View source for 2620/Make-Believe and Favorite Toys

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2025/06/16
|Location=Mamoru's Apartment
|Synopsis=Rashmi and Amy are injured after fighting Seriss Nyx and come to Mamoru for help-- and Mamoru lately has a roughly 65% chance of showing up with New Moon. Both Amy and Rashmi, while being healed, have comfort and strength of their own to lend Mamoru.
|Cast of Characters=38,41,107,43
|Tinyplot=BMC: Wicked Ride
|Tinyplot2=Black Moon Clan
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:38|Wicked Mask (38)}} has posed:'''<br>It's less than a minute after Amy landed with Rashmi, and the roof door is still locked, despite textings--<br><br>--but there's a warm ghost of a brush of golden power as Tuxedo Mask steps out of the shadows around the stairwell door. He's already taking his gloves off and dropping them to the roof surface, sweeping forward toward Amy and Rashmi. He grimaces. "No point in waiting until we're inside," he says quietly, seriously. "I'm sorry I wasn't there. Do you think it would be poor form to sic Wicked Lady on Seriss Nyx?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:41|Rashmi Terios (41)}} has posed:'''<br>Rashmi does... not look well; her Barrier Jacket is absolutely shredded. Her skirt in tatters, her armor pieces shattered, and even her bodysuit is scraped away here and there, exposing scorched and Dark-tinged skin. Nicomachea seems to have taken some damage as well, cracks and scorchmarks pocking his exterior, but looses a cheery *BONG!* at the sound of Tuxedo Mask's voice.<br> <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<span style="color:#ffff5f">&lt;&lt; *BONG!* &gt;&gt;</span> <span style="color:#ffffff">&lt;&lt;</span> <span style="color:#ffff5f">GREETINGS, GUEST USER 'Tuxedo Mask.' TACTICAL ENQUIRY NOTED: SIMULATIONS COMMENCE.</span> <span style="color:#ffffff">&gt;&gt;</span><br> <br>Well, *Nicomachea's* in a mood, if he's entertaining the thought in detail.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy's rocket has set down near one corner of the roof -- Amy's laid Rashmi down sitting next to the door. The Puella Magi in her base henshin outfit, and she's in much better shape than Rashmi, but also a bit battered; there are scrapes on the armored parts of her costume, and on the bodysuit near her elbows and knees, and also a bunch of holes burned through her cloak, with scorch marks on the armor and bodysuit beneath.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She's pacing in front of the door -- her startle response is a bit muted by the feeling of that golden warmth as Tuxedo Mask is just suddenly there, and she smiles to see him like that again rather than as Wicked Mask.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"It's okay, we all have stuff to do... I don't see why it would be. Honestly, we could use the help, anything keeping her busy is ''less'' time for her to think of new ways to mess with us."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She blinks and looks towards Nichomachea. "How can you predict Wicked Lady's actions well enough to simulate that? Or Seriss Nyx's response, for that matter?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Wicked Mask (38)}} has posed:'''<br>First Mamoru crouches, and then he shifts to just sit on his heels as he reaches a bare warm hand to Rashmi's forehead, and the soft glow of his healing becomes visible. "Morally, I'd feel like an absolute cad asking my brainwashed and corrupted dark energy boss baby alt future daughter to fight Seriss Nyx. I mean, make no mistake, I am an opportunist, but going so far as to ''set up'' a fight is a little beyond my ability to be coldly practical." A beat. "Sometimes that feels unfortunate."<br><br>Diagnosis and anaesthesia first, and then Mamoru sighs. "She'll need some purification too. I can only do the one. You know enough purifiers, I think...? I can heal the burns but not get rid of any lingering dark energy, is all. Hi, Nicomachea. What's Rashmi's SOP in cases like this, is there anyone she prefers to have you notify?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:41|Rashmi Terios (41)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<span style="color:#ffff5f">&lt;&lt; *BONG!* &gt;&gt;</span> <span style="color:#ffffff">&lt;&lt;</span> <span style="color:#ffff5f">MORE THAN ENOUGH COMBAT DATA ANALYSIS HAS BEEN LOGGED TO SIMULATE TACTICAL CHOICES OF SUBJECT 'That stupid jerk Daimon.' NONE HAS BEEN LOGGED FOR SUBJECTS 'New Moon' OR 'Wicked Lady' BUT A PLENTITUDE OF SCENARIOS AND PROJECTIONS MAY BE APPLIED,</span> <span style="color:#ffffff">&gt;&gt;</span> Nicomachea says in answer to Amy's question. Clearly he is *perfectly willing* to fantasize all manner of horrible tactics, powers, and methods to deploy against Seriss.<br> <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<span style="color:#ffffff">&lt;&lt;</span> <span style="color:#ffff5f">ENFORCER 'Chrono' AND SUBJECT 'Setsuchan' HAVE ALREADY BEEN NOTIFIED. FOR EASE OF DELIVERY, IT IS SUGGESTED THAT SUBJECT 'Wako' BE NOTIFIED OF MASTER'S NEED OF PURIFICATION.</span> <span style="color:#ffffff">&gt;&gt;</span><br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy blinks. "I thought you said she was as strong as like, Beryl. So in far less danger than any of us. And once she's back to normal, wouldn't she have been glad to help?" She shakes her head. "But maybe I'm missing something. I'm not... good at understanding people."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She looks between Rashmi and Tuxedo Mask.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"...What about you? How're you holding up, with all this? Is Usagi still doing OK in confinement? Do you get to visit her?