2017-05-26 - All Friends Here
| Title: All Friends Here | |
|---|---|
| Summary: Mami gets in touch with Usagi to discuss recent events. Usagi invites a few friends for the discussion about principles. | |
| Who: | |
| Where: Jewelry OSA-P (rooftop) | |
| OOC - IC Date: 2017-05-26 - Jan 21, 2015 | |
<Pose Tracker> Mami Tomoe [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.
Sometimes, messages can be passed on in simplicity. This is mostly one of those times; Mami has Usagi's number, and has a spare moment when no one is looking at her during class. Thus, during the day...
Usagi Tsukino gets a text message.
>I need to talk to you about something important. Can you meet me after school? I'll be in Shibuya. OSA-P is fine. If you can't, I can come to you.
>Before you ask, I can't tell you what it is in this format.
Mami puts away her phone again and gets back to a class she's barely paying attention to anyway. At least she's seated in the back.
<Pose Tracker> Sailor Moon [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.
The buzz of a phone startles Usagi Tsukino out of a perfectly good nap, drool pooling on the edge of her desk. With a snort she sits bolt upright just in time to hurriedly to open her phone and...
For a moment she just stares, before she hears a whisper near her ear. "What's that all about? Some mystery guy inviting you out on a date to my mom's store?" Naru's expression looked somewhat sly as Usagi turned her head just enough to catch sight of her, "Sounds serious. Why haven't I heard anything about him?"
Usagi flaps her hand gently at Naru, "You're getting the wrong idea Naru-chan. It's not a date. It's not even a guy! Look-" Surreptitiously she tries to show her the screen while the lecturer is distracted, where at the top it's labelled <3<3 Mami Tomoe <3<3.
Naru stared at it speculatively, before acquiescing, "Why's she acting so mysterious about it then?" "That's..." She considers for a few moments, "...a very good question."
After a few moments she starts tapping a message back.
>We'll be there with bells on Mami-chan!<3~<3<3<3Glittering Crux Masque (talk)<3
>Not literal bells. That would be loud.
>I wonder where that expression came from anyhow?
>I just looked it up - England!
>I'm more cultured than I thought!
>But to clarify we'll be there with Fukus on, not bells!
-=-=-
Mako simply gets shown this whole text exchange at lunch. Usagi is not the slightest bit embarrassed by it.
Text to Mai Tokiha:
>Some important news is being delivered after school on top of the Jewelry Shop OSA-P. No bells required and no pressure! Come if you can!
>Though your wristlets and anklets kinda look like bells... so maybe you should come with them on!
>Mars-chan has clarified that they are not in fact bells, but Magatama. But she didn't have to be so mean about it! >:(:(:(Glittering Crux Masque (talk):( Meanie Mars-chan.
Sailor Moon arrives in the mid-afternoon. OSA-P's cylindrical structure reflecting the sliver of orange sunlight peaking through grey clouds. Down below store goers are still filtering in and out- Shibuya streets still chock full of shoppers.
She's standing atop the Jewelry store, kneeling next to the side as she leans over the edge to look down at the sidewalk below, "I really wish we could meet inside." She kind of pouts, "I bet Naru-chan's mom would give us a good deal too..."
She's distracting herself really. It's been a while since she was last here. The first time she was here was the first time she fought as Sailor Moon. The first time she met...
The idea of serious news is bringing those memories back to the surface.
"What do you think Jupiter-chan? Maybe after we could all go in and browse..." But even more serious than these serious memories... anything to avoid instantly going back to the Hikawa Shrine after for more studying for entrance exams.
<Pose Tracker> Mai Tokiha [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
There is a ticking of a clock, in a lunchtime detention/extra-credit lesson. Several students are attending, each struggling with varying levels of homework set before them. All save one - Mai Tokiha is not working on what has been set before her in the least, but instead is engaged in a staredown against her History teacher.
The clock ticks.
Mai's glare continues.
Midori does not waver.
The box of cake mix on Mai's desk remains unopened.
Abruptly, a timer rings, and there's a mass sigh of relief through almost all present. There's a buzzing in Mai's pocket as she stands up; with little ado, she picks up her schoolbag and heads for the door. There is but one parting comment...
"...are you really sure the school wants to risk that again, sensei?" And then she's off, to check just what that text was.
