Revelations 12/28 AM, inner senshi, Luna

[Neo Queen Serenity]

The pungent scent of espresso assaulted her nose as Usagi lifted the demitasse cup and knocked it back like a shot of tequila. "I'll want another," she told the server gravely, putting it back down on the saucer and shooing her out the door. It was too strong for Usagi's tastes, but it was the closest she was going to get to drinking pure caffeine. And after the night she had, she needed the jolt.

She had managed to make it out of the Situation Room a few minutes earlier, time to be early to the meeting. There was nothing she could do right now, other than worry.

Usagi ran her fingers through her hair, wondering who would be first. It was hard to get used to not having the ring on her finger... It felt so light without it. An aide had been dispatched to find Luna, and Usagi put the internal feeds on mute for now, listening to the printer in her office firing up as another FLASH message came through.

Romantic, senshi, shitennou, political, and security crises all at once. This must be my lucky day, she thought sarcastically, scanning the printout.

[Hino Rei]

Rei was rarely, if ever, late and today wasn't going to be her day to start. In fact, the woman had surprised herself by collapsing into sleep almost as soon as she'd gotten the e-mails out the night before. Her dreams had not been untroubled, however. The priestess woke an hour before her usual, early time with a tear-stained face, raw throat, aching head and her hair in more knots than years of fighting had ever put it into. At least she had no recollection of what the dreams had been about.

She spent two hours in the bathroom, then, cleaning herself from top to bottom so thoroughly that her skin was red with it. Her hair finally regained its usual luster and if it weren't for the bags beneath her eyes, one might have thought the priestess was entirely okay. She only wished that were true.

When she'd seen to her hygiene (all the while trying not to think about the fact that her bathroom had once been tainted by his presence) Rei cleaned the room and then the rest of the shrine as well. The Miko in training would get a lighter day of chores but it did Rei well to engage in so familiar an activity. She paid her respects to the shrine and then headed early towards Usagi's chambers. Even if the Queen weren't there (and Rei very much doubted that she would be), it just wasn't in Rei to be late.

Much was her surprise when she entered the room to find that the Queen was already quite... awake was not the proper term for her state and Rei frowned in worry. The tell-tale bags under Usagi's eyes, the tightness about her lips and jilted movements spoke of a night of ill rest--if any rest at all. Rei closed the door behind her softly. "Good morning," she said though it was not. "I didn't expect you to be up so soon."

Rei helped herself to a seat and curled up in it. In her own fog of nerves she missed seeing, or more accurately, noting the absence of Usagi's engagement ring. "How long have you been up this time?"

[Neo Queen Serenity]

Usagi looked up as Rei entered the room, jerking her head in what was supposed to be a movement to gesture her in. Instead, with the caffeine in her it just looked like a twitch. "Good morning," she nodded, but without any feeling to her words. Usagi let the message fall to her desk, she had already read it several times over, and the printer was churning out another one as they spoke, anyway.

"I'm usually awake much earlier these days. Have to get an earlier start." She found herself hoping that Rei wouldn't inquire about the sort of sleep she had gotten last night, not from the way the fiery priestess was looking at her, but of course, the question came.

"I never went to bed," Usagi replied honestly, rubbing her temples. "I've been in the Situation Room all night. There's a very dangerous riot outside our offices in Nairobi." She decided not to go into anymore details, hoping that would suffice. "I hope you got some rest yourself." Rei looked put-together as always, but not as rested as Usagi had hoped she would be.

I really hope the rest of the senshi look better than the pair of us... Usagi thought dimly. "Please, have a seat." That was belated, Rei had already found herself a place to sit. "Eat something, if you need to. I'll be getting some more espresso here in a moment."

[Luna]

As a small black cat, Luna had the ability to not be noticed by very many people as she ghosted about the palace. Although this was a little harder to do now that she was known to the world, people still rarely noticed her as she made her way past them. After all, most people didn’t pay much attention to their feet while talking to someone else. This had allowed her to hear many things that people would probably rather she didn’t. This morning, she had been passing by a trio of giggling maids that probably should have been doing something other then gossiping in the halls. She twitched her ears as she heard one of the girls whispering about something one of her other friends had told her. However, she didn't particularly pay them much attention. She rarely had the patience to listen to rumors.

