion frowns. "You've done well to expand it that much." After a moment of thought, he goes on. "Coming to the Moon is the other spell you remember?"
[15:24] * Serenity-hime smiles slightly. "Yeah... and that one is your fault."
[15:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> He frowns a moment again, thinking. "Do you mean... that time?"
[15:27] <Serenity-hime> "I don't remember any SPECIFIC time, but I know I used that spell to come visit you a few times in secret." Usagi smiles slightly.
[15:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> Smiling sadly, "The exact time isn't important," he says. "But you remember no other magic beyond that? Bizarre... that you remember such an advanced magic as teleportation, yet the only other you have is a simple cantrip."
[15:29] * Serenity-hime sighs. "I've been spending some of my time here looking for the books of magic that were kept in the library, but it looks like Beryl cleaned the entire room full of them out and either hid or destroyed them. The rest of the library is intact, though - only the books of magic are missing."
[15:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods. "Serenity, I suspect those books are gone," he says. Gently, he goes on. "When Beryl and the Dark Kingdom -" the name Metallia is avoided "- took me, I relearned my magics from some of those very tomes."
[15:32] * Serenity-hime slumps. "Great... then this project just got a lot harder." 'How the heck am I supposed to take care of some of the really complex stuff around the palace itself without some kind of guide? I could destroy what little is left holding this place together if I screw it up!'
[15:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> "This troubles you," he notes. Thinking for a moment, Endymion speaks again. "Serenity, I still remember my magics fully," he says, with a small smile. "I told you I recalled everything, did I not?"
[15:35] <Serenity-hime> "You did. But that doesn't help me - if I remember right, your magics don't work the same way mine do," the blonde princess replies.
[15:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods. "They do not," he confirms, "But the fundamentals are the same in all schools of magic. Mamoru smiles at you again, full of gentle hope. "As both Sailor Moon and the Queen of the Moon, your magic runs strong. Should you relearn the building blocks, I am certain you could recover much yourself."
[15:37] * Serenity-hime gives Endymion a rather surprised look. "Are you saying you'd teach me the basics?"
[15:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> Still smiling, he goes on. "Was I ever able to tell you no, Princess?" he says with a touch of nostalgia. "If you are repairing what we lost, I would be derelict in my duties if I did not."
[15:39] * Serenity-hime can't help but grin. "That would be GREAT!" she beams. "I swear, I get most of my memories back and the stuff that would REALLY be useful is in the last part I DON'T remember... if you could help me with that I'd REALLY be grateful."
[15:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I would be honored, dear Princess," he grins widely. "If we're going to start this, however, I think another conversation is needed first," he notes, going to a pew to sit down. "Have any of the other Princesses learned their magics again?"
[15:43] <Serenity-hime> "Like this? No, not as far as I know." Serenity shakes her head. "Most of them only have the sketchiest memories of the Silver Millenium at best - Minako was the only one who even came close to what I remember."
[15:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods, his face darkening slightly at the mention of Minako. "Have any of them displayed new powers? Unusual abilities? New Senshi powers?"
[15:47] * Serenity-hime thinks for a moment. "Senshi powers no, but just about all of us are getting better control over our elements. And Rei's developed telekinesis as an ability, but that's something from her being psychic - the old Princess Rei couldn't do anything like that, as I remember."
[15:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods. "Each of you has a fair amount of magical potential as the heirs to your planet, so mystical skills manifesting any way they can isn't surprising."
[15:51] * Serenity-hime smiles ruefully. "Like blowing the roof off an apartment building?" she says with a trace of mirth.
[15:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> Endymion smiles, picturing that. "How did this occur," he asks, hints of mirth in his voice.
[15:53] <Serenity-hime> "All thanks to Oxyite." Serenity shakes her head. "The first time we ran into him he was making mincemeat of us... I didn't know exactly what I was doing then, but I basically hit him with an energy bolt powerful enough to blow the entire roof off the apartment building we were fighting in to give the others a chance to escape."
[15:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oxyite?" Endymion freezes cold, his hand darting to his sword hilt out of instinct. "The same Oyxite who slaughtered Sailor Neptune and nearly Sailors Pluto, Uranus and Saturn?" he asks, suddenly VERY interested.
[15:55] <Serenity-hime> "The same. He's dead now." Usagi says solemnly.
[15:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Thank the Gods," he says quietly, breathing out deeply. "He was a terror that could have toppled the very Moon Kingdom." Releasing the grip on his sword, he looks back up at Usagi. "How did he die?"
[15:58] <Serenity-hime> "He... we concentrated our attacks on him." Usagi closes her eyes, remembering the near-disastrous battle. "I think it was just too much for him to handle all at once, and his energy went out of balance. He... well, he exploded and took out an apartment building - and would have taken us out if it hadn't been for Starfire's help."
[16:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I see..." he falls back to that while processing this information. "His sword was destroyed as well?"
[16:01] <Serenity-hime> "I'm pretty sure it was. We never checked through the rubble of the building to be sure though."
[16:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods. "No matter, then." Shaking his head out of this digression, he goes on. "As I was saying, I would be happy to teach you the basics again."
[16:05] * Serenity-hime smiles. "I'd appreciate that." She makes a face. "Even if it means MORE studying..."
[16:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods. "It will take effort," he confirms. "Magic, even to the gifted, is never truly easy."
[16:08] * Serenity-hime groans. "As if I didn't already have a ton of catching up to do... I guess I'll have to find the time SOMEWHERE."
[16:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Schooling," he asks, curiously. "Are you still struggling in Juuban and Miss H's class," he smiles, the old Mamoru more evident than Endymion here.
[16:09] * Serenity-hime grins. "Not after today. I'm transferring."
[16:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> Leaning back and to the right to face you, his armor creaks ever so slightly. "Where to?" he asks, a hint of a smile on his face.
[16:11] <Serenity-hime> "Mugen Gakuen." Usagi announces primly, with more than a trace of pride.
[16:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> He blinks, the frowns. "Wait a moment. Isn't that a school for advanced students? No offense... but the Dumpling Head Usagi would never cut it there." Even his voice lightens a bit, to be more like Mamoru's was.
[16:13] <Serenity-hime> "I got a scholarship - from Professor Tomoe himself." Usagi sticks her tongue out, then smiles. "Sailor Moon had some business there, and the Professor offered scholarships to all of us as a way of saying thanks."
[16:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Incredible," he laughs a bit, but then sobers up. "How did know of your identities, then? If he offered you scholarships... unless you plan to go as Sailor Moon to class?"
[16:16] <Serenity-hime> "That's... kind of a long story. Basically he found out through Rei, and while we were fighting there I passed out and lost my transformation. It wasn't that hard for him to put two and two together after that."
[16:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods, then blinks. With a second shimmer, Mamoru sits where Prince Endymion was. Glancing down at his watch, he scowls. "Damn, I lost track of the time up here."
[16:17] <Serenity-hime> "Something wrong?" Usagi looks at the green-coated man curiously.
[16:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I have an appointment, one that I should keep," he says, a touch annoyed at himself. With a smile, "You should create clocks in here, Princess."
[16:19] <Serenity-hime> "You know me, I could care less about being late." Usagi sticks her tongue out. "Who needs clocks, anyway?"
[16:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> He laughs, but stands anyway. "Most of the world does, Usagi," he chides, sounding just like he did when he teased you about your latest 30 on a test. "I should be going."
[16:21] * Serenity-hime smiles. "It was good seeing you again, Mamoru."
[16:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> He smiles back. "It was good seeing you again as well, Usagi. We'll be seeing more of each other now, as well, won't we?"
[16:22] <Serenity-hime> "I guess so." Serenity nods. "Anyway, I'd better not keep you if you're running late."
[16:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> He reaches into his pocket, pulling out a scrap of paper and a pen. Writing briefly, he hands it to Usagi. "This is the number to my apartment," he says. "Call me when you want to learn your magics."
[16:25] * Serenity-hime nods. "Thanks... I'll see you later, Mamoru-kun."
[16:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> "See you around, Dumpling Head," he smiles, changing into Endymion again, then gone.
[16:26] * Serenity-hime shakes her head and smiles. "Rei's going to get an earful tonight, that's for sure..." she says to herself as she rises from her seat and gets back to work.
[16:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[16:34] <Rei-chan> After a tiring second day of classes at Mugen, and a further hour spent working on the new Witches office, Rei returns home to Hikawa Shrine. Kicking off her shoes, the miko heads straight for her bedroom, lying on the bed with the latest volume of Yu Yu Hakusho to keep her entertained. Before long she loses track of time as she falls into her manga reading...
[16:35] <Serenity-hime> A flash of light heralds the sudden arrival of one Lunar Princess, smiling as she appears from nowhere in the middle of Rei's bedroom.
[16:37] * Rei-chan starts, dropping her manga as she looks over at the new arrival. "Usagi!" she quickly gets up off the bed, "You're early!" she notes in amazement before looking at her clock amd sweating slightly. "Or right on time..." she chuckles nervously, "Guess I wasn't keeping good track..."
[16:38] * Serenity-hime giggles. "You mean I WAS on time? I've been told that I need to put in more clocks in the palace."
[16:40] <Rei-chan> "Ami could sure use a few clocks up there," Rei notes, "If only to remind her when to eat and sleep," she chuckles before starting again. "Oh no! If you're on time, then I'm behind!" she gestures at her Mugen school uniform, "I need to get changed!"
[16:41] * Serenity-hime grins. "Me too." Closing her eyes for a moment, the transformation fades away, leaving Usagi in the room dressed in her school uniform.
[16:43] <Usagi-chan> "All done!" she smiles. "But why do you need to get changed?"
[16:44] * Rei-chan shakes her head, tutting, "That won't do at all, Dumpling Head," she says with a grin. "School uniforms aren't really appropriate for where we're going tonight."
[16:45] * Usagi-chan looks confused. "Huh? I thought you just wanted me to come over to hang out or something."
[16:47] <Rei-chan> "It's Friday evening, Usagi," Rei says, mock-reprovingly as she waggles a finger, "And we're two beautiful young girls in love. Of course we're not just going to hang around the house - I'm taking you out for dinner!" she declares, pointing dramatically. 'Of course I had planned to be all dressed up already to surprise and impress you right from the start...'
[16:48] <Usagi-chan> "You mean you're taking me out on a date?" Usagi grins. "Oh wow, my first real date! But what am I going to wear?" She glances down at her rather plain blue and white school uniform.
[16:49] <Rei-chan> "I already took account of that," Rei nods, "You just need to use your disguise pen to come up with something nice." Her face then falls a bit, "Of course, me getting dressed takes a bit longer, so do you want to wait in the living room while I do that?" she asks, blushing.
[16:51] * Usagi-chan giggles. "Awww, but I wanted to watch!" she teases. "I'll go watch some TV or something while you get ready." The blonde smiles, giving Rei a small wave as she heads out to the living room to wait.
[16:52] <Rei-chan> 'It's weird that before we got together I had no problem being naked around her...' Rei notes to herself as she sets about her own preparations, a tad more hurried than she would have liked.
[16:54] * Usagi-chan settles down on the couch to watch whatever happens to be on the television while she waits for the miko to finish her preparations.
[16:57] <Rei-chan> The living room door slides open to allow Rei entrance, posing as she leans against the doorframe. "All done," she smiles invitingly at Usagi, dressed in a long black satin dress that reaches down to her ankles, with a slit on the right side reaching all the way to her upper thigh. The fabric is smooth and silky, although coming above her chest it clings to her body and accents her curves.
[17:00] * Usagi-chan is dumbfounded. "Wow... you look fabulous, Rei." The blonde is not shy about admiring Rei's appearance, taking in all the details of her attire.
[17:01] * Rei-chan preens slightly at the attention. "Thanks. The dress was expensive, but the look on your face makes it worth it," she says with a mischevious smile, walking completely into the room, now. "We've got about five minutes until the taxi arrives, so there's time for you to come up with something and let the disguise pen work its magic."
[17:25] * Usagi-chan manages to come to her senses a second later. "Um, yeah." Pulling her disguise pen out of subspace, she raises it aloft and shouts. "Disguise Power! Give me a really awesome looking dress like Rei-chan's!"
[17:26] * Rei-chan winces, recalling the last time someone asked a disguise item to make them look 'like Rei-chan'...
[17:28] <Usagi-chan> With a swirl of magic, Usagi's school uniform disappears to be replaced by a simple yet elegant white spaghetti-strap gown. Diamonds sparkle along the low-cut bodice, and a matching choker fits snugly around Usagi's neck.
[17:30] <Rei-chan> Releasing a sigh of relief that Usagi didn't turn into her twin, Rei takes a good long look at the blonde's new attire. "Not too shabby yourself, Usagi..." she comments approvingly as she enjoys the view.
[17:32] * Usagi-chan smiles and curtseys to the raven-haired girl. "Thank you... at least it's really easy to get dressed this way." With a grin, Usagi replaces the pen back in her subspace pocket.
[17:33] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, sure is convenient," Rei agrees, nodding before she links her arm with Usagi's and the TV turns off seemingly of its own volition. "Anyway, let's go - our taxi should be outside the Temple any minute now."
[17:34] <Usagi-chan> "Lead the way then, Rei-chan!" Usagi smiles. 'Wow, this is the first time I've been on a real date...'
[17:35] <Rei-chan> "The first of many, I hope," Rei says, giving her love a light peck on the cheek before stepping out of the house and into the dusky twilight, stepping into her black high heels as she does so.
[17:36] * Usagi-chan blushes. "I've really got to learn to control my thoughts better..."
[17:39] <Rei-chan> "I wouldn't worry about it too much," Rei says as the pair head down the stairs, "Letting the occasional little thing through is no big deal... though I suppose you might not want Makoto or Ami listening to your every thought tonight." she adds with a teasing smile.
[17:40] * Usagi-chan blushes a bit deeper. "You're probably right about that one. Although I think Makoto's got a date of her own tonight."
[17:42] <Rei-chan> "I hope things with her and Alan work out - she might even stop comparing every guy she meets with her old sempai at this rate," Rei says before noticing a taxicab pulled in at the bottom of the Shrine steps. "Here's our ride," she notes, going over and opening the door for Usagi.
[17:44] <Usagi-chan> "I hope it does work out for her. Everyone should have someone to love." Usagi smiles and steps into the taxi, lifting her dress to make sure it doesn't get caught in the door as Rei closes it.
[17:46] * Rei-chan gets in after Usagi, giving their destination to the driver as "Al Doge," and prompting the taxi to start moving.
[17:48] * Usagi-chan leans back with a sigh as the cab gets underway. "Feels good to sit down," she says, closing her eyes.
[17:49] <Rei-chan> "Yes, everyone should have someone to love," Rei agrees, "Though it makes things a lot less confusing if the person they love loves them back," she adds with a chuckle before looking askance at Usagi. "I take it you've had a busy day," she subtly gestures heavenward.
[17:50] * Usagi-chan smiles. "Busy and strange - but not in a bad way for either one of them."
[17:50] <Rei-chan> "Strange?" Rei quirks an eyebrow. "Find anything odd up there?"
[17:50] * Usagi-chan giggles. "You could say something odd found me."
[17:54] <Rei-chan> "Oh?" Rei asks in a lilting tone, very discreetly putting her hand on the small of the blonde's back, "And what found you? One of Ami-chan's little projects?" she asks, recalling the surprisingly animated 'Lita'.
[17:55] * Usagi-chan snorts. "Hardly. Think tall, dark hair, black armor."
[17:56] <Rei-chan> Rei's hand withdraws almost instantly, her expression turning almost blank. "Mamoru?"
[17:57] <Usagi-chan> "More like Endymion, but yes." Usagi nods.
[17:58] <Rei-chan> "How..." Rei works her mouth for a moment before finding her voice again, "How did he get there?"
[17:59] <Usagi-chan> "The same way I do. And actually, that was the second time I ran into him today."
