View source for 2346/Youma Don't Leave Bodies

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2025/02/19
|Location=Mamoru's Apartment
|Synopsis=In the aftermath of [[2343/And Let School Spirit Scream]] a clutch of mahoujin stagger into Mamoru's apartment to talk over what just happened.
|Cast of Characters=38,86,43,27,96,58,270,107,53
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:38|Mamoru Chiba (38)}} has posed:'''<br>Most of the people getting back from the fight are taking the Zoisite Express, though Amy's riding a rocket in style and Mamoru is, as Zoisite said, parkouring it back himself as well.<br><br>The apartment, when Zoi drops off Usagi and Minako first, is warm and dark, the heat kept in the the apartment kept relatively private by virtue of very large floor-length drapes.<br><br>School's probably out, but no one's checking yet-- they're only just getting back now, and who knows, who knows, since it was terrorism they might be closing all schools close by, who knows.<br><br>It's going to be a minute before Mamoru gets there.<br><br>In the meantime, there are couches, there are chairs, there is a kitchen, there is a dining table, there is a kotatsu, there is the usual amount of too much space.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:86|Izou Saitou (86)}} has posed:'''<br>Flurry of petals, letting both the sailors detach from him. Some petals glide down the warm air, and perhaps one or two got stuck in someone's (Venus) mouth. Without another word, Zoisite disappears again.<br><br>As promised, he returned to Jadeite back in the classroom. "Ready, Mister Superior Blond?" Smirks, teasing as he offers his arm. "Can't tire those legs after the battle now, can we?"<br><br>Once he felt a firm grip, it would be the final trip back. More petals and a hint of light as the two Shitennou return to the warm apartment.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Usagi Tsukino (43)}} has posed:'''<br>Within one blink and another, Zoisite's teleported Sailor Moon and Sailor Venus to Mamoru's apartment, the place warm and dark thanks to the privacy screens and the heating, and as soon as they're there, before the petals have even settled, she's dropping her henshin. <br><br>Usagi Tsukino is in her school uniform, nothing unusual but for the compact on her bow and the communicator on her wrist, lit up with a message from Luna. She turns to Zoisite - <br><br>But he's gone again. Well, that was fast. <br><br>"Luna says not to look online," she tells Venus, dully, and drops backwards onto the large couch in an exhausted flop.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:27|Minako Aino (27)}} has posed:'''<br>"*Paugh!*" <br><br>It's not an attempt at speaking so much as air releasing violently from Venus a split second after Zoisite teleports away again. With it comes a petal that was questionably damp from where it had lodged in her mouth. Venus jerks her head toward where Zoi *was* to glare daggers momentarily before letting out an honest sigh. Her henshin melts away leaving her in her school attire in favor of stepping over to join Usagi on the couch with a tired flop.<br><br>"Probably for the best. You know, I used to love looking for any hint of Sailor V in the news. ... Looking back now though, it didn't ever seem as serious as the people we face lately. Chocolate that made people fat, diet candy that did the opposite. A boy that was turning all the girls at school into his slaves. That was easy stuff."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:96|Jadeite (96)}} has posed:'''<br>"We sure can't, especially after I got tripped on my face for you," Jadeite teases back, and takes Zoisite's arm. <br><br> And then they're back, and Jadeite finds a place on the floor near the couch and lies down on the rug like an oversized dog. <br><br> "Does chocolate not make people fat already?" he asks from floor time, staring up at the ceiling. Which is lovely. And not covered in ashes.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Kazuo Saitou (58)}} has posed:'''<br>Kazuo and Chibiusa are not coming from the fight. They are coming from Chibiusa's school, which lets out earlier than the others'.<br><br>They are, however, also not taking the usual route. Chibiusa got a ride over the rooftops! It's not as cool as Mamoru having taken her flying, but also not using nearly as soul-corrupting a power source.<br><br>The end of this is Kunzite letting Chibiusa and Luna-P inside from the rooftop door, then taking up a station leaning quietly against the wall. Mamoru is not here yet, and something might ''conceivably'' try to follow him home.<br><br>... or maybe he's just avoiding going back to the Radiant Heart uniform and its "orange is equally unflattering to everyone, right?" aesthetic.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:270|Chibiusa Tsukino (270)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Chibiusa is her usual sad and quiet self as Kazuo takes her roof jumping, which is not nearly as scary as it probably should be for someone with no henshin. Maybe she just has a lot of faith in Kunzite's sure-footedness. Has she ever seen anyone take a spill from a bad rooftop jump? Other than Usagi maybe?<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Luna-P follows floating after her, with its ever-smiling expression, as she makes her way down from the rooftop entrance. The small pink child remains quiet, but she's observing the physical and emotional exhaustion of the magical folk as they come in one at a time. Sensing the mood, she grabs Luna-P and holds her in both hands, slightly clutching her and squishing her like an oversized stress ball.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She has not seen the news, and if Luna-P has then she's keeping silent about it.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Thinking about it as she flies through the air, Amy takes a little detour ''back'' to Radiant Heart, landing on the roof of the dorm so as not to be spotted by a teacher, hurrying back to her room, and packing her backpack with supplies -- that is, removing the schoolbooks and stuffing it with a sleep outfit and toiletries and the Switch and, just in case, CCG decks, dice, and a folder of the pregens and maps needed to run an intro RPG adventure, ''just in case'' -- then grabbing her laptop bag and hurrying back up to the roof, henshining so her bags go back to... wherever they go, and flying to Mamoru's.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She'll leave the rocket on the roof. It'll be fine.