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Post by Kino Makoto on Apr 5, 2009 16:55:13 GMT -5
Makoto left Ami and crossed the room to the buffet line. Sheila, one of her assistants, had flagged her down and had a rather flustered look upon her face. “Makoto-san, there’s been an…incident in the kitchen. We’ve lost a full pan of gyoza.” The girl bit her lip, in expectation of what flurry of words would come from her chef.
Instead, Makoto only sighed. “It’s alright. We have time for more.” She thought for a moment, before continuing. “Get ahold of Itsuki. He’s the best guy for the job. Put him on the line to replace that pan. Just keep an eye on the gyoza we have out… We should have enough left in the back to hold us over until Itsuki can replace the rest. And if we run out, we run out.” She gave Sheila a small smile. “Don’t worry, as long as nothing catastrophic happens, we should be able to handle anything that comes our way. Just breathe, and take everything in stride.”
Sheila nodded and smiled before picking up her walkie-talkie to the kitchen. “Thank you, Makoto-san.” It only took her a few seconds to repeat the directions Makoto had given her before an affirmative came back from the kitchen. She re-holstered the device and lightly wiped her brow. Makoto smiled at her again. “See? That wasn’t so bad after all.” She gave the girl a pat on the shoulder and decided to give the table a full once-over. Everything else appeared to be in order, and she made another mental note to slip into the kitchen to thank Itsuki for the last minute order. Turning back to Sheila, she made one last request. “Do me one other favor, please. Keep an eye on these Sternos. I don’t care if they’re not out of fuel yet. I want them replaced every hour. Let’s keep this hot food hot. The last thing we need is a mess of sick guests.”
With that, she turned back to face the ballroom. Several guests were already lined up, choosing items and being served. Makoto smiled to some, shook hands with others. She looked around the room between greeting guests, silently offering a prayer to whoever was out there to please let the gyoza be the only issue of the evening.
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Post by Nathaniel Bernhardt on Apr 9, 2009 15:56:52 GMT -5
The woman was a chef, therefore it was logical that she would be at the buffet tables. She didn't get out much, or so she said at dinner, which meant she was the type to be working even during the year's biggest party.
He also needed food to make sure he didn't kill himself by having a high BAC too quickly. Therefore, it went to reason that he would stand in a buffet line, and get food. It also went to reason that he would look for the woman, surreptitiously. He didn't want her to see him too quickly, and get scared off. He had to keep his head down. At least the food smelled delicious, though he thought that he should be careful about what he ate-- something too rich might upset his stomach. He realized it had been several days since he had a decent meal, and he had been sick several times over. Yes, food was definitely a good idea.
He finally spotted her, and bent his knees slightly to make sure that he could hide himself behind the man in front of him. It was only towards the end of the line that he straightened out, lifting his chin to look at her directly.
No more running, Kino Makoto, he thought to himself, perhaps a bit ungraciously.
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Post by Kino Makoto on Apr 9, 2009 16:32:40 GMT -5
Makoto had tried to break away from the line, but it seemed that every time there was a lull, someone would distract her just long enough to prevent escape. Right now was no different. The line to the buffet had slowed, and Sheila was back with another non-emergency. She quickly gave the woman her instructions, hoping now would be her chance. When she turned back around, the line had built up once again with smiling faces and outstretched hands, wanting their chance to speak with her.
She’d stopped paying attention to how long the line was. She just shook hand after hand, and smiled so much she was sure it was now permanently frozen that way. Her hand was still in a firm grip with a guest that just wouldn’t let go when she just happened to catch a familiar face behind him. Her heart skipped a beat, her breath held in her lungs. Yet somehow, she managed to keep a cool face. The line moved forward and the man reluctantly let go of her hand.
Her heart now pounded in her chest, her palms breaking out into a sweat. The gears in her head were spinning wildly out of control. Nonetheless, Makoto kept her composure if for nothing but appearances-sake. Her back straightened, the smile still frozen upon her face. She stretched out her hand and greeted her guest the same way she’d greeted all the others.