[18:01] <Rei-chan> He..." Rei looks rather shocked before her shoulders slump, "Oh, man. I don't believe this. So he can just come and go as he pleases up there?" she says, not sounding happy at all. She shakes her head, resolving to deal with things one step at a time. "So how did it go? You said it 'wasn't in a bad way'?" she repeats, sounding vaguely doubtful.
[18:03] * Usagi-chan is still smiling slightly. "I... he sounds like he's come to terms with what I told him. He didn't try to press me or anything like that - mostly we talked about old times. He's actually got perfect memories of the Silver Millenium, so he even remembers a few things I don't."
[18:04] <Rei-chan> "Oh." Rei's mouth forms a little 'o' for a moment. "So it sounds like you had a good time," she says at last, without inflection.
[18:07] <Usagi-chan> "It was nice." Usagi nods. Seeing Rei's somewhat neutral expression, her eyes twinkle with mischief. "Actually, he gave me his phone number - I'm probably going to go over and see him soon."
[18:08] * Rei-chan looks almost stricken for a second before she recovers and chuckles. "Yeah, good one, Usagi - you nearly gave me a fright, there."
[18:09] <Usagi-chan> "I'm serious! I'm probably going to start seeing him regularly, too." Usagi fights to control her giggles, just barely succeeding as she watches for Rei's reaction.
[18:12] <Rei-chan> "You... you're not joking?" Rei asks in a horrified whisper before she notices Usagi's barely repressed mirth and regains some of her poise. "Usagi, stop trying to scare me!" she lightly whaps the blonde on the arm.
[18:13] * Usagi-chan giggles. "I AM serious though!" She rubs her arm, still grinning. "He said he could help me remember how to use some of my magic, so he offered to sort of tutor me with it."
[18:13] <Usagi-chan> This last is spoken quietly enough for the cab driver not to overhear it.
[18:14] * Rei-chan snorts, crossing her arms huffily. "Yeah, I'll just bet that's what he wants to 'tutor' you in," she says, her tone giving the word 'tutor' a definite air of perversion.
[18:15] <Usagi-chan> "Oh please, Rei - he was being a perfect gentleman!" Usagi retorts. "He was very respectful when he was talking to me."
[18:17] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, he'd better be respectful," Rei says menacingly, "I can just bet he's only got one thing on his mind when he's around you!"
[18:19] <Usagi-chan> "Rei!" Usagi crosses her arms, giving her girlfriend an angry look. "Look, if you're that worried you can come along, but I really don't think he wants anything other than maybe spending some time with me."
[18:25] * Rei-chan sighs, deflating considerably. "Look, Usagi, I trust you. And I know that if he tried anything improper you'd be quite capable of fending him off. But that doesn't change the fact that I neither trust nor like him." She looks away, her expression distant, "I'm sorry if my concern upsets you, but I can't change the way I feel."
[18:27] <Usagi-chan> The wind is taken out of Usagi's sails at Rei's statement. She reaches across, taking her love's hand in her own gently. "Rei..." She sighs, her shoulders slumping. "I'm sorry, I probably shouldn't have mentioned it. I didn't mean to get you upset."
[18:30] * Rei-chan squeezes Usagi's hand, turning to face her. "It's just... I wanted tonight to be special - this is meant to be just for us. But he's casting a shadow over things and we're fighting before we even reach the restaurant." She sticks her tongue out slightly, "And not the fun kind of fights we usually have."
[18:32] * Usagi-chan smiles wryly at Rei's last comment. "Then I won't say another word about him for the rest of the night. I really didn't mean to get you upset though, Rei-chan - I was just surprised that I saw him today, that's all."
[08:24] <Rei-chan> "Thanks," Rei says, giving Usagi a grateful look. "Ordinarily I wouldn't mind too much if you wanted to talk about him, but not tonight," she squeezes Usagi's hand again, "Please."
[08:24] <Usagi-chan> "My lips are hereby sealed!" Usagi announces. "At least on that subject."
[08:28] * Rei-chan nods appreciatively, although she still seems a little bit subdued. After a few moments she notices their surroundings outside the cab. "Ah, we're here," she says just as the car pulls up outside a fancy looking restaurant fairly near Tokyo Tower. Taking out her purse she hands over enough yen to cover the fare and a tip for the driver before getting out and holding the door open for Usagi.
[08:29] * Usagi-chan looks fairly awed at the sight of the restaurant as she exits the cab. "Wow... this place is REALLY nice!"
[08:32] <Rei-chan> "Nothing but the best for us," Rei smiles, taking Usagi inside where they are greeted by the maitre d'. Asking for the Hino reservation gets the pair swiftly seated in a cosy little corner booth. The atmosphere of the restaurant is warm and intimate, with almost all the other patrons seeming to be couples as well. A grand piano and bandstand is situated near Usagi and Rei's booth, with musicians playing soft, unobtrusive music.
[08:34] * Usagi-chan looks around the restaurant with unconcealed amazement. Keeping her voice low to keep from disturbing any of the other diners, she leans over the table a bit to speak to Rei. "Rei, this is... it's awesome! But you shouldn't have gone to so much trouble!"
[08:37] <Rei-chan> "It's not that much trouble," Rei says, shifting her cutlery around the table before scooting herself around the curved booth seat so she can sit closer to the blonde. "Besides, we're royalty, aren't we? We deserve it," she says, grinning before she starts to peruse the menu.
[08:39] * Usagi-chan giggles quietly. "True... but neither one of us exactly has a royal treasury right now." Usagi picks up her own menu, looking over the range of pasta dishes offered.
[08:42] <Rei-chan> "Most royals never actually have to pay for anything themselves," Rei notes while trying to decide on her own meal, "Places like this would feed them for free just so they can brag about having such customers, but I suppose we can't really play off our own prestige..." she shakes her head before resting her hand on Usagi's knee, "But I can still afford it this once, and our first date really should be special."
[08:46] * Usagi-chan places a hand on top of Rei's with a shy smile. "Rei-chan, anywhere you could have taken me would have been special, just because it was you doing it." She leans over and gives the miko a light kiss on the cheek. "But thank you for going to so much trouble for me."
[08:48] * Rei-chan blushes slightly at Usagi's words. "That's nice of you to say," she says before setting down her menu, "So have you decided what you want to eat?"
[08:49] <Usagi-chan> "Still thinking..." Usagi turns back to her menu, giving it a more serious look. Keeping the price of the dishes in mind, she weighs her options without trying to break the bank too much. "I'll probably just get the lasagne."
[08:50] <Rei-chan> "What about a starter and dessert?" Rei asks.
[08:51] <Usagi-chan> "I'll wait to order dessert until after we actually eat, but..." Usagi glances back over the appetizer menu. "Um... I'm not sure - what would you get?"
[08:52] <Rei-chan> "I was just going to get a salad," Rei says. 'I like garlic bread, but I really shouldn't eat that tonight...'
[08:53] <Usagi-chan> "I guess a caesar salad would be good." Usagi nods, wondering exactly what Rei has planned that would make garlic bread a problem.
[08:56] * Rei-chan nods, making a subtle gesture which promptly summons their waiter. She relays their orders, getting a salad for her starter and a calamari dish for her main course, also ordering a glass of mineral water to drink. "What do you want to drink, Usagi?" she asks the blonde.
[08:57] <Usagi-chan> "Mineral water sounds fine for me too." Usagi tells the waiter.
[09:01] <Rei-chan> The waiter departs, returning quickly with their drinks before assuring them that their appetisers will be ready shortly and leaving the girls to themselves once more. "I hope the food here is as good as I've heard," Rei comments.
[09:02] <Usagi-chan> "Me too," replies the blonde. "Daddy's taken Mom here once or twice, usually after he's gotten a big raise, but they never brought me or Shingo."
[09:05] * Rei-chan smiles, "It's not really the place a couple would bring their kids to," she notes, scooting around a bit further and putting her arm around Usagi's waist.
[09:13] * Usagi-chan smiles and leans against Rei. "Well, I can't think of anyone else I'd rather come here with." After a few moments of leaning her head on Rei's shoulder, she sits up again. "So how is school going? You said you were going to have to start classes again yesterday."
[09:14] * Rei-chan chuckles slightly, feeling very relaxed and comfortable in this position. "Let me give you one piece of advice for when you start there yourself. Don't take Drama. Miss Kanzaki's a loon..."
[09:15] * Usagi-chan giggles. "Got it... I was thinking about doing either home ec or music, but I can't decide which one. I'm no good at home ec stuff, but I'd like to learn - but then I'd like to learn to sing better too."
[09:17] <Rei-chan> "I made the mistake of telling Miss Kanzaki that I liked to sing. Before I knew it she'd kicked me out of the Drama class and signed me up for the Chorus Group. Which Mimette happens to be in... and boy was she not happy to see me," Rei says, absently stroking Usagi's flank as she holds the blonde against her.
[09:18] * Usagi-chan grimaces slightly. "There hasn't been any trouble, has there? I know you and she don't get along very well."
[09:19] <Rei-chan> "No," Rei shakes her head, "She just gives me evil looks all the time," Rei exhales lightly, blowing up her bangs, "I avoided taking Music in the first place so I could avoid her, but 'Destiny and the Stars' seem to work in mysterious ways..."
[09:20] <Usagi-chan> "Destiny and the stars?" Usagi turns her head to give Rei a quizzical look.
[09:21] <Rei-chan> "Heh," Rei chuckles, "Miss Kanzaki has a flair for the dramatic. She was getting rather worked up when telling me about where my talents would best lie - even though she'd never even heard me sing."
[09:22] * Usagi-chan giggles. "Well, I've never seen you act but I know you're a really good singer. Maybe she was right."
[09:23] <Rei-chan> "I wanted to try acting, though," Rei pouts, "It would have been fun, I think. I like singing, too, but I just know my being in the Chorus Group is going to cause more friction with Mimette."
[09:25] <Usagi-chan> "I'm sure it'll all work out." Usagi smiles. "What about your other classes though?"
[09:27] <Rei-chan> "Not too bad," Rei shrugs lightly to avoid jostling her girlfriend, "Japanese History is really boring, which is disappointing - I hope I get a new teacher next semester. Most of the other classes are challenging but interesting. I'm just really far behind everyone else on Chemistry, though..."
[09:29] * Usagi-chan scowls at the mention of chemistry. "I don't even know what classes I'm going to end up in... probably a year behind everyone else with my grades."
[09:30] <Rei-chan> "Well, classes are determined by ability more than age - Viluy's in my Physics class even though she's 16," Rei points out, before adding, "Of course she said she was taking it as a refresher before starting Advanced Physics. I guess she missed out on a lot thanks to her time in the Witches..."
[09:34] <Usagi-chan> "I thought she was really good with science and stuff?" Usagi asks. "Seems kind of weird that she wouldn't already be in Advanced Physics." The blonde smiles to herself. "Well, whatever classes I get, I sure know it won't be astrophysics or applied calculus, that's for sure."
[09:35] <Rei-chan> "Maybe not at first," Rei smiles, planting a light kiss on Usagi's forehead, "But who knows where you'll be in a year's time? I mean, last year you'd never have expected to pass any of your classes at Juuban, right?"
[09:36] <Usagi-chan> "I guess that's true." Usagi admits. "And it really wasn't as hard as I thought it would be to turn my grades around."
[09:37] <Rei-chan> "There you go," Rei nods happily, "You just need to apply yourself a bit more, but I'm sure you can do it." Smiling, she adds, "So have the other people at Juuban managed to accept that you're really going to Mugen, now?"
[09:39] * Usagi-chan mutters to herself for a minute before replying in a more normal tone. "Hardly. The current rumor is that I slept with someone at Mugen to get in. I skipped school the past two days just so I wouldn't have to listen to them anymore."
[09:40] <Rei-chan> "Wow..." Rei gasps, drawing back slightly in her surprise before leaning against Usagi once more. "That's really harsh... I can't believe they'd actually think you could do that."
[09:42] <Usagi-chan> "Me either - it really makes me mad that that's the first conclusion everyone jumped to." Usagi frowns. "Umino was the only one who didn't say that - he just latched onto me so tight I needed a crowbar to pry him off." The blonde makes a face.
[09:44] <Rei-chan> "I guess that 'date' you took him on meant a lot more to him than you thought," Rei notes with a chuckle before noticing the waiter arrive with their salads and reluctantly pulling away from the blonde and sitting up straighter as her dish is set down.
[09:46] <Usagi-chan> "It wasn't a date!" Usagi returns with some heat before turning to her own salad. "I just... needed an excuse to keep an eye on you, that's all." she mumbles before starting in on the greens.
[09:47] <Rei-chan> "I know, I'm only teasing," Rei says with some mirth as she starts on her food. "This is pretty good," she notes after a few mouthfuls.
[09:49] * Usagi-chan nods in agreement. "I'm just glad Mom never found out about that, though - she's been trying to set me up with Umino for ages now."
[09:52] <Rei-chan> "I'm sure she only has your best interests at heart," Rei says with a grin, before sobering a tad. "I guess she probably won't try to set you up with him anymore..." 'I hope... what'll I do if Mrs Tsukino really is that opposed to us, though?' she thinks with some trepidation.
[09:54] * Usagi-chan sighs. "She thinks it's just some phase I'm going through, like I'll grow out of it in a couple of years or something."
[09:55] * Rei-chan winces at that. "Well, if she thinks that then she won't really object for now, and after a few years she'll be used to it, right?" she says hopefully.
[09:56] <Usagi-chan> "I sure hope so... I don't want her to stay mad at me about this." Usagi looks somewhat unhappy.
[10:01] * Rei-chan echoes Usagi's downcast expression, picking at her salad rather unenthusiastically. "I really like your mother," she notes after a minute, "I don't want to cause trouble between you two, or have her hate me... But she's always seemed really nice and understanding. I'm sure once she gets used to it things will be okay."
[10:02] * Usagi-chan smiles somewhat hopefully. "I'm sure she will... I mean, it might just have been because she was caught off guard or something."
[10:03] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, it must have been a big surprise for her," Rei smiles before her expression becomes somewhat more thoughtful. 'I wonder how my mother would have reacted...?'
[10:05] * Usagi-chan looks intently at her salad, picking at it as she picks up on her love's thoughts. The thought now occupies her own thoughts, as well as curiosity as to what Rei's mother was like - the miko has never said much about either of her parents.

Halbarad · June 25, 2006, 11:06:31 PM

[10:11] * Rei-chan tries to push away the more sombre thoughts beginning to occupy her head, but finds it rather difficult now that the seed has been planted. Trying to distract herself with another topic, she speaks up, "Hey, have you talked to Luna lately about all the stuff that's been going on? I haven't seen her or Artemis in a while."
[10:17] <Usagi-chan> "Not really, I've been out of the house so much I haven't really had time to talk to her - and I haven't seen Artemis in a while." A thoughtful look crosses her face. "I should really find out how he's doing on that project..." she says, half to herself.
[10:23] <Rei-chan> "Oh yeah," Rei nods, "I'd almost forgotten about that." She finishes off her salad and pushes the plate away. "Of course we could probably get some income from Mugen as well with the way things are going, though I'm not sure how much the Professor would fund something not directly related to finding Hotaru..."
[10:25] <Usagi-chan> "Well, I sort of don't want to go around asking for handouts or anything - I mean, if the Professor and the others want to help with the restoration that's fine, but I don't know. Asking for money just feels, well, not right somehow." Usagi replies.
[10:28] <Rei-chan> "I'm pretty sure once we tell him about our work up there, he'd be pretty eager to help out and get involved any way he can - he is a scientist after all," Rei points out, before giggling as another thought occurs to her, "We could always sell moon rocks on the internet to make a bit more money."
[10:31] * Usagi-chan giggles. "I guess we could - and they'd be authentic, too!" She smiles, taking a sip of her water as she finishes off her salad. "I'm just hoping the others DO want to help. Tellu and Eudial especially could do so much to help - and I bet Ami would love to have someone to talk shop with." Usagi grins.