Shaking her head in irritation, the small black cat continued on her way down the hall. She had just reached her destination when an aide ran up and nervously called her name. Luna sighed before turning to look at person curiously, once again finding it amusing to see that the aide didn’t seem entirely comfortable with addressing a cat.

After receiving the message about the meeting, Luna nodded politely and thanked the aide before turning and heading off toward Usagi’s chambers. She was curious to know what this meeting was about. She hadn’t been aware of anything important scheduled, perhaps it was just a ‘get together’ type of thing. Although Luna was well aware that the senshi had already held a get together meeting just the other day so she didn’t particularly think it could be that, besides this was a little early in the day for something like that.

When Luna arrived, she found the door closed. This annoyed her just a little as she had been requested to be here, but it wasn’t that big of a deal. She quickly caught the attention of one of the various aides running about and got them to open the door for her, though this was something she actually wasn’t that fond of doing. She would much prefer to be able to open the door on her own, but as she was currently stuck in the form of a little cat she couldn’t do that.

Murmuring a polite thanks to the aide, Luna slipped through the door before it was closed once again. She turned her attention to the two women in the room and immediately noticed that neither one of them seemed to have slept very well. She figured Usagi had probably been up dealing with some sort of crisis again, but she did wonder what might have kept Rei from sleeping as well.

She padded over to a nearby chair and leaped up into it, settling herself down before gazing worriedly at her companions. She took in both of their appearances, wondering what could have prompted this get together. Although it didn't escape her notice that Usagi was missing her engagement ring, she didn't pay that detail much attention other then to think that it was odd. She had never known Usagi to be without it ever before.

“Good Morning Usagi, Rei-chan ...”

[Mizuno Ami]

Ami had gotten the e-mail before collapsing into bed herself last night. While nothing particularly emotional had happened to the young doctor, she was finding the entire trying to quickly set up a hospital rather draining. It was exciting, but it was also tiring. She had fired off her own e-mail to her assistant, asking her to deal with the morning deliveries, set her alarm clock, and gone to bed.

She had had no difficulty sleeping and reached Usagi's office a bit before seven, being concerned by the very nature of the e-mail from Rei. When she entered the room, she quickly took in the appearance of Usagi and Rei, and every doctoring instinct she had started screaming at her.

Ami frowned deeply. "Usagi? Rei? What's wrong? When was the last time either of you slept?" Rei had seen off the other night, and Ami had not yet had a chance to talk to her. However, she was surprised to see her current state - too perfectly put together, but with tale tell signs. Usagi positively scared Ami. She knew that being queen was wearing on her, but the brightness seemed to be gone from her friend.

Ami was not trying to ignore Luna, but the cat seemed to be fine, while neither Usagi or Rei did.

[Hino Rei]

"Thank you," Rei responded to the offer off food, but declined. Breakfast, or food in general, didn't seem very welcome at the moment. Instead she cast a worried look at her friend. Far be it from Rei to chide the woman for not sleeping, especially as she knew quite well what had passed the night before; she had a good idea of it, at least. Instead, she'd opened her mouth to form a query of it when the door opened and the sleek black form of Luna slipped in through it.

Rei nodded to the feline, whom she didn't see much of at all these days--but she and Luna had never been particularly close, so such an absence was rather normal for them--and returned her greeting in kind. Another lie, but a pleasant one. Ami came in a moment later and seemed to jump straight to the semptom of the problem, as any good doctor would.

The priestess had sat to the right of Usagi's desk, one elbow now leaned casually upon the corner of it to support herself, and she turned her head to cast a glance at their friend before she replied. "It is... a long story, Ami. It would probably be best to wait for the others, so it can be said once."

Judging from Usagi's state, she doubted the woman's news was going to be all that good. Rei offered Ami a smile, one that was pleasant enough but filled with a sort of wary exhaustion. "Don't worry. Neither of us will keel over before then." Though she was perhaps speaking out of turn for Usagi, Rei hoped the other woman would understand what she meant by it. She'd never seen Usagi act this... strong before. Not over a problem which concerned Mamoru in such a manner. Were Rei to be honest with herself, a good part of her still expected Usagi to do exactly as she'd done when "Tuxedo Kamen" had first walked into their lives all those years before--defend him endlessly, pointlessly and even though all evidence presented was utterly incriminating. That she had yet to do so left Rei feeling perversely proud of her.

