1016/Not Really In My Element

Not Really In My Element
Date of Scene:	09 February 2016
Location:	Takashi's House
Synopsis:	Ami's mother is starting to get worried about her extended absense. The senshi try to come up with a cover story.
Cast of Characters:	Takashi Agera, Ami Mizuno, Usagi Tsukino

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Takashi Agera has posed:
Ami's phone has been buzzing for a little bit after he sent that last text message, but he hasn't gotten up to get it. Because, frankly, Takashi's still fighting the posion too - he just hasn't wanted to show her, and he's prioritized her over himself.

It's not until she stirs again that he gets up to get the phone and look over the texts - he was hoping to give her good news, but perhaps worried the tenor of the texts might be the sort of thing he'd have needed to respond to anyways. And, of course, they were, with worried thoughts from her mother and friend, and concerns turning to ultimatiums involving the police.

But even that can wait, as he keeps her phone in his hand, leaning over. "Ami-chan?" he asks, softly.

Ami Mizuno has posed:
Ami is, it should be noted, starting to feel at least a little better. She's not sitting on death's door; no longer dehydrated and unable to move. There's still a lot of pain, and a lot of discomfort. But at least she's alive.

Sleep, however, still seems like a good idea even after two full days of it. She was just thinking she might go back to sleep when Takashi's voice cuts through the haze of pain and the fog of discomfort. "Nnnnm?" she mumbles.

Takashi Agera has posed:
Takashi tries to figure out how to not cause a panic with his comments, but it -is- a problem that needs solving. "I told Tsukino-san you were safe, but she said I should probably text your mother too, and I think she's right. But I didn't want to do it on your behalf... I was worried it might come off wrong and just make her more concerned." he says, carefully. He doesn't mention the police thing. That's not exactly relevant yet.

"Or if you'd rather, you can text her. Either way, we should say something, I think." he says. "And then if you're up to it I can get you something a little bit more than water now - you probably need it."

Ami Mizuno has posed:
Ami reaches up to rub at her eyes, then lets out a soft sigh. "Mmmmmh," she mumbles unhappily, then rolls over onto her back. For a moment she doesn't say anything else; just lays there looking tired and uncomfortable and unhappy. Then she starts to lift her knees, very slowly, so that she can push herself up to something resembling a sitting position. She doesn't get very far.

For another moment, Ami just remains still, then sighs and instructs Takashi to, "help me sit up. I'll ... figure something out."

Takashi Agera has posed:
Takashi has been reading the rest of the texts that have come in from Usagi since he sent his out... and he might have a slight flush of his own at Usagi's early response. No, that's not what they're doing! He looks up at Ami while she tries to sort herself, and puts the phone on the table as he leans in to gently help her get to a sitting position.

"And would you please tell your friend that we did not run away to elope? Tsukino-san must be projecting her own desires onto you or something." he adds, making sure that she's as comfortable as she can be, given that she needs the help to get to the sitting position.

"Broth. Do you want chicken or beef? I think I've got both in the kitchen."

Ami Mizuno has posed:
Once she's slightly upright, Ami reaches for the phone. "Chicken. I'll tell her," she mumbles quietly, then sighs and starts reading through the texts. Ami, too, begins to blush as she reads the ones from Usagi, then rubs at her face. "I love my friend," she mumbles, "but she has strange ideas."

Eventually she gives up reading all the texts--since when does she have so many friends to worry about her!?--and begins to compose one.

To Usagi-chan: Did not elope. Kunzite tried to kill me. Safe to assume all generals back under Beryl's control. Agera-san might read my texts, so don't say anything he should not know. He is healing me, but it was a close thing. Don't know what to tell mama.

It's not long before Usagi replies.

From Usagi-chan: WHAT?! Where are you? Are you okay? Stupid question, do you want hugs? WHERE ARE YOU?

To Usagi-chan: On a couch. I think it is Agera-san's house. I'm ... in a lot of pain. But I'm better than I was yesterday.

Takashi Agera has posed:
Takashi walks into the kitchen - which is connected to the living room and is not far away at all - and starts to cook... for as much as one cooks broth. He's close enough to comment into the living room, though. "You know, that guy really wanted you dead. He got that posion into you... which would've killed you on it's own given time - but when I caught you out of the air, he was still coming for you."