---
>Important news? All right, I'll try not to run late - I think I can find OSA-P...
>'Mars-chan' sounds like a wise woman. I suppose 'formal' attire's warranted anyway.
>So, are you going to look up what Magatama are, or just make your friend explain? :p
---
Fortunately, the new bridge was built wide enough to accommodate the usual after-school traffic from Ohtori, and Mai Tokiha was able to make good time heading toward the shopping district. An unfortunately crowded train might have dampened her spirit a bit, but she's soon able to join the crowd in a little bit of window-shopping. Some of those jackets look rather cute, and there's a flashy music store that's calling to her...but they aren't the reason she's here today. OSA-P is as glittering as always, but it's into the alley to the side that the girl slips.
Darkness is illuminated briefly by fire, and from the shadows of the alley a form quickly rises up. With her rings spinning to give her aid, Mai leaps to a fire escape, and then from there to the roof - letting out a sigh upon seeing the Senshi already present. "Good to see you, Sailor Moon - and it's been a while, Sailor Jupiter." Mai gives the two a small sheepish wave. "Sorry I'm late, traffic was...well, to be honest, the usual. Busy down there today - if not for this news, I'd almost like to go looking for sales..."
<Pose Tracker> Sailor Jupiter [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.
"I thought they were bells, too," Jupiter admits sheepishly after the fact. The texts themselves she can only sigh at in that 'oh, Usagi' sort of way: one part exasperation, one part affection. She's still not sure what to think about Mami, or Sayaka for that matter--she's done her best to eradicate any monsters as they appear, including Familiars if she's in a position to be able to (since she can't spot them on her own), functionally not hunting Eri down while also not allowing her to do as she pleases with regards to innocent lives. Jupiter sympathizes with her desire to live, but... it's just not right to live at the expense of other people...!
Which brings them to today's meeting, which isn't about Eri but her allies: the Outer Senshi. Jupiter stands with Sailor Moon on the rooftop overlooking Osa-P, gloved arms folded over her ample chest. "What," she says to her, "as ourselves, or as Sailor Senshi? Even if she did, though, I'm not sure we could afford nice jewelry like that..." She sighs wistfully. "Though it sure is nice to look, huh?" Just imagine one of those diamond rings on her left index finger...! She can just see a handsome young man (slash paper cardboard cut-out with fill-in-the-blank features because Jupiter is in between major crushes right now) slipping it onto her finger after emotionally declaring his everlasting love for her... So romantic...!
She's snapped out of her fantasy when someone jumps up onto the roof. Jupiter tenses for a second, then relaxes when she sees it's Mai. "Oh, uh, yeah," she utters--technically they saw each other just the other day, but Jupiter's not about to clarify that point. "Let's see, it's just Mami-san left, then, huh?" She looks around, frowning. "I wonder if she got caught in traffic too..."
<Pose Tracker> Mami Tomoe [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.
For the record, Usagi's texts back got a small sigh, prompting Mami to glance around quickly to make sure that no one was looking at her with her phone and about to say something. But then, she'd already put it away, so it doesn't matter.
It was a nicer day for that, for a little while, but school is school. Mami tried to focus on her work as best she could, and kept to herself.
She'd rather be thinking of magical business than Japanese history. It's a good thing nobody in the Chevaliers is actually in her class...
--
It was obnoxious to get across the bridge, though. Unfortunately, she doesn't have the magic to waste on that kind of magical transport to get her across, so she does it the normal way.
Even in the normal way, Mami Tomoe knows all the right shortcuts in Shibuya.
--
It's the other side of the building that she reaches first, dressed already in her fabulous battle attire, her floral hatpin catching the light, despite the dim in its gem. She leaps up, bounces across a wall to the other, and in that way coms to a somersaulted landing atop the roof of OSA-P. How many times has she been here just because? Truth be told...
She wouldn't mind shopping, either. But it's not a handsome young man she'd think about gifting her something shiny and beautiful.
She lands, and curtsies politely. "Sailor Moon, you came. Sailor Jupiter must be the 'we' you mentioned--good. I--"
She pauses, stiff, as she realizes Mai is there, and transformed as well. Mai Tokiha...
If it weren't Mami, one could swear that she's /nervous/. (She's nervous.) "...Hello, Tokiha," she says uncertainly. "Tokiha-san." She corrects. A pause. She looks right back to Sailor Moon and hisses, "What is /she/ doing here?"
