View source for 2608/My Mouth Is Full of Creampuff

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2025/06/11
|Location=Cafe BAKE Neko
|Synopsis=Poor Ami and Masato have to deal socially with New Moon and Wicked Mask. Again.
|Cast of Characters=38,122,90,43
|Tinyplot=BMC: Wicked Ride
|Tinyplot2=Black Moon Clan
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:38|Wicked Mask (38)}} has posed:'''<br>A black-haired boy with frosted bubblegum pink tips comes in through the cat airlock. He's wearing a very loose black-and-mauve cotton haori over a violently pink t-shirt that has a picture of a giant rat pushing over an oil drum, and the text: 'Unfortunately the vibe is continuing to deteriorate'. It is, of course, over black skinny jeans and criminally expensive dress shoes. He has a package in one hand, clean glasses, and a black moon on his forehead. It's perfectly drawn but has a little smudge on the upper crescent line.<br><br>Anyway it's obviously Mamoru, and he laughs and puts a nervous new cashier at ease with what looks like a tattoo on his face,,, by putting a finger on it, drawing it away so she can see the black, and then wiping it back off on his black jeans. He can be seen animatedly spinning a hilarious lie, then ordering something. While he's waiting for his order, he turns and looks to see who-all is here, and he spots a girl with blue hair and a distinctive computer, and a half-dead boy with a coffee in hand and a cat on his shoulder.<br><br>He waves.<br><br>Then he turns and picks up his beverage, and also his box of pastries, though none of them are Mako-baked specialties until after the wedding-- and he sort of putters over and invites himself to sit down.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:122|Ami Mizuno (122)}} has posed:'''<br>Ami appears absolutely absorbed into whatever shes doing, fingers darting across keyboard with grace and lightning. Sapphire eyes lift from screen to catch the approaching Mamoru while charts and data reflect indistinctly for the warping of the glass glasses perched at the end of her nose.<br><br>He's met with a smile, tight around the edges before she settles back into her seat. Coffee ascends to lips for a sip before she finally speaks.<br><br>"Good afternoon, Mamoru-kun!" Ami seems fine, if perhaps a little forcibly cheerful.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:90|Masato Sanjouin (90)}} has posed:'''<br>"It's the man with the plan," Masato murmured, one sapphire eye cracking open behind sunglasses-- yes, sunglesses indoors, an open faux pas to disguise his tiredness. <br><br>There's a smaller white cat kneading on his shoulder, half sat upon the back of his seat, and Masato isn't resisting in the slightest even as claws harrass a designer brand shirt. It isn't silk, at the very least, but it's still quite a rare sight to see the man resigned to such a thing. He doesn't even move when the feline bumps its head against his affectionately, save to lift his coffee up and sip at it.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Wicked Mask (38)}} has posed:'''<br>Putting his to-go cup down and the pastry box down next to it, Mamoru pushes his glasses up on his face and gives Ami a look that says 'your trying to save my face isn't working', wry and ... less tired and overwhelmed than he was the last time either of them saw him. "Good afternoon, you two," he says. "My shirt is accurate. It's very stressful. But I get breaks. And I got a little purification earlier to get the dark energy off me. Takashi-kun was right when he got so mad, I ''am'' allergic to the stuff. Even prolonged proximity is a bad scene. Literally everybody was right. The problem is, so was I -- there ''isn't'' another way to deal with this unless someone can think of one."<br><br>He picks up his coffee in one hand, sips it, and puts it down, and then picks up the cat off Neph's shoulder and cuddles it, scritch scritch scritch. "All that said, how are you guys holding up? I wish I could tell you more. It's just that so much depends on as few people knowing where Usagi is as possible." A pause. "When this is done, you're going to have to help her a LOT with her school work, catching up. She insists that she shouldn't have to do it."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:122|Ami Mizuno (122)}} has posed:'''<br>"I've been keeping notes on her behalf in class." Ami assured Mamoru at the barest hint of study-related futures.<br><br>The supercomputer was closed over slowly and the senshi lifted glasses off of her face to rub at the bridge of her nose. Right out of the gate, ''I wish I could tell you more.''<br><br>"Yeah, I know." She sighed a little quietly. "And I get all of that, but it's still hard sometimes. Minako-chan is worried and sad, and I'm worried and sad, and I've still got to keep her propped up and not failing her classes and all of that--"<br><br>No. None of that was Mamoru's ''fault''. He already had enough to worry about. "I'm sorry. It's been a rough transition back, you know?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:90|Masato Sanjouin (90)}} has posed:'''<br>"Of course." Masato shrugs the shoulder, now freed of cat, "But 'literally everybody' don't have as much skin in the game as you do, and you know your limits. I caught a flash myself possessing one of those damned bots in Crystal Tokyo, and apart from being a little more terse, I handled it." <br><br>Measured risks, and all. Masato doesn't care to be condescended to by others about such things, anyway. He knows. Mamoru knows. They know what they're doing, even when they're forced to make things up as they go along-- at least, Masato certainly would like to think so. <br><br>Of course Mamoru would get himself lightened up a bit, when necessary. After Nemesis, was there any doubt he could do this? <br><br>Still, he glanced to Ami, a little sympathetic to her anxieties, and grimaced. "I know enough. I told Usagi-chan before they were taken, I'd do whatever was necessary. She knows that, I'm sure. And I trust you, so-- that's that. We'll get through it."