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|New Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>"Just because Wicked Lady ''can'' wipe the floor with that hack, doesn't mean she should have to dirty her hands," the voice is familiar, sweet in nature and irked in tone, and New Moon settles herself down in one of the rooftop lawn chairs and ''frowns'' at the trio. "Mamoru, when you said you had something important to do, I thought it would be for Wicked Lady, not playing make-believe... and healing her... what's a word for an enemy that's not like, ''strong'' enough to be an enemy?" <br><br>She looks Rashmi and Amy both up and down, then hums. <br><br>"I guess Rashmi's not an enemy ''yet''. She hasn't gotten in the way of Wicked Lady's fun yet." <br><br>Amy is given a longer look, as she most certainly ''has'' been an opponent, before New Moon huffs a little, speaking up before Mamoru can. <br><br>"He sees Usagi all the time. How else could he torture her with all that awful homework Ami-chan insisted he take back?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Wicked Mask (38)}} has posed:'''<br>"Consent is complicated when you're talking about a 970-year-old 5-year-old artificially aged to mid-20s and absolutely chock full of Dark Energy," Tuxedo Mask says mildly to Amy as New Moon's settling down. "It's impossible to get consent. Sure it's impossible to get consent to heal half the time, but if someone wants to stay injured, they can always re-injure themselves afterwards. This is different, though, and asking Wicked Lady to fight Seriss Nyx is like..."<br><br>New Moon speaks up, and Mamoru looks up at her and gives her a faintly exasperated look. "Rashmi helped protect our Lady when she was small and frightened, she gave our Lady power she could control until she could come into her own. Rashmi isn't her enemy, she's her friend. And you HATE Seriss Nyx. I think helping Rashmi and Amy in their fight against that hack is important because if they don't fight her, we might have to, and that'll waste Wicked Lady's resources and she'll have to rescue us and fight her anyway."<br><br>Then he ''huffs''. "I am so good at tutoring. It's not torture!" But then he glances at Rashmi's Device. "Let Wako-chan know too then, please, Nicomachea."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:41|Rashmi Terios (41)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<span style="color:#ffff5f">&lt;&lt; *BONG!* &gt;&gt;</span> <span style="color:#ffffff">&lt;&lt;</span> <span style="color:#ffff5f">ALERT. WARNI--</span> <span style="color:#ffffff">&gt;&gt;</span><br> <br>Nicomachea, sensing the sudden appearance of a worryingly powerful source of Dark Energy, is cut off as Tuxedo Mask, who is known to have a dubiously-advisable connection to New Moon, addresses the Dark Energy. Threat analysis updated; *possibly not* an endangerment of his Master. He'll wait for the situation to evolve.<br> <br>And in the meantime, keep *all his passive scanners wide open* to collect as much data on Subject 'New Moon' as possible.<br> <br>After all, he would prefer his simulations to have a nodding acquaintance with accurate reality.<br> <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<span style="color:#ffff5f">&lt;&lt; *BONG!* &gt;&gt;</span> <span style="color:#ffffff">&lt;&lt;</span> <span style="color:#ffff5f">MESSAGE SENT TO SUBJECT 'Wako',</span> <span style="color:#ffffff">&gt;&gt;</span> the Device says moments later.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Tuxedo Mask says that the ethical issue with persuading Super Evil Chibiusa to fight Seriss is grounded in issues of consent and she immediately nods. "Ah, good point. ...For the record, if I'm ever evil, know that I would be happy to--"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy tenses when she hears that voice. "What do you mean make-believe?" She glares at New Moon with...<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;...It's not that they occupy the ''position'' of enemies in a secret magical conflict. Amy would not have looked at Sunbreaker like that.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It's that she's more confident and self-assured than Amy could ever be, has the efficacy to back up that confidence, will come out ahead in any social ''or'' violent conflict, and is unpredictable.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Or to put it another way, the optimization process inside that red gem knows she is an agent it ''cannot'' acount for or counter, that could decide to make the world less optimal at a whim and all it can do is pick up the pieces.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Or maybe that's overcomplicating it and it's the way someone at the bottom of the social pecking order looks at someone at the top who is not their friend.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy ''isn't'' self-analyzing this, though, and instead is distracted by "She has to do ''homework'' in magic jail?!" D:<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Tuxedo Mask has a ready explanation in Wicked Lady logic. Amy can only lamely add, "A-and if we're not healed, she won't be able to play with us, will she."