"Though," Rei added after a moments thought and looked towards Usagi. A specific thing Usagi had wished for the night before came rolling back into her memory and she couldn't help herself, "you should take a nap, at least, as soon as we're done here. I can help push your assistants about and deal with the barking politicians until you're rested."

[Kino Makoto]

Makoto received Rei's e-mail after getting home from work. Though puzzled by the urgency, she set her alarm for 6 AM. Fortunately she had a rather dreamless sleep and was finally able to catch up on much-needed rest. As she switched off her blaring alarm and rose from the bed, she thought to herself that she needed to be sure to thank Ami again for the prescription.

She had to go back to work later that day, so she packed a small bag to take with her to the meeting. She was going to need a change of clothes if she still planned on meeting Nathaniel for dinner tonight. After buttoning up her toque, she grabbed her bag and left her quarters.

Even though she knew she was expected, she was still a few minutes early and lightly tapped on the door to make her presence known before entering. Once in the room, she took a look around. While Ami appeared to be rather well rested, she noted Rei & Usagi's very tired appearance which caused her to furrow her brows and her lips to turn into a frown. She quickly made her way to an open chair, one that was to the left of Usagi and somewhat 'across' from Rei, set her bag down beside it and placed herself into the seat.

There was no possibility of even faking or forcing a smile. Something serious had happened or was about to happen. She knew that they would have to wait for Minako before starting to discuss anything important, and frankly she wasn't sure what she should say at all anyways. So she offered the best that she could. "Good morning."

[Neo Queen Serenity]

"Morning, Luna," Usagi said with a nod, walking over to her printer as it began to spit out more FLASH messages, one after another. Ami came in directly on the heels of Luna, though her reaction to things was much more direct than Usagi had expected. It was obvious she wasn't fooling anyone right now. Luckily, Rei answered for her.

"We're fine, Ami-chan," she said quietly. "And Rei-chan is right, we should wait for everyone to get here. Right now sleep is the least of our worries..." Usagi gave her friend a small, wry smile, returning and plopping down in her chair.

"Unfortunately, Rei, this particular crisis requires decisions that only I can make. If it's over by the time we get out-- which isn't likely-- then you can push the barking politicians around all you like and I'll take a sleeping pill. But as things are now, I'm needed." Usagi refused to rest until the evacuation was complete.

Makoto swept in just as quickly. Usagi was relieved that everyone was early, it was so hard to wait on this. "Mako-chan," she smiled, nodding at her friend's greeting. Usagi realized that she was nodding quite a bit. She had never been a quiet person, but words were not her strong suit right now. It just felt so tiring to talk at all. "This crisis is unrelated to what you were called here for, we have different but no less important issues to deal with. I suggest you get something to eat or drink," she told them as the server entered with her second espresso of that morning. She took the saucer with her left hand, and once more knocked it back. "Keep 'em coming."

[Luna]

Luna nodded politely in Ami and Makoto’s direction as they came in, however most of her attention was now centered on Usagi. There was definitely something off about her, something that didn’t pertain to the stress of being a queen. She was at a loss as to what it could be though. What concerned her the most was the quietness, Usagi was rarely quiet and it concerned her that she wasn’t at least greeting her friends in a more enthusiastic way. She kept quiet however, content to simply observe for the moment while they waited on Minako to arrive. She wasn’t particularly hungry as she had already eaten right when she woke up, but she did watch in concern as Usagi downed her own espresso rather quickly.

[Mizuno Ami]

Ami frowned a bit at Rei's answer and assurance. Whatever was going on was affecting the health of her friends, and that was something which deeply disturbed Ami. "All right." She nodded, knowing that sometimes it was more difficult to have to tell a hard story more than once.

She took a seat near to the others, watching them both closely - and just now noticing that Usagi's left hand was bare. That caused her frown to deepen.

When Makoto walked in, Ami was relieved that at least one of her friends appeared to be well rested. She hoped that meant that either the drugs were helping or that Makoto's headaches had stopped enough that she had not needed them after all. Ami almost decided that if Minako was also having health or sleep problems that that would have to mean that there was some kind of enemy attacking them as this was too much to be coincidence.

"Morning, Mako-chan." She smiled warmly to her and then turned her attention back to Usagi.

"I agree with Rei, Usagi. You need sleep. Whatever this other crisis is, let us help you with it. The world needs you, but it needs you healthy." She would not issue "doctor's orders" just yet, but she was definitely going to keep a close eye on her. "And you need sleep too, Rei." She half considered slipping a sleeping pill into both their drinks as soon as this meeting was over.

