Session Start: Sat Mar 20 16:19:06 2004 Last time, on Hunters. Maya got in too deep, and when she bolted from Princess Pie's test of loyalty, a horrible melee ensued. Just about everyone on both sides got smacked around pretty good. LadyHardhat got clobbered out of her transformed state by the Mallet, though she wasn't quite dead. Pie and Amplifier and Handcuff had incapacitated about half of our heroes before Lady Sakura managed upgrade to Princess. With her new- found powers, she killed Princess Pie, then ordered the other opponents to stand down. Hardhat was left in the ruined alley for the emergency crews. Everyone else piled into the rented van, and Sakura drove them back to the Blossom Agency. [Thursday, December 4, 2003 - 2210 local time] [Home base] [session start] .... * PrincessSakura barges through the front door and unceremoniously unlocks the inner door. The secretary is sprawled, asleep, at the computer desk in the back. * LadyMallet is still mostly silent. She hasn't said anything during the trip, really. The blank look on her face has shifted into staring at the floor, though. She shuffles in after everyone else. * LadyHandcuff and Lady Amplifier follow along meekly. * Lord_Darkmoon huddles unmoving and unblinking in his seat in the van, not noticing people getting out. Hope that the van can be cleaned; he's probably bleeding rather a lot. * LadyHeat shuffles inside. The external bleeding has mostly stopped for everyone by now, though Darkmoon in particular is still hurting. * LadyNightshade is in no hurry to leave the van either. She's in the far back scrunched up against the side. Maya also is somewhat zorched - she goes straight to the couch and passes out there. * LadyMallet looks up enough to register Maya zonking out, before turning her gaze back to the ground. * PrincessSakura realizes that she's lost a few of her team. She eyes the visitors and snaps, "Stay put." * PrincessSakura trots back out to the van. * LadyNightshade looks up at Darkmoon since they're the only two in the van. "I don't want to do this anymore..." ...I can't...blame you. I never wanted to do this. ...c'mon, guys, we're here. ....Nnn. * LadyNightshade looks over at Sakura and slowly drags herself out of the van. * PrincessSakura reaches in and helps Darkmoon stand. * LadyNightshade makes as if she was going to help Darkmoon, but Sakura beat her to it. ...here? *looks around* oh. *winces as he straightens, metal shards shifting uncomfortably in the wounds that are trying to heal around them* Thanks, Sakura. * PrincessSakura half-carries Darkmoon into the building. * Lord_Darkmoon offers Lady Nightshade a falsely brave smile. "At least we're..." he cuts off with a grunt of pain, then doesn't seem to have the heart to finish. * LadyNightshade looks down at the ground and drags her feet behind Sakura. * Lord_Darkmoon is half-carried, quarter-dragged, and quarter-stumbles inside. Pity he doesn't have two pretty girls helping him. ;) * LadyHandcuff has found a chair and is sitting. Amplifier is standing almost at attention behind her. * PrincessSakura helps Darkmoon to a handy loveseat. ...yeah. * LadyNightshade finds an empty corner to occupy and sits with her knees pulled into her chest and her arms wrapped around her legs. * LadyHeat sits on the floor with her arms wrapped around her knees. Well, that didn't work out very nicely. * Lord_Darkmoon curls around his wounds again once he's seated on the loveseat. * PrincessSakura frowns and goes back into her study. She closes the door, and after a few seconds you hear her talking on the phone with someone. * LadyMallet looks up at Darkmoon as he enters, briefly. Then resumes staring at the floor. * LadyNightshade lays her face down on her knees, not wanting to look at anyone right now. ...so useless...why? Um, excuse me... ..eh? Who are you? ... * Lord_Darkmoon looks up, seemingly noticing the new girls for the first time. "...we're...friends. I am so sorry...." .....We're....Ladies...just like you. * Lord_Darkmoon wipes some of the blood from his lips, and tries to sit up a bit straighter, now that he's recalled he's not alone. I'm... * LadyMallet thinks. When she resumes, it's a