View source for 2569/Surprise Encounter at Tako Cafe

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2025/05/29
|Location=Tako Cafe
|Synopsis=New Moon is casually waiting in line at Tako Cafe when 'Usagi Tsukino', Koji, Masato, Takashi, and Mamoru show up! Mamoru's playing Wicked Lady's game, and those secrets lead to tension boiling over when Takashi and Koji object to the spark of connection between the bad girl and the earth's prince. Unfortunately for them? New Moon's interests will not be denied. Um... at least Mamoru's having fun on the bad side?
|Cast of Characters=43,90,38,61,27,40
|Tinyplot=Black Moon Clan
|Tinyplot2=BMC: Wicked Ride
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:43|New Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>So Tako Cafe is really more a food truck than a cafe, when you think about it, but it's still got pretty good food. New Moon knows that, and Wicked Lady does too, which is why New Moon is in line for some. <br><br>She doesn't really stand out in a crowd - well, maybe a little, for her fairly gothic lolita style dress and her pink French braid down to her ankles, but she's ''otherwise'' a pretty ordinary looking cute girl in a straw hat with a mauve ribbon, sipping on some kind of unholy looking neon colored theoretically coffee but probably just sugar-and-caffeine drink combo that's both neon pink ''and'' neon green. <br><br>She's not bothering anyone, apparently. That's a surprise. She's just chilling in line, waiting for her turn.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:90|Masato Sanjouin (90)}} has posed:'''<br>Masato enjoys good takoyaki, and he happened by a little earlier than others-- he is a little further along in the line than New Moon. He's also on the phone, which might be slightly obnoxious, and it's about a tennis association of all things. It's clearly a business call and, given his state of dress-- italian leather shoes, silk shirt, pressed trousers and a nice watch-- he seems very almost out of place. <br><br>But you can't beat good takoyaki. <br><br>He doesn't mean to turn slightly, and catch New Moon from the corner of his eye. But there she is. Is no eatery in Tokyo safe? Gods, that bouquet youma better not pop out from the crowd, somewhere.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Mamoru Chiba (38)}} has posed:'''<br>"--can't eat it after all the studies I read on how smart they are, it feels weirdly like cannibalism," Mamoru's saying to Takashi as they approach the line-- and then he grabs his brother's sleeve because he sees Neph... and he sees New Moon. "That's her sidekick!!" he hiss-whispers. "That's Chibiusa's hot sidekick, New Moon. She's helping keep Usagi safe from those murderous jackasses..."<br><br>He's in a black t-shirt with the band logo for Rose Rose, an old Tokyo hardcore/thrash band, written in red; black skinny jeans, black dress shoes, glasses. "I'm gonna go with them," he says, and it's not subtle. Neither was the hiss-whispering.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:61|Koji Silvia (61)}} has posed:'''<br>Some people, by comparison to those in line for the savory and wonderful fried foods, are merely... truck-adjacent. <br><br>Some people are like Koji, who is out here not in his usual school attire, or henshin, or even in his street clothes hooded top. Nope. Today he's in a Radiant Heart Academy tracksuit with a pack of a half-dozen first year students from school out for a Gymnastics Club run. He barely looks like he's pushing himself, hair done up and knotted against the back of his head, while the prospective future of one of the school myriad athletic clubs seem to be struggling as they come up the steps from the riverside and out of the nearby park. He calls for a stop then. <br><br>Two girls collapse back to back and end up on their backside. <br>A tall-looking boy who is the typical 'I can do everything' character has his hands on his knees, panting hard. <br>The third girl of the group, and obviously most in shape is standing there fanning herself with one hand, trying to play it cool. <br>And one particularly scrawny boy just hangs over the side of a rail. <br><br>Why does he call the stop, because the stagewhispering is just too Mamoru to ignore. He's just STARING across the street at the pair, and one of his eyes is shaded from the sun, while the other is seen behind his glasses with that archetypal, 'What in the godoka?' look.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:27|Minako Aino (27)}} has posed:'''<br>Through the small crowd, a glimpse of blonde hair skirts by headed toward the end of the line. Blonde dango buns lightly bounce with each step while long twintails with slight curls at the end sway behind the short figure. Head slightly down to gaze at the phone held in her hands, the blue eyed girl adorned in a school dress in the colors of Radiant Heart didn't seem to pay much attention to where she was heading.