"It was... real close there for a little bit." Takashi adds. "Truthfully, I've never seen someone so close to death. I'm really glad to just see you sitting up."

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
TXT Ami-chan: ;A; Ami-chan!!!!!! I'm so sorry I wasn't there! Can I get you anything? Should I tell your mom you've been helping with some cleaning stuff from the storm and got sick because your feet were in water all day so you're gonna stay with a friend so she doesn't have to miss work?

TXT Ami-chan: (As an aside, I think your mom thought we were a couple.)

Ami Mizuno has posed:
The bluenette lets out a soft-voiced sigh, then starts to flip over to her camera. Only before she gets there, another text comes in from Usagi. And then another. Ami rolls her eyes amusedly, right up until she finishes reading them.

Her cheeks turn even brighter red, and she starts to sink into the couch. "Think I'm gonna pass out," she mumbles uncertainly. Somehow she manages not to, which honestly she isn't sure is better. "Kunzite was his name," she notes to Takashi. "He's ... one of Sailor Moon's enemies. But also a victim. I was stupid," she admits.

To Usagi-Chan: A change of clothes would be nice. I don't even know where mine are. I'm in some over-sized teeshirt now and I don't want to think about who changed me. My mom wants to know why I'm not at school ... I guess the storm works as an excuse. It sounds awfully thin. Maybe get Mako-chan to agree to 'host' me? No parents to corroberate or deny the story. Will you ask her and tell my mom?

Takashi Agera has posed:
Takashi notes her blush, but he has no idea what the reference is, so he mentally gets it half-correct, by chalking it up to 'something Usagi said' - he'll have to set the record straight if he runs into her again.

"Also a victim..." Takashi muses. "You mean like Chiba-san, I guess?" he surmises. "I know you and Tsukino-san both think positive of him despite the whole throwing me into a storefront thing..." it's obvious from the tone of his voice that Takashi does not share this opinion.

"As for Kunzite... he wasn't aiming to wound. He wasn't holding back. There was death in his eyes. I say this because..." there's a long pause, and he settles for being a jerk - it's kind of his natural habitat. "I'd be really upset if I did all of this and you went off and got yourself killed anyways. I went to a lot of trouble to keep you not-dead."

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
TXT Ami-chan: Okay! But send her a text even if it's half asleep. That alone will assure her more than anything I may say! But I'll get you some clothes and things! And I'll talk to Mako-chan!

TXT Ami-chan: YOU'D LET ME KNOW IF YOU WERE REALLY DEAD RIGHT?! YOU WOULDN'T BE TEXTING ME THIS TO MAKE ME FEEL BETTER, WOULD YOU?!

TXT Ami:Mako-chan will be your cover patsy.

Ami Mizuno has posed:
"Mmmhm," Ami agrees to Takashi's guess about Mamoru, still sounding more exhausted than awake. "And I know he wanted to kill me. The ... thing that has him wants to destroy the world. And pretty much I'm one of the biggest threats to her plans. So she's trying to eliminate me. Also I may possibly have injured Kunzite's brother pretty badly after Walpurgisnacht."

She sighs, tiredly, then reads the incoming spam of texts. "Don't worry, Takashi-kun, I'm not going to go getting myself killed. I just ... made a mistake." Beat. "It won't happen again." And the way she says it is almost ominous; like a threat made in absentia. Kunzite may be experiencing a chill in his spine right now.

To Usagi-chan: I love you two. Thank you. Get me something loose. Dresses. Underwear, too. And warm socks. My toes are cold. And no, I'm not dead. When you get here, I will let you hug me just to prove it.

Ami looks up to Takashi and asks, "Can I give Usagi-chan your address? I'd like her to bring me some things."

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
TXT Ami: Awww we love you, too! <3 And yup, plus comfy clothes! And a stuffed bunny! I'll bring you Mr. Hopplesworth! He'll kiss your booboos for you!

Takashi Agera has posed:
Takashi listens, pouring the broth into bowls for both of them - and he might get a little bit of that chill, too, even though it's not directed at him. "Well, you won't make that particular mistake again, I hope, but..." there's a bit of quiet. Takashi only knows Ami is part of the magical world in some way, but his brain hasn't made the connection to her really being a /fighter/. "If you're going to get keep being involved in this sort of thing, you /have/ my number. And I have the whole armor and polearm thing going on." he offers.

