Session Start: Sun Oct 31 19:59:02 2004 Previously, on Hunters: The team, in perhaps the most busy and stressful four days of their lives, put an end to the ninja threat and rescued Lady Goggles from her captors. Afterwards, they needed a little time to sort through the emotional aftermath, and they got it. Sakura and all the Princesses had disappeared, no missions came their way, and all seemed... calm. Almost two weeks later, the Secretary sent them a message - come to the Agency after school... [Friday, February 15, 2004 - 1530 local time] [The Agency] [session start] ...I wonder what's going on... * Minami lounges against the door. Lounge lounge lounge. The secretary lets the team in as they arrive - she's smiling, but won't explain why. * Kyouko slips her headphones back on * Lord_Darkmoon walks up, once again neatly dressed in his school uniform. * Taki walks with Maya chatting about uh... stuff. * Maya arrives with the group for once, nonetheless carrying a mess of paperwork. And chatting with Taki, yes! "... and that was the last time I ever tried wearing heels." * Taki blushes a bit. "Right off the stage? Was everyone alright afterward?" One guy broke his collarbone, but it was mostly bruises and bumps... oh, hello! * Maya waves to the Secretary, mirroring the smile. * Lord_Darkmoon looks at Maya, laughter in his eyes. "Sounds like quite a story." Go right on in, Maya-sama, I'm sure out guest will be here momentarily. Right! * Maya goes... well, right on in. Good moods infect Maya easily, it seems. * Taki looks up at the Secretary and nods in greeting before stepping past her into the office. * Minami enters, nodding to the Secretary and everyone else as she does. * Kyouko follows after The door is barely closed behind the team when it is yanked open again. Sakura! Hi Sakura... * Minami smiles. "Hello, Sakura." * PrincessSakura stalks in a huff, and throws her long black coat on the floor next to the computer desk. * Taki brightens up and blushes as she draws attention to herself for being far too cheery. * Lord_Darkmoon bows, smiling. "Hello, my Princess. Long time no see." * PrincessSakura grumbles and goes back into the kitchen. ...oh, dear. ...I wonder if she's okay. HEY! NOBODY RESTOCKED THE VODKA! ... The door starts to close, but is caught just before latching by a small hand. * Lord_Darkmoon snickers. "Sorry. I didn't know it needed it." * Minami calls back. "Hey, that's expensive stuff!" * Princess pokes her head through the door. "Oooooh, cool!" ... uh? .... * Maya takes a long moment to stare. "Sakura?" * Minami blinks and turns to the door. "Princess? What're you doing here?" Nobody drinks the vodka? * Lord_Darkmoon blinks, and smiles even wider at the sight of the other Princess he actually likes. "Good afternoon, Princess. How are you?" He goes over to open the door the rest of the way for her. I DO! ... and Princess! Do we... really wanna know what's going on right now? * Princess enters the room and bows politely. Maybe the Secretary drank it? * Taki goes after Sakura in the kitchen, not really wanting to be around the ball of cute that was the other girl. Um... are you okay? * PrincessSakura stomps back out from the kitchen, pauses, then asks more politely, "Rin, could you possibly...?" *gestures into the kitchen* * Lord_Darkmoon bows. "Of course. Anything you would prefer?" He heads for the kitchen. No, I trust your taste. * Lord_Darkmoon nods, smiling, and sets to work on some green tea. * Princess looks somewhat appalled at what the older Princess is doing. * Maya finally just homes in on Sakura. "You know, I really felt that today was too good to be true... what's wrong?" * PrincessSakura plops on the sofa, kicks off some surprisingly-high heels, and simmers. She's just mad at my cousin. ...what's her Majesty done now? ... Why? ...Oh. This has to do with the order she gave before, doesn't it? Oooooh, yes. What? We just spent the last thirteen days at a leadership and team- building retreat. It was... interesting. What did she do to Maya? ...Oh. * Lord_Darkmoon clinks a few things around in the kitchen. It was a big fucking waste of time and resources! * Minami snorts. Did anyone die? I dunno, I thought I learned some things, Sakura... Huh? * Maya tries not to laugh. "My... well, if she feels it's needful, what can we do? And are you supposed to pass down what you learned, Sakura?" Uh-huh. Management skills are going to be sooooooo useful to you, Elli. * Lord_Darkmoon pokes his head out of the kitchen. "Management...skills?" Well, they might be someday! So they taught you how to manage things like your checkbook? ... What? No, it was team-building and motivational skills and lots of nifty group exercises that were