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy drops onto the balcony and knocks on the window to be let in.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Usagi Tsukino (43)}} has posed:'''<br>People start filtering into the apartment - Zoisite popping back into place with Jadeite, Minako on the couch beside her, the rooftop door letting in - <br><br>Usagi sits up, at that, because no one had ''said'' anything, and therefore - <br><br>Despite her tired, heartsick state, the sight of Chibiusa there, squeezing Luna-P, looking lost and sad as anything, is enough to rally Usagi's heart, and she opens her arms. <br><br>"Hey, Chibiusa-chan, do you want to sit with me?" <br><br>She hopes so, because she'd kind of like to sit and squeezehug her, remind herself that everything - terrible - is worth it, mostly, because Chibiusa-chan is here and safe, but she's still tired, still drained, and like, maybe it's bad parenting to want to hug your kid because you want a hug, but, counterargument, she's fifteen and hasn't even given birth, maybe she's allowed to be a little bit of a bad parent. <br><br>...that's probably not a good argument though. She can't go around being the wrong kind of queen (maybe), hero, ''and'' mother, right?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Mamoru Chiba (38)}} has posed:'''<br>When Mamoru comes in, it's from the roof, and his henshin fades away as he jogs down the stairs in his own only-infinity-is-worse uniform and kicks his shoes off in the roofside genkan. He shivers and bonks lightly into Kunzite (rather like a roomba) on his way into the living room, then surveys all the people therein and... does not take out his earplugs.<br><br>"Hi everyone," he says after a moment, hesitating, but he does come all the way out. He shoulder-bumps Zoisite on his way past, and nudges floor-Jadeite with a toe and smiles down at him, and then he lightly touches Usagi as she's holding her arms out to Chibiusa--<br><br>It isn't a ''real'' question, it's feelings looking for feelings, does Usagi need space or him or Venus or just Chibiusa? It's a survey without being intrusive. He knows what she feels like but doesn't know what she needs.<br><br>"I was too mad to think about the fact that I was close enough to hit her meaning I was close enough to get her earrings," he says, and that probably is enough to tell both Kazuo and Chibiusa something of what happened.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:270|Chibiusa Tsukino (270)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Chibiusa is soaking up the mood of the room and thinking to herself that it's probably all her fault again. Logically she can blame the Black Moon Clan, sure, but she didn't have to ''bring'' them here. Following her without a key would've been either stupid or crazy. She only recently learned that the enemy was both.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Seeing her alt-mom hold out her hands for a hug, Chibiusa drops Luna-P, walks over to the couch and climbs up. When she finally plops down next to Usagi, she leans against her, but crosses her arms. She's available to be hugged but isn't hugging. At least not at the moment.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The comment about the earring tells Chibiusa all she really needs to know. "It was them again." It's not a question, just an acceptance of fact.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She glances out the balcony door at Amy, and asks, "Is someone going to get the door?"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Luna-P turns to face Amy and hovers. It is a catball. It doesn't exactly do doors.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:27|Minako Aino (27)}} has posed:'''<br>Minako Aino risks lifting her head to glance at the Floor-Jadeite to respond simply, "Not over a few days. Although," she has to admit with a long sigh as she recalls, "The Rainbow Chocolate was *really good* though. Maybe Danburite left the recipe somewhere..." Probably not though. Only one person besides herself would have even heard of 'Danburite' as it was, but he had been on her mind overly often lately.<br><br>Usagi sits up to greet ChibiUsa then which causes her to scoot to the side to make room for the small lady without thinking. Usagi needed hugs right now. Of course if Chibiusa was here that meant... A smile alights on her as she twists to grin over at Kazuo. It only lasts a moment as she recalls she's supposed to be upset right now, and she quickly clears her throat to return to normal. "Kazuo." A stiff nod is given in greeting. <br><br>Then she's left there a moment uncertain of what to do, or say, but thankfully Mamoru is there for Usagi which earns a softer look from her. She was WORRIED for Usagi after all. After a moment all she can do is stupidly ask, "Is everyone all right?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:96|Jadeite (96)}} has posed:'''<br>Tamaki groans and sits up, patting his side where he'd hit the wall not half an hour ago. The snow had cushioned being whammed into the wall, but it still stung like heck and Mamoru was too wiped to heal anyone yet. So. <br><br> "You know, if you can find that chocolate recipe, I'll buy it off you. It'd do numbers for selling for elder care and cancer patients. Heck, I bet you could get it patented if it's not magic." <br><br> He wobbles over to the window and opens it up, gesturing Amy inside. "Cmon, we have lots of loor left over," he says, and wobbles back to the couch to flop next to Mamoru floorwise.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Kazuo Saitou (58)}} has posed:'''<br>Kunzite exhales as Mamoru makes his way back in, and the roomba-bonk leaves a second Radiant Heart uniform in its wake as Kunzite settles back into being Kazuo. Just in time for his cue. "Minako," he says in return. And then, "Don't market the evil magic, Tamaki," but yields him the flop-by-Mamoru privilege in turn for his letting Amy in. He keeps propping the wall up. Maybe he has an affinity for architecture.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:53|Kyouka Inai (53)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Abruptly, Kyouka is there. She arrives as usual, with no warning and hardly any sound, mid-stride walking across the room. How she knows the space is clear to arrive ''into'' is unknown, but it always seems to work out. Probably part of the magic.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As opposed to most of the people in the room, she doesn't seem depressed or shocked by the events. Rather, she has a brisk, almost energized air about her. "Good work out there, kids." She says in a tone reflective of a scout master praising the troop for setting up camp. "Just had a chat with the EMS.. nobody died."