2619/Catching a Meal

Catching a Meal
Date of Scene:	15 June 2025
Location:	Mitakihara Ward
Synopsis:	New Moon's ready to dine and dash. Mamoru's got the bill. Yuki and Miho have each other's backs.
Cast of Characters:	Usagi Tsukino, Yuki Hoshino, Miho Inada, Mamoru Chiba
Tinyplot:	BMC: Wicked Ride
Tinyplot2:	Black Moon Clan

---

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
When you're a minion slash favorite toy of the world's prettiest princess, you don't pay for things. You do, however, have to order them still, and that's why New Moon's casually seated at a large table, waiting for her to go order. This restaurant is fairly nice, but it's still one of those 100 yen a dozen mom and pop shops that are small, local, and well-regarded for having food that's way too good for way too little.

That's what she's here for - to take a trio of delicious oyakadon bowls back to Wicked Lady (and Mamoru) so they can eat as a family.

The pink-haired girl in the straw hat and black dress looks normal, but to anyone with detection abilities, she radiates dark energy.

Yuki Hoshino has posed:
At another table nearby, another customer sits. This one has a half-eaten bowl of noodles nearby, that she occasionally sips the broth from, but most of her attention seems to be focused on the tablet-computer sitting on the table in front of her.

Yuki has homework to do, it would seem. Or maybe she's working on Device code with the bits she recovered from the Arthra's medical bay. Hard to tell without leaning over her shoulder and taking a detailed look at the code.

The pink-haired girl at the next table, though, does get her attention briefly, taking in the exotic look and smiling lightly. The girl looks about the same age as her, probably a fellow student.

Miho Inada has posed:
    Well, Miho is with a couple of school friends. They're laughing, giggling, and looking pretty tired. The group seem to be dressed in regular clothes. Miho, herself, is dressed in a cropped black tank top, with baggy cargos. The group heads in, knowing about the place from a few others.

    "Oh god, that last set last night! Hardwell was insane!", one goes. Miho laughs. "I know! Can't wait for them to drop the set views online!", she says. The group must be coming from a festival. The group move off to the side. "And some of the boys there! Shame you couldn't flirt, Mi-chan!", another says.

    Miho shakes her head a bit, and giggles for a second before a sharp pain hits her in the head. Dark energy?! She looks around. The mahou is prepping in case, but surely there's no youma here?! Whats going on? She breathes out, trying to relax. "Hey, I'll go order while you guys grab a table.", Miho says. As her friends go off, her face goes a little hard as she tries to find the source of the dark energy.

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
The restaurant isn't particularly busy, but it's not particularly not busy either - with only two people working backstage, it's moving about as fast as it can. Still, around the time Miho and her friends are entering, New Moon is receiving her food, the granny at the counter calling her over to receive her food, and expecting her to pay -

And New Moon's not paying. She's not even pretending to pay. She just points over her shoulder and says -

"Oh, don't worry~! He's paying!"

In her poisoned sweet honey voice, and starts to walk away.

"Y-young lady," the granny calls, shocked, "You're the one who made the order -"

Yuki Hoshino has posed:
Yuki looks up from her tablet again, a small sigh escaping her lips. "Excuse me, miss," she calls, as New Moon starts to walk away with her food. "Yes, you with the pink hair. Do you have a moment? I wanted to ask you something before you go."

She packs up her tablet, tucking it into her purse, and gets up to walk over to intercept the departing young lady. "I had to ask, you see," she explains, "Just how you got such a lovely hair coloring." She's lowered her voice, to be more polite and not overheard by the general public.

"I've been considering a change myself, you see..."

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
Coincidentally coming in the door literally as New Moon's cocking her thumb over her shoulder, Mamoru Chiba walks in in his black-with-painted-roses yukata and his pink-tipped fluffy black hair and his classes and the black moon on his forehead that almost matches the one New Moon is sporting. He's already got his wallet out, and he smoothly presents his card to the granny. "My apologies for my lateness," he says as he hands it over.

Then he sees Yuki coming over, and he straightens up as his card's taken, and he slides a hand around New Moon's waist and leans in toward her a little, squeezes, as Yuki speaks. "Maybe she was born with it."

