[a while later - back at Sakura's place] ...you'll never be sure why nobody stopped all these bloody, gory people as they came back through the public transport system, but nobody even looked at you funny. Maybe it's magic. Who knows. [mini mini startu!] * LadyMallet has been crying. She's not now, and no one saw her crying, but those -are- dried tears on her face. * LadySakura locks the door behind her. The secretary, for once, is not around. ...well. * LadyMysteria just has lots and lots of blood caked to her face, but otherwise looks fine. Okay, she's still a bit shaken up, but the worst has passed. "... our first mission." * Lord_Darkmoon walks in, having healed almost totally due to Lordly magic, and having fixed his clothes with his tessen. He looks rather expressionless. * LadySakura looks around at everyone, taking in the bloodstains, the expressions, the emotions... * LordChimera files in wordlessly and takes a seat, a blank expression on his face. * LadyNightshade helps Darkmoon into the room. * LadyMallet waits for Darkmoon to walk in, then locks her gaze on him. * LadyNightshade looks rather sad and disappointed. Before anything else, I need to say this: * LadyRoyal has her jacket bound around wherever her wound was, but judging from the way she's moving, it looks like it's just there to cover up the blood. She looks, if not happy, relatively accomplished. * Lord_Darkmoon has avoided meeting anyone's gazes since he was able to control his motions. ...none of you are dead. I'm not sure about Neko, but I think she'll make it. So this, dear comrades, was a success. * LadyRoyal spares Darkmoon an annoyed glare, then looks up at Sakura. Yeah... it was, wasn't it? * LadyMallet turns her gaze momentarily to Sakura. Her eyes are screaming flaming death, but not for her. * LadyMysteria manages a small smile. And against heavier opposition than I've seen in a long time. * LordChimera leans forward to place his face in his hands. * LadyNightshade examines her shoulder, trying to distract herself from thinking about it. I don't know about you, but I like the idea of our first mission being a win. ...so... Good job. * LadySakura unholsters her pistol. Lord Darkmoon. ...Yes. Do you remember what the Queen told you? * LadyMallet turns her gaze back to Darkmoon. The flaming death in her eyes is apparently for him. You, specifically? I do. I know I violated her order. I am truly sorry. *looks like he's fighting to keep his face expressionless* * LadyNightshade looks at Darkmoon sadly. I am, more importantly, sorry that I ordered any of you. I...understand if you do not wish to forgive me. What I did was unforgivable. * LadyMysteria isn't trying to focus on Darkmoon at the moment, so he's at least spared one set of eyes. * LadySakura flips the gun one handed, reverses it, and pistol-whips Darkmoon as hard as she can. ...which knocks him over, and bloodies up his face a little, but isn't enough to smash any bones. I understand that... but you must have faith that at least _some_ of us know what we're doing. * LadyNightshade looks at Sakura. * LadySakura leans over and whispers in Darkmoon's ear. And at least some sort of common se--whoa. ... nnngh. * LordChimera jumps in his seat, startled. * LadyMysteria could hear that, and winces. * LadyRoyal shuts her face, saving the tactics lesson for later. * LadySakura stands up and puts the gun on the shelf. It was not intended to be... no, it was. I-- * LadyNightshade has a blank look on her face after that. Damn you. You have NO idea what sort of problems this creates. * LadyMallet waits for Darkmoon to stand up.. * Lord_Darkmoon picks himself up off the ground, without complaining. His expression has dissolved into one of absolute shame, however. If the Queen asks, though, I can tell her you have been disciplined. ...believe me, what she would do to you makes that pale in comparison. * LadyMallet squeezes her eyes shut, and socks Darkmoon in the gut with a fist. She's openly crying now. ...I know. * LadySakura sighs, and sits down. * Lord_Darkmoon looks at Leena's tears, and looks even more stricken than before. He reaches a hand out to her, before pulling it back. Um... Sakura? ...that said, I understand. ... Leena, why didn't you go all-out? Yeah, Taki? * LordChimera stares as if entranced, a semi-stupid look on his face. Do we usually not get that