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Post by Neo Queen Serenity on Apr 11, 2009 17:37:30 GMT -5
Forget Sawyer and his outrageous stories, Usagi needed some alcoholic sustenance, and fast. She had a feeling this would not be her last trip over for something stronger than champagne, but it was the first of the night. She avoided the main section of the long open bar, choosing the end where there were actually some stools to sit. Hopefully her security, wherever they were (she couldn't figure out who was who just by looking behind her), would get the hint and keep anyone official from getting in her space.
She was worried about Mako-chan, despite all assurances not to be. If Nephrite awakened, it was going to change the dynamic of the whole situation, irreversably so. Usagi hadn't quite adjusted to the situation as it stood now. And, perhaps selfishly, she realized that it would force her to truly start to talk with Mamoru. That window, as it had been put to her last night, was quickly closing, and they were as deficient on information as ever. It appeared that the situation was going to be moving at a rapid pace, considering the acceleration of events over the past few days, even if she had been unaware of much of it.
Usagi knew that she would have to put her foot down to the senshi, and insist on knowing what was going on with the Shitennou. She trusted them, she knew it was their lives and the relationships were likely to be complicated by romantic overtones, but still-- she needed to know in order to make decisions. That was not a conversation she had anticipated having to have, nor one that she'd like to. I don't want to know everything, that's personal... Just the big stuff. Have I been so isolated from them the they can't or won't share this with me? Perhaps she was lumping in Makoto's experience with the rest of them-- Makoto had plenty of reasons not to tell that had nothing to do with her.
"Crown Royal, straight." Usagi ordered. She needed a stiff drink, if only to quiet her rampaging thoughts!
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Post by Kino Makoto on Apr 11, 2009 20:13:50 GMT -5
Makoto re-entered the ballroom and thought Usagi had been right behind her. She turned around to give one last ‘thumbs-up’ but the Queen had disappeared. She quickly looked around, wondering where in the world she would have gotten off to so quickly. It didn’t take her long to spot her heading towards the bar…and she was moving fast. She shook her head and chuckled to herself before realizing that perhaps Usagi had a good idea after all. Glancing up to the clock, she saw that she didn’t have more than a few minutes or so. She didn’t care. She was going to need this.
She squeezed through the crowd and wound up at the bar beside Usagi who was now being lectured by none other than Lucan Felix. Ignoring them both, she gave the bartender her order. “Patron Silver, asap.” Looking back up to the clock she cringed. “Make it two.”
Hearing Lucan’s last few words, she turned towards him and shrugged while chuckling. “Lucan my man, it is going to be one of those nights.”
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Post by Neo Queen Serenity on Apr 11, 2009 20:37:31 GMT -5
Usagi jumped on the stool as Lucan showed up behind her. She forgot how sneaky he could be! She didn't even see him as she glanced over her shoulder when heading towards the bar. Perhaps her powers of observation were not as sharp as she hoped-- the guy was tall, she should be able to spot him... He knew how to hide!
She found herself pouting as he changed her order, and wondered if she should be offended that the bartender listened to him instead of her. Oh, well, she knew she couldn't ever match his levels of intimidation, and most of the staff knew how laid-back she was, anyway. Nevermind that Lucan often played the role of her minder. Besides, an RCCR sound pretty good, after all.
"You saw that?!" Usagi exclaimed when he referred to her two glasses of champagne. "Crap." She had tried so hard to keep that under wraps! She sulked even more, sipping on the drink as it was slid out to her.
"He'll be having a dirty vodka martini. Three olives," Usagi ordered. If he could do it for her, she ought to return the favor! She contemplated ordering a Mai Tai or something tropical with an umbrella stuck in it, but was sure he wouldn't be happy about that, so stuck to something he would actually drink.
"Yeah, something is going down that you should know about. I need you to put a leash on the CAT and response teams in the gardens," she said, sipping on her drink. "Senshi business," she added vaguely, and grinned over as Makoto joined them. "Tequila, baby! Let me see you throw that back!" After Lucan got his drink, she waited until he finished taking a sip before stealing the toothpick with the olives, eating one. "Olive, Mako-chan?"
