View source for 2701/Safety, Water, Ice, Sugar

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2025/07/19
|Location=Juuban Ward
|Synopsis=These are the things craved by those walking away from the fight with Demande and Saphir. Usagi, Chibiusa, Mamoru, Amy, Masato, Izou, Kazuo, and Ami take a moment to catch their breath, and unpack some of what they just survived.
|Cast of Characters=43,38,107,86,58,270,90,122
|Tinyplot=Black Moon Clan
|Tinyplot2=BMC: Wicked Ride
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:43|Usagi Tsukino (43)}} has posed:'''<br>Sailor Moon is relieved for the chance to drop Moon Space, when everything is over. The souls of the Black Moon Clan have floated off, twinkling into the distance, returned to the cycle of reincarnation. Usagi can't say when they'll be reborn, only that they'll be together, given a chance to come together once more, and hopefully do better. <br><br>Juuban is more deserted when Moon Space comes down - panicking civilians have evacuated the area, and police officers must have begun roping things off, because there's tape to close off the street in the distance. Everyone who had been in Moon Space is returned, save Sailor Jupiter, and Sailor Moon glances worriedly in the general direction the Moon Space blimp had flown off in. <br><br>"I hope it didn't carry Makochan off ''too far''," she murmurs.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Mamoru Chiba (38)}} has posed:'''<br>"She'll text if she needs a ride," Tuxedo Mask says mildly, taking the opportunity to check Sailor Chibimoon's neck. "Here, big girl, let me see..."<br><br>His tongue is still blue and there's still fox-shaped facepaint on his face, but his bare hands are free of frosting and his ragged cape and tuxedo are artfully demolished. "I would personally suggest we group-teleport out of here onto my roof."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy wishes to help, wishes that those whose lives were shaped by Death Phantom can have another chance, and that's enough to help a little bit.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"...I'm guessing there's no way to know," she asks, after the lights fly off, "Whether that sent them to ''our'' future, or to their home timeline? I guess it doesn't really matter, though.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sailor Jupiter exited by blimp. Amy looks that way. "I mean... how ''big'' is your barrierinth, anyway? Has anyone ever run to the edges and checked?" She scratches her chin. "Although, who's to say that distance is the same inside it and outside it, anyway... although I guess it usually ''is'' in barriers and ''isn't'' in Labyrinths, so that'd be interesting to find out..."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Beat.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Still clad as the sailor soldier of freedom to live as yourself, Amy suddenly turns and looks to the gathering Tsukino family. "...Are you okay?" A lot of stuff just happened!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:86|Izou Saitou (86)}} has posed:'''<br>There was talk about where those souls had drifted off to. It went into Izou's ear and left out the other. He felt numb and tired, having leaned his head on Kazuo's should right as Sailor Moon had finished her miracle and the Moon Space pocket dissolved.<br><br>It was just unfortunate that, as he henshin'd, he was back in his Academy's uniform. Brightly thing it was.<br><br>"I'm okay with us going back to your roof." He mutters to Mamoru.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Kazuo Saitou (58)}} has posed:'''<br>Kunzite is hanging on to his henshin by sheer willpower. He glances toward the police lines, and draws his cape around Izou to conceal the very, very identifiable Radiant Heart uniform. "Elsewhere first," he agrees. "Then questions." ... he does ''not'' need to get arrested at ''this'' point in his life, even if it would probably make the universe laugh.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:270|Chibiusa Tsukino (270)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Chibimoon was silent as she watched the souls of her mortal enemies float away. It's most certainly not the kind of ending that she thinks they deserve, but it's the kind of ending that she should ''want'' for them. She is, after all, the Princess of Crystal Tokyo. Mercy and kindness are at the core of their policy. Even if a part of her heart still feels...<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;... angry.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mamoru checks her neck. It's still a bit sore. A Dark General did just hold it in a ''death grip'' a moment ago. Chibimoon is a cooperative patient during this, which means that she holds perfectly still unless Mamoru tells her to do otherwise.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;At the mention of a group teleport, her hand reaches up to grasp her alt-dad's. To Amy, she says, "I think they were sent to my world, not yours. It might get confusing otherwise." As to whether or not she's okay, Chibimoon scowls a little. "I don't know what I feel. I can't even say I'm glad it's over because I'm still mad that it happened." Not that it's actually over, anyways.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:90|Masato Sanjouin (90)}} has posed:'''<br>"I'm feeling something in my legs, mostly." Masato muses as he steps closer, returned as well to the casual and cool clothing. A sigh leaves him, even as he stands he feels like he could collapse. <br><br>He reaches for a shoulder to hold as teleportation comes up, and he's grateful enough for that. "What a day..."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Usagi Tsukino (43)}} has posed:'''<br>"I don't think there is," Usagi admits, turning to look at Amy with a sheepish, tired look. "But I don't think it will matter. It took so long for us to be reborn together that... I'd be really surprised if a thousand years was enough, either way." <br><br>She doesn't know, and can't know, why it took so long - all she knows is that it did, and that makes her think the souls of the Black Moon Clan may drift for a long, long time. <br><br>Mamoru is healing Chibiusa, and Usagi joins them, a hand on her head tentatively, reassuring herself that she's still here and going to be okay. She offers quiet reassurance. "You were amazing, Chibimoon-chan, and - trust me, you're right to be angry. I am too. But it was kind of you, to help them anyway - and your crystal was really pretty." <br><br>A non sequitur maybe, except that Chibiusa' very own crystal had bloomed like a rose, and she'd offered her power, her newly claimed and awoken magic, to help people who had done so much to hurt her - Usagi is ''proud'' of her, because she knows how much it confuses and frustrates to help those you're still so angry with." <br><br>"I'm good with that," she says in response to the offer of teleporting. "Honestly I uh, I've never tried to see how far it goes? Usually I'm tired just holding it up. But okay, let me just - I'll run and let everyone else know what we're doing-" <br><br>And she does just that, taking a few moments to make sure everyone else still present from that fight knows that they're moving to Mamoru's place, and everyone is welcome.