<Pose Tracker> Sailor Moon [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.
"Right? They sure look like the bells they use at those summer festivals."
>She's a total meanie! It was an honest mistake!
>I know what they are already!
>In fact I know it so well that she's going to be super impressed with me now!
>;_;
>She told me six year olds know more about history than I do! THAT IS SO UNTRUE MARS-CHAN!
Sailor Moon slowly stands back up to face Jupiter, "As ourselves. Imagine what Luna would say if we tried to go shopping as Sailor Senshi!" Putting a hand on her hip, and wagging a finger which does not look at all like how a cat would do things, "Moon-chan! That's just irresponsible! I mean what happens if it led people to figuring out who you are. And what if people think that means the Sailor Senshi are sponsoring stores? What then?" But Sailor Moon stops wagging her finger and puts it to her chin instead in deep thought, "... maybe that's not a bad idea after all."
Now she's daydreaming alongside Jupiter, of the stores just /giving/ them stuff for sponsoring them, her fingers all decked out in tasteful jewelry. Haruka Tenoh and Tuxedo Kamen down on one knee, kissing her fingers... and then later in their arms...
"It would be so wonderful..." She says almost as dreamily as Jupiter.
But then Mai is up on the roof, and she waves a hand excitedly, "Mai-chan! I'm so happy that you made it! And you know- maybe we could do that after..." She gives Jupiter this look which just says 'Pleaseeee?'
Mami though shows up with her usual dignity, curtseying and- Sailor Moon looks both ways at Jupiter and Mai to see how they're reacting, before she gives a little exaggerated bow.
But Mami hisses and Sailor Moon rubs the nape of her neck, just under a twintail as she says back, quietly but in a conversational enough tone that the others can hear, "Well I invited her. You said it was important news right?"
Unfortunately, Sailor Moon grossly underestimated the amount of animosity the two hold for each other. Despite having seen some of it.
"And I figured if Mami-chan had important news it was really serious and we should really bring out the big guns. Because you already have super big guns, the biggest- but if it's this serious, then we'd need even more?"
<Pose Tracker> Mai Tokiha [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
Sailor Jupiter muses aloud, and Mai can't help but join her in pondering the possibility. "Yeah, it was pretty rough - I managed to get onto the train at the last second, so if she wasn't that luck....hang on, Mami?!" That musing cuts short in an instant, Mai's eyes widening as she whirls to look accusingly at Sailor Moon. "Hang on, you never mentioned-"
There are soft, elegant footfalls on the rooftop behind here as the fourth member of this gathering makes her arrival. Even Mai's accusations are interrupted - but then, so is Tomoe's greeting, so there's that. Golden rings glinting in the faint afternoon light, Mai takes a step to the side as she turns to the Puella Magi.
At least there aren't guns. At least there isn't fire.
"Tomoe-san. Good afternoon." A pause. A not-quite-smile. "Trouble on the bridge?"
And then there's a very good question for Sailor Moon, and Mai turns to the host of the meeting expectantly.
The HiME makes a quiet little 'ah' sound in response to the matter-of-fact confession of the invitation. She glances back towards Mami, then to Sailor Moon again, finally letting out a sigh. "We'll see about afterward, depending on where the mood goes from here. I hadn't realized that it would be Tomoe-san delivering the news, though..."
Mai glances back to the apparent news-giver, takes a deep breath, and lets her hands fall flat by her side. It's a visible relief, letting go of that tension for the moment Letting out the breath, she takes another step back to put her firmly on the sidelines here. "All right. For what it's worth, Tomoe-san, I still have to have words with 'her' about everything - so is this news you're comfortable having me in the loop for, or would you rather I go?"
<Pose Tracker> Sailor Jupiter [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.
It honestly never occurred to Jupiter that Sailor Moon never actually told Mai /or/ Mami that the other was coming. She just assumed that it was in a text she hadn't been shown, even though Sailor Moon literally showed her ever text she sent. No doubt Ami, Rei, or Minako would have caught it and said something, but Makoto... just didn't. In the same way that Sailor Moon apparently never thought that she needed to inform each of them that she'd invited the other/had been invited by the other, it never occurred to Jupiter to question if she'd brought everyone up to speed. Granted that Jupiter isn't really aware of the animosity between their magical girl senpais, even moreso than Moon herself... Had it been her, she might not have thought to say anything either.
