Session Start: Fri Dec 09 22:37:58 2005
<Ked> After the meeting broke up, somehow Taki managed to pull Sakura off into
a secluded corner.
<Ked> [start mini]
<LadyNightshade> Sakura, we have to stop this...
* PrincessSakura glances over her shoulder, checking for eavesdroppers, then
rounds back at Taki, lips peeled in a snarl.
<PrincessSakura> And you call yourself a ninja?
<PrincessSakura> This is exactly what we discussed.  This is exactly what we
were shooting for.
<LadyNightshade> Yeah, but the Queen didn't have her vision till after we
decided this! That means we're playing right into the hands of whatever her
vision was.
<LadyNightshade> If we just continue with this a lot of people are going to
die!
* PrincessSakura whaps Taki over the head, not entirely gently.
* LadyNightshade winces but refuses to act hurt.
<PrincessSakura> No, you silly, it means that we *are* her vision.
<LadyNightshade> Why would she faint like that if this is how we saved the
day? It has to be something bad...
<PrincessSakura> How many Ladies has she had visions of?  How many of them
have we saved?
<PrincessSakura> How many of them have YOU saved?
<LadyNightshade> She had the visions before we were called into save them.
What we're doing is already in motion, therefore it must be a part of the
vision. If we don't do anything differently than what we were already doing,
how is that going to change the future?
<PrincessSakura> ...ah, but that's the beauty of it.  Whoever said that we are
the only ones who can act to save people?
<LadyNightshade> ... Who is going to if we don't?
* PrincessSakura smiles beatifically and waves a hand at the rest of the
palace. "They are."
* LadyNightshade sighs.
<LadyNightshade> It still feels like we're forcing it on them. Can we even
trust the Princesses to lead effectively in a fight like this?
<PrincessSakura> ...leadership is something they've always been able to fake.
And certain contentious objectors aside, magical girls certainly know how to
fight.
<PrincessSakura> They just needed to be pointed in the right direction.
<LadyNightshade> ... And you're sure this is our only option?
<PrincessSakura> We could always hide.  Would you like to hide?
<LadyNightshade> ... It's better than dying.
<PrincessSakura> Yeah, well, it's not better than living.
<LadyNightshade> So you get a thrill out of this?
<PrincessSakura> So you want to run away for the rest of your life?
<LadyNightshade> No, I... I just-- It gives you time to find a better option.
To plan things better.
<PrincessSakura> This is the most information I've ever had.  This is the most
control of the situation I've ever had.  This is the best political
environment I've ever had.  This is the best tactical situation I could
possibly engineer.  And regardless of what you think, *they* will attack here
before long, and abandoning this ground is not something I can con the other
Princesses into doing.
<PrincessSakura> Better is a dream, an excuse for procrastination, a
temptation that leads to oblivion.
<LadyNightshade> ... I'm sorry.
* LadyNightshade looks down.
<LadyNightshade> I don't know why... I'm just so scared. This isn't like me...
<PrincessSakura> Scared is all right, Taki.  Paralysis is not.
<LadyNightshade> I'm not... I'm still going to do it. I wasn't ever not going
to help you. I just felt like if I didn't try to come up with something better
I couldn't live with myself...
<PrincessSakura> ...I want to tell you to trust me, but I know how much I'd
hate to hear that.
<LadyNightshade> I... I trust you.
<LadyNightshade> You're one of the few people I really honestly trust.
<PrincessSakura> And on some levels, I might even deserve that.
* LadyNightshade blushes slightly. "You've earned it."
<PrincessSakura> If you figure out a way to do this better, I'll listen to
you.  If you figure out that it can not be done, I'll listen to you.
* LadyNightshade nods.
<LadyNightshade> I guess I should talk to Mitsuko in the mean time...
<PrincessSakura> But tomorrow, you just worry about keeping Minami safe.
<LadyNightshade> I will.
<PrincessSakura> If Mitsuko will keep this to herself, that'll be all right.
<LadyNightshade> Who is she gonna tell?
<PrincessSakura> You know her.  I don't.
<LadyNightshade> I don't think she would, I mean. Whether she'll actually help
or not is another matter...
* PrincessSakura glances around again.
<PrincessSakura> There's a lot to do.  Are you going to be okay?
<LadyNightshade> As well as I can be I guess. I'll do my best to make you
proud.
<PrincessSakura> No, do your best to make yourself proud.
<PrincessSakura> Now excuse me, I need to go make sure Tiara doesn't fuck
anything up when she recovers.
<LadyNightshade> ... Good luck with that.
<PrincessSakura> Just have to keep her distracted.  And I'll be in touch.
* LadyNightshade nods. "Thank you."
* PrincessSakura strides off.
<PrincessSakura> [end mini]
Session Close: Sat Dec 10 00:06:23 2005