2014-09-04 - Confused Usagi! Mai Gets Herself A Taste
| Title: Confused Usagi! Mai Gets Herself A Taste | |
|---|---|
| Summary: Fired up with irresponsibility and self-gratification from the Dark Seal, Mai decides she wants to find out how good a kisser Mamoru is. He and Usagi might like to have a say in this... Warning: Contains a forcefully non-consensual kiss. | |
| Who: | |
| Where: Game Center Crown | |
| OOC - IC Date: 9 March 2014 - 09/04/2014 | |
<Pose Tracker> Mai Tokiha [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.
The Game Center Crown Arcade is lively the day before final exams - tables taken up by students desperately hoping a fun environment will be better for studying than the desk at home. Given the lines at most of the machines, their collective plan seems to be failing. Still, some are still trying, and the place is close to packed.
Mai Tokiha, Ohtori student, has no inclination to try studying today. From a pocket, she draws a small piece of electronics, flipping it in one hand - and puts it away biting back a curse as she sees the line at the DDR machine. Well, she doesn't have any interest in waiting in a line today, she's in far too good a mood after yesterday's confrontation and ensuing...evening.
A fantastic mood, really - and then she catches sight of a certain person at a certain table, and makes her way over there with a grin. From this angle, she can try sneaking up behind her target, for a bit of surprise...
"Enjoying the last day before academic doom, Chiba-san?~"
<Pose Tracker> Mamoru Chiba [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
Rather unlike his usual habits, also, Mamoru's not inclined to study today either -- he's spent his nights at other people's houses studying before he sleeps on their couches, futons, and floors, and he's spent all his time that's been free of Dark General drama at the library. He has, after all, to get back his 4.3 GPA, as it were.
But the day beforehand? No: his studying's done, and if he keeps cramming, at this point he feels like his brains will leak out his ears. So he's thoroughly enjoying a bitter, bitter black coffee and reading a straight-up old-school newspaper, getting actual newsprint on his actual hands.
He's wearing his glasses, of course, but he's also wearing a light green cardigan over a button-down shirt and tie, and it's difficult to peg whether he's being a hipster or trying on the 'raided Mr. Rogers' closet' look for some other inane reason. There's no chance he didn't think about what he's wearing. There almost never is.
Either way, though, the nerdalert is so thoroughly engrossed that when Mai suddenly speaks up behind him, he startles quite satisfyingly, even spilling some of his coffee on the newspaper; he jerks his chair back to avoid getting any on his lap and almost tips over backwards, and in regaining his balance drops the newspaper and spills more coffee.
"DAMN it--" he blurts out before he even looks behind him, and when he does, Mai's getting a deathglare from the upperclassman. It doesn't last long and is more annoyed than heated; he's abruptly using the newspaper as a makeshift paper towel on the floor and table.
"You're such a-- I don't even know. That was good coffee. Now you owe me one."
<Pose Tracker> Mai Tokiha [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.
"There's no sense crying over spilt coffee!" Mai laughs, and nods. "Hey, if it's that good, my treat and I'll get one too. Hang on just a moment..." She flags down the waitress to put in the order, and then swings into one of the spare chairs while Mamoru mops up the spilled drink.
Still giddy over last night, Mai takes a moment to look over the full setup that he had - snickering a moment at the newspaper, because seriously, who... But hey, at least he didn't ruin that cardigan with the spilled drink. Hm. Maybe she'll have to spill another.
"Anyway, I was in the area - hoping the arcade a bit less busy than this, but it seems otherwise. Interesting last couple of days, and things are looking up!" She grins, one hand on her skirt pocket, and looks over the cleaning Chiba. "So, aside from reclaiming the glory of the 1950s, how are things for you?"
<Pose Tracker> Mamoru Chiba [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
Mamoru doesn't actually say anything else until he's finished mopping up, and gets up from his crouch. And when he stands, it's like he's Tokyo Tower eyeing Mai flopped in the spare chair. Slowly but surely, he moves the about-to-drip wad of newspaper over the redheaded HiME and smiles crookedly.
"They've been kind of wild for me too. Drama everywhere. Craziness. More Shakespeare than you can shake a spear at, and..."
The newspaper drips. It just misses Mai's lap.
"Making ramen for a starving cat. I haven't seen you around at all, what happened?"
Proving he has remarkable aim pretty much anytime, he eyeballs the distance to the closest bin, which is behind the counter and over at least a dozen heads, and overhands the sodden ball of newsprint. It hits the inside of the trash bin with a satisfying squelch, and Mamoru takes his seat back, looking expectantly at Mai.
<Pose Tracker> Mai Tokiha [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.