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Post by Kino Makoto on Apr 11, 2009 21:10:58 GMT -5
Makoto wrinkled her nose and chuckled at Usagi’s egging, but did as she was ordered. She didn’t bother asking, but reached over the bar and grabbed a salt shaker and a couple lime wedges. Setting them down before her, she licked her hand and sprinkled some of the salt on, then licked it back off. She raised the shot glass in a toasting fashion and downed the clear liquid with one swallow. Her face grimaced as she then proceeded to bite into the lime, though it really wasn’t necessary. Patron was rather smooth, but why break tradition?
She shook her head at Usagi’s offering an olive. “No thanks, I’m good.”
Her eyes widened slightly as he described the security measures that were in place for the evening. It never ceased to amaze her; the lengths that were taken to make sure they all remained safe. Long were the days past when they were their own security team, guarding the world. And now they had to be guarded from the world.
“The sun doesn’t shine out my ass. That’s Minako’s gig. I control lightning, remember?” She laughed. “Anyways, I’m sure Usagi will give you all the details. Everything will be fine… I’m just facing my demons from the past. Well, one demon. But I’m kinda hoping he’s an angel now.” She winked. She knew she couldn’t hide anything from Usagi and wasn’t about to start trying now. Not after everything she’d just spilled anyways.
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Post by Neo Queen Serenity on Apr 11, 2009 21:30:23 GMT -5
Usagi whooped as quietly as possible, gigging as Makoto did her thing. "That's what I want to see! We need to have a drinking game, you know that? Once this party is over and we're all together, we need a sailor senshi drinking game, I swear to God."
She scowled at Lucan's response. "I'm not drunk, thank you very much! I am still very much able to give orders. Of course you can have some response if something with the force of a small explosion happens, but I promise you, we've got this covered, right Mako-chan?" She grinned at her friend, nodding with her words, though the bit about demons and angels unsettled her in ways that she was not going to delve into at the moment.
"Yeah, listen to her, Lucan," Usagi declared, dropping the toothpick of olives back into his martini glass. "It's Shitennou stuff, if you must know. Apparently that Bernhardt guy is here and close to turning, and I will back up Makoto completely, 'cuz she agreed to meet him there, and she thinks it's the right thing to do. And Ami-chan and Hotaru-chan are gonna observe, so no worries, m'kay?" she sipped on her drink again, once again starting to mellow down. Surely he couldn't complain about that! "I just don't want guys with automatic weapons and tactical assault dress surrounding the area at the wrong moment, that's all. I know they're professionals, and all, but that could make the situation worse, even if nothing happened."
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Post by Kino Makoto on Apr 11, 2009 22:18:31 GMT -5
“A drinking game? And who exactly is going to break this news to Ami?” She chuckled. It sounded fun, really. It just wasn’t something she wanted to consider at the moment.
She laughed heartily at the William Wallace reference. “So Lucan, which orifice would you prefer I shoot lightning from?” She gave him a wink before turning her attention back to Usagi.
Makoto smiled at Usagi’s confident words. “I don’t doubt that I could handle whatever may arise. But I’m not so naïve as to keep from asking you guys for backup, though it’s unlikely it will be needed. All we’re asking is that you get your men to stand down and not overreact. I’ll be signaling Usagi and the others should I feel that more assistance is needed.”
Her eyebrows rose as Usagi continued. Perhaps she’d been hitting the bottle a little too hard already. It didn’t escape Makoto’s notice that Lucan was now watering down Usagi’s drink. That was probably a good idea. Usagi was never one to be able to hold her liquor well.
She nodded as Lucan agreed to tone down security, just for a bit. He still further questioned what was going on, though. “I have no idea, and I have no idea. I told him to meet me in the garden, and I’ve asked Ami and Hotaru to keep an eye out. I’m guessing they’ll be nearby, not hidden but not in plain view either. I’m not concerned with him running off or causing a scene should someone see us. I don’t expect the garden to be completely empty. Just not as crowded as the ballroom.”
Makoto glanced up at the clock and noted that she now only had a minute or so before her hour was up. Not wanting to be later than she already was, she passed on the salt and lime and downed her second shot. “I’m sorry to have to be going so soon, but I really need to get out there. Thank you for your assistance, Lucan.” She leaned in to Usagi and gave her a light hug, whispering a quick message into her ear. “Don’t give Lucan too hard a time tonight. I rather like having him around. He’s cute.” With another wink and a wave, she’d left the bar.
