A Healthy Dose of Reality.(Art/Usagi)1/5 noon

[Artemis]

Artemis woke up and was thinking about his talk with Minako. He wondered if Minako had talked to Usagi-chan. He had spent the morning walking around trying to get an idea where all the important rooms were, instead of relying on accidentally finding the rooms. He noticed the door to the royal and was glad to see he was learning the palace a little bit. He still needed to talk to the young queen about a few things. He wondered if Luna was in there or would it just be him this time? He scratched the door to see if the queen was there. As the door remained closed he decided to try the move he usually saves for emergencies. He hoped Usagi-chan wouldn’t mind this as he meowed outside the door.

[Neo Queen Serenity]

Usagi idly turned the pages of the morning's newspaper as she ate lunch. Since Mamoru's revelation about landing up in jail, she had decided to pay attention to the papers despite what her staff might try to keep from her-- though she still found it endearing that they had kept the news on the DL... it was cute, at least she knew they cared.

She looked up briefly at a strange sound that was coming from the door. It sounded almost like scratching, but she figured there was something going on outside. Looking down, she straightened the paper, beginning to read.

And the came another sound. This sounded like... meowing?

Surprised, Usagi pushed away her lunch and quickly wiped her mouth, heading over to the door and opening it, surprised to see Artemis on the other side.

"Artemis! Oh, it seems like I haven't seen you in ages! Come in... is everything okay?" Usagi asked hesitantly, wondering if his appearance meant something was wrong.

Of course, he could have heard about things from Minako and came to scold her, but that was more Luna's style than Arty's.

[Artemis]

Artemis was glad when she opened the door. He noticed a newspaper on the table and smiled at Usagi-chans warm welcome. He walked in and the room looked nice but his focus shifted back to Usagi-chan. “Thank you for seeing me and rest assured there is not a new disaster for you to worry about. Although I see you have your usual hearty lunch.” The last remark was a tease to try to get Usagi-chan to relax a little.

He did not come here to scold but to guide. He just didn’t have Luna’s familiarity with Usagi-chan and he still wished she was here. Artemis once again looked around at Usagi-chan’s room there was similar warmth to it even though pink was the center color she added the innocence she kept over the years. He noticed the picture of her and all of them together when Ami-chan finally graduated medical school and the pictures of them before all that.
He found a comfortable spot which was on a pink pillow. He took a deep breath knowing that he was the one who has to start this conversation.

“Usagi-chan I have talked with Minako and have heard her side of what has transpired. I mentioned the vents to Hotaru-chan and it seems to me these past few weeks you have been overwhelmed. Please understand I am not here to scold you. I am here to help guide you in reconstructing the winning team.”

Artemis hoped it wouldn’t seem like he was putting her down. This is where Luna’s help would be necessary. He knew he would have to be brave and do the best he can.

[Neo Queen Serenity]

"Yes, I'm trying to shove all the food I can until that new disaster does come knocking at my door," Usagi replied back playfully to Artemis, shutting the door behind him and walking back to her chair.

Usagi tensed the moment he mentioned Minako. Of course, why else would he be here? She would only face more judgment and advice and be told all of the things she should have done, ugh, she thought she would scream... until Artemis finished his sentence.

'I'm not here to scold you, I'm here to help you...' What a different words made! It was so cathartic just to hear someone come to her saying that. Usagi found herself bursting into tears all of a sudden, it had such a sudden effect on her.

Embarrassed by her outburst, Usagi buried her face in her hands for a moment, but managed to inhale shakily and speak. "Artemis, I needed to hear that more than anything else in the world..."

[Artemis]

Artemis relaxed a little but was shocked at her reaction to his words. He knew Luna could be harsh but it seemed that talking had not taken place. He jumped off the bag and rubbed against Usagi-chans’ hand to offer some comfort. This was one instance where he had figured right about reactions. He licked her hand too and purred a little. This was one advantage to being a cat that something this simple could administer comfort to the shaken queen.
After he felt her gently pet him back. He knew she liked to have some comfort even after all the tension she has faced. He hoped that he could keep this fairly good start going.