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;That's what really matters, right? She turns around, grey eyes behind narrow sunglasses tracking to Mamoru, then Usagi. Assessing. Not in a cold way. Making sure 'nobody died' can be followed up with 'and none of us got grievously injured'. Initial assessment seems positive.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:86|Izou Saitou (86)}} has posed:'''<br>"Oh you're my hero~" A quiet counter quip before letting go of Jadeite, permitting the man to be comfortable however they wanted to. While Zoisite only took in the current gathering of people so far. From Sailor Moon and Sailor Venus looking pitifully tired, and the quick appearance of Small Lady who seemed rather anxious, to finally Mamoru and Kazuo filtering in a moment later.<br><br>Green eyes beamed, glad to see the two were finally inside, not minding the nudge to shoulder as his prince walked by. Touch, confirmation--just tired. Thinking, but tired. He had some thoughts swirling in his mind, nothing negative yet. He'd share them soon enough.<br><br>Zoisite approaches the group, mostly keeping closer to Kazuo as he keeps his arms crossed, not turning back to Izou just yet.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Usagi Tsukino (43)}} has posed:'''<br>Chibiusa comes to Usagi, allowing herself to be hugged, even if she's not hugging back, and Usagi will ''take'' it, scooping her up, holding her close, breathing in the scent of her hair, totally normal things that are definitely not just about calming down - <br><br>When Mamoru touches her, feeling for feelings, he will sense that it is definitely about calming down, and that Usagi would definitely not turn down cuddles but understands if he needs floor time with the boys (she's not giving up this couch). <br><br>And then Chibiusa asks - and then, before Usagi (or anyone) can answer, there's - <br><br>"Kyouka-sensei!" Okay, in hindsight, she had actually noticed Kyouka-sensei there in the room, crackling away ghosts, but in ''practice'', she wasn't expecting to see her appear in the room! <br><br>It takes a second to... process, what she says, and then she's squeezing Chibiusa maybe a touch too hard, in her relief. <br><br>"Thank goodness. It - yes, Chibiusa-chan, it was them. They attacked a school... my old middle school." <br><br>That last part is mumbled, and she shrinks back on the couch, still clutching Chibiusa.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(For long-distance flying, Amy ends up adding the helmet from her 'super' armor to her base henshin; She makes a mental note to look up what considerations go into designing flightsuits later to see if she should incorporate anything else if she does this routinely.)<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She's dismissed the helmet as she stands on the balcony, waiting to be let in, and smiles up at Tamaki, "Thanks!" as she's let in; Once out of the cold, she de-henshins and finds a place to deposit her laptop bag and backpack (US army surplus MOLLE assault pack in desert camo, perhaps a bit more distinctive here in Japan) and also goes to remove her sneakers (she either brought house slippers or will walk around in her calf-length plain socks, whatever the apartment policy is).<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She had changed out of her uniform at the dorm -- the red sweatshirt and matching-fabric knee-length skirt that came with the body remain the softest and comfiest and right now she could use comfy comfort.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She looks a bit surprised to see Inai-sensei, who... usually doesn't come to any but the most dire mahou gatherings. "Hey, long time no see. Aside from just now, I mean." She does remember seeing Stellar teleporting in and out to rescue the kids!<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And... Usagi is talking about what happens, and oh ''that's'' why they attacked there. "I guess Radiant Heart didn't exist in their timeline..."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Mamoru Chiba (38)}} has posed:'''<br>It's not quite cuddles -- it's a hug, arms around and enfolding both Usagi and Chibiusa, Mamoru's face briefly tucked into the side of Usagi's neck and one hand touching Chibiusa's hand. Or ankle. It's hard to see from where he is. It's warmth and closeness and the littlest touch of stillness and calm: it's quiet living breath, like momentarily being left in a sunny meadow.<br><br>And then he pulls away with a deep breath, and he looks up. "Kyouka-sensei," he says, relieved to see her. "I thought you might have been there but I didn't see you."<br><br>Finally, Mamoru reaches down to ruffle Jadeite's hair and his hand glows, a little. And then he's on one knee. "Let me," he says, "it's not too bad, I can handle it. I had my hands in the dirt on the way back."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:270|Chibiusa Tsukino (270)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Chibiusa squints as she's held, squeezed even, by Usagi. They attacked Juuban Public Middle School? "Even I was able to figure out most of the mahoujin went to Radiant Heart. They get another point in the 'stupid' column." She nods to Amy and says, "Right. It doesn't exist there. It's one of the things unique to this timeline."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Chibiusa isn't fighting or returning the hug, but she ''is'' leaning into it. She holds her breath when she's held a little ''too'' tightly, but I mean... she's known a version of Usagi for at least 900 years, and that version is bigger than this one. She will not be defeated by a hug!<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Eventually she wiggles a bit to get her tiny arms around her alt-mom. They are small and don't reach all the way, but the intent is there. She also pulls her feet up onto the couch because she's 5 both by mentality and appearance and has to do stuff like that to even fit.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Small Lady frowns at Kyouka. Another magical she doesn't know that well. At least not yet. "Well, at least the other kids are okay." Hearing that actually improves her mood a little. She's not naive. If BMC attacked a school there will be injuries, but she hasn't seen the news and doesn't know how bad it actually was.