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Wicked Mask (38)}} has posed:'''<br>"Oh, it's hard all right-- it's hard on Usagi too, she misses you all a lot. And she's also aggravated at having to share ''her wedding day'' with Chibiusa, when we explicitly DIDN'T put it on her birthday even though it would have worked better for the schedule..." He laughs and it's a little sick. "I'm also worried and sad. This sucks so much."<br><br>The cat he's hugging wriggles to be put down, and he puts it down, and it heads right back for Nephrite.<br><br>This time Mamoru just picks up his drink and leaves Masato to his cat fate.<br><br>"I'd give her a hug from you, but then she might send New Moon to hug you back," he says to Ami, then turns to Masato. "I'm really glad you trust me. Trusting me ''usually'' works." Sip, sip. "Even if sometimes you end up covered in caramel."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:122|Ami Mizuno (122)}} has posed:'''<br>"If she needs the hug, I'm not so sure I'd mind." The senshi grimaced with a short laugh. "If I have to brave New Moon for a little bit, the piece of hope and connection would be worth it."<br><br>Honestly, she wasn't really sure what else to say. There wasn't a great deal that Ami wouldn't do for Usagi for their relationship as well, let alone the sorts of things that Sailor Mercury would endure for Sailor Moon and her Princess.<br><br>It was nice to think that Mamoru would look out for her, in some manner, though.<br><br>"I know you're worried, too. You do put on a very brave face, though." Ami observed with a wan smile of attempted reassurance. "''You'' are doing okay though, right? You've got a lot on your shoulders too and there's a lot that we can't directly help with."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:90|Masato Sanjouin (90)}} has posed:'''<br>"We can all blame the Black Moon clan for the fact that now we're all going to have to take a moment to acknowledge the birthday, during the wedding. But what's done is done, and Chibiusa's getting her cake and eating it, too." And Masato and Mamoru had it on their faces, too. Such was the cost of mitigating the damage a Dark General could do. <br><br>He sighed, running his hand along the cat as it arced beneath palm. "At least there'll be no doubt remaining, that she's being prioritised and deeply cared for. Hells, Coco-san may even sneak a present for Chibiusa into the wedding gifts, from the sounds of things... I did tell her it was a week after. Even so. She'll probably feel a bit tender after... everything, some kindness before the real event starts won't go astray."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Wicked Mask (38)}} has posed:'''<br>"Then I'll give her a hug for you," Mamoru tells Ami more gently than he's been. "New Moon wouldn't hurt you for fun. She might hurt you by accident, and I don't know if she'd hurt you if you went after Wicked Lady, but probably not." This time he takes ''his'' glasses off, but it's to carefully rub at his eyes without smudging his forehead worse. "Just. Be aware that Wicked Lady can brainwash people. I don't ''think'' New Moon can." A beat. "I hope it's obvious," he says, putting his glasses back on, "that I have not been brainwashed."<br><br>He smiles a little crookedly at the comment about his brave face, and he shrugs one shoulder. "I'm good at masking. It's even in the name."<br><br>Then his smile turns to something softer at the end of what Neph says. "She doesn't doubt that ''we'' love her, and I don't think she'll start doubting it after she's purified." He sits up a little more, hands curling around his cup. "But yeah, making sure she knows we're not mad at ''her'' is good. I fell for a line like that when I was thirteen. You fell at fourteen, and it was to me. I can hardly blame a kindergartner, you know? No one should. She was under an unbelievable amount of stress."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:122|Ami Mizuno (122)}} has posed:'''<br>"I'm not going to go after Wicked Lady, Mamoru-kun." Ami assured him with a gentle nod. "So, I'm probably pretty safe, all things considered."<br><br>Assuming, of course, that Mamoru were trustworthy and Ami certainly believed that he was. His assurance of her safety, in a round-about way, was plenty enough for her. She bit at her lower lip and let her volume dip.<br><br>"Well, not ''yet'' anyway. When we're at the wedding, it'll be a different story. But, we all know the plan there."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:90|Masato Sanjouin (90)}} has posed:'''<br>A nod agreed with Mamoru, that letting Chibiusa know any anger rested solely upon their enemies was paramount. He couldn't have been angry with that girl if he tried. He had empathy for her situation in many directions, but the fact that it was Mamoru's future daughter-- it was their Chibiusa, who they all cared about a great deal-- amplified things all the more. <br><br>"It's hard to watch her go through all this," And Mamoru too, though he didn't say it aloud just now, "But I'm just trying to look ahead to when we have them back safely. Then... it'll be onto the next set of problems." <br><br>He shook his head, gently soothed by the softness of fur as he continued to pet the cat. "But, at least for a day, we can focus on love. And that's something sorely needed, I think."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Wicked Mask (38)}} has posed:'''<br>"I am reminded-- in your preparations, don't forget that they can both teleport," Mamoru tells Ami. Then to both of them, "I think it'd probably be a good idea to go after New Moon as soon as possible. Before the actual wedding. Probably before even aperitifs and hors d'oeuvres in the courtyard."<br><br>Mamoru finishes his coffee and leeeeeans over and Leans On Neph's Shoulder On Purpose. "It's really hard for Usagi to have to watch this too," he sighs. "And at least the next set of problems won't be these problems."