Session Start: Sat Jan 15 16:14:27 2005
<Ked> Previously, on Hunters:
<Ked> The Princess Oak protection mission was a success, mostly - she got home 
safe and unassassinated.  Strangely, the snipers that Lord Darkmoon's animal 
scouts spotted did not take any shots.  The only human casualty for the day was 
one of the spotters who Lady Royal blew up just a little too much.
<Ked> Afterwards, the team concentrated on the apartments whose roofs the 
snipers were perched on.  Taki even went into the building she was assigned to, 
but all she found were normal apartment-dwellers in the hallway.  Darkmoon and 
the others had no luck either, as no identifiable snipers came charging out of 
that building.
<Ked> They did make some notes on people that came out.  ...they also marked a 
guy following Leena.  She broke off and tried isolate the guy in a crowd, but it 
ended up that he got the jump on her instead...
<Ked> ...and "he" turned out to be the dreaded rapist Lord.  When Leena turned 
out to not be as compliant as he wanted, he gave her his best punch, and fled 
through the crowd.
<Ked> Leena was understandably squicked, and the rest of the team decided to 
call it a day.  Except for Taki, who found some footprints that seemed to be 
left by the sniper.  She took photos, and passed them along to Detective 
Morioka.
<Ked> ...so.  It is the next afternoon.  Sakura called up that morning and 
announced a meeting, since there's an awful lot of stuff suddenly going on.  
Rinada wanted to treat the team to a party of sorts, so he got her to move the 
meet to the late afternoon so he could prepare a fabulous dinner afterwards.  
And maybe do some hottubbing.
<Ked> Taki got a call back from Morioka a little bit after Sakura dialed them 
up.  He didn't want to talk with her about this over the phone, so she told him 
to show up at the Agency later.  And then she got dragged outside for two hours 
of sparring in the parking lot.
<Ked> [Sunday, February 22, 2004 - 1515 local time]
<Ked> [the Agency]
<Ked> [session start]
* Lord_Darkmoon is already in the kitchen, setting things up to his 
satisfaction. Bags of groceries are in various stages of unpacking, and the 
fridge has been stocked with the more immediately perishable items.
* Taki showed up early for... reasons.
* LadyMallet has been there, since even before Darkmoon and Taki. Lack of her 
wardrobe from home still hasn't kept her from dressing up, though, albeit 
transformed.
* Sakura is untransformed for once, and wearing urban camo cargo pants and a 
barely-pink sweatshirt.
<Taki> You look... nice, Sakura.
* Sakura is cleaning several guns on a side table.
<Sakura> ...this?  You're kidding.
* Maya is there, as it her usual thing, and is just finishing paperwork. She 
looks... tired. Already. Although she does smile at Taki's comment.
<Taki> No. It fits you.
<Sakura> ...right.
* LadyMallet has skin-tight black jeans, slightly sparkly, on. Then there's a 
midriff, and that's followed up by a white t-shirt, with long, poofy sleeves 
that bell out at the ends, and pink bracelets sown in.
* Minami is there.  Being Minami.
<Taki> Um... I talked to Morioka about the footprints this morning after you 
called.
* Maya is in her now-ubiquitous black overalls and a rainbow-patterned long-
sleeve shirt straight out of some bad 80's American sitcom. And the tophat.
<Sakura> Oh, okay, what did he have to say?
<Taki> He said he didn't want to talk over the phone, so I told him to stop by 
here.
* Haruko walks in wearing her school uniform, as is typical for her. "Sorry I'm 
a bit late"
* Sakura shrugs.
<Maya> It's alright, Haruko. How're you feeling today? ^^
<Sakura> Well, if he's got something... hey, Haruko.
* LadyMallet waves half-heartedly at Haruko.
* Lord_Darkmoon steps out of the kitchen at that. He's wearing black slacks with 
a red shirt tucked into them; his hair is tied back in his ever-present pony 
tail. "Should I prepare enough for the Detective, as well, then?"
<Taki> I hope he does...
<Haruko> I'm doing ok, I have a bit of a headache though.
<Lord_Darkmoon> Would you like some tea for it?
* LadyMallet looks up at Darkmoon, silently, as he emerges from the kitchen. She 
blinks, then looks away.
<Sakura> No, I think we have enough other business that we'll be moving him 
along after he's said his piece.
<Taki> Another assignment?
* Lord_Darkmoon nods at Sakura's statement, and ducks back into the kitchen.
<Sakura> Well... not in the classical sense.
<Maya> I imagine more info on what's going on.
<Haruko> Thanks, but I don't think it would help. I'm worried about Kendra, 
she's still unconscious.
* Lord_Darkmoon calls from the kitchen. "Oh. I hope she gets better."
<Taki> Uh huh... *feigned interest*
<Maya> She is? Mmmn... best wishes to her.
* LadyMallet frowns at that. "... is she going to be okay?"
<Sakura> Who?
<LadyMallet> ... a friend of Make Believes.
<Haruko> When she wakes up I'll tell her you all said that, I'm sure she'll be 
happy to know you were concerned.
<Sakura> Oh, right!
<Haruko> And I hope so.
<Sakura> Yes, that would be a... loss.
* Sakura starts putting her guns back together.
* Taki smiles a bit at Sakura.
* Taki moves over towards her.
* Haruko cheerfully ignores Sakura's pause.
<Taki> So, uh, where'd you learn about guns?
* LadyMallet frowns at Sakura for a moment, then goes back to staring at the 
floor.
* Maya looks Sakura's way for a moment, then sighs, handing her the stack of 
papers in her hands. "I'm sure Squeegee's going to ask why I'm spending so 
little again."
* Haruko shudders at the mention of guns, and goes off to join Darkmoon in the 
kitchen.
<Sakura> Well, after the very first mission on this assignment, I knew - use 
your imagination, Maya, if something would conceivably help you, buy it! - I 
knew that I needed some extra firepower.
<Sakura> So I told the Queen that if she wanted me to save anyone, I needed a 
weapon.  The next week, I got one.
<Taki> Uh huh. *sounds much more interested in this*
<Sakura> ...which freaked me out a little, so I spent the next six weeks reading 
everything I could find on firearms.
* Maya chuckles a little, but listens as well.
* LadyMallet glances up, then down at her hands, opening them for a moment.
<Taki> So you taught yourself?
<LadyMallet> ... maybe I should read some of them.
<Haruko> Hi Darkmoon, anything I can do to help?
<Sakura> And by the time I first gunned down an assassin, it had become a mild 
obsession.
* Lord_Darkmoon thanks Haruko for her help. Together, they manage to get 
everything set up for later preparation. "Let's put on some water for tea, and 
rejoin the others. Business over tea, then dinner preparation can be done after 
that, while people relax and/or use the hot tub."
<Sakura> Yeah, mostly.  In this country, do you have any idea how hard it is to 
find someone who will teach a sixteen year old girl to shoot?
<Minami> It's not that hard if you know where to look.
<Taki> Heh.
<Sakura> If you want literature, Leena, I can get it for you.  You might want to 
just read it here, though, so you don't frighten your family.
<Sakura> ...well, I was somewhat naive.  And most of those places are a little 
too, uh, seedy for my tastes.
* Lord_Darkmoon chuckles, still talking to Haruko in the kitchen. "Sakura's 
talking about her early days again, it sounds like. Hard to believe you can talk 
about something so stressful so easily, isn't it?"
* LadyMallet nods halfheartedly. "Yeah..."
* Minami shrugs noncommittally.  "Eh."
<Haruko> I know I couldn't handle anything like that.
* Taki nods. "Probably a lot safer to do it yourself too. Well as long as you 
don't shoot yourself in the foot or something..."
<Haruko> Waterfall or Dani probably could though.  They're tough.
<LadyMallet> ...
<Maya> I think I'll do without a gun unless it becomes a needful thing...
* LadyMallet shifts her gaze back to the floor again.
<Minami> Well, you do have one already.
<Minami> Not a standard one, but still.
<Minami> I doubt you'd need it with what you already have.
<Sakura> Mmm.  I dunno, I think I would have improved faster with some initial 
help.  And frankly, it's a miracle that I didn't ever hit any onlookers in those 
first few years.
<Maya> I know, but it's... well, there's the issue that I can only use it so 
many times before the wand fizzles out. But still, I see your point.
<Taki> My parents sent someone for me to train with so I shouldn't need a gun 
either.
* Sakura quirks an eyebrow at Taki.
<Minami> Same thing with a gun, except you can carry ammo.
<Taki> Oh yeah, I didn't mention that yet, did I?
* Minami blinks.  "Wait, what?"
<Taki> She sorta showed up last night.
* LadyMallet blinks. "Huh?"
<Taki> So now I have a house guest.
<LadyMallet> ... who?
* Lord_Darkmoon sets out the tea leaves, and looks to see if Haruko's done 
setting the water on to boil. "...what is it with Taki and live-in guests?" He's 
smiling, so he's probably thinking of something he considers moderately joke-
like.
<Maya> ... a house guest?
* Haruko has started preparing dinner, artfully switching between the two 
activities as needed.
<Taki> Um... remember the duel of honor when we visited my village?
* LadyMallet growls. "That should have been my fight."
* Maya nods. "I do, I do."
* Sakura finishes reassembly of her weapons.  One is put in a duffel bag, one is 
tucked away in a locked cabinet, and one is velcroed into a voluminous pants 
pocket.
<Taki> Well... *chuckles nervously* Mitsuko is now my live-in sparring partner.
<LadyMallet> ...
<Maya> I... see.
<Sakura> Is this going to cause any problems?
<Taki> No. She lost the fight and she's bound by our laws not to harbor any 
grudge or anything...