Aside from the fact that it's kind of rude to invite someone to someone else's party, as it were, USAGI.
For the moment, though, Sailor Jupiter just laughs at her friend's imitation of their feline mascot. "That sounds like her, yep! I dunno that it'd be good to sponsor stores--it might look like we're selling out when we're supposed to be defenders of love and justice! But it sure would be nice to get free stuff, huh?" You can't get any cheaper than free, and Jupiter's on the hunt for a bargain!
But then Mai is gawking at the mention of Mami, and Mami shows up and is surprised by Mai's presence, and Jupiter looks back and forth between the two with increasing confusion. Then she furrows her brows and leans in to her friend. "Sailor Moon," she murmurs, "you *did* tell everyone about what was going on... right?" Hahahaha Jupiter sometimes you're so naive.
Even moreso when the air crackles with tension at Mami's arrival. That's... weird? It puts Jupiter on edge, too, without really knowing why. She can tell that there's some bad blood here, but for the life of her, she couldn't begin to guess why. "Hey, we're all on the same side here, right?" she hazards. "Let's just stay civil. This news is important." She knows it is, because she's got important news of her own to share, after all.
<Pose Tracker> Mami Tomoe [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.
Mami hears Sailor Moon's response, her apparently awkward response, which makes that entirely worse. She /invited/ her. Invited Tokiha. Mami had assumed there would be at least one of her teammates, but...
"The train was crowded," Mami answers Mai simply, but it sounds slightly like an excuse; she's still set of her guard, though she straightens her posture a bit to try to regain her poise. It sort of works.
Important news, though. Sailor Moon explains it, and Mami hesitates. "That's... quite sensible of you, Sailor Moon," she admits more graciously than she feels. She isn't entirely convinced until Mai lets her hands fall, and Mami herself relaxes slightly--not entirely--a moment after she speaks. "I... See. ...She wasn't involved. You have a right to know this yourself. Regardless of what you choose to do about it."
A pause, as Mami crosses her arms finally--the most un-ready stance she can easily make--and looks to Sailor Jupiter. "You're right. I hope we all are on the same side in this... And I'm fairly certain that it's true." A breath out, "I'm glad you in particular came, Sailor Jupiter."
After all...
Mami draws in another breath, "There was an incident here in Shibuya recently. I was out on a patrol at the time. ...Sailor Pluto and Sailor Uranus made an effort to kill a young girl named Hotaru Tomoe with their power. 'For the sake of the universe', Sailor Pluto claimed, as well as that we wouldn't understand while she could not explain. ...Frankly what she said was somewhat incomprehensible in the fact of their actions; I think they will go after this girl again."
"A group of us," she looks to Jupiter, with a nod of acknowledgements, "Fought them off for now. Regardless, they have ties to you, Sailor Moon, and you should know what they're doing."
Mami shakes her head. "...They're quite serious, and quite dangerous. I--the Chevaliers--can't allow them to have their way in this."
<Pose Tracker> Sailor Moon [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.
"Maybe there's a way to do it without causing problems to everyone's image of us as heroines of love and justice..." Moon considers that problem before Jupiter. "...I mean Venus-chan back when she was V-chan had all that merchandise..."
But Mai whirls on her and Jupiter asks if she told everyone. Sailor Moon is drawn up on her heels like that one two combination had lifted her off the ground, she waves both her palms in mid-air, "I didn't think it would be a problem. B-Besides it'll be-"
Honestly that's the source of many of Usagi's problems. She didn't think before acting.
"-okay."
She's rapidly trying to let out some of the tension too, "Yeah I mean... we're all friends here." That's /way/ too optimistic even for her honestly. Just because she's friends with everyone here doesn't mean they're all friends with each other.
But whoever Mai is talking about when it comes to 'her' is something she fails to comprehend, as she looks one way, then another as if confused, but she doesn't question.
But- it's as if her world starts to lose color once Mami gets down to it. Once she learns what Uranus and Pluto did. "They-" She almost answers automatically. Almost. Only a single word gets out before her brain catches up.
But she almost said 'wouldn't.'
Consider this: if we believe you risk your own life and those of everyone you love by interfering with our mission, what lengths would we go to, to prevail? Against even you, Sailor Moon?
