Session Start: Sun Nov 07 12:38:19 2004 [Outdoor Hot Springs -- Late Evening] [Mini start!] * Lord_Darkmoon is sitting neck-deep in one of the smaller pools, with his head leaning back so he can stare up at the stars. * Taki leads Maya out to the springs to have some girl to girl chatting time. * Maya tags along, getting away from the room seeming to have gotten her out of her introspective funk. "... hey, Taki?" Yeah? Any reason you're bringing me out here? I just wanted to talk more... about stuff. You know a lot, and I think it's good for me to learn. You know. * Taki blushed a bit. * Maya pauses... then chuckles, softly. "Now, I don't know *alot*, but I've done my homework. Here, let's find a pool." * Lord_Darkmoon doesn't seem to have noticed the two girls arriving over the sounds of water. * Taki looks over and notices Darkmoon though, but she doesn't really want to share Maya so she tries to guide her away from the other boy. * Maya seems more than willing to be guided away, biting her lip a little. How about this one? *she gestures towards an empty pool* Works... * Maya does away with her towel and sinks in without further ado. * Taki relaxing herself into it, she looked back up to Maya. "Where do you do homework on it?" Talking to friend who are a bit less... ah... pure, I guess the right term is. Some of those icky biology books help, and there's always the internet. * Taki shudders. "There are some really scary things on the internet... I try to avoid all of it when I'm on..." Oh, of course. It's just a matter of finding real, honest sources. You'd be amazed what you can dig up... just avoid anything that seems even vaguely creepy. * Maya nods, once. "But... yeah. The best way to get actual, human information is from actual humans." Like you. *she smiled at the other girl* * Lord_Darkmoon looks up and around, stretching his neck a bit, and notices the other two in a distant pool. At which point he stops sprawling quite so much, and pretends to go back to watching the stars. While nervously glancing at them every now and again. His expression is unreadable at this distance. Mmmm. Like me, yes. * Maya chuckles again, leaning back a bit. "So... where do we start, hm?" Um... should I call Sakura when I get back? I want to talk to her, but I don't think I have a good enough excuse. Maybe the stuff with Squeegee? Well... that's up to you, really. I guess you could, but I don't think we're really supposed to be too loose-lipped about what Squeegee told us. Still, yeah, talk to her. I'm sure it'll help her relax some. * Taki nods. She said we should talk to Sakura though. Probably as like a group though... *she looked down a bit sad at that* You don't think I'm taking too much on myself wanting to do this alone, am I? It's alright, really. Look, you have a crush on Sakura. The least you can do is just try to work it out or see if it's something more. So I wouldn't mind if you told her by yourself. * Taki blushes. "Thank you." Do... do you have a crush on anyone? Maybe I can help you in return. I... ah... * Maya pauses, lips pursing. Yeees? *leans in* * Lord_Darkmoon has given up on pretending not to, and is watching the two girls in their pool. He hasn't moved from his, for some reason. And is huddled in the water, despite the fact that it can't be cold. ... Rin-kun. * Maya submerges a little more. * Taki eyes widen as she looks down at Maya. "... Why?" I... aside from the fact that he's attractive? I... I'm still trying to figure it out, but I know it's not the best thing to do, not this soon. It's bad enough that I wear my heart on my sleeve... if something were to happen to him... ... I understand. I'm constantly scared something will happen in the war and we'll never see Sakura again. But... But I still want to take the chance. You know. I... heh. I guess you're stronger than me in that regard. * Maya looks star-ward, sighing heavily. "I'm afraid of losing any of you. I don't know how I'll take it if it happens..." Oh god no I'm not... *sinks into the water herself* Dammit, Taki, you are. We all are, in some way or another. I think the best way to deal with that is the make sure it never happens... Mmmm. Exactly. Why spend your time worrying about uncertainies. And stuff. I came to realize something today. I'm pretty sure that I don't ever want to be a princess. ... You don't like being in charge? No, it's not that. You have to give up so much for all that power. You have the Queen's attention... and that costs alot of freedom. * Maya sighs. "And