* Lord_Darkmoon pokes his head out. "Mitsuko!? The sword-girl? ..." he pulls his 
head back into the kitchen, looking somewhat embarrassed for his outburst before 
it vanishes from sight.
<LadyMallet> ... maybe I will get to see who's better.
<Haruko> Sorry, I know you said to start dinner preparations later, but I just 
couldn't help myself *smiles*
* Maya catches Rin long enough to smile his way. "Leena, that can wait for less 
tense times."
<Taki> Other than well, she knows what I am.
<Minami> ...oh, dear.
<Lord_Darkmoon> A-heh. ^^; *manages to smile at Maya before turning to Haruko* 
Um, no problem. I'm glad for the assistance. You're very skilled. *eyes Haruko's 
handiwork appraisingly* 
<Taki> And she mentioned an interest in what we do.
<LadyMallet> That'd be smart, wouldn't it? ... I don't want to be smart right 
now, I want something to release on.
<Sakura> I don't want you restarting any wars, Leena.
<Taki> Leena, you're not fighting my house guest.
<LadyMallet> ... don't worry.
<LadyMallet> I'm going to be smart despite myself.
<Haruko> Oh, you're too nice. *blushes*
<Sakura> We need fewer complications, not more.
* LadyMallet sighs, heavily.
<Minami> Oh, good.
<Sakura> So she says she's interested in the business, huh?
<Maya> Well, another pair of eyes that can see while not being seen is an okay 
thing, so long as she stays honest.
<Taki> Yeah. I told her I wasn't going to involve her though. At least not 
without your permission...
* Lord_Darkmoon gives a small bow. "Not at all, Haruko-san. If you don't mind, 
though, I have something I'd like to say to everyone. So if we could rejoin them 
in the other room... After we finish cutting those greens. If I may help."
* Minami shrugs.
* Sakura eyes Taki, then Darkmoon, obviously thinking about something, then 
decides to drop it.
<LadyMallet> ... well, is she open for more sparring? ... I promise I wouldn't 
fight her transformed, and I do need to get better without a weapon.
* LadyMallet sighs. "I should probably ask her myself."
* Taki notices the look, but isn't sure how to respond besides blushing 
nervously.
* Secretary sticks her head through the office door.
<Secretary> Excuse me, but Detective Morioka has just arrived.  Should I let him 
in, Maya-sama?
* LadyMallet waves at the Secretary.
<Taki> Should we transform?
<Haruko> Oh, sure!
* Haruko sweeps over half the stack of greens she was working on.
* Taki looks at Maya and Sakura.
* Sakura looks at Maya.  "Up to you.  It's your party.  I'm not."
* Haruko calls out. "We'll be out in just a minute!"
<Maya> Right. Transform.
* Lord_Darkmoon smiles and moves to assist. After a couple warm-up chops, he 
falls into rhythm with Haruko. When they're finished, he gestures gallantly for 
Haruko to precede him into the main room. Reminding her to transform, if 
necessary.
* LadyMallet shrugs. "Have been since yesterday."
<Sakura> ...what?
* Maya does so without any sort of warning, then whips out her wand and twirls 
it idly.
<Sakura> Jeez, Leena.
* Taki heads into the other room to change and transform and redress.
* LadyNightshade steps out moments later.
<LadyMallet> ... I dunno. I just haven't gotten around to it. And I'm kinda 
curious how long I can stay like this...
* Haruko finishes up chopping the vegetables, then holds the knife high as if it 
were a transformation pen before becoming Lady Make-Believe. all signs of stress 
vanish from her face as she does so.
<LadyMallet> I bet the Queen doesn't.
<Sakura> You can stay like this all the time.  ...your normal form doesn't seem 
to age when you're transformed, though.
<LadyMysteria> Why would she? She's the Queen.
* LadyMallet sighs. "... I'll be little forever."
* Lady_MakeBelieve walks in from the other room.
* Secretary closes the door, then opens it back up for the detective, who comes 
in.
<Minami> ...huh.
* LadyMallet waves to Haruko.
* Minami ducks into the kitchen real quick.
* Lord_Darkmoon chuckles at Mallet's lament as he follows Lady Make-believe out 
of the kitchen.
* LadyMallet perks up ever so slightly as Darkmoon comes out.
* LadyRoyal emerges!
<Morioka> Hey, guys.
* LadyRoyal nods.
<LadyMysteria> Hello, Detective. Nice to see you again. ^^
* LadyMallet laughs hollowly. "Magical GIRLS, detective."
* Lady_MakeBelieve nods to Mallet
<LadyRoyal> Most of us.
<LadyNightshade> Hi Detective.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Hello.
* Morioka eyes Lady Nightshade.
<Morioka> Where exactly did you find that print, anyway?
* Lord_Darkmoon bows at the detective.
* LadyMallet sits up, and actually assumes a 'paying attention' pose.
<LadyMallet> ... so. Watcha got?
<LadyNightshade> Um... *rattles off the address of the apartment building*
<Morioka> Huh.
* LadyRoyal stands attentively and pretends she didn't just kill a man.  Woman.  
Whatever.
<LadyMysteria> Anything interesting about it?
<Morioka> Well...
* Morioka pulls out a large manila envelope, and starts spreading paper around 
the table.
* LadyRoyal cranes her neck to look.
* LadyMallet gets up and picks up a sheet, looking at it.
* LadyNightshade steps over to look.
* Lord_Darkmoon does likewise, curious.
<Morioka> This shoe is a product of a second-tier American shoe company.  
*tosses down a catalog of medium thickness*
<Morioka> They're relatively popular, and get some distribution... which would 
seem to make the print useless... except it isn't.
* LadyRoyal raises an eyebrow.
* Lord_Darkmoon quirks an eyebrow.
<LadyMallet> ...?
* Morioka spreads out what looks like a promotional mailing.
<Morioka> See, this shoe isn't part of their public line.
<LadyMysteria> ... eh? Hows---ooooh.
* LadyNightshade listens attentively.
<LadyMallet> ... uh?
<Lord_Darkmoon> Oh, reeeaaly? *smiles malevolently*
<LadyMallet> ... so they had special shoes, or something?
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Special like custom order, or special like, cripple?
<Morioka> It was designed at the request of the US Army special forces as combat 
footwear, and sold only to US law enforcement, US military, and a few 
governments which are friendly with the US.
<LadyNightshade> ...
<LadyMallet> ... um.
<Morioka> These are apparently some kickass low boots.  They don't squeak, they 
are not shiny at all, and have very high traction.
<Lord_Darkmoon> ...this bodes...ill.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> This doesn't sound... exactly.
<LadyRoyal> Huh.  Good stuff.
<LadyMallet> I think I speak for everyone when I say 'fuck.'
<LadyMysteria> ... so... wait. This shoe would belong to either an American 
officer, or maybe someone in... the Self-Defense Forces?
<Morioka> Yes.  Japan is on the list of approved governments.
<LadyMysteria> Not good.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> The government is out to hunt us down?
<Morioka> I'm not.
<LadyMallet> ... maybe a splinter faction or some ex-soldiers?
* Lady_MakeBelieve turns to Sakura
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Do you have any contacts inside the SDF?
* Sakura is frowning.
<LadyMallet> ... I hope they have some in my size.
* LadyMallet growls. "Because I'm gonna take some of their fancy boots and shove 
them up their asses when I get a hold of them."
<Sakura> No.  They've mostly kept away from Ningyo incidents, and so I never 
really had a chance to.
<LadyMysteria> It wouldn't make sense for the US to involve themselves, so it's 
probably someone local. Still... why?
<Sakura> I know Squeegee and... you know who have some minor military contacts, 
but they haven't really made an effort in that direction.
* Lord_Darkmoon opens his mouth to say something, then goes quiet. Almost 
retreating from the group without moving.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> You might want to pass this information along to them.
* LadyMallet looks at Darkmoon. "What? Say it."
<LadyMysteria> ... eh? Rin?
* Lord_Darkmoon shakes his head. "...nothing."
<Lady_MakeBelieve> They might be able to find out if any discharged soldiers had 
expressed opinions aligned with the powers of evil.
<LadyMallet> ... don't nothing me. ... please.
<LadyMallet> If you've got something to say, say it.
* LadyMysteria catches herself. "Darkmoon, please. If you know anything..."
<Lord_Darkmoon> Nothing new. Just... it keeps seemingly getting bigger.
* Lord_Darkmoon looks down, staring through the pictures on the table.
* LadyMallet sighs, and looks at Darkmoon with those cute two-toned eyes of 
hers.
<Sakura> I wonder... we have had a few... warnings that there are multiple 
hostile groups.
<LadyNightshade> Yes.
* LadyRoyal watches and listens.
<Sakura> We are certain that this last one and the Spoon shooting are connected
<Sakura> ?
<LadyNightshade> Same set up.
<Lord_Darkmoon> Almost definitely. Same ... MO? 
<Lord_Darkmoon> Is that the word?
<Morioka> In novels, yes.
<LadyNightshade> Except they never attacked this time.
<LadyRoyal> Close enough.
<LadyRoyal> ...they may have been waiting for something else.
* LadyRoyal looks a little worried.
<LadyMysteria> Or someone might've tipped them off?
<Sakura> And... and... oy.
<Sakura> Tipped them off on which level?
<LadyRoyal> ...
<LadyMallet> ... it doesn't make any sense for all these different groups to be 
working independently.
<LadyNightshade> That has yet to be determined...
<LadyRoyal> ...I second that oy.
<LadyMysteria> I wonder if we're being watched ourselves. If he could track 
us...
<Lord_Darkmoon> Didn't someone with a radio see you, Royal?
* LadyRoyal coughs.
<LadyRoyal> Er.