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:122|Ami Mizuno (122)}} has posed:'''<br>Ami sighed and closed her eyes again. ''They can both teleport.'' She was well aware of this as a problem, the vast majority of her planning had been dedicated toward ''trying'' to find a way to mitigate this risk. Having Wicked Lady join in on the initial purification attempts at New Moon were likely to spiral matters well into the realms of the unwieldy.<br><br>Mamoru knew all of that already. He was in on the majority of the details.<br><br>"At least we'll have Usagi-chan home for the next set of problems." Ami was forced to remind herself, then she shook her head. "That does remind me, though. Rashmi-san and I are going to look at tracking Izou-kun's old phone, as well. The one that Saphir has? Maybe that'll give us some heads-up for when the rest of the problems come knocking."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:90|Masato Sanjouin (90)}} has posed:'''<br>Masato's arm moved to wrap Mamoru's shoulders in a languid fashion, while he was leaning on him. A casual but comfortable thing, while he took another sip at his coffee. <br><br>"The Live Stage is coming out for New Moon specifically, too." He mused, contented by the contact and presence. "That'll be fun." His tone suggested the opposite, of course.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Wicked Mask (38)}} has posed:'''<br>"Oh that's an excellent idea," Mamoru says, brightening as he settles into the lazy hug. "I can't actually track where they are on the ship, and I'm not allowed anywhere on the ship without Wicked Lady or New Moon there with me, and they tend to avoid Demande and Saphir when I'm around. So I'm not able to tell when they leave."<br><br>A beat. "Oh uh. That's literally where we are at when we're not around causing trouble. They are ''already here''." Another pause. "And actually I don't know where the ship is except 'somewhere in orbit', I just teleport to where Chibiusa and New Moon are, which is where New Moon teleported me."<br><br>"Um, I don't think the live stage will be enough to hold New Moon. Might also need a Wako-chan hamster-ball layered on top of it."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:122|Ami Mizuno (122)}} has posed:'''<br>It was enough to know that they ''were here''. That was news and important enough for her to get on to. With as much focus as had been settled on Wicked Lady and New Moon, there was no telling what the other two could have been up to given the distraction.<br><br>Ami added it to her mental list of things to be concerned about. It was growing rapidly into quite a long list. She managed to keep any of it rising to her expression by hiding it behind her cappuccino.<br><br>"I think we've got several purifiers lined up, already." Ami informed now as the cup dipped away again.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:90|Masato Sanjouin (90)}} has posed:'''<br>"That's the plan," Masato notes of Wako and Coco holding New Moon, "They're both singing, so they'll be working together. Everything set up is a multi-pronged attack. Meanwhile, Alo-chan is doing the--" <br><br>He squinted, too tired to remember the exact name, "Pyramidden-something... to help contain Wicked Lady, while Ami-chan's blessed-ice trap springs, amongst other things." He sips coffee, murmuring through all this as if he might nap there before too long.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Wicked Mask (38)}} has posed:'''<br>Mamoru eyes Ami briefly as she non-reacts to his explanation that they're in orbit. And ... as Neph also non-reacts, he gets the look as well. "In orbit," he tries repeating. "I'm hanging out in outer space in the den of evil that's ''in outer space''." A beat. "In a spaceship that's been modded to run on evil. But it's still a spaceship. That I'm hanging out in."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:122|Ami Mizuno (122)}} has posed:'''<br>Ami blinked and shook her head, eyes shifted to catch Mamoru. She smiled and even managed to giggle a little to herself. There was something very boyish in that, something endearing and distinctly ''friend'' that managed to bring Ami back into the present.<br><br>Away from that growing list.<br><br>"I'd ask you to give me a tour of it, Mamoru-kun, but I think that'd probably be a bad idea." Ami hummed curiously to herself. "I suppose that also means you could be arriving to your wedding on the moon in style."<br><br>He was, after all, also having a wedding on the moon.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:90|Masato Sanjouin (90)}} has posed:'''<br>"Right, right. Like that game you like. Stellaris." Masato seems to get the hint now, though his absolute ''lack of enthusiasm'' for Mamoru being on a Black Moon Clan spaceship evidently seems to undercut the reaction his friend is hoping for. That, and the confirmation that they were in orbit-- unsurprising, but another added weight to things. <br><br>He offered Mamoru a small pat on the upper arm, "I already think you're cool. Unless we get to keep the spaceship-- doubtful given the evil, but... I'm very fond of our little blue planet and having my feet on the ground. Take a selfie with it out a window for me."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|New Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>Into this familiar cafe comes the specter of death! No, wait, that's just a goth gi- oh, no that's just New Moon. The black dressing wearing Dark General crosses the store's threshold calmly enough, her shoulder-length pink hair swishing as she turns her head, looking around for, and then finding, Mamoru. <br><br>"Mamoru, Masato, Ami! How wonderful to see you all grouped up, are you talking about the wedding? Or better yet, our darling Lady?" <br><br>It's a good thing she called, as the trio of conspirators will have the opportunity to swiftly change the subject.