Mai looks up at the towering Mamoru, utterly unfazed - even as the newspaper drips right next to her. She's worked in a restaurant far too long to not know where a spill is going. The throw's as impressive as ever, and he does strike a dashing figure. In turn, she folds her arms under her chest, just nodding at the starving cat comment.
"Right, nearly forgot - I've been taking care of a few things I've been putting off. In some cases, putting off a long while - I figured worst case, Mikoto should know how to make a pot of ramen for herself." ...in honesty, she completely forgot about feeding Mikoto until it was brought up now. But really, finally catching up on enjoying herself is far more important.
Speaking of enjoying herself... Mai stretches her arms out in front of her, looking over Mamoru. Still the same as ever, right down to the sometimes absurd fashion sense. Thoughts of how she advised him in the past about certain on-her-mind topics... Curiousity wins out. "Speaking of dealing with things I've been putting off - I wanted to check something with you. Got a second?"
<Pose Tracker> Mamoru Chiba [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
There's only the faintest visible disappointment at Mai passing the flinch test, but it's passed swiftly into the ether by the time Mamoru's sitting down. He props his chin in one hand, then glances up as the waitress -- not someone he knows, today, and he idly wonders where Unazuki's at -- and gives her an honest smile of gratitude for more coffee. "Thanks!"
Then his attention's back on Mai, and it's *really* on her, now, studying her expression, her body language. 'She should know how to make a pot of ramen for herself.'
Mikoto.
Ramen.
By herself.
"I see," he says amiably enough. "And sure, I ran out of newspaper to read, somehow. I've got more than a second. What's on your mind?"
<Pose Tracker> Mai Tokiha [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.
What's on Mai's mind? What's been on her mind since the year started, really?
"This." Her arms are already outstretched, and she claimed the seat next to him for just this reason. One hand grabs the table, the other that tie - helpful of him to wear one today - and she pulls herself from her seat to him in one swift motion, mashing her lips against his.
He's been handsome and friendly and unattainable for far too long, and all sorts of other girls have already had their turns. Now it's Mai's turn to steal a kiss from Mamoru Chiba.
<Pose Tracker> Mamoru Chiba [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
Most of the time when people say that 'sparks fly' with regard to a kiss, they're being metaphorical.
This time it's literal.
Mamoru's eyes barely have time to widen in alarm when Mai grabs his tie, and one of his hands fumbles to brace against the table to try and prevent impact, but it's too little, too late.
As Mai Tokiha's mouth makes contact with his, it's the slightest of physical shocks, like static electricity, and images and sensations flood his head-- but primarily *feelings*, and they're not his, and it's sensory overload, and WHAT IS SHE DOING THEY AGREED NOT TO DO THIS and
all he can do
is let out a muffled
"MMFF?!"
<Pose Tracker> Usagi Tsukino [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.
Moments ago,
Usagi comes walking up the stairs to Fruits Parlor Crown. She sees Mamoru and Mai and then turns around to walk right back down in a smooth, unblinking motion.
After a tiny scream under her breath, you probably know the noise if you've been around Usagi long enough,
Usagi paces near the bottom of the stairs, alternately tugging at her hair and fussing with her clothes.
"Aaaa why do they keep showing up?! This is my arcade! I mean, it was my arcade, but then there was a secret bunker under it so now it's fatefully my arcade! Mamo-san can drink coffee and read newspapers anywhere! He's rich! He could read it someplace fancy! Someplace like--"
She is so flustered that she shakes the starry look of imagination out of her eyes before she's even had a chance to finish her thought. More pacing.
"Is it because he--likes me?! But he--and then he--but then--and why would he--Mai-chan's so cool and pretty--it doesn't--aaaaaaaaaaa!"
Usagi pauses, twisted up in her own arms and hair. She narrows her eyes while staring at the BulletZ machine's demo screen. "No, wait, it's because he's friends with Furu-chan." She makes a face to express her awkwardness to no one. "I accidentally forgot about Furu-chan, didn't I? I mean, with Haruka-san--NO."
The blonde girl unravels herself in a flurry of decision.
"This is Usagi-chan's Delightful No-Bad-Feelings Arcade! I have to fight to defend it!"
She stomps up the stairs.
Now,
A fourteen year old girl screams. It's not under her breath.
Usagi comes sliding across the table on her belly, skidding to a stop right along Mamoru and Mai. She shoves her arms between the two, prying them apart with every point of her rage-and-chocolate-boosted strength score.
She remains there, on her stomach, staring at the both of them with wide, incredulous eyes.
"WHY?!"
She sounds honestly, deeply, passionately confused.
<Pose Tracker> Mai Tokiha [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.