slow, tiny voice, like she's not sure of what she's saying. "I'm Leena. I'm so sorry. So sorry about Maya, Hardhat... Pie..." ...I know who they are. They're the Queen's hit squad. * Lord_Darkmoon shakes his head. "There was something...wrong...with the Princess..." he almost spat out the word "princess". * Lord_Darkmoon winces at Lady Amplifier's accurate, if a bit misleading, label of the group to which he belongs. What? The Princess was always so good to us! * LadyMallet -glares- at Amplifier. .....she was crazy. I would have sided with Pie... if she had just been a bit more reasonable. She couldn't have succeeded. And gave the Queen too much credit for... *snerks bitterly before cutting himself off* Amp, I don't think they like the Queen much either. ... This is hardly what you could describe as "brainwashed". Like you were? * LadyAmplifier just glares at everyone. How could she order people to kill themselves...? She was insane. *force-swallows some blood* We aren't brainwashed! We just followed orders from our rightful leader! She would have healed Lady... Star? If she had obeyed the order directly. You're pissing me off! Quit saying stupid things like that! ...stupid? How is any one your RIGHTFUL leader!? We should be free people! Why do we have to serve anyone if we do not agree with them!? *breathes heavily after that outburst* ... But, but, she's THE PRINCESS. *quietly* She was. Allegiance should be earned, not coerced. *stares out the window, avoiding anyone's gaze* What, so this Sakura person is supposed to be our Princess now? You don't need a Princess. Lady-- Princess Sakura is just our leader. The Queen is the one who commands us all. *mutters* whether we like it or not. * LadyMallet isn't staring at the ground. She just looks angry now. "You don't need a Queen either! Quit being sheep... and get out of this while you have the chance." * Lord_Darkmoon said "Princess Sakura" with none of the venom he usually reserves for that title, by the way. * PrincessSakura steps back in and catches the last bit of Leena's pronouncement. * Lord_Darkmoon looks to Mallet. "It is already too late. There is no getting out. Believe me. I've tried." ...I'm afraid they don't have that option. Fight the good fight, free of politics and orders! * LadyMallet whirls around and glares at Sakura. "Why not!?" Because Her Majesty says so. I'm SICK of this FIGHT! I DON'T WANT IT! *nods to Sakura* ...but her Royal Majesty commands. * PrincessSakura has changed into a robe, though is still transformed. * LadyNightshade looks up a bit at Sakura. We all have our orders. Mine are to bring you... *all* of you in to see her tomorrow morning. * Lord_Darkmoon stares sullenly out the window again, idly hissing in pain as he plucks a few of the larger shards out of his torso. Orders... they're stupid. Making us do stuff we hate. And who's to say the Queen is any less insane that Pie? Why should we listen to orders from someone like her if we have a choice? You don't have a choice, *Lady* Mallet. I don't have a choice, either. This is what we are. ...they *are* brainwashed. Compelled, my Lady. Not brainwashed. It's not brainwashing. It's a leash we can't break. I wish you could get away before someone else picks yours up... * LadyHeat sits and watches. Yes. I think the Queen is an arrogant, high-strung, short- sighted twit, and that she's been that way since she was fourteen. But... I also know what she's done for this city, and I do believe that she will do the right things in the end. * PrincessSakura shrugs. The Earth Magic chose her. There had to be a reason. * LadyNightshade goes back to looking down at nothing. ... I think you put too much credence in the Earth Magic and its "choices". If it truly is separate from Her Royal Majesty, then it's capricious and cruel. What... what's going to happen to us? You will be brought before the Queen. And your freedom will be forever stolen. Not if I can help it! You? I imagine the Queen will give you some strict orders, then send you home. * Lord_Darkmoon said that last as if he was recalling something else more than speaking to the poor girl. ...Leena, what are you going to do? Are you going to go against