<LadyMallet> ... they're working together, or being hired or recruited by a 
higher group...
<Lord_Darkmoon> It might be no more sinister than it got...hotter than they'd 
have liked.
<LadyRoyal> I don't think we need to worry about that one.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Evil doesn't often work together, but the Dragon Lord could 
very well be forcing them to work together.
* LadyRoyal coughs again.  "Not just that."
<Sakura> *musing* If I were a government agency who had a... problem with 
magical girls, what would I do?
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Pass a law against them?
<LadyNightshade> Why would they have a problem?
<LadyMallet> ... well, first, there'd be anti-MG propaganda.
<Sakura> You couldn't get it through the Diet.
<LadyMallet> People -like- Magical Girls, generally.
<Sakura> No, no, there is no public outcry.
<LadyMysteria> You'd either yank public support, or kill the infrastructure.
<LadyMallet> You can't just outlaw us.
<LadyNightshade> What could we be doing that they want us to stop?
<Sakura> This is a covert group.  Someone acting above the law.
<LadyRoyal> There's also the fact that we're now public knowledge to all MG's.  
Some of whom might not be as tight-lipped as they should be.
<Sakura> What indeed.
* Sakura presses her lips together.
<Lord_Darkmoon> ...something offered to them by those we stop.
<LadyMysteria> It's obvious we're fighting the Ningyo, and the targets have 
mainly been rather effective MG's...
<LadyNightshade> Like what? A weapon?
* LadyMallet frowns. "All we really do is beat up the Ningyo and eat ice cream."
<Lord_Darkmoon> Who sends the Ningyo? And why?
<Lady_MakeBelieve> The Queen of the Sea, supposedly.
<LadyMysteria> Well, as far as we know, it's the Queen of the Sea.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> I suspect she's the Dragon Lord's lover.
* Lord_Darkmoon eyes Sakura sideways. "And there might be those who view 
certain...aspects of our group...as a threat."
* Sakura nods, barely.  "There might.
<Sakura> "
* Lord_Darkmoon nods. "And, if you can't use your agents to defeat someone in 
open war, what better way to beat them than to get some of their own to turn 
traitor?"
<LadyMysteria> ... that makes me wonder.
<LadyMallet> ...?
<Sakura> But that begs the question of how they would know who is one of us.
<LadyNightshade> What about the big Ningyo at the shipyard?
<LadyMallet> No, there's no way any MG would ...
<LadyMysteria> Was Pie really working of her own volition or was someone 
whispering in her ear...
* Lord_Darkmoon shakes his head. "Not MG's. You don't approach the knights 
defending the castle. You approach the courtiers."
<LadyNightshade> That's at least a connection between the Ningyo and humans.
<Sakura> Pie didn't seem to be pro-Sea.
* LadyRoyal shrugs.  
<LadyMysteria> Pie was anti-Queen, though. Still...
<LadyRoyal> I...wouldn't be surprised.
* LadyMysteria sighs, rubbing her temples---or not, since the eye-shield's in 
the way.
* Sakura punches Mysteria in the shoulder.
<LadyMallet> ... who was with her longest? Handcuff, Hardhat, or Amp?
<LadyMysteria> ---ow.
<Sakura> Hardhat.
<LadyMallet> ... figures.
* LadyMysteria quickly shuts up.
<Sakura> ...I think.  Not Handcuff.
<Morioka> This has gotten awfully arcane.
<Morioka> I'd ask what you aren't telling me, but I suspect it would take hours.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> On the other hand, turning a courtier to your side doesn't 
get you more than information, turning a knight gets you information and power.
* Lord_Darkmoon smiles formally and apologetically at the detective. "It has. 
Some things need to be kept...within the family."
* LadyMallet laughs. "... there's a whole other world, and it's even more 
confusing than yours."
<Sakura> Courtiers?  What are you talking about?
<LadyRoyal> Those that are like us aren't exactly hard to turn.
* Lord_Darkmoon shakes his head. "Courtiers command personal guards, and money. 
They can stab the knights in the back."
<Sakura> All we have in this game are knights.  Some knights have pawns, but not 
with that scale of knowledge.
<LadyMallet> None of our foes are on the inside. Otherwise they wouldn't need 
the Ningyo to draw us out.
* LadyMysteria sighs. "We're missing something vital here. It would all make 
sense if we knew just one proper bit of truth. Ah, I hate that..."
<LadyMallet> ... yeah.
* Sakura bites her lip.
* Lord_Darkmoon sighs, and studies the table again.
<LadyMallet> We still don't know anything we can use.
<Morioka> Look, you have to at least tell me this:
<Morioka> Is the guy who made the print going to be a threat to the public at 
large?
* Lord_Darkmoon looks up, shaking his head. "Unlikely."
<LadyRoyal> Possible.
<LadyMallet> Don't think so, at least not directly.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> I would say it is very likely.
<Sakura> Not... in terms of shooting non-MG's.
<Sakura> I think.
<LadyRoyal> There are lots of ways to be a threat to people.
<LadyMysteria> He seems focused on us, so... not terribly.
* Morioka chuckles.
<LadyMallet> Indirectly, if they get rid of us, then the Ningyo will wreak havoc 
unchecked.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Anyone who would work to remove the world of its defenders is 
unlikely to have good intentions for the act.
<Lord_Darkmoon> If they believe they will be made its rulers, and given new 
defenses to serve their new masters... people are foolish, Lady MakeBelieve.
* LadyNightshade just silently watches everyone, rolling things around in her 
mind.
* Lord_Darkmoon stares off into space, somewhere beyond the detective's head, 
muttering, "...so very, very foolish..."
* Sakura snerks slightly.
<LadyMallet> ... my head hurts from chasing leads and theories we've chased 
before. What do we -know-?
<Morioka> ...what did the guy who made the print do?
* Lord_Darkmoon looks to Maya, then Sakura for approval to answer the question.
* Sakura shrugs.
<LadyNightshade> He was a sniper.
<Morioka> A sniper?
* LadyMysteria lets Taki answer, biting her bottom lip.
* Lord_Darkmoon nods, letting Taki explain.
<Morioka> I didn't hear about any shooting yesterday...
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Whether or not the people are being tricked, the world is 
just as doomed if they succeed.
<LadyNightshade> He was set up at that apartment to attack Oak when that Ningyo 
attacked yesterday.
<LadyRoyal> Exactly.
<LadyMallet> They pulled out...
<LadyNightshade> He never fired. Something scared him off. He also had a partner 
at *gives address*
<Morioka> Huh.
* LadyRoyal frowns a little.
<Morioka> It might - MIGHT - be possible to get those buildings searched.
<LadyMysteria> The 'why' explaining why they didn't attempt to attack is what's 
baffling us. And what would it take to make 'might' into 'will'?
<LadyNightshade> The snipers never left as far as we could tell.
<Morioka> Oh, that's cute.  Could they be living there?
<Lord_Darkmoon> ...there is the guy who left on the motorcycle. He might have 
been one.
<LadyMallet> It'd be a huge coincidence.
<LadyNightshade> That'd be an odd coincidence.
<Sakura> ...it would make perfect sense.
<LadyNightshade> We got the plate number, didn't we?
* Lord_Darkmoon nods. "I have it."
<LadyMysteria> I think Darkmoo---yes.
* LadyMallet blinks at Sakura. "Huh?"
* Lord_Darkmoon smiles at Maya.
<Sakura> Look, the thing that unifies this and the Handcuff/Spoon thing is the 
huge covert presence.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> If he lives there though, that implies that they have some 
direct connection with the Ningyo.
<Sakura> Other attempts have been just direct assaults.
<LadyMysteria> ... true, true.
<LadyMallet> ...
<Sakura> In Soka, there were dozens of people we saw, and a sniper we didn't.
<LadyNightshade> I never found the sniper there either.
<Lord_Darkmoon> ...and one spotter who called me a "traitor". *looks away*
* LadyMysteria looks at Darkmoon for a long, long moment.
* LadyRoyal glances at Darkmoon and looks away again.
<Sakura> And... I don't think they necessarily do have contact with the Ningyo.  
If they did, all they would need would be the snipers.
<LadyMallet> ... what is it, Darkmoon?
<Lord_Darkmoon> I do not like being accused of treason.
* LadyMallet shakes her head, as if that's not the answer she wanted. "... 
nevermind."
<Morioka> Huh.
* Lord_Darkmoon swallows, not liking the waver in his voice as he said that. He 
turns and quietly extricates himself from the group, heading into the kitchen.
<LadyMallet> ... there's the Ningyo, the assassins.
<LadyNightshade> Well... each group might use different tactics.
<LadyMallet> There's likely a higher group directing it.
<LadyNightshade> If they're just given a time and a place.
<LadyMallet> And... there's the line of communication between them and the 
Ningyo.
<LadyNightshade> They have to set up how they think would work the best.
<LadyNightshade> Like we do.
<Sakura> But why would one group get exact info, and one not?
* LadyMallet rubs her forehead.
<Morioka> Well, should I pursue this?  I have an "anonymous" report of illegal 
weapons in those apartments.
<LadyMallet> Why do Princesses get told more than Ladies?
<LadyMysteria> Because one group knows more about us than we know they do, 
through some means.
* LadyMallet looks at Morioka. "Don't dig yourself too deep on our behalf... but 
do what you can."
<Morioka> I can get the police to investigate, or even maybe search.
<LadyNightshade> That'd be helpful.
<Sakura> If it is a government group... you could dig yourself one heck of a 
hole.
<LadyNightshade> As long as he doesn't try to run when he smells cops.
<LadyRoyal> Mm.
<LadyMysteria> Thanks, Detective. We're in your debt.
* LadyRoyal nods absently.  "Yes, thank you."
