[Tuesday, school, end of] [Start!] Naa- don'tcha mean Thursday-pyo?> * Suddenly! Two more days past. [Thursday, the same, yeah.] [Start again...] * Taki carefully walks out of school, looking around, hoping that no one notices her carrying all these boxes of cards home with her. * Leena , of course, was been waiting for her. Silly of Taki to take the front way out. =p * Taki has several of the folders stuffed into her bag as best she can, as well as the book. She has another tucked under her arm as she walks down the sidewalk towards the trainstation. * Taki tries her best to pretend she didn't see Leena and Leena didn't see her... * Leena waves, and runs after Taki. "Taki, wait up!" * Taki casually walks a little faster. "Oh crap..." * Leena bumps up her pace, too. She's still in her school uniform. * Taki is too. Although she has a duffle with a change of clothes under slung from her shoulder. It also has a couple box shaped lumps in it. * Leena yells a bit loudly, "Taaaaki! Wait up! It's me, Leena!" and picks up the pace more, breaking out into a full run. It's interesting how she can still bounce with each step while doing that. * Taki looks down defeated and turns around. Oh, hi Leena. I... uh, didn't see you there... * Leena skids to a halt juuuust in front of Taki, smiling. "Hi Taki!" ^__^ ... Hi. Is today a good day to visit? * Taki smiles in a faint way that only Taki can. I uh... guess. Sorry for not asking earlier, but I was still feeling kind of down because of a few days ago... Yeah... * Taki continues walking towards the trainstation but at a pace so Leena can keep up. * Leena hops once in place with excitement. "Great! ^__^ * Leena almost-walks along with Taki. Um... about what you were saying the other day... About being friends and all... Did you mean all that? * Leena nods solemnly. "Of course." But... why? * Taki looks genuinely confused. * Leena 'hmms' for a moment. "Well, because could use a friend. Isn't that a good enough reason?" And I'd hate to be less than an aquaintance with a teammate. The bonds of freindship carry over into battle, too. ^__^ ( because everyone could use a friend. ) My old team wasn't too interested in being friends with me... * Leena blinkblinks. "That's no good..." * Taki has a sad expression cross her face. It's okay. You'll have friends in this team. ^__^ They said... I didn't deserve to be on their team... * Leena frowns, at that. * Leena 'hmm's' again. "Wanna go egg them?" * Taki giggles a little at that. No... we can't do that... * Leena adopts a mock-serious look on her face. "Give me one good reason why we can't." Because the Queen will have our butts in a sling if we do something like that. * Leena grins mischeviously. This is a different grin from her normal, happy one. "Not if she dosen't find out." I'm sure that you of all people could get away with it without being caught. ^__^ I... well... But she... I dunno. I'd rather just go on pretending they don't exist anymore. * Leena frowns a little. "I guess that works, too." * Taki arrives at the trainstation. So why did you pick me to be the lucky one you want to make friends with first? * Taki sets down her stuff at a nearby bunch. She sure does have a lot of stuff today... * Leena shrugs. "You're the easiest to approach first, I guess. And everyone kinda looks up to you, too." She glances sideways momentarilly. They... They do? And you have your own place. ^__^ * Taki blushes a little. That kinda has its own sad reasons too though... * Taki looks away again. * Leena blinkblinks. "Oh... You can tell me, if you want." Let's just say that my mom and dad had plans for me that I didn't... couldn't... live up to... * Leena drops her voice some, in case anyones listening. "You told them you were a magical girl...?" No... It has nothing to do with that... Oh. *blinkblink* I moved out of the village... We're not from in town, and I lived with a relative in the city so I could go to school out here. After... some things happened, they let me get my own place. * Leena nods, but stays silent, like she's waiting to hear more. * Taki watches as the train arrives and she gathers up her stuff and head on board, finding a pair of empty seats in a corner. * Leena almost-walks along, and plops down next to her. So... um. What clubs did you join? Clubs? At school. I... uh... *looks down at the boxes and folders she has sitting between her legs and on her lap* Um... Okay, look. You can't tell anyone about this. * Leena blinks. "You joined the swim team with Kyouko...?" What? No. She did? Eww... I _hate_ water. * Leena blinkblinks again. "Okay, I guess I'm wrong." ^_^; * Leena leans forward. "I promise I won't tell." I... I sorta got roped into joining the uh... *mumbles* Trading Card Club... * Leena blinkblinks. "Ano... what's so bad about that?" The girls... they're sooo... WEIRD. I mean, I didn't really mean to, but they were there on the roof when I was eating my lunch and they talked to me and I was a little curious and before you know it, I'm filling out forms and then I'm signed up on