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Wicked Mask (38)}} has posed:'''<br>"I have taken ''many'' selfies," Mamoru says firmly, "and I will continue to." He un-leans slowly, pat-patting Masato's arm in return, and he grins at Ami. "I honestly hope we just teleport--"<br><br>And in walks New Moon! Masato and Ami can ''both'' see him brighten as she comes into the room; he's turning and smiling before she even speaks up.<br><br>"Come sit! We're talking about both, actually," he says, standing even as he says 'come sit', holding his arms out. "I don't think it's a good idea for us to arrive that way, Ami-chan. Seriss Nyx is explicitly not invited, and so are the creeper and his brother. Wicked Lady ''hates'' him. And he beat me up and he made Wicked Lady have to come up with the game... so we shouldn't park the spaceship on the moon."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:122|Ami Mizuno (122)}} has posed:'''<br>That was good enough news. If it was unlikely for Saphir and Demande to appear due to Wicked Lady's influence, it was unlikely they would present a significant problem on the tail end of the purifications. The dense concentration of mahou at the event was, likewise, a fairly pursuasive deterrent.<br><br>Even so, she'd rather know where they were. It was never a bad thing to be able to track your enemy's whereabouts.<br><br>Ami turned her attention toward the approaching goth the moment her voice cut across the air. She'd only seen New Moon once before, but she could have sworn she had longer hair the last time.<br><br>"Oh, yes. We're all cakes and bunting over here today!" Did you even do bunting for a wedding? Ami had no clue, that was Minako's area of expertise.<br><br>Ami lifted coffee for a sip only to, with evident disappointment, discover it was empty. She was out of cappuccino.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:90|Masato Sanjouin (90)}} has posed:'''<br>It's a damned good thing Masato is still wearing his sunglasses to hide the tiredness, because his eyes widen at the sight of New Moon's incredibly shortened hair. It's enough to leave him lost for words, though he doesn't know the particulars. Such a drastic change, to go from the braid that not so long ago could smack people with its weight when she turned to... ''that''. <br><br>He removes his arm from Mamoru to break contact-- to remove any impetus for New Moon to insist upon it-- and unconsciously, his hand moves up to clutch unconsciously at a lock of his own brown tresses. <br><br>"Right, absolutely no stalkers or freaks allowed on the moon," he murmured distractedly, and tried to disguise the shock with coffee. He cleared his throat.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|New Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>"What's bunting?" New Moon squints at Ami, looking puzzled - it's entirely possible she's forgotten the word, and equally possible she never knew of it. And it's a ''damn'' good thing that no one mentions the hair, because it's certainly still a sore spot for New Moon, even if she's stopped complaining about it at Wicked Lady's request. "Mamoru, did you miss us?" <br><br>She glances at him with satisfaction, then pulls up a chair to join them, nodding sharply. "Correct. Mad scientists and stalkers are not welcome on this wedding day. And if they show up, I'm not going to be responsible for my actions."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Wicked Mask (38)}} has posed:'''<br>"What even ''is'' bunting, anyway?" asks Mamoru of Ami at the same time as New Moon, a little mystified. Then he looks at New Moon again and grins as he sits back down, sliding the pastry box in front of her. "Since you're here, we can eat these and I'll buy our Lady new ones."<br><br>Creampuffs and macarons. Truly a feast.<br><br>"Well," the prince objects, "Riv is best man, so, ''one'' mad scientist, but I'm making him behave. He's writing a speech and everything. I'm really curious what nice things he'll say in front of other people." The corners of his eyes crinkle with ''this'' grin-- but then he sees Neph with his hair, looking at Moon, and he looks grimly at the other boy and nods.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:122|Ami Mizuno (122)}} has posed:'''<br>"It's what Agera-san is, according to Masato-kun. 'Flesh-coloured bunting', to be precise." Ami clarified for both Mamoru and New Moon. "I didn't know what it was myself until I looked it up. Turns out, it's those rows of little flags that people hang up for celebrations."<br><br>Ami definitely wasn't the technical expert on party planning and decoration that she was in other domains. It was, therefore, quite a good thing that they had Izou and Minako to fall back on. Probably Masato, too.<br><br>That reminded her of something, though, and she leaned a little to poke around in her backpack. It had been set against the leg of her chair the whole time, the small bluejay hung from the latch that held the top fold down when closed. It was a small spiral-bound notebook that she recovered, watching New Moon warily with her lip between her teeth.<br><br>"You're Usagi-chan's intermediary, right? Would you be able to get this to her?" The notebook was offered.<br><br>If checked, predictably enough, it would be the class-notes Ami had been keeping for Usagi. Homework. There wasn't a chance that amidst all of the current craziness that the senshi had forgotten about Usagi's grades.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:90|Masato Sanjouin (90)}} has posed:'''<br>Masato nearly chokes on his coffee, and stares at Ami-- which is becoming a frequent habit, a sort of silent plea, 'Ami-chan, *please*''-- and coughs into his hand. "Yes, well..." <br><br>He sets his cup down, and moves to stand, collecting Ami's empty cup as he goes. "I'll get you another cappuccino. New Moon, would you like a drink?