“Good evening, Bernhardt-san. It is a pleasure to see you this evening.”
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Post by Nathaniel Bernhardt on Apr 9, 2009 17:06:39 GMT -5
He frowned at her greeting, just like another one of the guests coming through her line. He even got a -san tacked onto the end of his name! Nathaniel shook his head, he had his hands full with a plate and another drink-- this time non-alcoholic one-- to shake her hand. Besides, he was almost afraid of what could happen if he touched her again. Her very presence electrified him, drawing him closer as if on a current. If he touched her, if would complete the circuit... And that was not a good idea. Not here, not now, his heart seemed to say to him.
"Am I then expected to call you Kino-san?" he asked in return, not bothering to disguise his displeasure at this greeting. "I'm sorry, I can't. That'd be like lying to both of us." He kept watching her, fixing her with his gaze even though it hurt to look straight at her, as if staring at the sun. "You do look lovely, Ponytail. I can never stop calling you that." He raked his gaze over her appreciatively, nodding. It just all felt so bittersweet.
"Did I scare you that badly that you can't even manage a sincere smile?" He felt strangely angry. She was the one with the answers, she was the one that with-held information, she was the one that left, she had all of the control, and he had nothing. But he still had to almost apologize for his presence in front of her, beg for a sliver of sincerity, and hope that she wouldn't treat him like the legions of guests and men that had descended upon the Crystal Palace that evening.
Well, he was tired of being both charming and accommodating. He'd just be honest, he was too exhausted to do much else. So what if she was frightened? She could adapt. This was all he had, after several days of near-madness, it was all he could manifest in the face of her shallow smile and bland niceties.
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Post by Kino Makoto on Apr 9, 2009 21:45:11 GMT -5
Makoto’s face dropped, but only for a moment. She wouldn’t let herself slip…not now. Her smile was back in a millisecond and her arm fell back to her side. A light blush rose to her cheeks as he complimented her appearance and his gaze traveled the length of her body.
She glanced behind Nathaniel to the others who were waiting in line behind him. She couldn’t help but keep up her smile and nod to those who decided to move along rather than wait. Looking back to him, her smile lessened, but never faded. She took a small step closer to him and leaned forward. Her voice was low, but not so low that he couldn’t hear. “I can’t do this right now. I’m sorry.” She looked over his shoulder to smile and return a wave from another acquaintance, and then returned his piercing gaze.
Staring deep into his eyes like this only served to stir something deep within her. Memories bubbled to the surface again, though without the accompanying headache for a change. Her smile finally began to fade as she found herself leaning closer and closer, her eyes just starting to close as she was inches away from his face… And just as quickly she caught herself, straightening her back and her smile plastered back on her face. “Please, enjoy your meal and I hope you have a good evening. Thank you so much for coming!”
Before she turned to the next guest, she leaned into him one last time, her lips close to his ear. “Meet me in the garden in an hour.”
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Post by Nathaniel Bernhardt on Apr 10, 2009 12:46:23 GMT -5
He savored the brief moment in which she lost her composure. Though it was back just as quickly, he smirked to himself. Nathaniel couldn't help it; after all of the turmoil the past few days, so much of which she was at the center of, her slip validated some of his feelings. She had not simply brushed him off, or could not, at least to herself. He meant something, he had an affect on her.
He was, whether she liked it or not, a part of her life, now. Nate shook his head slightly, almost in amusement, as she looked behind him at the swelling of people, who came to feast on her food, and feast their eyes on her. He couldn't blame them, he came for both reasons himself, after all. "You know, the reception line is over there," he said dryly, indicating the formal queue behind him. He found it amusing that she chose to greet everyone as they came through here, yet eschewed the formality of the official line. Makoto sure was a character.
Just as quickly, the amusement passed, because it seemed like he was going to be brushed off as before, despite his words. Nathaniel stood there like a statue, not sure if he could move even with the impatience of the nattering guests behind him, even with the cooling plate of food in his hands. It was only her lips so near to his ear, and the message that flew in on the current of her hot breath that jolted his legs into moving again.