much warning time? * LadyNightshade tries to change the subject. How do you mean? * LadyMallet says softly, "Idiot. We're a -team-," and turns away, and walks without any of her usual bounce to a wall away from him. * Lord_Darkmoon winces. I mean, we were totally unorganized when all that went down. I'd really rather prefer to have some time to prepare... I mean we didn't even _see_ them coming. * LadyRoyal rolls her eyes at Mallet's melodrama, and turns to Nightshade's conversation. Heh. We don't make our own schedule. ...and how would we have? Maybe improve our searching methods. Well, yeah, but...that was really out of nowhere. Is it always like that? * LadyMallet sits down quietly, and turns her gaze back to Sakura. Plan out the best methods of attack. A few times - a FEW - I've spotted them coming. So it is possible. But those guys today did a very good job of blending in. * LadyRoyal nods. "Are we going to get another mission soon, d'you think?" In -- martial arts training we try to anticipate the enemy's attack and hit them at their weakest with all the force we can muster. If we apply something like that... * LadyMysteria notes that she's been ignored, and for a moment looks upset. Instead, she simply walks over to Darkmoon and... pats him on the shoulder. No way to know. Usually there's some space between the protection missions. * Lord_Darkmoon flinches from Mysteria's hand, then looks at her apologetically. "I am sorry. I truly am." * LadyRoyal nods. ... Darkmoon. It's happened, it's done. You'll have to pay for it... but don't beat yourself up about it. * LadyMysteria smiles gently. "There's always tomorrow." I think at the very least, we need more training... You have a better sense of how it works. now. * LadyRoyal looks at Nightshade. "I think our problem is that we never know what we're going to be up against from mission to mission...if we come up with specific plans of attack, we're going to get screwed trying to remember them all." There _is_ no excuse, and no atonement. And we were down almost two people. Leena, can't you use the Mallet at all? ... there's *always* tomorrow, Darkmoon. Indeed there is. Then please... believe that. If only for me, okay? And... *quieter* I'm sorry that my leadership didn't amount to much in the end... Yeah, and that's another thing, we never know who's going to be there when the shit hits the fan. So if we plan, we're going to have to plan for every single contingency. I think the best thing would just be to practice our close-combat a little. * LadyMallet looks at the ground. Not that she wasn't looking at it before. "I didn't think I'd have to... And by the time I did, I wouldn't have been able to summon it in time." I will try, Maya. Taki, you've had martial arts training? Maybe you could help Sakura teach us some stuff.... ... don't try. Just do. You're not much good without it. Next time, bring it out. ...I certainly need to practice with my sword. * LadyMallet doesn't respond. I... suppose. *looks kind of nervous at that idea* I also think *some people* need to work on their tactical training, though.... I think we all need to practice. * LadyMysteria giggles nervously. * LadyRoyal glares at Darkmoon on that part. *sigh* Next time, just...don't try and send away people who are actually doing good. That was just...dumb. * Lord_Darkmoon meets Lady Royal's gaze with some spark of his old humor, before looking away ashamed again. Look, Darkmoon was smart to try to order Wasabi into the fight. That was a great tactical move. I understood *that* part. ...I shouldn't have done even that. I meant the trying to make us all run away. But, we needed her. I knew that, too. No, that's reasonable, even under the Queen's order. I... I didn't mean to order all of you. Not consciously. But I didn't want to see you all killed. No! No excuses. I am sorry, and there is no excuse! I mean, he didn't have any way of hitting that guy unless he was up close, and we could all *see* that he was damn tough up close. Shoulda left it to us ranged fighters. * Lord_Darkmoon makes to punch the wall, but stops himself short, and brings himself back under control. Just... be quiet. Easy. Just, y'know, think more next time. ... relax. Tomorrow... 