"Also, next time try to at least stay conscious if you're going to fall off a building." he adds with a bit of a wry grin, setting the broth down and then moving to his chair, having given up the use of the couch to her. "Because I probably looked really dashing catching you out of the air like that, but you couldn't even appreciate it." he says before raising the bowl to his lips.

After a drink, he sighs. "Sure, she can come by." he says, before getting stern. "But she can't stay, and she can't try to make you leave. If she does I'm gonna get the halberd." He's being quite serious, rather than joking. "You're not in any shape to leave yet. Magic-Science-Knight's orders." It's only at the last bit does he find a bit of levity.

Ami Mizuno has posed:
"I am asking her to bring me clothes," Ami notes to Takashi with a scowl. "And she's going to stay long enough to visit with me. And if you kick her out, I'll make your life miserable. She's not going to spend the night, and she's not going to try to make me leave, but she is my best friend."

She's not even giving him room for arguing. "And if you threaten her, I will walk out of here naked if I have to. I reiterate that she is my best friend, and while I am very grateful to you for what you've done, I'm not going to let you be a bully to Usagi-chan. Is that clear?"

Takashi Agera has posed:
Takashi is... somewhat taken aback, though he does a reasonably good job of not looking as outwardly shocked as he might be inwardly. He does, however, set his bowl of broth down and look at her, and it's not a cold or cruel look. "That's fine." he says, after a moment. He is painfully clearly picking and choosing his words, now. "I understand that she means a lot to you. I was not really going to threaten one of your friends with a weapon." His speech has shifted on the defensive to that much more stilted and calculated style. "My apologies."

There's a lot more he'd like to say, but he doesn't say it. Instead, he gets up and walks upstairs, quietly nodding to her in a moment of begging his excuse, going upstairs to keep control of his emotions - because for Takashi Agera, some emotions can be dangerous things to let out, especially in front of magical others..

But there's a third party in the room, with a moment of <He is worried about you.> the three little cracked ear tuds on the nearby table 'say', lighting up in time with the words in shades of blue.

Ami Mizuno has posed:
Ami wilts and slumps back down to the couch when Takashi leaves the room. She eyes her bowl of broth wearily, then reaches up to rub at her face. "Good job, Ami-chan," she mumbles to herself. Only to startle at the sound of another voice. She blinks and turns to regard the three studs. "Uh ..." she trails off. "W..hat?"

Takashi Agera has posed:
With just Ami and Axion in the room (Eiszapfen still on his wrist), the device is free to do something it's been doing more and more since a recent upgrade - express its personality and opinion. <He saved you without a moment's hesitation.> it points out. <Now he is worried something will happen to you.> the device says. The actual tone of the voice is monotone, but there's something emotional that can be felt in the way it talks - currently sounding as though it's a cross between concerned about him and confused about his actions - as though they're somewhat out of place for him.

Ami Mizuno has posed:
Ami opens her mouth, then slowly closes it. She stares at the device, then forces herself to sit back up, slowly. Keepign the blanket carefully arranged, Ami turns so that her feet can dangle off the couch onto the floor, then leans forward for her broth. She's going to need more than water to get through this discussion.

Hesitantly, she holds the broth in both hands, uncertain of herself. She sniffs it slowly, letting the aroma alone help to wake up her hunger and give her a little energy to drink. "Usagi-chan is not going to hurt me," she notes quietly. "I understand being worried, but that's not justification for threatening my friend." Then, she finally finds the energy to sip her broth.

Takashi Agera has posed:
<He's not afraid of her hurting you. He's afraid of anything hurting you.> The device attempts to clarify. There's a silence as the device finds the energy to keep up the conversation - it's still in repair status, but the statements it wants to make are important. After all, Axion's first duty is to Takashi.

<In one moment he threw much away to save you.> the device says - perhaps referring to itself.<And you're still so very fragile. And he cares for you greatly.>

The amount of time Ami gets to process that is also limited, as Takashi walks back down from upstairs shortly after the device finishes, and the glow fades as it returns to its recovery mode. "Sorry I spoke ill of your friend. Tsukino-san and I have met once. She's very nice, and I understand why you'd want to see her." he says, smiling again. Like he'd banished away that momentary reaction, like it hadn't even happened.