Miho Inada has posed:
    Miho blinks as the source seems to be moving away from the counter. When she hears the granny, she moves over, and then sees a guy paying. The mahou backs away carefully, observing whats going on. Miho knows not to start something. That pair is dangerious.

    The mahou moves over to the granny. "Three ramens please.", she orders. As she waits, Miho is acting a bit like Hinote, leaning up against the wall, watching. She doesn't want to jump in, but she doesn't like how that other girl walked up to the pair. Every instinct is telling her to run or henshin, but Miho surpresses it. She knows though that those instincts are right, but she's no match for either let alone both.

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
With three containers in her arms, New Moon is careful in her departure, but only so far as it matters to avoid spilling her food. It's very, very clear that she doesn't mind dining and dashing, and as Yuki calls her, she pays her no mind - at least, not until her hair is mentioned. Then she glances back, looking skeptical -

And Mamoru's voice is there! She brightens a little, looking amused, and says, "See obaa-san? He's paying."

And though the granny looks skeptical, especially when Mamoru offers a bow that's so short and brief it's almost disrespectful - his card does work, and that means payment has been granted.

"Since you're here, do you want to eat some here, and then we bring Wicked Lady hers?" This is asked right in front of Yuki, as though she's not even there - though a split second later, bright blue eyes framed by pink bangs are fixed on Yuki, burrowing into her. "He's right. I was born with it - reborn in the light of Wicked Lady. If you're lucky, she'd give you pink hair too."

As Miho hasn't drawn attention to herself, she goes unnoticed, though the granny at the registers starts to ring up her order.

Yuki Hoshino has posed:
Yuki ahhhs softly, nodding, as she takes in New Moon's answer. "I see," she says, considering it. "I had been considering a nice vivid blue, myself, and when I saw how vividly bright and pure your color was, I was struck with the need to know."

She ignores Mamoru's comment, though she does add, "I'd never seen someone with such brightly pink hair before, you see."

The name 'Wicked Lady' certainly has its suggestive connotations, but she seems content to simply converse casually. "Perhaps I could ask her to try for blue?"

Miho Inada has posed:
    Miho frowns, but the ramens come up. She grabs them, and carefully avoids the group. She sits with her friends, but stays within earshot, and sits so she can watch. One of her friends blinks. "Mi-chan...you...look angry. Sup?", she asks.

    The mahou shakes her head. "Its nothing. Just a little tired, and getting a headache. You know, I still get them once in a while.", Miho tells. She breathes out a bit, smiling. That smile doesn't match her eyes though. They're hard, and watching the other group.

    "Hey, I need to talk to that group for a second. Umm, if something happends, call Hinote with my phone. I don't think anything will happend, but...", she says. With that, Miho cautiously appraoches the group.

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
Mamoru does give the granny a slightly sheepish look of apology at her skeptical look, even though his bow was absolutely the most abbreviated thing-- but once payment's made, he puts his card away and tells Yuki, "My daughter has pink hair, and it'e even more vibrantly pink than New Moon's is. She was definitely born that way."

Then he smiles at Yuki and turns away from her to continue interacting with New Moon. "I don't know, do you like having a fan club? Because it looks like we're gathering one." He looks back Miho's way and his eyebrows are up. "Hey, I healed you once, right? Please don't make it necessary again."

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
"You can get that out of a bottle," New Moon tells Yuki bluntly, "And Wicked Lady would absolutely not be making anyone blue-haired. Why would she?"

Her nose is wrinkled - sure, blue hair isn't inherently bad - Ami has blue hair. But Saphir does too, and there's no way Wicked Lady is putting this stranger girl among her minions, especially if she'd rather worship at the alter of blue instead of pink.

"We're about to eat," she holds up the food she had absolutely been about to order-and-dash on as example, "So unless you want to offer yourself up to Wicked Lady, you can go -"

Yuki Hoshino has posed:
Yuki certainly doesn't want to start a fight here. Or 'offer herself up' to someone calling themselves 'Wicked Lady'.

