View source for 1826/Crisis! Gossip! Cinnamon Bread!

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2016/08/17
|Location=Naru's apartment
|Synopsis=Usagi provides freak out, Naru provides reassurances, and then ALL THE FEELS emerge with the gossip and admissions and yet more Feels. Cinnamon bread soothes many woes.
|Cast of Characters=127,58
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:127|Naru Osaka| (127)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>The Osaka apartment sat all empty and lonely for a good two weeks while the occupants were off gallavanting. It's no longer all empty and lonely, it's got a Naru back in it. (And periodidically a Naru-Mama, but that doesn't happen all that terribly often.)<br /><br />Truthfully, it hasn't had a Naru in it all that much since she got back /either/, but mid-morning on a Wednesday, it seems reasonable enough that there would be a Naru. Complete with yoga pants and a baggie t-shirt and puttering in the kitchen.<br /><br />Something's baking, the whole apartment smells of some sort of sweet loaf, and there's coffee on and Naru is perched on a chair at the kitchen table, absently eating dry cereal while reading on her phone.<br /><br />Not her usual phone, the other phone.

:'''{{#var:58|Usagi Tsukino| (58)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>And then there's Usagi running down the shopping strip, frantic and frazzled and crying, probably looking like a crazy person.<br /><br />But, well, Mamoru'd just recently called to tell her that ''her father followed him'' and Papa Tsukino probably knows ''everything'' by now!<br /><br />Ohhh, Papa's probably planning where to bury Mamoru's body even now! She's going to be grounded forever! He's...''she was supposed to keep this from him!''<br /><br />So of course, she's running for the ''other'' person she was supposed to keep from this. But hey, years of BFF status trumps failed safe-keeping, especially in times of Great Personal Crisis!<br /><br />(Of course, she doesn't remember until halfway there that Naru's been on vacation. Doesn't remember until several blocks after ''that'' that Naru is back. It's been an emotional day.)<br /><br />Luna is keeping quiet, even as her claws occasionally dig for purchase on her bumpy ride.<br /><br />''ZOOM!'' into the jewelery store. ''ZOOM'' through the door marked 'Employees Only.' ''ZOOM'' up the stairs, to the right, another short flight, around the corner, and even as she's knocking on the door she's fumbling to put the key in the lock.<br /><br />''ZOOM'' in the apartment she goes.<br /><br />(Somehow, even though she doesn't even ''pause,'' shoes fly off and slippers slipped on. She's a courteous guest, even in times of Great Personal Crisis!)<br /><br />Whether Naru's gotten up from her chair or not, she's tackled by a crying blonde.<br /><br />Through blubbering and whatnot, there's at least one intelligible sentence. Sort of. "Daddy's gonna bury him in cement and ground me forever!"

:'''{{#var:127|Naru Osaka| (127)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Only half up out of her chair, Naru at least managed to get her coffee cup out of the line of fire that is a blonde streak of tears aimed straight at her.<br /><br />It's a solid 'oof' and the bowl of cereal isn't quite so lucky in the tangle of Usagi and Naru, but at least there wasn't milk in it to go everywhere /too/.<br /><br />"Wait.. what?" Naru manages as she wraps her arms around Usagi, to try and keep both of them vaguely upright, ish. Sort of at least.<br /><br />"Deep breath." Naru advises as she attempts to maneuver Usagi into a chair.<br /><br />Somewhere through the haze of tears, Usagi might have a girl enough moment to realize that Naru cut her hair into a short bob while she was away, super cute, especially for making her look a bit older than she is.

:'''{{#var:58|Usagi Tsukino| (58)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>There's crying and hiccuping and it's no where near as pretty as the movies show. But at least she's manoeuvrable like this, plopping in the chair Naru guides her to, cereal crunching beneath her slippers.<br /><br />Luna hops up on Naru's table, trying to look calm and collected. But it's painfully obvious she's like a cat trying to look calm and collected in the face of the evil vaccuum cleaner. One misplaced touch, and they'll be peeling her off the ceiling.<br /><br />She can't help it if her tail naturally goes poofy when she's upset!<br /><br />"D-Daddy followed Mamo-chan and found the house and the place and and Mamo-chan called and asked if he could tell him stuff and I said yes because I panicked but by now Daddy's probably killing Mamo-chan to death because now he knows I've been dating him since like the dawn of time and he's gonna ground me because I'm dating before I'm seventy and and and he knows I'm Sailor Moon and your hair is so cuuuuuute!"<br /><br />This last is said into her arms as she buries her head there, all the woes in the world!