'kay? Just sit down and relax. You are going to have to watch yourself, Rin. You are a very noble man... and this job is not about nobility. Not when we're in a fight, at least. ... Sakura? Hmm? ...if he'd not knocked me out, I'd have slaughtered him. * LadyNightshade quietly watches everyone and angsts hardcore. I for one appreciate the sentiment. But we none of us would be here if we couldn't take care of ourselves at least a little bit. ... how did you deal with your first human kill? ...badly. * LordChimera draws his arms into himself and goes on being depressed in his chair. * LadyMysteria nods slowly. Yeah, but he did...that's what I'm talking about, with backup plans. In a situation like this, the only reliable plan *is* each other. That's what being a team is for. I think that's what Leena meant earlier, too. ...but then, he shot me five times, so I didn't feel very guilty, either. I can understand, but... there's something still gnawing at me. We're supposed to just finish the Ningyo... y'know? Killing humans is necessary. Of all I did wrong today, that wasn't part of it. Not any more. Our power wasn't meant for this. It feels so wrong... Our duty is to do what we're ordered to do. *almost mumbles* ...no, I don't know. I don't know that at all. The magic we use has purpose, and that purpose is to protect the interests of the Earth. * LadyRoyal nods at Taki. "Exactly." ...Not that I'm particularly good at even that...there's a reason I have the transformation, I'm sure. * LadyMallet looks up, s if remembering something. "There was something... sea magic?" I'll do it again, and I was ready to do it again, but it still hurts a little. Somebody said something about that... * LadyNightshade slumps to the floor, not looking at anyone. * LordChimera doesn't react, instead staying motionless in his seat. The Ningyo, as I understand it, need not attack us. And we need not attack them. But it is our duty - our PURPOSE - to protect the Earth, be it from humans or mermaids. The swordsman. He was either a Ningyo, or touched by their power. *mumbles* that's why I wanted you to flee. * LadyRoyal ignores Darkmoon's mumbling and looks at Chimera. "It was you that warned us, wasn't it?" What did you sense? * LordChimera nods his head without looking up. It was that sword, I think. Once in a while, I've seen an assassin with a weapon of the Sea. * LadyMysteria looks to Sakura... then nods. "I... I think I'll be able to accept that tomorrow." What are those? Are there a lot of them? I suppose that makes this a 'weapon of the Earth', then? *holds up the tessen* ...enough thinking. ...Rin, are you going to be okay going home? Oh, yes. * LadyMysteria pauses, only to giggle into her hand. "Alright, no more thinking..." It is empowered by Earth Magic. We all are. I... I can make sure he gets home. * Lord_Darkmoon straightens. "I'll be fine. I have no physical wounds left. ...I only hope I can make it up to all of you. I'm so sorry..." ... I want some ice cream. * LadyNightshade looks up. No. Taki, you need to hang around for a bit. I... Okay. I want to go hunt down another assassin and beat him until he tells us how to keep more from coming. Lord Darkmoon, we'll see you... Saturday. * LadySakura smiles at him faintly. ...When did you say Lady Granite wanted her fish back? *tries, but fails, to return her smile with a genuine-looking one* ...all right? * LadyRoyal looks a little confused. "Are we not going to come back until then too?" This weekend, yes. That's fine. Saturday's fine. Not unless something comes up. ...okay. * LadyMysteria returns her focus to Darkmoon. "So... uh... take care until then, okay?" Okay... ...now, the rest of you... well, not Kenji, but all you girls, anyway, get to see why I have that big tub. * Lord_Darkmoon bows deeply. "I shall endeavor to make it up to all of you. Good night, everyone. My friends, still, I hope." He rushes out the door, not quite running. But he's gone and out of sight veryvery fast. * LordChimera looks up for a moment, confused then back to sulking in his seat. * LadyRoyal looks up at Sakura, brightening. * LadyMallet doesn't look up to acknowledge his leaving. Bye... *watches him leave* Sorry, Kenji. You can use it later if you want. ... * LadyRoyal also glances at Darkmoon's exit and waves belatedly. * LordChimera shakes his head without looking up and sighs. * LadyMysteria looks Taki's way, then smiles. ...there's one thing you should understand about getting shot. * LadyRoyal turns