Mai can't help but think. After all that build-up...this is what kissing Mamoru is like? Interesting - and fun catching him off guard - but at the same time, last night's first attempt was better. For her, anyway. Still, worth checking-
There's an abrupt interruption, the moment broken by someone full of fury shoving her away. Mai stumbles backwards - her footing already uncertain - and she has to catch herself on the chair to keep from completely falling to the ground. It takes a moment for her to regain her train of thought. And, for that matter, for her to recognize the screaming girl.
A smirk sparks to life on Mai's face. Because the question is full of confusion, but she has an honest answer. Why not be honest for a change? "Well, since you asked...because I've been wondering, in the back of my mind, what it would be like for weeks now. Maybe since I met him."
She turns her smirk to Mamoru, amusement dancing in her eyes. "Kind of underwhelming, though - would you like to try that again, Chiba-san~?"
<Pose Tracker> Mamoru Chiba [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
Once again, Mamoru is rescued by Sailor Moon--
--except.
He's still reeling from the barrage of foreign sensations: something like two parts desire, four parts for the lulz and why the hell not do what you want, maybe one part frustration, and... zero guilt. And like every time before it, he has to actually work on separating out what's his for a second. But this time he's distracted--
He fell backwards pretty solidly when Mai had to let go of his tie and Usagi shoved and he was already trying to pull away, and now he looks up at Usagi from the floor with this expression. He very very clearly has a complete inability to actually figure out what page he's on for a little too long.
Long enough for Mai to talk. Then Mamoru sits up. He points at her, eyes narrowed and hair falling in his face, straightening his glasses with his other hand. "There's something wrong with you that wasn't before, and I don't know what it is, and you're going to have to let someone help you figure it out before you-- before you--"
The rest of it just caught up with him. He slowly turns his head to stare at Usagi.
And his face heats up, and there's this horrible fluttering deep inside, and it's not shame or embarrassment. It's hurt. And then it's so quickly shut down, and a mask of cool amusement takes its place as the upperclassman picks himself up off the floor and brushes at his clothes.
"You should probably get off the table, Odango Atama," he tells her, "and you have the answer. She felt like it. Ring any bells?" The amusement drops, and there's only cool. And he thinks it's better than showing anger.
Then turns that look on Mai. With her it's not so much coolness as tolerant detachment, aloof and unyielding. Today's Mamoru's eyes aren't the ocean, they're the glacial dark blue of deep arctic ice in its home.
"We had an agreement," he says matter-of-factly. "So we'll talk about this later, too. None of this-- this pointless drama-- has to take place in front of an audience. Where people know us."
<Pose Tracker> Usagi Tsukino [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.
Usagi stares at Mai. She's not good at hiding her emotions. This isn't a secret. If her face is hard to read right now, it's because she has no idea how to feel. It's not horror. It's not anger. It's not jealousy or shock or shame. What is this? Who is Mai?
Why?
The blonde girl turns her gaze on Mamoru after Mai does. Usagi knows more about Mamoru than she does Mai, which makes this all the more confusing to her when it comes to him. They stare at each other. Mamoru finds his sharpness. Usagi is pierced.
She's off the table in a scrambling second, tripping forward to end up wobbling on her heels inches away from Mamoru's icy redoubt.
"Ring any bells?! What's that supposed to mean?! That isn't a joke, I'm seriously asking you because I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ANYMORE!"
<Pose Tracker> Mai Tokiha [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.
Something wrong with her? He's seriously going to start in on that? Mai crosses her arms with a huff. She's had people telling her for weeks that she needs to take time for herself, and this is what he has to say when she does? Well then.
"We did have an agreement - that we wouldn't date. I don't call that a date, just giving something a trial run - but frankly I think I'm good with that one after all." Even if he's taller than her, she doesn't hesitate to look him in the eye.
Usagi's confusion, on the other hand...doesn't really bother her at all. The Juuban girl gets a smirk from Mai, and she glances from Usagi to Mamoru. "Honestly, I've had enough of him today - he's all yours if you want him."
And then she winks.
And then she turns, and walks away. She reaches into her pocket for a couple of things as she darts around a group of staring students, and doesn't give Mamoru Chiba or Usagi Tsukino a second thought. She's got better things to do. Like send a text message.
- 'Hey, Shiori-chan. Decided to go ahead and check, and I can say you most definitely are the better kisser. Mai~'
<Pose Tracker> Mamoru Chiba [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
Mamoru raises one finger to his lips, looking down at Usagi. "Outside, at least. Somewhere other than the sidewalk, preferably," he says in a perfectly reasonable voice, possibly gentle, but not gentle in the way he's been before. This is the gentle of willpower. It feels very different. "Please stop screaming in the middle of Crown."