mailing lists and... And just LOOK at all this junk. *gestures to the stuff she has with her* * Taki sorta rambles out all of that... * Leena looks. "Oooh." Oooh? * Leena blinks, and says a bit embarrasedly, "But you already have my card..." She looks to the side momentarilly. Do you have Nightshades? Yeah. Look... I found everyone's cards. * Taki thumbs through the folders in her bags and pulls out one. * Taki opens it up and there are all the teams cards on the first page. Ack! *forgets about the Superfluous card in the lower corner and slams her hand over it* * Leena blinks. "Chimera has a card, too? Oooh, let me see!" No, no, it's not... I don't think he'd want you to see... At least till I can ask him about it... and uh... *making excuses* * Leena blinks again, a bit confused, now. "Okay..." * Taki slides it out of the sleeve and sits it in her jacket pocket. But the rest of them you're free to look at. * Leena just looks at them as a whole for a moment, smiling sadly. This'll be a good team, if I can do anything about it. You think so? * Leena nodsnods vigourously. "Of course!" ^__^ I dunno... I thought I screwed up something since a couple of us got hurt and all. But I talked to Sakura today and she said I did a good job... Kenji thinks I did fine, when I asked him, but he seems to just agree with everything I say... * Leena pauses for a moment, remembering something. "I hope I can do well. It's ... it just seems so wrong, you know?" We all got back okay, and we all made it. I think we did good. I don't know if I can be a good leader though... No one has ever trusted me with anything like that before... * Leena thinks... "Sakura seems to think you're a good one. She's been doing this a while, so it's probaby okay to trust her opinions." * Taki puts the folder away after Leena finishes looking at it. Yeah. I like her you know. She's really not like anyone else I've ever met before... * Taki looks out the window at the station as the train stops for the second time. "This is my... our stop." * Leena nods. "She's strong. Maybe not as a MG, but she's strong where it counts. I wonder if I'll become strong enough to accept it like she has." * Leena glances out the window, taking in the scenery. Yeah... I bet it's hard for you, not being used to real combat and all... Yeah... but, I've got to get used to this... Because I'm strong as a MG, and not the whole team is.... * Taki , as they exit the trainstation, says "You know, you're the first girl I've ever had over to my place since I moved in there." Oh? So... So don't use this knowledge to do anything funny. * Leena blushes. "I feel so honored." ^__^; Like... egg my house or something. :P Why would I do that? We're friends, aren't we? Yeah, I'm sorry. It was a joke. I'm not very good at jokes... * Leena rubs her head, looking embarassed aganin. "Sorry. Neither am I. ^_^;" * Leena quickly recovers, and smiles again. "Come on, let's go!" * Taki sorta smiles and runs along with Leena. "Bet you can't keep up!" * Taki takes off at a friendly run. Watch me! * Leena takes off after Taki. * Taki runs down the block, around a corner and up a couple more blocks and into her apartment complex. Leads Leena all the way up to her door and swings it open. "Winner!" *raises her hands in victory* * Taki , out of breath and breathing hard, stumbles into her apartment. * Leena mock-hmmphs, and crosses her arms. "Only because you know the way." *grin* Kenji, I'm home. *pant pant* * Kenji lays strewn awkwardly about the middle of the living area, sleeping quietly. That aside, the rest of the apartment is in impecible condition. ... Kenji! * Taki throws her duffle at him, forgetting about the heavy boxes in it. We have company! * Leena looks around. Because thats what you do when you enter a new place. * Taki takes her shoes off and walks into the main area. * Leena giggles at Taki. "But he looks so cute like that!" It's not really that much, but it's enough for me... * Kenji awakes with a loud *cough* and moaning, he sits up. His hair is messed to one side where his head was against the bare floor. His black clothes appear slightly saturated with sweat but he doesn't appear to be breathing heavily. "nnn.. huh?" * Leena bends her legs backwards to where her feet are touching her back, and removes her shoes without sitting down. * Taki 's place is rather sparce, and rather black. There's a TV on a cabinet off to one side, next to a computer desk with a PC on it. * Kenji blinks. "Taki-- Leena?