me? Against your teammates? ... I don't want to go against you. And my teammates wouldn't be able to stop me. Leena....calm down. But as it stands... you're the only princess. If I can take you down for just a little bit... then no rank or order will keep Handcuff and Amplifier here. Leena, detransform NOW. * LadyMallet stares at the floor. "I don't want to do that, though..." She looks back up. Fine. * LadyMallet detransforms. * PrincessSakura EYES Leena. ...I'm sorry. But you're scaring me. * Leena eyes Sakura right back. "Well?" If you go against the Queen, who do you think it will fall on to do something about that? * PrincessSakura shudders and looks away. ... Don't you have ... any free will left? I like you, Leena. I can't tell you how much it would hurt. Oh, I do. * PrincessSakura smirks, and looks back at the secretary. * LadyNightshade looks up a bit and mumbles quietly. "Leena, please stop it." I just have to be very careful about how I express it. ...yeeeah. ... Taki, I'm sorry, but I won't stop until I've accepted this. Which'll be never. ... .....Leena.... But... There's only one way out, Leena. *shakes his head* And...as easy as it would be right now, I don't want to take it yet. I hope...none of you do, either. * LadyNightshade shakes her head and looks back down. ...but... the Queen won't execute us as traitors? Or send us out to die in the Sea? ... It wasn't your fault... No, no. She is angry at Pie, not you two. ... I've dreamed about that route. *flops down on the ground.* Sometimes it works, sometimes is doesn't. * Lord_Darkmoon winces as he finally pries out another of the flechettes. Leena... Please don't talk about that stuff... She'll probably assign you to another Princess, and let you go hunting Ningyo. Just, you know, what comes naturally. ...she'll let us fight? She'll make you fight. * LadyHandcuff doesn't pick up on the distinction. "Cool." * PrincessSakura stands and stretches. In the meantime, I'm going to fire up the jacuzzi. * PrincessSakura throws open a closet, revealing a (new) rack of variously-sized white swimsuits. * LadyHeat pulls herself up from the floor and goes to grab a swimsuit. I didn't think it was fair to restrict it to girls-only, so I had the secretary pick these up. * PrincessSakura glances over to where the girl is still asleep. "She'll be pissed that she missed seeing Rin in one. * LadyHandcuff blinks. * LadyAmplifier blinks. * Lord_Darkmoon 's attention is caught at that, and turns to look. "Oh... th- thanks." He manages a small smile, though he's still clearly hurting. And, upon hearing the comment about them seeing him in swimsuit, turns rather red. C'mon, you'll feel better once you're soaking. * Leena turns away from Dorkmoon, and 'hmphs', crossing her arms. * LadyHeat detransforms and heads to the bathroom to change * PrincessSakura looks over at the two guests. "You're invited, too. Nothing like a nice hot tub after a battle." * LadyNightshade continues to be a little pink ball in the corner. * LadyHandcuff stands and detransforms, then bows. "Thank you for your generosity." * LadyAmplifier looks like she relaxes a bit, but does not detransform. That would be... nice. * Lord_Darkmoon pulls himself to his feet, and manages to walk over to the closet, where he looks for a guy's swimsuit. There isn't much choice. White trunks, or white bikini bottoms. He's definitely not going to fit in the white one-piece suits. * Lord_Darkmoon takes one of the sets of trunks, and looks around for a room wherein he can have some privacy to change. * PrincessSakura gestures Darkmoon towards her study. * Anzu snags a one-piece. * Lord_Darkmoon bows. "Thank you, My La--Princess." He chuckles softly. "That's going to take some getting used to." He heads to the study. * LadyAmplifier finds a bikini in her size. * PrincessSakura bops him lightly. "Just Sakura. You know that." And... we'll... never mind. * PrincessSakura moves across to where Taki is curled up. ...are you all right? ... I'm not even sure anymore... * Lord_Darkmoon nearly-walks (he's not shuffling painfully, honest!) to the study, where he closes the door. Whatever you need, Taki. Just ask. * Leena gets to her