to Sakura at that. "...it hurts?" Well, that too. But afterwards. * LadyMysteria blinks, turning to Sakura. "Eh?" You mean after it heals? ...we're all pretty tough, so a lot of the time, the bullets or fragments thereof get lodged in us. * LadyRoyal unbinds herself and looks at the dried blood. "...ewww..." ...so, you're all healed now... but the bullet is still there. And if you transform back, you'll have... problems. ...oh. So that's another reason why you told us not to detransform... * LadyMallet looks up sharply. "What...?" * LadyMysteria put two and two together, then winces. "Um... I guess you have to remove them first, then?" ...no. I think we have to stay transformed for a while... Just as our healing is impossibly fast, so too do we absorb the bullets and fragments. * LadyNightshade looks over her shoulder. ...but it does take a few hours. I guess then we've gotten our daily dose of iron... * LadyRoyal looks confused, tapping her wound absently. "Ohh. So they'll just go away on their own..." So... those of you who got shot should not detransform until much later. * LadyNightshade blushes and looks down. Mentally, "I didn't just say that..." * LadySakura leads the party into the bathroom. * LadyRoyal giggles a little at Nightshade's statement. It's quite possibly the first time you've ever seen her do that. Lead, actually, in most cases. Better than paint chips, I guess. * LadyRoyal looks up at Sakura, following. "Got it." * LadyMallet follows absently. * LadyMysteria follows along, slowly returning to her usual self. ...but if you're going to stay transformed, you'll be all bloody. I HATE that. They ignored me... * LadyNightshade looks at her coat. And I liked this coat... * LadyNightshade gets up and goes after the other girls. ...hence, a big bath. ...awesome. ... Together? * LadySakura peels off her jacket, and tosses it aside, then remembers to close the door. "No peeking, Kenji." So it all makes sense now. * LadyNightshade looks at Kenji as Sakura closes the door. * LadyNightshade worries mother'dly. * LordChimera doesn't react, he just goes on staring at the far wall. * LadyMysteria looks at Taki. "Well, I guess so." ^^; Uhh...do we get swimsuits, or, uh, anything? When I have partners, yes, together. It's good to have help scrubbing. I... but... ...do you have one with you? *pulls down sweatpants* ...uhhh... * LadyNightshade looks nervous and blushes. I suppose it can't be any worse than the bathhouse... I'm fine... they ignored me. What about...the clothes? Shouldn't we get them washed too? ...it is a bathhouse. * LadyRoyal actually looks as nonplussed as Nightshade, for once. * LadyMysteria isn't really in that bad of shape save for her face, but she's doffing her non-Lady gear nonetheless. "Oh, come on! It's not like you don't have anything we don't have." Cue one eyeroll. Yeah... but... here... with all of you... and... ...yeah...uhh... Would you prefer Rinada? ^_^ * LadyNightshade blushes heavily at that. * LadyMysteria is really, REALLY fighting the urge to giggle. * LadySakura finishes undressing, and starts the jets. The tub had been empty, but it fills in less than thirty seconds. * LadyMallet lets out a giggle. No, not real--oooh. Are those jacuzzi jets? * LadyMysteria is, also, quite non-clothed at this point. Jeez, even in MG Mode she's still pretty plain. =P And the great thing was that the Queen sprung for it. ...um. Wow, that's....wow. Praised be the Queen of the Earth. Those of you who are actually bloody get in first. * LadyNightshade takes off her coat and looks at the hole in it... * LadyRoyal shares a o_o look with Nightshade. If it's gonna get bloody in there... I can wait. I suppose the blood didn't really affect the black... For.. clean water. And stuff. Squeegee bitched a little, but I let her use it a few times for parties. ...heh. * LadyRoyal takes off her shoes and jumper, looks at her bloody outfit and gingerly steps in, removing her clothing in the water and doing what scrubbing she can. * LadyNightshade sticks her finger through the hole in the material and sighs. * LadySakura makes like a good bath attendant, and helps Minami as best she can. * LadyMysteria chuckles faintly and sits down, waiting patiently. * LadyRoyal then puts her clothes on the rim after getting it as clean as she can. Cleaning up blood is a bitch. * LadyNightshade looks