[10:33] <Rei-chan> "I'm pretty sure Tellu would absolutely love to help bring life back to the Moon - she can't really do anything in the way of fighting, but this gives her the chance to use her talents to do something truly amazing," Rei says, smiling before assuming a mock frown, "I just don't want to be in the same room when Eudial, Ami, and Viluy all start talking together... the technobabble would be insane."
[10:35] <Usagi-chan> "Could you just imagine what the three of them could come up with together though? I mean, Ami by herself made Lita, and I know Eudial's made some pretty cool stuff." Usagi grins. "Now THAT would be the fun part of getting those three together."
[10:36] <Rei-chan> "Oh, I don't doubt it," Rei nods. "Hell, I bet the three of them could actually improve on a lot of the old technology up there, never mind just repairing it."
[10:38] <Usagi-chan> "I just wonder how they'll actually react when we tell them? I mean, Eudial knows I come from the Moon, but you didn't tell her we've actually been working there, right?"
[10:39] <Rei-chan> "No," Rei shakes her head, "I wanted to save that until we tell all of them... or show them, perhaps?" she adds.
[10:40] <Usagi-chan> "That's a fun idea..." Usagi taps one finger against her lower lip thoughtfully. "We'd have to do it as a group for that though - there's no way I could take everyone by myself. I guess we COULD just show them, though - I mean, it's not like they're going to run out and tell people about it."
[10:42] <Rei-chan> "Well, I'm still not fully sure on the limits of Cyprine and Ptliol's power - they might be able to make it up there on their own. But yeah, we can take everyone else up the old fashioned way."
[10:42] * Usagi-chan giggles. "It might be worth it just for the looks on their faces."
[10:47] <Rei-chan> "Yeah," Rei begins, pausing as the waiter appears and clears their plates before depositing Usagi's lasagne and Rei's calamari. After he departs she begins again, "Yeah, though I bet Cyprine won't be too ruffled. She never seems to be surprised by anything."
[10:50] * Usagi-chan catches herself before adding that Mamoru would probably also help. With an embarrassed blush creeping up her cheeks at her near-faux pas, she tucks into the lasagne wordlessly.
[10:53] * Rei-chan frowns slightly. 'Did I say something wrong?' she wonders, going over her last statement. Finding nothing wrong with it to her perspective, she shrugs and starts in on her meal, finding it to her liking, she makes appreciative noises after the first mouthful. "This is really good, Usagi, do you want to try some?" she holds out her fork with some squid on it.
[10:55] <Usagi-chan> "Sure, I guess so." Usagi leans over the table, taking the calamari from Rei's fork and tasting it. "Wow, that IS really good!" Usagi smiles brightly, her embarrassment forgotten. "The lasagne is really awesome too."
[10:58] <Rei-chan> "Can I try some?" Rei asks, shifting a little bit closer.
[11:00] <Usagi-chan> "Sure!" Usagi cuts a piece of the cheesy pasta dish and holds it out for Rei, cupping her hand beneath the fork in case she drops it.
[11:02] * Rei-chan leans over, taking the offered pasta in her mouth before chewing it slowly, savouring the taste. "Mmmm," she nods, swallowing, "That is good," she sits back, smiling, "At least this place deserves its reputation," she says before resuming her own dish.
[11:04] <Usagi-chan> "That's for sure." Usagi nods, continuing to demolish her own pasta. While the blonde is eating quickly, she does seem to be using proper manners for a change. "But I can see why Daddy only brings Mom here after he gets a raise."
[11:12] <Rei-chan> "It isn't cheap, that's for sure, but even if it was I wouldn't come here too often. If you did eat here frequently it wouldn't be as special anymore, would it?" Rei muses, noting Usagi's manners and resolving that since the blonde does know them, she'll have less excuse in future to be remiss.
[11:15] <Usagi-chan> "I guess so... I didn't really think about it like that." Usagi says thoughtfully. Finishing off the last bite of her lasagne, she leans back in the seat with a contented sigh. "And it's definitely special, that's for sure." She gives the raven-haired miko a brilliant smile.
[11:19] * Rei-chan matches Usagi's smile. "I'm glad you think so. It's been special for me, too." She then gestures for the waiter and asks for the dessert menu, which is promptly given. "So what do you want for dessert?" she asks, leaning over and holding the menu so both she and Usagi can look at it.
[11:21] * Usagi-chan scoots over closer to Rei so she can get a better look at the menu. "Let's see..." One particular item catches her eye, and the gleam in it is unmistakable. She points to the item on the menu with a grin - Death by Chocolate cake.
[11:23] <Rei-chan> "Heh, I'm sure it'll take more than one little cake to do you in," Rei chuckles, relaying the order to the waiter along with her own request of a Tiramisu.
[11:24] * Usagi-chan giggles. "Probably... but I can't think of any other way I'd rather go."
[11:25] <Rei-chan> "Heh," Rei finishes off the last of her water, "It certainly fits, I can't argue with that."
[11:26] <Usagi-chan> "I've never actually had it myself, but I've heard about it. I always wanted to try it sometime." Usagi says, her eyes shining with anticipation.
[11:28] <Rei-chan> "Well, I won't trouble you by asking to share, then," Rei says with a giggle just as their two desserts arrive.
[11:29] <Usagi-chan> "I might let you have a LITTLE bite if you want some." Usagi winks.
[11:32] <Rei-chan> "You're too kind," Rei says, scooping up a small spoonful of her own pudding and trying it. "This is pretty good," she says, smacking her lips, "So it should be a fair trade."
[11:33] * Usagi-chan again cuts a bite of her dish, holding out the fudge-laden morsel for Rei to sample.
[11:36] * Rei-chan leans over and accepts the proffered treat, taking a moment to chew and swallow. "It's nice, but a bit too rich for me... I think if I had to eat too much of it it might actually come close to doing what the name says." She then takes a deep scoop out of her Tiramisu glass in order to get something from each layer and holds it out for Usagi to try.
[11:38] * Usagi-chan takes the spoonful carefully. "Mmm... that's really good, Rei." She smiles. "But I think I'll stick to my cake - it's going to take more than this to do me in." She grins impishly.
[11:38] <Rei-chan> "Heh, I guess I can't match you in this," Rei comments, working on her own dessert, slowly enjoying each bite to stretch it out.
[11:41] * Usagi-chan takes a large chunk of cake, her eyes closed in rapture as she eats the chocolate treat. "Now THAT's good stuff..."
[11:43] * Rei-chan smiles at Usagi's expression. "Of course now you won't be able to go back to normal chocolate, will you?" she asks, her violet eyes glinting with mischief.
[11:44] * Usagi-chan sighs dramatically. "I suppose I can lower my standards enough for candy bars after this," she responds, her own eyes twinkling as well.
[11:47] <Rei-chan> Finishing off the last of her own dessert, Rei calls for the waiter again and asks for the bill, barely repressing a sigh of relief when she sees it. 'Good, just under what I can afford,' she thinks, producing her purse and leaving enough yen to cover the bill. "Well, the night is still young, Usagi," she says, standing up and offering a hand to her love, "But I'm afraid you'll have to do the work to take us where we're going next."
[11:49] * Usagi-chan raises an eyebrow. "You want to go... up tonight?" She refrains from mentioning their specific destination, as there are still a fair number of people around. She allows Rei to help her out of the booth. "Sure... just tell me where we're leaving from."
[11:50] <Rei-chan> "I'm sure we can find someplace nearby where no one will see us," Rei whispers, escorting Usagi outside the restaurant. "And I do remember what you said about the kind of date you'd like - to be able to walk under the stars in the place where you can see them best."
[11:52] * Usagi-chan smiles. "Then just call me Princess Taxicab!" she giggles. "At least as soon as we find a good place to travel from." She glances around, somewhat unfamiliar with this part of town.
[11:55] * Rei-chan looks around as well before almost slapping her head. "We could have just used the bathroom in the restaurant..." she mutters, annoyed with herself. "Oh well, I think over there will do," she points to an alleyway between a cafe and a record store on the other side of the street, both buildings seemingly closed for the evening.
[11:56] * Usagi-chan nods. "Looks good to me." Usagi moves over to the deserted alleyway quickly, checking to make sure it really is empty before changing to the Princess Serenity.
[11:57] * Rei-chan also keeps a sharp eye out for anyone who might decide to poke their nose in while Serenity works her magic.
[11:58] * Serenity-hime smiles, stepping behind Rei and placing her arms around her love's slim waist as she begins to chant the incantation that will take the pair to the palace of the Moon Kingdom.
[12:02] <Serenity-hime> The pair disappear mere moments later with a fading glow of white light, drawing a few stares from random passers-by who wonder what caused the flash. When the two reappear on the Moon, they stand upon a long marble walkway, almost completely undamaged, which leads from a pair of enormous double doors in the Palace itself to an iron-wrought gate in a stone wall some distance away.
[12:05] <Rei-chan> "Hmm..." Rei looks around, tapping her chin as she tries to get her bearings, "Let's see... I think where we want to go is that way," she points over to the far left of the double doors, "But is it quicker to go through the palace or around?" she has a thoughtful expression as she wracks her brain.
[12:06] <Serenity-hime> "Where exactly did you have in mind?" Usagi looks at her girlfriend curiously.
[12:07] <Rei-chan> "You know where the big lake used to be?" Rei says, still looking thoughtful, "I suppose it's dried up, now, but it'd still be nice to walk around there, I think..."
[12:08] <Serenity-hime> "Oh! Yeah, I remember it. It'll be quicker to go through the palace - it's almost on the opposite side of the grounds from where we are now." Usagi nods, leading the way up to the large, tarnished silver doors.
[12:10] <Rei-chan> "Okay," Rei quickly catches up, linking her arm with Usagi's. "I wonder what shape the promenade will be in... I take it you haven't done any repairs around there, yet?"
[12:11] * Serenity-hime shakes her head. "I haven't really looked at the outside much, since there's not a whole lot to see right now. The palace is going to be a huge job as it is - even restoring JUST the residential wing is going to take months."
[12:13] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, I guess so," Rei nods. "Still, we have lots of time, and when it's all done it'll be satisfying to think of all the hard work we put in to making this place beautiful again," she smiles, leaning herself a bit against Usagi as they walk along at a sedate pace.
[12:14] <Serenity-hime> "That's for sure." Usagi smiles, letting one arm slip around Rei's waist. "I can't help but feel a little proud every time I see the Great Hall again."
[12:17] <Rei-chan> "Well you deserve to be proud - you did a really great job there," Rei says, giving Usagi a peck on the cheek before turning a corner in the hallway.
[12:18] * Serenity-hime blushes, both at the kiss and the praise. "Thanks, Rei-chan. It means a lot to hear that from you."
[12:19] <Rei-chan> "Because you don't hear it very often?" Rei asks teasingly.
[12:20] <Serenity-hime> "Not as often as I'd like it, that's for sure." The blonde retorts with a grin.
[12:21] <Rei-chan> "Well, I'd say stuff like that more often, but I really don't want you to become spoiled," Rei replies easily.
[12:22] <Serenity-hime> "Your concern for my ego is touching, Pyro." Usagi shakes her head and smiles.
[12:23] * Rei-chan giggles, "It's a tough job, but I enjoy it."
[12:24] <Serenity-hime> "A little too much sometimes, I think." Usagi shoots her tongue out at the dark-haired girl.
[12:27] * Rei-chan matches the gesture. "Not all the time - I do like a challenge occasionally," she teases.
[12:28] * Serenity-hime draws herself up to her not-exactly-impressive full height. "I'm the queen! I can have just as big an ego as I want!" she declares in a haughty voice, with just a hint of mirth.
[12:30] <Rei-chan> "Oh dear," Rei frets, playing along, "I guess as one of the Queen's loyal Sailor Senshi I have no choice but to defend the royal ego."
[12:31] * Serenity-hime giggles. "That's right! So you have to quit teasing me!"
[12:33] <Rei-chan> "You might as well ask for the Moon and the stars while you're at it," Rei protests just as they come out onto an exposed verandah that leads down to where the lake used to be, a shattered promenade extending out into the depression. "Oh..." Rei deadpans, noting the lunar surface and thousands of shining lights in the sky. "I guess you don't need to ask..."
[12:37] * Serenity-hime looks up at the sight with a smile, the view of the sky only slighly marred by the devastation of the area around them. "Well... I already HAVE the Moon... but the only star I really want is a fiery red one." The princess smiles and leans over to kiss Rei's cheek.
[12:39] <Rei-chan> Tenderly cupping Usagi's chin, Rei leans in close, "And that one will always belong to you," she whispers, wrapping her other arm around the blonde's back and kissing her gently on the lips.
[12:40] * Serenity-hime smiles softly as the two separate. "You know... I still do have to show you what spring is like on Jupiter and Mars."
[12:43] <Rei-chan> "I don't know about Jupiter, but Mars has been stuck in Winter for far too long..." Rei says softly, her expression becoming rather distant as she turns to look at the sky, gazing at a fixed point low on the horizon. "And it used to be so warm, too..."
[12:45] <Serenity-hime> "It will be again, Rei-chan." Usagi smiles, taking the miko's hand in her own. "That's a promise."
[12:46] * Rei-chan squeezes the hand, giving Usagi a grateful look. "One day..." she agrees solemnly.
[12:47] <Rei-chan> -------
[15:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> After the weekend and Usagi's last hurrah at Juuban in a farewell party, Monday heralds in her start at Mugen.
[15:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> Approaching Mugen, Rei and Usagi take in the coolish air and the swarm of students meandering inside. Usagi's new uniform is still crisp and fresh, almost right off the rack - as if to signify a new chapter in her life...
[15:51] * Usagi-chan fidgets a bit nervously, partly from uncertainty about starting a new school - and not a little from remembering what happened the LAST time she walked through those doors in this uniform. Even with the Professor back to normal, she still can't help but feel a bit antsy.
[15:51] <Rei-chan> "Nervous?" Rei asks as they near the tall building of the school.
[15:52] <Usagi-chan> "Just a little." Usagi swallows, giving Rei a hesitant smile. "Still hard to believe I'm really going to Mugen."
[15:54] <Rei-chan> "You'll be fine so long as you work hard," Rei says encouragingly, taking Usagi's hand and giving it a squeeze. "Do you know what classroom you have for your tutoring?"
[16:00] * Usagi-chan nods. "Room 421, I think."
[16:04] <Rei-chan> "Well, that's up on the fourth floor," Rei comments before making a face, "Obviously. But yeah, I'll walk you up as far as the first floor - I'm in room 173 for Calculus," she finishes as the pair enter the main entrance of the school.
[16:04] * Usagi-chan smiles. "Thanks, Rei-chan." The blonde takes a deep breath. 'You can do this, Usagi, just calm down.'
[16:06] <Rei-chan> Letting go of Usagi's hand, Rei then puts hers on Usagi's shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Just don't panic and stay focused, you'll be fine," she offers, heading over to the stairs.
[16:07] <Usagi-chan> "I'll do my best." Usagi has a determined look now, although it's clear that she's still somewhat nervous.
[16:08] <Rei-chan> "That's all anyone can ask," Rei says as they reach the first floor. "I'll see you again at lunch, okay?" she says, furtively looking around in case anyone else is nearby.
[16:08] <Usagi-chan> "Absolutely! You have to show me what's good here." Usagi smiles.
[16:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei - There are a few students here and there, as is expected before class.
[16:10] * Rei-chan shrugs, deciding a more noticable public display of affection probably wouldn't be too wise right now. "Sure things," she chirps, "Good luck, Dumpling Head," she waves, departing for her own class.
[16:10] * Usagi-chan waves to the miko before starting up the stairs again to the fourth floor, looking for her classroom as she steps out into the hallway.
[16:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> Picking your way through the crowded hallway, Usagi finds room 421 without much trouble. A sign on the door says, "Private Tutoring Room," is printed on it, the sign old and by now nearly part of the door.
[16:13] * Usagi-chan opens the door a bit hesitantly - she doesn't THINK she's late, but she doesn't want to interrupt anyone that might be in the room yet either.