feet, and walks over to the rack. She hasn't got her bounce back yet. She picks one out in her size, and slings it over her shoulder. She stops, looking back at Taki and Sakura. * Anzu joins Kyouko in the bathroom to change. I... It's just... I never thought we would be fighting... ourselves, you know? * LadyAmplifier strips out of her bodysuit right there in the living room. It's not part of the job description, is it? * Kyouko looks at Anzu quietly as she changes, she's so sued to changing into a bathing suit she doesn't even pay attention to the movements No... not really... I've had to... once or twice before. It's not a good feeling. ... Really? What happened? * LadyNightshade looks up a bit, a worried expression on her face. Once, in the very early days, a Lady thought I was the bad guy when I shot an assassin. It was self-defense. She got my partner, but I got her before she froze me too. ... Oh. ... That shouldn't happened. The Queen... she should tell the ladies we're out there protecting them. Then stuff like ... like what happened today wouldn't happen. * PrincessSakura shakes her head. "It would have happened anyway - Pie wanted to carve out her own little fiefdom, and she would have started a fight sooner or later." * Anzu manages to look faintly embarrassed while changing, even though it's all girls in here. * LadyAmplifier doesn't look embarrassed at all changing out in the open. But... I guess. * LadyNightshade looks down and gets up slowly. * PrincessSakura helps her up. C'mon, you don't want to be pink all night, do you? * LadyNightshade looks down at her suit. "No I don't think I do..." * LadyNightshade surpresses a smirk at that. * Leena tosses Taki one of the swimsuits. * LadyNightshade looks down at the bikini tossed to her and grabs one of the one pieces. * PrincessSakura marches into the bathroom and hits the button to start the tub. * LadyNightshade looks around for a place to change. * Anzu eeps and hurriedly pulls the last shoulder strap into place as Sakura, that rude woman, barges in. * Leena notes that everyone else has gone, and heads to the bathroom to change herself. Nn. * LadyNightshade waits for Darkmoon to finish up so she can change in the study too. * Lord_Darkmoon finally re-enters the main room, his pants and bloody shirt over one arm. He would probably be downright breathtaking, if he didn't have a perforated stomach and chest. He carefully puts his clothes on the floor before nodding to Taki. Then he nearly-walks over to the bathroom, knocking. "M-may I come in, now?" * PrincessSakura sheds the robe, revealing a smallish blossom-pink bikini. She steps into the tub, and sighs. * LadyNightshade blushes a bit at Darkmoon and slips past him into the study. She detransforms and changes into the white swimsuit. * Kyouko climbs into the tub, ignoring the heat. * Lord_Darkmoon opens the door cautiously, hopefully not rudely intruding on anyone, and slips into the room. * Anzu slips daintily into the tub, and pulls her knees up to her chest, making herself as small as possible. * LadyAmplifier just sits on the edge for the moment, and preens a bit. * Taki walks back out of the room and heads into the bathroom. Her pale skin is almost as white as the swimsuit. Come on in, Rin, the water is just... good gods. That had to HURT. * Anzu glances at Darkmoon's chest, flinches, and looks away. "I'm... sorry that the Princess did that to you." * Lord_Darkmoon nods ruefully. And acts just a touch embarrassed as he hesitantly steps carefully into the water, lowering himself gingerly. He hisses a bit as his wounds touch the water. "I will heal." He manages a lopsided smile. ... * Taki examines the wound on her leg. Anzu...may I call you Anzu?...it isn't your fault. I-- I am sorry I-- we-- *trails off* * Anzu bows her head. "You don't have to apologize." * Leena slides in, herself. You were just doing what you had to do. ...honestly, there were a few things the Princess had us do that I found distasteful. * Anzu blinks. "When was this?" * Lord_Darkmoon slips deeper into the water, so he's in up to his chin, and tries to fold his legs up to his chest before wincing and deciding that's a bad idea. "Thank