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Post by Nathaniel Bernhardt on Apr 11, 2009 19:48:45 GMT -5
A quarter 'til, Nate headed out to the gardens. Perhaps he should have asked Makoto just where in them she wanted to meet. He stayed closed to the exit where most of the other guests would be, though most decided not to brave the frigid December temperatures at night. Even so, he heard a few giggles from the bushes, and a quick glance sated his curiosity. Apparently a noble or two were getting it on where they could have some relative privacy-- relative being the operative word. Nathaniel was sure that security cameras and other detection devices were present in the gardens as well as the palace. Some guy in front of a thermal or infrared camera bank was probably getting his rocks off.
He stuck his hands in his pockets, his breath coming out in a cloud of white air. It helped clear his head. At least the good weather had stuck through to the night, and the sky overhead was clear. He could only see Venus and a couple of other planets, just about everything else save Polaris was obscured by Tokyo's massive city lights. He supposed that with the Palace itself being the tallest building around, he was in the best spot to observe a decent chunk of the sky. Anywhere else downtown, and much of the view would be obscured by skyscrapers as well as the light pollution that was thicker than smog.
The alcohol and the pills and food had combined to give him a sense of mellow zen, even if the headache was still there. He was quickly learning to cope with it, but perhaps after this-- he wouldn't need to.
He was on the precipice, and despite the agony of it, Nathaniel was increasingly becoming aware of it. Would Makoto actually show up, to do her part? Because she did have a part in all this, he was sure of that, if he wasn't even sure of his own sanity and mental faculties at the moment.
Seating himself on a stone bench, he listened to the fountain, wondering how they kept the water from freezing on a night like this, watching carefully for Makoto to arrive.
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Post by Kino Makoto on Apr 11, 2009 20:28:21 GMT -5
The alcohol had done nothing to calm her nerves. It had, however, caused her to break out into a sweat. Tequila always had a way of heating her down to the core, and it was no different now. Stepping out into the cool evening air did nothing but give her goose bumps on her arms, but she was still plenty warm from the liquid she’d downed only minutes ago.
Makoto hoped that Ami and Hotaru would be ok hanging around in the cool air. She glanced around, but didn’t see them, so she assumed they’d found a decent spot to hide out, or that they were at least watching from a window somewhere. She wasn’t really sure, and decided not to dwell on it. Instead she stepped further out into the garden to get a better look around. It didn’t take long for her to spot him, seated on a bench beside the fountain. And he was staring right at her.
She took another look around, though she wasn’t sure why. There really wasn’t anyone about. Whether or not that was a good or bad thing, she didn’t know. Nevertheless, she’d resigned herself to this and was ready for whatever may happen. She lifted her head and walked straight over to him. Damn he looked good. ’NO! I am NOT doing this right now!’
She stopped in front of him and offered a small smile. “Hi.”
’Oh yeah, that’s real smooth. You’ve played with this guy and the best you can say is hi? What the hell?’
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Post by Nathaniel Bernhardt on Apr 11, 2009 23:00:34 GMT -5
He stood up as she finally came into the gardens, hands in his pockets, waiting until she caught his eye and made her way towards him. Nate found himself smiling at her simple greeting. It was all so surreal; the past, their past, seemed so close, and yet the air was still cold, she was still beautiful, and time was still ticking.
It just seemed like the world should have stopped, if only for a moment or two.
"Hi." He found himself shedding his coat and offering it to her; the goosebumps on her arms had not gone unnoticed. He didn't know how long they were going to be there, but she needed a jacket regardless. It was too cold out here.
Now that they were together, what the hell did he say? Did he ask questions? Did she explain why she ran away? Why she was suddenly so cold towards him, at least in that buffet line? He had wanted this moment so badly, but he never envisioned what to say when it had finally arrived.
"Did you... remember?" he suddenly found himself asking. He remembered that name on his lips a few nights ago, when he held her in his arms, and then her sudden flight and his drift into madness. Perhaps he was still there, still mad. Maybe that could explain the increased pounding in his head and the distant roar in his ears.