[16:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> Inside, you find several tables laid out instead of desks, set up loosely over the room. A few students are here already, either reading or quietly working with another person.
[16:15] * Usagi-chan steps into the room and finds an empty seat, setting her bag down next to it nervously.
[16:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> Shortly after, a girl with medium length brown hair and big blue eyes comes up to you. She looks to be around 17 or 18, an upperclassman. "New here," she asks nicely.
[16:17] * Usagi-chan nods. "Yeah, this is my first day."
[16:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> "The supervisor will be along shortly," she says, "Just wait until then." Nodding to you, she goes back to where she was sitting, helping another student.
[16:20] * Usagi-chan gives the girl a smile, thanking her before she leaves. Once alone again, she puts her hands in her lap as she waits for the supervisor to arrive.
[16:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> About fifteen minutes pass before the 'supervisor' arrives, an older lady with iron grey hair and a stern face. She confers with a few of the students briefly, then heads in your direction. "Miss Tsukino," she asks off the bat.
[16:22] * Usagi-chan looks up nervously. "Yes?"
[16:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Welcome to Mugen," she smiles momentarily, yet her smile isn't reassuring. "You're here for preliminary testing?"
[16:27] * Usagi-chan nods. "I guess so, I was just told that this was where I needed to come on my first day."
[16:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You're in the right place. Professor Tomoe went as far to personally tell me to expect you," she says. "Oh, and you he also said your friend Miss Mizuno is in another tutoring," she mentions, then gets back on course. "Be that as it may, we're here to figure out what class levels you should be in."
[16:31] * Usagi-chan feels her heart sink as she nods. 'Great, tons of tests... I guess I should have expected it.'
[16:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You came from Juuban Middle's 8th grade program," she asks, going on after you nodded.
[16:32] <Usagi-chan> "Yes ma'am." Usagi replies.
[16:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> "We'll start with Mathematics," she says, walking over to a table on the other side of the room. She returns with a thickish packet of paper, as well as pencils and a calculator. "This should get you started," she says, placing them in front of you. "You have as much time as you need, progress as far as you can. If you need any other supplies or have any questions, let me know."
[16:36] * Usagi-chan smiles. "Thanks... I guess I'll get started then." Taking one of the pencils, she starts in to work on her least favorite subject. 'Why did it have to be math first?'
[16:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Make a Mind check, Usagi. This won't be the only determinant, but it's part of it.
[16:37] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6
[16:37] * Musk-bot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[16:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[16:39] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 2."
[16:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> Surprisingly to all concerned, Usagi finds herself doing extremely well in the Maths section. Hell, she makes it well over halfway before the advanced geometry finally stops her.
[16:41] * Usagi-chan flags down the supervisor once she finds herself at a loss, handing over the test with a smile. "I don't think I can do any more on this one," she says.
[16:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> She nods, shuffling back to her desk for the next one. That took you well over an hour, placing the time at nearly 10 AM. "The next subject is Earth Sciences, Biology, Oceanography, and miscellaneous Life Scieneces. Do you have any questions?"
[16:43] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "Not right now, thanks."
[16:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> She goes off, leaving Usagi to her fate in the next test.
[16:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Make a Mind check, Usagi. This won't be the only determinant, but it's part of it.
[16:44] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6
[16:44] * Musk-bot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
[16:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[16:44] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[16:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> This section outright confuses and loses Usagi with devastating speed.
[16:45] * Usagi-chan resists the urge to pull her hair in frustration at the stupid test, answering the scant few questions she can figure out as best she can.
[16:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> This is depressingly few, Usagi ready for the next test by 10:30. "The next exam is Physics, Chemistry, Bio-chem, and similiarly devoted fields. Do you have any questions?"
[16:48] <Usagi-chan> 'Yeah, do I have to take these stupid tests?' Usagi doesn't say, merely shaking her head and hoping that the next test isn't so rough.
[16:50] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6 burning 20 EP for Mind
[16:50] * Musk-bot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6 burning 20 EP for Mind and gets 11."
[16:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[16:50] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[16:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> Usagi flails vailantly in this section, getting as many (not many) questions as she can before it's a lost cause.
[16:52] * Usagi-chan sighs, her heart sinking as she realizes she answered even fewer questions on this test than on the last one.
[16:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> Getting the next test around 11, Usagi rightly feels a touch disspirited. "Done already," she asks, handing you your next test. "This is on Japanese History up to the Meiji Era. If you have any questions..."
[16:54] * Usagi-chan shakes her head once again, trying to shake out of her depression as she begins the next test.
[16:55] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6 burning 20 EP for mind
[16:55] * Hatbot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6 burning 20 EP for mind and gets 6."
[16:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[16:55] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[16:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> Usagi does much better in this section, fairly well for the majority of it. It's just about noon when she finishes, as a matter of face. "It's time for the lunch period," your tester notes. "Do you know where the cafeteria is?"
[16:56] * Usagi-chan shakes her head as she hands over the paper. "I've only been here once before."
[16:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'll have someone walk you there. Be back by 1 PM." With that, she goes over and gets the girl who talked to you briefly before, who has been here all morning helping students. She walks over, nodding to you. "Ready for lunch?"
[16:58] <Usagi-chan> "Am I ever!" Usagi smiles ruefully. "All those tests... I'm starving!"
[16:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you walk out, she makes polite conversation. "How do you think you did?"
[16:59] <Usagi-chan> "I think I did okay on the math and history, but I COMPLETELY bombed both the science sections." Usagi sighs.
[17:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> She nods. "Not much for science?"
[17:01] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "Definitely not. Oh, I'm sorry - I never introduced myself. My name is Usagi Tsukino, nice to meet you." The blonde smiles at her companion warmly.
[17:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'm Youko Ishida," she smiles back thinly. She doesn't look unfriendly, but she's not warm. As you decend the stairs, "How'd you get into Mugen right now? I thought exams weren't for another month?"
[17:16] <Usagi-chan> "I got a scholarship from Professor Tomoe... it's kind of a long story." Usagi replies a bit evasively.
[17:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> She blinks. "Wow," she says, "That's pretty impressive. Professor Tomoe rarely gives them out, and then only to exceptional students."
[17:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> She smiles at you, this time warmly. "You didn't look to be that smart, if you want me to be honest. I thought you'd just scraped by the exams, but I must have been wrong. My apologies, Usagi."
[17:20] * Usagi-chan smiles a bit crookedly. "I was kind of surprised that he offered, actually. I just hope I do okay here - I wasn't sure I could make it, but once I told my parents about the scholarship they insisted I take it."
[17:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> "If he offered, you must be a genius," she insists, "so you shouldn't be surprised." Getting out of the stairs, she points ahead. "Just go to the end of the hall and turn. The cafeteria is right there."
[17:22] * Usagi-chan smiles. "I definitely wouldn't call myself a genius, but thanks for your help." She gives the older girl a wave before heading in the direction indicated.
[17:24] <Rei-chan> Turning the corner, Usagi finds Rei leaning against the wall by the cafeteria door. The miko brightens on seeing her love and pushes off the wall, "Hi Usagi," she waves, "How'd this morning go?"
[17:25] * Usagi-chan brightens considerably on seeing Rei. "Hi Rei-chan! Ugh... tests, tests, and more tests." The blonde makes a face. "I should have known."
[17:26] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, I remember what the entrance exam was like," Rei nods, opening the door and heading inside with Usagi. "Once you get past that it becomes easier." 'Except in Chemistry...'
[17:27] * Usagi-chan scowls. "Don't even THINK about chemistry... I think I answered a total of ten questions on both the science tests this morning."
[17:29] * Rei-chan blinks. "That's... ah... really bad, Usagi," she says. "Did you study at all before today?" she asks while making her way over to the lunchline.
[17:29] <Usagi-chan> "No, I didn't really know what I was SUPPOSED to study for." Usagi sighs. "Somehow I doubt it would have helped if I had."
[17:32] <Rei-chan> "Right, well you're going to be studying tonight after school," Rei states, leaving no room for argument. "We'll see about letting you retake the tests in a few weeks." 'I don't even know what classes she could get put in if she did as badly as she said...'
[17:33] * Usagi-chan slumps dejectedly at Rei's thought. "I'm going to flunk out on my first day!"
[17:35] <Rei-chan> "No you won't, Usagi," Rei says firmly, making her selection of curried rice for lunch. "You obviously weren't ready for the tests. We'll sort something out after you've done some catchup work."
[17:35] <Usagi-chan> "I guess so..." Usagi sighs. "At least I did okay on the math and history tests - better than I expected on math, actually."
[17:37] <Rei-chan> "Really?" Rei brightens a bit at that. "Well, things might not be so bad, then. You can take basic or introductory classes for the sciences while you're in regular classes for the other stuff."
[17:39] * Usagi-chan smiles ruefully. "That wouldn't be so bad, I guess." Usagi looks over the selection of cafeteria food, then makes a face. "I just realized I forgot to bring lunch money today." As if to punctuate the point, her stomach growls rather noisily, causing the blonde to blush with embarrassment.
[17:40] <Rei-chan> "Just take what you want, the Professor's assistants get to eat free," Rei says absently.
[17:41] * Usagi-chan looks rather surprised at that. "Really? That's cool!" Usagi grins, taking a much more serious look at the food on display now that she doesn't have to worry about paying for it. It seems to be remarkably appealing in appearance, at least for cafeteria food.
[17:43] * Rei-chan nods. "The food here isn't quite as good as what they had at T*A, but there's more variety and it's still pretty good anyway," she notes, picking out an empty table for them to sit at.
[17:44] <Usagi-chan> "It's way better than the cafeteria food at Juuban, that's for sure." Usagi's tray is piled high with food, as usual looking to be far more than the blonde could possibly eat.
[17:46] <Rei-chan> Chuckling slightly at the amount Usagi has gotten for herself, Rei leads her over to the table she noticed and sits down. "Well, I doubt the cafeteria at Juuban sees much use if most people bring boxed lunches. Hardly anyone does that here."
[17:48] * Usagi-chan grins wryly. "There's a reason just about everyone at Juuban takes bento, and that's exactly it. I can't remember the last time someone actually went to the cafeteria there - most people will try to beg food off the people that have extra rather than subject themselves to the horrors of the cafeteria." Usagi giggles, quite failing to mention that she was the culprit in more than a few of those begging incidents.
[17:49] <Rei-chan> "Heh, of course you won't be able to bum free lunches off Mako-chan anymore, will you?" Rei comments.
[17:50] <Usagi-chan> "I guess not, but if the food here is free - and it's as good as it looks - that won't be a problem." Usagi grins and starts tucking into the mountain of food with gusto.
[17:51] * Rei-chan also starts in on her own, eating with demure grace.
[17:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> The rest of the meal goes quietly enough. Cyprine passes by, with a nod of acknowledgement as she goes about her lunch business.
[18:01] * Usagi-chan smiles at the older girl, giving her a small wave as she passes.
[18:01] * Rei-chan waves, but the blue-haired girl is gone before she can invite her to join them. "Oh well, not like she'll be lonely. She always has her sister with her," Rei says to Usagi.
[18:01] * Usagi-chan giggles, having heard about Ptilol. "I can't help but wonder how that works..."
[18:03] <Rei-chan> "I'm not sure, but in a way I can't help but envy them - they have to be incredibly close," Rei frowns faintly, "Though I wonder if that ever causes them problems..." she pictures a few situations where she wouldn't want a 'sister' being with her constantly...
[18:04] <Usagi-chan> "I suppose it's nice sometimes, but I can't imagine spending EVERY minute with the same person, all the time - I'd get tired of them after a while." Usagi shakes her head. "I wonder if they ever get into fights with each other?"
[18:05] <Rei-chan> "Not that I've ever seen," Rei says before shrugging, "Not that I've seen a lot..."
[18:05] <Usagi-chan> "I guess it's not very important." Usagi says with a smile. "Anyway, how are your classes going?"
[18:07] <Rei-chan> "Pretty good - in Calculus the teacher went over the test he gave everyone on Friday, so I have a good idea of what I need to study for when I do the test," she then makes a face, "Just a pity I won't get the exact same test, otherwise I'd be sure to ace it."
[18:08] * Usagi-chan grins. "Wish I could take all my tests like that."
[18:09] <Rei-chan> "Just do your best this afternoon, Usagi," Rei encourages her, "Don't let yourself get disheartened by the ones you had trouble with this morning."
[18:10] * Usagi-chan puts on a brave face. "I'll try... I just hope I don't bomb anything else."
[18:11] * Rei-chan glances at the clock, "Speaking of that, looks like lunch is nearly over, we'd better clear our stuff and get back to class," she stands up with her tray.
[18:12] * Usagi-chan quickly finishes off her dessert, wiping her lips with a napkin. "Where should I meet you after class?"
[18:14] <Rei-chan> "Just meet me in the entrance hall and we can go to the office from there," Rei says before going over to leave her tray at the collection point.
[18:15] * Usagi-chan nods, mimicing Rei's actions with her own tray before waving to her girlfriend and heading back to the testing room.
[18:17] * Rei-chan heads off to her next class after wishing Usagi good luck.
[18:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> Once back in the testing area, your next exam ready and waiting. "Your next exam is on Japanese History, from the Meiji period to the current day. Do you have any questions?"
[18:18] <Usagi-chan> Again Usagi shakes her head, freshly determined to do well after her talk with Rei at lunch.
[18:20] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6 burning 20 EP for mind
[18:20] * Hatbot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6 burning 20 EP for mind and gets 11."
[18:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[18:20] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[18:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> Hirohito? Todo? Prime Minister? American occupation? All of it jumbles in Usagi's poor head, a mess of events that refuse to sort themselves in any useful order.
[18:23] * Usagi-chan feels her new-found resolve leeching away under the onslaught of confusion. As before, though, she does her best, putting down a few hopeful guesses where she can.
[18:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> By 1:30, Usagi's struggles on this test have come to an end.
[18:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> Taking your paper, you get yet another one. "This is a test on Japanese government. Questions?"
[18:25] * Usagi-chan shakes her head wordlessly, taking the next test paper with an expression of dread.
[18:26] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6 burning 20 EP for mind
[18:26] * Hatbot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6 burning 20 EP for mind and gets 7."
[18:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[18:26] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[18:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> Usagi stumbles her way through this section, but does better than she did on her last test. Not great, but she held her own. It's 2:45 when this test is finished. "Geography is up next. Questions?"
[18:28] <Usagi-chan> "No, ma'am." Usagi steels her resolve for the next section before accepting the paper from the supervisor.
[18:28] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6 burning 20 EP for mind
[18:28] * Hatbot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6 burning 20 EP for mind and gets 9."
[18:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[18:29] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[18:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> Really, who can be expected to know where in Africa Mozambique is, or Nigeria? For that matter, who cares about Luxembourg or Andorra? ...this test does, sadly, amoung several other locations.
[18:30] * Usagi-chan can't help but hang her head as yet another botched test passes into the supervisor's hands.
[18:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> It's getting on towards 4 PM at this point. "I think that's all for today, Miss Tsukino," the grey haired mistress decides. "We'll resume tomorrow morning."
[18:32] <Usagi-chan> "Yes, ma'am." Usagi says glumly, collecting her supplies in her bag before heading out of the room.
[18:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> Walking out, you see that students are beginning to drift out from class, off to home, studying blocks, sports, or whatever else has their fancy.
[18:35] * Usagi-chan walks with the general flow of students, lost in her own gloomy thoughts as she heads down to meet Rei at the entrance to the school.
[18:37] <Rei-chan> "Hey, Usagi," Rei greets the blonde, walking over as she spots her. "Take it things didn't improve?" she asks from the blonde's obvious demeanour.
[18:38] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "I think the only thing I did okay on was Japanese government... everything else was awful."
[18:40] * Rei-chan sighs. "Well we'll have to see about picking up your studying to remedy this," she says, shaking her head. "Come on, let's go down to the office," she leads Usagi down into the sublevels of Mugen, making sure to clearly show her the keypad combination on the doors leading to the Witches office.
