View source for 627/Good luck, Erin-chan!

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2015/11/25
|Location=Uminari City - Central Harbor
|Synopsis=Erin and Sailor Mercury meet after the White Flower has been defeated, and talk about what drove Erin to such a low place that she had tried to kill Mercury. Mercury forgives and encourages Erin in her quest for self-discovery and redemption, and promises support and friendship in the future. Erin, meanwhile, says her last goodbye before heading off into the world to try and repair some of the damage she has caused.
|Cast of Characters=54, 118
|Tinyplot=Fall of the White Flower
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:54|Sailor Mercury (54)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"I am Sailor Mercury," calls a voice to the youma terrorizing the boardwalk. "Douse yourself with water, and repent!"<br /><br />It's not a terribly impressive Youma, this one, but as ever, Sailor Mercury's battle strategy remains one of careful, studied approach. She opens with a Mercury Mist that not only gives Tokyo's natives a chance to run away, but also buys her time to study the Youma's energy signature. She uses her voice to herd the monster, drawing it away from the public as she studies it.<br /><br />Eventually, Mercury finishes her analysis and makes good on her role as a Senshi. With a, "Bubble Spray!" she hoses the youma down, destroying its essence and saving Tokyo harbour from yet another minor nuissance in monstrous form.<br /><br />"Hmph," Mercury says to the defeated Youma, standing atop the dolphin statue at the edge of the peer, "You ought to know better than to threaten the waters when I'm around."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:118|Erin Takayama (118)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>A dark presence threatens the boardwalk, where Erin once hunted a certain magical girl. When she last saw Sailor Mercury, she was encased in ice, and then she disappeared. Erin had no way to know if she was alive or dead.<br /><br />Yet, now the boardwalk was being threatened, and Erin no longer had to answer to her previous masters. Should she fight the youma? Would something like that pay back what she's done? No, she'll fight, not for redemption, but because it's what she should've been doing to begin with.<br /><br />By the time she's completed her henshin, Sailor Mercury has arrived. It's a bad day to be a youma, apparently. The mist rises and obscures her vision, and by the time it passes the youma is already down.<br /><br />Erin can hardly believe her eyes. She slowly steps towards Mercury, looking up at her.<br /><br />"So... you're still alive," she calls out. With a smile, she adds, "I'm so glad."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:54|Sailor Mercury (54)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Mercury glances down at the Puella Magi, and her eyes widen in surprise. There is a long moment of uncertainty, but she doesn't attack. Neither, however, does she come down from her perch. <br /><br />"Are you?" Sailor Mercury questions cautiously. "I'd like to believe that you are. Even when we fought, I got the impression you didn't actually want to be fighting. But I am not the best at reading people's emotions; did I see something then that I wanted to see? Are you here to try and kill me again? Or can we try something new, this time, like talking?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:118|Erin Takayama (118)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Erin holds up her hands defensively, a bit worried that Mercury might attack her out of paranoia. Not that she could blame her if she did.<br /><br />"It's not like that... The people forcing me to work for them aren't around anymore. They were defeated, so... I don't have to do that anymore."<br /><br />Her hands drop to her side, and then come up behind her, one hand holding the opposite wrist. Erin tilts her head down, still looking up at Mercury. "Even the white flower that was hanging in the sky is gone. So... you don't have to worry about that."<br /><br />"In fact... I was hoping I'd find you... so I could apologize. What I did wasn't right. I shouldn't have gone along with them even if they were threatening me... but even if you're still mad about it, just seeing you alive is enough."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:54|Sailor Mercury (54)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>There is a moment where Mercury seems uncertain; as if she's concerned that Erin might be up to some sort of trick. That moment passes quickly, however, and she does jump down from her perch. "Alive and well," she replies softly as she approaches the girl, "and ecstatic to hear that you were freed of the burden."<br /><br />Mercury smiles, and offers, "I'd hug you, if I knew you were the hugging type. Do you ... have time to go somewhere and talk? We probably shouldn't just talk about this openly here on the boardwalk; people will be returning soon. But there are rooftops nearby that are secluded enough. I'd really like to hear your story, if you'll tell it. How you got mixed up in all of that; how you felt about it.<br /><br />"Ah, but before we do that," Sailor Mercury notes, "You should know that I forgive you for trying to kill me. Honestly and truly, I understand that you felt like you had no other choice. I want to know why you felt that way, but I recognized it that day. I'm really glad whatever they had over you is safe, again."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:118|Erin Takayama (118)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Is Erin smiles as Mercury states her forgiveness. She hesitates for a moment, but eventually she does say, "We can go talk... sure. It's a long story, but I'll tell it if you want to hear it."<br /><br />Erin glances up to one of the nearby rooftops, leaping towards it in huge bounds. For a normal person the length of her jump would be rediculous, but it'd be no trouble for a magical girl to keep up. When Erin makes it to the rooftop, she turns towards Mercury and says, "Well, it started a few years ago."<br /><br />Erin holds out her pendant, a large blue jewels surrounded by multiple smaller jewels. Ami might be able to recognize it as a Soul Gem.<br /><br />"I made a Wish to Kyubey and became a magical girl... but my wish turned into a curse. My family died and I was all on my own. Hana Shiori found me, and at first I thought she was my friend. She told me that she needed help defending herself... so I guess that's how it started. Everything went downhill from there."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:54|Sailor Mercury (54)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Mercury makes the few leaps to the rooftop just behind Erin, covering the distance with similar ease. Once they're out of the way, she settles against the edge of the rooftop, leaning on it carefully, then listens to Erin tell her tale.<br /><br />The soul gem catches her eye for a moment, but Mercury doesn't bring out her visor to analyze it straight away. That would be rude. So instead, she looks back to Erin while the tale countinues.