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;... and she's trying very hard not to imagine it.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Kazuo Saitou (58)}} has posed:'''<br>Kazuo reaches out, as Zoisite keeps closer to him, and lays a hand on Zoisite's shoulder. Not a close gesture; he's very much on duty still, silent and listening and watching, putting together some kind of picture of what happened from the scraps people are saying. But contact all the same: reassurance, with a hint of a well-done. Nobody died. Nobody in the room is on life support, or close to it. With the Black Moon, that's ''good''.<br><br>... and nobody in evident need of purification, either. Hm. "They're not sharing information," he observes quietly to Zoisite. "One of them, a red-haired man, figured out a way to get at us. But none of the ones attacking have been using it."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:53|Kyouka Inai (53)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I was there first," Kyouka says in response to Mamoru, amending, "At least, that I know of. I started pulling kids out as quick as I could but I didn't want to draw the attacker's attention since I couldn't.. y'know, really do anything to them until the rest of you arrived." She makes a face. The reality of her situation long-since accepted but continually a frustration.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Anyway, it went about as good as it could have. I'm proud of you kids, all of you." A nod around the room encompasses the group at large. "That could have been a lot worse than it was. Not sure exactly what that lady was hoping to accomplish in the end- she had to have realized attacking a school full of kids was going to result in the mahou dogpile. Seems like a lot of effort without a lot of actual plan."<br><br>Step 1: Lure Sailor Moon<br>Step 2: ????<br>Step 3: Profit<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Good thing Fuyuko isn't here or she would absolutely point out this is the kind of plan Kyouka herself generally favors.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:96|Jadeite (96)}} has posed:'''<br>Tamaki's emotions light up with joy as he puts a finger on Mamoru's bare hand in return, sharing his happiness - that hey had won, that they had all survived, that Mamoru came to heal him, that Mamoru is alright, that everyone is alright - if Mamoru is the sun then Tamaki is the sunflower, turning to him to live. <br><br> "Thanks, Mamoru," he says, relaxing into the touch. "I didn't want to impose since you went all the way to prince-mode to tak her out, but the dirt helps." <br><br> Happiness, too, as his ribs stop hurting. <br><br> "Do we have any intel on that green woman?" he asks.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:27|Minako Aino (27)}} has posed:'''<br>"They're divided. Maybe they're trying to one-up each other to prove themselves, somehow?" Minako shifts to sit sideways on the couch with one leg tucked beneath her and the other draped off the side so that she can look from the Floor-Crew to the Wall-Holder-Uppers and all in between.<br><br>She tries notably to *not* look at Kazuo and Zoisite over there. Right now was not time for petty arguments. Notably, her red hair bow is back, although not the same one clearly.<br><br>"Thank you for checking on them, Inai-senpai. I do have someone I know in the police I can contact if we need any more information." It would just cost her. When Kyouka praises their work she actually smiles more genuinely. Sometimes it was nice to be told good job after all!<br><br>Still... "I wonder why they're so disorganized? There's not a lot of them, they shouldn't be split into factions like with Obsidian or the Dark Company."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Usagi Tsukino (43)}} has posed:'''<br>"Considering they came onto the school after you," a fact which has her curling a little over Chibiusa, "I think they just know that they're useless on campus. Go somewhere else, and they've got a fighting chance." <br><br>And boy does she have a lot of ''aaaaaaaaaaa'' feelings about that. <br><br>"She just wanted to get at me. That's all they care about. Hurting me - and the rest of us, and trying to get Chibiusa-chan, and destroying ''our'' present, just to make sure we never have ''their'' future." <br><br>They're awful crazy people with awful crazy plans. <br><br>"That was the first time I've seen her. Last time, it was a guy with blue hair, and he was - he was taking a body."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Mamoru Chiba (38)}} has posed:'''<br>"Makes sense," Mamoru says to Kyouka, looking up at her and nodding, "And the point is to torture Usako and ruin the future they're sure will happen otherwise. Or maybe they don't even care about ruining the future anymore. Just ruining everything. They want to burn everything down."<br><br>And then Tamaki's got a finger on his hand, and Mamoru laughs a little and bends way down to kiss his nose. "The dirt always helps." There's just an ocean of calm, Mamoru's not really letting anything more than that out, but...<br><br>"Esmeraude. Is her name."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:86|Izou Saitou (86)}} has posed:'''<br>A red-haired man, information not shared. Hm indeed. Seems like the group was either splintering or were very disorganized. A finger tapped along his arm, appreciating the touch offered by Kazuo--even if distant, it was enough for the moment. <br><br>"Kazuo, there was another woman once we defeated the first one. Esmeraude. She was able to deflect Sailor Moon's Healing Beam with no effort." He watched the group, remembering the absurdity of having witnessed it.<br><br>Deep breath. "Had she stayed and fought us, we would be in much worse shape."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:270|Chibiusa Tsukino (270)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Small Lady hears mention of a green woman and has to think back. Has she seen or heard of anyone like that. Esmeraude? "I don't... think so?"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Her voice is a little muffled because she is tiny and a much bigger person is clinging to her, so the side of her face is kinda buried into Usagi for the moment. Small Lady seems completely unfazed by this.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Seems like there's some infighting, maybe. Well... that's actually not a surprise to her. "I remember, back when momma's kingdom was being established, those with a lot of dark energy never really got along. Nemesis might be the same story. I bet none of them really like each other all that much."