* Lord_Darkmoon 's return is preceded by the smell of tea, which he's bearing on 
a tray.
<Morioka> It's a risk, but... I don't even have to tie it to you guys at all.
* Lady_MakeBelieve adds her thanks as well.
<LadyMallet> ... a question, before you go, though.
<Morioka> Sure.
<LadyMallet> Why are you helping us?
<LadyRoyal> Leena!
* LadyMysteria elbows Mallet gently.
<Morioka> I saw some of the shootings Sakura was involved in.  I know my right 
from wrong, thank you.
<Sakura> *gently*  He told you that before, I think.
<LadyMysteria> At least someone does. Thanks.
* LadyMysteria offers Morioka a smile.
<LadyNightshade> We appreciate it.
* LadyMallet nods. "I wasn't there.... and that's a good reason, I think."
<LadyMallet> Thank you, Morioka.
* Morioka stands.  "That's really all I have for you... and I can tell I'm 
hindering your discussion."
<LadyNightshade> Any chance you can find out if anyone who might have been in a 
position to receive those boots are now living in either of those apartment 
complexes?
<LadyMysteria> Thanks for your time... if anything comes up, you know what to 
do.
<Morioka> If nothing else, we can get lists of who lives there, and crosscheck 
against military and police records.
<LadyNightshade> Might be best to try for subtlety before we tear the place 
apart with a search after all...
* LadyRoyal glances at Nightshade briefly, but stops.
<Morioka> All right.  *turns to leave*
<LadyMallet> And I mean that about the digging yourself to deep thing!
* LadyMysteria waves slightly in the Detective's direction..
<Sakura> Take care, Mori.
<LadyNightshade> Thank you for your help, Morioka.
* LadyRoyal nods.
* Lord_Darkmoon offers a small, polite smile of thanks to the departing 
detective.
<LadyMysteria> ... more questions than answers. Lovely.
<LadyMallet> Of course!
* Morioka exits out the door.  A few seconds later, the Secretary comes back in.
* Lady_MakeBelieve sighs
<Lady_MakeBelieve> That's the way it goes.
<Secretary> Um... we may have a problem?
<LadyMallet> ...?
<LadyMysteria> ... what sort of problem?
* LadyMysteria stands up quickly.
* Secretary goes over to the television and selects a special mode from the 
menu.
<LadyMallet> Is it a 'Send Mallet to beat it up' type of problem?
<LadyNightshade> Sorry, didn't mean to have that interrupt your party...
<LadyRoyal> ...uh-oh.
* LadyNightshade turns to the TV.
<LadyMallet> ... Deer.
* LadyMysteria looks towards the TV as well.
<Ked> The TV shows the view from a camera which is seemingly on the building's 
roof and looking across the street.
* Lord_Darkmoon walks the rest of the way in, and sets the tea on the table 
before looking towards the TV himself.
<LadyMallet> ... it's a security camera.
<Sakura> You thought we'd go this far but not get good video coverage?
<LadyMysteria> Clever.
<Lord_Darkmoon> ...so this -is- yours. Good. 
* LadyMallet blinks. "Didn't cross my mind."
<Ked> There's a dark-clad teenage girl armed with a sword sitting very still on 
the roof across the street.
<LadyNightshade> So what'd you see?
<LadyNightshade> ...
<LadyMallet> ... your friend?
<LadyNightshade> ... Yeah.
<LadyMallet> ... please say she doesn't have the same sword still.
<LadyMysteria> Well, she didn't waste time in finding us.
<Sakura> At least she's polite about it.  If she was on our roof I might go up 
there and shoot her.
<Lord_Darkmoon> ...shall we invite her in for tea? *sardonically*
<Sakura> Look, I asked you before.  Is this going to be a problem?
<LadyMallet> ... well, we should get out balances figured out. If she's gonna be 
rooming with Taki, she can't be completely separate.
<LadyNightshade> I hope not... I'll go talk to her.
<Sakura> Not now.
* LadyNightshade moves to stand up and stops. "You sure?"
<Sakura> If it makes her happy to sit out there, then she can wait a few hours.
* LadyMysteria shakes her head. "About this new 'job' of ours. What's so 
different about this one?"
<LadyMallet> ... I don't like leaving loose ends unresolved. Like Hardhat.
* LadyRoyal twitches.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> If she doesn't want to knock, she can sit up there.
* Lord_Darkmoon begins pouring the tea, and serves it. This time, starting with 
Maya.
<Sakura> *to the secretary* Keep an eye on her, please?
<Secretary> Sure.
* Secretary goes back out to the lobby.
<LadyMallet> ... Taki, if she's gonna spy on all of us, she gets to talk to all 
of us.
<LadyNightshade> ... Just let me talk to her first.
* Lord_Darkmoon stiffens for a moment, then continues what he was doing.
<LadyNightshade> I figured she'd follow me around. It's sort of a ninja thing...
* Sakura shakes her head to clear it.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Want me to have Norcliff spy on her?
* LadyMysteria takes her tea and hazards a sip, sitting back down. "Taki, just 
make sure you're doing the right thing. Sakura?"
<LadyNightshade> No.
<LadyMallet> ... anyway. Sakura, what do you got?
<LadyNightshade> Don't worry about it. It's my problem.
<LadyMallet> Well, -I- wanna talk to her, too.
<Sakura> Anyway.  We don't really have a new mission, but - sure, Haruko, if he 
doesn't mind - but Squeej and I have decided it's time to make our next move 
against Hitachi-2osen.
<LadyNightshade> Yes, Leena. I get that.
<Lord_Darkmoon> ...
* LadyNightshade tries not to sound snappish.
<LadyMallet> ... they're a definite link. Has Spongehead looked into their 
financial issues?
* LadyNightshade Looks up at that.
<LadyMysteria> Leena.
* LadyMysteria shakes her head and sips a little more. "What's the plan?"
* LadyMallet blinks, and glances at Maya. "Hmm?"
<Sakura> Yeah.  We have their payments to various Yakuza nailed down pretty 
good.
* Lady_MakeBelieve whispers to Norcliff in her purse, and he scampers off.
* Lord_Darkmoon shakes, almost imperceptibly. Good thing he's done serving tea.
* LadyRoyal shakes her head.
* LadyNightshade looks annoyed at Haruko but doesn't say anything since Sakura 
said it was okay to send Norcliff.
<LadyMysteria> So... from there, where do we fit in? Observation?
<Sakura> Observation.  Yeah, sorta.
<LadyMallet> ... um.
<Sakura> Squeegee talked with you about it when you bumped into her.
* LadyMallet kinda glances away.
<Lord_Darkmoon> . . .
<Sakura> We have some listening devices, and you all get to plant them.
<LadyRoyal> Lovely.
* Sakura grabs her second duffel, and opens it.
<LadyMysteria> Well, there's really only one person here good at being sneaky.
<LadyMallet> I can be a great distraction!
* Lord_Darkmoon looks excessively relieved at Maya's suggestion before hiding 
behind his formal mask again.
<Ked> There are five smallish hardcases inside.  She opens one, revealing a very 
small, fingernail-sized flat bug, and a fist-sized transceiver.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Norcliff could plant the small ones....
* LadyNightshade looks in the bag.
<Sakura> The bug has to go in the office itself.  It's adhesive, which should 
help placement.
<LadyMallet> ... I think the only way I'd be any good is if I went with 
Darkmoon. My his side, a friend or something. Well, if I went with -Rinada.-
<LadyMysteria> ... tiny. How powerful are those?
<Sakura> The transceiver relays the signal to our monitoring point.
<LadyNightshade> I can do that.
<Sakura> Those have to be within seventy meters of the bug itself.
* Lord_Darkmoon manages not to wince at Leena's suggestion. Well, okay, maybe a 
little.
* LadyMallet glances at the TV. "Well, we got someone else who's pretty sneaky. 
And interested."
<LadyRoyal> Hm.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Do we trust her though?
* Sakura pulls out a CD.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> She was just trying to kill us.
<LadyNightshade> She'd do it, I'm sure. Do we want her involved?
<Sakura> This has blueprints of their main admin building and Slip 3.
<LadyNightshade> Not for personal reasons...
<LadyMysteria> I'd... rather she not involve herself, if you ask me.
<LadyMallet> ... I'd rather not have her along, too.
<Sakura> ...I don't know.  If you think she would keep it confidential, then I 
won't object.
<LadyMallet> It's an idea, though.
<LadyRoyal> ...hn.
* Sakura looks at Maya.
<LadyNightshade> She'd be entirely confidential.
<LadyMallet> Yeah, I don't doubt that.
<LadyMallet> Because Ninja are all about secrecy and we don't really exist.
<Sakura> I'm going to let you run this, Lady Mysteria.  You need experience as a 
team leader, so... *gestures*.
<LadyNightshade> Look, that was business for her and the rest of my clan. They 
hold no ill will towards us. It was a job and it's over now.
<LadyMallet> ... like hell there's no grudge.
<LadyMallet> I'll be sure of that when I see her in person.
<LadyRoyal> Now who's holding a grudge?
<LadyNightshade> ...
<Sakura> I expect it to be done by Friday.
<LadyMallet> Honor may prevent her from acting on it, but that doesn't mean it's 
not there.
<LadyMysteria> Alright. Taki. Talk to her and determine her trustworthiness.
* Lord_Darkmoon smiles nervously at the deadline.
<Sakura> Is anyone listening to me?
<LadyNightshade> I am...
<LadyMallet> Yep!
<LadyRoyal> Yes, Sakura.
* Sakura snerks.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Yes.
<LadyMysteria> If you believe you can trust her, I'll agree to it. The help 
would honestly be appreciated, but---I am, Sakura, trust me.