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Post by Kino Makoto on Apr 11, 2009 23:17:09 GMT -5
A heavy blush colored her cheeks as he returned the simple greeting and promptly removed his jacket to wrap it around her shoulders. She smiled and said “Thank you”, though it came out more like a whisper. This was not going to go the way she’d hoped. Even after what she’d done, he was still a gentleman. There was no way she would be able to keep up the bravery. If it had been anyone else, there wouldn’t have been a problem. But it was different with him. It always had been.
Makoto nodded at his inquiry and looked down at the ground, feeling nothing but guilt over her actions. She stood there in silence for a moment, gathering her thoughts, sifting through the memories that rose to the surface as she inhaled the scent that lingered on his jacket. For some reason the first words she could eke out were “I’m sorry.”
She looked up to him, looked into his eyes. Her own pleaded with him, begged for forgiveness. This should have happened days ago. He should have been freed. It was his right, and she’d kept him from it. All she could do was apologize. “I did remember. It all just hit me so fast, and I couldn’t handle it. It was wrong of me to leave you, to not tell you everything. You didn’t deserve that, and I’m sorry.”
The coat slid from her shoulders as she reached up, placing a hand on his cheek. “It’s OK now. I’m here with you, and I won’t leave you again. Not like that.”
…It was always different with him…
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Post by Nathaniel Bernhardt on Apr 11, 2009 23:44:39 GMT -5
"You're welcome." He watched her nod, and hang her head. Why should she be ashamed of remembering? That wasn't what he wanted-- it was one thing not to tell him, but to remember... Then she spoke, explaining.
The internal anger died, and he found his aching mollified by her understanding. She hadn't callously left him, without concern for his right to the truth. He found his hands were rising to rest on her sumptuously curved shoulders, just holding onto her, needing an anchor in this confusion. He didn't have a chance to respond, to ask her not to be sorry, when the soft, warm touch of her hand was upon his cheek, her eyes meeting his, drawing out memories that were centuries old.
The circuit was complete. He heard Nathaniel Bernhardt let out some kind of scream, but he could feel no pain, snapping back into himself as the parts of his soul gathered, enmeshing into one, mind and body once more whole and human. He clung to her, even as a light shred out of his body, and a sound akin to a thunderclap resounded throughout the gardens with a tremendous roar, sending birds screeching from their nests to take flight in terror.
Power rippled outward with explosive force, breaking up cement and sending shrapnel flying, pushing grass and soil and plants back hundreds of yards in an uneven swell. Trees uprooted, colliding with each other, branches tangling. The fountain crumbled in a tremendous crash, water pipes shooting spray high into the air.
There were screams, yelling from what few guests were in the garden. Floodlights snapped on, bathing them in a pale and unforgiving light, and a wailing siren filled the air. But all Nephrite could do was drop his hands from his love's arms, where he held her away from the magnitude of the mighty blast, and stare in awe at his human self, his true form, with the old uniform, in the new and promising world.
Just as quickly, he pulled her back to him, even as the ground still trembled beneath them, lips crushing down on hers in triumph. He was free... "Maeve."
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Post by Kino Makoto on Apr 12, 2009 0:13:58 GMT -5
She’d barely gotten the words out of her mouth when she felt his warm hands upon her now cooling shoulders. There was so much more she wanted to say, but it was cut off by a loud yell coming from the man in front of her. It was happening.
He never released his grip, though she pulled her arm back from his face in order to shield her eyes from the bright light now emanating from his body. She heard a loud boom, something similar to the sound from one of her own attacks, followed by screams and the wail of an alarm. ’So much for silent mode, Lucan…’
When he let go, she opened her eyes and saw what she first believed to be a vision of the past. A man dressed in garb from centuries – no, eons – ago; A man with whom she’d shared life, love, death.