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Sounds like she's a bit stronger than the Specter Sisters, though. Maybe she's more like Rubeus?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:53|Kyouka Inai (53)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Kyouka humms a thoughtful sound. "Yeah I get it. Make your life miserable, ruin the world, cause general mayhem. Just seems like there should be more..." She trails off, clearly lost in thought for a moment.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then she shrugs. "Ah well. I guess it doesn't pay to try to analyze the methods of crazy people. That'll just drive you crazy, too." She absorbs the information thrown out, and the name Esmeraude. Files it away.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"The little lady has a point," She adds, tilting her head towards Chibiusa. "Villains, even when they're working together, rarely get along. Just look at Obsidian. Sometimes that's a weakness that can be exploited. Sometimes." A shrug.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Anyway, I just stopped by to let ya'll know that the kids are all okay.. well, alive, which is the first step to being okay. She flashes a brief smile. "I need to get back. Take it easy, kids."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And just like that, she's gone again.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Mamoru Chiba (38)}} has posed:'''<br>"Shimatta. I don't think we told her about Chibiusa-chan," Mamoru says, sitting back on his heels and lifting a hand to his mouth as he watches the spot where Kyouka disappeared.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:96|Jadeite (96)}} has posed:'''<br>"We'll burn that bridge when we come to it," Jadeite comments sagely.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Usagi Tsukino (43)}} has posed:'''<br>"A Dark General for the Dark Generals," Usagi grimaces, and finally - well, she doesn't actually release Chibiusa, but she's not squeezing her so much anymore. "Great. And - we shouldn't, assume they're not getting along. Well, that Esmeraude lady sounded like she doesn't get along with Rubeus, and she ''could'' have fought us - but instead she made sure to get Calaveras out. Like, she... cared, maybe." <br><br>Is that possible - and she's gone, so no more getting help from that - <br><br>"Burn what bridge? ''Her''?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Kazuo Saitou (58)}} has posed:'''<br>"It would make sense," Kazuo agrees to Chibiusa. "Rubeus was stronger than the ones we've been fighting, too. And he was able to do some unusual things with his powers." For all that deflecting the Escalation without effort should be - is! - terrifying, Kazuo sounds perfectly calm discussing it. Leaning lazily against the wall, head tipped at a hint of an angle, breathing steady and smooth. It might be algebra homework. He might be ''more'' disturbed by algebra homework. This? This is obviously something they can deal with.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There is something refreshing about even a five-year-old dissing the villains for being stupid. Amy nods to her.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And, Kyouka's already going before Amy can even offer a hug. Amy's briefly struck by the oddness of like...<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She's used to being 'kids' in civilian context, now, when teachers say it. But mahou context doesn't really... ''have'' that, thanks to the Fade. Inai-sensei is a rare exception who can call her a kid even here. Which like. Isn't ''wrong'', given everything, it's just... odd. Unexpected. Wrong context. Like running into your teacher at the grocery store.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And then she turns to Mamoru at ''his'' words. "Wait, after ''all this time'', ''really''?!"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy considers. "...Did we even tell her about ''Molly''...? ........we've kinda been leaving her outta stuff, huh. Now I feel bad. Just 'cuz she's older, did we like... forget...?"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy slumps her shoulders a bit at the discussion of Emeraude. "''Another'' person like that Rubeus? Great. Just great."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Mamoru Chiba (38)}} has posed:'''<br>"Maybe I'll text her," Mamoru says, ruffling Jadeite's hair once more before he stands up again. He sighs. "They also have a prince, right? Diamond? I know Petz has an affection for Saphir. Hey also, I-- I really made her mad." A beat. "Calaveras."<br><br>"I gave her the feelings that Amy-chan says are dangerous, and, I ''pitied'' her, right in her head."<br><br>He's saying this as he's going over to open a couple more curtains. "But anyway, yeah, Rubeus' darkness corrupts on contact somehow, right."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:27|Minako Aino (27)}} has posed:'''<br>Minako Aino glances down at her hands on her lap a long moment or two when it's brought up that Esmeraude managed to *deflect* the healing escalation. That had been something which helped lead to their victory numerous times. To simply bat it aside like that...<br><br>"She's very strong. It did seem like the purification effected the one that lured us there at least. Still." The fact that the rest happened is left unsaid as all she can do is nod silently in agremeent with Zoisite. They would *not* have won as worn out as they were.<br><br>When Amy mentions forgetting to tell Kyouka she lifts her head blinking rapidly. "I don't think it's that we're forgetting to tell her things so much as she's kind of rarely around? I mean other than being a teacher and all. I think this is the first time I've seen her at a fight?" And that was just glimpses as she helped out the younger students.<br><br>"The ghost thing was creepy too. Felt like walking through ice."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Usagi Tsukino (43)}} has posed:'''<br>Zoisite mentioned her Escalation getting deflected, and Usagi doesn't glare at him, except for the way she... totally, kind of does, but it's ''tactically important'' so... <br><br>"Rubeus, Saphir, Esmeraude, and Demande," she lists off, frowning, "To go with Petz and Calaveras and Berthier and... Koan." <br><br>Who she beat to death. Not that she's been thinking about that, or anything. <br><br>"A lot of enemies... and that might not even be all of them... maybe Rubeus is the only one who can do that, or maybe only the... higher generals can do it? It still doesn't explain why Esmeraude didn't, but... I couldn't purify her. At all. And Calaveras - maybe I ''could'' have, if not for Esmeraude -" <br><br>Maybe she could have done it! Maybe it would have been different! And now they don't know, and if Esmeraude can deflect her attacks - "What can their prince do, if this is what his like, generals can do?