[18:42] * Usagi-chan makes a note of the number code as she follows Rei. "They sure do make it hard to find the office..."
[18:43] <Rei-chan> "Well it wouldn't do for random students to wander in accidentally," Rei shrugs as they reach the office itself and she opens the door to allow them both entrance.
[18:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> Inside, you see that the changes have continued. A few comfortable chairs and a couch have been moved into the front area, as well as a nice TV, computer desk station, and a table with chairs. The walls are painted a pleasant light blue, and two new desks are to the side of Rei's...
[18:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial, clad in her white lab coat, is sitting on the couch, while Cyprine is at her desk, reading a History book.
[18:45] * Usagi-chan smiles a little at the sight of the cozy room. "Wow, this is pretty nice."
[18:45] <Rei-chan> "Afternoon, guys," Rei waves, dropping her schoolbag on her desk.
[18:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hi, Rei," Eudial waves. Cyprine glances from her book, nodding before going back to it.
[18:47] * Usagi-chan gives a little wave to Eudial, still feeling a bit down from her disastrous day and not too chatty.
[18:47] <Rei-chan> "Hey Cyprine, I don't think I ever did proper introductions, but this is Usagi," Rei gestures between the two.
[18:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> Cyprine gently puts down her text, looking at Usagi. "Good to meet you," she says calmly, "We're charmed."
[18:49] * Usagi-chan smiles wryly. "Nice to meet you too - at least on civil terms this time." She bobs a quick bow to the blue-haired girl.
[18:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> She smiles slightly, a Mona Lisa smile. "How was your day at Mugen?" she asks.
[18:52] * Usagi-chan makes a face. "Not so good... stupid tests." She sticks her tongue out slightly.
[18:53] * Rei-chan nods, "If there's nothing work related coming up I was just going to help Usagi with her studies right now - hopefully she'll get to retake the tests when she's more prepared."
[18:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> "The Professor hasn't had any luck finding Germatou yet, and the elves haven't been seen since Wednesday," Eudial says, frowning just a bit when she thinks of the incident that day.
[18:55] <Usagi-chan> "How is he looking for Germatou?" Usagi looks curious.
[18:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> "He's working on a machine that he thinks might be able to trace him," Eudial defers a moment. "If anyone knows what to look for about Germatou, it's Professor Tomoe. If he can find him..." she smiles viciously.
[18:59] * Rei-chan nods, "My fire readings are still coming up blank... I seem to get a bit more when I focus on the Mistress instead of Hotaru, but still nothing that's actually helpful," she sighs with some annoyance. "Oh well, guess it's time to hit the books, Dumpling Head."
[18:59] * Usagi-chan grumbles for a moment but relents after a few moments. "Which desk is mine?"
[19:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> "The one to the right of Rei's, your right," Eudial comments. It's one of the two new desks, tidy and fresh.
[19:01] * Usagi-chan drops her bag next to the seat, flopping into her chair with a groan. "All right, I guess we'd better get started," she grouses.
[19:01] <Rei-chan> "The other one will be for Ami, then." Rei goes over and opens her schoolbag, taking out her textbooks, "Anything you'd like to work on first?" she asks, glancing at Usagi.
[19:02] <Usagi-chan> "I have no idea... I don't even know what else they're going to test me on." Usagi's head hits the desk with a thud.
[19:02] <Rei-chan> "Hm, might actually be a good idea to focus on what will come up tomorrow, see if we can cram enough in for you to pass," Rei nods. "What did you say you've already done?"
[19:05] * Usagi-chan thinks for a moment. "Math, two different science tests, Japanese History - before the Meiji period and after, Japanese government, and Geography." She ticks them off on her fingers as she recalls which ones she's had.
[19:06] <Rei-chan> "Well English is pretty much a definite for tomorrow," Rei says, separating her English textbook from the pile as she tries to think what other subjects have still to come up.
[19:07] * Usagi-chan mutters something under her breath - the only thing Rei can make out is the word "Lunarian".
[19:08] <Rei-chan> "Come on Usagi," Rei jostles her, "If you can manage English words like 'Escalation' or 'Hallation' it shouldn't be too hard," she teases.
[19:08] * Usagi-chan raises her head to stick out her tongue at the miko. "Easy for you to say... just because I can say them doesn't mean I know what they mean."
[19:11] <Rei-chan> "Well, we might as well get started on this," Rei sits in her own seat and opens the textbook. "We'll start with simple greetings and introductions - stuff like that always comes up on tests." She then begins leading Usagi through the vocal exercises given in the textbook as best she can.
[19:11] * Usagi-chan sighs and follows along as best she can, despite her near-total lack of proficiency in English.
[19:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you get into your studying, the time passes by. Usagi makes as much progress as she can be expected to make...
[19:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you wrangle over the phrase, "Hello, I'm Usagi Tsukino." in English, "Yes... yes... right, Professor!" Turning, Eudial calls to you. "Rei, Usagi! Viluy and Ami ran into a elf monster downtown," she calls out.
[19:19] * Usagi-chan quickly pops out of her seat, the English forgotten. "Where exactly?"
[19:19] * Rei-chan also stands up quickly.
[19:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> "A restaurant near Toudai University," she says, getting up quickly herself.
[19:20] <Usagi-chan> "Toudai?" Usagi almost curses. "It's going to take us forever to get over there!"
[19:21] <Rei-chan> "We'll have to use the Sailor Teleport," Rei says, holding up the Mars Pen with a cry of "Mars Power, Make UP!"
[19:21] * Usagi-chan grumbles, already worn out from her studying, but grabs her brooch. "Moon Prism Power, Make UP!"
[19:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> Cyprine gets up, putting down her book again. "Bothersome elves," she murmurs. "Annoying elves." Brushing off her uniform, "We should do something about this."
[19:23] <Sailor_Mars> "Cyprine, can you and your sister teleport yourselves over there? I think one passenger is about all Usagi and I can take by ourselves," Rei says to the blue-haired girl.
[19:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> "We can get there quickly," Cyprine replies, nodding.
[19:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> Getting out her Fire Buster and shedding her lab coat in the meanwhile, "Let's see how they like the Fire Buster, mk II!"
[19:24] <Sailor_Mars> "Okay, Eudial, take our hands," Rei says, holding Usagi's hand and extending her other for the redhead.
[19:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> She does so, getting in position.
[19:24] * Sailor_Moon takes Rei's and Eudial's hands, nodding once to the miko before closing her eyes. "Sailor..."
[19:25] <Sailor_Mars> "Teleport!" Rei finishes, joining in the call as she focuses her energy.
[19:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[19:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> As your late day at Toudai finishes due to a bit of after school work, Herb is just about to drive home when his communicator goes off.
[19:26] * Prince_Herb answers. "Hi, Herb here. What's up?"
[19:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ami is the caller, already Sailor Mercury. "There's a elf attack at a Mexican restaurant right now, near Toudai," she says quickly. "I'm there, but this monster is really strong!"
[19:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> In the background, a cry of "Mosaic Buster," is heard as well, and the sound of a table breaking in half.
[19:28] <Prince_Herb> "It's not the Tokyo Lone Star, is it?" Herb asks, as he gets outside
[19:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I think that's it," she says. "I have to go, hurry!" She hangs up after that, back to the battle.
[19:29] * Prince_Herb starts to run, worried for the friendly staff.
[19:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you approach the restaurant(It's not far at all, about a block), you see a few people lying outside of it, obviously energy drained. You're getting a bad vibe from inside... and to accent that, a scream from the throat of Sailor Mercury is heard!
[19:35] * Prince_Herb ducks behind a cactus decoration outside the restaurant to transform.
[19:35] * Prince_Herb calls out "Dragon Prism Power Makeup!" and transforms into the silken-thighed fighter for love and justice, Sailor Dragon!
[19:35] * Sailor_Dragon peeks inside to see what's going on.
[19:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> Inside is a scene of chaos. All the staff and customers are on the floor and totally drained, tables and trays scattered about. Of most concern is Sailor Mercury, Artemis, and a silver haired Mugen student being drained, unconscious and floating in the air as their vital energy is taken! A saggy faced, almost human elven monster takes the energy, dressed in a student's outfit yet with the face of an eighty year old man. "Heh heh heh..." it murmurs.
[19:46] * Sailor_Dragon cloaks herself with ki, and covered by the Somebody Else's Problem Field, enters the restaurant. Quickly, she flies round behind the monster, and aims a fierce blow at its head. "Restaurants are places for food and laughter! I will not let you turn this one into a place of sadness! Prepare to be punished in the name of the Dragon!"
[19:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - To hit roll, -2 bonus.
[19:46] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[19:46] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[19:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Dodge roll, +2 penalty.
[19:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[19:46] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[19:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sailor Dragon's blow grazes the head of the monster, causing it's flabby head to jiggle! "Heh heh..." it mutters, raising its hands in a fighting stance. Its eyes are pure white, and devoid of any life or intelligence. As it does so... "Another stupid speech about love and justice," The female elf spits, appearing sitting on one of the few upright chairs, a fair bit away from the other two. "Spare me your crap," she says, frowning angrily.
[19:50] <Sailor_Dragon> "What's wrong with love?" asks Herb, as she faces off the monster. "A cute elf girl like you shouldn't have any problems getting dates. Hansdome college students would fall over themselves to kiss your habd."
[19:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> She glares at you, her eyes almost a fiery storm of anger and hatred. "Shut UP," she yells, pointing her open hand at you. "Sailor Mercury's energy was just incredible," she purrs, switching gears. "I can't wait to see how yours is."
[19:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Initiative
[19:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[19:52] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 5."
[19:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[19:52] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 4."
[19:52] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 1d6
[19:52] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 1d6 and gets 1."
[19:53] * Sailor_Dragon wonders if the elf's boyfriend has left her for another elf.
[19:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> "So," she continues, "Let's find out... after you're nice and defenseless!" she lets loose a bolt of force, aimed right at the Sailor of all Dragons!
[19:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[19:54] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[19:54] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[19:54] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[19:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rolling nimbly to the side, Sailor Dragon evades the bolt of force with an effort, a crater in the wall instead of in her chest!
[20:00] <Sailor_Dragon> "Well, if that's the way you want to play it," Herb says, "Flying Sword of the Dragon!"
[20:01] * Sailor_Dragon aims for both the elf and the monster, careful not to clip the moribund Sailor Mercury.
[20:01] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[20:01] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[20:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[20:02] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 12."
[20:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[20:02] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
[20:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> The blast soars out, cutting through the air with lethal ease! First the ugly monster is cut across its chest, a pinkish ooze coming from it! Then, dipping to the side, the slash cuts into the left arm of the female elf, drawing blood. She winces visibly, hurt. "OuuuCH!" she yelps, then stiffens her gaze at you! "You bastard!"
[20:05] <Sailor_Dragon> "I'm not the one trying to hurt all these people."
[20:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> Before you can reply, the humanoid monster is coming at you, trying to make contact with Sailor Dragon!
[20:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[20:06] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[20:07] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6+2
[20:07] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6+2 and gets 5."
[20:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> Dancing aside skillfully, Sailor Dragon avoids the loathsome touch of the Cardian!
[20:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you evade, Ann's eyes narrow. "Let's get SERIOUS, then," she calls, the drain on Sailor Mercury and friends increasing! A moment later, a flash of light heralds in the entrance of Sailor Moon, Mars and Eudial!
[20:11] <Sailor_Dragon> "What do you have against love, anyway? Did your elf boy run away with the washerwoman?" Sailor_Dragon taunts.
[20:11] * Sailor_Mars quickly separates from Moon and Eudial, surveying the situation and emitting a shocked gasp as she sees the state of Mercury and Viluy before her burning gaze settles on Ann.
[20:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial takes in the scene, clutching her Fire Buster as she glares at Ann. "Round 2," she asks her, smirking. "There won't be a round 3, either."
[20:12] * Sailor_Moon gasps in shock as she sees the massive flow of energy running between the unconscious girls and the elf girl.
[20:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Initiative roll after basic reactions.
[20:12] <Sailor_Mars> roll 1d6+10
[20:12] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6+10 and gets 13."
[20:12] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+9
[20:12] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+9 and gets 14."
[20:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ann scowls viciously. "MORE Sailor Brats?"
[20:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[20:12] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 2."
[20:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[20:12] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 1."
[20:13] <Sailor_Moon> "Stop it, you're killing them!" Moon shouts.
[20:13] <Sailor_Mars> "Don't call us brats, you filthy energy vampire!" Mars yells furiously, producing an ofuda in her hand.
[20:13] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 1d6+11
[20:13] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 1d6+11 and gets 13."
[20:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Who cares," she calls back, angrily. "They're just more annoying HUMANS," the last word is hissed in pure rage, venom leaking from it like rats from a sinking ship.
[20:14] * Sailor_Moon narrows her eyes at the response, the arrogance of the statement infuriating.
[20:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[20:15] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 3."
[20:15] * Sailor_Moon concentrates on the deadly flows of energy streaming between the monster, the elf, and the two unconscious girls. Focusing her power, she attempts to constrict the powerful river of energy in an attempt to shut it off completely!
[20:15] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[20:15] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[20:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ann's eyes narrow, her spirit rallying in a mental defense of her energy flow!
[20:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[20:16] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[20:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> After a momentary, intense struggle, the energy flow is cut off, the two girls and Artemis falling to the ground.
[20:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Damn," she mutters, turning her angry glare at Sailor Moon.
[20:18] * Sailor_Dragon continues her attack, the knife-like ki streaming towards elf and monster in a seemingly unstoppable torrent!
[20:18] <Sailor_Mars> Wasting no time, Mars leaps over the scattered furnishings of the restaurant, making a beeline for the female elf before leaping at her to smack the ofuda none-too-gently on her forehead with a cry of "Akuryo Taisan!", aiming to incapacitate and weaken her powers!
[20:19] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[20:19] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[20:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[20:20] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[20:21] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[20:21] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[20:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> Drifting back, the womanly elf avoids the ofuda and its constricting powers by a hair!
[20:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[20:21] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[20:21] * Sailor_Mars bites back a curse, regaining her balance and taking a few steps back herself.
[20:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> The ki slices into the monster again, deeply wounding its side! More pink blood flows freely outward from the damaged monster, the ooze smelling like rotting pastries.
[20:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> Turning to Ann, Eudial smiles. "Time to finally get you, elf girl," she declares, firing off her Fire Buster in a flurry of fire!
[20:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[20:25] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[20:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6+2
[20:26] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6+2 and gets 11."
[20:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> The fire scorches Ann, her pained scream coming as the flames pass by her! Her armored outfit is burned and the cloth sections are badly blackened! Clenching her teeth, she sends an evil look out. "Grr...Next time," she calls, vanishing a moment later. "Get'em, Wugui!"
[20:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Heh," the disgusting monster confirms, stumbling towards and reaching at Sailor Moon!
[20:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[20:29] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[20:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> Its staggering gait is far ineffective, however, not quite getting in range to threaten Sailor Moon!
[20:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial grins as her flames lick Ann, and scowls a moment later as the elf teleports. "Come on, we had you," she complains to the fleeing elf.
[20:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Initiative roll after basic reactions.
[20:31] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 1d6+11
[20:31] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 1d6+11 and gets 14."
[20:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[20:31] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 3."
[20:31] <Sailor_Mars> "Damn right there'll be a next time," Mars swears, readying herself to finish off the monster.
[20:31] <Sailor_Mars> roll 1d6+10
[20:31] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6+10 and gets 14."
[20:31] * Sailor_Moon draws a deep breath, focusing on the battle at hand.
[20:31] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+9
[20:31] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+9 and gets 14."
[20:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[20:32] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 3."
[20:34] <Sailor_Dragon> "Die, monster!" calls Sailor_Dragon, and keeps the torrent of knifelike ki pouring onto the monster
[20:34] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[20:34] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[20:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[20:34] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[20:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> A third cut, this one just below its broad neck, is carved out, a fountain of pink spurting out!