<br><br>The graceful pace she walks almost has her make it to the back of the line before the toe of her shoe catches on a bit of cracked pavement sending her tumbling forward with a yelp of surprise. Limbs go flying, skirt upturns---And she thankfully somehow miraculously flips entirely to end up on her butt with a keening whine. "OoooOoooowww!" <br><br>Chagrinned and a bit sore she gets back to her feet rubbing at her hip as she hobble-limps the rest of the way. "I'm okay!" Assures the highschooler to no one in particular as she takes a spot in line red-faced and laughing over it while rubbing at the back of her head. "Wow this smells soooo good! I can't wait!" <br><br>Minako, in full Usagi doubling mode, either hadn't yet noticed the others or she just... No she just hadn't noticed given the CoD VOD playing on her phone which she'd been looking over for reference for *later*.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:40|Takashi Agera (40)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Takashi is walking with Mamoru, and he shrugs and rubs his neck. "Honestly, a lot of the food humans eat is more intelligent than people would like if they ''really'' sat down and thought about it. Like, pigs really aren't that far off from dogs..." he replies. "Course, then you got youma snackin' on people, so you gotta draw a line somewhere."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Huh. I mean. I've ''absolutely'' seen worse." Takashi says, looking a bit closer. Staring just a Little Bit. Thanks to the Veil he's got no idea precisely who he's kind of giving Girl Hot signals to, otherwise, he wouldn't. "Maybe I should ''go with them'' too." he says, walking behind Mamoru. He does also see Masato - that hair isn't exactly subtle, nor is the rest of his outfit.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And speaking of not subtle - there's Usagi. Maybe just a little bit off, but... "Looks like Usagi's been keeping herself mostly safe on her own, man." he says, nudging Mamoru to look over at her. "The Tako, on the other hand, is probably doomed."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|New Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>Sip, sip, sipping at her drink. New Moon is just sipping at her - <br><br>'OoooOoooowww!' <br><br>Hey wait a minute, that's her voice! Or close enough to it, anyway! <br><br>Whipping around (absolutely walloping the person in line in front of her with a thick (with like five c's) braid as she does so), New Moon ''stares'' at the Usagi Tsukino in front of her, mouth opening, shutting, before she finally settles on ''frowning''. <br><br>All this, and no Takoyaki yet? There's really only one thing to do - march over towards 'Usagi' (ignoring the person ''trying'' to yell at her for walloping them with her braid) and lean in ''real'' close, squinting. <br><br>"Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..." <br><br>Well... she definitely ''looks'' like her... New Moon is now circling 'Usagi', not entirely unlike a shark surrounding prey.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Mamoru Chiba (38)}} has posed:'''<br>"That... that..."<br><br>Mamoru swallows, staring at 'Usagi' and then at New Moon staring at 'Usagi' and circling her like a shark.<br><br>AND THEN HE HAS A GENIUS IDEA. "I guess ''so,''" he says to Takashi, and then beams at him. "I do need to ask you a favor later," he adds, clapping a hand to Taka's arm, then letting it drop. "But pardon me, I'm now on a quest."<br><br>He marches right over to New Moon and 'Usagi' and smiles at the two of them. "Usagi-chan," he says to Minako, eyes gleaming. "May I kiss New Moon? If she's into it, of course."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:61|Koji Silvia (61)}} has posed:'''<br>Turning on his 'crew', Koji says smartly, "Okay... you can all hit the conbinie and get some drinks and snacks for the trip back to school. BUT..." and he pauses for emphasis as the gleam runs his glasses, "You'll be cleaning up and putting away all the practice gear." <br><br>The collective 'Awwwwww!' can be heard and felt by anyone else in high school from them. Since this is in the background and of course animators are wont to have a little fun with the audience, the other four pick up the small boy hanging over the edge like a piece of laundry trying out, and carry him on his back like a spartan off-camera. <br><br>He would try and join the conversation NOW... but since it's inconvenient, the light on the crosswalk just refuses to change...<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:90|Masato Sanjouin (90)}} has posed:'''<br>The hairs on the back of his neck stand on end, and Masato can feel the words as much as the slither across the crowd into his ear-- ''can I kiss New Moon, if she's into it?'' <br><br>Brown waves, too, whip behind him with the turn of his head again. "... Something's come up, I'll call you back." <br><br>He can't afford to step out of line, he's about to be served. Sapphire eyes take stock of Takashi, perhaps a little pointedly, as if to ensure he adds to the intervening or stalling or whatever needs to occur here. Koji is over there, too, thank the stars. And in running shorts. Fantastic. <br><br>He leans into order, tucking his phone away. "I'm going to need several boxes."