Tears mixed with the water now falling down upon the two of them as he pulled her into a strong embrace, and she wrapped her arms around him just as tightly. His lips were upon hers once more…no longer as strangers, but as lovers reunited. A sense of completeness fell upon her. This was how it should be.
One word spilled forth from her lips, a name. His name. “Nephrite.”
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Post by Nathaniel Bernhardt on Apr 12, 2009 0:49:53 GMT -5
His name, from her lips! It sounded even better than the name of his civilian form, before the melding of the souls. He found his lips wandering over her face, his hands moving to cup that radiant visage, just to hold her near and gaze at it. How could he have not known her before? All these years in a stone, and in the days when he saw her-- no, when he was just Nathaniel before, he didn't fully appreciate her beauty, the aching need to see that face after years of living a half existence, after years of purgatory.
Then this must be heaven. She was not rejecting him, she returned his affections, and he felt as if he could burst with emotion. Even with the destruction surrounding them, everything was right. Who could he thank for this second chance? He was so undeserving of her very touch, the sound of her voice...
Finally, he had to tear himself from her, his own tears beginning to mingle with her own. "Where is Prince Endymion? I could but stand here for all eternity with you, but I cannot desert my duties," he said reluctantly, his eyes never leaving hers.
"You cannot know... How I have hoped, longed for this day... This is more than I could have ever desired, to not only touch you but to receive something kinder than your condemnation and scorn, I..." He felt his throat close, emotion drawing over him, the sounds and sights of life, smell, returning to him... All the things that he had enjoyed as Nathaniel, but hungered for in the stone... He couldn't help but want to do everything at once, yet was entirely content with this.
"I must find my liege..."
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Post by Kino Makoto on Apr 12, 2009 1:08:10 GMT -5
Makoto couldn’t help but giggle as he planted kisses all over her face. Oh how she’d missed that! The way he could make her laugh even when she was in the deepest of moods. She couldn’t help but let her own hands trace the shape of his face as he pulled away, smiling even though he’d broken contact first.
Duty. His duties. Her smile lessened, but never faded. She was sad that he would leave her side, but understood that Endymion…Mamoru needed to have his guard. Part of her wondered if Jadeite was around as well, but the thought quickly left her mind as Nath- no, Nephrite continued to speak.
She listened intently as he spilled feelings, his happiness that she hadn’t pushed him away. She placed a finger upon his lips as he trailed off, his voice cracking. “You have your freedom now. Enjoy it. We’ve got all the time in the world to worry about those other things.”
Another giggle burst forth as she pulled her hand away. “I think those sirens mean that both your liege and my Queen will be here any moment...”
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Post by Mizuno Ami on Apr 12, 2009 11:16:03 GMT -5
Ami had been walking with Hotaru, close enough that she could keep an eye on Makoto and Nathaniel, but far enough that they would not be eavesdropping or intruding upon their moment. When Nathaniel started to scream, she nodded and looked to Hotaru, "I believe this is it."
Immediately, she was acting. A quick glance at Makoto and Nat - Nephrite, assured her that they were both fine. "Hotaru, get everyone inside, I'm going to take care of the water. Though if you can find someone who knows where the shut off valve is, that would be helpful!"
She was sure that there was a shut off valve, but the quickest way to minimize the flooding was to take advantage of the fact that it was water. With everyone focused on getting to safety, Ami ducked behind a bush that was surviving - for now - and quickly became Sailor Mercury. While she had some control over water and ice in her civilian form, to control this much, she needed the full power of being a Senshi.
Soon she had the water under control, preventing it from reaching any electrical wiring that might have been exposed by the sudden earthquake. Even more importantly, she wanted to keep it away from Makoto, concerned that her emotional state in the current situation could cause her own powers to spark. She glanced to make sure that Hotaru had gotten the civilians inside and then looked back to make sure that Makoto and Nephrite were all right.