-- wha..." *looks around* "Oh-- uh... sorry. I wanted to be cleaned up before you got back..) * Leena shifts oth shoes to one hand, and waves with her free one at Kenji. "Hi!" ( both. ) Did you forget to set an alarm again? * Kenji crosses his legs where he's sitting and folds his arms around the duffel that brought him back to wakefulness. "- uh.. Hi-- Leena. Welcome to... Taki's place.." I swear... You know you're going to have to learn to be more responsible. You're going to have your own place soon and you're going to have to start going to school. * Kenji rubs his head and smooths his hair down a bit in the process. (To Taki) "Uh- no.. I was.. uh.. Working out.. kinda." * Taki lectures in a motherly fashion. * Kenji nods sleepily and stares down at his feet while being lectured. * Leena sets her shoes next to Taki's, and just watches for the moment. * Taki looks around. "Working out...? I don't see my weights anywhere..." * Kenji nods sleepily and says nothing. "I didn't move any of your things--- (Well, he says nothing for a while-) Oh well, we'll talk about it later. Leena come in, please. * Leena bows, and steps inside. ... Should I -- uh.. go somewhere for a while? I don't really have any chairs... Well there's the computer chair... * Taki looks at Kenji. "And where are you going to go?" No, no, it's okay... Really, you don't have to go on my account. *blush* * Taki plops down crosslegged on the floor. If you guys wa-- No, no I'll go if you guys want- I could use a shower .. *places the duffel down next to him* * Kenji acts like he's getting ready to get up. * Taki looks down and then looks over at her duffle. * Leena sits down, kneeling with her knees in front, not crosslegged. Oh, I forgot to change... * Leena looks around some more. "Would take a bit of work... but being all black would be great for a slumber party, I think." * Taki gets up again and reaches for her bag. "I hate school uniforms, you know? So generic, so... cheerful." * Kenji stands up awkwardly and hobbles for a moment before gaining his balance, then as he moves to take a step loses it (his balance) and plops back down on his as barely a foot from where he started. * Taki says that with disgust. guh.. ... * Leena nods at Taki, a bit nervously. * Leena turns her gaze to Kenji. "Are you okay...?" * Taki walks past Kenji and puts her hand on his head. "Stay. Entertain our guest." * Kenji rubs his face. "sorry- I just need a minute.." I'm going to change in the bathroom real quick, if that's okay? * Kenji nods and brings his legs back in around him, slouching forward. Yeah! Entertain me with stories and tales full of brevity and wit and wry humor, full of priestesses and dragons and magical girls! * Taki smiles awkwardly at the two and walks around the corner to the bathroom area to change. * Kenji pauses, mouth open. "I-- uh... me?" * Leena nodsnods, smiling cutely. "Yeah, you." ^__^ I don't know any stories... * Kenji bows his head in apology. "Maybe a movie? -- Taki has lots." But you're a Lord. You've gotta have some stories. * Kenji pauses again in thought, also looking a little hurt. I-- I don't think you'd like any of my stories. * Leena frowns, and adds a little too hastily, "Butit'sokayifyoudon'twanna... I mean.. you don't have to. I'd just like it if you did." * Kenji grabs his feet as he bows his head to Leena. "I'm sorry..." Uh-- Did you guys need to take care of some business? .. * Leena looks idly the way Taki went. "Hey! I know. Have you been to the arcade around here, or an amusment park? Maybe a photo booth, or a karaoke bar?" * Leena shakes her head. "Don't have anything to do today." uh--... no. I know this great photo place that has cutout boards that you can stick your heads in. Why? * Leena blinks. "Because it'll be fun!" Unless Taki dosen't want you to go or something. * Kenji looks thoughtfully at the floor in front of him for a moment. * Kenji shakes his head slightly. "I don't know... I mainly just stay here-" Oh... that's no good. You should go out and do something. Walk around, get some fresh air. ^__^ We walk to the trainstation to meet you guys though-- I -- haven't wanted.. to go anywhere. * Leena 'hmms.' You've been here all this time? Haven't gone anywhere? * Kenji nods. "mm hmm..." * Leena glances the way Taki went again. "Then you should get out and do something." ^__^ I don't -think- Taki would mind if I got you out of her hair for a little bit. * Kenji looks away and rubs one of his arms. "I dunno..." * Kenji stops. "Oh, no. I'm sure she wouldn't-- I inconvenience her enough .. I just try not to make a mess.." Then it's settled! Which do you want to go to first? ^__^ * Kenji nods. "So I just sit over there an--- wha?" * Taki walks out of the bathroom, dressed in a black string strap tank top with a black mesh shirt over it and a black skirt that goes down to her knees, along with her black boots. Sorry I took so long... ^^; * Kenji looks just as confused as usual when other people are around. Oh, it's okay. Me and Kenji were just talking about how he'd like to go do something. I know a couple of places I think he'd like. ^__^ * Taki hangs up the parts of her uniform that can be used and another and puts the washables in the hamper. * Kenji looks up at Taki, a little scared. "I d- uh... er.." * Taki puts her duffle in the closet on a shelf in spot that looks like it was made for it to sit there. I'm all sticky. You... What do you want to do? * Taki looks nervous. I think I should goto the shower. Shower? But we don't usually go till night... * Kenji moves to stand up again and almost falls over, catching himself on a wall. Uh.. * Leena says, with a touch of concern in her voice, ".... are you okay?" * Kenji looks around the apartment, like something there could give him an excuse to hide. I just-- uh... no.. but-- uh.. He's okay. He does that a lot... I ... see. Maybe you could use the sink in the restroom to wash up? * Kenji stops and looks straight at the bathroom area. "toilet." *hobbles over, shuts door behind him.