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:40|Takashi Agera (40)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Takashi is not... entirely... sure.... what to make of it. Of any of this. It accelerated so fast from Mamoru talking about smart squid and lost girlfriends to his girlfriend - wait, fiance, right - being not-lost and right in front of them, followed by him asking to kiss her?<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Takashi is... he's known Mamoru longer than even the Shitennou have. Not ''Endymion'' - they have him beat on past lives and such easily. But this particular variation of Mamoru? The one who lost his parents and grew up alone instead of as a Prince? The one who still managed to have a sort of demeanor even still? The one who let him take energy when it turned out he needed it to survive? The one who got into a LOT of trouble by knowing Takashi? The one who showed by example how to read people and act? Oh, that Mamoru Chiba?<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;That one, Takashi knows. He knows the gleam in his eyes. He knows SOMETHING is up, even if he doesn't know what.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But he knows Mamoru flagged New Moon as a henchwoman for evil, and Usagi's right there and she shouldn't be, and something is off.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;So Takashi stands pointedly, between New Moon and Mamoru, unaware this might be a bad place to interpose.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Careful, Usagi-chan. You let him kiss bad girls and soon he'll be digging out his old Obsidian ID card, and nobody wants that." Okay, Takashi wants that, but not in front of other people.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:27|Minako Aino (27)}} has posed:'''<br>Usa-Mina rises up onto her tippy toes trying to peer over the shoulder of the guy in front of her to judge just how far along the line was now that she was at the tail end of it. It requires a little hop to get a bit of a view, which she then gives up on in favor of leaning to the side more reasonably.<br><br>It gives her prime view of New Moon coming right at her.<br><br>Abruptly she stands straight again with hands drawn in protectively clutching her phone to her chest as she's regarded.<br><br>"Hi? I'm sorry do I know you?" A pause before her eyes widen and she guesses completely incorrect, "Oh, do you play Call of Duty too?" The phone gets a little wiggle indicating what she'd been watching before.<br><br>Whatever the answer may be she's oh-so-thankfully distracted by Mamoru walking up. Instantly starry eyed she smiles endearingly up at him. "Mamo-" Oh god could she even say it? Was she about to? "-kun!" Heck no she had a sense of self preservation.<br><br>Suddenly the mood is changed however when he asks about kissing New Moon. Recognition at the name flickers in her blue eyes even as a sense of PANIC wells up in her. Oooh this was bad. And that was such a loaded question! So much.<br><br>A little pout comes over her. "Well I'd rather you didn't do it in front of me at least. You owe me double kisses later!" She declares as if this were a regular transaction of kisses or something. To Takashi she sticks her tongue out at him childishly. "I trust my Mamo-kun!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|New Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>"I do know you," New Moon says, looking down at 'Usagi' with deep suspicion. "You're either Zoisite or Sarek or Venus or Double Trouble, because ''Usagi'' is with our Lady." <br><br>And this, probably does something to tell 'Usagi' a bit about who she's dealing with, before Mamoru spills the beans bluntly, and then - <br><br>"You have to ask ''her'' if you want to kiss me?" New Moon asks Mamoru, and only the fact that this is a game, this is Wicked Lady's game, keeps her from kissing him boldly, just to prove ''no'' one gets to decide if she and Mamoru kiss but her and Mamoru. Still, her expression is more sharp than pout, and she's giving Mamoru the look now - nope. <br><br>''Takashi'' steps up between New Moon and Mamoru, and he's looking at her, but he's talking to Mamoru, and he's saying - "Wrong. From what I know, she really liked that bad boy phase, especially the embezzling. But if he kissed ''this'' bad girl," she ''winks'' - not at Takashi, at Mamoru - "He wouldn't go running off to Obsidian. Not when he could be where he belongs, with Wicked Lady."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Mamoru Chiba (38)}} has posed:'''<br>Plenty of audience for ''the question'' was great, plenty of audience for New Moon's reaction, not so much! Mamoru :sweat_smile: and he says, apologetically, "We were trying to help Wicked Lady keep her safe by muddying the waters. Was this a bad way? I'm sorry."<br><br>He lifts his hand and places it on Takashi's shoulder, and he shakes his head a little. He steps around his brother and stands in front of New Moon again, and he says frankly, "I can show you, if you like."