:'''{{#var:127|Naru Osaka| (127)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Zoi's fault, but I kinda love it." Naru replies first on the easy bit about hair cuts as she pats Usagi into a seat and then goes to get her some juice.<br /><br />"He's not going to ground you forever, and he's not going to kill Mamo-chan." Naru replies perfectly reasonably to both of them as she closes the fridge door and brings a glass to the table to set next to Usagi. She tugs her own chair over to be able to pat the other girl on the back, comfortingly.<br /><br />"He's probably really confused, though, and worried and concerned and once he gets past all of that, he'll be really proud." Naru sounds as if she really does speak from a position of experience on this. "And Mamoru is an awesome boyfriend who treats you amazingly, your papa will be happy that you're not dating a jerk."

:'''{{#var:58|Usagi Tsukino| (58)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Sniffle, sniffle! She wipes her nose against her forearm and her voice is muffled. "Zoi-kun has good taste."<br /><br />Sniffle! When the glass is set in front of her, a hand slides out to rest against it and she says a muffled and slightly pathetic sounding 'thank you.'<br /><br />Still sniffling but not crying as loudly, she shifts and leans against Naru's shoulder, scootching her own chair closer if necessary.<br /><br />"But he's not supposed to ''know.'' I mean, why was he following him? A story, but, I mean, okay, yeah, Mamo-chan is the most interesting boy ever to breathe and Papa's a reporter, so I guess, but how is it ''that'' story?"<br /><br />Usagi's known for the majority of her life about the 'Story That Got Away,' but it was more an Unknowable Thing that Just Was. Neither of her parents spoke about it, but it was known to exist in the way the Noodle Incident was known.<br /><br />"I suck at keeping people from knowing! I mean, next thing you know, some obscure family member in ''Canada'' I've never even heard of will know!" She looks up at Naru. "Maybe I could just shove you at him. He likes you! And you both can start some sort of club!"<br /><br />And then, as a horrible thought strikes her, color drains from her face. "Oh no, what if he's Energy-Tasty, too? I'll be a walking ulcer by fall!"

:'''{{#var:127|Naru Osaka| (127)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Naru's coffee is abandoned in favour of hugging an Usagi, her chair already close enough to facillitate the leaning. Almost as if she expected it or something.<br /><br />"He was probably curious about this boy that you've spent a ton of time with, and is kinda mysterious and that you're obsessed over. He /is/ interesting, and not just to you, and yes.. your Papa is curious." Naru gives a squeeze and brushes her hands along Usagi's long hair.<br /><br />"You kinda have people around you who are nosy and curious and ask question." Naru points out with a gentle smile. "And yes.. totally shove him at me. I kinda have some idea on what its like to find out all of a sudden-like." She glances over to Luna to include the cat in her assurances. "It'll be /fine/."<br /><br />Naru might have no actual way of knowing if it'll be fine, but she's determined to pretend that it's going to be fine until it is. Dammit.<br /><br />"Um." Naru has to pause there, considering the potential of Usagi-Papa being another beacon of 'please come chew on me', like she is. "We'll keep an eye on him until we make sure that he isn't."<br /><br />How, exactly, Naru thinks that she can be of any assistance in this other than possibly as a distraction, is a mystery to the ages.

:'''{{#var:58|Usagi Tsukino| (58)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Usagi sniffles some more. She's starting to feel better, which is expected with one's oldest friends.<br /><br />And if she were to do the math, while she technically met the senshi first, add up those years with this one, and she's known Naru longer. But she doesn't math very well, it'd just make her head hurt to think about, especially with the temporal factors involved.<br /><br />This doesn't mean she pulls away from the hug. NaruHugs are one of the best.<br /><br />"He ''is'' interesting to people other than me!" Puffy prideful chest! She sighs though. "Daddy's also stubborn. Very, very stubborn. I don't see how he does it." Which is just silly, since Usagi can be the most frustratingly stubborn person ever.<br /><br />At Naru's reassurances also directed at her, Luna slinks over and curls up on Naru's lap. "Things are going to be so weird now..."<br /><br />She's thinking about how, when no one else is around, Kenji would talk to her as though she ''did'' understand. Which was nice. And, ''especially'' when no one else was around, he's scritch her up so good she'd just lay in a sun patch for the rest of the day.<br /><br />And Naru may not know ''how'' things will be okay, but her belief that they will also do wonders for Usagi's mood. "Okay. Okay, good. Yes." Idly, she reaches over, tests the waters, then is scritching Luna behind the ears. Luna betrays herself by starting to purr. "And I'm pretty sure Mama will find out soon because of this. You ''know'' he can't lie for beans with her."