"Eh, it's okay, I was just overly curious." And a little short on social graces, thanks to the ice queen act. "The pink looks good on you, especially with that dress, but it's not my thing."

She shrugs. "Sorry to've bothered you."

Miho Inada has posed:
    Miho shakes her head a moment. "I know the difference between me and her. If I were to fight her, I would have fired an arrow from a distance, or send the wolves after her from a distance. Not looking for a fight. Just don't want to see somebody get hurt for bothering.", she says diplomaticially. The mahou lets out a small breath. There's a small shudder from Miho.

    She bows to Wicked Mask. "I never did formally thank you for that.", she says. Miho bows deeply. "Thank you for saving my life.", she says. Miho positions herself, so that Mamo is between her and Moon. "May I offer compensation for your meal?", she offers.

    Miho takes a moment to watch Yuki a moment. She offers a small nod of her head. "If you like, I know a couple of places that do a professional job. I use a few of them for festivals.", she tells Yuki, showing one of her friends having almost golden blonde hair.

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
Well, it looks like maybe they are eating some here, then. Mamoru looks amused, just following along with what New Moon seems to want on a moment-to-moment basis, and Yuki's still talking. He doesn't look at her, he engages with Miho instead.

When Miho bows to him, Wicked Mask inclines his head. "You're welcome," he says gravely, mouth twitching as Miho positions him between herself and New Moon, and then he clasps his hands in front of them and lets his sleeves fall to cover his hands. "And no, you don't owe me anything, but your continued health is appreciated as support in and of itself. I'm glad that you know better than to pick a fight with New Moon, or myself in front of New Moon. I think this girl does too, but I'm not sure what exactly she was aiming for. People don't normally ask Dark Generals for hair tips."

Says the boy with the bubblegum-pink tips in his hair.

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
On a moment to moment basis, New Moon's whims entirely change. First she had wanted to go - because she was alone. Now, she wants to stay - because Mamoru is here.

But Yuki's puzzled her, though not in a way that leads her to want to act on it, either. She's not so much angry as irritable, and she's not so irritated as to wish to attack -

"Well... thank you for the compliment?"

She sounds puzzled. She is puzzled.

She draws Mamoru to a table, and reflects on the scaredy-cat bunny who she realizes she vaguely recognizes from... somewhere.

"It's good that you know not to do that," she says, earnest, "Because I'm a cat person, not a wolf person, and if you fired arrows on me I'd throw them back. So you're making good choices! Are you compensating our meal because you want to join Wicked Lady?"

She throws Mamoru a look for his joke.

Yuki Hoshino has posed:
"You're welcome," she answers New Moon. "Enjoy your noodles."

She walks back to her table, pausing to look to Miho. "I'd appreciate that. Come join me when you're done here and we'll chat."

She retakes her seat, casting a considering look at New Moon before shrugging and going back to her own bowl. ... augh, it's gone cold.

Miho Inada has posed:
    "I was thanking him for when I overused my powers, and injuried myself.", she explains. The woman bows a little bit. "The young lady was just interested in a change. Enjoy your meals. I would make a poor choice for Wicked Lady. I lack power.", Miho says. The woman slowly backs away, keeping an eye on Moon while keeping Mamo between the two.

    As Miho backs away, she moves almost wolf like in how she circles away. She nods to her friends, who pack up her food for later. She moves over to Yuki, while watching Moon and Mamo. She's being a bit cautious, but has heard enough stories. "Just looking to change your hair, or is there more to it?", Miho asks.

    "I'm open to talk to, unless you want to keep it private. I mean most change their hair for a reason.", Miho offers. She gives Yuki her attention. One of her friends walks by, and drops off hee tea. Miho takes a sip. Slight pause. "Hey! You drank most of this!", she calls out to her friend!

    "Your loss for getting distracted by a boy!", her friend teases as she leaves. Miho frowns, but turns back to Yuki.

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
"Do you think she has a crush on you or something?" a mildly exasperated Wicked Mask asks New Moon as she draws him to the table. "Oh, you told Ami-chan about Adora-san right?"