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Post by Neo Queen Serenity on Apr 11, 2009 23:19:36 GMT -5
"Ami will deal! We could use her expertise in chemistry to help us!" Usagi declared with a dramatic, sweeping arm movement. Giggling at herself, she sipped on her drink once more, oblivious to the fact that it had been extremely diluted. She lapsed into a giggling fit and Lucan and Makoto's back and forth about William Wallace and asses and lightning, only recovering herself as Lucan began to ask questions and speak about security once more. "Just... do it for a good part of the garden. Use your judgment, and all that."
She returned Makoto's hug. "Good luck. And don't worry about Lucan..." she smirked, waving as her friend left and turning back to her remaining 'drinking buddy.' "You're not going anywhere, are ya? Even though I'm annoying and tipsy and stubborn and don't always listen to you like I should and am inexperienced. That's why I need you. And you can't possibly walk away from something or someone that needs your assistance. It's just who you are. You live for your work."
She pouted again at the mention of Mamoru, hunkering down with her drink and staring into its depths. She was almost finished. "No."
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Post by Neo Queen Serenity on Apr 12, 2009 0:34:02 GMT -5
Usagi made a face at Lucan's lecturing about Mamoru and having to tell him. The more she put off having to walk up to him, and look into those deep blue eyes and say so much as her ABCs, the better. She wasn't sure she could stand it, and here he was telling her to suck it up? Usagi glared at him for a second before it came to her.
This is not about you and Mamoru. Finally, the more rational side of her brain kicked in, and joined Lucan in lecturing her. She had her senshi, and the well-being of the world to think about. That involved Mamoru, so she did need to suck it up. There was no putting off this conversation-- it had to happen now if it was going to happen at all.
"You're right," she agreed, sliding her glass over to the bartender and standing up, stumbling a little, but regaining her balance. "I'm heading there now. You just make sure to give the team those orders."
Usagi quickly strode across the ballroom; it wasn't hard to find Mamoru. He wasn't the tallest in the room, but he was one of them. "Chiba-san," she called out, reaching out to touch his sleeve. "I'm afraid I don't have time for pleasantries right now. Sailor Jupiter brought something to my attention, about Nathaniel-- Nephrite." There, that was easier than she thought-- stick to business. Hopefully he'd listen to her, especially since she called Makoto by her senshi name. It should clue him into the seriousness of the situation, and just why she was coming over there to speak with him at all.
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Post by Chiba Mamoru on Apr 12, 2009 1:11:21 GMT -5
Mamoru’s mood had lightened considerably after speaking with Hiroki earlier. After all the younger man had mentioned the presence of both Nephrite and Kunzite, or rather Nathaniel and Khalid. He was just thinking about going to search the two men out when he heard what was fast becoming a hated name from a voice he’d much prefer hearing ‘Mamo-chan’ from again in addition to a soft touch on his sleeve. How he had missed her arrival he wasn’t very certain, except that his mind had been preoccupied with meeting his two unawakened Shitennou.
He glanced down at her with a momentary scowl of irritation before what she was actually saying registered in his mind. The topic of his Shitennou was still a very touchy subject with him, especially when he was discussing them with Usagi and her Senshi. When she had asked to speak with him earlier, it really hadn’t occurred to him that it might be about this very subject and so he immediately stiffened warily. Mamoru stared down at her impassively, his tone just a little icy as he asked, “What about him? I already know he’s here, along with Khalid and Hiroki.”
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Post by Neo Queen Serenity on Apr 12, 2009 1:37:20 GMT -5
Usagi immediately recoiled as Mamoru scowled down at her, backing up several steps, unable to keep the shock and even fear from flitting across her face in quick succession. He was back. That beast that had tried to dominate her several nights ago, with his cold voice and unreachable, uncaring veneer. She had almost started to believe that what he was then was an aberration-- a reaction to her confrontation, and nothing more. The man that stood before her now was quite different than the passive, even distant Mamoru that she saw in the receiving line. This man was oblivious to her, reacting with scorn at her audacity to bring up his Shitennou.