<br><br>He steps forward past Minako, which interposes himself between the two girls, and he approaches the pink-braided girl and leans down to whisper by her ear, "Now or later?"<br><br>He straightens up, the hairs on the back of his neck standing up because he knows ''everyone is watching'' and he's gonna be in ''so much trouble'' from ''so many people'' aaaaaaaa, but like--<br><br>Worth.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:61|Koji Silvia (61)}} has posed:'''<br>*BING* <br><br>*Chirp!* <br>*Chirp!* <br>*Chirp!* <br>*Chirp!* <br>*Chirp!* <br><br>The familiar sound of the crosswalk as Koji jogs over towards where Usagi is, and seemingly oblivious to what all is going on, the tension behind it, he comes up right to the disguise-Sagi and says in a mildly pleasant voice, "Hey Usa-chan. C'mon... we should hit the conbini on the way back and talk strats." <br><br>Having missed the whisperlean, he gives Takashi a nod of greeting, the familiar and in passing, and then just rolls his eyes at Mamoru who to him is flirting with some rando to get a rise out of his fiance. So instead, he buys her an out by hooking on her arm like he's one of the Inners hauling her off to study, "Pardon us, but SOMEONE made me promise to be on for streaming nights, even if she gets to embarrass me in front of all her followers by stealth capping me six time in one round."<br><br>When his eyes finally pass over New Moon, he uses that rare talent of saying in expression what cannot be said in words to the flirty gothy pinkette. <br><br>'Girl... He is SO. OUT. of your League.'<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:40|Takashi Agera (40)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Takashi turns to look at New Moon. Sure, Girl Hot but now Girl Also Kind Of A Threat. He looks her up and down, like he isn't the string bean-iest male here, and frankly Minako as an athlete might have more muscle on him. Of course, Mamoru and Nephrite know there's more behind his strength than boring muscle. He frowns at her. "Doesn't matter, he's ''allergic'' to Dark Energy." he says, crossing his arms. And when Mamoru leans in, Takashi does something that may well get him in more trouble - he reaches out and pulls Mamoru -away- from New Moon. And while he is a string-bean, he's cheating, and the force he puts behind the push is a lot stronger than he ought to be capable of.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You're Dark Energy, and I don't even care if he's trying to act close to you to protect that girl he loves - you have Dark Energy in you - I can sense it, I've worked around it for so long, you're like one of those weirdos that walk around the upper floors of Obsidian."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"And speaking of Obsidian, I don't think they dig it when people roll around Tokyo using Dark Energy without their blessing. Some jerks calling themselves Black Moon got them a little on edge..." Takashi says. It's no real secret he ''works'' in Obsidian, as an ''intern'', and he's magically aware. Though two people here know he's more than just aware.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"...black moon, new moon, kinda sounds familiar. If I drop a message out they might mishear me and come in all aggressive, so maybe - keep your Dark Energy Peanuts away from my friend with a peanut allergy." he says.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Koji-kun, please take Mamoru-kun with you when you take Other Usagi." Then he turns to where he saw Masato. Nephrite and Riventon have fought together before, even on the same side a while back, and he also knows the man would walk through flaming fire needles for Mamoru on top of that. "Sanjouin-san, if you're not too busy, I may need your help rather shortly, for Chiba-kun's sake?" he calls.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:90|Masato Sanjouin (90)}} has posed:'''<br>Masato knows, damned well, that this is not the real Usagi-- he's perfectly aware of the situation with Wicked Lady, and New Moon, and the real Usagi being in a questionable position of safety. It's a delicate dance, as they try to walk the line, and Mamoru enacts strange plans and generally seems hell bent on a specific angle of negotiation and mitigations, if he can. <br><br>So the situation is wobbling precariously, as far as he can tell. It's a fantastic thing that Koji interjects as he does-- Masato is relieved enough by that timing and wherewithall. He too had a plan. <br><br>But then there's Takashi, and a line in the sand and everything else, and this is probably going to be ugly if his plan doesn't work out. And he can't really blame him. <br><br>With an armful of several boxes of Takoyaki, he steps up, waving a hand towards Takashi. "Of course... I am fairly busy, but I suppose I can lend a hand for old time's sake. However," <br><br>Sapphire eyes turn to New Moon, a last ditch attempt and an offer. "Is Wicked Lady waiting on her Takoyaki, New Moon? A few boxes would do, right? Better it doesn't go cold."