* I'm ... confused. What just happened with him? ... Sorry. It's a bit embarrassing. I'm not really sure what's going on with him. I hope he's going to be okay by himself.... I suppose it's a good thing that he doesn't want to move too far. That's right... he's only going to be here a little bit longer. Um... *looks down nervously* Tea! I'm sorry, I should've offered you some! Would you like me to make a pot? * Taki heads towards the kitchenette area and lights the stove under the kettle. * Leena nods. "Sure." ^__^ * Taki grabs the tea box out of the cupboard. Kenji... really said he wanted to go somewhere? With you? Um. Well. Kinda. ... Kinda? I brought it up, and he seemed interested, and didn't mmble his way out of it or anything. Well... He hasn't really been out much... by himself. I mean, at the bathhouse he has to go to the men's side alone... but other than that... It must be kind of annoying to have him around all the time... Yeah, I suppose. I guess I've kinda gotten used to him... Um... can I ask you a question? Hmm? What you said before, at Sakuras. About not caring about Kenji that way. ... did you really mean it? * Taki gets some cups down, fumbles and drops one. I... I'm not... I mean I can't... *blushes heavily* * Leena covers up her mouth with one hand, gasping. "I'm sorry...! Taki..?" * Taki fumbles nervously with the broken pieces. * Leena walks over to help. "Here, let me help..." * Taki gets out her trash basket from under the sink and a little dustpan and hand broom and sweep up the pieces as best she can. I-- It's okay I got it. * Taki sounds a little defensive. Okay... * Taki eyes are watering a bit now. * Leena steps back to give her room, then. These... these were my grandmothers glasses... Oh... I'm so sorry... Nono, it's okay. It's not your fault... Maybe it can be fixed...? * Taki puts away the cleaning materials and looks in the basket. I don't think so... It's pretty smashed. ... [Obviously male sounds are heard from the bathroom as per normal post- wakeup procedures. A minute or so later the door reopens and a slightly less sleepy-looking Kenji walks slowly out.] * Taki is crying a bit and she isn't sure why. * Taki wipes at her tears. Sorry about that before- I-- ... ? I'm sorry. ... Are you feeling better? * Taki hears the tea kettle. Oh! * Kenji looks at where the trashcan is sitting out. "-- Did somethi-- uh... " * Taki gets down another cup and poors tea for everyone. * Kenji looks to Leena, forgetting he was in the middle of apologizing. * Leena watches Taki with concern. "You're crying..." No no, don't worry about it, sit. Here's tea for everyone. I'm fine really. * Taki wipes her eyes more. * Taki puts everything on a tray and bring it into the main area, setting it on the floor. If you say so... you can talk to me about it if you want, though. *looks down at the delivered tea, and kneels in front of it.* * Kenji walks over and looks in the basket. Recognizing it's contents as something Taki'd explained during his stay, "... oh-- " I'm really sorry, I'm not usually like this. Really. * Taki is blushing and looking rather nervous. * Leena glances from Taki to Kenji to Taki again. "... Oh." *blinkblink* * Kenji looks over at where they've got there tea. "... " * Kenji starts looking through the cupboards for something, after a few tries he retreives a small bottle of glue and sets it on the counter. * Leena turns back to Kenji. "Hey, Kenji. Can Chimera fix the cup...?" * Taki offers Leena a cup in the polite Japanese way. Uh-- Kenji, I think it's beyond glue... Well-- I can see that now.. but.. What? * Kenji picks up the waste basket and dumps out it's contents over a portion of counterspace before beginning to set aside any ceramic bits that might've been from the cup, even down to the smallest sliver. ... I dunno.... Kenji! You're making a mess! * Taki gets up and walks over to him. * Kenji throws up one hand stating, "i'm sorry- i'll clean it up right now.." Just-- wait.. * Kenji looks up. "... please..." Okay... * Leena watches from her spot. Go drink-- I'll stay quiet. * Taki looks at Kenji uncomfortably. * Taki does as she's told, you wily Lord, you. * Kenji turns back to the countertop where he continues seperating out the bits of cup and redepositing the rest back into the wastebasket. * Taki eyes Kenji from her spot by Leena. * Taki sips her tea. * Kenji stops and looks over.. "I-- didn't mean to keep you two from talking...." * Kenji gulps audibly. * Leena bows her head apologetically. "Sorry..." She picks up the tea and takes a sip, herself. Um... I. I don't even remember what we were talking about... * Leena giggles. "I'm not going to remind you while you're drinking." * Taki almost blows tea out her nose and looks down, embarrassed. Sorry! Please don't talk of such things... * Kenji nods slowly and turns back to the counter. A second later short collumn of blue light engulfs pours up from the floor at his feet momentarily. * Kenji is now known as LordChimera Okay, okay...