1/2PM Conversation in the Car (Usagi/Mamoru)

[Neo Queen Serenity]

Usagi glared back at Mamoru, and shook her head. She had said the two most threatening things she could come up with at the time, and found herself at a loss for words that she could follow it up with. Not that Usagi thought Lucan would feel even slightly intimidated by her threats. She couldn't really do anything to him, he was merely doing his job, after all, just doing it too well. And even though she was extremely powerful, she was also too fond of people, so he would know that it was an empty threat at best. Besides, Lucan wasn't scared of anything-- save taking a vacation, perhaps.

But Mamoru didn't need to know that. He could have just hung up and let her ringing threats be the last thing that the Head of Security heard of the conversation. That would be at least vaguely cool-sounding. Instead, he was looking at her with amusement.

Way to ruin the moment, Mamoru, Usagi sulked.

"No, I don't have anything... well, wait a minute..." she leaned in closer, not actually attempting to take the phone from Mamoru but still speaking in its general direction: "...Lucan, I know that Phillips called your office number which means you are actually working this late. Please go get a life and stop taking the fun out of mine, okay? Sorry, that sounded bitchier than I meant, but for real... Get out of the office."

Usagi pulled back, now directing her sulk to Mamoru. "I hope during that nice chat you two were planning someway to make this up to me..." She was not above crying to get what she wanted.

[Chiba Mamoru]

Mamoru’s grin broadened for a moment as Usagi sulked because he had ruined her snappy threats. He loved this woman, everything she did got to him in some way or another it seemed. He shifted in his seat again so that he was no longer staring out the window, accommodating her when she leaned in closer to speak into the phone. Trying hard not to seem too amused at his companion, Mamoru wished Lucan a good night and handed the phone back over to Agent Phillips.

Now he had to deal with the fact that Usagi was sulking at him because she was disappointed that they couldn’t go to the nightclub. Mamoru nodded an affirmative and cheerfully said, “Blame that nice chat on Agent Phillips, not me. I wasn’t the one that dialed the number.” He flashed the man a quick nod of thanks before turning his attention back to Usagi. Although Mamoru was thankful the other man had the sense to get Lucan involved when it had become obvious that he wasn’t thinking clearly, that didn’t mean that Mamoru was not going to attempt to direct this sulkiness toward him. It was far better for Usagi to be displeased with Lucan and Phillips then with him.

“Lucan wasn’t entirely against the idea of allowing me to take you to a nightclub Usa. He just needs time to prepare for such a thing, to make sure it’s a lot safer then it would have been tonight. If you still want to, I’d be happy to take you there once Lucan can set up the proper precautions. He said he just needs at least three or four business days at a minimum. I don’t know when you were planning your vacation, but perhaps we could go before you leave ... or even after you get back. As for tonight, I know you didn’t want to go back to the palace just yet. We could think of some place else for tonight, Lucan suggested a restaurant that has a bar in it. You know something a bit more secluded and low-key that they could sweep through quickly to make sure it’s safe.”

Mamoru hesitated briefly before murmuring a little uncertainly, “That is unless you’ve changed your mind about not wanting to go home ....”

[Neo Queen Serenity]

Phillips took back the phone and smirked at Mamou's dumping the whole thing all on him. He nodded in acknowledge of Mamoru's silent thanks, putting it back. Usagi shot him a look of ire, but said nothing to him. "Yes, Mamoru, but you took the call. Granted, I let you, but still."

She sighed. "I told you, I haven't made any real vacation plans, so let's just do it when it would be convenient for you..." She was tempted to whine some more about how she wanted to go now, but really, if she had a few days she could either pick out the perfect outfit, or she could purchase one... Ooh, and make-up, and jewelry, and she could figure out which one they really wanted to go to, and....

Well, she could wait. Usagi cheered up at these thoughts. As long as she would have a chance to go!

She shook her head at Mamoru. "Of course I don't want to go back yet! The night is still young! Let's go to a bar/restaurant/safe-house, whatever Lucan suggested. You pick," she told Phillips with one last sulky expression. "I know that'll make you happy."

"I have good taste," he said pleasantly, far happier about not having his protectee in an unsafe position than he was put-off by Usagi's current coldness towards him.