down at her clothed body nervously, before slumping and starting to undress. Do we uh... at least get towels? * LadySakura points at the BIG shelf 'o towels to the left. You might as well get in here before you do that, Taki. Kill two birds with one stone, yanno? Clean first, modesty later. ^^ * LadyNightshade wraps the towel around herself and tries to take off her underwear with that on. You, too, Maya... ick. How did you get blood all over your face? Could you please bring one over to me when you're done though, Taki? I'll need it for when I get out... * LadyNightshade drags her feet slowly into the bath area. Y-- Yes. ... oh, yeah, the swordguy almost took my head off. ^^; * LadyNightshade grabs another towel. * LadyMallet sighs, and grabs a towel. "Can't hurt to take one now, I guess." Thanks. :D ...yick. * LadyNightshade hands Royal a towel without making eye contact. * LadyMallet slips out of her clothes, and wraps the towel around herself. Looks awfully large on her... and slips into the tub. * LadyMysteria wanders on over and plops on in, wasting little time in getting that pesky blood taken care of. "Well, looking back... damn, that was scary." ...where are you going to put that towel you just... oh, well. Thanks. * LadyRoyal slides the towel to "just-within-reach" range. ...I'll have the secretary do it, I guess. ... I get teased enough in school for not looking my age. *blushes* * LadyNightshade kind of nervously stands in the bath area and looks around. This is not school. Taki? Is there a problem? * LadyRoyal is doing a pretty good job of making sure that nothing below the neck is above water. ... Taki, this is the scene where you clean up, relax, and try to forget about the day. Jacuzzi, girlfriend. Umm... no? * LadyNightshade blushes. * LadyNightshade sets the town down, and slips into the bathwater, covering herself up with her hands as best she can. * LadySakura pushes a button, and the tub does its best to change out the water. It goes from reddish, to pinkish, to sudsy-clear in about a minute. * LadyMysteria sighs loudly and relaxes, face clean and stuff. "... ohman, I could stay here for hours." * LadySakura slips into the tub, finally. * LadyNightshade cleans off her shoulder. * LadyRoyal stretches, back to the jets to get a massage sort of feel to it. You can, if you stay transformed. As a normal human, it's unhealthy for that long. * LadyMallet leans back, closing her eyes. "So easy to forget like this..." * LadySakura winks, and suddenly goes normal. Sometimes I wonder what would happen if I just stayed transformed... Well... I guess I could stay this way for a while. Well, your parents wouldn't recognize you, nor would your friends. Well, I have to stay like this for several hours anyway, so...might as well make the best of it. I don't really... talk to my parents... And friends... *looks down* What about us? I'd like to be friends, and not just a team. Yeah... Leena's got a point. * LadyRoyal kind of spaces out, ignoring the conversation ... hm. ...I hope we get there. I hope we get a chance to get there. Every good team is more than a team... they're friends. And I want this to be a good team, despite what our purpose is... I never got along with my old team... You're not the only one, Sakura. Trust me on this... I guess we just hafta make it, huh? Well they didn't get along with me. You'll do okay, here, Taki. Just lighten up on the whole goth thing a little. But... it's who I am... Yeah, open up a little. A party at your place can't hurt, either. ^__^ And smile now and then. * LadyMysteria then gets this very interesting smile on her lips. "... hey, I was wondering something, Taki." You have skills, you have talent... you don't have a good reason to angst. No more than all of us, anyway. I... but... we can't... and... *doesn't meet anyone's looks. * LadyRoyal has her eyes closed, head leaning back on the tub rim, looking very much asleep. She ain't lookin' at no-one, baby. * LadyMysteria pauses, then chuckles, making the smirk go away. "Just out of curiosity... do you have... ah, feelings for Rinada? I'm not poking fun, I'm curious." * LadyNightshade blushes heavily. "I... don't know what you mean." * LadyMallet opens one eye curiously. It's the neon-red one. Do you... um, enjoy his company, I should ask. I... don't think about that sort of stuff. *a lie* He's