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|New Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>"He's not being a mad scientist ''at'' the wedding, so he doesn't count," New Moon declares, and accepts the pastry box as a due sacrifice. She hums and looks over the options, before popping a raspberry flavored macaron into her mouth all in one bite. <br><br>Ami explains bunting. New Moon tilts her head and stares at Masato. <br><br>"You hate both of Mamoru's brothers? Is this... a jealousy thing, a guy thing, or a 'one of them got to swipe best man out from under you, so forget both of them' thing?" Her tone implies that all of these are equally fair, but then, she's distracted once more - by Ami, who has been very good at saying ''fascinating'' things, and surely this won't betray her. "Yeah, I'm her intermediary - what's that?" <br><br>No, no, surely not. New Moon does not take the notebook. New Moon stares at the notebook in horror. <br><br>"Are you going to give her homework?! Yes, I want a drink, to dump on this notebook!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Wicked Mask (38)}} has posed:'''<br>Mamoru opens his mouth to say something and lifts a finger, then exhales and lowers it. He shakes his head. "He just showed everyone that he cares about me. You saw it. He put himself in danger for me, he works for Obsidian, and my identity is blown to the point that I just introduce myself to new mahoujin. He put himself in danger from his own ''job''." He takes a breath, THEN lifts a finger, and says like he's actually scolding Masato, "I have legitimately no idea what in the hell you ''mean'' but I can tell it isn't nice. He ''likes'' you. He's in the wedding party. You're in the wedding party. Don't ruin his rep ''before'' the wedding."<br><br>Then, oho, ohoho, Ami has ''HOMEWORK'' for Usagi, she has it ''HANDY'', she can just ''give it'', and Mamoru starts laughing. "You weren't kidding! I will absolutely make sure my Usako studies hard to get into college, but I'm not in her classes... New Moon, don't you think--" he reaches across for the notebook "--I can make it fun? I ''did'' have her teachers last year. Mostly. I can do ''impressions'' and then flirt to make up for it. And get the name of the chocolatier Shindo-kun hit up for the best of what he paid me last year."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:122|Ami Mizuno (122)}} has posed:'''<br>"Thank you, Masato-kun!" Ami was quick to smile at him for the gesture, but it was interrupted by the threat to the notebook and her gaze jumped back to New Moon as the offering retreated. "But, she's already missed quite a lot of class--I just--"<br><br>Her attention, of course, was easily diverted by the shake of finger and pronounced scolding and met by a slight lift of eyebrows. It took her a moment, but she realised the misunderstanding.<br><br>"He said it ''to'' him, Mamoru-kun. It was more like playful banter, I think." Ami tried to mediate through clarification. "I didn't think Agera-san was coming to the wedding?"<br><br>She glanced past Masato briefly but shrugged, it wasn't really here or there, and Mamoru thankfully took the notebook. Once again, Ami trusted Mamoru.<br><br>"Speaking of Agera-san, though, he did say that he'd get me the readings he has on Hiddenite and pass them through you." Ami said slowly, still addressing Mamoru. "He even suggested that ''I'' might need his instruction in doing the conversions on it--do you believe that?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:90|Masato Sanjouin (90)}} has posed:'''<br>It's a various mixture of all three things that New Moon guesses at, and then some. But it isn't hatred. Oh, no. No. It's so much more complex than that. <br><br>There's the convenience of the sunglasses again. It conceals the dead eyed, glazed expression Mamoru's tirade brings out of him. <br><br>"He was standing about at the edge of your living room, too busy staring at a blue-haired girl like an idiot to come and sit down with us. He can ruin his reputation on his own. ''Mean,''" he scoffs amusedly, as he turns away, "As if he doesn't crave my wit and a good joust. It's a kindness, really." <br><br>He turns to walk towards the counter now.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|New Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>"She's missed so much class, and you want her to start studying now? Ami-chan why did we trust you?" It is a despairing - not cry, just sigh of distress and surrender, because even before Mamoru has taken up the notebook, she knows it's over. Sure, she can and will protest to her Lady that homework is bull and she doesn't deserve to be punished with it, but eventually Mamoru is going to - <br><br>"You can't flirt with me to get me to accept homework, lalala, I can't hear you, my mouth is full of creampuff -" <br><br>She stuffs creampuff into her mouth. This isn't even impacting her ears? There's nothing but the sounds of chewing stopping her from hearing? Shut up, don't worry about it! <br><br>Masato cannot save her. He's too busy going to get drinks. <br><br>"I didn't think Takashi ''cared'' about girls," New Moon hums, "If I meddle with your brother's love life can I be free from homework?" <br><br>She is ignoring the boy to boy communication going on here. It's an A-B conversation and she is C-ing her way out.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Wicked Mask (38)}} has posed:'''<br>"Sorry!" Mamoru says immediately at Ami's correction, his own eyes wide as he looks to Neph. "That would have been funnier if we were both on the same page for it, I guess." He hugs the notebook to his chest and then shakes his head at Ami. "I had to put him in the wedding party, especially since Riv is best man. But the story is still that people without henshins can't come, and I'm not changing it for ''one guy'' because then ''everyone'' will want their families there."<br><br>A beat. He glances sidelong at Neph and says, "Will you feel better if I say I had you in mind for best man for Earth Wedding in Elysion?"<br><br>Oh but Usagi's ignoring ''boy conversation''; he breaks off from ''boy conversation'' to squint at New Moon. "His love life is a dumpster fire I'm not allowed to talk about. Meddle at your own risk. But it will not free you or Usagi from homework."