|
|
Post by Kino Makoto on Dec 22, 2008 20:32:17 GMT -5
The physician was more than happy to make an emergency appointment for Makoto's "friend". Once she hung up from him, she called the palace valet and asked them to bring a private car around. She used the excuse that she was going shopping and maybe out for a drive and would prefer to drive herself. As requested, the car was sitting right out front. Both she and Rei entered the car and they were off.
As Makoto sped along the highway, she watched Rei from the corner of her eye. She was still slightly worried about her friend, and even more worried about what exactly these two strange men were up to. It would take at least an hour to get to the doctor's office. It was a haul, but totally worth it even if just for the privacy. At any rate, they would have time to talk. Rei wasn't always a talkative person, but perhaps this would be a chance for her to get it all out.
"You doing ok there, Rei-chan?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Hino Rei on Dec 22, 2008 20:57:55 GMT -5
Rei was glad that she'd chosen to come dressed in "normal" clothing to Makoto's kitchen, as her priestess robes wouldn't have gone over very well when they were hoping to remain incognito. Or at least, Rei was--she certainly didn't want anyone to comment too loudly on her going off to see a gynecologist after yesterday's rumors. She had been fairly silent since her revelation to her friend, but in the car, away from any and all prying ears and with the glass sectional between them and the driver it was much easier to feel "secure" in their talks.
Sitting across the seat from Makoto, Rei resisted the urge to stare out the window and turned to look at her friend. Rei pursed her lips and shook her head. "Not really, no." That was a large confession indeed from the priestess, but she sighed and continued, "I don't understand myself, my actions, my..." Rei sighed. "It was a really big mistake."
|
|
|
|
Post by Kino Makoto on Dec 22, 2008 21:41:41 GMT -5
Makoto was never one for pep talks, but she supposed she needed to say something. "Mistakes happen, Rei-chan. Imagine if nobody ever did anything wrong! We'd all be exactly alike and the world would be incredibly boring." She paused for a moment, trying to piece her thoughts together. "We all mess up now and then, whether by accident or on purpose. But we learn from our mistakes so we don't make them again. Sometimes it takes a few lessons, but eventually we get the idea." She managed a small chuckle with that. Boy did it take her a few lessons to get it right. But that was neither here nor there. "Look, don't beat yourself up too much about it. You'll get through this and you'll see that everything will be just fine."
She doubted it would help, but maybe if she shared her own experience Rei wouldn't feel so bad. "You know, my first time wasn't exactly the most romantic experience. It was rather awkward, actually. Definitely not a proud moment for me. My lesson? Try not to drink so much before hooking up." Ok, so that was a bit more information than was necessary. But if anything was going to break the ice, perhaps this would.
|
|
|
|
Post by Hino Rei on Dec 24, 2008 18:42:56 GMT -5
The car rolled down the palace drive as they spoke, the gates opening automatically for the flagged car. That was the only problem with their new positions, as far as Rei was concerned. Because everyone knew who the Senshi were now they were considered to be nobility. Of course.. they were nobility, and Rei had been in a similar position most of her life, but the notoriety still bothered her.
Rei was beating herself up about it and she doubted there was much of anything that Makoto could say to make her feel better. And then Makoto did say something just as shocking as Rei's own revelation. The Priestess' head turned sharply from the window, eyes wide, to look at her friend in surprise... and then she laughed. It was impossible not to and the ice between them melted. Rei shook her head and relaxed back into her seat. "I'll keep that in mind, Mako-chan... I think I'm still in a bit of shock. I had never planned... Wasn't even thinking really."
Of them all, she supposed it was logical that Makoto or Minako would relate more to the entire issue. Cheeks still a little pink, for this subject wasn't one that Rei was really equipped to handle, she found herself saying quietly, "He was... very sweet. and rather handsome."
|
|
|
|
Post by Kino Makoto on Dec 24, 2008 19:41:57 GMT -5
Makoto quietly sighed a sigh of relief when she heard Rei's laugh. She looked over and smiled quickly before looking back at the road ahead of them and then laughed as well. "Rei-chan, if it makes you feel any better, nobody's first is ever anything like they'd ever imagined. That can be good or bad, depending on your imagination..." She chuckled at that and gave another glance over to Rei. She could see the flush still on her cheeks.