<LadyMallet> You said 'done by Friday' and 'leave it on Maya.'
<Sakura> One bug needs to be in the presidential office, one in the Special 
Assistant's office, one in the accounting head's office, and one in the 
manager's office in Slip 3.
<Sakura> The extra one is a spare.
* LadyMallet glances at Darkmoon. "He's your dad... you could plant it on his 
person."
<Sakura> Which would last until he changes clothes, silly.
<Lord_Darkmoon> ...only works if he's within 70 meters, and he'd find it when he 
showered, or it'd get washed in the laundry.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Put it in his shoes.
<LadyMallet> Well, maybe on his briefcase or something.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> How many pairs of shoes can a man have?
* LadyNightshade nods and takes in all the info.
<LadyMysteria> Let's stick to the buildings for now, people...
* LadyMysteria rubs her not-temples again.
<Lord_Darkmoon> Office is probably best. What if he's not in it when people are 
talking about something important? *quiet, distracted*
<LadyRoyal> Yes.
<LadyRoyal> Or an office bag of some sort.
<Sakura> Like I said, I'll let you manage it.  By Friday, and for heaven's sake 
don't get caught.
<LadyNightshade> I won't...
<LadyMysteria> Don't need to tell us twice.
<Lord_Darkmoon> ...is that all the business, Sakura? *has a nervous edge, 
perhaps eager to change the subject*
<LadyMallet> ... I'll try?
<Sakura> Ha.  Are you kidding?
<Sakura> I hear...
* Sakura turns grim instantly.
<Sakura> I heard that you had an encounter with our friend, the predator Lord 
yesterday.
<LadyMysteria> Just say it, Sakura. And... yes, we did, apparently.
<LadyMallet> ... uh, yeah. I'm gonna go get ready.
* Lord_Darkmoon retreats behind his formal mask again. "We did." He does not 
glance at Leena.
* LadyMysteria grits her teeth.
<Sakura> *blink*
<Sakura> Ready for what?
* LadyMallet doesn't waste a second in hopping off the couch and beelining for 
the door.
<LadyMallet> Something else!
<Sakura> Mallet, get back here.
<LadyMallet> Make me!
<Lord_Darkmoon> Sakura, please. Let her go. Mallet, would you like to use the 
hot tub?
<LadyMallet> Just you DARE to give me another Order after what happened.
<Lord_Darkmoon> I'd hate for you to miss the dinner later.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Predator Lord?
* Sakura opens her mouth, then closes it.
* LadyMysteria stays strangely quiet through the entire exchange.
* LadyMallet opens the door, steps through, and closes it with a slam- not so 
hard as to break the door, though.
<Lord_Darkmoon> ...
<Sakura> *mumbled* This is a freebie, Leena...
<LadyNightshade> ...
<LadyMysteria> She's taking the encounter far worse than she's admitting. Great.
<Lord_Darkmoon> Someone should go with her. ...
* Lord_Darkmoon nods confirmation of Maya's observation, but does not elaborate.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Is anyone going to inform me of anything?
* LadyRoyal grits her teeth.
<LadyMysteria> Haruko, there is a rogue Lord who's been abusing his abilities to 
take advantage of Ladies. It... generally boils down to that.
<LadyNightshade> Yeah, someone should go. *stands*
<Lord_Darkmoon> If you'll excuse me, I'm going to try to catch her. *he rises, 
bows apologetically to Maya, and heads for the door*
<LadyMysteria> I'll fill you in later. Bring her back in our general area, 
alright?
<LadyNightshade> ...
<Lord_Darkmoon> Will do.
* LadyNightshade watches Darkmoon leave and sits back down, reluctantly.
<Sakura> He orders them to... you know.  And then he orders them to forget all 
about it.
* Lord_Darkmoon heads out the door, and races after Leena.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Orders them to?  You mean like you did with Anzu?
<Sakura> ...sort of.
<Sakura> Anzu wasn't transformed, so it's kinda iffy whether I really Ordered 
her or not.
<LadyRoyal> Yes, only he orders them to perform sexual acts with him.
* LadyRoyal says it rather matter-of-factly.
* LadyMysteria flinches a little at Mina's bluntness.
<Sakura> But that's the general idea.  Except his powers of command seem to be 
stronger than most Lords.
<Sakura> ...good god, no one ever gave you the counter-order.  *pales*
<LadyNightshade> ...
<LadyMysteria> Sakura, I was about to ask about that.
<LadyRoyal> ...what?!
* LadyRoyal looks at Haruko, startled.
* Sakura transforms.
<LadyNightshade> Good thing she stayed with Oak, I guess.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Wait, counter order?
<LadyRoyal> Yes.
* LadyNightshade tries not to stare at the transformation.
<LadyRoyal> So that you won't...obey him.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> I thought you said you couldn't order me anyway?
<LadyMysteria> He still follows the chain of command.
<PrincessSakura> Huh?
<Lady_MakeBelieve> When I asked you about my test...
<LadyMysteria> We can order you to attempt something.
<PrincessSakura> This is an Order from the Queen:  You do not need to follow any 
order if you believe it comes from this Lord.
<LadyMysteria> We can't make you excel or even succeed, but the order's still 
there.
<LadyMysteria> ... or, rather, Princesses and the Queen can.
<LadyRoyal> Mm.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> So, wait, Darkmoon could order me around?
<LadyMysteria> There's a possibility, but he has to answer to me.
* Sakura poofs back into her normal clothing.
* Lady_MakeBelieve looks pensive.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> That was an odd feeling by the way.
<LadyRoyal> He isn't supposed to.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> ... I wonder if that's how Dani feels when the Agency gives 
her orders.
<Sakura> Yeah, well, it's better than running into him unprotected.
<Sakura> How bad did he hurt Leena, by the way?
<LadyMysteria> ... Sakura. Have we gotten any more info on this guy? And... as 
far as I know, he struck her pretty soundly and that was it.
<Sakura> Not really.  He seems to be pretty anonymous in terms of looks.
<LadyMysteria> I noticed that much... I really should've tailed him. I really 
should.
* LadyMysteria shakes her head slowly.
<Sakura> We have a sketch, but... it could be a third of the men that age you 
pass on the street.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> How old does he look?
<Sakura> Latish teens.
* Lord_Darkmoon opens the door and quickly closes it behind him. "She'll wait in 
the office with the Secretary."
<LadyMysteria> Then again, I had no idea it could've been him. He looks like 
just some average guy on the street. I figured Leena would be alright... and 
thanks, Rin.
<Lord_Darkmoon> You're welcome, Maya. *smiles softly* I'll tell her when we're 
done talking about...this. *it seems distasteful to him, too*
<Sakura> So Maya got a good look?
<Lord_Darkmoon> ...I had Tsubasa following him until he ducked into a building. 
He must have transformed then; Tsubasa never saw the bastard come out.
<Sakura> Huh.
<LadyRoyal> ..hm.
<LadyMysteria> I got a decent look at him, and he's as average as you'd expect. 
Nothing that stands out.
<Sakura> Well, I suppose we should have gotten Morioka to book you some time 
with the sketch artist.
<Lord_Darkmoon> Maya and I might try giving a sketch artist his description. 
But...yeah, it'd be hard to pinpoint him. Even in a lineup.
<LadyMysteria> Mmmm...
* LadyMysteria looks down at her knees.
<Sakura> *nod*  I'll call him later.
* LadyNightshade sits quiet and uncomfortable away from the group, poking 
through the files on the table.
<Sakura> Is there anything else to say about this, or should we get Leena back 
in here?
<LadyMysteria> I'm done.
<Lord_Darkmoon> ...one of these days, we should try to set a trap for him. We'd 
need someone immune to his Command ability, though. *shakes his head* Yes, let's 
drop it for now.
<Lord_Darkmoon> ...and be careful not to mention it around Leena again. 
* LadyMysteria simply nods.
<Lord_Darkmoon> Is there any other business, Sakura? Maya?
<Lady_MakeBelieve> The Mystic Warriors should be immune to it...
* Lord_Darkmoon steps towards the door, hand on the knob while he waits for a 
response.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Sakura, is his command ability the same as yours?
<Lady_MakeBelieve> I could call one of them here to test it.
<Sakura> ...that's an interesting point, Haruko... though I wouldn't bet on it.
<LadyMysteria> I... Sakura. Can I have a word with you in private after this?
<Sakura> It seems to work on the same mechanism, yes.
<Sakura> Of course, Maya.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Should I call up Dani or Mara?
<Sakura> If you want to find out... doesn't matter.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> It would be interesting to know. Do we plan on being here for 
a while longer?
<Sakura> Oh, yes.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Very well then.
<Sakura> Besides the other business, Rin is making dinner, remember?
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Oh, yes, I was helping him with that.
<LadyMysteria> ... yeah, dinner!
<Lady_MakeBelieve> But right now if you'll excuse me for a moment....
<Sakura> Anyway, someone grab Leena.
* Lady_MakeBelieve steps outside and pulls out her cell phone.
* LadyMysteria perks up at the mention of dinner.
* Lord_Darkmoon nods, and pokes his head out in the hall. "Leena, you can come 
in now. Madam Secretary, would you mind coming in, too?"
<Secretary> Who, me?
<Lord_Darkmoon> Yes, please.
* LadyMallet sulks in, casting a defiant glare at Sakura.
* Lord_Darkmoon opens the door and steps out of the way.
<Sakura> Leena, lose the chip.  It's not my fault.
<LadyMysteria> Leena, she didn't ask you to come back. I did.
<LadyMallet> ... yeah. Still.
<LadyMysteria> So if you're going to be angry, here I am.
<Lord_Darkmoon> *ahem* Can we all please drop it? 