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:27|Minako Aino (27)}} has posed:'''<br>Minako Aino sucks in a breath when New Moon lists off all the people she could be! Only to slap a hand to her chest a single time to proudly state, "How *dare* you!? I'm the Oh-rig-ih-nal!" Body-double. "These are obviously *totally real* and I'm in no way flat chested like Zoisite!" The others... well she can't say anything there. Sarek was pretty good but it was being compared to ZOISITE that stung!<br><br>She might have said more but the talk goes back to kissing as her gaze flits between the three of New Moon, Mamoru, and Takashi with eyebrows raising as the conversation gets rather... Dangerous. She does have to agree with a solemn nod. "Hematite was very Bad Boy Hot. The suit was a great fit--"<br><br>Usa-Mina's arm is grasped and she finds her weight shifting away as Koji tugs her along with a little yelp of surprise at being accosted. What he says makes sense though, and she begins to fumble, "Ah but wait oh but the takoyaki!" Her free arm flaaaaiiiils grasping at the snack cart growing further away! The horror!<br><br>Then Taka speaks again and she oofs beneath her breath. "That's one way to tank."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|New Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>Mamoru is apologetic, which is only right and good, and New Moon's shadowed disposition brightens, ever so slightly. "This is fine - I'll just let Wicked Lady know you're doing it, before she thinks someone's playing a trick on ''her'' instead of playing her game." <br><br>The last thing anyone needs is Wicked Lady seeing Usagi Tsukino out and about and living life for anything ''but'' her sake. <br><br>Still, the fact that he's offering to show her is sweet, when she ''knows'' how sweet he is on her, how sweet he is on their little girl, and she might have stepped forward to let him do just that, if not for the one-two-three punch of his over protective little boy squad, all thinking they have the right to intervene, all thinking they have the right to help, all thinking they can ''do'' anything, ''about anything''. <br><br>First, Koji, with that judging look, as if Mamoru is out of her league, when she ''invented'' the league, when she's one of the only two women he'll ever love (because even in her anger her precious baby girl comes first), and if things were switched about, ''he'd'' be the only ''man'' Mamorin loved. <br><br>It's only the fact that Koji is dragging Usagi away ''while'' Takashi tags in that stops her from quite literally turning the uniform on his back into a youma out of spite. <br><br>Of course. <br><br>That still leaves ''Takashi'' to tank her appearance, and she's still as short as ever so she does have to look up, but her smile is bright and cheerful and ''mean''. <br><br>"Doesn't matter. He'll take it for his daughter when she truly needs him to, because that's what ''parents'' do." She knows about Mamoru and Takashi and where they came from, and it's only the splash damage that her words would do and the love she has for Mamoru even now that stops her from a below the belt comment about how Takashi naturally wouldn't know a thing about that. It's on her face, though, the cruel twist that Dark Energy gives to any and every user. <br><br>"He's not acting close to me to protect that girl he loves," she says, and she ''laughs'', right in his face, "Oh, he's so ''sweet'', he's listening so well, such a ''good boy'' he is for our Wicked Lady, but he's close to me because he ''likes'' me, almost as much as he likes our Lady. You'd know that, if he told you things, but, well, you've got your life and he's got his." <br><br>She hums, as 'Usagi' starts to get dragged further away. <br><br>"I don't care about Obsidian. What has Obsidian ever done for anyone but backstab and torment and oh right, work with idiots like Beryl and Tomoe that torment the people ''that work for them''? If Obsidian can't even protect their ''own'' why should I be worried about them? Let them mishear. Let them try and come for me." <br><br>And then, just when things were about to get even uglier, there's Masato, with boxes of takoyaki, and a suggestion, and oh, he's ''wrong''. Oh, he's so wrong. <br><br>"Mmm, there's a treat she'd rather have, I'm afraid," she chirps, bright and cheerful, and then she lashes out with reflexes none of them can match, because ''she's in henshin'' and they aren't. Mamoru was shoved back - but now New Moon has leapt right over their heads and yoinked him - right into a backbending dip, as she kisses him right there in front of Godoka and everyone, letting him ''in'' - <br><br>Letting him feel her ''anger'' and her ''fury'', that they tried to ''take him away'', that they even ''dared'' to think she was wanting, as Wicked Lady's emissary she is ''perfect'' because their daughter has nothing less. Letting him feel her love, and her amusement, that even now ''she knows him best'', because of course he's coming with her. Of course that was what he was going to offer. Of course he's coming with her, because he was never, ever, going to last far away from them.