*glances over at the transformation* Kenji? [As the light fades, Lord Chimera stands there facing the counter, from behind all that's visible is his long blue cape. * Taki pulls out the card in her pocket and looks at it and then back up at Chimera. [The cloak that Lord Superflous wears in the picture in the card looks identical to the one Chimera wears. Sec... * Leena 's eyes light up. "He's going to try to fix it!" ... You can do that? * LordChimera places his hand on the small pile of ceramic rubble he'd collected on the countertop, mumbling under his breath. ... I don't know. Can he? * Taki looks at the description on the back of the card. [Underneath Chimera's hand the ceramic peices seeminly melt into eachother on the countertop. He continues uttering inaudible phrases under his breath for a moment or two until he slowly begins to raise his hand inches away from the surface of the counter. As he does so, the molten ceramic blob seems to stand up on its own and take shape--- into a small cup.] ... * Taki eyes water. Oh my god... * Leena 's eyes light up -more- Kenji... Thank you. * Taki walks over and hugs him, dropping the card on the floor. * LordChimera doesn't take his eyes off of the cup that now sits on the counter in front of him. "...not yet.." *he grunts softly as he's hugged* * Leena looks away. It's embarassing to watch stuff like that. Ooh, card. Don't thank met yet.. It won't last long.. you still need to glue it. * Taki just stays that way for a bit, crying on his shoulder. * Taki lets go. "Um... okay." * Taki blushes heavily. * LordChimera stands there motionless in his transformed outfit, the burden on his shoulder not withstanding. * LordChimera looks tired suddenly and puts one hand on the counter to steady himself. * Taki unscrews the lid on the glue and then eyes the solid cup. * Leena leans out, and picks up the card. oO(Taki said not to look until she asked him about it...) Um... what ... do I glue? * LordChimera blinks and shakes his head groggily. Uh-- It'll break again later.. the same way.. just... cover it... I'm sorry... * Leena sets it over where Taki was sitting. And looks over at the two, now that they won't be embarassed by her watching now. Okay... * LordChimera nods. "I.. hope it works." * Taki puts a little glue here and there around the cup and spreads it around as best she can. She's still crying softly. It's... It's wonderful. * Taki sits down after she's done. oO( ... They're both dense. ) It's the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me... * LordChimera walks out of the kitchenette area towards the living area. Throwing his cloak out of his way, he sits down. A similar blue light from before flies up from the floor. * LordChimera is now known as Kenji * Kenji plops back down on his side, again awkwardly strewn about the floor, eyes closed. * Taki sits down and takes Kenji's hand and looks him in the eye. "Thank you." * Taki tries to let go but suddenly finds that she can't... Uh oh... ... * Kenji opens his eyes to look up at Taki then winces and shuts them tight again, reflexively grasping hard on Taki's hand. gah. * Taki shakes her hand, trying to detach Kenji from herself. * Kenji is shaken bodily by his arm. Um... I think lemon juice will get that off.... I... forgot to wash the glue off... asprin.. asprin.. Asprin? What will Asprin do? * Taki gets up and pulls Kenji towards the fridge. "I think I have a lemon in here..." * Taki finds one and sets it on the counter. Ano... do you need any help? * Taki grabs a knife and deftly cuts it into quarters with her left hand. You sure this'll work? Um... maybe. * Taki squeezes some onto their hands... * Kenji rubs at his temples with his free hand, saying nothing. * Taki tries to let go but still can't. Well I ... uh... It tingles a bit. I guess. * Taki picks up the glue bottle and reads the label. Paint thinner? Who the hell keeps paint thinner around? * Kenji winces again. "I don't have enough left in Chimera to get rid of it... sorry..." Umm... you think if we transformed it'd fix it? Ano... Mallet could seperate you. * Kenji gives a pained expression at the mention of transforming. ... How? Please don't say with the Mallet.... Mallet can pick up a motorcycle. Glue shouldn't be a problem.... Uh... I'd like to keep the skin ON my hand, thanks... * Kenji looks wide-eyed. "but-- uh.. ... er. yeah." But .. I'm not sure if... yeah, that. * Leena bows her head apologetically. Um... um... um... uh... * Taki looks around nervously. * Kenji looks over at the cup on the counter. "..." There's a hardware store down the street aways by the shopping district... I can run to the store... Maybe they have some paint thinner... Would you? * Kenji braces himself against a counter. "uh... * Leena nods. That'd be great! * Leena stands up. "Sorry again..." * Taki pulls Kenji across the apartment to the desk and opens a drawer. She pulls out the card Sakura gave her. * Taki walks back over to Leena and hands her the card. "This should have enough on it to cover it." * Kenji is pulled. "I-- uh.." *looking back between Taki and Sakura.. and the door.