"You know I don't really hate you, right? I'm only pretending to because you were mean and scary and not going along with the plan."

Phillips shot Mamoru an amused glance. "Yes, yes, I know. I think your date needs reassurance, though."

[Chiba Mamoru]

“Maybe, but then if I hadn’t taken the call we would still be sitting here arguing about whether we could go or not. That would have gotten old fast, I doubt Phillips was going to budge any.”

Mamoru thought about it for a moment. Lucan had said he’d need three or four days minium. There was also the fact that he couldn’t put off going back to work indefinitely, otherwise he really would lose his position. Mamoru didn’t want to wait too terribly long and so he finally said, “Let’s say a week from today then. That should give Lucan plenty of time to do whatever he needs to do, not to mention giving us time to pick the perfect place. Would that work for you?”

He cheered up immensely when Usagi agreed to the new plan. It wasn’t entirely flattering to have their destination referred to as a safe-house, but then she was probably still a little disappointed and annoyed. He leaned back in his seat and watched in amusement as Usagi gave Phillips a sulky expression, acting cold and irritated at the man and then ruin it all by telling him that she didn’t really hate him.

Mamoru grinned briefly at Phillips before teasing, “It is a little disconcerting to hear you refer to our destination as a safe-house ... surely you expect to have more fun then that don’t you?”

[Neo Queen Serenity]

Usagi sighed. "We would not, I would have made a definitive order and we would have gotten on with it," she grumbled.

"You make orders now?" Phillips said, pretending to be surprised. Usagi was not known for being decisive and ordering people about, even when she had a clear reason and right to. It was not her strong point. Orders meant conflict, and she didn't do conflict well.

"Shush, you." Usagi focused her attention on Mamoru, more than happy to let her detail lapse into the background now. "Sure, that'd work for me," she agreed readily, especially since she didn't know her schedule ahead of time. That helped, because she could just say she was doing X, Y, or Z and unless something else extremely important was happening, people would shuffle everything else out of the way to make a hole, and she wouldn't have to worry about canceling on anyone, and the guilt that would cause.

Usagi rolled her eyes at Mamoru's teasing. "I was kidding, and you know it. In reality it's the company, not the place that I value the most." A smirk came over her lips though, and without realizing she instantly found herself flirting again, scooting closer to him once more. "Is that so? Do you need reassurance?" Usagi teased back, leaning in. "I'm not sure I can give that to you until you promise to buy me a drink..."

[Chiba Mamoru]

Mamoru smirked, knowing as well as Phillips did that Usagi wasn’t the best at giving orders. They would have still been siting there arguing the point or had given up and she knew it. He declined to say anything however, content to let it slide when she turned her attention solely on him.

He flashed her a smile and said, “It’s a date then. I’ll be looking forward to it.” Mamoru knew very well that if something came up that was more important then she might have to cancel on him. He would simply have to hope that nothing came up because he didn’t want to miss this for the world.

“So someone could take you to the most boring place there is and you’d still have fun as long as you enjoyed the company?” Mamoru’s eyes glinted in both amusement and something much more as Usagi scooted closer and leaned against him. “The real question would be whether you value my company that much. Do you Usa? I could really use reassuring, I’d be glad to buy you a drink or two if it would persuade you ...”

[Neo Queen Serenity]

"I will too," Usagi beamed, but she suddenly realized that Mamoru had secured a second date out of her. She really ought to put up some kind of resistance. But, it was a nightclub! Mamoru and nightclub were two things that she would not ordinarily put together, so she had to take advantage of this. Maybe after that she'd be a bit harder to get for a third date.

"Of course! I mean, it's fun to go to neat places, but you can have fun in the middle of nowhere with the right person."

She let out a dramatic sigh at his next question. "Well, you've proved to be stimulating enough tonight." Slowly the realization of what she just said hit her, and another deep flush stole over her features, spreading rapidly over her shoulders and décolletage. "I mean... in conversation," Usagi stammered out, and swallowed.

"Just what kind of reassurance were you hoping for?"

[Chiba Mamoru]

Mamoru smirked at her response and murmured teasingly, “Yes, I imagine you could have fun anywhere with the right person.”