fun! ...Ooooh. Like hell they were. How many people did you kill? Complete waste of my time. * Minami falls over in a coughing fit, because she has the sneaky suspicion Sakura wouldn't appreciate a laughing one. I imagine. *goes back into the kitchen to check on his boiling water* Do you have any idea what I was pulled away... nevermind. ... that sounds like a business retreat. Dad tells me those never work. Oh, come on, Sakura. You had to enjoy that one obstacle course thing... Your dad is right, Maya. And I didn't enjoy the obstacle course a millionth as much as I enjoyed the idiot instructor's face when I won. * Maya smiles. "That's our Sakura." That was pretty funny, though most of the Princesses wanted you arrested. ... Why... ? What the hell was the point? * Lord_Darkmoon clinks a bit more out of sight. * Taki finally snaps out of her disbelieving funk. What, were you not supposed to win? I guess not... I bet you aren't, yeah. No, but I shot the watermelon from twenty meters away instead of building a bridge over the mud with my team and using the axe they provided. Then why have it in the first place...*snerk* Er, 'scuse me for a sec. Gotta uh. Help Rinada. * Minami dashes into the kitchen, where muffled sounds of laughing may or may not be heard. * Maya finally just breaks down and snickers a little. What was this supposed to accomplish? This is more important than saving lives? * Lord_Darkmoon is holding a hand rather undignifiedly over his mouth to keep from laughing audibly, when Minami goes into the kitchen. The Queen thinks so... *laughing I guess if they can work together reeally well things will go better? It was supposed to teach the Princesses how to be better leaders. ...and maybe that isn't entirely bad, but to make it mandatory for those of us who have actual things we need to manage... Wouldn't that mean that you needed it even more? * PrincessSakura visibly blows a gasket. ...Oops. Do you have ANY idea what I was doing when the Queen ordered me straight over there? DO YOU? ... Princess, that wasn't the best thing to say. ^^; * Lord_Darkmoon carries the now-familiar tray with tea set out of the kitchen, and serves Sakura first. "Only if you're not as competent as our Princess Sakura, Princess. Tea, my Princess?" * Princess blinks, and cowers just a little. Don't tell her. She doesn't need to know... ...speaking of that, what the hell happened, anyway? * Minami heads out as well, a tolerably neutral expression on her face. "We got 'em." * PrincessSakura accepts the steaming teacup. I... I was trying to call you and tell you. I saw the papers... but you didn't...? Like every day... * Maya quickly moves to try and get between the two... while not getting between the two. "Long story short, we got in, disabled them both, got Junko. And... no. We didn't." ... I considered it. ...mm. Our cell phones were confiscated. * Lord_Darkmoon takes the tray over to Princess, next. Thank you, my Lord! *_* * PrincessSakura shrugs. "Well, I said I'd back up whatever you did, but I rather meant that the other way around. * Lord_Darkmoon smiles at the little tyke, and then moves to Maya. ... Sorry, I... I thought it would be better if they had to deal with the law... I didn't think the law was such a pain to have things work out the way it's supposed to... Eh. You aren't me, and maybe it was time for a change. * Princess seems to have gotten over whatever fear her dreams might have generated vis-a-vis Darkmoon. Well, we figured since the law was brought in in the first place, we oughtta let 'em take care of wrapping things up. * PrincessSakura takes a sip, and calms down further. ... ah? Rin? Tea, my Lady? All I'll say is that there will be times when that's not necessarily appropriate. What are you guys talking about? Nothing. Don't worry about it. * Maya turns to face Rinada. "... sure, thanks. And... it's something that's done and finished, Princess." Oh? Well, that's the way I did things anyway. * PrincessSakura sighs. You're welcome, Maya. Yeah, so we were told... * Princess drained the cup of tea at an alarming speed, and is now bouncing around the room, and sticking her head through doors... * Lord_Darkmoon takes it over to Kyouko. "How are your lungs? Feeling completely better yet?" I'm pretty much better... Yeah, we haven't seen you forever. My nose isn't a leaky faucet anymore. But I'm still taking some medicine. So... what's the real reason you two are here, Sakura? I know there's more to it that this. Good. Try the tea in the orange cup. It should help if you've got any congestion, still. Well, I just wanted to check in with you... and Princess told me there was something she wanted to do with you guys. * Kyouko takes the tea and sips it carefully. When