* (Leena, not Sakura. :P) * Leena gives the card a brief glance, and pockets it. "I'll be right back." Okay. Thanks. * Taki blushes heavily and bows to Leena. * Leena slips on her shoes, and heads out, calling out a final "Sorry!" on her way out. * Kenji stands there silently for a second and then says, "what's she sorry for?" * Taki looks over and Kenji and then down to his hand in hers. I uh... don't know? (at, not and) * Kenji looks over. "I want to sit down." Okay. * Taki sits with Kenji. * Kenji plops down right there. As he brings in his legs under him he slouches forward with a heavy sigh, again resting his head in his other hand. I'm really really sorry about this... * Kenji stops and looks up, then down at their hands. He half-smiles as he goes back to resting his head in his palm. You finished-.. right? What was that? the cup... I wanted to finish it but-- Yeah, I finished. But you smiled just now. What was that about? * Kenji just shakes his head. "I'm just tired..." You're enjoying this, aren't you? * Kenji brings his head up and turns to look levelly at Taki. "I--- er...." *He turns away, unable to maintain face* "I'm glad I could do something for you for once..." * Taki blushes a bit and turns away too. It really was very sweet of you. If you really knew how much my grandmother meant to me... - the other day-... Hmm? * Kenji keeps his eyes pointed at the floor in front of him. "The other day- I was useless..." It was my fault. I thought the enemy would come at us from somewhere... I thought we'd see them. I shouldn't have had you out that far... * Kenji shakes his head. "I should've known what to do.. even when-- the man with the sword and Darkmoon.. You even asked-- I.. just stood there." I don't think there was anything you could do... * Kenji nods. "I hate that..." * Kenji shuts his eyes. "What if Sakura hadn't been there?" Sakura says we did okay though... I just stood there... She... I don't know. I don't think anyone else could've handled the final part without her... You helped me today. The cup wasn't trying to kill us... There are things-- that I should be able to do... but can't. Well it's a start... * Kenji shakes his head and looks away, hurt. Um... Kenji? ... * Taki looks around. "What did I do with that card?" * Taki finds it after crawling around a bit. Have you ever heard of a... Lord Superfluous? * Kenji inhales sharply and recoils as if preparing to receive a blow. * Kenji looks to Taki, startled. "?? * Taki shows Kenji the card. He looks just like you... * Kenji absently receives the card with his free hand, not taking his eyes away from taki until he'd retreived it fully. * Kenji examines the picture on the card. His facial expression dances between varying shades of sad. What.. is this... ? It's a ... they're magical girl trading cards. * Taki walks on her hands and knees over to where her book bag is and pulls out the folder. *Puzzled* Trading.. cards.... for magical gir- *he flips the card over and notices the short bio thereon* I got the set from this stupid card club that I joined. *opens it up* See? Everyone in our group has a card. ... Except for you. * Kenji doesn't take his eyes from the biography as he rereads it. All I found was this card of Lord Superfluous... But it says that he died. * Kenji puts the card down heavily next to him. "I... think.. i'm going to be sick.." * Kenji 's face goes remarkably pale. Kenji...? I'm sorry I didn't mean to... Did you know him? * Kenji , shaking his head, holds up a hand in a fashion that seems to mean, "give me a minute, I'm trying not to heave." I just... Should we go to the restroom? * Taki looks sad. * Kenji shakes his head again and takes a series of deep breaths. I'm really sorry. Forget about it. Pretend I didn't bring it up. * Kenji begins breathing at an accelerated rate. Bracing himself on his free arm he looks like he might be starting to get it under control. jus-- .. ah.. I'm sorry. Again I did something stupid... * Kenji , letting his legs out from under him, falls onto his back, still breathing heavily. * Taki bows appologetically. Eee! *is pulled over as he falls back. * Taki lays on the floor next to him. * Taki takes a breath nervously. * Kenji closes his eyes, trying to regain control over his swimming head, not noticing Taki's form at his side. Just-- * Taki doesn't move. She's frozen in place. [A few moments pass as Kenji's breathing slows back to within normal levels. He's now resting comfortably on his back, eyes closed, nearly sleeping.] [ There's a knock on the door, then it opens. ] * Taki eyes wander over Kenji's form until she hears the knock. * Leena almost-walks in, a