He smirked, his gaze heating quite a bit, at the innuendo Usagi’s words had unwittingly given. He watched the flush spread all the way down to the neckline of her dress in amusement. He briefly wondered how far down that flush actually went before smoothly replying, “Why Usagi, I’m certainly glad you find me ... stimulating.” He flashed her a brilliant smile, slipping his arm behind her back to hug her just a little closer before continuing teasingly, “I only wanted the reassurance that you valued my company ... nothing else would be very appropriate in a bar would it?”

[Neo Queen Serenity]

Usagi only blushed more as Mamoru's gaze gained considerable fire at her words. That purposeful pause before he repeated the word stimulating back at her was so infuriatingly devious-- and yet it made her breath catch in her throat. Usagi could only stare at him, her mind slowly shutting down underneath the wattage of that handsome smile. She didn't offer any resistance as he hugged her closer. In fact it made her feel quite warm, and not just from her still-present deep flush. Her heart was beating faster now, and she suddenly found herself closer to Mamoru, her hands resting on his chest as she sat with him.

It took her a moment to process his next words, and then her eyes widened at his forwardness. "You are bad, Mamoru! Very bad! Now I'm not sure whether I should reassure you or punish you, bar or not..."

[Chiba Mamoru]

Mamoru loved how she blushed, how he could make her blush. It was an empowering feeling to know that you could affect someone in such a manner. Still hugging her close, Mamoru stroked her arm gently, almost absentmindedly. Pitching his tone lower so that the words would only reach her ears he murmured thoughtfully, “I’d much prefer to be reassured I think. Punishments should be left for later when there isn’t anyone around don’t you agree?”

[Neo Queen Serenity]

The gentle running of his fingers over her arm left a trail of goosebumps where he had made contact. It felt so good that Usagi made a small noise, happily settling in closer to him. Her rational side had been sidelined as she just enjoyed his touch. After all of the stress, she had to admit that it felt wonderful to be held near to him. For a moment she let her head rest against his chest, before recovering a small bit of sense and lifting it again.

"Mmm-hmm. Just what kind of punishment do you expect to receive and where will we be 'later'?"

[Chiba Mamoru]

Mamoru was enjoying this new form of play between them, it was certainly nothing he had ever done with her before. He’d kissed and hugged her before of course, but he had generally kept his desire and passion for her locked carefully away. This easy flirting, the touching, the innocent toeing the line with the sexual innuendos. It was all a very new experience for him, even the times he had gone out with other girls before he even knew Usagi he hadn’t been interested enough to actually flirt with them.

He was fairly certain Usagi was enjoying it as well, at least a little bit. If the fact that she settled happily closer to him, laid her head against his chest, and the small noise of contentment was anything to go on then she was enjoying it as much as he was. He frowned a bit, more then a little disappointed when she seemed to pull back slightly by lifting her head. Was he wrong and she hadn’t been enjoying it? No, if she hadn’t been enjoying it then she would pull back even more. He took comfort in the fact that she was still pressed against him, she hadn’t even pulled away from his hug. More then likely she was simply pulling back because she wanted to be able to think clearer, after all hadn’t he done the same thing when he was talking to Lucan.

Mamoru certainly didn’t want her to do anything she would regret. This was all fun and games, he was perfectly aware that neither of them were ready to go in that direction. Anyway, a shift in movement across the car reminded him that they weren’t exactly alone. While he was doing better at this kind of stuff, he still wasn’t one hundred percent comfortable with being quite so demonstrative in front of other people. He had simply forgotten Phillips in the spirit of the moment. Perhaps it was time to back off a little, of course that didn’t mean he had to end the fun entirely.

Still keeping Usagi hugged close to him, he abandoned the feather light caress of her arm in favor of gently playing with a strand of her hair as he murmured, “It’s up to you Usa, you’ve been in charge since we left the bookstore ... remember I said whatever would make you happy I’d be happy to do. As for what kind of punishment...”

Mamoru couldn’t help giving her another smirk, doing his best to continue to imbue his words with a hint of sex appeal. “I’d leave that up to your imagination as well.”

[Neo Queen Serenity]

Usagi sighed softly as Mamoru's fingers left her arm to play with her hair. Just when she had been starting to relax! She tried to tell herself that this was a good thing, that she needed vigilance instead of relaxation, and for a brief moment, the image of Luna sharpening her claws while she was out with Mamoru filled her with some sense of trepidation.