She noticed the softness in Rei's voice at her last comment. 'I know that tone' she thought to herself. 'She likes this guy...' Mako didn't need all the gory details, but she did feel that she needed to know just what kinda guy exactly it took to melt Rei's heart, even if it was just for that moment. She gave Rei a sly look. "Handsome, huh? So what's he look like?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Hino Rei on Dec 24, 2008 23:02:31 GMT -5
"He's an ainu," Rei responded automatically. Though Rei had no 'racist' thoughts towards such people, as Usagi absolutely had to have been of that descent as well, Makoto would understand just why she pointed it out so abruptly. Her father was still quite into politics and their family history was such that association with an ainu, especially romantic association, would not be taken very well by a large number of the populace. "Blonde hair, blue eyes... probably about your height... oddly muscular for a technician."
|
|
|
|
Post by Kino Makoto on Dec 24, 2008 23:18:15 GMT -5
Makoto tapped a finger to her chin. An ainu, eh? Well it's definitely going to be interesting to see how this plays out. That was definitely not the type of guy she thought Rei would go for. There was no way she could deny...there were indeed some strange things going on at the palace.
But now, she wasn't sure what else to say. Rei didn't seem to be overly willing to give up a whole lot of information, and Mako certainly didn't want to push too hard lest Rei become angry with her. As they say, curiosity killed the cat. Still, she couldn't help but ask, "Do you think you'll want to see him again?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Hino Rei on Dec 24, 2008 23:32:24 GMT -5
Rei startled a little. She'd actually been lost in thought and the woman had to shake herself just a bit before she registered what Makoto had said. Then Rei frowned, "No." There was a pause and the priestess sighed faintly and shrugged. "I... I cannot deny that a part of me wants to see him. But I think he's dangerous."
The woman turned again to look at her friend, for her gaze had wandered to the dashboard once more, "I wasn't joking when I said that we should be careful. Or that it felt like some sort of spell. I dislike the idea that I'm not in control of myself and I most certainly was not in full control yesterday." That frown deepened and her eyes became worried, "Its as if a part of me revolted and took over.. some part I don't even recognize as myself. And no, I don't mean hormones. It was like another person entirely."
|
|
|
|
Post by Kino Makoto on Dec 25, 2008 0:02:36 GMT -5
Makoto was slightly taken aback by the stern 'no'. Until she was reminded of the potential danger from him. How quickly we forget when faced with romance. She glanced over at Rei again, trying to quickly make eye contact without completely losing sight of the road. She frowned slightly at the details Rei gave.
She couldn't quite wrap her head around the idea of losing all control in such a way. A spell? Another version of yourself taking over? This was not good. Not good at all.
Mako was worried, and she let it show for a change. "Rei-chan, what do we do? If this guy works at the palace, and the other guy was able to sneak through the palace without being caught by security... I mean, it doesn't matter how careful we are. It almost seems as though we're all susceptible to them no matter what precautions we take!"
|
|
|
|
Post by Hino Rei on Dec 25, 2008 0:11:43 GMT -5
The priestess shook his head, "That is where it becomes confusing. As dangerous as I believe that Hiroki is, I do not think it was his doing. He was as honestly bewildered by it as I was. Normally I'd suspect him of lying, but he didn't display any of the signs and..." One hand went to Rei's forehead and brushed her hair from her face. "I'm just unsure. I don't believe that we can avoid them, at least not him.. and I plan to see the spy again, for he was in honest need of my help. But I believe that its best that we keep our guard up and keep control of our impulses. .. for all we know, it may just be you and I affected. After all, Ami did not seem bothered by the spy at all, nor did Setsuna."
|
|
|
|
Post by Kino Makoto on Dec 25, 2008 0:24:53 GMT -5
"Well that's not very comforting. Just you and I? Granted, I wouldn't wish that headache from yesterday on anyone..." she trailed of, wincing at the memory of the pain she'd suffered. "But still, if it is just us. Why just us? I'm sorry if I keep asking stupid questions, Rei-chan. All of this is just so confusing! I know you're just as confused, if not moreso than me. I suppose I'm just trying to talk it out... maybe it'll make more sense that way?" She paused for a moment, then said with a chuckle "It doesn't seem to be working."