certainly something to look at. *smirk* He's... a nice enough guy... I suppose. No, she has feelings for Kenji. *grin* No! *to Mallet defensively* * LadyMysteria tsk-tsks. "Now, now... be honest. You've got no time in life for beating around the bush, TakiGYAHAHAH, you think?" ^_^ I'm just looking after him and he needs help finding himself... * LadyMysteria quickly suppresses her laugh. Suuuure. Mmm. Hey... honestly, I have to ask you something. Do we have to talk about this now? *blushes heavily and shrinks away from all the attention being paid to her* All of you - are you going to be able to work with Darkmoon? * LadyRoyal lifts her head a little, seeming to have caught the last snippet of convo. "Hey guys, leave off of Taki." Even if she does like him, it's none of our business. * LadyMallet 'hmms' for a moment. "Well... I still have the urge to hit him one more time... but that'll pass soon enough." * LadyMysteria calms down, leaning back on the tub's edge. "I think he needs this team as much as we need him. He just screwed up, and he'll have to deal with it... we shouldn't just leave him out in the cold, though." That is, if he doesn't do something stupid like that again. * LadyNightshade eagerly pounces on the change of topic. "Yeah, I think he'll be alright." This is just a learning experience, I think. * LadyRoyal half-shrugs. "He's all right. Still learning, but all of us are anyway." ... and Minami, I was asking because... well... I do think he's rather cute, but I wouldn't want to intrude. Y'know? Bad manners and whatnot. * LadyRoyal lowers to almost nose-level in the water, actually laughing. "Wow, that's...that's one way of thinking of it...." Oh... then I shouldn't try for Kenji. *glances at Taki, grinning* What? I don't care if you... *trails off* Well, if you all are talking about actually dating them...do you really think it's such a good idea, dating within the team? Well... I look at it this way. I'd date someone normal, but... if I just vanished one day, they'd be crushed. So... I guess I'd feel more comfortable with someone who understood my life. You know? I have no official comment on that. Well, that's one thing, but within our *own* team...don't you think it'd be a little, I don't know, odd? * LadyMallet 'hmm's again. "Maybe I could introduce you to Alfalfa. Not sure if I should, though..." ...mortality rate around here is high enough to make it... unsafe. But then don't most Lords hook up with Ladies and Princesses in their own team? I don't think it's right though to... uh... *trails off again* * LadyNightshade looks down. That's what I've usually seen. Um, I wouldn't know. I've never even heard of any MG relationships within-teams actually. I don't think Kenji would even be interested in that sort of stuff anyway... * LadyMysteria nods to Minami. "True..." She sinks back down into the water, idly TKing up little 'handfuls' of water and dropping them on her head. I think Kenji still needs to do some figuring out first...I know none of us really know much about him, but that's my opinion anyway. I'm not going to forbid it. Just... don't start any fights over it, is all I ask. * LadyMallet nods. * LadyNightshade blushes a bit more. * LadyRoyal shrugs. "No problem from this front." Unless people hook up and then just act stupid. * LadyMallet then grins. "So... you don't mind?" *glances at Taki* N-- No... I... think I'll hang back, I suppose. Give moral support and all that. * LadyNightshade mentally flips off Mallet. Mmm. * LadyMysteria rolls her eyes... then TK-watersplashes Leena, just because. ...this is where I get out. Yeah... * LadyNightshade quickly gets out behind Sakura. * LadyMallet blinks at the water in her eyes, and wipes it off with a wet hand. Funny how that only makes it wetter. Feel free to use it as long as you want, girls. I have to report in. Uh? Okay.... Take it easy, Sakura. How long d'you think I have to stay transformed until the bullet gets absorbed or whatever? I'd wait at least three hours. * LadyNightshade gets dressed quickly and follows Sakura. Okay. * Sakura winds a towel around herself, then sneaks out the door. * LadyRoyal stretches. "Might as well spend the time here, then...." No peeking, Kenji! * LadyRoyal leans her head on the rim and closes her eyes again. Bye Sakura, Taki. ... I think I'll just relax, myself. Yeah. [session end]