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|New Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>"You're out here on the roof playing like you're on ''their'' side," New Moon huffs, "And Wicked Lady sure had a ''lot'' of friends, and how many of them have decided to come and join her? The only ones who are being ''good'' right now are Makochan, Ami-chan, and Minako-chan. Rashmi is neutral, because she hasn't fought us, but she hasn't come along to ''help'' either. Laura's neutral because she ''mostly'' did her job as a play toy..." <br><br>She's pouting at Rashmi a bit, at that, but then she side-eyes her and sighs a little. <br><br>"She's helping with the wedding food though, so I guess she's not not-a-friend." <br><br>Amy has a glare leveled on ''her'' in return. <br><br>"Amy though, she and Hinoiri and Catra are all ''bad''. And Usagi's not in magic jail, don't you listen when Mamoru tells you she's fine? She's hanging out with Wicked Lady, where she ''belongs''. Mothers and daughters belong together. That's how it works. Wicked Lady deserves all of her dear mommy's attention, and she's getting it." <br><br>Even if Wicked Lady is ''here'' instead of ''there'', because after her hair, she does not trust anyone to be smart about anything. <br><br>Mamoru's indignation gets him a side eye. <br><br>"All the kisses and candies in the world can't change that she's still doing math and science and literature, dirt boy." A beat. "I guess it isn't ''torture'' though... just... hmmm..." <br><br>Nichomachea's passive scanners are mostly letting him pick up that New Moon is indeed a source of significant Dark Energy - she's not as strong as Seriss Nyx alonen, but she's definitely at the level that Hematite and Riventon had been for a very long time.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Wicked Mask (38)}} has posed:'''<br>"Thanks, Nicomachea," Mamoru says to the Intelligent Device, and then he ''sighs'' through his ''teeth'' and rolls off his heels with a thump. He gives New Moon a LOOK. "You're only calling me healing people outside our Lady's area of interest 'playing make-believe' because you're cranky that we were in a cuddle pile and I had to go. You know part of what makes me worthwhile is my convictions, and 'mahou MSF' is one of them. It also doesn't cost ''many'' cuddles, and you ''know'' I'm good for makeout-- I MEAN makeup work~"<br><br>Yes that last was a little singsong at the end. Poor Rashmi is going to wake up into an squabble between her healer and a Dark General and it sounds for all the world like a lovers' spat. It's almost like old times.<br><br>The boy irritably shoves more energy at Rashmi, then looks down at her. "Stay still," he says very gently. "You look like you ate dirt in a boss fight."<br><br>Then he looks from Amy to Usagi and he offers the latter, "I'm cute though?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:41|Rashmi Terios (41)}} has posed:'''<br>That is, more or less, exactly what happens; as her wounds begin to mend, and *power* floods through her, along with that bone-deep acceptance and welcome and comfort and shelter... Rashmi makes a little noise, shifting under Tuxedo Mask's hands. Her eyes flutter open, and she can't help but chuckle rustily at his comment. "...I did," she manages to get out. "...But hey... It was me, or me *and* Pulp Noir, so..."<br> <br>A mental ping from Nicomachea causes her to blink, and her eyes flick from Mask to Amy to... New Moon. "...Ah," she says, closing her eyes a moment and trying to scrape together enough diplomatic finesse to navigate the presence of a Dark Lietenant-Colonel -- be she ever so 'our own side' -- while flattened on a roof and being actively healed. Victory Condition: Don't give her cause to undo Mamoru's handiwork.<br> <br>"Hello again, New Moon-san," she says after a few breaths, as strength seeps back into her muscles. "I'm sorry, was I interrupting something?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;On 'their' side? "But he ''is''--" Wicked Lady had a lot of friends, and how many decide to join her? "What's that even mean? You want us to take the dark and spread chaos? How's that supposed to even ''work'', for me?" She taps the gem behind her wrist, currently around an eighth-or-so corrupted.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She bristles at being called bad all the same. She's used to being judged so by those with more position and charisma, has argued with them and lost every time, decade after decade, and that was with people ''not'' under the influence of dark energy.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"We never see her, with Wicked Lady. And, and, and love's not about treating someone like a toy or being treated like a toy, it's about wanting to see the other thrive--"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Damn her introspection, the instant the words are out of her mouth she thinks of how she felt seeing Hannah -- and while she ''would've'' been happy to see Hannah doing well, that wasn't the focus of her emotions, was it? No, it was that here's the person who will make her feel so special and valuable and wanted. Which she couldn't possibly have deserved, but it was such a nice and attractive fantasy she'd have defended that woman to the death.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And at the speed of thought she judges herself short of the ideals she just espoused, and she looks away from New Moon's gaze in shame, feeling a tightness in her throat.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Despite herself, she's envious that Mamoru and New Moon and however far the polycule goes get cuddlepiles. And feels bad for interrupting one. Her friends lucky enough to have such opportunities ''should'' be getting to enjoy themselves, dammit!<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ate dirt in a boss fight? "She did."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You didn't have--" she starts to quietly add, then cuts herself off. "well, Rashmi needed it but you don't have to rush for me."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And then she realizes Rashmi spoke, and Amy looks at her friend in concern and kneels next to her, "How are you feeling?! Are you OK? ...I mean that's a bad question, but uh... relatively speaking, I mean."