He nods at Miho and smiles, watching her wide-circle them-- to join Yuki-- and his smile goes crooked when he turns to New Moon. "Lovely bunbun, let's just go eat with our Lady. I only came here because I wanted to wait with you."

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
"Hm, she wouldn't stand a chance if she did - I mean, Adora's out there just asking to be romanced, you know?" New Moon scrunches her face up at the thought, clearly both unimpressed and unmoved by the thought of Yuki having a crush on her. "Maybe she just thought it was fake, for some reason - but um, no, I did not tell Ami about Adora. Ah, I should, huh?"

She pouts, thinking about it, but it's not like she can just avoid talking to one of her loved ones about wanting to pursue a friend...

"Very well," she changes her mind, after all. Why not leave? "We'll leave this dreary place, now that we've got what we wanted."

And with a swirl of darkness, they're both gone - and with them, the dark energy signature the shop had housed. Miho and Yuki can eat - and talk - in peace.

Yuki Hoshino has posed:
Yuki watches New Moon and her friend disappear, and tries - and fails - not to scowl at the spot they'd been in. "Cheater," she mutters. "Teleporting in public like that." She sighs and shakes her head.

After ordering another bowl of noodles, since hers has gotten cold, and some more tea for Miho, she finally turns her attention back to Miho.

"Whim, mostly. I've been seeing more and more people with odd hair colors since I ... since I started high school, and, well, sometimes I feel like I don't fit in anymore."

Miho Inada has posed:
    Miho shakes her head a little bit. She breathes out a little bit. "They were not the type that I would look to. And teleporting isn't as easy as it seems. Lets just say I surprised my boyfriend by accident.", she tells with a slight blush.

    "And trust me, I know the feeling. Moving to Tokyo from Kyoto, no family around. Finding out that I can use magic. And my dad is a retired MMA fighter. There's no point in me trying.", she admits. "I feel odd every time I go to work out, and the boys stare.", she says.

    "Take the time, and not worry about fitting in. We got enough to worry about. Like cute boys, music, the new fashions, and its beach season!", Miho declares.

Yuki Hoshino has posed:
Yuki ahhs softly. "I have yet to work out how that works," she confesses. "It's on my list, though."

Tea and noodles are delivered, and she sips the (properly hot) broth. "Sometimes I feel like everyone just has different priorities in life than me. Fashion interests me, but I like what I like, and the things that are popular ... often aren't it."

She considers Miho's words, nodding along. "Maybe I just need to find another way of not fitting in. On the one hand... it gets lonely. On the other... I do need a new swimsuit."

Miho Inada has posed:
    Miho giggles a little. "You should come with me to the 109 sometime. I practically live there, and a lot of the halls around there have new artists doing pop ups all the time. Not to mention the sudden surprise concerts that happen there!", she tells! The mahou sips her tea a little.

    "I can only teleport when I henshin. Its part of what I am. I don't have the speed and strength of others, but able to move around makes up for it. Just takes a lot of focus. And not thinking of boys helps!", she admits.

    "And trust me, things will get better. Amy and Hinote got me though the hardest parts, and Laura was always around to keep things postitive. Now that I think about my social circles, it kinda makes me laugh. How many people can you name who has a mermaid as a friend?"

Yuki Hoshino has posed:
"Well, never let it be said that I did not favor a good musician," Yuki decides. "I'll have to visit sometime soon."

She hmms softly at the description of Miho's teleport. "I think it's different for everyone," she muses. "That's why I've had so much trouble coding it, there's a personal element I haven't locked down yet."

She takes a deep breath, and lets out another sigh. "Friends. Friends have been ... a rare thing, in my life. I haven't had much time for that sort of thing."

Miho Inada has posed:
    "Yeah. My case, I freeze myself, and shatter. Then the wind from somewhere carries me to wherever I'm going.", Miho explains. "And no, it doesn't hurt. Just disoreintint the first few times.", ahe explains.

    "Time is a rare thing for us. Heck, I was on my way to sneak back into the dorms, when we got hungry.", she explains. "Didn't expect two dark generals to be hungry as well."