she's not bouncing off the walls, I'll ask her about it. * Lord_Darkmoon smiles at her, and moves on to Minami, offering her tea. * Minami declines. Has anything come up? * Taki looks rather not excited about the idea of doing something else with Princess. * Lord_Darkmoon nods, and moves on to Taki, offering tea. * Minami looks at Sakura and Princess. "Oh?" Not that I've heard. The detective paid us a visit and we had a talk, but nothing else serious has happened. It's been almost too quiet. * Taki takes her cup, hardly even paying any attention to Darkmoon. It's good to relax and not be sick though. * Lord_Darkmoon finally sets the tray down, and takes a cup for himself. Looking up at Princess, he waits for her to say what she's here for. Ah. Well, I have to wonder if suddenly removing one of the major allies of our enemies is maybe going to give them pause. I doubt it. There are probably more...organizations...they can recruit. *looks to Taki for confirmation/denial* Well, we'd hope so. * Lord_Darkmoon sips tea, carefully. * Maya sips at her tea as well, sitting down not too far from Sakura. Well I don't know what else there is besides the Yakuza. Mmm. But it could well have wrecked their immediate plans. Even so, lotsa different groups as far as Yakuza go. ... You don't think they're going to punish my clan, do you? * Taki is suddenly worried. Given their level of general competence so far? Not especially. Yeah, I'd have to wonder if they could even try. They'd need a lot of manpower. I suspect your clan was the pinnacle of their human allies. And they wouldn't readily try to pour their manpower into a fight that doesn't involve us. ...problem is...hmm. * Minami ponders for a sec. * Princess comes out of the kitchen munching on an apple. * Kyouko sips her tea and takes in the information. You guys sure have a complicated job, whatever it is. Yeah, but... there are worse things than just an army of men with guns... More tea, Princess? *holds up the pot in Elly's general direction* No, thank you. Actually, we ought to get going... Complicated doesn't even begin to---going? * Minami looks up. "Wait, what is it that you wanted to do, anyway?" Wellllllll... ...I should clean up, then. *downs his tea, and sets it on the tray* * Princess looks a little sheepish. We're going somewhere? * Minami raises an eyebrow at the little girl . Just tell us, Princess. We'll understand. We're happy to help... Sakura said you guys had had an awful week before we left, and... well, I like you guys a lot. So I asked my cousin if I could take some friends off on a little outing, and she said yes and gave me some cash... ...an outing? Yeah! There are these hot springs just north of town, and it's a nice place, and not too far... and... Hot springs? ... * Minami blinks. * Princess toes the floor, somewhat abashedly. ... sure. ^_^ ... * Taki looks over at Sakura, pleading with her eyes. I'd go. Though...^^; * Maya walks over and pats Princess on the shoulder. "I'm honored to know what you really look out for us like that..." Do you want to? If you don't, I won't try to make you, but Sakura says you guys are the most important team of all and you were so good to me that other time that I wanted to pay you back... * Minami switches eyebrows as she glances at Sakura, amused and flattered. "Aww." ... wha, you said that, Sakura? Flattery will get you everywhere! ^^ What is there to do at a hot springs, anyway? We can uhm...bathe. * Minami blinks. * PrincessSakura pulls out her gun and begins examining it. Relax. * Lord_Darkmoon looks around to see if others are done with their tea, so as not to have to meet any eyes. and I think there's stuff like ping pong. Can't we just do that here? There's that big-ass jacuzzi... The scenery is nice, and the springs are better for you than any man- made pool... You kids do what you want to - I have to get caught up with some contacts. There's lots of minerals and stuff..I've wanted to go swimming in hot springs for a while. What, in the water? Wouldn't that be kinda dangerous? It's all about the scenery, Mina... and besides, we deserve this sort of thing. C'mon, you know you'd like a break, too. Not at all. It's supposed to be great for body, mind, and spirit, Minami. * Princess bounces. "Healthy healthy healthy!" * Minami scratches the back of her neck. "Well, uh. If everyone else wants to, I guess..." I just don't really see the point...but okay. The point, my Lady, is to have a good time and relax. Try it; you'll probably like it. ^_^ * Minami shrugs noncommittally. We're going to get attacked by a Ningyo... And Lady Heat can boil it, and we'll enjoy fish for dinner. ...really? ... Yeah! Eh, there's enough of you it should be simple enough to deal with. Do... do you need help with your... stuff, Sakura? *please get me out of this...