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Mamoru Chiba (38)}} has posed:'''<br>That's-- Mamoru nods, relieved, when New Moon's face brightens ever so slightly. He starts to say something and suddenly gets yanked back by the collar, and his face goes almost comically alarmed. "No--!" he starts, and that doesn't work great, and Takashi starts-- protecting him.<br><br>He could cry it's so sweet, and it's such a bad idea.<br><br>"It's o--" there's too much going on and he can't even be heard, Takashi can hear himself and New Moon can hear herself, and maybe Masato can hear him, and maybe that's enough. "It's okay! Trust--"<br><br>And then New Moon lays into Takashi and he doesn't dare try to speak over her, even though every mean thought coming out of her mouth at his brother makes him flinch, and he looks to Masato and he looks ... frustrated. ''Dark energy makes people so stupid'' is written on his face, and so is an apology?<br><br>He wasn't kidding.<br><br>He watches Koji drag Minako away in relief, though, before ''oh''<br><br>''Oh.''<br><br>He can feel it all, and he's not guarding: she can feel his sorrow that she's sick, and the hope that maybe he can help. He's quite calm and matter-of-fact, this little dissociated part of him that's not getting hell kissed out of him; he agrees. No one has the right to come between Usagi and Mamoru, between Serenity and Endymion. Except if Wicked Lady wants cuddles.<br><br>But you know most of him is just hey wow, hot girl stronk. His hands come up to curl around her waist, and he's obviously hanging on and kissing back ''a lot''.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:40|Takashi Agera (40)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Takashi can't match the reflexes of another Dark General in henshin, but the more energy she spends the more of an idea he has of just who he was in the face of. The fact that she was able to do that almost effortlessly tells him a lot - tells Axion, his Device, a lot - and if he was that kind of person, he might second-guess the decision he just made to stand up to her.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But instead, he hears her words and they bother and annoy him, but there's not much he can do without giving away part of his own game. But... Her words didn't matter, anymore than his did, anymore than when he threatened to kill people and had no intent on following through.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;At least, that knowledge, that helped him roll through it. "You don't know me, but I've overcome a lot. You're still not meaner than kids in an orphanage, hon. Or my coworkers." But there were signals - the clenched fist, the tone of voice - some of what she'd thrown out had hit the mark... She was full of Dark Energy alright, her words were a mix of cruel and pompous that still wouldn't have been out of place in that office tower she was dissing.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;His hands clenched and he almost moved to step in the direction the girl just backflipped, but Axion reminded him, repeatedly, that he wasn't in henshin, that he DIDN'T have access to the power stolen from two fallen Directors right now, that he was just a youma-in-people-clothing, and he wasn't going to win a fight; the way she moved told him that, she was not a normal human bully he could just cast aside.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;...And then, THEN he remembers, oh cursed brain that's thinking about far too many things; he remembers because his Device is telling him things about the energy and the woman and... that means he has a Device. That means he can try and figure out what that gleam in Mamoru's eyes were. That knowing, trollish gleam, before he moved closer to someone he had to know was dangerous.<br><br>Heo it's a telepathic link from Axion that Mamoru gets, with just &lt;&lt;One: The hell?&gt;&gt; and &lt;&lt;Two: I know you've got ''something'' going on and I don't know what it is, but I'm about three seconds and a slight sight obstruction from henshin'ing and making her a whole lot less pretty by throwing her through a bulding or twenty, so you might wanna tell me unless you want a front row seat at how much stronger I've really gotten. So if you want me to leave you attached to the lamprey, you gotta affirm and explain.&gt;&gt;<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:27|Minako Aino (27)}} has posed:'''<br>Minako Aino finds herself dragged off by Koji who was far stronger than he looked for such a spindly guy, honestly, but... Seeing what she was seeing perhaps it was for the best. Even if it meant no takoyaki.