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|New Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>"Yes!" New Moon is unapologetic. "Some ''prime'' cuddling time, all because you had to go pick a fight with someone I hate, and ''lose'' - well, you didn't die, so I guess you didn't ''entirely'' lose, but still." <br><br>She's pouting, but clearly not actually annoyed, and she snickers when Mamoru misspeaks. <br><br>"Makeouts was the right-er option. But fiiiiiiine, for now I'll let you go..." <br><br>By let go she clearly means stopping complaining about it. <br><br>"And um, I am with Wicked Lady ''all'' the time - you just keep catching me on errands, or when our Lady wants some privacy, which is really annoying! It's like catching me out on my break! Real friends who ''really'' love Wicked Lady would know the best way to support her is to stand at her side and have fun with her! That's what love ''really'' is - being a good friend and toy. I'm sure she could fix your little Witch problem, or at least, take you out hunting long enough to fix it. Melona lasted a long time before whatever happened that made her pop." <br><br>Dark Energy has meant a good deal of reduced empathy and compassion - she's much more crude about poor Melona's demise than she would otherwise be.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Wicked Mask (38)}} has posed:'''<br>"It's a valid reward tier, I think," Mamoru says primly to New Moon's 'makeouts is right-er'. But he's also ''looking'' at her now with such helpless affection-- it really is unfairly like the way he looks at his fiance, if anyone's keeping track. The pained quality to it is an exhausted thing.<br><br>And then he flinches at the way she puts Melona's death, at the offer made to Amy. "Don't-- they know they won't be her favorite toys, and let's not risk that being the despair that dark energy would help Amy-chan find."<br><br>He looks back down to Rashmi, and as the healing trickles off, his own emotions start filtering back into the touch. There's a wild surge of grieving horror he's wrestling with. Something about this not being what she's like it's not what she's like this isn't her at all she's not like this it hurts it's sick she's so sick--<br><br>He withdraws his hand and smiles a little bleakly at Rashmi. "Everything'll get better again," he says, "for all of us."<br><br>Then Mamoru holds out a hand to Amy, not bothering to get up off the floor. Just holding it up as well as out. "Let's fix you up so you don't put more of that in there, right? Don't worry. Everything will be different after the wedding, and hey, we should definitely be able to help with the Serissue at that point."<br><br>If Amy takes Mamoru's hand, she'll get the instant flood of the sensations Rashmi just did-- healing, home, safety, warmth, comfort-- and Mamoru's lowkey ongoing dread that something will go wrong that he won't be able to stop or fix. He's afraid for Amy right now, he does not think she has a useful risk/reward ratio.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:41|Rashmi Terios (41)}} has posed:'''<br>One thing Rashmi has always done more than anything else; Pay Attention. Sometimes that's to her detriment, like when her attention is so fragmented that math homework falls aside without the barest *hint* of grief. But in times like this, where there's A Problem that becomes the celestial body all nearby people and issues orbit around... It's less of a detriment.<br> <br>Which is why when Mamoru's healing trails off into residual horror and grief, Rashmi's brow furrows for *just a moment,* bespectacled eyes searching his for understanding. Understanding that does not come, not immediately... But Rashmi has been Paying Attention, and that empathic diatribe will not soon be forgotten. "Yeah," she says, her answering smile not *quite* as bleak... but then, she hasn't been marinating in background Dark Energy for who knows how long, and climbs to her feet. "It's okay, New Moon-san. I know there's a lot we don't agree on, but... There's a surprising amount that we do. And more than anything, we both want to see Wicked Lady smile, y'know? And yeah I will gladly take all the help I can get, after the wedding."<br> <br>Brushing off the remains of her Barrier Jacket, she draws in a deep breath, turning a smile toward Amy. "...I feel like I got slapped in the face with an oil tanker truck, honestly. *Do not at all* recommend getting hit by anything with a black hole theme." That comment, followed by a sort of shooing gesture toward MTuxedo Mask's hand, as if to say 'worry about healing up now, I'm okay enough.'<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"We didn't pick a fight." The impulse to correct this assertion that she's a troublemaker connects thought to mouth far faster than any concerns about talking back can move. "She started trouble and we went to stop her. Ignoring a bully won't make her stop--" And then Amy realizes that New Moon might legit not ''know'' such truths, "Oh right you're from the future, maybe you never met a bully. Well... You have a telepathic boyfriend, or you can search your past memories if they're clear enough."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy tenses at New Moon's description of what love is. Despite that, at the assertion that Wicked Lady could fix Witching she looks up in surprise, "Really??? (She's used to New Moon being blithe about Melona; but it helps a lot that they weren't close.)"