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Mamoru Chiba (38)}} has posed:'''<br>The healing doesn't take long, and honestly, neither does Usagi telling everyone; by the time she's back, Mamoru's getting people in a circle. With Chibimoon, they have enough Senshi in henshin to carry the group, they've done this before--<br><br>When they've left, it's another crater, though much smaller than the one Saphir's body left on impact.<br><br>At least they won't be arrested.<br><br>The rooftop garden is sunny in the late afternoon, the goldening light streaming between buildings and hitting the enormous gold orrery that's in one corner of the more open-space part of the roof, where everyone lands. There's a round table with a wifi-enabled umbrella in it, and there are trees and roses in planters on dollies, and there are fairy lights in the trees that aren't currently turned on -- but given the little solar charger at their bases, they'll probably be on later.<br><br>The door's in the little rooftop stairwell house, and as soon as they arrive, Mamoru himself is dropping his tattered henshin.<br><br>He abruptly sits down in one of the chairs.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:270|Chibiusa Tsukino (270)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Chibimoon looks up at Usagi at the compliment. She's not the type to force herself to smile, so she doesn't, but she ''did'' decide after Wicked Lady to be (relatively) nicer to Usagi so she still says, "Thanks." She closes her eyes for a moment and says, "It's what my homeworld-mommy would want me to do. I guess some things don't change much."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It's hard to be fair after what they did, and Chibimoon won't lie about that. Not to herself. On the other hand, it's also not right to be merciless to someone who's known nothing but lies and viciousness since birth. It's impossible to tell how they would turn out without Wiseman, because they never ''had'' a real chance.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Now they're on the rooftop, and Chibimoon's neck is healed. She still touches it, not because it ''hurts'' but because she's still processing the memory. Even something like being ''grabbed by the neck'' is different when you have a henshin.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She drops back to Chibiusa, and then Small Lady climbs onto a chair to sit down. Luna-P floats nearby, and she grabs it to hold in her arms.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She's just kindof... staring ahead right now.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Kazuo Saitou (58)}} has posed:'''<br>Kunzite scrapes up a tiny bit of lingering energy to add to the teleport, which means that once they land Izou is leaning on Kazuo, and it's only an arm around him instead of a cape. There are, at least, no police eyeing them. He turns his head to check the current layout, and escorts Izou toward a shaded bench.<br><br>They could take the stairs down. They probably will. But right now he's a little concerned that if they try, one or the other (or both) of them might take them somewhat faster than is generally useful, and not feet-first.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy looks over Chibiusa for a moment. First close look at her she's gotten since the wedding and the slight aging-up. "...I think it's okay, to not know how you feel. Feelings are... complicated," the redhead looks away and rubs the back of her neck, "And they can take some time to figure out when you have new ones, no matter how long you've been alive."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Which reminds her: Now that she's back from the other world, she wonders how Usagi feels about ''her'', and just what are her feelings for Usagi?<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Now is maybe not the time to ask, though her mind wanders on that until she's called over to the teleport.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy looks around the roof. "Ooh, you added plants and a table! ...Or did I not notice before because there was always stuff going on?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:86|Izou Saitou (86)}} has posed:'''<br>Guided to the bench, he doesn't let go of Kazuo to sit down as much as implies they both should sit down together and stay huddled there for a moment. The only instance Izou does let go of his boyfriend is to take off the Academy jacket he had on, letting it hang off the side of the bench before settling back--arms around Kazuo's, head on shoulder.<br><br>Yes, later they would go downstairs. Tea, coffee, food, and something mind numbing on a screen would be helpful. Or just sleep. Or mobile games. Anything to let his head slowly process actions.<br><br>"...Kazuo, will you be okay?" Mutters, still quiet.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Usagi Tsukino (43)}} has posed:'''<br>Usagi drops into a chair besides Mamoru and Chibiusa, her yukata still torn from her slide across the floor, her skin scraped in places that sting but not so much that she can be bothered to move for it. <br><br>"I guess they don't change that much," she agrees, and it's intimidating, and reassuring, too, because close to the start of the year Usagi had been driven by hatred to kill Koan viciously - and now she's been able to let that go, enough to be fair, even to people she doesn't, and won't ever, like. <br><br>"I'm glad we helped them," she admits, "But I'm also hoping it takes them a good long time to cleanse their souls and rejoin the living." <br><br>Maybe it could take so long that Chibiusa wouldn't ever have to see them again.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:90|Masato Sanjouin (90)}} has posed:'''<br>Masato takes a long moment to breath in, letting his lung fill and his body gently stretch. A small series of loosened movements, though his gaze seems to trail Chibiusa, who now has to sit with the complex non-closure, and the memory of being held by the neck. Of having to crack that bastard in the nose-- like father like daughter, perhaps-- to get loose. Blood and unprettiness and all very raw, still. <br><br>"It doesn't always sit right, these moments," he muses aloud, at the very least to acknowledge it, "Being merciful, being kind, after going through hell... It might be the right thing, in the grand scheme of things, but that doesn't take the sting off it." <br><br>A final roll of his arm, and a glance flicked to the golden sky. "I'll try not to think too much about whether or not they can change. We showed them that ''our hearts'' will not be changed. For now, that'll have to be enough."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Kazuo Saitou (58)}} has posed:'''<br>"I'll be all right," Kazuo tells Izou, after settling more than willingly beside Izou. "Bruises and cuts, and tired, but nothing worse." Particularly if he doesn't have to turn that one arm palm-upward anytime soon. Not worth bothering Mamoru immediately, though; it won't get worse if it's left for a little while, and Mamoru needs time to recover, too.<br><br>His shirt, on the other hand, is destined for bleach and rags. There's just no saving that. At least henshin-and-back cleared out any glass slivers.