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:122|Ami Mizuno (122)}} has posed:'''<br>There was definitely a brief moment there where Ami visibly tried to parse what New Moon had said in response to the promised homework. It was like pickup up a handful of dried sand, tangible and real only for so long until it slipped through her fingers to blow away upon the breeze.<br><br>Mercurial.<br><br>Ami shook her head sharply and glanced over Mamoru. "Oh, well, that makes sense. I think he did say something about that, as well, now that you mention it."<br><br>She bit at her lower lip as sapphirine gaze returning to New Moon.<br><br>"I don't know what else I can directly do for her at this stage." Ami shrugged, of course glossing over the whole planning of traps bit. "There's two certainties in life: taxes and Usagi-chan avoiding her homework."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:90|Masato Sanjouin (90)}} has posed:'''<br>There was a long hum, as Masato feigned consideration, leaning back to glance at Mamoru as he went. "I might do. Anyway, it's turnabout. Your brother needs it. Keeps him on his toes." The small flash of a smirk could be seen before he slipped away to the counter. <br><br>Somewhere in him, there was a little worry there. Stirred, too, by the talk with Takashi, in fact. The reminder of it. The Wedding in Elysion... Best man, ''if'' they still remembered. The Fade sat there, like a dark wave, slowly building strength in the back of his mind. Unknown. Strange. Difficult to imagine being overtaken by it. Would it be a slow treding of water or crash upon his shore powerfully, breaking all at once? <br><br>No. He pushed all of that away, for now.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|New Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>It's a misery. There's no way to get out of it, especially because she can't violate the rules of the game and beg Ami to take the notebook back - it's for ''Usagi'', and New Moon isn't supposed to be Usagi. And Mamoru is going to use her weaknesses against her... <br><br>"I'll make sure she knows you're still thinking about her," New Moon grouses, accepting her fate and the notebook. She lowers her head, sulkily stuffing a chocolate macaron into her mouth. <br><br>"I don't even want to help your stupid brother with his stupid love life now. Ami-chan, if you ''really'' want to help, you could accept Wicked Lady as your savior and princess and come back to the ship with us Dark Energy style -" <br><br>It's a sales pitch she clearly doesn't expect to work.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Wicked Mask (38)}} has posed:'''<br>"Seriously, don't worry, Ami-chan," Mamoru says with gentle affection, "thank you for your hard work. I'll make sure it pays off. After all, Wicked Lady's beautiful mama should know her kanji, right?" he asks rhetorically, smiling at both Ami and New Moon. He picks up and starts nibbling at a creme brulee macaron and glances over to the counter.<br><br>"Masato...?" he starts, and then shakes his head and looks sheepish. "Nevermind, I forget. New Moon, I'm going to pick up another box, and then we should go. I mean, I assume you were looking for me..."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:122|Ami Mizuno (122)}} has posed:'''<br>"Of course I'm still thinking about her." Ami's brows knit a little, but it wasn't any accusatory thing.<br><br>New Moon's gaze would be met by something a little glassier than she might have expected. It wasn't quite tears, but there was a distinct vulnerability that the senshi had been hiding, quite successfully, behind activity.<br><br>"There's a part of me, the part that really wants to see her and know that she's okay, that is terribly tempted by the offer." Ami spoke quietly on the tail of a short swallow of things. "But, I don't think Usagi would want that for me and I think I've already let her down enough."<br><br>It was her absence in things, of course, at which she spoke. She hadn't been there when they'd had their trips to the future, where Chibiusa and Usagi had both gone missing initially, and Ami was clearly feeling ''that''. Not just a failure of her duty as a senshi, but a failure to be present for the person she cared for more than any--save perhaps her own mother.<br><br>She cleared her throat and glanced to Mamoru. "Oh, uh. Yes, Mamoru-kun. Kanji is important."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:90|Masato Sanjouin (90)}} has posed:'''<br>''Masato...'' It's the use of the name, rather than just 'Neph' that catches his attention. Sapphire eyes turn behind sunglasses to watch him with a rise of brow-- Cappuccino ordered for Ami, and a sweetened Latte to go for New Moon at a guess, and another double shot long black for himself-- but whatever the thought was, it seems to pass by. <br><br>And there, too, he glances past to see Ami looking a little smaller than she did. Coffee will be along soon to held her hide it again. She, like Masato, seems to need to keep busy and be occupied, or the rest of the thoughts catch up and ache.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|New Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>"Yes, I suppose Wicked Lady's mama should know her kanji," New Moon grumbles, though that grumbling dies away at Ami's words, and especially at the glassy sheen in her eyes, the vulnerability in her expression. She grows still and the real-but-casual frustrations fall from her face, and New Moon leans in, every so slightly, as though drawn to Ami, wishing to close the gap and remembering she shouldn't. <br><br>"Usagi Tsukino," she declares, "Could never be disappointed in you. Ami-chan, you've never let her down before, and the only way you're letting anyone down now is by refusing to take dark energy and join Wicked Lady's games. And really, Wicked Lady isn't even ''that'' disappointed, so that barely even counts." <br><br>She reaches out, one hand on Ami's shoulder, blue eyes very serious. "You're here when you need to be. There has never been any doubt that you would come if she called. I would know! She never shuts up about you or Makochan or Minako or Rei." <br><br>And then she settles back, clearly declaring the moment over, and looks to Mamoru, "I was looking for you and snacks, and I found both. We can go, if you're ready. I've got homework to deliver to the willingly imprisoned."