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She's almost considering it for a moment, and then remembers feeling kind of disgusted with herself even as darkness provided relief from the pain of Nemesis. Even if it worked, does she really want to feel that way all the time? But then, she doesn't want to feel this tired all the time, either, or the frustration of knowing that however much she may disagree with New Moon she can't stand against her.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And Mamoru's warning New Moon off the offer, and yeah. The person with chronic self-worth issues ''doesn't'' need to deal with maybe not rating good enough for even ''toy'' status under Wicked Lady's mind control. And she's self-aware to know that, face downturned with a defeated 'godoka, I really ''am'' that pathetic' expression.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;At least Rashmi's feeling well enough to be a ''little'' glib about what happened, and Amy turns to her and smiles, "I'll do my best to avoid it."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And then, Mamoru. She pulls her glove off, clutching it and her soul gem tightly in her right hand as she takes his with her left.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She's tired. There's the echo of that thought about self-worth, and the fainter impression of other things that were on her mind, but, she's tired, and she just wants to leave and not be a bother, so there isn't the usual drink-from-the-firehose of multilayered self-analyzing Amythought. She regenerates the outermost layer of skin to save him a little time and effort while he gets the rest -- some scrapes, some burns on her back, but of the times he's healed her this is one of the most minor.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She would love to sink into that safety and warmth and comfort and belonging, but she can't, it will be over in a moment and she has to stand up and move on.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He's afraid too. ''So, that's how it is. You're not sure either.'' And he's afraid for her. Well, it's reassuring that her unease around New Moon isn't a sign that she can't read the situation correctly, at least.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She wishes she could assuage that dread about the situation he and his family are in, but she can't. But at least she can let him know that trying to manage this without knowing how is sometimes all anyone can do, and there's no expectation that he ''should'' have it all together and planned out.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"...Thanks." She gives him a concerned smile."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|New Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>"Oh, you should have said that sooner. Or Nicomachea should have said it sooner! Protecting Wicked Lady's smile ''is'' most important~!" And just like that, she's decided she likes Rashmi. Her smile is more patient, and she waves Mamoru on, encouraging him to keep at his work. Amy is given a contemplative look. "I ''guess'' since you all aren't leaving Wicked Lady and her creations alone, at least you can go and bother Seriss. But the problem of course... is she bothered you a lot more than you did her again!" <br><br>Really, that is a problem. If someone else is going to go around breaking people, there needs to be someone ''else'' who can fix them, or her cuddle time is forever going to be at the whims of people who aren't even bowing to Wicked Lady. <br><br>"I mean, probably she could," she tells Amy, then pouts at Mamoru when he doesn't quite tell her off but warns her off. "I mean ''sure'', but ''still'', her little pew-pew guns and grenades would be more amusing on ''our'' side." <br><br>She's grumbling but not majorly. <br><br>"I ''guess'' I'll stop tormenting your friends, Mamoru... And I guess it ''is'' sad to not be a ''favorite'' toy."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Wicked Mask (38)}} has posed:'''<br>With Rashmi's answering smile not being as bad off, Mamoru's at least able to shift to a sort of gallows humor expression. But he looks to Amy as she takes his hand-- his reactions to her surface mind's wanderings are fleeting impressions as well: sympathy, apology, affection, belief. Belief ''in Amy specifically''. He's exhausted, and yes he's terrified, but he's also optimistic under everything else. And Amy's words help that perceptibly: he's slightly more relaxed.<br><br>The healing doesn't take long at all; by this time, Mamoru knows where Amy's blind spots are in a fight. But there's a brush of open honesty through the contact as he says, "Just come to the wedding. Everything you're worrying about will stop being something to worry about after the wedding. And this isn't a molotov cocktail changing the problem dot gif moment." Image: purification purification purification purification omg fight omg, in the Moon Palace courtyard where the war scenes were so sorry about that bit, versus New Moon and Wicked Lady. "If you're super worried, talk to Neph, he's coordinating the everythings for the wedding basically."<br><br>He draws his hand back when he's done, then goes to sit on the roof surface, next to New Moon's legs where she's sitting in the chair; he drops henshin into his BMC cosplay, unfortunately. Then Wicked Mask thunks the side of his head against her arm on the arm of the chair and smiles up at her. "I'd be sad if I weren't yours."<br><br>Mamoru makes sure he's not in skin contact with New Moon when he offers his hand to Rashmi one more time. "I've still got some juice left, though I should probably hang out on the ground for a little while after this, New Moon. Will that be all right?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:41|Rashmi Terios (41)}} has posed:'''<br>"She's looking for something," Rashmi says around a sigh. "When you consider who she's supposed to be serving... that's *bad.