<br><br>He leans his head down against the top of Zoisite's, white strands of hair mingling just a little with more colorful ones. "You? Any physical wounds?" Emotional ones are, alas, a given.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:86|Izou Saitou (86)}} has posed:'''<br>Considering the first few times dealing with the Black Moon Clan having resulted in a fractured spine and being stabbed through the gut, this time around he was hardly wounded at all. Well, hardly. One of his shoulders and arms would definitely bruise up because of Demande's last attack, and his ears still felt like they were slightly underwater.<br><br>But nothing that needed any immediate addressing as well.<br><br>"Similar to yours. No cuts though." Next time he would save up some energy to place those new little blooms on the mahou once a battle was over. It would keep any infections from happening at the very least. The healing part would still need to happen with Mamoru.<br><br>A deep breath then, thankful to feel Kazuo's head atop his own. "...I did miss Music Club though."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Mamoru Chiba (38)}} has posed:'''<br>Mamoru's silent for a moment, leaving his hands out within reach, torn yukata mildly distressing-- he's just watching, preoccupied, thinking, but if Chibiusa or Usagi wants to touch him, they don't have to reach far. He's not reaching for them, though.<br><br>"I'll let you know if I ever figure out how to feel about them," he says slowly, after a moment. "Why was the earth cake, Usako, is your subconscious saying something?"<br><br>Finally it registers, in Mamoru's buffer, that Amy asked a question, and he looks up at her. "Well, the table and these trees and roses were here before, so you just missed them. The fuckoff big lush beautiful garden over there is new. Its architect is over there sharing an insane amount of heat and humidity with our boyfriend, which means I should go get everyone water..."<br><br>He starts to sit up.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:270|Chibiusa Tsukino (270)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Chibiusa silently hopes the same as Usagi. "I'm not going to miss them," she admits. "I think we did the best we could for them, as sad as that may be."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She glances towards Izou after saying that. His actions weren't unnoticed, and they were very necessary, but she can't exactly assume he's happy with this outcome. Then her eyes go to Masato as she considers his words, along with Amy's. "I don't want to sound like a spoiled brat, but I kinda feel like I got everything I wanted and yet I'm still not happy."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sinking down into her chair, she thinks, "... Actually, I can't even say that. My home world's still all messed up, and I need to go take my world's Silver Crystal back to where it belongs. I'm not even ''done'' yet." Small Lady doesn't even know if that damage can be undone... no, that's too much to really think about right now.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Chibiusa doesn't reach for Mamoru either, at least not yet, but she does respond to the cake thing, "Maybe she thinks you're really sweet?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Kazuo Saitou (58)}} has posed:'''<br>"Honestly," Kazuo says a little more in Mamoru's direction, "I was expecting we'd migrate downstairs as soon as everyone was up to moving that far. Shorter walk for water then." He considers that, and adds absently, "Or ice." Maybe they can fill the ball pit with ice cubes. Maybe that would not be the best of ideas.<br><br>To Izou, he adds quietly, "If you'd like to make up the practice time later, I'd be honored to sit with you and listen if you still want company." When things have settled enough to let him channel emotions into sound, instead of just aggravating a heart still raw.<br><br>He lifts his head a little after, and says to Chibiusa, "Just another aspect of the same lesson. What we think we want and what we actually want can turn out not to be the same."<br><br>... hm. Making sure Izou's sometimes erratic reactions don't try to interpret that as Kazuo meaning ''him,'' he lowers his head back down again, and resettles with an arm a little more securely around him.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy shrugs to Chibiusa. "I got more than most people ''ever'' will and... there are still times I'm sad, or unhappy..." She looks away, rubbing her arm. "The whole 'if I die tomorrow it's OK ''because'' I got so much' thing is ''kinda'' true in that I think I'd be ''a lot'' less unsatisfied with the life I got than I would've been if I'd died ''before,'' but also, thinking of the future I wish I could have and discover and figure out like everyone else always made me sad. You can always want more."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She looks back to the pinkette. "Now your dads have ''both'' offered me a future, depending on how things work out, and yet I'm ''still'' reaching for more and hoping I can find romance or, or ''whatever'' relationships look like for someone demi-ace-who-knows-what ''I'' haven't really figured out what I want. You can always want more."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Now that folks are dropping out of henshin and they've had a moment to breathe, Amy notices the scrapes and such accumulated. "Oh um... do you want... I have my first aid kit... oh Mamoru could heal it faster anyway..."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She blinks and looks at Mamoru. "The Earth was cake?"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Beat.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"...What flavor was it?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:90|Masato Sanjouin (90)}} has posed:'''<br>A slightly sympathetic look sweeps the slumping pink Princess, and the Shitennou glances back at Kazuo and Izou. Taking in the shape of them, and the quiet somberness of the shorter one as Amy talks. <br><br>Masato arches a brow at Mamoru. "Was it dirt flavoured?" He prods of cake. "Imagine if it was mulch and sugar in frosting."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Usagi Tsukino (43)}} has posed:'''<br>"You're not a spoiled brat," says Usagi, who has called Chibiusa that on more than one occasion, mostly when it came to frustration over taunts ''in her very own invaded dorm room''. This coming from her is how you know it's true. "Because - the fact that they're gone now doesn't change all the awful things they did. And there's still a lot left for us to do, so of course there's still plenty to be all messed up about!" <br><br>The day is cooler than other days have been, but it's not cool, and she's sitting slumped and tired until Mamoru asks that question, at which point she tips her head back to stare up at the umbrella. <br><br>"Either that I really want cake, or that you have cake, Mamochan," is the honest answer, because she really doesn't have any clue as to why Moon Space is the way it is, except that of course on some level it's all things she likes, softer, playful, less scary.