* Yeah, do you? * Minami tries not to look to eager at Taki's idea. No... no. In fact, I need to do this alone. * Maya looks at the two and shakes her head, smiling. Uh...does the Secretary need any then? You know that pesky paperwork....<.< If nothing has happened for two weeks, then there's no way she would be behind or anything. Go on, enjoy yourselves. * Minami wrinkles her nose. ... C'mon, skedaddle. We should go, it'll be fun. * Lord_Darkmoon refills Sakura's teacup, and quietly begins gathering the others. Pleeeease? Yeah, guys, really. Just this once... * Minami sighs. "Yeah, fine. Whatever." You don't need anything at all - maybe an extra change of clothes, but the bathing suits are provided, and the reservation is for tonight. * Lord_Darkmoon puts the teacups away in the kitchen, washing and drying them first. But... C'mon, Taki. * Minami grins and winks. "If I hafta go through this, so do you." Wow, Princess. You don't waste time... * Taki takes a deep breath. "I don't want to..." Aw... Problems? * Princess looks disappointed. * Minami looks concerned. I... I just... It's that... *looks between the two princesses* Goddamn it, do I really have to go? * Lord_Darkmoon comes back into the main room, empty-handed. "Sakura? I put another pot of tea on to boil, if you want more when that's gone. Or if that gets cold." Elly is just trying to be nice, Taki... It'll be fun... And I can fix everything with the school, and there's nothing coming down the pipe that I'm aware of. Well, tolerable at least. Or, at least I hope so. Well I think you should go too. * Taki tries not to blush. * Minami nods. You need to relax too, yanno. It would be good for you. * Maya holds her tongue, watching Sakura and Taki. "She does have a point..." Besides, we're out of vodka, remember? You had to deal with the Princesses for two weeks. We've done nothing but sit around... You need this much more than we do. * Minami grins cheekily. * PrincessSakura smiles softly. "It would be... but I really do need to meet some people quickly." * Lord_Darkmoon snorts, not quite managing to repress a laugh at Minami's jab. They can't wait a day or two? They've already waited more than a week. Just one day, Sakura... And these aren't people I can order, so if I brush them off now, they may not come back. Then what's two more days? ...ahh. ... That sort. * Maya sighs heavily. "Well... I can understand." Oh. * Taki pouts. She was on the phone all the way over here. I don't know what a shipbuilding thingie has to do with- Shush, Princess. * Taki perks up. Okaaaaaay... well, let's get going! R-right! * Princess pulls on her fuzzy winter jacket. * Kyouko is still in her hoodie and pulls a light windbreaker over it. * Lord_Darkmoon looks sharply at Sakura. Then away. * Minami never took off her winter wear in the first place, so is set like awesome. * Taki doesn't move. Maybe they won't notice her not leaving with them if she doesn't move... * Minami pokes Taki. "Let's get it over with, yeah?" * Lord_Darkmoon snaps the Tessen open then closed, suddenly dressed for winter again. * Maya quickly throws on her jacket again and fastens it closed. "Taki, we're going..." * PrincessSakura leans over and whispers in Taki's ear, at least quiet enough that Princess can't hear it across the room. "If there *is* an Ningyo, you should be there with them." * Minami , being close enough to poke Taki, overhears and nods. * Taki swallows and nods, standing up slowly, annoyedly. Yes, that is a word now. We can gripe about it on the way over if it'll make you feel any better. * Taki looks at Sakura one last time. "You... I... Um... Good luck." She blushes and bows, following the group out. * Minami waves. "Bye Sakura! Good luck!" Thank you. * Lord_Darkmoon holds the door for the Ladies, and follows out himself with a last wave to Sakura. Seeya, Sakura... oh! Tell Anzu I said hi! * Taki rubs her temple in frustration as she walks. * PrincessSakura pulls out her cell phone and dials a long number as everyone heads off. * Maya quickly catches up with Taki, keeping her voice down. "Now too fast, now." ^^ ... Yeah. No. So we're going to pick up some clothes? It's just... Princess... and... *shudder* What we're not going naked the entire time? *Yeah, that was a bit defensive and rather sarcastic* * Princess is mildly bubbly on the train ride. It's about eighty minutes north, heading to the base of the mountains. * Lord_Darkmoon spends the ride looking out the window at the scenery, making small talk only if people try to talk to him. * Minami gripes with Taki on the train, unless Taki's too grumpy even to gripe, in which