She looked over her shoulder to make sure traffic was clear then changed lanes and maneuvered the car over to lane for the next exit. "There is some good news. It didn't take as long as I thought it would to get here. We're about 10 more minutes away." She turned left at the end of the ramp and continued down the street. "Don't worry about this. He's a great doc and will take good care of you and any questions you have. It'll all be fine."
|
|
|
|
Post by Hino Rei on Dec 25, 2008 0:27:53 GMT -5
Rei nodded along with Makoto's babbling. It wasn't any worse than her own and she was glad that the woman was talking. Sometimes it did help things just to discuss them with a friend. And then Makoto said something which caused Rei to make a face. "... there was no protection."
|
|
|
|
Post by Kino Makoto on Dec 25, 2008 0:52:14 GMT -5
"What?!?" Makoto's jaw hit the floor of the car and she turned to look at Rei. Thankfully they were at a red traffic light, making this a safe opportunity to take her eyes off the road. She tried her best to remove the shocked look from her face, although she was sure it was probably still quite obvious. Still...
"I'm sorry Rei-chan. I didn't mean for it to come out like that. I just uh...wasn't expecting to hear that just now." Ok, this wasn't a problem. Not a big deal at all. Ok, maybe it was. But it was something that could be easily solved. She hoped. The light turned green and her eyes were back on the road. It was only a few more blocks now. She wracked her brain, trying to think of something, anything, she could say to try to make this better.
She pulled into the lot and parked the car. Before getting out she looked at Rei and gave a half-smile. "Look, I don't know if it'll make you feel better but I'm going to say it anyways. I've been there before. I have been in your shoes, and I know that it's not fun. The unknown is incredibly scary." She paused for emphasis. "You know what though? You're here now, and I'm here with you and we're going to get you whatever help you need. It's going to be fine, really." She gave Rei a pat on the hand. "You ready to go in?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Hino Rei on Dec 25, 2008 0:59:52 GMT -5
Rei winced at her friend's first reaction, but it was understandable. Highly understandable. She waited until Makoto calmed down and then slowly tried to explain it. "As I said, I wasn't really... in control of myself. And it was my first time. There wasn't even much... thinking involved, it just happened and I didn't realize until later..."
By that time she was blood red again and thankfully the car had stopped. Rei picked up her purse and slung it over her shoulder before nodding. "Hopefully... hopefully i'll..." The woman shook her head. Luck out, she wanted to say, but couldn't force it past her lips. Rei opened the car door and shut it behind her.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kino Makoto on Dec 25, 2008 1:30:15 GMT -5
Makoto slightly frowned at her friend's trouble in finishing her sentence. She reached for her own purse and also exited the car. She pressed the "lock" button on the keyfob twice to make sure the alarm was armed and headed for the door to the office. She placed a hand on Rei's shoulder and gave her a soft smile as she held the door for her friend.
She walked over to the desk and spoke to the receptionist. "Hi, I'm Kino Makoto here with Hino Rei to see Dr. Ikawa." The receptionist typed away at her computer keyboard, presumably looking up the appointment info, then responded "Ah yes, I have you right here. I'll let the doctor know you've arrived. Please have a seat, it'll only be a moment."
Makoto walked over to an empty chair and motioned for Rei to sit in the one beside her. "Rei-chan," she said quietly, "I'll wait out here for you if you want. I know you've never met this doctor before and that in itself can be a bit unnerving, but if you want your privacy with him I don't mind staying out. Either way, you've got my support no matter what."
|
|