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Mamoru Chiba (38)}} has posed:'''<br>"Chocolate, with mint frosting," answers Mamoru immediately, very nearly saying it over Masato's question, and then he nods to Kazuo and settles back again. He gets a Hell Of An Expression in Masato's direction. "I'm not imagining that. Feel free to imagine it yourself!" he says in mild horror.<br><br>Then he raises his eyebrows at Usagi. "Your subconscious thinks I have cake?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:270|Chibiusa Tsukino (270)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A lot of words are being said to Small Lady, and she can't really disagree with any of them. No one is ''wrong'', because the ones who were the most wrong are ''gone forever''. Maybe not really, since they'll reincarnate, but actually yeah really because Chibiusa is unlikely to ever have to deal with them again.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"... I think, what I really wanted, was to feel safe. I thought that meant being like my mom, and then I thought that meant the Black Moon Clan being dead, and then I thought that meant having power..." She trails off, then shakes her head.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Chibiusa stares at Mamoru and asks, "Do you?"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:86|Izou Saitou (86)}} has posed:'''<br>Wanted or wished for, results of not knowing what one would feel like on the other side of the accomplishment. He knew that wasn't entirely for him, but it landed a bit on his consciousness regardless only because he knew this moment was necessary.<br><br>Rubs his cheek on Kazuo's shoulder, only now noting that it was still warm, and the talk about water and ice was tempting him. Soon they'd be downstairs. "I want to company. I just can't promise what I will play will be pleasant..." Venting through music was not something he shared often. But this is Kazuo, and this was different. It would be part of their lives. "But I want you there."<br><br>Then, his eyes does catch the subject of dirt cake and Masato's description of dirt with frosting and--he makes a soured face, squinting over. It was his first expression besides being tired. "There's a dirt pie instead. But it's chocolate cookies and pudding and gummy worms instead of the real thing." A beat.<br><br>Gods, he hopes no one asks him why he knows this. Mamoru's birthday was coming soon, and he started to research non-baking solutions.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:90|Masato Sanjouin (90)}} has posed:'''<br>Masato smirks a little bit at Mamoru, the levity a welcome little reprieve, though he's pulled out his phone to tap out a text. Sapphire eyes flick towards Chibiusa again as she thinks outloud. <br><br>"I'll fix you a mocktail that tastes like cake, if he doesn't."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Chocolate-with-mint-frosting Earth. "Huh. Sounds delicious." Amy comments. "Does that make it like... Earthday cake?"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She looks back to Chibiusa. "Safety is... safety is something that's really hard to get, I guess. It's also at the ''bottom'' of Maslow's heirarchy of needs..." She sighs.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"...That might be all I wanted too. Like... the safety of knowing my future... wasn't in doubt, or could fall apart at any time, or stuff like that."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Usagi Tsukino (43)}} has posed:'''<br>Very dryly, Usagi says, "My ''conscious'' thinks you have cake." <br><br>She is way, way too tired to summon shame - and she usually doesn't have any, anyway.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Kazuo Saitou (58)}} has posed:'''<br>Kazuo makes a quiet, unclassifiable sound at Amy's 'Earthday cake,' and turns his face a little more firmly into Izou's hair for a moment. Presumably gathering the strength to carry on after that joke. Or possibly after the mental image of pudding and gummy worms.<br><br>He draws a deeper breath, squeezes Izou lightly with a whisper of "Thank you," and straightens up. "Nobody gets guarantees on their future," he says to Amy - and to Chibiusa. "The best we get is people around us willing to help, whom we're willing to help in return. That's the truest kind of safety there is. Knowing that if we fall down, other people will step in to cover us, and pick us back up, and help us get our strength back. It means we still have to work at it. But it's easier, and happier, with caring added in."<br><br>His expression goes wry for a moment. "Which also means, yes, that Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a hierarchy of better and more thorough ''kinds'' of safety, each step allowing us more freedom to reach for the next. And means I think about this too much. Sorry."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:122|Ami Mizuno (122)}} has posed:'''<br>The bench had been a place of much needed rest to set herself upon and there she'd been sitting quietly. Ami had only really been half-listening to the conversation as she stared at the ground, catching breath and thoughts.<br><br>But, her brows furrowed now and her attention lifted slowly, sapphire gaze settling on Masato. "You can make cake-flavoured mocktails?"<br><br>Evidently, the subject of sweet, cold beverage was enough to click her out of her reverie.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Mamoru Chiba (38)}} has posed:'''<br>"Well, yeah, but it's staying under lock in the freezer until NEXT June 23rd," Mamoru says firmly. "It's anniversary cake. But if someone wants to go all the way downstairs with my card, a cake can be bought from the cafe."<br><br>Oh man that went so far over his head that the James Webb telescope can't see it.<br><br>He does push himself up from his chair, though, finally. He steadies himself briefly with his fingertips on the tabletop, then lets a hand fall warm atop Chibiusa's head. It's just-- a sort of numb warmth and a sense of apology. He can't process in a crowd and it's starting to catch up with him.<br><br>Moving away he says, "It's air-conditioned and darker inside, and water and ice are, as Kazuo said, in easy reach." Then he says to Amy and Chibiusa, "It's not hard to find safety, even relative safety. It's just hard to make it last. Izou-kun, I want to eat that now. Kazuo..."<br><br>Mamoru lets out a chuff of a laugh, closing his eyes for a second, then heading for the door. "Never apologize for that. Oh wait. ''Can'' everyone walk? How hurt is everyone? Gods, I really am out of it."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy blinks. "Others will... huh. I guess... I somehow... never pictured that. I figured when we fade, or graduate and all move away, or..." She shakes her head. "I mean... with the promise of the apartment... that did begin to change, but before that... huh. Do most people feel someone will be there for them?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:86|Izou Saitou (86)}} has posed:'''<br>"No. Not everyone feels that that there is someone there for them. But what you feel is not always a perfect reflection of reality." Izou answers Amy, before looking over to Mamoru.<br><br>There's a sigh. "I can make it for you. Don't expect it to be perfect." And don't expect it now. It'll come as a surprise. But he's not saying that either.