case she just sits. And maybe talks. * Taki gripes. Oh does she gripe. This is Taki speaking her mind. This is Taki being open about her feelings. Maybe it would've been better if she stayed quiet... ^^; * Maya stays relatively upbeat and perky and shite. And she chats with Taki so long as she stays chat-friendly. * Kyouko listen to her music and thinks about Leena, they haven't been able to talk in a few days. * Minami listens and occasionally chimes in, but mostly listens. From the village there, there's a cable-car halfway up and around the mountain to a medium-sized lodge. Steam rises visibly from behind the building. * Maya gets a big eyeful. "... it's so majestic..." * Princess watches Taki with big sad eyes. Pretty, I guess. Wow. *whispered* Did Sakura make her come? * Taki flat out ignores Princess. No she does not get along well with children... * Maya leans Princess' way, voice down. "Sort-of... it's kinda complex." * Princess gets out as the car slows to a halt at the top platform. * Lord_Darkmoon smiles as he gets out and looks at the lodge. It's colder up here - there's even some snow cover at this altitude. Perfect. Absolutely perfect. ^_^ * Minami pulls her jacket closer around her. * Taki wraps herself in her coat. Yeah. Shiny. Eh, it's pretty good. The scenery from the springs is near perfect, but the service here is only mediocre. Well, we can make up for it by having fun... * Princess marches into the inn, and presents the clerk with their reservation printout. It's just the right temperature, though. Makes it seem all the hotter, without boiling your skin. ^_^ Nice... rather nice, still. Thanks again. * Lord_Darkmoon follows their diminutive hostess. * Maya tags close to Princess for the time being. The clerk gives directions to a room, which turns out to be a large, traditionally-appointed room with sleeping mats for everyone rolled up in the center. It's all very clean. The tatami appear to be fresh. There are elaborate screens on opposite ends of the room giving private areas to change. The big drawback is the restrooms are communal. But... we can rough it. ^^; * Minami looks around. "I'd hardly call this roughing it." ... The ceiling is high, and the girl's voice echoes slightly from the massive wooden beams. We have to share rooms? This is our room. This is pretty nice, honestly. I can deal with it... think of it as a slumber party, Taki. ^^ ...So Rinada sleeps alone? Nooo... this *is* our room. I'll, um, sleep behind a screen or something, if it's a problem. We've got separate futons. Whatever you feel is necessary, Rin-kun. Why bother? Whatever, I don't care. * Lord_Darkmoon sweatdrops, and lets it drop for now. * Taki goes out to stand on the balcony. It's really more of a porch than a balcony. You have direct access from it to the common springs area. Fuji-san rises quite majestically in the distance - the grounds were designed so the springs area would have a direct view. Well, anyway... let's get changed! * Taki doesn't move to change. She keeps her arms crossed and sits on the porch, crosslegged. * Lord_Darkmoon nods, and steps behind a screen. And steps out again impossibly fast, wearing just a towel with the Tessen unfolded in his right hand. * Princess hightails it around one of the screens, and the quiet sounds of clothes being removed soon follow. * Maya starts to say something... then sighs and turns to handle the changing part. I'll just stay here and, uh...enjoy the view. * Kyouko goes and changes quietly. * Princess returns to the communal area, with a relatively modest two-piece black bathing suit on. Those who change find hardwood cabinets full of similar swimwear. * Lord_Darkmoon blushes ever so slightly when he notices people coming out in swimsuits, and snaps the Tessen shut. * Kyouko runs a hand through her hair and the bathing suit makes evident that she is quite well built, due to her years of swimming. I do want to get to a private pool later, but I'd like to have some time when we can all be together. * Princess grabs hold of one of Darkmoon's arms. Tight. * Lord_Darkmoon smiles. * Lord_Darkmoon gurks, then grins, and pats the tyke's head. Shall we get in the water? * Maya comes out in a one-piece. Black, not-too-modest. "Let's..." * Lord_Darkmoon actually DOES turn red when he sees Maya's swimsuit. And forces himself to not react any other way. "Lovely, Maya." * Minami glances at Darkmoon's expression and snerks. * Princess grabs Darkmoon's arm tighter, but graciously offers her own compliment. "I hope I can look that nice someday..." Thanks, Rin. ^^ * Maya seems to pay the blush no mind, tagging along. "And you will, Princess. If you're anything like the Queen, you'll be a beauty." [break session]