Session Start: Wed Apr 07 20:11:45 2004 So after the pizza, someone politely asked Sakura what she wanted to do, since it was her going-away party. She wanted to go a few klicks down the road and check out the museum at Kitsuragi Air Force Base. ...everyone was a little surprised, but they went and wasted a couple of hours there. Sakura was particularly taken with an F-16J prototype they had on display, as well as a burned-out 25mm rotary gun from an old fighter. It was a little scary seeing her pose by it, miming actually holding it and spraying the room... but she didn't force the team to linger, so they were on a ferry back across the bay before 1500. It was a good day - no Ningyo ambushed them. Leena knew where an ice cream/karaoke joint was near the Tokyo end of the ferry run, so they ended up there as the sun went down. [Friday, December 5, 2003 - 16:55 local time] [mini start] * Lord_Darkmoon watches as some of the girls sing, applauding softly after their renditions of current pop tunes. Then they start in on Taki and Kenji, trying to get them to sing. He edges away, heading closer to the front of the place (the back holding the karaoke stage). Possibly to make an unannounced retreat and call it a night. But he pauses at an empty table to finish his half-full ice cream. * Sakura notices the suddenly-empty seat across the table, and looks around for Rin. * Lord_Darkmoon doesn't vanish very well, since he's still got the name tag on from the museum tour, and it stands out on his t-shirt. * The name tag, of course, say's "Rinada" on it. She spots Darkmoon easily - he stands out in a crowd, oh yes - and quickly detaches herself from the group to go over to him. ...hey, where are you going? * Lord_Darkmoon glances up, startled, caught with his plastic spoon sticking out of his mouth. He pulls it out quickly. "Oh, Sakura. Heh, sorry. Just didn't want them to start asking me to sing. And...was considering going home." He gestures to the growing darkness outside. Not your thing, huh? * Sakura looks around, making sure everyone, and particularly Taki, is still at their table or in line for the stage. I'm not bad. But... you know. ^^; *he already was sure everyone was over at the table, though he didn't think to be worried Taki would eavesdrop* Leena waves enthusiastically at her, then goes back to pestering Kenji. ...yeah. Look, Rin... * Sakura stops. Hm? *hm'd around the spoon again, as he takes another bite of ice-cream* * Sakura checks on Taki one more time. Still over ---------> there. I'm not going to make you tell Maya. But... I think that you should. * Lord_Darkmoon chokes mid-swallow, and coughs a bit before forcing it down. "T- tell?" he squeak-whispers out. "Y-you think I should?" He does not look happy at the idea. If you don't, it will undercut her. You might not think so, but someday she'll tell you to do something that you, as... you, won't want to do. And then what will happen? I-- I don't know-- what could... *shakes his head* Sorry. It's just, just... how will it undercut her? *looks like he's not quite miserably depressed, since his touch of fear is overriding that* I don't want to cause trouble...but... * Sakura lowers her voice. You're a Lord. She's a Lady with expanded prerogatives, but very little experience using them. You probably *could* override her, if you tried. In the heat of the moment, you can override *me*, for heaven's sake. * Lord_Darkmoon stares into his near-empty ice-cream cup. "Sorry 'bout that...really, I am. I-- I didn't mean to." And the Queen was very... loose in assigning the leader status on whoever I chose. It's not clear at all if the orders she gave you about me still hold. * Sakura relaxes a little. But you're a P-- *lowers his voice* princess, now. Right, but are they transitive to Maya? * Sakura shrugs. And I don't want to make your life harder by giving you orders. * Lord_Darkmoon mumbles, looking aside, "I don't see what this has to do with telling her. Maya." If you resist her, ever, you undercut her authority. Telling her is important for preventing situations where you might want to resist. ...and while I think she's strong, I know that she doesn't have the temperament to enforce... *looks away* discipline. * Lord_Darkmoon sighs, deflating over the melted remains in his cup. "I suppose...I suppose it's for the best." He looks up just in time to meet Sakura's turned cheek. "I'm just scared, you know?" He sighs. "I suppose I should thank you now, by the way," he says, abruptly changing the subject. ...hold on, hold on, I'm not telling you to. And I'm not going to tell her myself. I just want you to think about it. Don't make up your mind now, okay? Don't let me pressure you into it. * Sakura eyes the group, where Leena and Minami are dragging Taki up onto the stage. * Lord_Darkmoon nods. "Okay. I will think about it. It's not...a conversation you just start up. Not easily." He snickers, following her gaze. "Poor Taki." Can she sing? ...what am I saying. *Will* she sing? We'll find out in a moment, won't we. And...thank you, for not picking me. I was telling the truth. If I could have, I would have. I'm...flattered. I think you have the best temperament for it of the entire group, and reasonable instincts. And of everyone here, you know the political games of the hierarchy best. * Lord_Darkmoon flushes a bit at the praise, and "heh"s at the political comment. I'm sure Maya will learn swiftly. I promise I'll help her as best I can, if she needs what I can do. But... you *know* the politics. And you know there's no way you would be allowed in that role. * Lord_Darkmoon chuckles. "Oh, yes. Yes indeed. Wouldn't Princess Overblown Crown love that? I'm glad I don't have to work with her anymore. Much." Help her, yes. Please. ...and I will. Help Maya, I mean. I'm sure all of us will. I'd be careful about reinforcing her orders with your own... in an extreme situation, it could be justifiable. But in general, it would be corrosive. Of course. I... I don't like giving Orders, anyway. It makes me feel...*looks aside* evil. What am I saying? Of course you won't do that. I'm sorry. I'm just really concerned about you guys. Thank you. We're going to need your support. Good luck, my Princess. *spoken in the same respectful tones he uses when politely addressing ladies as "my Lady", rather than in the usual a-touch-over-polite-and-veiled- insulting tones he uses with most of that rank* We'll see what happens. I'm hoping that Her Majesty gives me the same... leeway she gives Squeegee. If she does... Heh. * Lord_Darkmoon smiles conspiratorially. "That would be nice." I will be around some, regardless. But not a lot. * Lord_Darkmoon nods. Watch out for the secretary - she really does have a crush on you. * Lord_Darkmoon groans. * Sakura reaches across the table and pinches his cheek. If I were a couple years younger, I might too. * Sakura lets go, and then grimaces. I'm sorry, that was uncalled for. * Lord_Darkmoon -does- turn red at that, and sputters a bit. "*cough* Er, uh, hm. Heh." Gomen. I wanted to give you some friendly parting advice, not give you new headaches. * Lord_Darkmoon visibly forces a more calm demeanor, but remains rather red. "Thanks. For the advice. And...I'll consider it. I still don't like it, though..." * Sakura shrugs. "Eventually, don't you think she'll find out anyway?" It's up to you, though. ... Should we go rescue Taki? That may be a merciful thing to do. You need to take another turn singing, anyway. ;) *rises* See you later. *bows formally* I need to get home, and take care of the Pets before bed. And some homework; though I may wait for tomorrow afternoon; it's not due 'til Monday. Oh. Oh! Then we may not see one another again for quite a while. * Sakura gets up and bows deeply back at Darkmoon. * Sakura extends a hand as well. Until we meet again, then. *takes the proffered hand, and pumps once* Good bye, my Princess and my friend. It's been a pleasure, my Lord. Be well, watch your six. * Sakura gives him a big smile, then turns to defuse the incipient brawl back at their table. * Lord_Darkmoon smiles, turns and walks off. He turns and winks over his tessen at the door, then is gone into the falling night. [end mini]