Session Start: Sat Aug 14 15:12:56 2004 Previously, on Hunters: Things got pretty wild as the team had a huge showdown with a Yakuza hit squad after Lady Octane and her Lord fought off a Ningyo in the midst of a motorcycle race. Due to Taki's quick work, a prisoner was actually taken. In interrogation, he revealed that his gang had been hired for an astounding amount of money and their weapons came in through a familiar-sounding shipbuilding company. Sakura bundled the man away afterwards, to some unknown fate at the hands of the Queen. [A couple days later - Friday, January 23, 2004 - 1130 local time] [Takeuchi Memorial High School] [session start] The history class before lunch wraps up as the teacher finisher her lesson on Japanese attempts at imperialism in the late 19th century. * Leena has been really out of it all day, staring off into space and not paying attention at all... which is probably better than just plain not showing up yesterday, somehow. Maybe. * Maya seems to have calmed down considerably from her little frazzle during the last mission, and is back to her usual upbeat, somewhat-attentive self. She's even chewing on the end of a pencil while she listens to the teacher. ...and so you see, that while little actual territory was claimed, the nation's international prestige grew markedly. Where we had been ignored by the Western powers before, the naval treaties of the next few years would actually include limits on what shipbuilding we were allowed. * Haruko is her usual quiet and unobtrusive self, though she seems to be writing something in a notebook that doesn't appear to be class notes *grin* As you will see, we didn't pay much attention to those. * HistoryTeacher looks up at the clock. Um. Maya, Leena, and... Haruko? Can I talk to you after- * Maya perks up the moment her name's mentioned. The bell rings, and the classroom explosively decompresses of students. A faint "Hai~" comes from Haruko -class. ^^; * Leena doesn't respond, to either class ending or the teacher. She's staring out the window, and doesn't give any indication that she heard the teacher. ... wuh. * Maya stands up, gathers her things, and walks over to Leena. "Ah, Leena. The teacher wants us." * HistoryTeacher steps forward, and sits on the edge of a student desk. * Leena looks vaguely in Maya's direction, seeming like she's looking through her rather than at her, before blinking and snapping out of it. "... what?" * Haruko just waits for her to say something ...Leena, you and Maya have missed a lot of classes. ... Maya? What are... *blinks, confused, then looks at the teacher.* Like I said, she wanted us. Er... I know you're in this work-study program, so it's not like you're just skipping or anything, and so far your grades aren't... too bad. ... * Leena zones out again, staring at the front of the room, now. * Maya turns to the teacher. "We're trying our best to keep up, ma'am. I appreciate your concern..." But... Maya, you were pretty out of it yesterday, and Leena is a complete zombie even now. Are you sure that this special program is good for you? Um, Sensei, what does this have to do with me? You, too, Haruko. You're just starting it, but I'm sure it's going to take you out of class a lot. What on earth are you girls doing, anyway? It's very important to me, so... I'll just have to learn how to adjust better, ma'am. * Maya blinks and does a damn good job of not stammering for lack of a ready answer. * Leena doesn't respond to that, nope. Stare. ...Leena? *waves a hand in front of Leena's face* * Leena blinks, and looks slowly up at the teacher, but not quite at her. Her eyes refuse to look directly at the teacher. "... is it lunch? Sorry... am I supposed to go now?" * HistoryTeacher stares at the girl, concerned. *softly* Leena, are you all right? Can I get you... help? ... you couldn't help. Surely you can get out of this work-study thing... I can talk to the principal for you. ... I guess you could try. So it's not lunch...? If you feel you have to ma'am, but we'd prefer to stay in it. It means that much. It is lunch, Leena, but you look like maybe you'd best go to the nurse's office. We can take care of her, I think she just needs a friend right now. Mmm. We'll handle Leena, ma'am. Don't worry. * Leena doesn't respond... she's zoned out again. * Maya walks over to Leena and pokes her arm. "Leena? You should eat something..." * HistoryTeacher folds her arms, unsure whether to force the issue, but decides that she'll let it go for today, and backs away. * Haruko grabs Leena's other arm, and attempts to tug her to lunch. If she isn't more "with it" on Monday, I will get the guidance counselor involved. * Leena is tugged, led without any resistance. * HistoryTeacher watches the girls go out the door. * Maya helps out, frowning a little. "Leena." As they get out in the hall, the three find a freshman waiting for them. ... Maya? Please... I don't want to look at anyone. I can't stand to look at anyone... * Leena stares at the ground. Ano... excuse me... * Haruko looks at him, and looks away. mmm? * Maya is about to say something to Leena, then looks Junko's way. "Yes?" Um, I'm supposed to escort you. * Maya raises an eyebrow. "Who sent you?" Prin- ...uh, Athena? ... * Junko looks really nervous. ... oh hell. * Maya frowns, letting go of Leena to take up point. "Right, right... let's just get this over with." * Haruko looks at Maya. So we follow her? * Leena clenches a fist, and follows. "... I don't care what it' about. I need to beat the hell out of someone, and she just volunteered." Leena, calm *down*. * Maya actually throws a tiny bit of authority behind that 'down'. * Haruko trails along, apparently forgotten. And we do, Haruko. Just... try not to get her attention. Trust me. I'm calm. I'm crystal calm. * Junko is somewhat intimidated by Maya's attitude, but as they walk the long hall towards the cafeteria, she gets up the courage to ask a Maya a question. Um... Maya-sempai? I... hear that your team takes care of odd... problems? * Maya looks Junko's way, trying not to betray surprise. "Why do you ask?" Well... I'd just noticed some strange