Fate has no care for hope.
The sounds of the city below are just so loud all of a sudden, as the news filters into her consciousness, permeates it.
They tried to kill Chibi-Usa's best friend.
For the sake of the-
Everything snaps back all of a sudden, "That... doesn't make any sense!" She says finally, it's not that she doesn't believe Mami. It's not that she doesn't believe the Outers aren't capable of murder but-
"Why would they be after Hotaru-chan? How can going after her possibly be for the fate of the-"
But whoever holds those Talismans is already dead, Sailor Moon. They just don't realize it yet.
It's like she was grasping for a way that they were just mistaken, or it was a misunderstanding. Obviously Hotaru wasn't their target it was the Dark General behind her. But unfortunately... it makes too much sense.
Sailor Moon looks towards Jupiter and finally says- "Maybe they think she has a talisman."
The idea, that they would kill that girl who was so protective over Chibi-Usa. Just makes her feel so cold. She already looks a shade paler already.
She sounds so quiet to her own ears, "It's... what they're after. They say if the talismans are brought together it'll summon... a power that will kill everything." It takes her a few moments, before the words roll out on her tongue, "The Holy Grail."
<Pose Tracker> Mai Tokiha [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
If the subject were lighter, or the attendance at this gathering a little different, Mai would have happily joined Jupiter in plotting sponsorship deals. Bargains are great, after all. Alas...
Jupiter's clued in to the awkwardness of the situation, but is trying to play peacekeeper. Mai glances over to the tall Senshi, and drawls out a blunt response to the 'same side' plea. "Usually."
Still, it's a fair request, and after a moment Mai lets out a sigh. "But sure, I'll do my best - we were both invited by Sailor Moon, after all. I'll trust your judgment here." There's a faint smile from the fiery-haired girl, before she straightens up to face Mami.
After a moment, Mai joins the pattern of folding her arms over her chest. What, it's cold out, and she had to take a light jacket this morning. A simple nod at the explanation of non-involvement, and then...she listens.
Very quickly, her breath stills. The two Sailor Senshi mentioned...Mai doesn't exactly know either of them well. Maybe no one does. Of Sailor Pluto, she knows very little. But Sailor Uranus? Any hope of disbelief is dispelled by a year-old memory.
( "It doesn't matter what's fair or what happened to her. Nothing is worth that risk. Not her life, not mine, and not any of yours! She has to die!" )
"That attitude again..." Mai murmurs to herself, belatedly realizing that she actually said it aloud. She starts, gaze flickering around almost as if embarrassed, before joining the Puella in looking at Jupiter. "...you helped fight her off? Good on you, Jupiter..." She's about to join in the argument proper, condemning those actions immediately, but-
A more recent memory, of a not-so-innocent youth with golden hair.
-Mai lets out an explosive breath, nearly snarling in irritation. "Ugh. Dammit, you should have invited Kuga too, and then I could let her be the pragmatic one." Clenching her hands, Mai glances to the side. "It's not exactly...impossible for them to have a reason for going after an innocent-looking girl. I know full well that age doesn't mean a whole lot given what we do. Even then, I can't..."
Can't condone it. Can't automatically condemn it. Mai bites her lip, takes a shaking breath, tries to find a way to continue - but Sailor Moon brings up a possible reason.
There's a girl giving you a grateful look, Sailor Moon - even as cold and sorrowful as the argument might be.
It's a tenuous argument, but frankly Mai's in a mood to grasp at straws. "...so stupid. Can't they ever consider -trying- the peaceful resolution for things like this? To just...find some other way, that doesn't involve murder for the sake of magically apocalyptic trinkets. Just...finding some other choice."
Something catches in her throat, and she whirls on her foot, turning away from the other three to fume in silence for a moment.
...so stupid.
<Pose Tracker> Sailor Jupiter [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.
"Oh yeah... She had her own video game and plushies and posters and everything. But was Venus really involved in that directly?" Jupiter wonders. "I always had the impression that some game developers were inspired by her and made a game based on her adventures and stuff." Jupiter has not based this in fact whatsoever. It's just what she assumed, and her assumptions have never been challenged, so she's gone on assuming it well into the catastrophic merging of the second and third seasons.