<br><br>Lifting his head up, places a kiss on Kazuo's cheek. "Are you okay to walk?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Usagi Tsukino (43)}} has posed:'''<br>"Pretty much, yeah," Usagi tells Amy, more blunt than she usually would, though her soft smile might make up for it. She sits up a little more, stretching her arms above her head - her Yukata is breezy enough that she doesn't feel too overheated, and the social atmosphere is re-energizing her, peaceful if sometimes emotionally complicated conversation doing wonders for such a strongly extroverted girl. <br><br>"Kazuo-kun's right, and so's Mamochan, and neither of you are wrong for wanting to feel safe - we should all ''get'' to be safe... but safe is temporary. Especially in our lives, so sometimes the best we can do is take our wins, and be glad that we have each other, and that we'll still have each other, even if the worst should happen." Because they would. Even if the Fade hit. Even if they forgot. She believes that, in her heart of hearts, and she refuses to surrender to doubt and fear. <br><br>"I don't really know about, um, Marlow and his needs, but, it's not like there's ''anything'' you can get alone, so of course you need people along the way to climb his pyramid!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Mamoru Chiba (38)}} has posed:'''<br>Mamoru hooks right back around from the door to come over and kiss Usagi because that was ''unbearably cute''.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:270|Chibiusa Tsukino (270)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Chibiusa considers people's responses to her. Kazuo's, Amy's, Usagi's... What they say is meaningful, but at the end of the day she has to be honest with herself. She's just venting, because that's how she's processing her feelings today.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Thanks," she says, to the group as a whole.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To Masato she says, "... maybe later. Unless you're making them anyways."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She slips off of the chair, releasing Luna-P to float at her side, to go walk up to Mamoru and potentially follow him if he goes downstairs. "I can walk."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Well, sorta. She can feel her exhaustion and it's not ''just'' emotional.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I can walk long enough to go downstairs," she clarifies.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:90|Masato Sanjouin (90)}} has posed:'''<br>Masato lifts his head to peer at Amy quizzically, and privately he thinks there's something very American about 'pyramids' of information. But he's not going to be rude, though. Rather, he smiles a little at Izou, because what he says-- coming from him especially-- is heartening to hear. <br><br>After a few moments, his phone vibrates, and he tilts his head to and fro. "... On another note, I think Makochan ended up somewhere near Harajuku Station."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy blinks. "Huh... I mean... if I'd grown up here... at Radiant Heart I mean... I guess... it'd be pretty different. Maybe I ''would've'' felt like that... huh." She sighs, and takes a seat at the table.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Kazuo Saitou (58)}} has posed:'''<br>"Yes. You?" Kazuo turns his head to return kiss on cheek for kiss on cheek. There are truly scandalous amounts of PDA going on over at that bench, and Kazuo, at the moment, truly, truly does not care. And then, of course, Mamoru and Usagi outdo them, which is an even better reason not to care.<br><br>He pushes himself up carefully a moment later, making sure his knees are willing to go along with his 'yes.' "Water. Ice. Sugar. All at an even more basic level on the hierarchy. Downstairs it is." A lingering pause, as he checks to see whether Izou is getting to ''his'' feet or whether Kazuo is going to negotiate the stairs carrying someone. Which he's apparently prepared to do if necessary. "Tell Mako-chan we have ice cream."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:122|Ami Mizuno (122)}} has posed:'''<br>Ami's attention drifted to Usagi with a faint giggle. She could say something so impressively confused right after offering up insightful comments on the subject. Nobody else could quite manage it in the same way.<br><br>"She got good distance on it, at least." Ami glanced Masato's way again as she pushed herself to stand.<br><br>She really didn't feel like sitting about on the rooftop alone.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Usagi Tsukino (43)}} has posed:'''<br>Mamoru is immediately kissed back, and ''this'' is enough to get Usagi onto her feet, along with the fact that Chibiusa is leaving too. She offers her hand to Ami, intending to help her up so they can all make their way downstairs, to blessed air condition, ice, water, sugar, and cushion-y couches. <br><br>All they need now is - <br><br>"All the way to Harajuku-station?! Is Moon Space really that big, or did the blimp just - just go ''wonky''?" <br><br>Her eyes are wide at the very thought, and she looks off in the distance from the roof, towards Harajuku, before she shakes herself. <br><br>"I think you're giving Radiant Heart too much credit," she tells Amy, "And the rest of the world not enough. It's not like it's the ''only'' good place in the world."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:86|Izou Saitou (86)}} has posed:'''<br>"And that there's a fuckoff big lush beautiful garden I'm working on." Izou tells Masato in regards to Makoto, having at least heard what Mamoru called it. There was a bit of humor in his tone, but barely. Izou still felt numb, all the same.<br><br>"I think I'll be fine, love." He addresses Kazuo, and carefully begins to get up, testing his legs. Yes, he'd be fine walking down there, no need to carrying. But he would be claiming a seat on one of the couches.<br><br>"I'm ready."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Mamoru Chiba (38)}} has posed:'''<br>Apparently it is up to him to punch in the keycode and open the door, and Mamoru briefly considers teasing everyone, calling them ducklings~, but it's-- everyone's thirsty. "After we hydrate I will fix problems and then I am gonna take fifteen minutes in the ballpit before offering its services around for meditative purposes," he says, somehow managing to go chunking down the stairs without stompy boots on, and then punching in the door code to the apartment proper. He props the door open and starts turning on lights.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:90|Masato Sanjouin (90)}} has posed:'''<br>"Maybe it is and isn't, given how everything... squeezes in, like a stage," Masato muses on Moonspace, and the improbability of it, "That, or you think about fashion so much, you've got a Harajuku in there, specifically." <br><br>He shrugs a little, before sending another text. "She's very excited about your &lt;fuckoff&gt; garden, Monet," He flashed a grin at Izou and Kazuo quickly, and looked back down to his phone, "Icecream and ballpit... Check." <br><br>A short sigh. "I should probably go get her. Mocktails when I get back." He glanced at Ami. "Maybe I'll bring home cake too. Who knows?