* LadyRoyal snorts softly.  "Rinada, you need any more help?"
<LadyMallet> I know perfectly well who I'm angry at! And he's going to find out 
just. How. Angry. I. Am. ... until then, I'd rather not talk about it.
* Secretary stands by the door, and looks at Sakura questioningly.
<LadyNightshade> Please...
* LadyMysteria simply nods and finishes her long-cold tea.
<Sakura> It's okay, you can join us.
<LadyMysteria> Hello again, miss Secretary.
* LadyMallet plops down back on her previous seat, arms crossed.
* Lady_MakeBelieve walks in.
* Secretary pulls out the computer desk chair.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Dani and Mara were both busy, but Shelli was in the area.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> I hope no one minds, I invited her to dinner.
<Sakura> It's Rinada's party, ask him.
<LadyMallet> ... which one's Shelli, again?
* Lord_Darkmoon closes the door behind the Secretary. "I do not mind at all, 
Lady MakeBelieve."
<Sakura> Anyway.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Sailor Landslide.
<Sakura> I went back to the hospital this morning, and Anzu is doing fine.
<LadyMallet> Oh, her! I like her.
* LadyMallet beams.
<LadyMysteria> I don't mind, either. And Rin? Thanks for all of this. You really 
didn't have to.
* Lord_Darkmoon steps into the kitchen for just a moment, and comes back out 
holding a small stack of envelopes. "Thank you all for being here. I, um, would 
like to extend an invitation to each of you."
* LadyMysteria offers him a smile, then ohs. "Good! How are things with her and 
her mother?"
<Lord_Darkmoon> No, no problem, Maya. I'm pleased to.
<Sakura> Her mother... well, that's a long story.
* LadyRoyal raises an eyebrow.
* Lord_Darkmoon hands an envelope to each person here. It has the relevant 
person's name on it. The Secretary's just says "Secretary".
<LadyNightshade> How is her mom taking it?
<Sakura> She wasn't too happy at first, but I managed to coopt her.
* LadyNightshade eyes the envelope.
* LadyMallet looks at the envelope for a second, then looks at Darkmoon, 
puzzled.
<Lord_Darkmoon> Open them! ^_^
<Lady_MakeBelieve> What's it for?
* Lord_Darkmoon gestures excitedly.
<LadyMallet> ...
<Sakura> I can get her some exclusive stories, and she can get us - I mean all 
of us - some positive coverage.
<Sakura> What is this, Rin?
* LadyMysteria blinks at hers, then opens it slowly without much question.
* LadyMallet opens it like it's a bomb.
* Sakura opens the envelope.
<Lord_Darkmoon> An invitation. 
<Sakura> All of us?
* LadyNightshade slips it open and looks at the contents.
<Ked> The invitations are each hand written in well-done calligraphy, and invite 
the bearer to an all-expenses paid ski vacation at a good lodge in northern 
Japan.
* Lady_MakeBelieve slits it open with a fingernail, and reads what's inside.
<Lord_Darkmoon> Yes, all of you! ^_^
* Sakura looks up at Rin, questioningly.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Oh my, I can't accept a gift this lavish...
<Ked> The date for the vacation is set for next weekend, Friday, Saturday, 
Sunday, and Monday. 
<LadyRoyal> ...eeehhh.  That's...nice.
<LadyMysteria> ... when are we going to have time for this?
<LadyMallet> ... after we get Hitachi-2osen taken care of.
<LadyRoyal> What Maya said.  And how did you afford this, anyway?
<LadyMysteria> I mean... we're effectively on-call... still, it's a wonderful 
gift. Yet...
<Sakura> His family can afford it... but I didn't think you had that much pocket 
money, Rinada.
<Lord_Darkmoon> Next weekend, hopefully, since that's when it's scheduled for. 
* LadyMallet frowns. "... I'd love to accept. But... Hardhats still out there."
* LadyMysteria sighs. "... thank you, Rinada. I'd love to go." ^_^
<LadyNightshade> ... *looks over at Sakura*
<Lord_Darkmoon> It's a gift. *he smiles back at Maya*
<LadyMallet> I don't think I can just sit around and relax knowing that.
<LadyRoyal> Rinada, is this really a good idea?
* Sakura looks back at Taki.
<LadyRoyal> It's a fine gesture, but...
<Lord_Darkmoon> It's a belated New Year's gift, actually. ^^;
<Sakura> That's a longish time to be out of town, though it wouldn't be too hard 
to return early, I guess...
<LadyRoyal> ...gnnn.
<LadyMallet> ... I really appreciate the thought... but. The timing...
<Lord_Darkmoon> Leena... you can spare a weekend. Just to not think about it, to 
relax. We all need it.
* Sakura looks back at Darkmoon, seemingly trying to evaluate something.
<LadyRoyal> Didn't we just have one?
<LadyMysteria> Look, I want to take down Hardhat, too. But we don't have 
anything to work on, and until then we're flying blind. There are people with 
ears to the ground... let them find something first, and then we'll act. Even if 
we have to cut this thing short.
* LadyMallet frowns, her eyes turning sad for a moment. "I can't relax. It's... 
I can't relax knowing there's still stuff out there I need to take care of."
* Lord_Darkmoon nods to Maya's statement. And turns to Minami. "Yes, but after 
yesterday... And then our mission this week..."
<LadyRoyal> We can't just go have a party after every time something goes bad.
<LadyMysteria> Then you're going to worry yourself to death.
<Sakura> *distracted*  There's always something left hanging, Leena.
<LadyMysteria> ... and who said you have to do it alone, anyway?
<LadyMallet> Well, while are of you are gonna off be partying...
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Yeah, if you never had any fun just because something bad had 
happened or not happened... you'd never have any fun at all.
<LadyMallet> .... I can't bear the thought of something happening while we're 
gone.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> What's the point in that?
<Lord_Darkmoon> You're coming with us, Leena. --And if you remember, Sakura and 
the Secretary couldn't come with us last time.
<LadyMysteria> Things have already happened. Things will happen. And if we go 
around playing hero without taking time to decompress, we're all going to not be 
at our best. Yourself included.
<LadyRoyal> Taking a party every week is not exactly going to help us stay on 
point.
* LadyMallet sounds as if she's just trying to convince herself, now. "... I 
just know I'll worry myself to death if I do go. I simply won't be able to enjoy 
it."
<Lord_Darkmoon> ...
<Sakura> *still distracted*  This is inherently sort of a part-time job, Minami.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Sakura could order you not to worry!
<LadyRoyal> Yes, and the other part of what we do is school.
<LadyMysteria> Then... don't go.
* LadyMallet glares sharply at Haruko.
<Lord_Darkmoon> ...that's a BAD idea, Haruko.
<Sakura> I'll order her to not go looking for Hardhat alone.  I won't order her 
not to worry.
<LadyMallet> Don't. Just don't.
* LadyRoyal shrugs.  "All right, Maya."
<Lord_Darkmoon> Let's not give any unnecessary orders. ^^;
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Well, you sounded like you were looking for an excuse...
* LadyMysteria shrugs. "You're more than welcome to stay. You're not being 
dragged into it... but, in all honestly, Leena. If you do, don't go off half-
cocked by yourself. You're at your worst when you're running on pure emotion, 
just like me."
<LadyMallet> ...
<LadyMallet> ... I do -want- to go. But...
<LadyRoyal> I'm staying too, so don't worry about it.
<LadyMysteria> You don't. But you do. I can see it.
<Lord_Darkmoon> No buts! We want you to come! ...please, Minami?
* LadyMallet looks at Darkmoon for a long moment. "... I probably shouldn't."
<Sakura> ...Rin?  Is something wrong?
<Lord_Darkmoon> ...they supposedly have really really good hot chocolate 
there... *cajoling*
* Lord_Darkmoon looks at Sakura, surprised. "Wrong?"
<Sakura> I dunno.  You're just not... acting normal.
<LadyRoyal> I'm sorry, Rinada.
* LadyMallet looks away, then to Minami. "You're staying, too?"
* LadyRoyal nods at Leena.
<Sakura> And this is kind of sudden.
* Lord_Darkmoon looks away, mask firmly in place.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Well, did you already pay for their rooms and stuff?
* LadyMysteria takes a while to look into her teacup. "Rinada. Seriously... why 
now?"
<Lord_Darkmoon> I...sorry for the suddenness, but... yeah, the rooms are paid 
for, and everything.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> See, you'd just be wasting all of that money.
* LadyMallet forces a smile. It falters as she tries to think of something to 
say to her, then jerks her gaze away from her, too, and buries her face in the 
armrest.
<LadyNightshade> I... I'll go. I guess.
<Lord_Darkmoon> Thank you, Taki. *smiles formally--weakly?--in her direction*
<Sakura> Rinada, is this... a gift from your father?
* Lord_Darkmoon nods. Once.
<Sakura> This weekend?
* LadyRoyal frowns worriedly at Leena.
<Lord_Darkmoon> February 27th through March first. *nods again*
<Sakura> ...oi.
* LadyMysteria suddenly seems less happy about something. "... did he just give 
these to you, or did you ask, or..."
* Sakura closes her eyes and leans back.
* LadyRoyal switches the frown to Darkmoon/Sakura.
* Lord_Darkmoon stands very still.
<LadyMysteria> Rinada. Please.
* Lady_MakeBelieve waits for any revelations that may occur.
* Lord_Darkmoon flinches. And then exhales, slowly. He mutters, "Dammit, Rin, 
you should have known..." He looks up, at Sakura, then Maya. "I'm sorry." There 
is something of a man hiding behind a paper wall in his voice.
* Sakura opens her eyes but doesn't lean back forward.
<Sakura> What is happening this weekend, I wonder?