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:270|Chibiusa Tsukino (270)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Chibiusa definitely doesn't know Kyouka at all, but she's apparently a friend of the family. Small Lady doesn't really have time to get to know her before she teleports out, but that's just how things roll around here.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As Usagi's cuddly deathgrip is loosened, Chibiusa regains a little bit of her dignity, sitting up a little more straight and not getting squished against her alt-mom.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;What exactly can Demande do? Chibiusa wonders. "I don't know which one did it, but... you all remember me talking about a magic nuke, right? I think I remember mentioning that before. They dropped a big black crystal, and I mean as big as some buildings. It was growing, too. That's what messed up Crystal Tokyo in the future."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Shaking her head, which probably means her big pink tails get brushed against Usagi, she says, "I bet they can't do that too often, or they'd have done it here too."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Kazuo Saitou (58)}} has posed:'''<br>"Much less," Kazuo says, "without whatever he uses to tap their power source. It's been the crystal earrings so far." ... says the one with the flashy, dangly crystal earrings himself. "Whether they're the power source themselves, or whether it lets them tap something outside, we don't know yet. But given what Small Lady just told us..."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy tries to keep track of these names. "So... four dark generals ''above'' the dark generals... I'd call them [shitennou], but" she looks at the boys, "that'd get confusing here..."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And she turns to look at Usagi. "And that means their [Maou], the, what was it, death something? Darkdeath?" She looks to Chibiusa for the name, "is even stronger..."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She sighs in exasperation and stamps a foot. "We still don't even know where the rest of them ''came'' from! I mean, like... were they brought to Nemesis ''with'' him? Were they natvie inhabitants whose lives he ruined and then he corrupted them somehow? Aargh!"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The redhead nods at Chibiusa's comment and looks back to Usagi. "On the bright side... maybe there are situations that limit their power, or they don't always work, like..." She doesn't ''say'' Silver Crystal, but she's clearly thinking it.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:27|Minako Aino (27)}} has posed:'''<br>"The redhead said they were sent there to be imprisoned and were raised there, when we fought at the arcade," Minako points out reminding Amy of the situation they'd all been in. Then again, they also all got hit with a good dose of dark energy from him so it wasn't as if things were super clear at the time.<br><br>Her head hangs forward a moment pinching the bridge of her nose. She was more tired than she thought after all of that. More stressed. There was a lot of stress lately. <br><br>Reaching out toward Usagi she pats her shoulder a time or two. "I should get home for a bit. Let me know if you need anything from me, okay?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Usagi Tsukino (43)}} has posed:'''<br>Chibiusa's big pink tails absolutely brush against Usagi, tickling her nose, and she jolts back a little to avoid sneezing all over her future daughter. <br><br>A- a- a- <br><br>No, thank goodness, she doesn't sneeze. <br><br>"Elite Three, probably," she corrects, "If he's calling himself Prince because of us - and he probably is, they're obsessed with us - then they're the guardians, and he's the one over them." <br><br>Like her and Mamoru, which is a little embarrassing to say. <br><br>"...if it had worked... I wonder what would have happened." <br><br>She's startled from her thoughts by Minako patting her shoulder, and she looks up - nodding, slowly. "Okay. Let us know when you get home, okay? They don't... they don't know who we are, but we should still be careful."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:86|Izou Saitou (86)}} has posed:'''<br>"Those earrings are probably connecting them to it." Zoisite frowns. "It would be foolish to have it with them. If we could find it for each of them, perhaps we'd have a chance in defeating them, instead of our attacks getting deflected."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Mamoru Chiba (38)}} has posed:'''<br>It's now that Mamoru abandons the curtains and looks around at everyone again, then at Usagi and Chibiusa -- they're going to be all right. And everyone's being smart, good, he doesn't have to anymoore, he can rest and get the taste of Calaveras out of his brain.<br><br>So he wanders over, pretends to step on Jadeite, puts his hands casually on like half the people in the room as he goes, honestly...<br><br>...comes over to Kazuo and Izou, and winks at Izou and kisses Kazuo.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She nods to Zoicite, pointing, "Yeah, that's a good point! Maybe we can take advantage of their dependence on the earrings."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy nods at Usagi, then looks confused. "Wait, what? No, there's the... like even if one of them is the 'Prince', there's still..." She blinks at Minako. "Wait, so Rubeus said they were imprisoned ''too''?" She looks to Chibiusa. "You didn't say anyone else was imprisoned except Darkdeath-whatever. Uh... as far as you know... was anyone sent with him and you left out details before, or... is this news?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:270|Chibiusa Tsukino (270)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Small Lady looks at Kazuo and nods, and the same to Izou. "I bet there's a connection somehow."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She glances up at her alt-mom and notices her stifling a sneeze. Chibiusa squints suspiciously. She does not back away from the danger from potentially getting sneezed on, but she's definitely giving her a Look that says without speaking: You better not.