But she didn't say anything. He was probably already aware that she liked it, more than she should, at any rate.

"So I wasn't in charge before?" she teased him. "I don't know, Mamoru, maybe we need to figure out who's going to wear the pants in this relationship..."

There was something inherently sexual about the way he said punishment. Usagi smirked a bit. "In the name of the moon, I will punish you. You should see what I can do with my magic wand."

OH MY GOD DID I JUST SAY THAT?! I did NOT just say that aloud. PLEASE TELL ME THAT WAS IN MY HEAD.

Luna would shred her into more ribbons than were involved when she henshined. Usagi hadn't quite thought through exactly how Luna would find out what she just said-- but somehow, she would know!

[Chiba Mamoru]

Mamoru heard her sigh and stilled his fingers for a moment. Would she have preferred him to continue? No, it was best this way. He wanted her to know he was interested, but he didn’t want to press too much. He really didn’t want her regretting her time with him and anyway there was always time later.

“My how dominate you are Usa,” he teased. “I wouldn’t necessarily mind if you were in charge all the time, though you might find that a tad boring after awhile.”

Mamoru rose an eyebrow in surprise at her next comment before smirking broadly. He leaned a little closer, his breath tickling her ear as he purred lightly, “I’m certainly game if you are ...” He drew away almost immediately, though he continued to keep her firmly pressed against his side.

[Neo Queen Serenity]

At least Usagi blushed at his teasing about her being dominant. "I was joking," she said unnecessarily, if just to hear herself say it, to disavow any lingering thoughts anyone would have about her previous words. "I think I'd get bored too. I've never done dominant very well at all." She was far more likely to be manipulated or goaded on, or to cave in to avoid conflict, or to turn to wailing or ditziness in order to avoid making any decisions at all.

Oh, she'd bet he was game. Mamoru really was, beneath it all, a typical male. At least he could admit to wanting her. It felt nice to be wanted, even though she knew she had to behave-- sort of.

Luckily Usagi was saved from concocting any sort of response (and she was sure that no matter what she said it would be damning) by the stopping of the car. They had pulled into a driveway of sorts, and there were no barricades, no screaming people, no paparazzi, just white-gloved doormen.

Curious, Usagi stepped out, looking around at her surroundings. She was actually allowed to stand for a moment outside!

"The Park Hyatt?" Usagi said questioningly, glancing at the name at the hotel. It was one of the fanciest hotels in Tokyo, a really swank place. But why were they at a hotel?

"It's not the hotel itself as much as what's on top of it," Phillips told her. "The New York Bar."

Usagi nodded slowly, turning to head inside. It wasn't Rippongi, she noticed, but Shinjuku, and quite the upscale place. Definitely not what she would have picked, but then again she tended to view places like this as off-limits. It wouldn't be now that she was Queen, duh. And it was nice to be able to get out and just stand for awhile, and take her time heading indoors.

She was quiet during the elevator ride up, too invested in looking around. Once they got off on the top floor, she looked around at the bar, impressed. This was swank. There was a live jazz band playing, and huge, impressive views of the city. It was relaxed and low key, people were sitting around and sipping drinks, and keeping to themselves. There were booths and tons of corners to go into to just disappear and enjoy the ambiance. It wasn't half-bad... sighing with contentment, she stepped out, but stopped as an agent crossed her path. "Wait a minute..." He was wearing the lapel of a Diplomatic Protection Corps agent... Not one of her own. In fact, as Usagi looked around the place, she was starting to see people she knew, vaguely... The VIPs who were not VIPs enough to stay in the Palace, but nevertheless needed some protection abroad. No wonder this place had been chosen, it was natural that a hotel like the Hyatt would hold lots of guests for the ball yesterday, and of course the Service would have it locked down tight.

"You're just lazy," Usagi teased Phillips, but it probably worked to her advantage that this place was guarded so much-- they could pretty much leave Mamoru and her alone, here.

Speaking of Mamoru... She turned to her date and smiled. "I want that drink now... And if there's a live band then I'll make you bossa nova with me. That'll be your punishment."