"One hour, sharp," he swore to her in a low rumble, stepping out of the line and blinking at the lights in the ballroom, as if they had just been turned on. A spell had been broken, back to reality. He glanced at the large clock in the room, making sure to note the time. He couldn't allow her to stand him up.
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Post by Kino Makoto on Apr 10, 2009 14:04:01 GMT -5
She nodded to herself as Nathaniel walked away. One hour. That was all the time she had to properly compose herself, find some backup, and give Usagi a brief heads-up. She sucked in a deep breath, and smiled to the next guest before she felt another tap on her shoulder. It was Sheila again. Fully turning around she let out a huge puff of air and a quick “Ohthankgodyou’rehere!” Sheila raised an eyebrow in question but didn’t have the chance to say anything before Makoto was grabbing her hand and pulling her behind the servers in the buffet line. “I’m sorry, I just really needed to get away from all those guests. I had no idea so many people wanted to see me…though I wonder about a few of their motives.”
Sheila slightly chuckled. “You should have said something! I could have pulled you away sooner!” Makoto smiled. “Well, you’re here now. What is it you needed?” The other woman continued, “I was just about to have them bring out the fresh Sternos and wanted to see if you thought anything else needed to be done.” Makoto let out another sigh of relief. “Oh that’s all? No, I think everything is all right. I’m going to get out to get some fresh air I think, but I need to speak with the girls first. Unless there’s an emergency, I’m going to leave the rest of this in your capable hands.” Sheila smiled. “Thank you. Enjoy your evening!” Makoto returned the smile. “I’ll sure try.”
Thinking now was the perfect time to make a clean getaway, she turned to find Usagi. Before she could leave the area, she noticed that Ami and Hotaru were now standing in line for food. Since they were closest, she decided to speak with them first and then find Usagi.
“Hi again Ami-chan, Hotaru-chan. Could I borrow your ears for a moment?”
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Post by Mizuno Ami on Apr 10, 2009 14:50:22 GMT -5
Ami had set her champagne glass down somewhere as she lead Hotaru over to the buffet. She had only had a few sips, but was not particularly worried about waste tonight. More importantly, she figured that would be all she'd have until the midnight toast.
"I have to admit, I may not have Usagi-chan's appetite, but I'm quite anxious to see what Mako-chan came up with for tonight. I imagine that this could be the real story for the media at this ball." She winked, semi-seriously. She did hope that the media focused on the societal aspects of the evening - the food, who was wearing what, etc, or the social aspects - the left overs going to shelters, the Queen's furisode being auctioned to fund the hospital. The last thing Ami wanted was any more notoriety from the paparazzi or for anything to go wrong tonight.
When Makoto came up to them, she nodded, content to get food later. "Of course, Mako-chan. Is everything ok?"
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Tomoe Hotaru
Pure Heart
Senshi of Silence
Bright Little Firefly
Posts: 57
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Post by Tomoe Hotaru on Apr 11, 2009 0:50:26 GMT -5
Like a small purple shadow, Hotaru followed at Ami’s side to the buffet, her dark eyes flitting momentarily to the glass that the older woman had set aside and made a note to keep a careful eye on how much she drank.
She had been disconnected from the others for a long time, holed up in her apartments with her books, but even so she could tell something was troubling the older Senshi, enough so that they might get themselves into trouble. With the other Outers gone for the time being, it would seem it would be left to her to make sure the Inners did not fall apart.
Smooth pale brow furrowing, she shivered, a feeling of premonition flooding her like cold ice. A change was coming- she’d sensed it for the past few weeks, and knew that she would need to keep on alert.
Blinking, she came out of her thoughts to pay attention to what was being said, smiling slightly. “I don’t think anyone can match Usagi-chan’s appetite,” she declared, giggling a little. “It does look delicious though.” Her wide eyes followed the long tables heaped with so much food she felt a little overwhelmed looking at it, not sure were to begin or what to choose. “Makoto-chan outdid herself,” she murmured, dazzled.