And Mai's...
...Mai's actively saying the things she knows will hurt the worst if they come from her, and there's zero guilt. This is so familiar, it's so familiar--
--and that, at least, puts direct pressure on the wound. He's had several very frank conversations with Mai on both parts: not taking things like this personally, because who knows where you hurt more than your friends? and why Mai felt the need to make Mamoru an apology dinner. There's a cause and he'll find it and fix her.
Categories.
He briefly watches Mai's back as she departs, then looks back down at Usagi. "Let's go."
<Pose Tracker> Usagi Tsukino [Juuban Public School (8)] has posed.
Usagi glances sharply between Mai and Mamoru, racing to keep up with the nuances of their reactions to each other. She feels wrong about this--the situation feels wrong, Mamoru feels wrong, Mai feels wrong, she feels wrong. It's a sick sensation, so insidious that it's already spread through her by the time she notices.
"Don't just tell me what to do!" is her rebuke to Mamoru, taking an unsure but desperately needed step away from him. Her eyes shimmer with the promise of angry tears. "I can't stand how you act when you're like this! How can you wear a mask in a situation like this?!"
Long ago,
"You command them?"
Princess Serenity watches from a part in the curtain. She is not made for the sunlight. In darkness, she is brightness. By candle, she is dazzling. In sunlight, her radiance is threatening. There is only a little ray through the window. It runs kaleidoscopic through her ethereal silks and cold paleness, casting otherworldly colors onto the terrestrially crafted walls.
The princess turns her head to show Endymion her quizzical expression. A moon fairy darts around her crown, hiding behind a lock of her silvery hair and peeking around to stare attentively at him. The fairy's eyes are clear gems like those of her mistress, but they lack warmth.
"I do not understand why. People form a society to care for each other, not because they are told. Is that not right?"
She cannot comprehend the soldiers preparing in the plaza below.
Now,
Usagi takes another step away. She wipes furiously at her eyes to little benefit. "I can't stop myself from feeling like this! Can you?!"
She tries to say something else. The words come out in an inarticulate noise of frustration. Defeated, Usagi turns and runs away, flying down the stairs and to a hiding place more deep than Game Center Crown.
<Pose Tracker> Mamoru Chiba [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
How can he wear a mask in a situa--
Anger flares bright and hot behind Mamoru's dark blue eyes, briefly replacing the ice, and he shoves his hands in his pockets and looks away from the furiously unhappy girl. He can see people staring. His blank expression dares any of the suddenly silent occupants of the cafe to say a single word.
How can he not wear a mask?
Long ago,
Endymion's face is drawn, tired. It's a face he'll let his Princess see, one that he can't show to any of the soldiers in the plaza, to any of the soldiers at all; they need to see him unrelenting, unstoppable, confident and righteous.
She can see his sorrow.
"That's why they form a society, yes. But some people are sick, my love, and want things that hurt others, or want things that other people have, and sometimes they grow in power and influence and need to be stopped."
He comes closer to her, and her radiance and the brightness of the sunlight outside meet in illuminating the dark, vivid Prince of Earth. Serenity's light glitters off the intricate etchings on his armor, on the hilt of his blade; it casts his young face in something softer than the hard-edged shadows of the slanting sunlight alone. It's with the same wonder as always that his warm, golden-brown hand reaches to hold her tiny and luminous fey one, and he can't do anything but watch her for a moment, taking every precious second of her presence in.
The young Terran prince finally looks back down at the plaza, but doesn't pull his hand away. His voice is quiet. "Sometimes the power they gain is great enough that it takes a good deal of effort to stop them, to protect the society built to care for each other, just like your Senshi protect you, like your mother protects the Silver Millennium. They don't fight because I tell them to, they fight because they want to protect our world. All I tell them is how, and where, and when, and that I believe in them."
He doesn't tell her that there aren't enough soldiers left.
He doesn't tell her that anything he can think of is already compromised.
He doesn't know what to tell her, so he doesn't say anything else.
Now,
Usagi asks Mamoru if he can stop his feelings, and he looks up sharply, shocked, but she's already running away from him. "I don't--" he starts uselessly, but cuts himself off. He didn't want to make a scene thirty seconds ago, and he doesn't want to make one now, no matter how very too-late it is for that. Besides, he has Mai's unexpected stabbing of his psyche to deconstruct before he can even think of dealing with Usagi's curiously partitioned trust in him.
Silently, the eleventh-grader turns around and picks up his books, then automatically goes through the ritual of paying and smiling at the stranger of a waitress, and he doesn't look in Motoki's direction, and he goes out the door.