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:90|Masato Sanjouin (90)}} has posed:'''<br>It is taking a back-breaking amount of trust in Mamoru, and the fact that he's seen far more surreal things, and at least one set of almost-questions that his brain can't quite connect by way of magical interferences, that keeps Masato somewhat level. It's a slippery ghost of a thing in the face of context, because he knows and does not know, but whatever the truth is about Usagi? Mamoru knows, and would only ever act in line with her interests here. <br><br>So rolling with the punches-- or kisses-- is all he can really do. <br><br>He sees that expression on Mamoru, though. A sigh hammers through his nose. <br><br>"We could all be enjoying Takoyaki, right now. That would be so much simpler." He passes a look to Takashi, and it's one that's understanding and also cool-- the steely one where things are actually going well enough, as long as he doesn't overthink things. But overthinking... That's the bastard of it. "He's in high demand, our Mamoru, but Wicked Lady certainly isn't going to be dissuaded until she has him."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|New Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>Once she has Mamoru - it's not that all of her anger washes away, or anything like that. It's more that... she has increasingly less room to be angry, with Mamoru's feelings - love, so incredibly powerful, and sorrow, that she's sick, and hope that he can help, and of course he can help, with the most important thing of all: keeping Wicked Lady happy, the way she deserves to be. <br><br>When she pulls back from the kiss, New Moon hums, satisfied, and lifts her head to look at Takashi and Masato, smirking a them. In the next instant, she's scooped Mamoru into her arms in a princess carry that her presence cannot make less ridiculous. He's taller and broader than her, and yet there he is, held in her arms, secure as anything else. <br><br>"That takoyaki sounded really good, too," she laments, looking at Masato. "I'm still watching you - but, just this once, I'll give you back points for good behavior. You could really take the #1 Good Boy spot, if you keep this up." <br><br>Still, there's nothing ''else'' to do, aside from give Mamoru just a moment to gather himself. <br><br>"I might not be as mean as kids in an orphanage, but I've got something they don't." And she winks at Takashi. "In case you couldn't tell, its your brother~!" <br><br>And then she's gone, teleported away with Mamoru, leaving behind only the traces of her dark energy.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Mamoru Chiba (38)}} has posed:'''<br>Right after Takashi telepaths himself into Mamoru's thoughts comes another Devicer's telepathic message. &lt;&lt;Hey Mamoru. That looks like a whole mess over there. Just checking to make sure you're okay.&gt;&gt;<br><br>Sent to both Takashi and Alosia from Mamoru because the prince has absolutely no idea how to avoid crosstalk especially since he's recovering from ''that kiss'': &lt;&lt;Hi! One: she's really hot I mean... Two: You know how you think my relationships need a flowchart? I guess you're right. There's... stuff involving wedding planning, and I literally can't say anything other than that this is totally consensual and I'm not under any weird influences. Oh hi Aloe-kun, yeah I'm fine I mean honestly except for the dark energy this is... really nice. I mean... wow. She's so strong! Anyway we're playing Wicked Lady's game and you have to trust me.&gt;&gt;<br><br>Telepathy: a hell of a drug. They get Mamoru's stuttering thoughts but not the emotional content-- it's probably kind of funny, like funny ha-ha, to 'listen' to. Very Distracted Boy.<br><br>He hears Masato talking and it feels almost like it's underwater, and he hangs on to New Moon, and he hears ''her'' talking, and there's so much dark energy, but-- it's also ''her''. His heart flutters in his chest, and he claps a hand over his mouth at the last thing New Moon says, in the middle of turning to look at her when they teleport.<br><br>That could have gone a lot worse?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:40|Takashi Agera (40)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Takashi isn't happy with Mamoru's response, but he doesn't pursue the matter - or the woman - further. He just drops his hands and scowls in their general direction. Instead, all he can do is look at Nephrite with a sort of empathy for his frustration, and the knowledge that the two of them have absolutely shared this frustration before.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Well... I guess we shouldn't let the takoyaki go to waste." Takashi says. "And maybe plan a rescue. Or just figure out how many ways we can call him an idiot in text. I speak five languages, that's my offer for a start on the cursing." he says, walking over to Masato - the man he knew for a year on as Nephrite. Who still was Nephrite, albeit without an Obsidian keycard.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:90|Masato Sanjouin (90)}} has posed:'''<br>"It is fantastic takoyaki, though I thought that documentary about octopi would've turned him off of it, if I'm honest." Masato muses, tilting his head and clapping Takashion the back-- solidarity. <br><br>"Come on. I have a running start concerning traps and safeguards during the wedding. Which is now a fantastic opportunity to run some interference around all this pink-haired business."<br> <br>
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