Her head lifted at Ami’s words, tilting her head up to gaze at the woman who had joined them. “Makoto-chan,” Hotaru said softly in greeting. "I'd be happy to listen."
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Post by Kino Makoto on Apr 11, 2009 10:09:22 GMT -5
Makoto stepped off to the side with the two girls, hoping it would put them far enough away from prying eyes and ears. “Thanks, both of you. It’s nothing too bad…I think. I just need a little backup.”
She looked down to Hotaru and felt a little guilt at having to spring a lot of information on the young girl all of a sudden. But they were sisters, and she knew that Hotaru would understand. “Hotaru-chan, I know you don’t know all that’s going on at the moment and I don’t have time to give you the full story. But there is a man here and he is one of the Shitennou. The thing is, he doesn’t know that right now. I think that may be changing very soon.”
Straightening back up, she looked to Ami. “He wants to talk to me again. I’m meeting him in the garden in less than an hour. I think he’s close, and I need you and Hotaru there in case something goes wrong.” She took in a deep breath. “I’ve got to find and speak to Usagi about this as well. I just hope she’ll be OK with all this…”
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Post by Mizuno Ami on Apr 11, 2009 13:12:39 GMT -5
Ami followed Makoto as she moved off to the side.
She nodded as Makoto explained the situation in brief to Hotaru, gently reaching her hand over to the taller woman's arm, offering her quiet support. There was enough from the brief description that she gave, that Ami had a feeling of how difficult this could potentially be.
"Of course, Mako-chan." She tried to remember what Rei had told them about Jadeite's experience. "I take it you want us to appear like we're just getting a bit of fresh air rather than there for back up?"
"Usagi-chan will be concerned about you, Mako-chan, but I don't think she'll be upset." She sighed softly, actually a bit jealous, but knowing just how stressful this was as well. "From what Rei told us, I don't think there's much risk of... the worst case scenario. So I think Usagi's primary concern will be you."
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Tomoe Hotaru
Pure Heart
Senshi of Silence
Bright Little Firefly
Posts: 57
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Post by Tomoe Hotaru on Apr 12, 2009 0:37:33 GMT -5
Listening intently, her dark eyes riveted on Makoto’s deep green orbs, Hotaru placed a small hand on the woman’s lightly. “I understand. There will be a time for you to explain later.”
She knew very little of the Shitennou, most of it second hand since she had been asleep during the majority of the Silver Millennium and had not yet awakened as her true self until after they had passed during Queen Beryl’s chaos. But she knew enough to know just how much those four men had meant to the Inner Senshi. Her eyes flickered to Ami; it explained why she was on edge as well. Well. It seemed her feelings were right. They did need her. Maybe more than she or they realized.
“I will be there too,” Hotaru affirmed with a nod. “Do not feel you have to shield or protect me from this- this may be the body of a thirteen year old girl, but the soul within is much older. I can and will do anything within my power to help you.”
Glancing at Ami, she nodded. “She’s right. Usagi-chan will be concerned for you, never angry. That’s why she’s our leader, you know. Never have I known another person to be so supportive and loving. Don’t worry, Makoto-chan.”
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Post by Kino Makoto on Apr 12, 2009 0:49:48 GMT -5
Makoto nodded to Ami. “I’m not sure what I’m really asking from you guys. I really don’t think there will be any major issues, but having a couple extra Senshi nearby when a Shitennou will possibly awaken isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Perhaps just take a stroll or something? As you can see, I really haven’t been able to think this through…” She chuckled nervously.
She smiled at the sage advice she was being given by a thirteen year old. “Thank you Hotaru. I really appreciate that. I know you’re right. Usagi will be okay, and she’ll be plenty supportive. But this is big, very big. I can’t help but worry.” Glancing between both of her sisters, she continued. “As long as we stick together, I think we can all handle it.”
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