* Like, gotta-be-stopped-whenever-possible bad. I *want* her out of my friend, yeah... But I also remember what Mistress 9 tried to bring over, and I *really really* want that to stay way the heck gone, y'know? So it's less a matter of picking a fight with Seriss, than not trusting that *her* little game ends in everything *dying.*" Giving New Moon a wan smile, the Devicer shrugs. "How can there be anyone to adore Wicked Lady, if there's nobody around?"<br> <br>It looks like she's found New Moon's lever, she thinks; if it benefits Wicked Lady, it's okay. That might *not* be the case, but it costs nothing to go along with, as long as she doesn't lie in the process.<br> <br>When Mamoru offers his hand again, Rashmi starts to take it, but pauses, looking to New Moon herself for permission before she takes it. "...I mean if you want quality time at ground level, the Senso-ji Temple is *beautiful* for night strolls?"<br> <br>Look, if she's pouting about lost cuddle time, romantic walk spots are generally good for sweetening a deal.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy gives New Moon a tired glare as if to ask 'really?' at being chastised for not being able to bother Seriss more than they were bothered.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mamoru can feel the memory of the feeling of countless unfair expectations, believed fair by a younger Amy that wondered why she was so awful; Amy recognizes the same unreasonabless at work here, though New Moon seemed smarter than to not have an honest assessment of their relative power levels. So she can't work out what New Moon is trying to achieve, but also dismisses it as the influence of Dark Energy making her be abrasive or something rather than consciously holding it against her.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She does pout slightly at 'little pew-pew guns' but again it's probably dark energy rudeness. ''Amusing'', not ''worthy''; Yes, she doesn't rate as even a ''worthy'' toy to Wicked Lady's crew. Mamoru is right indeed.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He says 'everything you're worrying about will stop being something to worry about after the wedding', but she notes ''you're still worried about '''something.''''' (and it's fine, it's everyone-who-was-living-then-and-remembers-then's trauma, not something she thinks about all that much)<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;His hand is drawn back before New Moon speaks again and Amy just gives her a defiant glare rather than a defeated one as she is ''hypothetically pitied.'' A hollow mask it may be, she has no power in this situation, but... it's one that must be maintained. New Moon can't be trusted with vulnerability.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And then Rashmi drops a bombshell she hadn't thought about and she looks up in alarm. "Wait... she's trying to bring Mistress Nine and whatever-that-thing-was ''back''?! I thought she was just doing evil science for the hell of it now that she has a body to do it with."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She tries to consider the implications of this, but she's tired and her brain is done for the moment. Like, there was the whole awful battle and everything, some revelations, getting punched in the feels from thinking about her relationship with Hannah, being around New Moon, dealing with thinking about New Moon's hypotheticals, and a lot of whirling Amythought about how she felt a moment ago must have matched the sort of expression someone is oft making ''opposite'' what others think of as 'girl hot' and she hopes there's not some weird significance there thank goodness Mamoru didn't heal her several seconds earlier than he did.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;So she tries to think of what Seriss Nyx must be planning and her brain responds 'LOW BATTERY' and after a moment, she stands up and strings some words together so she's not just sitting around dumb, "Well... That's that, yes. Wicked Lady's treasured toys are here, and all that. So... if you don't want Wicked Lady's involvement, hope we can solve it or some up with something we can use to stop her. No point in complaining."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When the subject of strolls is brought up she just looke between all of the others, having nothing to say on the issue.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|New Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>New Moon gives Amy a 'am I wrong?' type look in response to that glare, but really, her attention isn't on Amy - she's more focused on Rashmi, who has most certainly figured out the lever which turns New Moon's attention, the angle which can mostly easily hook on her thoughts. <br><br>"Hmm, I don't think Seriss can beat Wicked Lady, but she shouldn't have to be ''bothered'', either," she frowns, "So I'll approve of you fighting, but ''no one'' is asking Wicked Lady to fight her." <br><br>And there's a sense of danger in her voice, on that one - a sense that she would fight ''anyone'' on that matter, that she will not back down on that. <br><br>"Still, that makes sense. Molly was killed by someone from that team, wasn't she? One of Mistress 9's stupid cheer girls. If bringing that thing over is what Mistress 9 wanted, it's got to be what she wants too." Ugh, that's annoying! None of them had even been able to ''do'' anything to that thing, except push it back... <br><br>"Of course you're my favorite toy," she informs Mamoru with the sort of absent-mindedness that only goes to prove it's true. "How could it be anyone else?" <br><br>It would be very, very hard to pick just one of her girls, and Mamoru is - well. She leans back in her chair and drapes a hand over him. <br><br>"I'll complain as much as I want, when dates are getting ruined. Still, that's a good idea.... Sensouji Temple is on the ground, and pretty, so you can take me there, Mamoru."