paint-sized bucket of paint thinner in hand. Shoes come off a moment later. Oh I-- * Taki jumps up sudden, forgets she's still attachs and comes crashing back down onto Kenji. I uh... OH I... Just ... we I umm.... ah-OOF. * Leena 's mouth stretches into a long, knowing grin, seemingly of it's own volition. * Kenji snaps awake suddenly, he reels his head back awkwardly, jarring his skull against the floor. "ka!" * Taki rolls off Kenji and crawls about the floor, getting back into a sitting position. * Taki elbows him in the side and whispers loudly. "Get UP." * Kenji makes a few hurt noises until he remembers whats going on and sits up himself. Looking around, he see's Leena at the entrance. "Hey---" * Leena 's grin stays. Her gaze is locked on them like a turret, eyes dancing playfully. * Kenji gets up sharply and nearly loses his balance again, stumbling. * Taki stands up with Kenji and braces him as he falls into her. Will you get off me! * Kenji makes a few more quick groggy/hurt noises and rises to his fully slouched height. * Leena stays silent, watching. She seems to be anjoying the show. ( enjoying. blah. ) * Kenji looks at the ground in front of him out of habit and out of the corner of his eye notices the card he'd set down earlier. "...." Did you, uh, get it? * Leena lightly lifts the arm holding the paint thinner. * Leena brings the other hand to her mouth, and covers it. Not too much avail, as she starts laughing anyways. ... What? We weren't doing anything... * Taki blushes heavily. We were just talking... * Kenji 's gaze remains transfixed upon the card. He stands still, regardless of the comical qualities of the situation. I- I mean- really- er- haha- I... You- * Leena gives up on trying to muffle herself, and lightly bites her hand instead. * Leena looks apologetic. "Um... Sorry about that. Really." * Leena walks to the bathroom with the pain thinner. Look, can we just get this over with? * Taki drags Kenji into the bathroom behind Leena. * Leena opens it. * Kenji silently follows the prossession into the bathroom. * Taki has a rather small, functional bathroom. * Taki holds her and Kenji's hand over the sink. * Leena grabs one of the towels, and gestures with it at the pain thinner. Or... that works. So do we uh... just pour? * Leena drops the towel, picks up the paint thinner, and pours it over their hands. Uh... I don't know what that'll do to my towel... * Taki works her hand free of Kenji. Whew! This stuff smells... * Kenji is brought about of his short trance by the sharp smell of the paint thinner. He looks up and begins to stare into his own reflection in the mirror now instead * Leena nodnods in agreement, squinting her eyes shut. * Kenji leaves his hand limp in the sink wordlessly. * Leena pulls the credit card out, and hands it back to Taki. * Taki runs the water in the sink and washes the thinner and sticky off her hand. Kenji... wash your hands. Um. Hand. Leena, can you turn on the vent? *nods towards the switch.* * Leena flips it on obligingly. "Sure." hn? -- uh.. *lets the water run over his hand until it's clean* * Taki shuffles around in the bathroom and picks up the towel and dries her hands on it. * Kenji looks at their reflections in the mirror, first his own, then Taki's and Leena's--- then back to his own. " I.. " * Taki folds it and hangs it back up neatly. Whew... strong stuff... * Kenji remains staring into the reflections as he speaks. "Taki... * Leena nodnods again. * Taki looks at Kenji. "Yeah?" I know that Lord. You... do? * Leena blinkblinks, and looks at Kenji. * Kenji stares at his own reflection for a moment more, then says, "yeah... but I wish I didn't." Why's that? * Kenji leaves the bathroom area and goes out to retreive the card from the floor. * Taki wobbles a bit as her eyes water. Yeah, maybe we should leave the bathroom first... * Taki closes the door behind everyone and leaves the fan on. * Leena retreats from the bathroom. * Kenji picks up the card from the main room. "... Leena.. ?" * Leena blinkblinks yet again, and looks at Kenji. Yes? Did... Sakura tell you anyting... about me? Not really... * Kenji scratches his back w/ a free hand absently. "Taki-- you remember?.. don't you?" Yeah. She said some things that didn't really make sense... * Kenji looks down at the picture on the card for a second. She told you that a few days before you all met me that I was dug out of the Queen's garden... * Kenji continues sadly studying the image depicted on the card. Yeah... something like that. ... Are you zombie? I'm a construct. ... A wha? ... huh? I was made-- * Kenji hands Leena the card. * Leena looks it over, then at Kenji. ... made? But you're a Lord. You can't make Lords... ... Who made you? Superfluous? Part of.. some experiment.. for the war. Superfluous' abilities were used to make more powerful golems... or something... * Kenji shakes his head as the words struggle to arrange themselves for him. * Leena frowns. You're not a fake! You're you! * Leena pokes Kenji in the chest. "Don't believe anything else!" But... Superfluous