Ami Mizuno has posed:
Ami squints at the gems uncertainly, but she can hear Takashi coming down the stairs. Rather than respond to him or the device, she continues drinking the broth. It's slow going, but she manages to get down quite a few sips before finally having to put it back on the table.

Finally, she looks up to Takashi as well. "It's okay," Ami says quietly, "just please don't make me choose between my health and my friend. I promise she's not going to get in the way of my healing process. That would be the last thing Usagi-chan wants. And she will trust my judgement on whether I am being properly cared for. She looks to me as an expert on matters of science and medicine."

Takashi Agera has posed:
Takashi nods. He'll take that as a tacit admission that maybe both of them went a smidge too far, and leave it at that - even if that's not quite what Ami meant. "Well, I look to you as an expert on that, too. Just a fellow expert, when it comes to science."

But he leans in a bit, and tilts his head. "So what /is/ your judgement on whether you are being properly cared for?" he asks. There's not a smile here, no wry grin belying a self-gratifying comment or incoming joke. "I'm not really in my element..." he admits "...but I'm trying to do the best I can."

Ami Mizuno has posed:
"I'm recovering," Ami points out to Takashi quiely. "It's a good sign. And if you're confident that whatever this poison is requires your unique magical talents to deal with it, I'm not going to argue. You've more than proven your competence to me." Sh lets out a sigh, but it's more exhaustion than upset. "Did you keep my clothes, or were they ruined by Kunzite's attack?"

Takashi Agera has posed:
Takashi inclines his head a little, accepting the response. "I'm glad you see things the way I do." he says, about the whole business of requiring his talents. On the subject of clothes though... "Both. I mean, I didn't throw them out, but you /did/ need a bath rather than just lying on the couch unconsciously, and they really were not cut out to perform the function of clothes after that attack anyways. But they're in a bag in the downstairs bathroom, I think...?" he says, tapping his cheek.

Ami Mizuno has posed:
Ami's cheek flush at the answer, and she reaches up to scratch at her arms, which begin to show evidence of hives. "Okay," she squeaks out unhappily. But she doesn't explain why. Instead, she picks up her phone and offers it to Takashi. "Can you text your address to Usagi-chan, please?"

Takashi Agera has posed:
"Sure." he says, taking the phone from her and texting Usagi just a short message with his address, and -Agera at the end of it. Then he looks over at her as she scratches. "Are you okay?" he asks. This gives him a sense of dejavu. "...did you ever figure out if you were alergic to anything in that chess set?"

Ami Mizuno has posed:
"I'm fine," Ami says, scratching all the more. "Don't worry about it, this is normal." She reaches for her broth and raises it to her lips, retreating to food to stave off the more embarassing questions.

Takashi Agera has posed:
Takashi raises an eyebrow, but he doesn't say anything. Oh, Ami Mizuno. You thought you could avoid embarassing questions just by dodging the one? "So, I guess you don't have a boyfriend or he'd probably be blowing up your phone by now, too?" Takashi asks, more out of ill-timed smalltalk than anything else. At least, consciously.

Ami Mizuno has posed:
Ami nearly chokes on her broth. She holds it away from her mouth and barely manages not to spill it everywhere, then slowly sets the drink back down. Once she's recovered her breath, Ami notes, "That seems a bit of a forward question, don't you think, Agera-san?" Ah, back to last names. On the other hand, he did save her life, so she throws him a bone, "I haven't had much time for boyfriends."

Takashi Agera has posed:
Takashi blinks. "Sorry if you feel that way?" he offers, softly. "I didn't think it was forward. You're best friends with Tsukino-san, and she broadcasts her relationship status in ways that are probably recivable on Alpha Centauri. In real time." he notes. "I apologize if it is something you'd consider forward..." drink "...Mizuno-san." Yes, he picked up on that, and yes, two can play at this game.

"But... you shouldn't need much time, right? Theoretically, I mean, you would find someone who spends time doing the same thing you spend time doing, so you would have a boyfriend and, mostly, retain the same amount of available time."