<LadyRoyal> Mm.
<Lord_Darkmoon> I don't know. I'm sorry; I don't know.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Those bugs might tell us.
<LadyMysteria> Then we need to find out.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> It's probably a good idea to *act* like we're leaving town 
anyway.
<Sakura> Maya, maybe we should push up that deadline.  Like tomorrow night.
* Lady_MakeBelieve sighs
<Lord_Darkmoon> Father was just very...insistent...that I not be here. *he looks 
directly at Maya as he confesses this*
* LadyMallet looks up, eyes scrunched shut just long enough for a sleeve to wipe 
them dry.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> It would have been fun.
<LadyMallet> ... tomorrow.
* LadyMysteria gently closes the envelope and hands it back to Rinada. "Good 
idea, Haruko. And... right now, work is more important that even family. Sorry, 
Rin-kun."
<LadyRoyal> ...mm.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> So Mallet, Royal, and everyone else, tell your folks, and 
pack your bags.
<Secretary> I will do some online searching.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> er oops.
* Lady_MakeBelieve blushes a bit
* LadyRoyal frowns at Haruko.
<Lord_Darkmoon> ... it is I who should apologize. *bows deeply from the hips* 
I'm am very sorry, everyone.
<LadyMysteria> ... and tomorrow it is. Taki, We're going to have to go out on a 
limb, so, talk to... Mitsuko about helping us out.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Sorry Maya, Sakura, I didn't mean to step on your toes.
<LadyMallet> ... were those invitations made out specifically to us?
<Lady_MakeBelieve> I'm used to giving the Mystic Warriors advice ^^;
* LadyNightshade starts out of her silence. "Oh... okay.
<Lord_Darkmoon> ...I wrote the invitations, Leena. So yes.
<LadyMysteria> No, no, it's a good idea.
<LadyMallet> ...
* LadyMallet falls silent again.
<Sakura> But your father didn't tell you to invite *us* per se, did he?
<Lord_Darkmoon> No. He didn't.
<Sakura> Then I wouldn't worry about it.  Rinada, you should make like you're 
packing, but I don't think we need to.
<LadyRoyal> How did you get so many invitations, then?
<Lord_Darkmoon> I requested twenty.
<LadyRoyal> Ah.
<Sakura> To Sapporo?  And *this* resort?  And he said yes?  Wow.
<Lord_Darkmoon> Some of my classmates will be going, too.
* Lord_Darkmoon nods at Sakura. Once, stiffly.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> That should probably throw off suspicion if he comes to see 
us off.
<LadyMallet> ...
<Sakura> Suddenly I've got a very bad feeling.
<LadyMallet> ... I've had one.
* Lord_Darkmoon does not look at the Sakura, but nods all the same.
<LadyMallet> I just don't know if I should go or stay...
<Sakura> You're staying, Leena.  We all are.
<LadyMysteria> I had one since I had an idea who was offering the trip. No 
offense, Rin.
<LadyRoyal> Hn.
* LadyMallet says, somewhat weakly, "... okay."
<Lord_Darkmoon> ... I am sorry, Maya. So very sorry.
<LadyNightshade> ...
<LadyRoyal> Why didn't you tell us?
<LadyMysteria> Rinada, as your leader, all I ask is this. Be honest with us.
* LadyRoyal sounds more curious than angry.
* LadyMallet eyes flare with anger. "Because he'll let himself drown in his 
secrets if no one drags them out of him!"
<Lord_Darkmoon> ... *opens his mouth to speak, but nothing comes out, so he 
closes it again*
<LadyMallet> ... sorry.
<LadyRoyal> Leena!
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Mallet, you aren't... 
* LadyRoyal sighs.
<LadyMysteria> If you're holding back something, you're not giving your all to 
this team, especially in the situation we're in. And... Leena is probably right.
<LadyMallet> ... I'm sorry. Sorry sorry sorry. I...
* LadyMallet shakes her head, and buries it in the armrest again.
<Lord_Darkmoon> Leena...don't be sorry. It's my fault. I-- I have failed you 
all. I'm sorry.
<LadyRoyal> We don't need your apology, Rinada.  We need your explanation.
<Ked> The front door buzzer sounds.
* LadyMysteria stands. "Taki's past caught up with us, although that came to a 
good end. Rin... please, don't let that happen again. I... I know he's your 
father, but we've a higher calling than even family. And... yes, I want to know 
why, too---eh?"
* Secretary bolts to her feet and goes out to check on it.
<LadyRoyal> ...
* LadyNightshade looks towards the door.
<Shelli> Hi, is Haruko here?
* Lord_Darkmoon takes a deep breath, and says, "Last night, when I got home, 
Father called me. He was...very insistent that I not be in Tokyo on the twenty-
eighth."
* Secretary intercoms back.  "It's someone named Shelli?  She says Haruko called 
her?"
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Great! Send her in!
* LadyMallet looks up quickly, then starts laughing, albeit a bit hysterically.
<LadyMysteria> I see.
<LadyRoyal> Oh?
* Lord_Darkmoon maintains the formal mask, not reacting to the announcement of 
someone new coming in.
* Secretary lets the new arrival into the back.
* Shelli walks in, in a fashionable, but demure outfit in shades of brown.
* Lord_Darkmoon bows formally.
<Shelli> Hi everyone.
* LadyMysteria promptly de-transforms and starts to gather her things.
* LadyRoyal nods to Shelli.
<LadyRoyal> Go on?
* LadyNightshade doesn't even acknowledge the new girl.
* LadyMallet then narrows her eyes, and gets to her feet, and chucks the couch-
cushion she was on at Darkmoon. Hard. "Quit that!"
<LadyRoyal> He hasn't done anything, Leena!
<Sakura> He has, but he doesn't necessarily deserve that.
* Lord_Darkmoon is hit with the pillow, and just lets it fall to the floor at 
his feet.
<LadyRoyal> Well, aside from this.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Everyone, this is Rochelle Pierce, or Sailor Landslide.  Some 
of you have met her before...
<Lord_Darkmoon> A pleasure, Miss Pierce. *flat voiced*
<Sakura> Hi, Rochelle.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Sakura, and Maya, I think you haven't met her...
<LadyMallet> ... his face, it's so ... ugh. So bland. I can't stand it.
* Shelli waves.
<LadyRoyal> ....ah.
<LadyRoyal> Well.  Hello, Shelli.
<Shelli> Nice to meet you all, and to see the rest of you again.
<LadyRoyal> Rinada, could you continue?
<Maya> I... think so, yeah. Hello again.
<Shelli> Oh, sorry, was I interrupting something?
<Sakura> You're coming in at sort of an odd moment, that's all.
* LadyMallet looks pointedly away from Darkmoon, and looks at Shelli. "No, not 
at all!"
<Lady_MakeBelieve> It's yeah, odd.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Sorry to drag you into this.
* Maya stuffs her duffel, then puts her tophat back on. Out come the rings as 
she looks over the group.
* Sakura smiles awkwardly at the pause.
* LadyMallet wipes her eyes again. "Landslide? Nice to meet you in a calmer 
moment." She extends a hand.
<Sakura> Rochelle, Haruko wanted to try a little experiment with you and me.
* LadyRoyal glances at Maya and detransforms as well.
* Shelli takes it and shakes it warmly
<Sakura> It won't take long, and shouldn't be too unpleasant.
* LadyMallet shakes, though not as warmly. "And after that, there's dinner!"
<Lady_MakeBelieve> She's going to tell you to do something, and you should try 
not to do it.
* Lord_Darkmoon moves so he's not in the center of attention, and stands quietly 
still.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> You said something about Anzu being transformed, should 
Shelli do it to?
<Sakura> Yes, she should be transformed for this to be a fair test.
<Sakura> Me too.
<Shelli> No problem.
* Sakura twirls for once, and transforms.
* Shelli shouts out "Warrior Earthflow! Make-up!" and in a shower of rock, 
becomes Sailor Landslide
<PrincessSakura> Are you ready?
<Sailor_Landslide> Sure.  Try not to make it too embarrassing though.
* Maya seems to have gravitated towards Rinada, but isn't saying anything.
* LadyMallet blinks, and steps back and watches.
<PrincessSakura> Um.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Oh, I know!
<PrincessSakura> I guess that means kissing Rinada is out.
<LadyMallet> ...
<Lord_Darkmoon> ...
* Minami snerks.
* Maya gives Sakura a look.
* LadyMallet narrows her eyes at Sakura.
* Lord_Darkmoon doesn't visibly react to that.
<Sailor_Landslide> Well, he's pretty cute...
* Sailor_Landslide winks
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Sakura
<PrincessSakura> Yes, yes, okay.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Anyway. I'll be right back.
* LadyMallet also cracks her knuckles, for good measure.
* Lady_MakeBelieve runs into the kitchen and returns with an apple.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Here, Shelli hates these, tell her to take a bite.
<PrincessSakura> No, that's too easy.
<PrincessSakura> ...okay.
<Sailor_Landslide> Not for me it isn't.
* Sailor_Landslide makes a face.
* Maya looks Rin's way. "... hey. You doing alright?"
<PrincessSakura> *commanding* Shelli, I want you to take that apple into the 
kitchen, toss it in the blender, and make apple juice from it.
* LadyMallet snickers.
* Lord_Darkmoon looks away from Maya, ashamed. "I am fine, my lady," he 
whispers.
* Sailor_Landslide stands still for a couple of seconds, looking as though she 
is trying to make up her mind, but then grabs the apple from Sakura and walks 
into the kitchen.
<LadyNightshade> ... So is that good?
* PrincessSakura detransforms, then ducks into the kitchen.
<LadyMallet> Uh, the point is not to do it!