you. But...I'm sorry. I'm sorry you're caught up in this. Hopefully, it won't be too bad for you from now on." * Taki looks at every crowded into the jacuzzi nervously. Get in, Taki, we won't bite. Apologize... apologize to Hardhat, for me, if you see her? * LadyAmplifier grimaces. Umm... I hope she's all right. * Taki moves awkwardly towards the jacuzzi and sits on the edge, putting her feet in. We'll contact the hospital in the morning. Sorry I'm taking up so much room... *blushes* Anzu, did you really think that Lady Star was the first girl to fail the Princess's test? I don't think anyone here but me minds your presence, -dork-moon. * Lord_Darkmoon eyes Leena at that, then looks away, sliding just a touch deeper into the water as if trying to hide. I never much liked the executioner gig. Even if the Princess always helped out. ... * Anzu shivers, even shoulder-deep in the hot tub. ... ... how many others? Three in the year I was with her. * LadyAmplifier shakes her head as if to clear it. ... ... * Lord_Darkmoon 's expression darkens. She's... worse than the assassins. just...like that? ...it's weird, how now I can look back on that and realize just how screwy the whole situation was. ...that's what Orders do. Two hours ago, she had me so wrapped up in her story. Now... it scares me that she could make me believe her. I've heard of those who could even make you forget...with their Orders. *shudder* I mean, to think that of all the magical girls in the city, we were the only ones that were on the good side? Duh. * Leena lowers herself in the water, and closes her eyes. "If... if she had taken a different approach, and was more reasonable about it... why did she have to be insane?" That we had to kill the ones we found if they didn't obey the Princess's orders perfectly. That The Ningyo don't matter... Lady Amplifier... I'm sorry, what's your name? ...no, don't tell me if you don't want to. I'd... just as soon not. * LadyAmplifier grins grimly. "Call me 'Amp'." * Lord_Darkmoon idly pushes his floating hair behind his head, as it was annoyingly tickling his face just under his nose. ...Amp. Do you know if Princess Pie had any contacts with some large organization? * Leena frowns, and slides out of the pool. "I'm sorry... I'm not in a jacuzzi mood right now. I'm going to go watch Maya, okay?" * PrincessSakura nods. * Taki sits quietly at the edge, looking down at her feet under the water. * Lord_Darkmoon pokes his head out of the water for a moment. "Bye, Leena." Not sure what you mean. See you, Leena... * Leena looks at Darkmoon funny, then grabs a towel. "Bye? I'm just going over a room." 'kay Leena. * Leena starts drying herself off, wrapping the towel around her, and exits. *says something that comes out of the water as a bubble* Well, we got involved with all this because... *looks over at Anzu* ...Lady Spoon got shot. There were watchers, or agents, or whatever you want to call them, all over Soka yesterday. ...the Princess was really broken up over Spoon. I mean, almost hysterical. You can't think she set that up too? I spent a lot of time with her. She had some sort of deal with the ice cream parlor down the block, but that's all the contacts I'm aware of. Other than her other group of Ladies - the one with Spoon. ... Down the block where? From the loft. ...other group of Ladies? *pokes head up so he's only chin-deep again* That...we should tell them. ...but if we don't, they might just get away... * PrincessSakura shakes her head. No, they're Pie's official group. They're the ones on the books. Oh. ...do you suppose they...knew? It seems unlikely. * Lord_Darkmoon looks relieved. * PrincessSakura looks put out. Well, shit. Oh. *looks down again.* All that grief, and it just gets us a dead end on Spoon. I'm glad-- at least she wasn't working with them. That would be- - *to himself* why did they call us traitors? * PrincessSakura shakes her head. That makes even less sense now. * Lord_Darkmoon shifts in the water a bit, and closes his eyes. I think the Queen is going to have to start explaining some stuff to us. ...I'll try to persuade her. Well we're going to talk to her tomorrow... ...I hope I can. [end session]