But Mami speaks, sharing her news. Jupiter nods to her, expression growing serious. Even if she's not sure about Mami, she *did* help protect Hotaru, and that counts for a lot. As it happens, that matter is exactly what Mami's here to talk about. Jupiter looks at Moon. "She's right," she says. "You remember what I mentioned the other day, about news I needed to share with the whole team?" And then everyone got so deluged by studying for entrance exams that they haven't had a chance to actually get together all at the same time since, delaying the sharing of that news. Yes, that is exactly what caused this delay. "That's what Mami-san's talking about." She clenches a fist in anger. "Uranus and Pluto... They literally tried to murder an innocent girl in broad daylight! In front of crowds of people! They didn't even /care/!"
Maybe she has a talisman, Sailor Moon suggests. Jupiter's scowl doesn't abate, nor do her fists unclench, but this does slowly permeate the furrow of her brow. "That... would make sense," she says slowly. She shakes her head, fast and harsh. "But that still doesn't give them any right! They think they can kill whoever they want, whenever they want, wherever they want, completely without consequences! It makes me sick!"
Mai's praise on Jupiter doesn't get her to cool down, exactly, but she does smile a bit as she nods back to her. "Of course," she says. "I can't just stand by and watch them attack an innocent girl." As far as Alyssa goes, well... Jupiter wasn't involved in that battle, though she's tangentially aware of it. Arguably Alyssa isn't an innocent girl--she'd done quite a few things to earn her fate--though Jupiter would be quick to say she still didn't deserve to /die/. And what of Hotaru? Even if the Outers are right and she's dangerous, is it right to kill someone before they've even done anything? Either way, when Mai mutters about them, Jupiter adds impassionately, "I know, right?! They don't even *try* to think of any other way! What's *wrong* with them?!"
<Pose Tracker> Mami Tomoe [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.
All friends here? Mami looks to Sailor Moon when she says that with an eyebrow lifted. There's a moment still, before she stops, and looks to the others. It's not really true, but it's only unkind and unmannerly to point that out at the moment. Mami decides against it.
Honey eyes dart over to Tokiha again as the older girl makes her decision, it seems, and Mami lets out a breath. That makes things... Easier. Much easier.
The cold doesn't appear to bother Mami; truthfully she isn't paying attention to it, and it's easier to stay composed when she's occupying this role, telling others something important. And when they react...
"I don't know why they would be after her," Mami admits, uncrossing her arms enough to set her hands out and shrug. Mai's mentioned an attitude, begun to get angry. ...And yet... Well, Mami can't be sure what to expect with Mai. Jupiter though, Jupiter was there, and Mami is appreciative of the corroboration.
"...A talisman," Mami repeats, looking thoughtfull at Sailor Moon. The explanation is so quiet, though. "Sailor Moon, do you need to sit down?" She gives her a look of concern. But...
"...As Jupiter says," Mami answers. "Honestly, what they do if it doesn't harm others isn't my concern. This, though..." Mami sighs, "I'm tired of fighting people. I want to be done with it. But I can't allow this."
Mai's words come out, Jupiter's as well, and Mami can't help but admit, "It's because they're certain that they're right, I'm sure. That this is the appropriate thing to do. ...I respect Sailor Pluto. I know that she will do whatever it takes in her mind. No, it's not impossible for them to have a reason."
"...But I refuse to conclude that we live in a world where the only way to safeguard it is to sacrifice innocents. Holy Grail or not."
"But I didn't only come to tell you this to speculate about what it is they want. Regardless of their reasons, the Chevaliers will be moving to oppose them in this. I don't expect any of you join up, but if you need help on this issue... We're here."
"If not... You can use their own word and spread this information. They can't explain, and we wouldn't understand. They seemed not even to entertain the possibility of talking about this issue... Not that I tend to talk much when someone ambushes a young girl. She's only even /alive/ now because of Sailor Jupiter."
<Pose Tracker> Sailor Moon [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.
Sailor Moon flinches when Mai says 'That attitude again...' because frankly Uranus and Neptune and Pluto had exposed her to a lot of it. For Uranus in particular, it felt like sometimes trying to grasp wind in one's fist in order to keep a reason to believe she was a good person. And yet she fully believed she was. Almost like she'd latched down with both hands in mid-air and just /believed/ she'd captured wind there- but refused to look.
Does she need to sit down? All the others were standing so tall, so strong in the face of this news. While she felt like she didn't have any strength at all.