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Glancing towards Amy, she says, "Death Phantom. The name of the criminal my mom banished there." She has to think about it for a moment, which kinda looks like she's pouting and glancing off to the side. "I'm actually not sure how the rest of them ended up on Nemesis. It should have been empty. They're saying they were banished? That's really weird."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;They wouldn't have left out a detail like that, right? Her parents and their guardians wouldn't have refused to tell her. "I feel like Diana would know. They tell ''her'' things..."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yeah, there was a hint of jealousy there.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:27|Minako Aino (27)}} has posed:'''<br>Minako Aino rises to her feet... Just in time for Mamoru to get handsy with everyone around her on his way over to smooch Kazuo. A myriad of emotions runs over her face at that, most difficult to define, some not so hard. Either way she ends up heading off with a red face muttering, "Show off."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;DEATH PHANTOM! Amy points, "Yes, that!"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And then Chibiusa says a new name and she blurts out, "Who's ''Diana?!''"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Usagi Tsukino (43)}} has posed:'''<br>"Rubeus, Saphir, Esmeraude" she tells Amy, counting off on her fingers, ichi, ni, san. "If Sisters are the underlings, then they're not the Elites, so that makes them... well, they're not youma. Youma don't... leave bodies." <br><br>And there's her mood, again, but at least she's not going to sneeze on Chibiusa anymore - <br><br>There's a mutter, one her ears catch, and she looks up to see a red-faced Minako stalking off. "Mi-" <br><br>But she's gone, so she looks around in bewilderment.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Usagi Tsukino (43)}} has posed:'''<br>Just as Amy blurts out that question, Usagi's communicator lights up, a familiar voice calling out. <br><br><span style="color:xterm93">LUNA</span>, reads the communicator. "Usagi-chan! Are you all well? I've been monitoring the emergency response, and - did someone say something about a Diana?" <br><br>Bafflement in that familiar, youthful voice.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:86|Izou Saitou (86)}} has posed:'''<br>Shakes his head, but his frown melted away into a rather genuine smile that reached his eyes as the prince winked at him and leaned in to kiss Kazuo. And unlike other times, this sight did not stir any jealousy. They belonged to the prince. It felt natural, this way.<br><br>Instead, his attention was brought over to Amy and Small Lady, nodding in agreement with them. Then he noticed Minako getting up and turning on her heels, red in the face. He considered going after her--but that was a side of him that would be a bit too cruel. Or perhaps it was something else. It didn't matter now, she left.<br><br>"Has anyone considered ways of destroying those earrings in close comba--" He shuts up when Luna's communicator turns on.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:270|Chibiusa Tsukino (270)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Small Lady is asked who Diana is, and she's about to say---<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But then she thinks better of it and looks around. Is Luna here? No, worse, Luna is now on the communicator.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"A talking kitten," is all she says. "She's not born yet." Uggh, does she really want to explain that one? That kitty doesn't show up for like 900 years from now. Is this a Trunks situation where telling her parents about her might potentially prevent her birth? Time travel is so weird, and it's really unhelpful not knowing the rules. No wonder Queen Serenity banned it.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"She's very small and very sweet so if you ever see her you better be nice."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:96|Jadeite (96)}} has posed:'''<br>"Wait, wait, wait. Do we know what they're doing with the bodies? If Cavelaras can raise ghosts, does that mean that any - " <br><br> Tamaki sits up, eyes going huge after spending too much time thinking. <br><br> "This isn't a zombie situation, is it??"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Did someone say something about a Diana? "You know, goddess of the moon, legendary huntress? Also known as Artemis." Amy answers Luna, before looking back to Chibiusa. Oh, a talking kitten who hasn't been born yet. Fair enough. She nods at that. And at the instruction to be nice. "Noted."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Also, Minako's running off! Amy glances at her, and at the guys, clearly something between them -- or Mina clearly ''thought'' there was something between them. "Uh, is... that, gonna be okay?" She is not at all certain what 'that' situation even is.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Usagi Tsukino (43)}} has posed:'''<br><span style="color:xterm93">Luna</span>'s frown is practically audible over the communicator. "Artemis is a Mau cat like me. If he's been telling you he's a legendary hunter, he's overselling himself." <br><br>There's a bit of a sniff there, both fond and annoyed in turn. <br><br>"A talking kitten... Small Lady, is she like Artemis and I, or like Anko?" <br><br>How wonderful! They would reestablish communication with Mau, by Chibiusa's time, enough to be training new kitten advisors! Yes, that's definitely what a talking kitten means. <br><br>And Usagi looks wearied, by the question from Amy, but at least this is regular drama? That's better - <br><br>"No! There are not going to be zombies! This is not a zombies set up!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Kazuo Saitou (58)}} has posed:'''<br>Kazuo glances aside at Minako - he might be about to say something, maybe prompted by the way she's holding her head and shoulders - annnnd then there's a wandering Mamoru, and that's a lot of hands on people, and he straightens into the barest hint of a little frown.<br><br>Which is then interrupted. Commentary from his direction is briefly postponed.<br><br>When he's capable of conversation again, his arm's loosely ... not even half-around Mamoru; maybe a quarter. "Not in detail," he says to Zoi. "I was able to destroy Koan's, but we haven't had time to do an analysis on the remains yet. Things keep happening." As they do.