* Sailor_Landslide is busy pulsing the blender to properly puree the apple.
<Sakura> Well, it was just to prove a point.  I personally think it's a good 
thing.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Drat.
<Sailor_Landslide> That was weird.
<Maya> Rinada, I'm just Maya right now. Please, treat me as just... Maya. And 
you're not fine. Still... we'll talk later, okay?
<Sakura> But then I'm the sap they put in charge.
<Sailor_Landslide> I didn't want to do it, and then it was like all of a sudden 
I decided it was a good idea even though I didn't want too.
<LadyMallet> ...
* LadyMallet glances at Haruko.
* Lord_Darkmoon nods. "Later."
<LadyMallet> Hey, Sakura, do you have any earplugs?
* Sakura looks back at the crowd and shrugs, then picks up the pitcher and 
drinks it.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> If that evil lord is out there, do you mind giving the 
Warriors the same orders you gave me?
<Sailor_Landslide> Oh, I can't believe you just did that
* Sailor_Landslide shudders.
<Sakura> *burp*
* Maya smiles up at Rin and pretty much gives his hand a squeeze for a second. 
"In any case, about that dinner."
<LadyMallet> Actually...
* Minami shrugs.
<LadyMallet> Haruko, could you make some earplugs real quick, and put them on?
<Sakura> I might have a throwaway pair of earplugs around here somewhere.
<Sakura> Why?
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Sure I could.
* LadyMallet points at Landslide, then at Haruko.
* Lord_Darkmoon relaxes. Some. "Yes, dinner. Sakura, if you don't need me 
anymore..." He is already heading into the kitchen and starting preparation by 
the time he's done saying that.
* Lady_MakeBelieve hands Shelli a pair of vaguely translucent and color shifting 
ear plugs
<Sailor_Landslide> Seeing if it's based on sound?
<LadyMallet> Um, no, actually.
<LadyMallet> Haruko, you put them on!
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Huh?
<Lady_MakeBelieve> What sense does that make?
<LadyMallet> Just try it!
* LadyMallet then jets out of the room.
* Sailor_Landslide looks at Mallet oddly before handing them back to Haruko
<Sakura> ...dangit, Leena, I wanted to spend a day not-transformed for a change, 
and now you want me to put it on again?
<Lady_MakeBelieve> I'm not sure what this is supposed to do but ok.
<Minami> ...oh, dear.
* Lady_MakeBelieve wedges them into her ears.
<Maya> Sakura, I have your authority, I can do it.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Someone say something.
<Minami> Your mother is made of chocolate biscuits.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> What?
<Sakura> But do you have my authority over her?
<Minami> I think they work.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> I think they work.
* Sailor_Landslide snickers
<Maya> ... come to think of it, no. Damn, I knew I forgot about something.
<Sakura> ...actually, that's a good question.  Try it.
<Maya> Still... it's showtime!
* Maya gets right to transforming. "Well, then... Landslide."
<Sailor_Landslide> Just no more apples.
* LadyMysteria skitters off for a moment, then comes back... with two eggs. 
"Right... I order you to take these eggs from me and crack them in your hands. 
Let's see if this works."
<Secretary> Over the sink!  Over the sink!
* Secretary sweatdrops.
* Sailor_Landslide takes them from Mysteria, and manages to get about halfway to 
the sink before crushing them in her hands.
<Sailor_Landslide> Sorry...
<LadyMysteria> If she does it, I'll make sure it doesn't hit the--- um.
* LadyMysteria blinks. "Well, it works..."
<Secretary> Dangit, Maya-sama...
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Was that it?
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Someone wave at me if it was.
* Minami sighs.  "Oh, well."
* LadyMysteria waves.
* Lady_MakeBelieve pulls out the earplugs and drops them, they vanish before 
they hit the ground.
* Lord_Darkmoon was moving stiffly in the kitchen at first, but seems to be 
moving familiarly about it, now. He doesn't even seem to break stride when he 
cleans the mess on the floor made by the eggs.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Shelli, sorry about this.  Wash your hands and I'll clean 
that up for you.
<LadyMysteria> Yeah, I'm sorry. Just had to make sure. ^^;
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Or it looks like our gallant lord will do it for you.
<LadyMysteria> My hero. ^^
* LadyMysteria chuckles, then plops back down onto the couch. Tension? What 
tension?
* Lord_Darkmoon blushes just a bit. And goes back to fixing dinner. It's amazing 
how fast things are getting done; he doesn't look hurried.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> So, Mysteria, about that order Sakura gave me?
<Sakura> I wonder if it's transitive...?
<Minami> Mm.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> It didn't transition from you to Maya automatically did it?
* Lord_Darkmoon suggests from the kitchen, "If you want to be sure, just have 
Maya give it to Shelli. That way, Sakura needn't transform again."
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Shelli's even less under my command than Maya is under yours.
<Sakura> Yes, um... Maya, this is a good point to learn.
<Sailor_Landslide> Yeah, we just do it to humor her. ^_^
<LadyMysteria> Yes, I'm taking it in.
<Sakura> You can pass along orders from your superiors, and if they are true 
orders, they will have the force of the original.
<Minami> Huh.
<Minami> Interesting.
<Sakura> It doesn't come up too often since there aren't that many ranks in our 
structure.
<Lord_Darkmoon> ...oh, REALLY?
<Sakura> *muttered*  There aren't enough, really.
<LadyMysteria> Amen to that, Sakura.
<Lord_Darkmoon> Sakura, order each of us to tell the...you know who...to come 
with us quietly and obey until we can turn him over to the Queen.
* LadyMysteria blips back to normal.
<Sakura> I don't think that would help, really... the flip side of that is that 
you have to recognize the structures in order for the passing along to work.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Sakura, Maya, could one of you *please* protect Shelli from 
the rogue Lord while she's here?
<Maya> ... yeah, we really should. Once more, showtime.
* Maya makes with the usual light-show effects, and promptly walks Landslide's 
way.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> I'll have the others come by as soon as they can.
<Sailor_Landslide> What's this about?
<Sakura> And it also doesn't work passing it up the chain of command.  And... 
it's a documented fact that this guy has the power to Order a Princess.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Its to keep you safe from a kamen who was turned by the 
Dragon Lord.
<Lord_Darkmoon> ...we'll explain later, Shelli. --wait, Sakura...are you sure 
he's a Lord, then?
<LadyMysteria> Try to make it quick. Anyway, Shelli... Landslide. There's----
guh. R-really?!
<Lord_Darkmoon> I know *I* have to obey Princesses, and they ignore me.
* Lord_Darkmoon sounds a little bitter as he says that.
<Sakura> He's *something* related to us, dammit.
* Minami helps set up the table, listening quietly.
<Lord_Darkmoon> ...I think you're missing my point. I can order Ladies, but must 
obey a Princess. What if he's a...well, I know there are no documented cases of 
them, but...
<Lady_MakeBelieve> A Prince?
<Sakura> Could be.
* Lord_Darkmoon nods. "Yes."
<Sakura> No one ever got his title out of him.
* LadyMysteria flinches at that, then shivers. "Anyway... Landslide, you are 
under order to ignore any orders given by this particular Lord if you feel that 
it's this one in particular. This is direct from the Queen herself."
<Lady_MakeBelieve> The Dragon King very well could have ennobled him when he was 
turned.
<Lord_Darkmoon> Which would mean...I sincerely hope your orders from the Queen 
supercede his authority, Princess.
<LadyMysteria> That goes for you too, Haruko.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Mallet managed it.
<Lord_Darkmoon> True. 
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Oh, Sakura already got me, but a double dose probably 
couldn't hurt.
<LadyMysteria> Heh.
<LadyMysteria> ... I think I'll stay transformed for now.
<Sailor_Landslide> So, is that all the stuff you called me here for?
<Lord_Darkmoon> Would you like to stay for dinner?
<Sailor_Landslide> Certainly.
* LadyMysteria shivers a little. "Mmmm... man, that felt odd."
<Lord_Darkmoon> What did, my La--Maya?
<LadyMysteria> Just a tingle from somewhere.
<Minami> ...oh?
<Lord_Darkmoon> ...explain, please?
<Lady_MakeBelieve> Darkmoon, could you call Norcliff and see if he felt anything 
odd?
<LadyMysteria> No, no, it's not anything bad. Just a funny little feeling when I 
gave that order.
<Sakura> Yeah, you can feel yourself channeling the power.
* LadyMysteria shrugs it off. "Probably the Queen's infinite wisdom or 
something." She doesn't bother to suppress a snicker.
<Sakura> If you feel that, it worked.
<Minami> Ah.
* Lady_MakeBelieve rolls her eyes at the mention of that.
<Sailor_Landslide> So, now we eat?
<LadyMysteria> Now, we eat.
<Lord_Darkmoon> Soon. Give me another half hour. The meat's cooking, and the 
rice is almost done, but the soup is taking a bit. ^^;
* LadyNightshade sits in the living room looking at nothing in particular.
<Minami> Tsk.
<Lady_MakeBelieve> I'll help!
<Minami> Well, a little waiting never hurt anyone.
<Minami> Unless you need help, of course.
* Lady_MakeBelieve goes into the kitchen and once again assists Darkmoon.
<Lord_Darkmoon> I'm fine, thanks--but I suppose a little help never hurt.
<Minami> Heh.
* Minami wanders in as well, taking care not to spoil the broth.
* LadyMysteria stays where she is, bouncing a little on her toes.
* Lord_Darkmoon , with the help of his lovely assistants, serves a very 
sumptuous, traditional meal. Which hopefully everyone enjoys. Maybe there is 
hottubbing afterwards, maybe not.
* Sakura pulls out a handheld computer, and makes some notes.
<Ked> [end session]