Because /she/ will never know strength. No matter how long she lives.
In fact she knew she didn't, without other people.
And still she wills herself to stay up on her feet, to not sink down on her knees- shaking a hand at her, "I'm fine Mami-chan. D-Don't worry."
She's not fine at all.
And Jupiter says that she's known this as she was there at the attack. Moon doesn't hold it against her, after all so much had been going on that if Jupiter had hit her with this news prior she wouldn't have even to be able /think/ of studying for entrance exams. Not that she does anyhow. She already believed this had happened, but somehow Jupiter saying it makes it even more real. Makes it settle further in.
"T-They must have thought it was really important and..."
Sailor Moon's shoulders just sink as she sees Jupiter's anger, as she feels Mai's radiate. She closes her eyes and- takes a breath. Just makes herself breathe. For a while, that's all she does, "It's not like I condone it or anything..." She looks at Jupiter, then Mai then says quietly. She's looks sad, like she can't even muster anger, "...I don't..."
There are no circumstances under which Sailor Moon would ever sacrifice an innocent life.
"...it's just that it means that we're going to have to fight them. Like we're all caught in this bad dream and can't wake up..." Another breath- "...they probably have considered other options. I know they have. They would have had to! Sailor Pluto wouldn't..."
She has to believe that Sailor Pluto wouldn't.
"...just... decide to do something like this... and Uranus... they act so cold but..."
The only thing you can do to please me is surviving. The only thing you can do to anger me is dying. Don't make the mistake of thinking I care about what you do or feel.
"...they're not! I know they're not!"
Her shoulders are shaking a little.
"...and Neptune, she tried to convince Mars-chan for us to stay away... they don't... they don't want to fight us either..."
Just breathe Usagi, breathe.
Her hands shake as she puts a hand up to her face, presses a palm there against the wet she didn't realize was present. In fact she's surprised.
"...but if they're after Hotaru-chan. If they decided that's the only way... It... doesn't matter, all of that..."
All of her feelings about them. They just don't matter. That's the part that felt the most like a bad dream.
Pinching her eyes shut for a moment, she slowly opens and the glove across her eyes. Giving Mami a long look. It's less determination and more, resignation.
"If the Chevaliers are protecting Hotaru-chan then I'll help defend her- or anyone the Outers threatens. But I'll never be on board with just attacking them."
And by now. Mami definitely knows why.
"We'll just keep trying to find a way to make them listen."
So that they can all wake up.
<Pose Tracker> Mai Tokiha [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
No one is really fine with this news.
Mai looks up at stormy skies, frustration and anger burning inside, emotional heat making the chill without sharper and yet less. She lifts her chin, staring out into the clouds, remembering the Maiden of Dreams, the truth behind Alyssa Searrs, the unresolved question of Eri...
Maybe they all need to sit down. But given who suggested it, there's no way she can join in on the sentiment. Petty, perhaps. But there it is.
Jupiter's anger is direct, and open, and oh so refreshing. It's enough to bring the faintest of smiles to Mai's face, that breath of fresh air helping her out of the past. "Broad daylight...I guess I was wrong. They've gotten even worse than they were a year ago." Mai turns, finally, giving Jupiter a nod - and able to feel her own fingers again, she throws her hand down as if to throw away an idea. "Care? They might care. They just figure that their 'world-saving' reasons are more important than the consequences of murder in broad daylight. Some people just have their priorities way out of whack, Jupiter. And some people just figure that murder is just as good for solving problems as making a cup of soup!"
She might not just be talking about enemies, admittedly.
Mami...Mami doesn't get a reply just yet. A glance, briefly, to the comment of being tired of fighting people...
But given the hospital, is that so unreasonable?
And then there's Sailor Moon - visibly struggling, showing the unease that the rest of them might just be hiding. Anger cools to a sad look, a consolate gaze - but there's little more she can offer, save her own words. "...I can't condone it. Not without...if the reason is that critical, if there's that much at stake, then..." She swallows, hard.
And wonders if Mikoto has been asked to help in this task, yet. There's a shiver that runs through Mai, abruptly, even though the weather isn't -that- cold.
As Sailor Moon goes on, though, Mai's shoulders slump just a little more. It's like there's lead in her gut, a heavy feeling, and she closes her eyes while turning away from the Senshi. "...I wish I could argue with you, Sailor Moon - argue that confronting these Outers might prevent this kind of tragedy. But honestly? They have their convictions. They have faith that their cause is just. Ambushing people like that, trying to beat sense into their heads..."