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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 22:08:30 GMT -5
Though every part of her rebelled at leaving a fellow senshi behind in danger, Hotaru gave a quick brisk nod and hurried to do as Ami had suggested.
Her voice lifted, clear and calm as she approached some of the guests, giving her best cute little girl smile, sweet, shy and reserved, but trustworthy. "I'm terribly sorry for the inconveniance, but we've had a small problem with the fountain flooding, and it really will be safer for everyone inside, if you wouldn't mind."
Her smile remained in place as the civilians made their way slowly back inside, inwardly screaming for them to move quicker as she followed at their heels.
Once inside, she quickly shut the doors, speaking a quick word to one of the guards to make sure no one wandered outside, and cast her eyes around for someone who would know how to turn off the water. Her best bet would be security, and there was no one surrounded by more security personal than Usagi-chan.
Gathering her swirling amythest skirts in one hand she quickly began pushing through the crowd in search of the queen and her guard.
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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 23:28:56 GMT -5
Minako walked briskly next to Usagi, her eyes straying for the moment to where Mamoru walked with them. Was he involved in all this? Had he and Usagi talked? She'd been so busy dancing with Khalid she must have missed when the pair had actually talked. She pushed the thought aside; Makoto and Nephrite were more pressing at the moment. "Nephrite," she repeated softly. If he had awoken, did that mean Kunzite would follow. "What are we expecting to find?" she asked, just before Hotaru joined them. Lucan asked the question that was hovering on her mind, and she turned her attention to the younger senshi to wait for the answer.
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Post by Chiba Mamoru on Apr 13, 2009 0:13:47 GMT -5
Mamoru forced himself to calm down yet again and rethink his position on the situation. He hadn’t missed Usagi’s ‘look’ and pretty much knew why she was angry. He was worrying more about his own peace of mind instead of the safety of the other people or even whether they had been hurt or not. It wasn’t really that he didn’t care, it was more that he hadn’t been thinking about it in that way. Still even he knew that he should have shown more restraint and resolved himself to be more patient. Nephrite wasn’t going to go anywhere and the civilians were more important at the moment. Nevertheless, he was glad when the group headed off toward the gardens.
He glanced over at Minako when she spoke up, but decided not to answer. For one thing he wasn’t really certain what they would find and for another he still wasn’t entirely certain what her feelings on the Shitennou were. He didn’t feel like arguing right then so it was far better to remain silent until he knew how she viewed things.
When they arrived at the closed doors and were joined by Hotaru, Mamoru waited for the youngest senshi to answer Lucan’s inquiry. He was still rather anxious about getting outside, but he kept his feelings to himself this time, waiting patiently to hear what Hotaru had to say.
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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 13, 2009 22:06:41 GMT -5
Hotaru found herself face to face with the very people she had been looking for, enormously relieved that they had been heading in the proper direction. Pausing to catch her breath, she took a brief second to compose herself and gather her thoughts. Not wasting any time on formality, she settled instead for a quick courteous nod before launching into speech.
“The back gardens are cleared of civilians,” she informed them, her eyes flicking up to meet Lucian’s. “I got them inside before they had time to see anything they should not have. The damage outside is considerable, considering, but nothing I would be too worried about besides the water from the broken fountain. Ami-chan is trying to keep it from flooding everywhere, but she can’t keep it under control forever. The valve must be shut off as soon as possible, if you know a way, Lucian.”
Letting out a breath, she found herself staring at Mamoru and though she spoke to the entire group, she kept her dark eyes on his, her words soft but strong knowing what he must want to hear. “Nephrite has returned to us. He’s with Makoto-chan now. I believe he is well, but most likely looking for you, my lord.”
She then turned her attention to her Queen. “Mako-chan is safe and unharmed, Usagi-chan. Don’t worry for her. I believe though that there is much to discuss with her and Nephrite and much to be explained.”