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Wicked Mask (38)}} has posed:'''<br>"As soon as I pick up the new box," Mamoru says with a firm nod. "The consensually kidnapped fiance of the willingly imprisoned has some flirting to do."<br><br>He very delicately doesn't say a single word about Ami's vulnerability-- it's not just girl cry what do, it's Usagi's girl cry what do! But thank the gods she's here incognito and can handle it.<br><br>He ''does'' say over his shoulder as he goes closer to the counter where Neph is, "I forgot! She wanted to pass on a hug to Usako, New Moon, you should hug her!"<br><br>And then he's at the counter, right next to Masato, and he asks the cashier for another box of the same, yes, he's perfectly happy to drop another 8600 yen on pastry. And while he's waiting, he puts his hand on the back of Neph's hand and squeezes it for a second before dropping it.<br><br>There's love, always. There's tiredness, as there's been. There's the knowledge of what this is doing to the people who love him, there's no lying about the disheartening grind of this situation, there's -- he's not okay, but he's ''fundamentally'' okay. He'll ''be'' okay. This is temporary. Just til the wedding, a little over a week away. There's apology, there's gratitude, there's... "There's cat hair on you."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:122|Ami Mizuno (122)}} has posed:'''<br>Like a pane of glass compressed, the cracks grew wider as New Moon spoke to her. It was ''almost'' a recognition, rising to her features as this terribly familiar woman spoke to her. In whose tone and language there could be no mistaking. It was in the touch, in the meet of blues. Where vulnerability were met with fleeting tenderness.<br><br>And yet, the sands drifted away again. Ephemeral still.<br><br>Everything still felt so ''big''. Almost overwhelming and her voice remained smaller.<br><br>"I didn't think I'd be saying thank you today, New Moon." Ami said as she settled back into her chair. "But, thank you."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:90|Masato Sanjouin (90)}} has posed:'''<br>Masato's hand curls slightly in response, under the squeeze, and barely grip the tips of fingers. A gentle exchange even physically, but open conduit flows freely. <br><br>There's love returned, fiercely; a flame of internal strength that never wavers and burns brighter than he perhaps shows. Warm, welcome. But in that heat, a prickling smoke has formed in fruitless protectiveness after the events on Nemesis, that is worried. That is always worried, even when he knows that his friend is capable, and that they can be reckless, and despite believing the very best of him. He is disheartened, too. The future weighs heavily, the press of time and a sense of urgency looms over him. Masato isn't okay either, but he's better than he's been in a long time, and there's still such a mountain to climb. Something, too, of a desperation to show his love, show that he cares-- not just for Mamoru, but for others who may not yet even know. Even Riventon, for whom that care is complex but undeniable. Masato will do anything to get to the other side of this part of his life, like a man swimming across a channel and only half way there, and he's feeling the cramps. He feels his smallness as 'Masato'. <br><br>But a mental image sparkles at the edge of things, jewelry in the shape of crystalline flowers and gold, that could only be suited to Makoto. These, too, a quiet question. Hope. Something that cannot move forward until all of this is done, perhaps. <br><br>The Wedding, like a light at the end of the tunnel, brims with new beginnings and a release of tension. Masato meant what he said earlier, of a day dedicated to love. <br><br>"I know. This shirt is from the Yohji Yamamoto collection." He lamented, as if he may tear up too. But the shirt was a metaphor. But it was also designer brand and that wasn't nothing. <br><br>He took the coffees and carried them to the table on a tray.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|New Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>Mamoru hardly has to inform New Moon of this hug deal before she's stood and walked around the table and bent to give Ami a hug, and this, at least, is familiar but not, because New Moon hugs tightly, in the way that a certain princess does, but also, she hugs ''grippingly'', like she knows she has to let go and doesn't want to, wants to hold until she makes what she's holding a part of her. <br><br>She's breathtakingly selfish, except for the way that everything she has belongs to Wicked Lady. A part of her would love nothing more than to carry Ami off to her Lady and present her with another prized toy, another perfect person. <br><br>The rest of her knows that's a bad idea and so she eventually just sighs and pats Ami's head and mumbles, "Maybe next time..." <br><br>And then sits herself back down. "You're welcome, Ami-chan! You can always feel free to thank me, because I'm very nice. All the time! I'm the nicest person, next to Wicked Lady."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Wicked Mask (38)}} has posed:'''<br>Wicked Mask is left laughing as Masato leaves him for the table. He'll at least text with him later.<br><br>He picks up the box of pastry with a smile and a quick nod, then comes back over to the table himself. "New Moon," he says, and his fingertips trail over her bare upper arm, "I'm going to go reassure Diana some, all right? Come up whenever you're ready to go."