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:270|Chibiusa Tsukino (270)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Small Lady makes it all the way downstairs, all by herself, which she is very proud of in a way that she doesn't put into words. It wouldn't really be challenging but she's ''dead tired'' and... for a moment she's honestly wondering if this is how the Wicked Lady and New Moon fiasco made Mamoru feel.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The fact that Makoto is ''all the way over in Harajuku'' doesn't really even register to her. The fact that she's alive and well is about all that Chibiusa can really process right now. It's something that she'll wonder about later, though.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Once inside the apartment, she and Luna-P run inside to the nearest, floofiest couch and jumps on top of it, sitting down with her hands in her lap. Luna-P turns into a pillow, and she leans it against the armrest and lays against it.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:122|Ami Mizuno (122)}} has posed:'''<br>Of course, Ami would accept the assistance to stand. Even that small contact seemed to settle her further, the blonde met with a pleasant--though clearly tired--smile.<br><br>"I don't think distance is one-to-one with the real-world in there." She mused on the Moon Space. "It's one of those things where, when two spacetimes meet, things tend to get a little bit undefined."<br><br>It doesn't look as though Ami is particularly interested in letting Usagi's hand go for the moment and, as such, just follows along as she's led.<br><br>"So, pretty much everything else we need. Mocktails, cake, and Mako-chan." Ami nodded and then sighed. "All of my study notes are at home, though... This is ''almost'' perfect."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Kazuo Saitou (58)}} has posed:'''<br>Kazuo keeps close to Izou on the way down, then takes his hand long enough to squeeze it before taking a brief turn away. Into the kitchen. Water pitchers filled, two. Ice bucket, they actually have one, filled and tongs hung off the side. Glasses. Bottled sodas and a pitcher of iced sencha pulled from the fridge. It's a couple of trays put out for people to raid as desired. Chibiusa and Izou are the only two he actually ''brings'' drinks to, before he pulls a washable piece of cloth over the back of a couch just in case and settles with cold tea. No circulating with trays for him today. It violates the 'don't use that hand palm-up till Mamoru deals with it' rule.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:86|Izou Saitou (86)}} has posed:'''<br>The squeezed hand was enough reassurance for Izou to settle down on one of the couches after he left his shoes in one of the cubbies near the front door, hanging his jacket there too. He wasn't about to make a mess.<br><br>Couch chosen, he settles in the middle of it, waiting for Kazuo. When the older tennou returns with a cup of water, he settles back next to, shoulder to shoulder.<br><br>"Thank you." Mutters, sipping.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Usagi Tsukino (43)}} has posed:'''<br>Holding onto Ami's hand, Usagi comes down the stairs with her, not letting go, just following along - and once they're in the apartment properly, it's a situation of 'like daughter, like mother', because she heads straight for some couch space and flops down, encouraging Ami to flop down with her. <br><br>"I don't know if this is the comfiest couch I've ever sat on, or if it's just we come back here after so many fights it's like, stuck in my ''brain'' as the best, but either way... I'm not moving." <br><br>Which means that Ami is not moving. Good thing she wouldn't want to move, right? Right! <br><br>"That makes sense - what both of you said. I really like fashion... and it's not like... Moon Space is ''real'', so why not stretch and squish?" She yawns so big her jaw cracks, and closes her eyes. She's not asleep, but she's just relaxing.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I mean, it was a wonky dream blimp in the first place. The Earth was sky cake."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Usagi saying she's not giving the rest of the world enough credit just gets a look that says Amy is pressing [F] to doubt. She's ''been'' other places.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She thinks about how to explain it as they go down into the apartment, and finally words come to mind. "Do you ''really'' wanna know? ...You're ''Usagi Tsukino.'' You make friends with everyone naturally. People ''want'' to be your friend. I've never seen anyone pick on you, and if they ''did'' someone would tell them off instead of asking what ''you'' did wrong to get picked on."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You try your hardest and when it's not good enough, no one says 'why did you do that, why did you want to cause trouble, how could you be so malicious, you should know better. And when you grow up... Well, you're gonna be a housewife, but if you hadn't met Mamoru you'd've had connections and networking. There probably ''would'' be someone there for you."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Taro wandered Japan for ''decades'' and yet having friends and a place he ''wants'' to stay is new for him."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She crosses her arms and her legs and looks away, frowning. "Yes. Radiant Heart is special. The world another you made in the future is special. ''You'', and the people gathered here, are special and a rarity and there's nowhere else like it."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"...You can't change the past. None of us can. Let's just make a better future."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:38|Mamoru Chiba (38)}} has posed:'''<br>Mamoru finishes turning on lights and drawing curtains open, then is briefly in the kitchen, just missing Kazuo -- but he does grab a soda, then drink an entire glass of water before drinking the soda more slowly. That he can do while he heals people; that's what he's doing in the background, maybe a little mechanically; everything's a little muted. But once he's done, he does, indeed, vanish into the ballpit for a little while...<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:122|Ami Mizuno (122)}} has posed:'''<br>Ami definitely would not want to move, no. Flopped on a couch with Usagi was absolutely the best place to be right now. That's where those famous Usa-hugs could be found.<br><br>The blue-haired senshi slowly turned sapphirine eyes to Amy and she sat silently for a moment. It took a little bit but eventually she just shrugged very faintly.<br><br>"That sounds a lot less like the place and a lot more like the people, Amy-chan." Ami smiled. "That's what it feels like when you find friends. The where probably isn't so important, but the who makes it all very special."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:270|Chibiusa Tsukino (270)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Chibiusa gets a drink from Kazuo, whom she ''knows'' is just as tired as she is, and says with warmth, "Thank you, Kazuo." Because truly, he has done her a kindness right now.