[20:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> It stumbles, "Hghghgh," its muffled cry barely heard!
[20:36] * Sailor_Mars swipes her hand horizontally, leaving a trail of flames which resolve into a bar of white hot near-plasma as she clenches her fist at the end of the movement. Rearing back her arm with the sword of fire, she advances at the creature and unleashes a broad diagonal slash from its shoulder to hip!
[20:36] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[20:36] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[20:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6+2
[20:37] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6+2 and gets 6."
[20:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> Cutting through the noxious Cardian, it falls to the floor, body and mass turning into light dust as it fades from this world!
[20:39] <Sailor_Mars> Letting the sword dissipate instantly, Mars hurries to check on Mercury and Viluy.
[20:39] * Sailor_Moon watches the defeated Cardian carefully, watching for any traces of held energy that she can hopefully return to the severely drained Viluy and Mercury.
[20:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> There is some escaping energy, but surprisingly little. Enough to help Mercury, Artemis and Viluy some, but the other patrons and victims would be out of luck.
[20:42] * Sailor_Moon does what she can to redirect the vanishing energy - along with as much of her own as she can spare - into the victims, but focusing mainly on Mercury, Artemis, and Viluy.
[20:42] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[20:42] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[20:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> While some energy does flow in, it seems like precious little... As this happens, Cyprine enters, taking in the scene quietly. "Too late," she nods to herself, annoyed.
[20:45] * Sailor_Moon falls to her knees as she completes her task, exhausted. She tries to get a look at Viluy and Mercury from her current position, hoping that whatever she could do is enough to help the pair.
[20:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> The two have regained some color, yes. You see Eudial hurrying over to Viluy, checking her over.
[20:47] * Sailor_Moon sighs with relief (and exhaustion), glad that she was at least some help to the severely drained trio. She feels a pang of regret that she was unable to do more for the other victims of the attack, however.
[20:47] <Sailor_Mars> "Yeah, that elf bitch got away again," Rei curses before checking over Ami and Artemis, "We could actually use the car right now... I don't think they're in any shape to be walking..."
[08:25] <Ana-breakfast> ---

Halbarad · June 26, 2006, 12:11:07 AM

[08:26] <Ana-breakfast> What energy that was returned was enough to rouse the three victims, allowing you to make an exit from the attack site. You found your way to saftey after that, getting the affected girls home to rest up. From there, the day was mostly over, everyone going their ways until tomorrow.
[08:27] <Ana-breakfast> In particular, Usagi's mother makes a note to ask her how her first day at Mugen went.
[08:29] * Usagi-chan sighs. "Not so great... tons of tests and I don't think I did very well on most of them."
[08:30] <Ana-breakfast> "You'll do fine, Usagi," is her general encouragement, and after a nice dinner and a short rest, you do feel a bit better... and thus, Monday passes by. Time for Tuesday and more testing!
[08:31] * Usagi-chan returns to Mugen with a heavy heart... when are these stupid tests going to be OVER already?
[08:37] <Ana-breakfast> You find the same grey haired schoolmistress waiting for you, another sheaf of tests at the ready. "Good morning, Miss Tsukino," she greets you. "I went over your math test this morning," she comments.
[08:38] * Usagi-chan gives the supervisor a curious look. "How did I do?" she asks, math actually having been the section she'd felt most comfortable with.
[08:39] <Anastasia> "You placed in Advanced Geometry," she replies, "And Pre-Calculus."
[08:39] * Usagi-chan blinks. "Pre-calculus? Really?"
[08:41] <Anastasia> She nods, putting down another test along with a supply of pencils. "This is your English comprehension test. Questions?"
[08:41] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "No, ma'am." she says quietly.
[08:41] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6 burning 20 EP for mind
[08:41] * Hatbot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6 burning 20 EP for mind and gets 3."
[08:41] <Anastasia> She nods, going off, leaving Usagi to her papery fate.
[08:42] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[08:42] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[08:43] <Anastasia> Usagi finds her English prep from yesterday paid off, she finds herself doing much better in this section than she figured she would. In fact, she largely finishes the test, only leaving blank a few extremely advanced phrases and questions.
[08:43] <Anastasia> Looking up as she finishes the testlet, it's past 10 now. That took about an hour of steady work.
[08:44] * Usagi-chan sits back with a smile, proud of her performance on the dreaded English exam.
[08:44] <Anastasia> Collecting your paper, your tester notes your smile. "Did well?" she asks, sitting down next to you.
[08:45] <Usagi-chan> "I think so." Usagi nods, still smiling.
[08:46] <Anastasia> "Good," she positions herself. "Your next exam is verbal English and basic speech. Please refrain from using any Japanese during this section, English only. Any questions?"
[08:47] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "I'm ready." 'As I'll ever be...'
[08:47] <Anastasia> She nods, now speaking in English. "Let us begin, Miss Tsukino."
[08:47] * Usagi-chan replies in kind, speaking English as best she can. "Yes, ma'am."
[08:48] <Anastasia> OOC - Let's roll, and not hope for 12s, rabbit.
[08:48] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6 burning 20 EP for mind
[08:48] * Hatbot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6 burning 20 EP for mind and gets 7."
[08:48] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[08:48] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[08:50] <Anastasia> While Usagi stumbles over the strange words at first, she manages to hold her own through another hour of this. "That's enough," she says, finally switching back to Japanese as 11 AM rolls around.
[08:51] * Usagi-chan wonders how well she did... it's a bit harder to gauge without having an answer sheet to look back on.
[08:53] <Anastasia> Getting up and coming back, she has yet another test. "This is your English grammar test. Questions?"
[08:53] <Usagi-chan> The only question on Usagi's mind is 'MORE English?' However, she merely shakes her head, accepting the test from the teacher.
[08:55] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6 burning 20 EP for mind
[08:55] * Hatbot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6 burning 20 EP for mind and gets 5."
[08:55] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[08:55] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[08:56] <Anastasia> The grammar seems far easier than you would have expected, again. You find yourself finishing the test with ease, a few minutes before noon.
[08:57] * Usagi-chan glances up at the clock as she finishes the test, stretching in her seat. "Lunchtime..." she says with a sigh.
[09:11] <Usagi-chan> Passing the almost completely finished test back to the supervisor, the odangoed blonde heads back down to the lunchroom, a bit early. Seeing no sign of Rei yet, she enters the cafeteria line and begins to wait for her turn to be served.
[09:13] * Rei-chan enters the cafeteria herself and spots Usagi, sneaking up behind her and tapping her right shoulder while standing to the left of her back.
[09:14] * Usagi-chan turns to the right, then whirls to the left when she doesn't see anyone behind her on the right. "Rei!" she says indignantly.
[09:15] <Rei-chan> "Usagi!" Rei matches the blonde's tone, though betrays it with a mirthful smile.
[09:18] * Usagi-chan puts her hands on her hips. "Meanie!" She sticks her tongue out at the dark-haired girl.
[09:20] <Rei-chan> "Oh hush," Rei waves dismissively, "I haven't even started being mean. So how did your tests go this morning?" she asks, her tone implying that she might start soon if the answer isn't to her liking.
[09:21] * Usagi-chan grins. "I think I did really well today. It was all English this morning, and I think I did pretty good on all three tests."
[09:22] <Rei-chan> "Really?" Rei beams, "That's great, Usagi! Did you do more studying after you went home last night?"
[09:22] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "Not really."
[09:24] * Rei-chan frowns faintly. "I guess you must be a lot better at English than you thought, then..." she says, starting to pick out her lunch from the selection on offer today.
[09:25] <Usagi-chan> "Either that or I just got lucky this morning." Usagi makes a face as she begins the process of piling her tray high with food.
[09:26] <Rei-chan> "You can't really get lucky unless it's a multiple choice test," Rei replies, finished getting the food she wants and now looking around for a place where they can sit.
[09:27] <Usagi-chan> "Well, the comprehension and grammar parts were multiple choice, but I even think I did fairly well on the spoken part too." Usagi smiles proudly.
[09:28] <Rei-chan> "Well, that's good," Rei smiles, leading Usagi over to an empty table. "Hopefully you'll be in my English class," she says as she sits.
[09:30] <Usagi-chan> "Oh, and I found out from the lady who's giving me all my tests - she said on the math portion, I placed in Advanced Geometry and Pre-calculus." Usagi shakes her head in disbelief. "Me, in pre-calc!"
[09:32] <Rei-chan> "Wow, that's great, Usagi," Rei says, beaming with pride, "Now you know how well you can do, you've got no excuse to slack off!"
[09:33] * Usagi-chan grumbles. "Maybe I'd LIKE some excuses to slack off..." she mutters to herself. "Anyway, I just wish I knew what tests were left. I can't think of a lot of other things that I actually studied at Juuban that are left - I hope there's nothing else too hard from here."
[09:35] <Rei-chan> "I'm not sure..." Rei muses, chewing a mouthful of macaroni cheese as she considers. "Probably world history and maybe literature will come up, I'm not sure what else, though..." she says at last.
[09:36] * Usagi-chan grimaces. "I hope there's no world history section - I don't think we were supposed to start that until next year at Juuban."
[09:38] <Rei-chan> "Well, a lot of World History is basically general knowledge," Rei points out before her eyes widen, "Oh! General Knowledge, I remember that actually was a section in the entrance exam. I didn't do so well in it, though - a lot of the questions were pretty obscure."
[09:38] <Usagi-chan> "It was?" Usagi looks a bit uncomfortable as Rei mentions that she didn't do so well on it. "I hope I don't have to take it then..."
[09:40] <Rei-chan> "I don't think it will determine your place in any specific class... unless maybe showing good or bad general knowledge will tip the scales if you're close to the borderline in other subjects..." Rei wonders aloud.
[09:41] * Usagi-chan sighs. "Well, I know I'm not even CLOSE to the borderline on science."
[09:42] <Rei-chan> "Well, like I said yesterday," Rei says, taking Usagi's hand over the table, "We'll see about getting you to retake the tests near the end of the term so you might be in a better position for when we start tenth grade."
[09:43] <Usagi-chan> "I guess so." Usagi pokes at her food with her chopsticks. "I just wish I didn't have to take tests to do this... I HATE tests."
[09:44] * Rei-chan shrugs, letting go of Usagi's hand and leaning back in her chair. "It's the best way for them to quickly determine your ability."
[09:45] <Usagi-chan> "Doesn't mean I have to like it." Usagi makes a face. "Anyway, how was your morning?"
[09:48] <Rei-chan> "Fairly dull. Physics first thing was interesting enough - Viluy wasn't in today, of course," Rei replies, "After that it was Chemistry which I'm still having a hellish time with, and then Japanese History which is easy but utterly boring the way it gets taught here."
[09:50] * Usagi-chan giggles. "I guess there isn't a lot to say about classes, even if they ARE at Mugen." Usagi pops a fried shrimp into her mouth.
[09:52] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, no exciting gossip today, I'm afraid," Rei agrees, finishing off the last of her macaroni and cheese and chasing it down with some orange juice.
[10:05] <Anastasia> The rest of the meal passes without incident, and it's time to go back to class.
[10:06] * Usagi-chan waves to Rei as she heads back up to the tutoring room, hopeful that the rest of the day will go as well as the morning did.
[10:07] <Anastasia> Getting back, Usagi finds that her next test it, "...World History. Any questions, Miss Tsukino?"
[10:07] * Usagi-chan sighs. "No, ma'am." Taking the test, she hopes it's not too hard...
[10:07] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6 burning 20 EP for mind
[10:07] * Hatbot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6 burning 20 EP for mind and gets 6."
[10:08] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[10:08] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[10:10] <Anastasia> This test goes well for the rabbit, most of the questions doable from her basic knowledge of the world.
[10:11] * Usagi-chan thinks ruefully that they ought to have a pre-ancient history section... she could probably do better on that one than just about anyone else would.
[10:12] <Usagi-chan> Instead, she simply hands her test in to the supervisor and collects the next.
[10:12] <Anastasia> It's 2ish by the time this one is over. "Your next examination is Japanese Literature. Questions?"
[10:12] * Usagi-chan shakes her head, taking the test back to her desk before starting in to work on it.
[10:12] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6 burning 20 EP for mind
[10:12] * Hatbot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6 burning 20 EP for mind and gets 3."
[10:14] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[10:14] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[10:15] <Anastasia> More aptly, it should be named Usagi's literature. Almost all the pieces in question were hammered into you this year, making this section quite simplistic.
[10:15] * Usagi-chan hands this test back with a grin, quite pleased with her performance.
[10:16] <Anastasia> It's about 245 when she passes on the last test of the day. "This is an overview of general knowlege. Questions?"
[10:17] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "No ma'am." Still smiling, she takes the last test of the day back to her desk and begins on it.
[10:17] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6 burning 20 ep for Mind
[10:17] * Hatbot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6 burning 20 ep for Mind and gets 9."
[10:18] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[10:18] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[10:18] <Anastasia> Too much of the test goes over your head to be good, but you manage to stagger through in the end, barely.
[10:20] * Usagi-chan sits back from the final test with a sigh. 'Rei was right about this one...'
[10:24] <Anastasia> She takes your last test. "We'll start assessing your levels and tutoring you tomorrow," your teacher nods. "Have a good afternoon.:"
[10:25] * Usagi-chan bows. "Thank you, ma'am." Once again collecting her supplies, she heads out of the room, but this time starts heading for the office directly.
[10:28] <Anastasia> Despite a few tense moments when you've thought you forgot the combinations, you get there without incident. At her new desk, Ami is reading a book, dressing in casual clothes. Tellu is at her desk as well, penciling away on a worksheet.
[10:29] * Usagi-chan sits down next to Ami. "How are you feeling today, Ami-chan?"
[10:29] <Anastasia> "Hi, Usagi," she smiles, her face still notably wan and waxy pale. "I'm fine," she says anyway. "So's Artemis."
[10:31] * Usagi-chan smiles. "Just take it easy for a while, Ami-chan. You don't need to make things worse by pushing yourself."
[10:32] <Anastasia> "I'm fine, really," she assures you, reading her schoolbook. "Artemis and Viluy got the brunt of the attack."
[10:33] <Usagi-chan> "All right, if you're sure." Usagi says, leaning back in her own chair.
[10:34] <Anastasia> Ami falls back into her reading, leaving you be. "Applied Molecular Biology," is the title of the very thick and hefty tome.
[10:36] * Usagi-chan shudders at the title, looking away quickly. She glances over at Tellu, wondering what the green-haired girl is working on but unwilling to interrupt her to find out.
[10:36] <Anastasia> It seems to be something about botany. Past that, it's all Greek to you.
[10:38] * Usagi-chan sighs, hoping Rei or someone else she can talk to comes in soon.
[10:40] <Rei-chan> After a few minutes the door opens to allow Rei admittance, the miko dropping her schoolbag on her desk as she greets the room's occupants. "Hi guys," she waves before focusing on Ami, "I didn't expect to see you here. How're you feeling today, Ami-chan?"
[10:41] * Usagi-chan smiles and gives Rei a wave, waiting for the miko to finish her conversation with Ami before saying anything.
[10:41] <Anastasia> "I'm doing alright," she replies, barely looking up from her book.
[10:42] <Rei-chan> Noticing Ami's attention not really on her, Rei accepts the statement and sits at her desk, swivelling her chair to face Usagi. "So how'd the rest of the tests go, Usagi?"
[10:43] <Usagi-chan> "A lot better today... they DID have world history, but I think I did okay on it. Japanese Lit was easier than I thought, but that General Knowledge thing was..." Usagi shudders. "What was the point of that, anyway?"
[10:43] <Rei-chan> "Well, I told you my guess at lunch, but I'm not really sure," Rei shrugs, "Why not ask the Professor next time you see him?"