If it had not been for the fact that she would need his cooperation to help out her senshi-- and potentially, the rest of the world, Usagi would have told him to shove it and just walk off. As it was, she had to disguise her uncertainly, burying it beneath a Queenly facade. There would be time later to cozy up to him-- if only to secure information. Who are you-- it's like Jekyl and Hyde!
"Jupiter is meeting him as we speak. She believes he's about ready to reawaken, Chiba-san. I just found out myself. I thought you should know," Usagi stated calmly, refusing to be outwardly shaken by his behavior anymore. She wanted to be in control, for once, if he knew how much his reaction had shaken her--
Suddenly the floor beneath her trembled violently, and she lost her footing, her balance already compromised by the alcohol she had consumed. The lights flickered in the ballroom, a few guests shrieking in surprise, before coming back on, a low hum in the background, underneath the music. Even the orchestra veered off course with a few wrong notes, startled. The emergency generators had just kicked in.
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Post by Chiba Mamoru on Apr 12, 2009 2:24:06 GMT -5
Mamoru was quick to catch the fact that Usagi immediately recoiled away from him as well as the shock and fear that flittered across her face. Anger he was expecting, but fear? He found fear to be ten million times worse then anger ever was. She was afraid of him. What have I done?
He silently cursed himself a fool as he forced himself to relax. Hadn’t he just been telling himself that he would have to open up to her if he wanted to fix things? Mamoru was pretty certain that acting cold and uncaring was in no way coming close to opening up to her, nor was it any way to get back into her good graces.
Mamoru did his best not to scowl when she continued to use his formal name, instead just concentrating on what she had to say. Trying hard to keep his tone at least somewhat neutral he said, “Thank you for telling me that. I have yet to meet him tonight, but I was intending to search him out. I’ll just have to ...”
He never got to finish what he had been about to say when the floor trembled beneath them and Usagi lost her footing. Without much thought at all Mamoru reacted, catching her before she hit the ground and instinctively holding her close. He ignored the shrieks of surprise as well as the alarms he heard coming from outside, automatically glancing around the area searching for the source of danger once the lights came back on.
Mamoru was well attuned to the Earth and so it didn’t take him long to figure out that whatever the blast was it had come from the direction of the palace gardens. This force was quite a bit stronger then what he had felt when Jadeite had woken earlier, but it felt like the same sort of disturbance and so it also didn’t take him long to suspect that it had something to do with one of his Shitennou, Nephrite more then likely if Jupiter was accurate.
Looking back down at Usagi, whom he was still holding protectively close, he reluctantly murmured, “We should go. Unless I’m mistaken that’s probably going to be something we’ll both want to check up on ...”
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Post by Neo Queen Serenity on Apr 12, 2009 9:54:07 GMT -5
In the confusion, it was all Usagi could do to just hold onto him, her heart pounding wildly in her chest. ...I don't understand... One moment he was icy and scowling, the next he was breaking her fall and holding her near, like so many times as Tuxedo Kamen? She pushed away the flood of memories, inhaling deeply. Why is he here? She never had that question answered to her satisfaction. Was it for the Shitennou? Was it for her? Why did he want anything to do with her-- why the receiving line, then this atrocious behavior when they were had (some) privacy? And he acted as if he cared if she was hurt or not!
Is he doing this on purpose? Is he trying to play with me-- unsettle me? Does he want something from me like I want information from him? What's his agenda? She couldn't figure it out, and nodded at his words, slowly pulling herself from his embrace once she was on her feet again, immediately missing his scent and warmth in an immediate, visceral way. "The other senshi are going to react to this," she pointed out, looking around the ballroom to see if any damage had been done. A few people had stumbled like she did, but the rest were just concerned, and looking to her for leadership.
"I need to calm people down. They're in the gardens, but wait for me," Usagi said to him out of the corner of her mouth, immediately pulling on a reassuring smile for the guests.
"I'm afraid that many of you aren't used to the seismic activity we have here! Welcome to Japan!" she said in English with a laugh, and then other guests joined in, visibly relieved. "It seems like it's been a bit stronger than it has in the past, but as you can see, the Palace is structurally strong and our power system is fully functional, thanks to the infrastructure we updated during construction. So, don't let this ruin your evening! I'm just about to check up on some potential damage outside, so I'll ask you all to remain indoors until we can see how things are out there." With projection, her voice carried, especially as the orchestra had stopped playing in order to pick up their sheet music and re-tune. Talking immediate resumed and people starting laughing again, the din returning to previous noise levels. Usagi heaved a small sigh of relief; that would cover them for now.