I can't stand backroom politics, anyway. I'd be terrible at it." ... Yeah, I know what you mean. Some of us can't avoid that sort of stuff though. *looks down sadly* I really wish I could help you there, Taki. I really, truly wish I could. You're helping me enough right now. You're a great example to me. I wish I could be more like you. In a lot of ways... * Maya nods, blushing faintly at the compliment. "Thank you... it helps to hear things like that." Well I mean it. Do I give a reassuring hug or something now? I'm not used to this whole friends thing. And I never touch people if I can help it... Heh! Do what you feel, Taki. Don't feel forced into anything. ... * Taki awkwardly reaches out to hug the other girl, keeping ample space between the two of them. ... Sorry. * Maya laughs softly, nodding a little. "It's okay. Now... let's get back on track. Anything you need to know?" Uhm... What should you do on a first date? ... Assuming I get that far... Have fun. * Maya nods again. "That's what it's all about. Don't force 'the mood'. Let it all happen naturally." Okay... How does that happen? It's... well, all I can say is that it's something only you'll know for sure. Oh. That sounds complicated... Emotions usually are. Yeah... Um... I feel so weird for liking another girl... Well, is that what you feel is true to your heart? If so, then the best of luck to you. ^_^ Thank you. * Taki goes quiet she's thinking about something she isn't quite sure if she really wants to talk about or not. Hm? Taki? Um... Have you ever... done it? Like all the way? ... ah... no, actually. * Maya looks down. "I figured I should... make it a special thing, y'know? So I'm waiting." Yeah. It should be. I get scared. With that Lord out there. I don't want him to be my first... But I don't want to throw it away either... * Maya shivers. "Don't make me think about him..." I don't want to either... I think I worry about stuff too much. With this job, that's sometimes not a bad thing. Yeah... Do you think two girls can uh... go all the way? How would you even know when you've lost it? They can, but it takes some creativity. And... well, I'd like to think it would be obvious, but... * Maya shrugs, and does her damndest not to think about it too deeply. What is? * Lord_Darkmoon seems to have come to a decision, as he rises from his pool. Wearing those black trunks from before, he hesitantly approaches the pool the other two girls are sharing. * Taki is extremely innocent. ^^;; * Maya looks ready to say something, and then she catches the sound of someone rising from water. One glance later, Maya's cheeks are a very vivid red. "... ah..." * Lord_Darkmoon reaches their pool...eventually. "M-may I join you, my Ladies?" He shivers only slightly in the Feburary air. * Taki looked up startled. "What? We weren't talking about anything!" * Taki goes bright red. You may, Rin... * Maya sinks back down and tries to look less embarrased than she is. * Lord_Darkmoon also goes red. And politely pretends Taki didn't say anything embarassing. "Th-thank you, my Lady." He steps in, wincing at the very-hot-by- comparison water, and sighs as he sinks his chilled body beneath the hot water. "Ahhhhhhh." I am sorry if I have intruded... *studies the surface of the water. Ooh, moon reflection. Really. Fascinating* Uh... It's okay. I guess. We were just talking about... nothing. Girl stuff. * Lord_Darkmoon nods, and blushes again at the mention of "girl stuff". Then looks vaguely surprised, and shakes his head. "I would like to t--" He chickens out. "This mission Squeegee mentioned... I might be able to help." How? I didn't want to mention it in front of her, but you know my father works for them. If I go in as ... as his son and... kind of asking for a tour of 'daddy's workplace', you know...and take Norcliff to plant the bugs... But only if it helps... *swallows* ... not a bad idea, Rin. * Lord_Darkmoon DOES blush at that. "Thank you, my Lady." * Maya finally speaks up, having fought down her embarrassment enough. "... did you hear us?" * Lord_Darkmoon looks up. "Hear you? Not really..." It might be better as distraction though... I think they'd be watching you rather closely... ...