[10:45] <Usagi-chan> "I guess I could..." Usagi looks thoughtful, then turns her thoughts to Rei. 'Speaking of the Professor, when do you think I should tell everyone about the Moon? I'd like to do it with everyone together at once, but I haven't seen the Professor since last week.'
[10:47] <Rei-chan> 'Well you could call the Professor right now,' Rei nods to the phone which has a list of numbers next to it for various places around the school, including Prof. Tomoe's office, 'and ask him about setting up a time for everyone to get together.'
[10:48] * Usagi-chan looks over at the phone hesitantly. 'I guess... I just don't want to bother him if he's busy with something.'
[10:49] <Rei-chan> 'I think he'd consider this important,' Rei replies, 'He wouldn't be bothered by it.'
[10:50] * Usagi-chan nods. 'Okay, I guess.' Heading over to the phone, she checks the list for the Professor's extension before dialing it.
[10:51] <Anastasia> The line rings..."Yes?" the voice of the Professor responds, quickly and tensely.
[10:51] <Usagi-chan> "Um, Professor? It's Usagi. I was, um, wondering if you could set up a meeting with everyone, maybe this weekend. I have something I'd like to ask everyone, but I'd like all the Witches to be there."
[10:53] <Anastasia> "Usagi? Good," he says, letting you finish. "We'll talk about that later. Turn on your television to channel 5, there's been another outbreak of the 'Juuban' sickness."
[10:53] * Usagi-chan relays the message to Rei, telling her to get the TV.
[10:53] * Rei-chan promptly does so.
[10:55] <Anastasia> Turning it on, Ami and Tellu coming over to watch as well. "...And we have exciting exclusive footage of the latest case of the Juuban sickness...." the anchorman relays. "We're rolling now..."
[10:56] * Usagi-chan watches the TV, still maintaining the phone connection with the Professor.
[10:56] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, where is it, though..." Rei complains restlessly, watching the TV.
[10:58] <Anastasia> It starts with the image of what looks to be a report on a upscale Tokyo beauty parlor. Taking sweeping shots of the inside, there is a rumble and the camera falls to the ground. From this angle, you can seem much of the floor, including several downed victims. From each a Heart Crystal rises, floating out of the range of view. "This is the first time such complete footage of the so called 'Juuban sickness' has been recorded," the anchorman goes on.
[10:59] * Usagi-chan frowns. "That doesn't look like an energy drain to me..."
[10:59] <Rei-chan> "Those are heart crystals," Rei says, sounding very unhappy.
[11:00] <Anastasia> "Those are Heart Crystals," Tellu says, gasping. "Those are what we were searching when controlled by the Mistress."
[11:01] <Usagi-chan> "Great..." Usagi sighs. "So Germatou's already back in business," she says both into the phone and to the room at large.
[11:06] <Anastasia> "So many Heart Crystals at once, though," Tellu whispers, dismayed. "It was work enough extracting one Crystal at once, or even two or three."
[11:09] <Usagi-chan> "Any idea HOW they could take so many at once?" Usagi asks the Witch and the Professor.
[11:15] <Rei-chan> "Viluy said she was working on a way to extract many, but I think she had just started figuring it out on the day we all broke Germatou's control..." Rei says.
[11:18] * Usagi-chan presses a button on the phone marked 'speaker', letting the Professor speak with everyone in the room.
[11:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Germatou is moving already," the Professor's voice comes from the speaker. "And taking that many hearts speaks of a strong power base."
[11:40] <Rei-chan> "But what took the heart crystals? Did he do it himself? Did he use daimons, or has he managed to find new Witches already?" Rei asks.
[11:43] * Usagi-chan remains silent, most of the mechanics of this passing over her head.
[11:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> "That's all the footage they've shown," Tomoe replies. "Damn it... already he's moving again, and at a faster pace than before."
[11:45] <Usagi-chan> "So... what are we supposed to do?" Usagi asks. "I mean, if we'd caught him in the act we could go do something about it, but he's already finished what he was doing and gone."
[11:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes," Ami agrees, "We missed this attack."
[11:46] <Rei-chan> "I don't think we can do anything about this attack, but now we'll have to be vigilant for the next one..."
[11:47] <Usagi-chan> "Is there any particular reason Germatou would have hit that beauty parlor, Professor?"
[11:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> "No, but Germatou is a chaotic creature, and often does things for no reason," he replies again.
[11:48] <Rei-chan> "Normally we went after very specific targets," Rei puts in, "The Talismans are said to exist only in those with exceptionally pure hearts... such an indiscriminate attack is pretty different from the way we used to work," Rei says uncomfortably.
[11:49] * Usagi-chan thinks for a minute. "Then... if we can't figure out where Germatou is going to attack, we need to find the Talismans ourselves, and protect the people who carry them. That's the only way we can be sure he won't get his hands on any of them."
[11:49] <Rei-chan> 'I think I know who has one of the Talismans, Usagi,' Rei puts in, unwilling to speak aloud in case the phoneline is tapped and someone else could eavesdrop besides the Professor.
[11:50] * Usagi-chan turns to Rei quickly. 'Who?'
[11:52] <Rei-chan> 'A student here at Mugen, named Haruka Tenoh. She was in the dream I had before I broke Germatou's control, and her aura is unusual,' Rei replies before speaking aloud. "Professor, could you come down to the office? There's something I'd like to tell you and can't risk anyone else overhearing."
[11:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> A short pause. "Certainly," he says, hanging up the phone.
[11:53] * Usagi-chan nods to Rei. "Have you met her?"
[11:53] * Rei-chan nods, checking on the condition of the wards she placed around the office on Friday.
[11:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Met who?" Ami asks, glancing at the two of you, wondering what conversation she just missed.
[11:54] * Usagi-chan waves off the question. "We'll fill everyone in once the Professor gets here."
[11:54] <Rei-chan> "Ami-chan, can you use your computer to scan the office and make sure there are no listening devices?" Rei asks, taking no chances on this.
[11:56] <Ana-work> Ami nods her blue haired head, producing the Mercury computer and going to work quickly.
[11:57] <Usagi-chan> Seeing Rei's concern, Usagi decides to help as best she can, closing her eyes and trying to detect any foreign sources of energy in the room.
[11:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Soul check, Usagi.
[11:58] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6
[11:58] * Hatbot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[11:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ami works away on her computer... "I'm not picking up anything," she replies, which matches Usagi's own perceptions.
[11:59] <Usagi-chan> "Me either... I think it's safe to talk." Usagi nods.
[11:59] <Rei-chan> "Good," Rei nods, satisfied that her wards haven't been tampered with. "I'll explain once the Professor arrives."
[12:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> It takes ten minutes for Professor Tomoe to arrive, Eudial in tow.
[12:02] * Rei-chan nods to them as they enter. "Okay, I think I know who one of the Talisman holders is," she tells everyone without further preamble.
[12:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> Professor Tomoe takes off his glasses, staring at Rei intently. "How so?" he asks, to the point.
[12:04] <Rei-chan> "She's a student here at Mugen, called Haruka Tenoh. I saw her in one of my prophetic dreams, but didn't know who she was until I met her last week - and I could sense her aura was rather different from a normal person's. It didn't seem exceptional, like ours," she gestures between everyone in the room, "But there was definitely something about it, which I think offers as much confirmation of my dream as I can get without removing her heart crystal."
[12:05] * Usagi-chan nods. "In that case I'd like to meet her myself."
[12:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial blinks. "Wait. I know a guy by that name," she comments. "Don't you mean he?"
[12:06] * Rei-chan shakes her head, "No, she's a crossdresser - I knew she was a girl from my dream, so I was confused when I met her, but she didn't have an adam's apple," Rei tilts her head up and taps her throat.
[12:07] <Usagi-chan> "That's kind of... odd." Usagi blinks.
[12:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Whoa..." Eudial mutters, flabbergasted.
[12:08] * Rei-chan shrugs, "I'm not judging her lifestyle. But she didn't seem to like me much when we met - she's friends with a girl in my Calculus and Japanese History classes, though, that's how I met her."
[12:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> Meanwhile, "Tenoh... Tenoh..." he murmurs a second. "If she is still here..." he says, "I can get her now." Reaching into his pocket, he takes out a cell phone, dialing a number.
[12:08] <Usagi-chan> "That would be great!" Usagi smiles at the professor's words.
[12:09] <Rei-chan> "Are you sure?" Rei says dubiously, "We don't want to show that we're taking an active interest in her - it might tip our hand," she points out.
[12:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes, look up a student named Haruka Tenoh and if she has any afterschool activities," he says into the phone. "... Yes... Thank you." Returning the phone to his pocket, "She doesn't have any afterschool obligations, so she's probably left already."
[12:10] <Usagi-chan> "Well, keeping an eye on her while she's here at Mugen shouldn't be too hard, at least." Usagi muses.
[12:12] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, but I doubt Germatou would attack Mugen itself. Even if he doesn't know about the senshi being here, he has to know that there's still a bunch of magically powered-up girls that don't like him much in attendance," Rei comments.
[12:13] * Usagi-chan sighs. "Then we'd probably better find out where she lives, since it looks like we'll mainly need to watch her while she ISN'T here."
[12:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> "We should do more than that," Tomoe speaks up. "First, we need to confirm if she DOES have a Talisman," he says grimly. "Not that far, but enough so that we can make sure we aren't wasting our time."
[12:14] <Rei-chan> "How can we do it without removing it, though?" Rei asks, "Or are we just going to yank it out, check, then put it back?"
[12:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> "That's exactly what I had in mind," he says, "Also, if she does have a Talisman, seeing one and being able to analyse it could lead us to the other Talismans."
[12:16] * Usagi-chan frowns. "I don't like it... but I guess there's not much of a choice." She looks up at the professor. "It won't do any real damage as long as it gets put back, right?"
[12:16] <Rei-chan> "I guess so," Rei says uncomfortably, recalling that people tended to look like they were in quite a bit of pain when their heart crystals were extracted.
[12:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods agreement. "It won't cause anything but temporary discomfort if it's put back promptly," he says.
[12:19] <Rei-chan> 'Of course I doubt she'll be happy with us either way...' Rei thinks to herself.
[12:19] * Usagi-chan thinks of her healing. "I may even be able to help with that part."
[10:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods. "Tomorrow, then?" he proposes, his intent clear.
[10:49] <Rei-chan> "How are we going to do it?" Rei asks, still a tad uneasy with this plan.
[10:49] * Usagi-chan nods. "When?"
[10:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> "First thing - no need to wait one way or the other," he nods. "I'll call her to my office and... we'll do what needs to be done," he pauses a moment there, hesitating.
[10:52] * Usagi-chan looks unhappy, but nods. "I'll be here early tomorrow then."
[10:52] * Rei-chan looks at the other two witches in the room. "Which of us will do it?"
[10:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I will," Eudial speaks up. "I'm fairly sure my Buster still works."
[10:53] * Rei-chan nods. "Okay, then."
[10:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> The Professor nods. "Let's... do this, and make one more step towards stopping Geramatou..."
[10:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[12:04] <Anastasia> Tuesday. Your date went well, another trip to the park, a nice dinner there as the spring sun set, and another in front of the door tongue-wrestling session. Alan seems a bit edgy though, the events with Ann playing in his head the entire time. Come Tuesday...
[12:05] <Anastasia> Strangely enough, Alan doesn't appear at the lunch bell as he has all last week; your boyfriend shows no signs of being around.
[12:08] * Makoto feels somewhat worried, having gotten used to Alan's presence during the lunch hours, and goes looking around, asking people if they've seen Alan.
[12:12] <Anastasia> Your homeroom classmates are of no help, although one of the girls makes a cutting remark about how Alan must be tired of you...
[12:19] <Makoto> "When you've dated someone like Alan, go ahead and make guesses as to his whims. Otherwise, shut up, and stick to prettying yourself so you can keep a date yourself. Frankly, you need to," Makoto says with a cold glare before leaving the classroom and looking elsewhere.
[12:20] <Anastasia> A silence overtakes the girl and all around her at those harsh words, Makoto's exit only rubbing salt in the verbal wounds.
[12:21] <Anastasia> Outside, a passing student you question mentions that he saw Alan going into an empty classroom...
[12:22] * Makoto thanks the person and smiles as she heads towards the classroom that was mentioned.
[12:22] <Anastasia> It's on Alan's class floor, and the door is shut tightly. You can JUST hear two people talking inside...
[12:24] * Makoto stops, not wanting to interrupt, but listens in to see if it is indeed Alan who's in there.
[12:25] <Anastasia> Being quiet, you can make out that it is Alan... and Ann, but with the door closed and their soft tones, you can't quite make out what they're saying.
[12:30] <Makoto> Though glad that the two don't seem to be fighting if they're speaking in such soft tones, Makoto is curious as to what would keep Alan from at least telling her he wasn't going to be around today and presses her ear against the wall, trying to listen in for a bit.
[12:38] <Anastasia> Makoto can just hear the conversation. "...for that." Ann says. Alan grunts. "Ann, it won't work. We've been over this!"
[12:39] * Makoto raises an eyebrow, wondering what Alan meant.
[12:40] <Anastasia> "It'll work great! Like you can do any better lately, Alan," she bites back.
[12:43] <Anastasia> "Ha, I could do better than you right now," he fires back, a bit louder. "You just got a good source last time."
[12:46] <Makoto> 'A good source?' Makoto asks herself mentally, now more curious over the current discussion than why Alan missed lunch with her.
[12:47] <Anastasia> "As IF," she says. "That was pure skill. That blue haired girl was just incredible... and I'll get her next time, too."
[12:51] <Anastasia> "Just luck," Alan insists. "Anyway, it's my turn next."
[12:54] <Anastasia> "Whatcha got in mind, Alan," Ann asks, her voice suddenly more... deep, almost sultry in its way. Not the voice of the 14 year old Ann Grainger...
[12:55] <Anastasia> "You'll just have to wait and see, Ann," Alan answers back, his own voice different now.
[12:57] <Makoto> 'Ehhhhhh?' Makoto thinks at the changes in their voices.
[12:57] <Anastasia> "I'll give you a sneak peek," Alan says. Then... nothing.
[12:58] <Anastasia> Waiting several more seconds, there seems to be no more conversation.
[12:59] <Makoto> Makoto's head swivels with confusion as she tries to figure out what just happened, pulling her ear off the wall and standing there for a minute besides the room's door.
[13:00] <Anastasia> There isn't a bit of noise at all. The classroom sounds utterly silent now.
[13:01] <Makoto> Controlling her features, so as not to look weird, Makoto knocks on the door once before opening it, saying "Alan? Someone said you were in here and I was looking for you..." as she looks in.
[13:02] <Anastasia> Opening the door, you see that the room is empty. Not a person is in here.
[13:07] * Makoto stands there speechless, looking at the empty room. "What the hell is going on here?"
[13:08] <Anastasia> ---
[13:13] <Anastasia> Eventually, Makoto's day ends. As she walks out of class, she notes Alan walking towards her, waving and smiling. "Hey, Makoto," he calls amid the crowd just near the front exit doors.
[13:15] <Makoto> "Hey A..." she starts to greet instinctively with cheer, before the odd event at the classroom comes to mind, and she ends the greeting a bit awkwardly. "...lan."
[13:16] * Makoto feels awkward and confused, and is unsure of how to deal with what she heard and saw.
[13:16] <Anastasia> He smiles, reaching out to take your hand. "How was class today?"
[13:19] <Makoto> "...confusing," she answers. "I was very... distracted."
[13:20] <Anastasia> "Something wrong," he asks, walking with you out the door, his hand holding yours. Even two weeks ago, you mentally realize, this would be an EVENT. Now...... holding hands?
[13:23] * Makoto grips his hand tightly, her confusion dancing in her face. Skirting around his question to a degree, she asks, "Where were you during lunch, Alan?"
[13:24] <Anastasia> "Oh, just talking to Ann," he says, the frowns a bit. "Oh, sorry. I had to go see her and I lost track of the time today."
[13:25] <Makoto> "...Oh," Makoto mouths as she continues walking besides him. "I guess you guys made up..." she finishes lamely.