“Usagi-chan I can see you are shaken up by the events. I need to hear your side of the story now. I know you always try to do what is best for everyone but you also need to tend to your own health too. No one can doubt that you are an extraordinary young woman but you neglect yourself. Please try to relax and I am glad you accept my offer to help you.”

[Neo Queen Serenity]

Usagi shook her head, tears drying once the surprise had worn off. She couldn't believe how uncharitable her thoughts towards Artemis had been when he said he had talked to Minako-- and then of course he came to help her. He cared about her. She loved him. What else would he do?

"I don't know where to start," Usagi sighed, fiddling with the hem of her skirt and casting her stormy blue eyes to the floor. She inhaled shakily.

"What do you know?" Usagi finally asked. "What do you think is important to hear my take on? You know I'm not a linear thinker..."

[Artemis]

Artemis was glad to see that she calmed down. He allowed himself to relax more since her emotional state was now stable. When he noticed her fiddling with her skirt and the statement “I don’t know where to start,” sounded like a plea to understand. He knew she could never have any malice. He knew Usagi-chan was a little insecure but it was the first time in a while he could see it. Her final question caused his mind to list all the events he was unclear about. The last statement made him smile sweetly to her. Truth is he wasn’t always the linear thinker either but that never stopped him from trying to make sense of thoughts. He could tell this was hard to talk about and so he decided to break the ice.

“Well Usagi-chan being creative can be a gift especially when talking to people. Luna usually complains about me not listening but the truth is I usually try to find some way to organize thoughts and that is why I stay quiet. I try to find some way to organize my thoughts into categories of events. One thing I need to know about is what happened between you and Mamoru-san. I realize he has betrayed your trust but it would help if I get your side.”

Artemis curled his tail around his paws and gave Usagi-chan all his attention. He hoped that he would not drift back to accusing anyone.

[Neo Queen Serenity]

Usagi winced as Artemis brought up Mamoru. "I'm sorry, I wish you could have been with us that first day. Mamoru goes back to the Shitennou, and," she frowned, "I don't know how much Luna has told you about them."

Sighing, Usagi began to explain, about how Jadeite and Nathanial had come into their lives suddenly, about thinking that Khalid was Kunzite. How she had learned from Rei about Mamoru keeping the Shitennou a secret for those ten years, his behavior when she tried to talk to him about it, the anger and dominating vibe he let off, his seeming unconcern for anything but his own feelings on the matter.

After that, she lapsed into silence, thinking. "What else?"Usagi finally asked, closing her eyes briefly. No matter how many times or how many people she told the story to, it never got any easier.

[Artemis]

Artemis could see how this was making her uncomfortable. As she was telling him what had happened. He offered a paw of comfort but still kept a respectable distance. He waited until she was done and his thoughts were piecing together events. He paused for a while as he tried to decide whether or not to comment. He noticed she seemed distress after that disclosure. It was the similar look Minako would give him when she felt down.

“Usagi-chan I did not mean to make you uncomfortable. I can see he has hurt you deeply. I just needed to know your side and I don’t think you are wrong. Although there is something I want you to think about. Is it easier to give up or to stand strong and handle things? From what I understand you are handling things the best way you can at the moment. I only hope you don’t back yourself against the wall of regret and get snagged on hurt.”

Artemis still felt sympathy for Mamoru-san. He knew all too well what pride can do to a respectable relationship. He kept that part to himself as his attention returned to Usagi-chan as she asked what else he needed to know. He nudged gently against her hand offering just a little bit more comfort. He understood how it felt to be under attack and how it can seem lonely.

“Hotaru-chan felt left out of a meeting you had with the Senshi not too long ago. From what I can determine is that you told them something shocking and hurtful. I tried to comfort Hotaru-chan but instead I played into her getting caught in an uncomfortable situation. Can you give me an idea on what happened in that meeting?”