<br><br>To Amy, he adds, "Eventually, I hope. But we're being poor hosts. Would you like something to drink? Would ''anyone'' like something to drink?"<br><br>Food will be available later, because Kazuo suspects stomachs are still settling. But he can at least manage getting people started on physical recovery.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:270|Chibiusa Tsukino (270)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Chibiusa still doesn't answer. Right away. She remembers how excited Mamoru was when she confessed. Would Luna be the same way?<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"She's... yeah, like you two. Not like Anko. Anko is very cute but she's new to me." After a pause, she says, "I don't think it's always a good idea to share every detail of the future, but... if you ever meet her, you'll know it. There wont be any mistake."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She thinks back. Will there be zombies? "I don't think so. I don't think Death Phantom can make zombies."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As Kazuo offers to get something to drink, she raises her voice, right next to Usagi, to ask, "Can I have some chocolate milk?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Mamoru Chiba (38)}} has posed:'''<br>"... a talking kitton," Mamoru says, stars in his eyes, as Kazuo moves to start doing things with drinks. And then Chibiusa asks for chocolate milk. "Me too please!"<br><br>And finally, he takes the spot Mina left and leans into Usagi's side. "Don't drink my chocolate milk if I fall asleep," he tells Chibiusa.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:96|Jadeite (96)}} has posed:'''<br>"Then why are they collecting the bodies? This may be me being cynical, but I don't think they'd do that simply to give them a proper burial or cremation," Tamaki mutters, settling his head and arms on the couch arm. "Not zombies but... something. I don't trust that."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:86|Izou Saitou (86)}} has posed:'''<br>Shakes his head at Kazuo's offer of drinks, fingers playing with a lock of ginger hair when he notes a lingering smell of smoke. Ah, he still smells like the classroom. So he de-henshin's, back in his uniform and pulling the green ribbong from his hair.<br><br>"Perhaps it's zombies, or some amalgamation of body parts, making a bigger eldritch monster of sorts. It could be anything, if they have the means." There's a huff to his voice, more annoyed that the smell was on his hair still. "Ugh... I'm going to take a shower. If anything's decided, keep me updated."<br><br>He might come back later once his hair he fully dried and smelling clean again--and not because he doesn't want to be around Nephrite.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Usagi Tsukino (43)}} has posed:'''<br><span style="color:xterm93">Luna</span> hums, "No, no, you're quite right Small Lady. I appreciate what you've been willing to share already, and I won't push for more. It's well enough to know that there could be other Mau on Earth." <br><br>At least she's not nosy! That probably feels familiar to the Luna Chibiusa has known. <br><br>And Usagi is leaning against Mamoru, and he's leaning against her, and someone could throw a blanket on them and call them a lean-to for all the structure they've got. <br><br>"I want strawberry milk, Kazuo-kun," she calls, because she's got to be different and also strawberry is genuinely better to the sweet lovers soul. <br><br>"Oh that's so ''gross''," she cringes, as Zoisite and Jadeite talk the grisly business of bodies, and when he departs she waves half-heartedly, hoping maybe this is the end of that.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:270|Chibiusa Tsukino (270)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Chibiusa is about to challenge her alt-papa to try and stop her, but then she starts to suspect that the Chocolate Milk might be augmented. Wait... is teen Mamo old enough for that?<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Okay fine, but if you don't finish your supper then I might!" At least she assumes there will be supper. It's looking like it's another sleepover at Mamo's place.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She gives Zoicite a scandalized look. "A ''body parts monster''?!" Then he leaves before she can yell at him for giving her that mental image. Which is probably for the best. Though she might be pouting at him later.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Well there's no need for me to go to sleep since I already know what my nightmares are going to be."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Luna gets a soft, apologetic smile. "She's not going to show up for a really long time, but... I'm confident you'll meet her one day. Whether it's my timeline's or your's."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Kazuo's getting drinks. "Oh uh, iced tea and some sweetener, thanks!" Then others give their orders, "Ooh, I actually haven't had chocolate or strawberry milk in awhile... I'll have strawberry milk too!"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She's not sure what to comment on the zombie subject. Unless... "Maybe they're taking the bodies so ''we'' don't do weird magic to them? Like, even if they know ''we'' wouldn't raise zombies, maybe there's magic they know of that would lead us back to them if we had the bodies, so they're taking precautions against something we don't have. ...Or forensic techniques that are developed in the future?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:96|Jadeite (96)}} has posed:'''<br>Tamaki nods seriously as Zoisite mentions a frankenstein style monster. "Don't drown!" he calls after Zoisite before going back to pondering. The others have the good news about Diana covered, so... <br><br> "Ok, probably not zombies," he allows, more for Usagi's sake than be because he believes it, "but it still bothers me. I don't think it's forensic investigating since they know about purification and are familiar with us in the future, and they don't seem to have terribly strong internal loyalties, and I'd rather zombies than any of the other stuff they might come up with." <br><br> Bone puppets, for example.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Mamoru Chiba (38)}} has posed:'''<br>Eyes closed, Mamoru reaches out with his slippered foot and slowly pushes Jadeite back over.<br> <br>
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