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Post by Chiba Mamoru on Apr 12, 2009 20:48:58 GMT -5
Although it killed his heart once more and it took every ounce of strength he had, Mamoru forced himself to let go when Usagi pulled away from him. Despite the circumstances, having her in his arms again had felt just as natural and right as it usually did. She belonged there whether she believed it or not. He nodded when she mentioned that her senshi were going to react, having figured that they would. Mamoru would have been disappointed in them if they hadn’t have reacted actually. “I wouldn’t expect anything less ...”
He glanced uneasily toward the gardens when she asked him to wait for her. Mamoru would have preferred heading out there right then. He was anxious to see for himself if it had really been Nephrite that had awakened. There was really no reason that he should be forced to continue standing there, these people weren’t even his responsibility anymore. Still despite his immediate wishes he found himself nodding in agreement and staying put, not really wishing to anger her further by denying such a simple request. Nephrite was more then capable of taking care of himself for a few moments longer.
Mamoru was silently watching her calm the guests into going back to their festivities when Lucan walked over. The appearance of ‘head of security’ had him feeling just a little wary again, uncertain as to how they were intending to deal with Nephrite’s awakening. As far as he was concerned there wasn’t any ‘danger’, but then he supposed that Lucan at least had to be certain. He wouldn’t be doing his job if he just allowed Usagi to walk into an unknown situation. He did his best to relax once more and in a tone that was just a tad bit irritable asked, “Now that everyone is calm and we’ve established who’s going ... can we get going?”
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Aino Minako
Senshi/Shitennou
Senshi of Love and Beauty
Your Favorite Idol!
Posts: 246
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Post by Aino Minako on Apr 12, 2009 21:04:32 GMT -5
As the lights flickered as the ballroom hummed with the noise of slightly panicked guests, Minako immediately felt the need to find Usagi. She had a strange feeling that the noise, the vibrations, the loss of lights wasn't due to any natural disaster, but something else. Something that pulled at that same deja vu feeling she'd had earlier. She excused herself from the guest she was speaking with and crossed the floor, her eyes sweeping left and right as she searched for her queen.
She felt a moment of anxiety when Usagi wasn't immediately in her vision, but her nerves were quickly settled when the queen stepped onto the floor and reassured the guests that all was well. Minako switched directions, hiking her long yellow gown up a few inches so that she could hurry, and made a beeline for Usagi. Reaching the queen, she stopped just in front of her, voice low, but a false smile plastered on her face for those guests still looking their way. "Usagi, what just happened?" Concern was evident in her voice, volume kept low so that only Usagi could hear her. "Where is Lucan?"
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Post by Neo Queen Serenity on Apr 12, 2009 21:18:34 GMT -5
"Nephrite has awakened, I believe," Usagi whispered back to Minako. "Story later, it happened in the gardens. Ami-chan, Hotaru-chan and Mako-chan are out there. As for Lucan--" she broke off, as speaking of the devil, he was quickly crossing the ballroom to her side, straight to business as ever.
"Affirmative," Usagi responded. He'd never let her go out just on her own, considering the potential destruction outside, and she'd need him, anyway. "I want a damage control report. Is there anyone injured? How about the power situation?" This was her palace, after all, and she needed to take care of her citizens.
At Mamoru's irritated tone, she just looked at him for a moment, internally fuming. You're a piece of work, you know that? Don't you care at all about the other people that could have gotten hurt! You were always so responsible, but look at you now... It's understandable to be anxious, but to take it out on others...
Maybe she was being too hard on him. Usagi took one more look around, and started for the doors resolutely. "I'm sure Rei-chan will join us shortly," she remarked to everyone. Right now she wanted to get to the others as quickly as possible. As soon as she was past the ballroom doors, she her power rise up within her, washing over her body until she was in her diadem and the official dress. It was still long, but she could maneuver better in it than a furisode, and at least she'd be powered up should any contingency come up.
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