guys around... well, where my... *looks around* ...team hangs out. ... what's your name? And if you're the person in charge of looking into those things - my name? I'm Junko-chan. * Leena has zoned out again. * Maya pulls out a business card with her cell number on it from her pocket and slips it to Junko. "Jun-chan, call later this afternoon. Don't tell Athena I gave you that if you can help it." We can talk then. * Junko goes all wide-eyed. Ooooh, thank you Maya-sempai! The others didn't want to listen to me, and I'm too junior to press the point... * Maya nods a little, sneaking in a smile. "You're welcome... now let's go see Athena." ... Haruko, have you meet Athena before? Um, I think maybe. She was talking to Leena then. Right... We didn't really get introduced. * Leena jerks her head up, glancing wildly about. "Huh? What?" We're going to see Athena, remember? * Junko bows discretely to the whole group, then rounds the corner and takes the group directly to the Tea Club's table, where there are about five seats free, apparently set aside for our heroines. * Leena grins, and claps one fist into the other palm. "Oh, right. What's Princess Bitch want?" * Athena stands to greet the group. ...I wanted to welcome you back to the club. * Maya puts on as genuine of a smile as she can manage. "Hello, Athena---Leena!" * Athena looks like she's sucking on a lemon, but she manages to keep her tone polite. * Leena blinks, and looks at Athena. Still not directly, her gaze is still downtilted. "... oh, yeah." * Athena gestures towards the open seats. You'll have to forgive Leena, she's not been at her best today... * Junko sits at the far end. * Maya bows politely and sits down. Yes... I was expecting you all on Monday or Tuesday, but I hear that you've been busy. * Leena opens up her hands, and stares at her palms. "... I think I'll pass on that offer." * Athena sits down. A younger girl pours tea for her, and comes around to the newcomers. Peppermint tea? It's rather strong... * Maya gives Leena a well-hidden, momentary look. "Thank you..." The girl pours for Maya and bows. "It's a pleasure." ...Leena-sempai? Why wouldn't you want to be in the Tea Club? Mmm. * Athena starts to make a sarcastic remark - something about property damage - but stops as a green-haired girl with glasses next to her jabs her in the ribs with an elbow. * Leena doesn't sit down. She clenches her fists, continuing to stare at the ground. "I know you want to say burn in hell and die, but you're being forced to suck up. I can't stand your guts either, and I'm not afraid to say it. So fuck off unless you really mean it, PURITY." * Maya stops mid-sip, looking between Leena, Athena and Haruko. Leena, we both know you and Athena will not get along. But... she can't pretend that you aren't one of us. Not any more. * Leena looks squarely at the girl with green hair, flatly. "I'll believe that she doesn't think anyone lower than a Princess isn't dirt when I hear her say it of her own volition." * Leena shifts her flat gaze to Athena, then smiles oh-so-cutely. "Well, Athena, you gonna say it? Gotta say it like you mean it!" Leena, you are an annoying, uppity, careless twit. But you are not dirt. I've never thought that. * Maya looks at Athena curiously for a moment, then sips more tea, deciding to stay out of the conversation for now. You pretty much wrote off anyone who made our team as dead! * Haruko just doesn't want to get involved. ...yes. Leena, do you know how many partners Sakura lost? Enough. But not a one more. * Athena nods. "Let us hope not." * GreenhairGirl looks around. "The Ladies don't know the stories. A lot of Princesses don't like the idea of what you all are. But none of us can deny your value or your devotion. So." ... how much do the others know? * Maya doesn't look up from her tea. The Princesses that hang around the palace know everything. Don't pretend to care now... you didn't pull your head out of the fishes ass until some of your girls got saved. The ones that aren't... don't. Unless they've had... encounters. * Maya sighs. "So long as they don't blab about it, I guess that's okay." She then looks at Leena. "Leena, sit and have some tea. Please." * Athena shrugs. "I like Deer. It would have broken my heart to lose her." ...so... truce? ... * Athena looks away, but nods gravely. * Leena closes her eyes for a moment, and nods a small nod. "... for now." * Haruko smiles a bit * GreenhairGirl smiles. Then jabs Athena with her elbow again. What? * Maya regards the green-haired girl. "A friend of Athena's, I'm assuming. Princess?" * Leena glares at Athena, then looks away and takes a seat. Princess Oak. * Maya nods slowly, finishing up her tea. "Good. Thank you." We haven't met - I'm nominally in charge of the outlying Tokyo regions. Octane was one of mine. Is, I should say. Yes. Anyway, Ladies, you all know Leena. * Maya lets herself smile a little. "We were fortunate... it could have been a lot worse than it was." The normal-looking one is Haruko, Lady Make-believe. Don't ask her what her powers are. Please. * Haruko offers forth a little wave. "Hi" * Leena stares at her cup, at mention of Octane. And In the middle is Maya-san, Lady Mysteria. She's a team leader. * Maya pauses at the '-san', but only for a moment. "Pleased to meet you." A bit more than half of the girls look impressed, and a number of them bow their heads respectfully. They have a special assignment from the Queen, which they can't talk about, but is very important. * Athena stops smiling, her duty done, and starts a conversation with a girl further down the table. Were there any other reasons for us being here? * Leena zones out again, still staring into her cup, ...reasons? No, no, we just wanted to bring you into our little group. * GreenhairGirl looks over at Athena. "You should have been here from the beginning." Well... I suppose it couldn't hurt. Conversation at the table turns to fashion, and how MG costume does and doesn't conform to current styles. The team is included as far as they try to participate, though many of the girls seem a little intimidated by the newcomers. [end session]