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To Amy, she listens with a slight frown. "I know I don't have it nearly as bad as all that, but even I, as princess of the ''whole actual world'', get picked on sometimes. Don't assume that I can just use my authority or position to make them stop, either. Silencing dissent is a bad look." After all, people making fun of her for lacking her mother's power was kind of a key part behind the inciting incident for all this.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Small Lady watches Mamoru go to the ball pit after making the rounds. She doesn't fight him for it. Truthfully, the moment she can stand, she's likely to vanish to her room.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Usagi Tsukino (43)}} has posed:'''<br>Eyes still closed - but not asleep, just like she'd said - Usagi laughs, a little. Not mean, not even incredulous, just - well, that's funny! That's kind of really funny, actually. <br><br>"Amy-chan, I ''don't'' make friends with everyone naturally. I make friends with everyone ''persistently''. I like people, and I'm smart at people, unlike, you know, ''everything else''," she doesn't sound bitter about it, just matter of fact - she knows that social skills and emotional intelligence are where she shines, just as she knows the classroom has ever been her enemy. "Just because you've never seen anyone pick on me, doesn't mean it hasn't happened. And teachers ''always'' ask me why I didn't try harder, why I didn't apply myself, why didn't I just pay attention, why didn't I get up earlier, why didn't I understand the lesson, why, why, why, why, it's always my fault. I've been in detention more than everyone who's ''not'' an actual delinquent." <br><br>She is contentedly cozy on the couch, squeezing Ami's hand a little, as she hums. <br><br>"Taro-kun's a nice boy who spent decades stabbing and eating people, Amy-chan. Did you ever... consider that maybe all the stabbing and eating people and thinking it's okay, because they're grown-ups, even though they can't fight back and don't know what's happening to them, is part of why having friends and a place to stay is new?" <br><br>The thing is? She genuinely likes Taro. She considers him a friend. She's very fond of him. She's also argued about most of this ''to his face''. She knows that's partially why he stopped eating people as much, part of why he stopped being a bad guy in practice, and name. <br><br>"I have connections, sure, and part of that's because I'm really lucky, with my family. But part of it's doing the work I actually ''am'' good at. I would have been a housewife, in my future, even without Mamochan, because I would have made it happen for myself, ''even'' when everyone thinks I'm being dumb and throwing away my potential and not living up to what I'm capable of and what the family name means." <br><br>She rolls a little on the couch, on her side, and contemplates if Ami would let her climb into her lap. <br><br>"I've been to Radiant Heart Academy for two years, and the only thing special about it is the amount of magic there. There are ''lots'' of good people in the world - sure, at Radiant Heart, but outside of it, too." <br><br>She's not going to say that she think Amy shut her heart down and stopped reaching out, stopped opening up, stopped seeing the world as it is instead of how it hurt her, but she's definitely thinking it. <br><br>"Thinking that school is special is how you end up terrified of leaving it."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy's just kind of :&#124; at Chibiusa, because yes, getting picked on isn't the same when there are people around you who ''believe it is wrong.'' But also Chibiusa had her own problems and inability to make friends and connect and has been lonely far longer, so Amy's in no place to tell her off either.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And Usagi... Usagi ''has'' been in trouble, and told she should know better, and Amy winces. "I'm sorry."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But she still looks troubled, because then ''why is there a difference.''<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"He didn't spend ''all'' his time stabbing people. Any more then we spend ''all'' our time fighting youma. What about the rest of it?" And her voice chills and fists clench again. "''I'' wasn't stabbing people. You're saying I chose something wrong? That I was ''hurting'' people?"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She ''bristles'' at the bit about people thinking Usagi's throwing away her potential.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;After Usagi and Ami's words, red eyes look back to blue and hands clench into fists, and also she remembers to drop her henshin, putting her back in her school uniform. And with as much of an icy edge to her words as she can manage, Amy answers, ''"Then why weren't there people like this anywhere else."''<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She looks away. "It's not like I just mean the students. They gave me a job and when it didn't fit they let me move to a position I was better at."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She stands up and goes to the window to glare at the world outside. "I have people now. I can never repay your kindness, but... life isn't transactional." Her eyes water and her throat feels tight. "Isn't it enough that maybe I have a future, and in that future I'll keep being kind to people and pay it forward and treat people how I ''should've'' been treated? You can't change the past or argue it into being different with words."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Mamoru was weird about this too. Earth and its people can feel like ''home'' for you."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Earth didn't do this. ''the world'', and ''people'' didn't show me kindness, ''you'' did, and other individuals. You ''chose'' to be better, and I'll do the same. The people who ''didn't?''" She shakes her head. "You don't speak for them, and you shouldn't pretend they're like you."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Usagi Tsukino (43)}} has posed:'''<br>"Because you didn't ''meet them''. You sound like - you remind me of all the people we learned about in history who used to think the Earth was the super most specialest ever place in the universe, just because we happened to be here," Usagi says, honest, and she's squirming her way into Ami's lap, resting her head on her thighs. <br><br>"Sometimes people have ''bad luck'', sometimes people don't have good connections, but I want to remind you that Hinoiri-chan ''burned Mamochan and I alive'' and we still call her a friend. Sometimes befriending people takes work on both sides, and sometimes it takes being willing to be hurt over and over to make that friendship a reality." <br><br>Amy is choked up and hurt, and she regrets that, but - <br><br>"Taro didn't spend all his time hurting people, but he spent a lot of his time hurting people, and being an unaging teenager who couldn't explain why he wasn't aging, and running away because he was ''hunting and hurting people''. His circumstances aren't yours, just like mine aren't yours and Ami-chan's aren't yours and Chibiusa-chan's aren't yours. I'm saying that you ''gave up on people'' and that's obvious because