View source for 2593/Seeing A Woman About A Wedding

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2025/06/06
|Location=Tokyo
|Synopsis=New Moon wants to get in on some of the wedding planning and fun. The best way to do it is to kidnap Makoto, right? Well, for a value of kidnapping that mostly means 'taking her out for cake tasting', anyway.
|Cast of Characters=43,45
|Tinyplot=Black Moon Clan
|Tinyplot2=BMC: Wicked Ride
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:43|New Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>It's late afternoon on a Thursday, and New Moon's hair was cut a bit over twenty-four hours ago, now. She's still unhappy with it, though she's resolved to move on, because her Wicked Lady will only be fond through so much sulking, she suspects, and besides - there really is a lot to do. Normally, she'd be ''so'' involved in this process, in making ''perfectly'' sure that everything is just what she wants - <br><br>But this isn't normal. So she can't do that. And if she wants to know exactly what's going on? <br><br>She has to make her own opportunities. <br><br>Thus, why she's been watching Makoto walk around for the last ten minutes from the shadows, looking out for the perfect moment to snatch her guardian Senshi away for a chat.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:45|Makoto Kino (45)}} has posed:'''<br>Makoto has been busy. With her bag over her shoulder and a planner and pen in hand, she's spent her after-school time walking around to several different groceries and specialty shops, looking for inspiration and making a list of ingredients. She's been far too intent on her task to notice at all that she's being watched.<br><br>Eventually, seeming satisfied with her efforts, she closes the planner around the pen and tucks both into her tote bag. Spotting a vending machine on the corner, she heads for it. <br><br>It's as she's perusing the selection that the back of her neck prickles. Her head lifts, her back straightening as she glances around her.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|New Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>Watching Makoto go around and check the shops, looking around for everything she might need, is so much fun. It would be ''more'' fun to be right there with her... <br><br>"So, what all do you still need to buy? You have a bunch of flour and sugar and stuff from KiraKiraFantastica, right? You looking for filling supplies?" <br><br>Yes, she's just suddenly ''there'', by Makoto's side, as though she'd always been there, a girl of Usagi's height and build, with shoulder length pink hair and bright blue eyes, both shadowed by the brim of a straw hat with a mauve ribbon. There's a black crescent moon on her forehead.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:45|Makoto Kino (45)}} has posed:'''<br>Makoto jumps a little at the unexpected voice; her head whips around toward New Moon, and her eyes widen as she takes in the girl's appearance. Small, slight - but that black crescent moon is a telltale sign. <br><br>Mako's lips thin as her expression turns guarded. "I guess you're New Moon, then?" <br><br>Her hand hovers near the mouth of her bag, like she's thinking about going for the henshin pen that she just tucked into her planner and stowed only moments ago.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|New Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>"I am," she says, cheerful in response to all that jumping, "And I've been meaning to talk to you about wedding planning, since the bride is otherwise pre-occupied. Mamoru told you I'm her proxy, right?" <br><br>She hums and cocks her head, looking her up and down for a moment. <br><br>"There's no need for all that. I'm not here to pick a fight with you, I just wanted to know if you decided how you're going to decorate the cakes!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:45|Makoto Kino (45)}} has posed:'''<br>Makoto stays as she is for a long moment, regarding New Moon with those sharp green eyes. Eventually, though, she sighs and lets her arm relax back to her side. "He did tell me that, yeah."<br><br>Of course as Usagi's proxy, New Moon would be entitled to an update on how planning was going. And with that being the case, there's no sense in picking a fight with her. All the same, Makoto clearly has some misgivings about the whole situation.<br><br>"The wedding cake, yes, I know what I'm going to do for that one. The guys only told me about Wicked Lady's cake the other day, so I'm still working on ideas for it."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|New Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>"Good! Then you already know I've got plenty of questions!" She casually reaches up and slips a hand through Makoto's arm, looping their arms as she lightly tugs her along. "Don't worry about the vending machine. I know a place where we can get some ''great'' snacks. And you can tell me more about these cake woes!" <br><br>Tug, tug, she can't pull her very far without Makoto's approval, but she's casually trying. <br><br>"No, they only just told you? Come ''on'' boys, you've got to do better! I can't run around managing this whole thing." A beat. "I mean, I could try, but I don't think anyone wants that..."