*swallows again* If I am interrupting...I- I should go. I am sorry-- Rinada? * Taki looks over to the Lord. Uh- huh? *ahem* Yes? Do you have anyone that you like? * Lord_Darkmoon swallows again. "..." He rather specifically does NOT look at Maya. "Why?" Please, it's okay. Don't get too nervous. * Maya chances a tiny smile. Because that's what we were talking about. ...oh.... I am...unsure... it is not something I have thought of, much. In specific. I mean. *wow, water is fascinating to stare at* Well... what if Princess was right? * Maya quickly defends her words with a wave of a hand. "Just a thought, now..." ...she...is a perceptive child. Mmmm. What'd she say? ...nothing important. Sometimes perceptive people misread signs they perceive. * Taki looks at Maya. "What'd she say?" * Lord_Darkmoon looks at Maya, finally. "But, perhaps we should...discuss...the issue. As it could affect the team. And it's best not to dance around such things. Especially not publicly." You have a point. It would be... awkward without some kind fo definite resolution. * Lord_Darkmoon nods. "Indeed." He swallows again, belying his calm facade. * Taki looks between the two, suddenly feeling like a third wheel. I uh... should go. * Lord_Darkmoon looks at Taki, and opens his mouth to say something, but can't seem to find any words, so closes it again. It's up to you, Taki. If you go, we can talk again later, okay? I always can find time for any of you. Thanks... I just don't want to be in your guys way. If you're going to start kissing or something... * Lord_Darkmoon goes positively SCARLET. * Taki blushes awkwardly as she smiles. Trying to lighten to mood and only seeming to make things more uncomfortable. ... Taki! * Maya nonetheless smiles a tiny bit, blush notwithstanding. It was a joke... I'm sorry... * Taki gets up to leave, stepping out of the bath. * Lord_Darkmoon watches her go, uncertainly. * Maya waves a little... then looks towards Rin for the first time in a long time. "First... I want to apologize for the cold shoulder today. You just... I was trying to show concern, not quiet you up." ...that's alright, my Lady. I-- was not being polite. * Taki grabs her robe and her towel, drying off and putting the robe back on before returning to the room with the... cuteness. * Lord_Darkmoon swallows nervously. "So." ... so. Yeah. * Maya pauses for the longest. "So you did hear what I said, right?" About? Ah... well, my feelings towards you. ...I don't think so. Not unless you mean the question about Princess being right? Well, that's... it's something. Look, Rin-kun. I... I do like you. But... I'm scared. ...so am I. ...th-that's not what I mean. *swallows again, then laughs a bit at himself* This is...difficult. Why are you scared, my Lady? I do not...wish to cause you fear. No, I'm afraid of taking that step, and... well, losing you. Or being lost, for that matter. Oh. I understand... but... You're a beautiful woman, my Lady. And...I care for you. And... but as you say. Taking the step of...being more than friends... Mmmmn. I'm not *that* pretty, Rin. But I admit, you're a talented flatterer. ^_^ * Lord_Darkmoon almost reflexively looks at Maya's suit, then away again, blushing. "It's not just flattery. And...that's the problem. Or not a problem, really...but the source of this dillemma. I don't know what you see in me, but I respect you. And I like you. And...if we go on like this, I'm probably going to develope a crush on you. And I'm not sure that's...wise. For...some of the same reasons you have." True, true. Still... you have a point. This is all so... risky. And yet, it really seems worth it, at least if to find out if it could work. They say many leaders end up with their team Lord, anyway. Look at Octane and Torque... ...indeed... * Maya focuses on the night sky again. "... and I imagine Leena's going to kill me if we do. So might the Secretary." She chuckles a bit to herself at that. * Lord_Darkmoon chuckles, as well. "I... well, that's one issue I hadn't thought of." ^^; My -- Maya. Do you really want to do this? Even...even if it is "just because" it's... "Traditional"? *swallows* There are some things that tradition...doesn't cover. But... *looks Maya in the eye, seeming somewhat frightened* * Maya glances back, evenly. She looks somewhat worried, but there's that glimmer of resolve way back in there. Finally, she answers him with a kiss on the cheek before stepping out of the pool and collecting her towel. ... I'd rather try and know, than not try and wonder 'what if'. Good night, Rin-kun. * Lord_Darkmoon blushes faintly, and raises a hand to his cheek where she kissed him. "Good night...Maya-chan." He swallows again, and sits in the water for a while before going inside, himself, and going straight to his futon. * Maya is quite gone as well, not looking back. [end mini]