Mai opens her eyes, and meets Mami's gaze with a hint of apology, and a hint of bite in her tone. "...trying to change their minds with violence just doesn't work."
She doesn't hold that gaze, but turns away from the Puella Magi - turns away from all three of them. Her shoulders hang for a moment, a brief shudder in her frame, and then she straightens up. "...I'll try to at least spread the word. If you need backup, if you need help protecting this victim...you have my number, Sailor Moon. Part of me wishes I could just be pragmatic, but honestly? I'd rather live in the world where it's right to protect children. I'll stay in touch."
Without further ado, she steps forward - leaps forward - to the next rooftop, with flickers of flame helping her escape. There's nothing else she has to say, not until she can think this through a little more.
<Pose Tracker> Sailor Jupiter [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.
Open and direct: that's Sailor Jupiter, all the way! She almost laughs at Mai. "Soup? What?" But she probably won't get an answer to that. Jupiter figures that Mai was probably just trying to lighten the mood a little. She doesn't get the sense like she's being flippant, in any case, so Jupiter can smile without feeling like Mai isn't taking this seriously.
That smile fades as she nods at Mami. "Yeah. I don't want to fight other magical girls, either. But if they're not gonna give us a choice, I'm not gonna back down, either," she says, eyes narrowing dangerously. She nods again at the offer of the Chevaliers. Jupiter... isn't sure if it's right to accept that offer on its head; it feels selfish, only fighting with the Chevaliers once it's on the topic of a Senshi problem, rather than a Puella Magi issue. But at the same time, Hotaru's life is on the line. That's more important than her pride.
She purses her lips at Sailor Moon's shock, and her insistence on not seeing the Outers as bad people. She's not so sure that Neptune told Mars to have them stay away because they don't want to fight; to her, it sounded like they regard the Inners as nuisances and don't want to be bothered with them. All the same, she rests a hand on Sailor Moon's shoulder and squeezes. She doesn't say anything for now; she just lets her presence be reassuring. ...She doesn't have any easy answers, either. That's why they all came together on this.
She nods to Mai when she excuses herself, then looks over at Mami. "We should get going, too. Have a safe trip home," she says. Then she'll attempt to escort Sailor Moon off the roof, where they can de-transform and slip into the crowd. ...and maybe stop by Osa-P to improve their moods before heading home.
<Pose Tracker> Mami Tomoe [Ohtori Academy (10)] has posed.
"...All right," Mami says to Sailor Moon when she forces herself to stay upright and says she's fine. Mami can tell that it's a lie... But a magical girl has pride. Mami accepts Usagi's, and Sailor Moon's.
Mami doesn't stop to say anything to Mai about how she doesn't want to fight others; the fact that she said it at all was if anything a nod to that fatigue, one of the little ways that despite herself she shows more that bothers her these days.
...More doesn't mean all that much by most standards, though.
But What Moon says... Of course she doesn't condone what they're doing, though Mami wondered if she might try to find a way. She talks about a bad dream that they're all caught in, and Mami has to admit that there's some truth to it, even if it mostly sounds like a fantay to make it all sound better.
Whether they considered other options or not, whether they're cold or not...
"...Murder is very final. I can see why it's an attractive solution. But we don't have the right, even if it would make things easier. That's what needs to be remembered. These are real lives."
That isn't only about enemies, either.
Mai's word about ambushes surprise her; Mami looks straight to the older girl, makes it easy to meet her eyes. "You..."
But with her, to a point it /had/ worked.
"...Take care, Tokiha-san," Mami says to Mai's back, shaking her head. Should she have told her to leave after all...?
Mami made the offer to everyone that she did for a reason; she doesn't tak it as an insult not to join. She has... other feelings abou that. Instead...
"Take care, Sailor Moon, Sailor Jupiter. ...But there's no rest for me just yet. I have patrols to do. Contact me if anything changes."
She takes a breath, and walks to the other side of the roof. She lingers there for a few moments, until after she's sure everyone else is gone.
That girl...
At least the Outer Senshi are a simpler opponent emotionally. Mami Tomoe, steps off of the roof, preparing to stick to the alleys again, away from people.