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:45|Makoto Kino (45)}} has posed:'''<br>With a reluctant glance toward the vending machine, Makoto lets herself be tugged, falling into step in whatever direction New Moon is trying to pull her. "They're doing their best," she says, compelled to defend the guys in this. "There's a lot to manage, especially since the bride and the groom are both pretty much AWOL. Masato-kun's exhausted, you know?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|New Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>"Mmm, that's fair. Especially since he's going to marry you," she drops that casually, glancing up at Makoto to gauge her reaction. "I didn't know you two had it off ''that'' well." <br><br>Tell her everything, tell her more, she wants to ''know'', come on, come on, let her know!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:45|Makoto Kino (45)}} has posed:'''<br>Makoto stops dead in her tracks, right there on the sidewalk. <br><br>"''What?''" Her voice rises sharply, a little too loud; immediately she's blushing, face turning pink and hot with self-consciousness. Her shoulders hitch defensively, hiking the carry strap of her tote up a little. "We're not - who told you that?"<br><br>On the bright side, she's rattled enough to forget to be suspicious of New Moon?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|New Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>"Mamoru made a joke about marrying Kunzite, and ''he'' said something about the two of you getting married," she says airily, "And I thought to myself, 'what! when did that happem?!' And who better to tell me all about it than you? A girl in love is the most honest of all!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:45|Makoto Kino (45)}} has posed:'''<br>"Well, he sure hasn't mentioned it to ''me'' yet!" Mako's still blushing. She might not stop blushing for hours at this rate.<br><br>That's all she says at first. Filling New Moon in on wedding plans and cake details is one thing - that was the agreement, New Moon as Usagi's proxy while Usagi stays safe from Demande. The state of Makoto's own love life is a whole different matter.<br><br>But--<br><br>She's rarely missed Usagi's presence so keenly as she has since they got back from Crystal Tokyo. She never got the chance to talk to her friend about the kiss in the infirmary, and it's been ''killing'' her.<br><br>"At least let's sit down first," she sighs. "Where's this place we're going?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|New Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>"So he's as presumptuous as he is handsome," New Moon tsks, "Well, he's definitely yours. If you don't approve, I'm sure we could do something about him~!" <br><br>It's not said in any kind of threatening tone, instead, it's warm and cheerful and with that undertone of, 'whatever you want, I can make it happen'. It's something Usagi would say. <br><br>New Moon sighs, wistful, "I can't believe I'm missing it all! But not to worry. We're going to do something better today - we're going to a French patisserie to sample ''wedding cakes''." <br><br>Her voice is gleeful, excited, and she swings her arm with Makoto's, visibly and audibly excited. <br><br>"Obviously you're making the real cakes, and they'll be way better than these, but still! Wedding planning is supposed to have all kinds of fun stops and shops and things, and we haven't gotten to do nearly enough of it."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:45|Makoto Kino (45)}} has posed:'''<br>There's a sort of mild surprise in the look Makoto gives New Moon, as they start walking again. Maybe a measure of re-evaluation? It's hard not to warm to her, when she has the same kind of infectious cheer that Usagi always has.<br><br>"That does sound like fun," she agrees, not at all ruffled by the idea of the bridal party tasting someone else's cakes. "If Usagi-chan or Mamoru-san or Chi--that is, Wicked Lady--finds anything they especially like, make sure to let me know. There's still time to adjust the plan for the wedding cake if we need to."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|New Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>"Usagi trusts you on the decor, and the flavors," New Moon says, shaking her head. "Strawberries are a good summer fruit, and white cake is nice, especially with cream! And the decor... you've always had elegant, pretty tastes, so you'll definitely make a good wedding cake design - if it's up to Usagi, she'd definitely put bunnies and oversized hearts on it." <br><br>She knows this about herself! She loves branding, more than is really necessary. <br><br>"Besides! If we really like the flavors, we can pack them up and Mamoru and Wicked Lady can try them later. I wonder how they do these samplers, anyway, do they really make a whole cake, just so we can try a piece?