[Hino Rei]

Rei frowned at Usagi's response. She didn't know what the crisis was, of course, but she sincerely doubted that it couldn't wait for the queen to get a clear head about it. Thankfully Ami helped her and Rei cast a grateful smile at the doctor in their midst. She looked to the door when Makoto came in and nodded to her as she'd done the others. Now it was only Mina whom they were waiting on.

The priestess shook her head at Ami's response. "I slept, actually." Did she really look so bad? Obviously she did, and Rei mentally sighed at that.

[Kino Makoto]

Makoto managed to smile back to the girls who returned her greeting. However her slight frown returned at Usagi's suggestion to eat or drink. This was not going to be a good meeting, she could feel it already. Better get something on her stomach now. She looked to the server who'd brought Usagi's espresso and decided to have something as well. "Could I have coffee please, extra cream and sugar. And perhaps some toast or a croissant? Thank you!" She smiled at the young girl as she nodded at Makoto's request. Mako always felt weird having people "serve" her since she was so used to doing things herself. A slight flush rose to her cheeks as she recalled something similar being mentioned to her in an e-mail.

Straightening herself she looked to Usagi and nodded in agreement with Ami, though she really had no idea what was really going on at the moment. It didn't matter to her though, Usagi was quite obviously tired and needed some sort of assistance, whether she really wanted it or not. "Yes Usagi, Ami's right. Let us help you. We want to help, really!"

[Neo Queen Serenity]

Usagi held up her hands, feeling a little attacked by all the offers of assistance. "Really, guys, I'm fine!" she laughed, which relieved a bit of the stress. "Seriously, one all-nighter is not going to kill me. If you want to help, I'm all for that, but when I say I won't sleep until this is resolved, I mean it."

Usagi's mood turned a little more somber as she regarded them. "Like I told Rei-chan, there's a pretty violent riot going on outside our offices in Nairobi. It started sometime yesterday, but I got a call at 2 in the morning when things were really getting out of control. These people have been stuck there for over 30 hours, without sleeping at all, without food or running water or electricity. Some have been critically wounded and the evacuation is hours out; I had to divert forces from Mogadishu. The local police are overwhelmed. Compared to what my employees over there are going through right now, I have it pretty good. The least I can do is stay awake long enough to make the right decisions to get these people safely out of there and back to their families. There's also the issue of restoring order in the city; all residents have been warned to stay in their homes and I've instated a curfew until further notice." Usagi hoped that would satisfy them. She certainly didn't expect to be ganged up on like this...

She found herself looking at Rei for a moment, quirking an eyebrow but not saying anything. It was obvious Rei hadn't seen any of the other senshi before this meeting, but it was so uncanny that the Priestess would insist that Usagi rely on the senshi for help, and the very next morning they would all be piling on her so eagerly. It was a relief, but still a little amusing all the same.

[Luna]

Luna had been listening silently to everything that went on around her. However, when Usagi mentioned that she got the call about the crisis at 2 in the morning she stared at the young queen in confusion. She distinctly recalled Usagi saying that she had pulled an all-nighter. If it wasn’t because of the crisis, then what was it for?

She glanced at the clock on the wall, noting that the time for the meeting had come and gone awhile back. Minako was obviously going to be late. The black cat twitched her tail irritably being reminded of all the times both blondes had been late to something, obviously some things never changed. Shaking her head in exasperation, Luna turned her attention back to the other senshi and proceeded to get things back on track.

“Girls I’m not certain that Minako is going to make it and we can’t keep ourselves locked up in here all day. I know that there was something important that needed to be discussed today, perhaps we should get on with it? We can always bring Minako up to date when she gets here ...”

[Mizuno Ami]

Ami nodded to Rei, not asking - right now - just how much sleep she'd gotten or if it had been restful. Instead she simply asked the attendant for a bagel and a glass of guava juice.

She raised an eyebrow at Usagi, but assumed whatever had kept the Queen up so that she was already awake at 2 was the reason for this morning's meeting. "All right, Usagi... but you shouldn't have to deal with this alone. I can have others take care of what needs to be done in setting up the hospital today."

Ami nodded a bit at Luna, "We can catch her up when she comes. I know you wanted to wait, but there are obviously other pressing matters."