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Wicked Mask (38)}} has posed:'''<br>When Moon doesn't deny it, Mamoru takes Rashmi's hand -- even when Moon's hand ends up on his head. He tilts his head into it, eyes closing for a moment as he swiftly builds a wall to keep New Moon and Rashmi apart. (Built in full view of both of them, it's as much to keep bleedover out as it is to keep the dark energy from creeping on his healing. It's visualized, for a half second, as the Great Wall of China, and then that sort of drifts away to leave a thick gold crystalline structure.)<br><br>Rashmi gets: healing from Endymion with a knowledge of some awfully Hematite thought processes on the other side of that divide, it's just that every visual, every place on earth that they are connected to at this moment in reality, all of it has this great crystal wall. He's sorry but he's also mad, he's so mad, and he's burying it in anxiety. He's scared and he's burying it in mad. He's fraying and he's masking. That grief and that horror, they flicker at the edges of that shield like dark energy flames licking at-- like flames. But he can heal her, and he does, and he keeps the pain from her as he does, and his eyes stay closed.<br><br>New Moon gets: Mamoru is Mamoru is Hematite is Casual Friday is Wicked Mask, is allergic to dark energy in a very minor way in comparison to New Miin, but he'll always, always come with her, even if he's sworn off dark energy he'll ALWAYS come with her. His head tilts toward New Moon a little bit more.<br><br>"You will have more help after the wedding," Mamoru says, trying to be more clear, his eyes opening and pointing in Amy's direction but not really looking at her. "But no, Wicked Lady won't be fighting Seriss Nyx." A beat. His head turns, "Sorry, Nicomachea."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:41|Rashmi Terios (41)}} has posed:'''<br>What Rashmi knows of Mamoru's abilities is this: That the empathic component is inextricable from the healing component. That the empathic component is not one-way, which was why she was so worried about it at the arcade. That feelings are their own kind of coherence, if one concentrates on the right ones.<br> <br>Thus it is that while Rashmi looks with her mind's eye on that great golden crystal wall, and feels that connection, she does her very, very best to project the same kind of Big Sister energy she draws from when one of her friends is in a bad place, and could use some comfort; An emotional hug, the calm reassurance of someone who trusts without reservation, the rock-solid faith that undergirds every current of worry. The knowledge, sure and deep, that Mamoru Knows What He's Doing and Yes It Will Be Okay because of all of them, He Never Stands Alone.<br> <br>It's the same faith in the rightness of action that gave *Hematite* guest access to Nicomachea, that swore to not only keep, but burn secrets because they were Not For Her. Don't worry, Mamo-kun. As bad as it is now, we're getting ready for the truly inevitable Good End.<br> <br>We Gotchu Fam.<br> <br>And when the connection pulls back a bit, she pulls back in kind, her smile worried and tired but still sincere, and with only a look she thanks him.<br> <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<span style="color:#ffff5f">&lt;&lt; *BONG!* &gt;&gt;</span> <span style="color:#ffffff">&lt;&lt;</span> <span style="color:#ffff5f">NO APOLOGIES REQUIRED, GUEST USER 'Mamoru.' RULES OF ENGAGEMENT ARE NECESSARY ACROSS DOZENS OF WORLDS AND DIMENSIONS, AND SIMULATIONS WITHOUT HARD DATA ARE SIMPLE FICTION.</span> <span style="color:#ffffff">&gt;&gt;</span><br> <br>...Which means that Nicomachea had probably, up to this point, been *fantasizing* about what Wicked Lady would do to Seriss. Devices can be bloodthirsty sometimes, yo.<br> <br>"Yeah... It wasn't gonna be on my list of asks anyway, New Moon-san," Rashmi says, stepping back to Amy's side. "And I mean, Amy-chan, I think it'd be a *bad idea* to assume that someone that Dark *wanted* to be free of even more powerful masters. How can you be someone's hype girl if there's nothing to hype?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy rolls her eyes at the look New Moon gives her. Because yes, not being as strong as Seriss isn't their fault. But she nods slightly at the big about Wicked Lady not being put in danger. She considered it settled already, when Mamoru pointed out it was a question of consent.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She winces as New Moon talks of Molly's Death so casually. "How do ''you'' know that? ...I guess Usagi-chan and Mamoru have been filling you in. I hope... after the wedding, you're a bit more understanding about the trials we've faced in this timeline."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"...If you want me to do more about Seriss... help me get grief seeds to burn. She has some way to refill her magic power, multiple times."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Rashmi speaks on what does someone dark want. Well, her mind already went close to there earlier, so she can sort of consider the echo of the thought. "I suppose there's a comfort to knowing the biggest thing on the block is on your side... but Seriss strikes me as more the wanting to ''be'' the biggest one on the block, not one to seek to ''end all existence.'' She's clearly having so much fun with this world. And we haven't heard her hype up her dark master even once."