[Sakura Detective Agency; everyone but Maya and Rinada has left for personal time before the mission this evening. Start.] * Lord_Darkmoon is sitting cross-legged, eyes closed. He looks...almost peaceful. Except for the rigidity around his lidded eyes. * Maya pauses for a long moment after Minami's comment... then fidgets a little. "Well, half the reason I stayed behind was... well... I wanted to talk to you about... you know. The here and now." * Lord_Darkmoon opens his eyes, which relax a bit as he looks a bit self- conscious, and nods. Rin-kun, I can tell this isn't easy for you. But... I'm going to need for you to open up, if only here and if only for me. You just can't wall yourself off forever. * Lord_Darkmoon contemplates for a minute - after a moment's hesitation his mask slipped enough that Maya could see him trying to figure out how to respond - and finally turns to look at Maya, releasing a small sigh. "I... it's not walling myself off. Really. Just... I can't let my feelings about this...job...and ..." he shakes his head. "I'm sorry. That probably doesn't make any sense." He still sounds quiet, reserved. More as an obvious effort to keep control than anything else. * Maya takes a long moment to study Rin's face, before and after he actually looks her way. "No... I actually understand. I think a proper term would be... conflicts of interest? You have your family on one hand, and your duty on the other, and trying to separate the two can't be easy in your position." It...isn't. But. I have, for once, dedicated myself to this duty rather than merely having it forced upon me. I... *softens his tone a bit, sounding self-reproaching* I tried to side-step it yesterday; I'm sorry for the betrayal, Maya. I knew it wouldn't work but... What's done is done. It wasn't the right thing to do, no, but I can't fault you completely for it. Still... please, remember what we're here for... and pray that we don't have to lose too much of what we care for in fulfilling our purpose. * Lord_Darkmoon tentatively puts a hand on Maya's shoulder, and looks down, closing his eyes. "I will not do it again. My duty is to you, and the others. I won't let anything happen to any of you if I can help it; that is what I care for." He opens his eyes and lifts his head to meet Maya's gaze. "I promise, I won't let Rin's problems interfere with my duty anymore." He actually seems a bit more...peaceful than he did earlier, now. Not exactly smiling, but close. Rinada... please don't separate your real self and your Earth self. Sure, the personality may change, but the emotions and the memories don't. It's still you, just... more so. * Maya shakes her head slowly, reaching up to place a hand atop Rin's. "Still, I understand. And you know I trust you to fulfill those words." * Lord_Darkmoon does smile now, a bit sadly. "Thank you, Maya. I... if nothing else, I need that distance, for this mission. Rin can't do it. Betraying one's father... But Lord Darkmoon - me - I'm loyal to this team. This team are the first friends I've had as Darkmoon. You're very important to me." * Maya nods slowly, taking that all in. "Alright... if you have to, I guess it's okay. Just don't end up like Leena. She's just... I don't think even she understands herself. And the last mission didn't help, either..." * Lord_Darkmoon winces, expression turning pained and concerned. "No. It didn't." He makes some effort, but the only result is his face darkening to anger rather than worry. "I will kill that creature when I meet him." ... I will help. * Maya can't help but shudder a little, and scoots a bit closer. Perhaps for support, perhaps to calm Rin down some; it's hard to tell. "But... well, right now, I think we should just try to calm down and get ourselves centered. Tonight's really important." * Lord_Darkmoon nods, smiling somewhat sadly once more. He looks about to say something, but seems to change it at the last moment to, "It is. Father used to tell me stories about Samurai, and how they'd compose poetry before battle. Do you suppose Sakura has any calligraphy supplies around here?" * Maya blinks Rin's way for a bit, then chuckles. "I doubt it, but that's... a very interesting way to relax. Me, I just break out the rings and work on them. It's... something of a habit, really. It's easy to lose myself in the task and forget about everything else." You seem quite practiced with them. Were you a magician before you became a Lady? * Maya nods. "It's my hobby, really. Kind of silly, seeing how stage magic's fallen out of favor recently." * Lord_Darkmoon stands, and gestures at his Hakama. "Samurai have been out of fashion for ages. A hobby is for oneself, not for others' 'favor'." Well, it makes you look quite elegant, Rin-kun. You at least have my favor. ^_^ * Maya pauses... then realizes what she's said and colors