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:45|Makoto Kino (45)}} has posed:'''<br>If it were Usagi herself, Makoto wouldn't be able to resist teasing her--''bunnies and giant hearts could still happen.'' But this is New Moon, so she just smiles, the corners of her mouth tugging irrepressibly upward at the casual assertion of Usagi's faith in her good taste.<br><br>"I don't know for sure," she hazards, "but... probably not a whole cake. It's probably a set of mini cakes, just big enough for you to see how each one tastes." A beat. "That's what I'd do, at least."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|New Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>"Hmm, that makes sense," New Moon hums, bouncing her head. "Miniature cakes, instead of pieces of a whole cake... but that means that it's probably not exactly like the real wedding cakes... well! At least we get to try a bunch of flavors. There's nine of them at the place we're going today!" <br><br>Nine flavors of cake... nine ''pieces'' of cake, just for them to sample and try and roll around in delight over... <br><br>"By the way, have you had any desire to come and join Wicked Lady and Mamoru and me?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:45|Makoto Kino (45)}} has posed:'''<br>"Not even a little bit." There's no hesitation in Makoto's reply, but no heat either. It's simply a statement of fact, delivered in a conversational tone. "Sorry. It just wouldn't suit me... and besides, who would bake the cakes then?"<br><br>She strolls along a few more steps before she adds, in the same tone, "Thank you for looking out for Usagi-chan, though. And Mamoru-san and Chibiusa-chan."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|New Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>"That's what I thought you'd say," New Moon says with very real regret, glancing sideways at Makoto. "I'm really surprised not a one of you wants to come and be with your princess - I mean, just because Wicked Lady's all grown up now doesn't mean she doesn't need guardians..." <br><br>But then she hums a little, and shrugs. <br><br>"But you're not wrong. They don't even have a microwave on the ship, let alone an oven. We're ''starving'' Makochan! Nothing for any of us to eat but all the take-out and junk food we can steal." <br><br>So sad.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:45|Makoto Kino (45)}} has posed:'''<br>Makoto pauses midstep, glancing alongside at New Moon. And sighs softly.<br><br>It's really unfair that New Moon is so much like Usagi. <br><br>"I can send you back with some bentos," she offers, with a sense of resignation. "It's no good for you guys to go hungry, and only take-out and junk food isn't a lot better. You ought to have some real homemade meals occasionally at least." She adds a mental note to herself to make sure to have a few bentos prepared at Mamoru's place, in case one of them turns up later on wanting food.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|New Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>"Makochan, you really might be the third best person on the planet, maybe even second best sometimes," New Moon says passionately - she spins and grabs Makoto's hands, pulling them up and clutching them tight in her own. "Ahh, Makochan's homemade bento! An angel has blessed Wicked Lady!" <br><br>And the rest of them, but really, this has presently made her most excited for the fact that ''Wicked Lady'' is going to be eating good quality homemade food!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:45|Makoto Kino (45)}} has posed:'''<br>Despite the whole situation, Makoto can't help but laugh a little. "Third best works for me," she says, with genuine amusement. "Though I'm not sure who you're counting as first and second." Other than, she supposes, Wicked Lady is one of them. Perhaps Usagi is the other?<br><br>Abruptly some of the things New Moon said several minutes ago connect in the back of Mako's head, bringing her up short. "--um," she says, "just checking, but... the cake tasting you were talking about. Did you mean 'us' as in you and Usagi, or 'us' as in you and me, right now?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|New Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>"Second best depends on the day, but right now it's been Mamoru a lot," New Moon replies very honestly. "He's Wicked Lady's other favorite toy, after all!" <br><br>And then, Makoto reminds her of exactly what she said earlier, and she balks. "Ah! I totally forgot, but that's right, I meant you and me, because ''you're'' the all important baker, after all! Come on, Makochan, we better hurry!" <br><br>Makoto will find her hand grabbed and then she's being well... yanked along. New Moon is a lot stronger than she looks.