<br><br>''I'll miss you terribly~''<br><br>"Later, you two! Ami-chan, I will make sure the notebook reaches its full potential as a study aid. Masato, I'll text you. Ah-- New Moon please do not do anything that would make me sadface, okay? That includes making me do paperwork and possibly the cafe wanting to leave my building." This as he's lingering, but then he smiles lightly and turns to head for the door. Taking the long way up! A whole elevator ride.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:122|Ami Mizuno (122)}} has posed:'''<br>Oh, the hug.<br><br>There was no rationality behind why it gripped at her the way it did. Once more the familiarity struck even when it shouldn't, this girl clinging to her like she were some long-lost possession. It was a confirmation of a kind, to things tickling deep beneath her subconscious. It lend weight to the things New Moon had said in a way that only tangible physicality could.<br><br>And, of course, it didn't go unanswered, as arms found their way around bubblegum gothic waist to squeeze in her own desperate way. Ami still couldn't quite understand ''why''.<br><br>Then it disengaged and Masato had coffee--''finally''. Ami rubbed at an eye, clearing it of scarcely shed tear, before she took her drink up to sip. Armour restored and a deep breath released.<br><br>"You do seem rather lovely, actually." Ami confirmed, letting the tiny, cup-shaped barrier between herself and the world re-establish some stability. "And I will do everything I can in the coming days to show Wicked Lady just how much I care for her, too."<br><br>Ami smiled at New Moon, though it was still a far cry from what she'd been presenting earlier. It would take time for her to recharge her shields fully--so to speak.<br><br>The look she offered Mamoru, as he departed, was one of gratitude. Not for his leaving, of course, but the promised notebook was an Important Thing, to her. She had good friends.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:90|Masato Sanjouin (90)}} has posed:'''<br>A nod was given as he settled back into sitting. "I'll eagerly await the keysmashing." In fact, Mamoru had a special and unique tone. A few people did, and Mamoru's in particular was a flute chime. <br><br>He did his best not to look at Ami too closely until he was sure she'd wiped her eyes, tracking the movement in his periphery. He took up his own cup, leaving New Moon's drink on the tray. And it was a little bizarre, how natural it felt. New Moon sitting there, having coffee with them, as Mamoru made to leave. It was there, at the edges of his mind. Just beyond the curtain of the Veil. <br><br>He smiled at her, anyway, and turned his attention to Ami. "Did I tell you that I bought something for Mako-chan, with the wedding coming up?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|New Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>That warm, desperately tight hug is just right, everythign that New Moon wants, and she allows herself to enjoy it, to truly ''feel'' it, because she's always been such a touchy person, and even if she hugs and cuddles Wicked Lady whenever her Lady allows, having only ''two'' people is - well, it's just fine of course. It's what her Lady requires. <br><br>But still, this is nice. No, it's more than nice - everything is just right. Everything is as it should be, even if Ami and Masato don't know it. Usagi would tell them - really, she thinks she would - but this is not her game, it's Wicked Lady's, and she would never disappoint her Lady. The only thing missing is Wicked Lady. <br><br>"Thank you," she smiles at Ami, and scoops up the drink that's for her and takes a long sip, head tipping back as she makes room for all the drink she's downing. "That's all I ask for, and it's all our Wicked Lady wants for now. Your love and your care are just what she deserves." <br><br>She enjoys the moment - but it is only a moment, because then with a wriggle, she's standing up. "I'm going to go bother Diana too. You two have fun, and don't forget to harass him about being good to Makochan for me~ Masato-kun, you're a good man, so you'll be good to Makochan or I'll break your knees - but I'm sure you wouldn't make me!" <br><br>And then on that note, she's gone in a whirl of skirts, heading for the exit so she can go around to the building's elevator.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:122|Ami Mizuno (122)}} has posed:'''<br>Ami almost found herself hoping the contact wouldn't end, but it did, and the whirlwind of New Moon's departure held her attention for a long moment. Blue gaze lingering after until it was punctuated by a sigh and the diversion of her attention back to the tall, gratefully coffee-bearing, man remaining.<br><br>Ami managed to smile at Masato. Of course, Minako had already filled her in on the gifts that he'd bought for Makoto. She'd even showed off the beautiful pendant she now planned to wear to the wedding. But, Ami wasn't about to ruin his fun and let him know that.<br><br>"You did not, no." She lifted cup toward her lips again. "What did you get for her?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:90|Masato Sanjouin (90)}} has posed:'''<br>''You're a good man'' -- What a strange thing to say, for a friend of Chibiusa's from the future, where he certainly wasn't a good man. But, it occurs to him then, in that elastic manner that the veil does, that Usagi must've spoken well of him. <br><br>Despite the threat to kneecaps, that steadies him too. Warms the inside of his chest. Other people who care for Makoto see him, increasingly, as a good potential suitor. They have begun to trust his intentions with her. He is meeting with approval from her friends in pursuing her, these people who know-- more than any-- the rocky history and hurt that must be healed. <br><br>Now, he need only mend that rift of trust with Makoto, herself. <br><br>"Well, there was this matching set..." He turns a charmed smile to Ami, content to tell her all about it over coffee.<br> <br>
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