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Post by Neo Queen Serenity on Apr 13, 2009 23:30:04 GMT -5
Usagi gave Hotaru a gentle smile, happy that her senshi were so clearly in charge and handling things. She was even happier to hear about the civilians, and Makoto being alright-- now was the time to turn her attention to the Shitennou fully. "Thank you, Hotaru-chan, you've done great!" she encouraged, quickly taking in this new information.
Hotaru's deference and formality with Mamoru did not escape her. She wasn't sure what she expected, but it just startled her to hear him referred to as a lord... He was still Prince Endymion, for sure, but... It just reminded her that they had not been able yet to take Hotaru underneath their wing when it came to the Shitennou. And I'm sure she has questions about Chibi-Usa, Usagi thought to herself with a grimace. She had avoided thinking about her future daughter-- who was now neither her future, nor her daughter, at all times. She didn't need the guilt, and further pain, and just hoped that by some miracle of genetics, Chibi-Usa could live on in a different form, that she would not be lost... Now is not the time for this, Usagi! she lectured herself. Focus!
"There is definitely much to explain," Usagi responded to Hotaru, immediately striding forward with purpose, heading toward the exit out to the gardens. "And I'm glad to hear that, Hotaru-chan, but I'm sure you understand when I say that I want to see for myself." Physically was one thing, emotionally, quite another... "Please, stay with us. You've done well here, but you're going to be an important part of this, too... Sailorsaturn," Usagi remarked, making sure that the younger woman knew that she was included in this senshi business.
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Post by Hino Rei on Apr 18, 2009 4:23:08 GMT -5
((note: if there are any problems in this post, so far as continuity or objections--this really applies to Mako, mostly--just poke me on aim, i should be about. XD))
She hated balls. It was now official, in her world, that she hated everything to do with this entire process. While Rei had been quite used to the oppressive regimes of the upper-class since she was a young child, she'd never quite hated it as much as she did tonight.
Everything had started off...
No, it hadn't been simple; not in the slightest. But a situation that had already been bad had become worse as soon as they'd left the sanctity of Usagi's quarters. As much as Rei was trying not to concentrate on the negative, it was becoming harder and harder. Gone was the strange peace that had overcome her that morning, replaced only by a hard knot of nerves and annoyance.
Though she'd been in the ballroom (carefully keeping to herself, and shutting down those who tried to engage her in conversation--or anything more) an all-too-familiar blond head had sent her into hiding. The woman growled in annoyance at her own thoughts. She was not hiding! Only she was.
Rei's glare fell once more onto a passing servant, sending the girl skittering down the hall in fright. The priestess sighed to herself and tried to reach the zen-like place she rightfully should have been. Where had her calm and patience gone to?
It was severely broken, the back of her head replied and Rei crossed her arms over her chest. Luckily she'd managed to find something to do while she was hiding. A small situation had broken out in the kitchen. Though it was technically Makoto's realm, she hadn't seen any need to get the woman when Rei had the authority to take care of the minor organizational hiccup herself. Now she was standing back to let the professionals work, merely keeping an eye on things to make certain that they weren't going to go awry again. But she couldn't stay here forever, and she had made a promise to Usagi...
Rei was just about ready to gather her wits and return to the ballroom when the earthquake broke out in the gardens. More than that, however, was the psychic backwash from the event. The Priestess slapped a hand to her head, giving a soft cry of pain as she teetered on her heels. A passing servant caught her arm before she could fall.
Any other day, Rei might have thanked the man; her mind made a faint note to track him down and do so later. The rest of her, however, spat acidically, "Oh what the glorious fuck?!"
The woman rose to her feet as the lights flickered off, and then back on. She cast one wary eye to the ceiling before she strode off towards the ballroom. If it was what she thought it was--and she really had a very, very good idea--then it wouldn't really require running. One hoped.
Explicits running through her head like a flock of startled chickens, Rei slipped back into the ballroom and past the security detail after a few warning glares cast in their direction. Even the most green recruit knew better than to mess with her, she was proud to note, and she sighed at the damage to the garden. "Fucking christ, not again."
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