<br /><br />When Erin pauses, Mercury tilts her head a little. "I'm sorry to hear that you lost your family," she says honestly. Hana Shiori ... is she the one responsible for the White Flower?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:118|Erin Takayama (118)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Hana Shiori called herself the White Flower. The image in the sky was like a calling card," explains Erin. "... but yeah, she was responsible for all of that."<br /><br />Erin then frowns, thinking about her family. It's not something that's pleasant. "It was my fault. i didn't mean to, but I brought it on them. I wished for popularity, and a lot of it... but things got out of control. I started having a stalker... and when I got scared he got mad and... well... I don't want to get into details. I think you get the idea."<br /><br />Erin sits down on the edge of the rooftop, letting her legs dangle off the side.<br /><br />"... but anyways... that's how things were for me when I met Hana. She was the only company I had for a while. I needed someone to talk to and I thought she was that person... but... I let myself get drawn into her crazy world."<br /><br />"It's funny. Even now, that it's all over, I'm still not sure if she was a monster or a human."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:54|Sailor Mercury (54)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Mercury swings her feet a little in thought, but doesn't answer the question right away. She gives herself some time to dwell on it before admitting, "Probably a little of both. Monsters like that thing," she motions to where the Youma had been, moments before, "aren't and can't be human, But ... girls like you, and like this Hana, just humans who have the misfortune to do monstrous things." She shrugs a little, then asks, "So what will you do, now?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:118|Erin Takayama (118)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Erin thinks it over, leaning back, placing her hands on the roof to hold her up. She looks up at the sky, considering the question.<br /><br />"I think I need to go. I'd stay and help out, but this city has enough magical defenders as it is. You're more than strong enough to handle things here..."<br /><br />Erin turns to Mercury with a sad smile, saying, "... but I've done terrible things. I've hurt people. I've helped Hana strip entire cities of any magical defense. Someone has to go and fight for those people, to protect them."<br /><br />Erin turns her eyes back to the horizon. "Since I'm responsible for that mess, it should fall on me to clean it up. I don't know if I can do it, or how far I'll get, but I'm not going to let myself get intimidated again. I'm a magical girl, just like you are. I should act like it."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:54|Sailor Mercury (54)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Mercury smiles, just a little, at Erin's determination and decision. "You're also a human," she points out very gently to Erin, and then entirely unbidden, whether Erin is the hugging type or not, she reaches over to put her arm around Erin and gives a gentle squeeze. "A human with a lot of reasons to need help."<br /><br />"Don't try to do it all on your own," says Mercury gently. "If you need help, you have people who will come." She grins a little, then asks, "Can I give you my number? Just in case?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:118|Erin Takayama (118)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Erin accepts the hug, leaning into Mercury slightly. She smiles up at her.<br /><br />"Right... I know it's not something I can do on my own... but that's not really how it works, is it? You need friends to help you. At least... that's what I've seen. That's what the people of Tokyo have shown me."<br /><br />Her number is asked for. Erin hesitates for a moment, reaching for her phone. "I don't know how long my number will last, or if I'll be able to continue paying the bills. I guess I could use a payphone if I really needed to use a call. But sure, yeah, I'd like to have your number. Just in case."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:54|Sailor Mercury (54)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Mercury's smile only grows at Erin's words, but she gladly gives away her number. Afterwards, she explains, "Let me know if you need help with the phone thing, too. There are programs out there you can apply to that will help you with basic things like that," she explains. "And a girl should never be without food, friendship, or a phone." Or clothes. Clothes are pretty important, too. <br /><br />"I'm really glad we got to have this talk, Erin-chan," she says. "I don't want to keep you from becoming something so great as you've described, but if you ever need anything, call me, okay? I would be honored to call you a friend, and help you when I can."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:118|Erin Takayama (118)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Erin nods as Mercury offers help. "Right. Maybe I'll get in touch with programs like that. That is if I can't find my own way... and I'll make sure to make friends this time. With or without magical wishes."<br /><br />Erin giggles, saying, "I'm glad I got to speak with you too, Mercury-chan. I never imagined that things would turn out this way."<br /><br />"... but I'm the one who shuld be honored. I never would've been able to do this without you. If you hadn't stood up when you did... if you hadn't been so strong and brave, I never would've gotten this far. You, and everyone else who defends this city..." Erin reaches out to touch Mercury's hand. "You've taught me that I need to be strong, and fight for the people I care about, just like you do. So thank you."<br /><br />Erin stands up, saying, "I'll try to keep in touch... but even if you don't hear from me for a while, don't worry. I'll be fine. Rebuilding a life will take a lot of work I'm sure, but it's can't be as hard as what I've already been through. I think I can make it."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:54|Sailor Mercury (54)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Mercury rises with Erin, then gives her one last hug. "I know you will," she says. "Good luck, Erin-chan. You'll do great," she encourages, then waves and takes a few steps away, as if encouraging Erin to go off, and to do great!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:118|Erin Takayama (118)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Erin smiles back at Ami one last time, waving back. "Thank you, Mercury-chan. Take care of yourself! Stay amazing!"<br /><br />Turning away, Erin takes one final look at the Tokyo skyline. She wont be back here for a long time, if at all. Part of her is sad to have made such good friends only to leave them... but she has a responsiblity, both as a Puella Magi and also as a magical girl.<br /><br />She hops away, jumping from building to building. She goes on and on until she vanishes in the distance.<br> <br>
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