there's like 7 billion people on the whole planet and you think all the ones who would ''ever'' be friends with you are in one school in Tokyo that hasn't even been around that long." <br><br>Her tone is sympathetic, but a little uncompromising. <br><br>"I'm not going to say the people who you had a bad time with, who were mean to you, or rejected you, that they were secretly hurt or something. I'm saying all the people you didn't befriend and who didn't befriend you, who were like, missed connections on a train, or people in the same bookstore who might have liked the same book or the same game or the same something - you're thinking that just because you met good people here, that's where they are all. But that's not how it works." <br><br>"Wako-chan knew good people on Southern Cross Island. Minako-chan knew good people in London. Adrien knew good people in France. There's all kinds of people, everywhere, in the whole world, and saying that Radiant Heart is ''different'' and ''special'' is saying everyone, everywhere else, is ''isn't''. That they ''couldn't'' be the kind of person who would be your friend. That they ''aren't'' the kind of people who might care." <br><br>She lifts a hand, then the other, twisting them in the air, rotating her fingers, just getting out some of the energy returning. <br><br>"I'm not saying you have to confront your past, or anything, or that you can't just look at the future - I'm saying I didn't let my Moon Mama write off the people of Earth, when I was a Princess who wasn't even ''from'' this world, and I won't let my friend write the people of this world off now that I ''am''." <br><br>"I ''am'' a people. I ''am'' a person. We're not just ''individuals'', we're a society, a group, a people. You're speaking right now for every person you never even met, when you say Radiant Heart is special and different. It's not bad to love our school, but what makes it special is the magic."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:122|Ami Mizuno (122)}} has posed:'''<br>If Usagi wanted lap right now, lap is what Usagi would get. Complete with an affectionate little smile directed immediately down at her. She stroked gently at the blonde's forehead and hair, running fingers gently in a kind of gentle cranial massage.<br><br>But her gaze lifted to Amy again and her brows knit together.<br><br>"The few hundred, maybe even couple of thousand, people you've met constitute an impossibly tiny sample against the billions of people there are in the world." Ami said this quite plainly.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;''"Bad luck?"'' Amy echoes, then mutters, "I guess I did."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She sighs, as Usagi thinks she's saying there are ''only'' friendly people at Radiant Heart. Some nuance was lost.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She doesn't turn around, glaring at the window, not wanting her face to be seen, hurting and vulnerable.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Of ''course'' I don't think there are ''only'' good people at Radiant Heart. I've had friends. Well... barely anyone I was as close to as you all, but we weren't in life-or-death battles together. I've met people who were nice to me."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"But never so many in one place. And no one's ever said... No one's ever offered ''help'' before. Not really. Maybe they think they have ''one'' solution to offer that doesn't work for me and then blame me when it doesn't work. Or, if they're ''really'' nice, recognize the same thing doesn't work for everyone and ''don't'' blame me."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"...I'm sorry I brought it up. You just had... you just finally stopped a threat to your family and friends and innocent people that's been hounding you for over ''half a year'', we should be ''celebrating'' or at least ''relaxing'', not..."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy shakes her head.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"How did we even get on this... oh, I was trying to comisserate with Chibiusa. And reassure her that it's plenty normal to want more. Well I don't regret that or that impulse, but I clearly messed it up somewhere along the way. Sorry about that."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Usagi Tsukino (43)}} has posed:'''<br>"Yeah," Usagi says, gently, "Bad luck. Because you didn't make a lot of close friends before. Because you didn't meet the kind of people who could give you the help you need, before. That doesn't mean they weren't out there. There are all kinds of people out there." <br><br>"But it depends on what kind of help you mean. I mean, if Mamochan wasn't rich, he couldn't help the way he's offering. If Setsu-chan wasn't rich, ''she'' couldn't do the stuff she does. Same for Coco-chan, and Wako-chan's fiancé, and plenty of other people. There's help and then there's 'help', and if Radiant Heart has anything special besides magic, it's that there's more rich people because they take in so many international students." Radiant Heart might be letting plenty of them go for reduced cost, or even free, but she's pretty sure it's not a cheap school, and the kind of connections needed to be a successful, thriving international school, that wasn't nothing. And money ''can'' make a big difference for things, she knows that. Usagi had always planned to be a housewife, but she'd never planned to marry rich - that had been an accident, but she recognizes her good fortune, and even more recognizes that Mamoru has that fortune because of tragedy. Her own tone softens even more. <br><br>"We've all got our issues. And I mean, I've got my head in my girlfriend's lap, and my husband is all cozy over there, and my future daughter is curled up with her magic cat toy pillow, ''I'm'' okay. You don't have to be sorry you brought it up, or anything, just... maybe think about it." <br><br>She yawns again, and drags one of Ami's arms around her, probably unnecessarily. <br><br>"It's always okay to want more. Being selfish is a virtue sometimes, just ask Luffy. But... I'm gonna take a nap now... we can talk about it more later, when we're not probably keeping everyone up."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:107|Amy Faust (107)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amy's really not sure which is worse: The possibility that the world is mostly cruel, the possibility something is truly wrong with ''her'', or the possibility that it was all ''chance'' and decades of suffering really happened for no reason at all.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She grits her teeth. "Being rich matters more than I'd like to admit... But others didn't ''need'' rich friends." And she turns around and looks like she's ready to launch into a speech about wealth inequality and how messed up society ''is'' that it doesn't try to take care of ''everyone'', but... she nods and calms down at the bit about it not being the time, and goes to look for a free spot on a couch or with some pillows or something to maybe take her own nap. "...Thanks. For talking, and for being there, and... everything. Sweet dreams, Usagi. You deserve them."<br> <br>
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