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|New Moon (43)}} has posed:'''<br>There is the Great Wall of China, crystalline and golden, steadfast as Mamoru's convictions, and New Moon does not try to press past it, instead soaking in the knowledge that Mamoru is Mamoru is Mamoru is still Mamoru, no matter the disguise. <br><br>There's more there - he doesn't like the Dark Energy, he's sworn off the Dark Energy, he'll always come with her - <br><br>She will not try to press anything further, because even like this, she loves him. She's sick and tired and annoyed about having their cuddles interrupted, less because she wanted a date - though she will go out with him, to somewhere beautiful, and let Wicked Lady know, in case she wants to join them, naturally - and more because they had been ''resting'' and it soothes her. <br><br>(It doesn't soothe him, of course, who in their right mind would be soothed by cuddling her sickness, but she isn't really considering that. This is how things have to be.) <br><br>"Maybe after the wedding," she tells Amy. "I know these things because it's important to know what's going on. How else can I take care of Wicked Lady, if not by keeping an eye on everything?" <br><br>That's all there is to it. <br><br>"Also, maybe she just doesn't ''love'' her dark master? Doesn't mean she's not going to maybe do what she's told though." A beat. "Are you done? Can we go?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Wicked Mask (38)}} has posed:'''<br>Wicked Mask ''focuses'' on Rashmi as she offers him such confident strength, such belief. Truly it's a bit much, the rock solid belief that he knows what he's doing-- he's seventeen! --but it's the right ingredients to be a sort of sheepishly accepted ego boost. But he doesn't know what he's doing -- he only knows better than anyone else what he's doing, but can't afford to visualize all the ways he knows it could go wrong -- but no, she's right, he knows how to ''delegate''. But more than that--<br><br>--he'll always have friends who want to help him. He's smiling a real smile, a little smile, when Rashmi pulls back... and then he starts laughing and tips his head back onto New Moon's lap and looks up at her. "Yes, all done! Let's go!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:41|Rashmi Terios (41)}} has posed:'''<br>"Thank you again, *so much,*" Rashmi says to Mamoru. "And sorry again, New Moon-san. I'll try to be more convenient in the future."<br> <br>Words delivered without an ounce of rancor, because once upon a time she would probably have actually said that to someone, sincerely. But those were the before times. Now, she says them in full confidence that it won't be a thing she needs to *worry about* past next week.<br> <br>One hopes, at least. But hope can carry you far, if you can hold on to it.<br> <br>"C'mon, Amy-chan," she says as Mamoru suggests they go. "Iunno about you, but I could use a meal, and there's a takoyaki stall a couple blocks away."<br> <br>Her eyes are *worried* when they turn to Amy, because as much as she was concentrating on the exacting steps of the bamboo-stalk-laid-over-the-viper-pit dance that was interacting peacefully with *any* Dark Lieutenant... She did *not* miss what Amy had to say. It's just that now there's room to de-compartmentalize her brain, she can act on the signals she picked up.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy shrugs to New Moon. "Appreciated, but like... I don't want to keep you from going back to your own time... you shouldn't have to be fighting Witches on your honeymoon."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Seriss... "I suppose. I couldn't survive in a position like that, so..." She shakes her head. "I don't understand it. She doesn't seem like she's afraid of anything, but maybe she's good at hiding it."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Done here? Amy nods, not sure whether the question is to all of them or just Mamoru. "Thank you, Mamoru. And uh, you too." She adds, to New Moon. Who didn't really do anything helpful, but... probably best to 'thank' her anyway.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy can't remember the last time she felt compelled to such incinsere assuagement. ...Not any time she was at Radiant Heart, at least.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It's ''Rashmi'' who actually says 'I'm sorry' and Amy ''winces'' at that. She ''does'' remember saying that all the time -- again, except when at Radiant Heart. Even after working here, whenever she visited her father...<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Words seen ''somewhere'' online in the past several months drift through her head: 'We didn't have any of this years ago and my son turned out perfectly fine.' 'Ma'am your daughter uses sorry as a greeting.' ...Well, it was ''something'' like that, anyway. It stuck with her for obvious reasons.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Well, they can soldier through. This is just until the wedding, that's not nearly so long as she ever dealt with people who compelled such behavior in a past life.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Rashmi invites her to food. "Honestly, I'm tired and just want to go rest..." But she looks at Rashmi and ''sees'' that look, Rashmi's worried about something. "What's wrong? Well, I mean, besides... everything... We can talk about it over takoyaki if you want, sure."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;If the couple haven't left yet, she does give them a wave and waits for them to leave before... Well, they're on the roof and the door is locked, so the only way Amy and Rashmi are leaving here is flying.<br> <br>
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