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:45|Makoto Kino (45)}} has posed:'''<br>There's a startled noise from Makoto, who was definitely not expecting to be pulled along with such strength. She recovers quickly, though, long legs keeping pace as New Moon hurries them along.<br><br>"All right... but I feel like at least one of Usagi-chan or Mamoru-san should really be here for this, shouldn't they?" It feels wrong, doing a cake tasting without them, even if she's the one who's going to end up doing the baking. "...Well, I guess I still need to figure out what to make for Wicked Lady's cake, either way."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|New Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>"Eh, if they wanted to come along, they'd have made the plans! Don't worry, this is a treat for you! After all, one of these days you'll be the blushing bride, so you've got to figure out what it looks like to be treated in style, Makochan!" <br><br>One of these days, but not too soon, otherwise she'll be shipping Masato down the river! Her Makochan needs to be romanced before she gets surprised with a wedding! "Oooh, you know, for Wicked Lady, make sure there's no carrots! And make sure it's cute, she loves cute things. Have you ever seen our cars?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:45|Makoto Kino (45)}} has posed:'''<br>Makoto just smiles, a little bemused as she finds herself carried along on the wave of New Moon's enthusiasm. "Hey," she laughs, "I'm not getting married any time soon. Yeah, Masato-kun kissed me, but I still don't know if that even means we're dating or what..."<br><br>She shakes her head, trying to put the matter aside again. "No carrots, of course." That much, she took as a given. "I definitely haven't seen your--you have ''cars''?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|New Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>"He ''kissed you''?! But you liked it, right? It was enjoyable and consensual and all of that and I don't have to make Mamoru mad at me by busting anyone's kneecaps?" This is a very funny thing to say now, days before Catra's knees will be broken. It will not be as funny to remember after. "It doesn't mean you're dating until he's taken you out! Remember, you're a classy woman, protector of Wicked Lady herself! You deserve all the best and nothing less, or what does that say about our Lady?" <br><br>Treat yourself with all the dignity and care that your princess deserves! <br><br>They're rushing along, and the people who see them coming hurriedly get out of their way. Soon they'll be at that cake shop, and everything will be fine and dandy. <br><br>"We do! Technically, they might be youma. Or maybe they're just constructs. Or maybe Wicked Lady bullied Saphir into making them? But they're Barbie Pink and Adorable!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:45|Makoto Kino (45)}} has posed:'''<br>"Yes, I liked it!" Makoto hurries to reassure, looking perhaps slightly alarmed at New Moon's willingness to break Masato's kneecaps. "He was already all beat up at the time, he couldn't have done anything I didn't want him to..." She's blushing fiercely now, not quite sure how she's ended up on this topic. "And technically we've already gone out to dinner, it was just sort of a 'we'll see what happens' kind of thing, and we haven't really had a lot of time to talk since we got back from the future..."<br><br>May they reach the cake shop soon, if only so they can turn their attention to tasting and end Makoto's flustering. (Yeah right.)<br><br>"...Barbie Pink adorable car constructs sounds about right," Mako has to admit. "So, cute things. And pink. Got it."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|New Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>"Oh, ho ho you made a move on an injured man! Excellent! Making sure he can't escape, that's so perfect!" Oh, someone in the world should save Makoto from this genuinely delighted - <br><br>AND THAT SOMEONE IS THE FANCY FRENCH PATISSERIE THAT THEY'VE JUST ARRIVED AT! It's an ordinary building on the outside, but once they've gotten to the elevator, they'll be riding up, up, to the lovely patisserie on the eighth floor that will be the subject of today's delightful tasting. <br><br>"Don't let him wait too long. I'm sure he likes you and is just overwhelmed with everything going on, since he's decide to reject Dark Energy and isn't allowed to just hang out with us like Mamoru is." Tsk tsk, sucks to be him. If only he would just accept Dark Energy and join her daughter in conquering the world - or at least, having fun in it. <br><br>The elevator dings, and they're allowed out, into an elegant, beautiful patisserie that might as well transport them back to France, minus all the horrors that were seen there. <br><br>"It's exactly what you would expect from us!"<br> <br>
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