[13:28] <Anastasia> "Yeah," he nods. "We came to an understanding of sorts." His head turns to you. "You know," he says once you clear the gates and get out of the mob of escaping students. "I've never shown you my apartment. Feel like a trip, since you did show me yours?"
[13:31] * Makoto smiles weakly. Whatever was going on, it seemed Alan was still the same, she thought to herself, trying to put off the confusion to the side. "That'd be nice, I guess. Are you sure Ann won't mind though?"
[13:32] <Anastasia> "She won't be home until late," he comments, squeezing your hand. "It'll just be the two of us."
[13:33] * Makoto reddens at how he says that.
[13:33] <Anastasia> Missing Makoto's blush, he goes on. "So I thought I'd call out for some dinner and we could spend some time together."
[13:35] <Makoto> Makoto's smile becomes stronger as the confusion slowly goes farther and farther from her mind. "That sounds fun."
[13:36] <Anastasia> He nods.
[13:36] <Anastasia> You walk peacefully enough through the streets to Alan's apartment, fairly entangled. He lives in another Tokyo apartment building, the top floor... It looks fairly nice as you get into the elevator.
[13:43] <Anastasia> Alan leads you to one of the apartment doors. "This is it," he says, unlocking the door inside. A pleasant front room, with a corner that's a small kitchen and a few doors to other room, as well as a balcony, is spread in front of you. A few couches, a TV... it's pretty typical.
[13:49] * Makoto briefly wonders who cleans the place up between the siblings, as she smiles. "You have a nice home, Alan."
[13:50] <Anastasia> "Thanks," he says, dropping his school satchel by the door. "I'll make us some tea," he says, "Why don't you sit down?"
[13:53] * Makoto nods as she takes a seat in the couch.
[13:54] <Anastasia> Alan goes to the kitchette, working the instant tea setup well enough. "This won't be but a minute," he says, calling out.
[13:59] <Anastasia> Mixing up the hot water and tea, he comes back with two cups. "Here you go," he says, sitting next to Makoto.
[14:01] <Makoto> "Thank you," Makoto replies before taking her cup and having a sip.
[14:03] <Anastasia> He sips his as well, drinking down the liquid. "So," he puts his cup down, "I had fun Friday."
[14:06] <Makoto> "Same here," Makoto says, taking a bit more time with her cup before finishing it.
[14:07] <Anastasia> "It's just fun to spend time with you," he goes on, smiling. "I've really enjoyed the past couple of weeks."
[14:08] <Makoto> "Hey, stop that! You make it sound like you're leaving!" Makoto says in a joking manner as she smiles while putting her empty cup down besides Alan's.
[14:09] <Anastasia> "Heh," he grins. "I'm not going anywhere," he assures you, as he inches a bit closer and puts an arm around you. "But this has just been great, Makoto."
[14:10] <Makoto> "Yeah..." she adds as she leans in against him, resting her head on the crook of his neck. "It has."
[14:11] <Anastasia> He smiles, his hand on your shoulder to draw you closer. "Just sitting here with you... it's just..."
[14:14] <Makoto> "Like nothing else matters?" Makoto says, all thoughts of the strange morning gone in his comforting embrace.
[14:14] <Anastasia> "Yeah..." he trails off, turning to you. "It's... just so..." he grins.
[14:24] * Makoto says nothing, and just tilts her head upwards to look better into his eyes.
[14:25] <Anastasia> Still smiling, he responds not with words, but with a gentle kiss.
[14:27] * Makoto responds to the kiss while wrapping her arms around his back and pressing her body even closer to his.
[14:28] <Anastasia> Alan meets your body with his, arms of his own going around your back and your sides... the side of your breast is brushed by his hand, most notably getting your attention.
[14:37] * Makoto muffles the shiver from the touch with her mouth as she pushes mouth deeper into his, changing it from gentle to hungry.
[14:38] <Anastasia> Alan is stunned a split second by this, but quickly matches your movements, this time is hand reaching out and cupping your breast, running his fingers on the underside of it..
[14:49] <Makoto> Already having her mouth distracted with sensation, Alan's fingers enhance them, and Makoto feels a shiver go down her spine. Closing her eyes, Makoto's own fingers begin to explore Alan's body, trickling up his back from under his shirt.
[14:52] <Anastasia> Alan's hands are busy as well, one hand now finding your nipple and moving it gently, while the other still roams your back, under your shirt now as well...
[15:00] * Makoto gives a small moan as her mouth leaves his, a thin droplet of their mouths' juices extending between their lips before breaking shortly after their lips do. Makoto's eyes open and she gives a glassy smile at Alan before pulling her lips close to him again, this time trailing little kisses along his neck.
[15:01] <Anastasia> "Oh... Makoto..." he says softly. He pulls just a bit away from her for a moment, his face red with excitement and breathing heavily. "Do you... want to go to my room, Makoto?" he whispers, his face an inch away from yours.
[15:05] <Makoto> Whatever brief thoughts against it might have crossed Makoto's mind in the millisecond after he asked, vanished just as quickly as they came as she stared into his eyes. "Alright," she whispers.
[15:06] <Anastasia> Getting up on shaky legs, Alan offers his hand to Makoto. "Let's go," he says quietly, but with lots of excitement.
[15:08] <Anastasia> ---
[10:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> The next morning...
[10:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> As Rei walks to school, she happens to bump into the blue tressed Sailor of Mercury by the gate. She smiles and waves a bit, just enough to get your attention.
[10:57] * Rei-chan waves, "Hi, Ami-chan. How you feeling today?" she asks, approaching the other girl.
[10:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Much better," she smiles shyly, nodding. "How are you today, Rei?"
[10:59] * Rei-chan offers a smile of her own. "A bit nervous, really. I know we're not going to do any permanent harm, but I've still got a bad feeling about this..."
[11:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ami nods, "Same here," she says, stopping outside the gate a moment. Glancing about, she sees that no students are within earshot. "Really nervous... did you feel this way when you did a Heart Snatch?"
[11:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> Her voice, normally calm, does have a slight edge to it. Hm.
[11:04] <Rei-chan> "Not at first," Rei says, "It just felt like a... normal thing to do." She makes a face, "I did feel weird when I went after Kotono, though. And towards the end I started getting pretty nervous when doing them..." she shakes her head, starting to head towards the elevator. "No one ever looked like they enjoyed what I did to them."
[11:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ami walks along with you, and waits until you're safely in the quiet elevator before speaking again. "It's like we're the bad guys now, plotting to steal away something from innocents," she muses darkly. "It's the other side of the coin."
[11:07] * Rei-chan frowns. "I know what you mean... but in this case it's the only way we can check if she has a Talisman, and we're going to return it to her right away." She sighs, "Though I'm still pretty sure she won't thank us for it."
[11:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes..." she shakes her head. "Never mind, Rei."
[11:10] <Rei-chan> "Wishing for a time when everything was so much simpler?" Rei asks gently.
[11:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> She looks up, then smiles. "Yeah," she admits. "It's gotten more and more entangled over the last several months," Ami smiles, thinking. "Compared to when it was just you, me, and Usagi fighting Nephrite and Jadeite."
[11:15] * Rei-chan smiles as well, rocking back on her heels. "Yeah, things were really cut and dried back then, weren't they? Weirdness happens, we show up, youma shows up, we kill youma, Dark Kingdom General makes empty threats, we all go home." She shakes her head, "Things sure have gotten complicated..."
[11:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> The beep of the elevator annouces right after that you're at the top floor. "Then... let's make extra sure we're doing the right thing."
[11:18] * Rei-chan nods, exiting the elevator and heading for the Professor's office.
[11:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[11:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> It takes Rei, Usagi, Ami, Eudial and the Professor a bit to assemble, just after when first period would be. Once all are there, he makes a call, summoning Haruka...
[11:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> Tense minutes pass then, the group waiting for her...
[11:21] * Usagi-chan takes a deep breath, giving Rei a nervous look as she does so.
[11:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial leans against the side wall, waiting quietly, her gaze flickering around...
[11:23] * Rei-chan gives Usagi what she hopes is a reassuring smile, standing in a fairly tense posture.
[11:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> Finally, there is a knock on the door. "Enter," Tomoe says after a second, with a final, quick look around at all.
[11:26] * Rei-chan tries to adopt a more relaxed look.
[11:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> The door opens, Haruka Tenoh striding in. "You wished to see me," she asks, her eyes narrowing and her fists clenching slightly when she sees Rei and Eudial.
[11:28] * Usagi-chan examines the girl's aura closely as she enters the room.
[11:28] * Rei-chan smiles nervously. 'She already thinks something's wrong...'
[11:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> Her aura, while normal, is golden. Shaking her head and ignoring Rei, she focuses on the Professor. "Yes, Miss Tenoh," he smiles, nodding to Eudial...
[11:30] * Usagi-chan grimaces as she catches the signal from the Professor.
[11:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> Just as Haruka starts, glancing towards Eudial... Having prepared her Buster, Eudial fires, Haruka hit squarely on!
[11:31] * Rei-chan winces, but watches, waiting to see if it really is a Talisman that will appear.
[11:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> The girl, caught in the attack, stiffens and leans forward, her body glowing...
[11:32] * Usagi-chan grimaces again, but watches the stricken girl, ready to do whatever she can to help her.
[11:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Aaaaaaaahhhhh...." she moans, her hands trying to move to her chest and failing, her eyes going blank...But... slowly, coming out in front of her, floats out a Heart Crystal. It shimmers a moment, then shifts into the shape of a beautiful, golden shortsword. It's not overly long, but its aura is golden as well.
[11:33] * Usagi-chan rushes over to support the girl, ignoring the Heart Crystal entirely.
[11:34] <Rei-chan> "Okay, it's a Talisman," Rei says, "Ami, can you scan it quickly or something, then we can put it back?"
[11:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> Tomoe stands up, staring at the scene in front of him. "That's a Talisman?" he asks.
[11:35] * Rei-chan examines the Talisman in detail with her spiritual senses. "It's the sword - the other two are the mirror and the rod."
[11:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ami nods, her computer already working.
[11:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei - Its aura is fairly powerful and golden. Beyond that, you can't quite tell.
[11:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> Haruka shows no signs of knowing Usagi is there, leaning forward and not falling only because of her action.
[11:37] * Usagi-chan struggles to support the older girl's weight, but manages to keep both of them upright.
[11:37] <Rei-chan> "Let her lie down, Usagi," Rei says, kneeling by the talisman and taking it in her hand, "We'll put the Talisman back after Ami finishes scanning it."
[11:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> The Talisman feels warm in your hand, and it makes your body faintly buzz.
[11:38] * Usagi-chan nods, carefully laying Haruka down on the floor on her back. She studies the girl's aura as best she can while she does so, knowing that Rei and Ami are taking care of the Talisman itself.
[11:38] <Rei-chan> 'This thing definitely has a lot of power in it...' Rei thinks to herself, looking at Ami to see what progress she's making.
[11:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'm done," she says a few moments later, looking up from her computer.
[11:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> WIthout the Talisman/Heart Crystal, her aura is weak and almost nonexistent.
[11:39] <Rei-chan> "Right," Rei nods, putting the Talisman over Haruka's chest so it can be reabsorbed into her.
[11:39] <Usagi-chan> "Hurry up, guys... she doesn't look good." Usagi says worriedly.
[11:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> Hovering effortlessly over Haruka, it shimmers back into a Heart Crystal, fading into the flesh of the teen.
[11:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> Her eyes focus again for a moment, before she passes out, the shock of losing and regaining her Crystal too much for Haruka.
[11:40] * Usagi-chan continues to watch Haruka's aura, looking for any aftereffects of the traumatic procedure.
[11:40] <Rei-chan> "Well, I guess we'll need to explain what happened and how she's at risk from Germatou when she wakes up..." Rei lets out a sigh of all her pent up tension.
[11:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> Her aura quickly recovers, being what it was before.
[11:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Indeed," Professor Tomoe chips in, quietly.
[11:42] * Usagi-chan sits back on her heels. "I guess we'll have to wait for her to wake up first, though." She gives the short-haired blonde a sad look.
[11:42] <Rei-chan> "Should we take her down to the clinic? People normally wake up in about ten minutes or so after a heart snatch, but I don't know if it's different for Talisman holders..."
[11:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> "There are a few beds in back on this floor that would suffice, and keep her away from the rest of the school," Tomoe comments.
[11:46] * Rei-chan nods, picking up Haruka in her arms. "Well, let's get her settled, then."
[11:46] * Usagi-chan follows along behind Rei as she takes Haruka over to one of the beds.
[11:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods, getting up to lead Rei and the others. Out of his office and on the back side of the floor is a quiet room with three cots, looked to be used as a rest room for employees on this floor. Haruka is put on one easily enough.
[11:48] * Rei-chan sits on one of the other cots. "Well, I guess that didn't go too badly, but we'll see how she reacts when she wakes up..."
[11:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ami sits on the third cot, still typing away on her computer. "Guys, the readings on this are quite strong," she comments.
[11:48] <Usagi-chan> "I really wish we hadn't had to do that," Usagi says. "But I guess there was no other way to tell."
[11:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> "There wasn't," Eudial agrees, still hanging back a bit, then turning to Ami. "How strong, Ami?"
[11:49] * Rei-chan nods. "So what did your analysis get, Ami?" she looks over at the blue-haired girl.
[11:49] * Usagi-chan turns to look at the blue-haired genius.
[11:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's a real object," she starts, "And..." she pauses a moment, letting a touch of tension build, "that it's affiliated with with Sailor Uranus. That's what the Mercury Computer thinks, anyhow."
[11:51] <Usagi-chan> "Sailor Uranus?" Usagi says in surprise.
[11:51] <Rei-chan> "What?" Rei jerks out of her seat, "Sailor Uranus? You mean it's from the Moon Kingdom?"
[11:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Sailor Uranus," The Professor echos the others. "Another Sailor Senshi exists?"
[11:52] <Usagi-chan> "They exist for all the planets, Professor - but the only other one we've met so far is Pluto." Usagi says absently, still looking at Ami.
[11:53] * Rei-chan gives Haruka an intent look. "Perhaps we've met another one now..."
[11:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Sort of," Ami says. "If that's right...I'm certain this girl is Sailor Uranus." she nods.
[11:53] <Usagi-chan> "Really?" Usagi turns back to Haruka, giving her a MUCH closer look.
[11:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Soul check, Usagi.
[11:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - TAKE TWO!
[11:55] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6
[11:55] * Hatbot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 2."
[11:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> Staring deeper and feeling the depths of her spirit, you notice that beneath the golden glow and glammer of the Talisman is another power... a familiar power, hidden and forgotten. Almost.
[11:57] * Usagi-chan stares in awe. "It IS Sailor Uranus..." she says in a half-whisper.
[12:07] <Rei-chan> "Well, that was a great way to introduce ourselves," Rei says sourly.
[12:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> Professor Tomoe nods, a bit ruefully. "Be that as it may, finding both a Talisman and another Sailor is a good morning's work."
[12:09] * Usagi-chan sighs. "We've got a lot of explaining to do when she DOES wake up..."
[12:09] <Rei-chan> "I guess we should get Luna here..." Rei says thoughtfully.
[12:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Or Artemis..." Ami trails off, then shakes her head. "I should have brought him in the first place. I even told him about this last night," she says.
[12:10] <Usagi-chan> "We can just call Mom and she can pass the message on to Luna." Usagi nods. "Maybe she can get Artemis on her way over."
[12:11] <Rei-chan> "That works," Rei nods, still looking at Haruka. "I wonder how she's going to take it?"
[12:12] <Usagi-chan> "I wish I knew, Rei-chan," the blonde replies, looking at the unconscious senshi glumly.
[12:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> 'If she is...then maybe....' "We'll make sure she doesn't jump to conclusions." he says.
[12:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---

Soulriders 5.0: Legend of the Unending Games

News:

The Great Log Posting: Arc III

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