a tad. "... ah-heh. You know what I mean." * Lord_Darkmoon bows elegantly, with just a hint of overblown showyness for his Lady's benefit. "I thank you, my Lady," he says with a genuine smile. * Maya nods her approval, giggling just a bit. "You are more than welcome, my Lord. Now please, sit. I think we can make a bit more small talk..." * Lord_Darkmoon opens the Tessen, revealing the design on the black silk of the fan itself: a white field with a wolf howling at a purple moon, the moon placed where the red circle goes on many "rising sun" fans. He smiles behind it, before sitting once more, and closing it again. "What would you like to discuss?" Well... I really don't know much about you, but I figure there's a reason so I won't pry. I will ask, however... who taught you how to cook? My mother. She often comments about how useless Father is in the kitchen. I think she'd be horrified if I were to emulate him in that respect. *chuckles quietly* I think one of the few things that can truly intimidate my father is Mother chasing him out of the kitchen with a ladle. * Maya laughs into her hand. "You're going to have to show me a few of your mothers recipes, then. Wouldn't hurt to have a few more tricks up my sleeve that don't involve top hats and playing cards." She takes a moment to look up at Rin, smiling faintly. It would be my pleasure. What about you? How did you become interested in stage magic? I always wanted to be a magician when I was young, but I really got into it when I was ten... papa bought me my first tophat, tux and this cheap little stage magic set he found in the States. It was all downhill from there. ^_^ * Lord_Darkmoon chuckles a bit. "Still planning to do it professionally, once you're out of high school?" I... don't know. It depends on what happens to me as a Lady. There's no telling what the Queen might want from me. * Lord_Darkmoon sighs, but without his usual rancor when the Queen and her wishes are mentioned. "No, there isn't." * Maya notes Rinada's sigh, then carefully leans against him, eyes closing. "It's funny... sometimes I can't stand her, and sometimes I don't understand her. But... here I am, doing what she wishes of me. Such a strange life this is..." * Lord_Darkmoon stiffens a bit, but consciously relaxes, so Maya doesn't think it's her fault. "We don't have much choice, honestly. ...will you-- Would you be happy, serving her for a living? Rather than doing something of your own choosing? Or would you have chosen this, given the choice?" ... someone must make a sacrifice for the good of others, Rinada. I see it as... I see it this way. If I do not choose that path, when who will? I won't let the torch pass me by. I won't be happy serving her, no... but I'll be happy knowing I've saved lives. That's enough for me. * Lord_Darkmoon looks down at Maya, surprised. "I... you are truly worthy of leading us, my Lady Maya." He pauses, then breaks out in embarrassed laughter. "I just realized...I don't remember your family name. I'm so sorry, but I've never called you by it, and I'm terrible with names in general. What -is- your family name, if I may ask?" * Maya blushes a bit more at Rinada's praise, looking down at her knees. "It's Uzuki, Rinada. And it's alright, I haven't used it too much recently, either." ... I feel like I should have more to talk about, but it's like our lives are pretty open-book as it is. * Lord_Darkmoon hesitates a moment. "We certainly see a lot of each other. And it seems like our lives have more revolved around this Team than anything else, ever since we were assigned to it. Thank you, Lady Uzuki Maya. Your name is lovely." He smiles down at her. "Just like its bearer." * Maya tries to not look too flustered, really. "And I see flattery's a part of your charm, as well. I suppose you imagine I'm going to reward you for that comment?" True flattery is merely saying what you're thinking in the kindest manner you know how. And your smile is reward enough. *blushes, though he pretends he isn't doing so* ... no, I'd rather not short-change you, even if your words pretty much drip honey. * Maya sighs wistfully, then leans in and pecks Rinada on the lips. Okay, so it's not exactly a 'peck', but she's not jamming her tongue down his throat or anything. * Lord_Darkmoon turns quite red at that, and doesn't seem to know how to respond. When it's over, he seems at a loss for those honey-dripping words. That said, I think I could go for a bite to eat. Come with? * Lord_Darkmoon rises, gesturing with the Tessen to turn his hakama into a t- shirt and jeans. "I would be honored." * Maya rises as well, stretching a bit before heading to the door. "... thanks for your time, Rin-kun." Thank you for your company, Maya-chan. *offers his arm* Shall we? [And they go off on a quest. A quest of love, justice, romance, and FOOD!]