died... * Kenji shuts his eyes and shakes his head yet again. "The project was canceled after the first one turned out to be of no use and it was sent back into the earth.." The golem that Superfluous made- was supposed to be a copy of himself. about 10 days ago.. I-- I don't remember.. What... happened? * Kenji crouches down, wrapping his arms around himself. ... I was cold.... covered in mud... I had to've been screaming-- my chest burned... so much.. Oh my god... * Kenji presses his face against his needs, curling up into a ball where he kneels. It's like you were buried alive... I'm sorry. I... I had no idea. *sobbing softly* I don't know how long I was there when they found me... I was so scared... * Leena kneels down, and puts one hand behind his back, wrapping the other around his front to mke a lopsided hug. *crying harder now* I didn't know where I was.. I was calling names of people I don't know... * Taki goes and gets Kenji's blanket out of the pile of his bedding and wraps it around his shoulders. She kneels next to him, holding him. "I'm so sorry." Sshhh.... It'll be okay. I still don't-*sob* why I was doing *sob* that. * Kenji grabs the edges of the blanket around him as best he can, sobbing. So you were supposed to have his powers... Do you think you have his memories too then? Maybe something from his past you were calling out... * Kenji somehow inverts even more into himself, curling into an even tighter ball, virbrating softly with the crying. I'm sorry- I- You don't have to be sorry... *forced* I want to be more of a help You can't expect yourself to... I mean, you having even had time to grow up... If I can't -- then what-*back to sobbing, not as hard as before, but enough to stop his sentence* * Leena says sadly, "You want to help a team who's assigment is to kill people... don't say that so easily..." * Kenji falls forward on his knees, pressing his face against the floor and pulling the blanket over him. Give it time... We weren't masters of our abilities either when we first learned we had them... * Leena catches Kenji from falling, still holding on to him. * Kenji lets himself fall into Leena's arms sobbing openly afterwards. * Taki tries to comfort Kenji as best she can, although she's rather awkward having been a loner most of her life. Um... Uh... Should we leave you alone? Do you not want to be alone... ? * Taki looks to Leena unsure of herself. * Taki feels uncomfortably helpless. * Kenji wordlessly grabs hold of some clothing, any clothing that isn't his. [His sobs are slower now, he's slowly relaxing] * Leena has her eyes closed. She dosen't give a response to Taki's question, either. Sssshhh.... it'll be okay.... * Taki kinda just stays there with them, unsure of what else to do. [After a few more moments, his hands loosen their grips and his cries slowly subside to soft, regular breathing...] * Taki follows Leena's lead and whispers soothing things to Kenji. * Kenji sleeps peacefully between the two, glistening trails spread acrossed his face. He's asleep... Yeah... * Taki looks up at the clock. "Wow. It's getting late..." Do you need to call someone to let them know where you're at? I'll be okay. Did... Did you want to stay? I can make some dinner... I don't know if he's going to want to eat anything... Umm.... Before you do that, could you help me lift him? I'm fine and all, but I can't get out from underneath him. ^_^; I... uh... oh. * Taki hefts Kenji's weight as best she can... * Leena is ya'know, short. She's knelt down to support his weight when he leaned into her. * Leena pushes him up gently. I'm sorry about today... I'm not sure what you hand planned... [Although slightly jostled, Kenji remains (thankfully) asleep. His day's work out, coupled with recent events have evidently tired him out but good.] I didn't really have anything planned... It's okay. You don't have to be sorry... I'm the one who should be sorry. Can you get out? * Leena crawls out from underneath. Sorry about your cup. again. Please. Don't be. It's my own fault. Really. You don't have anything to be sorry for. ... I guess so. So um... Do you want some dinner? * Leena nods slowly. "That'd be nice. If I'm staying over, can I use a phone real quick, though?" Yeah. * Taki walks over to the desk and picks up the portable phone off the rocker. * Taki hands it to Leena. "Here you go." * Leena makes a call, and leaves a message at her house. "Staying at a friends. I'll be okay. Leena." I usually subsist on rice and pickled veggies. It's how I was trai-- raised. For Kenji I've been trying to feed him something with a little more substance... Kind of nerfs up my diet though... * Taki walks over to the fridge. * Leena blinkblinks a bit, uncertainly. "Um... I'll be okay." Anything you're in the mood for? Fried shrimp? I... hmm... I think I have some shrimp left over in the freezer... Zzz * And lo, the girls did have a nice meal, Kenji did sleep and the girls did chat in their girlish girl ways. * Bedding was shared, stories were told, and rest was had by all. [The End]