Ami Mizuno has posed:
Ami grimaces and picks up the soup. She gives him a nervous look, and then puts the mug to her lips and takes a sip. But she doesn't reply to his questions at all. Instead, she just focuses on drinking the soup, letting his awkward questions hang in the air.

When she's done with the drink, Ami puts the mug back down, then looks around uncertainly. For a long moment, she looks entirely uncomfortable ... and then she apparently gets over it because she finally looks back to Takashi and admits, "I need to use the restroom. Can you ... help me up? I'm not sure I trust myself to walk on my own."

Takashi Agera has posed:
Takashi nods. "You probably can't. Your body's diverting a lot of energy to healing. That's why you're still so weak. You'll be weak for a while while it purges all of the negative en..." and that's when it clicks over that the explanation can probably wait, if it's still needed, until AFTER she gets back from the restroom.

"Yeah, yeah. Here." he says, sitting next to her, putting her arm around his shoulders. It's not a romantic gesture in the sense, it's just designed to make it easier for her to lean on him. That doesn't mean it might not set off her alergies.

He stands up, hopefully with her. "Downstairs one isn't that far. Didn't realize I'd need to check when buying a house to see if it'd make a good temporary hospital, but it's doing fine all told!"

Ami Mizuno has posed:
Wincing, Ami leans into Takashi, and then slowly tries to push back to her feet. It's slow-going, and by the time she's standing she's also shaking, and nearly crying. So heavily does she lean on Takashi that he might actually feel more like he's supporting dead weight.

But she doesn't give up, and she doesn't sit back down. She just stands there, waiting until the shakes subside. It takes a long, long time. Minutes pass, before Ami finally has enough control. And then she takes her first step, leaning on him the whole way to the bathroom.

When they reach it, she makes her way to the toilet, then has him help her sit down. "Okay," she says quietly, breathing heavily. "Okay, I can take it from here. Just ... just don't go far," she begs.

Takashi Agera has posed:
Takashi is a lot of things - and a lot of those things are bad. But one of those things is patient - at least, outside of Riventon. And so he waits. He doesn't say anything derisive, and if she looks at him, she won't get any hints of annoyance, any looks like he'd rather be somewhere else. Instead, all of his focus is on her, on supporting her. There's something in him that's more than willing to be her support.

He's also smart enough not to try to be ridiculously rah-rah; they both know she's injured, she can do this, and she'll get over it. "I'll be right outside." he says with a smile as he walks out and closes the door. It's not a dignified moment for her - but he won't do her the disservice of pointing it out. The best thing he can do is ignore the fact that it's out of the ordinary, let her lean on him, and try to make this moment of her life as easy as possible.

After all, Takashi knows all too well what it's like to be too weak to walk and need to be supported by someone else. At least she's not walking into the room and collapsing on the floor in a fit of stubborness...

Ami Mizuno has posed:
It's a good thing Takashi is patient, because it's nearly thirty minutes before Ami calls him back in. She looks pale, tired, and weak, and the shaking takes even longer. But stubbornly, she leans on him once again and begins to walk her way back towards the couch. She actually manages to make it through the bathroom door, even, before her legs give out and she starts to collapse to the floor with a whimper, dead weight in truth.

Takashi Agera has posed:
Takashi moves to catch her before she can really hit the floor, smiling down at her, and he can't resist saying at least one thing. "That look on your face? I'm really glad I'm not Kunzite when you get your strength back." he says, as he helps her walk carefully back to the couch. This little adventure has brought up a lot of questions for him - some reasonably major ones, like 'why doesn't this bother me more' and 'why don't I actually feel like I should be doing research?'

Because, he realizes, as he gently brings her back to the couch - he doesn't actually feel like he ought to be anywhere else. "Usagi-chan will be here soon. You should rest." he adds.

Ami Mizuno has posed:
Ami wants to protest that she can make it on her own, but she really can't. And she knows she can't. So she doesn't. Instead, she just lets him carry her, all the way back to the couch, then huddles up under the blankets once again.

Nodding her head, Ami settles in against the pillow and closes her eyes. Sleep does sound like a good idea. Only there's one thing that bothers her. One reason she opens her eyes again.

"Not Kunzite," she mumbles. "Metallia."