:'''{{#var:127|Naru Osaka| (127)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"I have no idea at all on where the stubborn in your family might have come from." Naru manages to note with a dry tone and a straight face, although that is a near thing indeed.<br /><br />There's just a little shift in how Naru's sitting to accomodate hugging Usagi and a Luna in her lap, ensuring that she's got room enough for both of them and she smiles at Luna's observation. "It'll be weird for a little while, and then it'll just be normal again. Probably with a bit more conversation for you, Luna."<br /><br />"It'll be easier not to put your Papa in the position of lying to your mother." Naru points out gently. "That's hard. You know how hard it is making excuses." Naru hugs tighter, a gentle squeeze.

:'''{{#var:58|Usagi Tsukino| (58)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Usagi's known Naru-chan long enough. She blows a raspberry without moving or missing a beat. "Bleeeee."<br /><br />Luna's muscles relax a little. "Maybe when he realizes I didn't betray any of his confidences even as a talking cat, he'll find he can confide in me again."<br /><br />"Oh? What confidences?"<br /><br />Luna sniffs and tilts up her chin. "I'm sorry. That's cat/patient confidentiality. I take it very seriously."<br /><br />Usagi gives Naru a tight squeeze, very much grateful. "Thank you."<br /><br />She pulls back a little. Not out of the hug, but far enough away to look at Naru. "So...how was Paris? And...Australia? Was that the other place?"

:'''{{#var:127|Naru Osaka| (127)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Naru has to laugh at the sniff out of Luna, as she straightens and offers a gentle scritch of her own to the feline. "He'll figure it out. He's not stupid, and he'll love you all the more. Both of you." Naru sounds confident on this point.<br /><br />"Austria." Naru corrects with a chuckle. "Not Australia.. Vienna, Austria. It's on the other side of Switzerland from France. They speak German there, and my german is even worse than my french." Naru giggles softly, shaking her head.<br /><br />"Both were pretty awesome. A little lonely, exploring them by myself, but Zoi turned up in Paris, so there was some shopping." She smiles. "And I brought you something back."

:'''{{#var:58|Usagi Tsukino| (58)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>More relaxing! Naru knows her parents well, and has a bit of an outside eye in regards to them. She ''must'' know better than Usagi in this!<br /><br />And now she's able to listen with most of her brain about Naru's trip! The rest is relegated to thoughts of Mamoru and Rei, the situation with her folks, and just about everything else.<br /><br />But this isn't uncommon, especially that first one.<br /><br />"Right! Austria! What did I say?" Hmmm! Her eyes are wide. "Oh wow! I don't know either! I had to use my phone in Paris. Zoi-kun met you there? Eeee!"<br /><br />And then ''all'' of her brain is here! "Wait, you got me something?! You didn't have to!"<br /><br />There may be a wiggling bunny now.

:'''{{#var:127|Naru Osaka| (127)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"I used my phone a lot. In both places. I think I can stutter out just enough french and german to order a coffee, and to ask after the washrooms." Naru grins and gently scoops up Luna to offer her over to Usagi.<br /><br />"Of course I didnt have to, that's the best part about presents, is the 'not have to' part of them." The feline transfer is only to permit Naru to get up and pad off to her room.<br /><br />She's not gone terribly long before she returns with a small bag. "I didnt want to get you clothes, you'd already been to Paris, but Austria was.." She shakes her head, not quite certain how to describe the country. "So beautiful. I really enjoyed the scenery." The bag is offered forth, for Usagi to dig into at her leisure.

:'''{{#var:58|Usagi Tsukino| (58)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Usagi giggles and takes Luna, absently scritching her. And yes, cuddles are still needed. "That's better than I can do!"<br /><br />Luna grumbles about the lack of pet rights on flying.<br /><br />Usagi nods! "Right? That's the second best thing about getting people gifts!" The first, of course, is the actual giving of them!<br /><br />Usagi places Luna on the table, who waits for Naru to sit down so she can hop in her lap. Usagi's careful, for her anyway, about rifling. "And fortunately, my Paris Clothes are still okay!" There's a lot of her wardrobe that needs to be replaced still, but that's a slow process! She does have a fancy dress, at least!<br /><br />"Did you ''see'' the countryside? I bet you could fit twelve Tokyos between cities!"

:'''{{#var:127|Naru Osaka| (127)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"It was so green!" Naru agrees on the countryside notion. "It's a smaller country than Japan, but it's so empty!"<br /><br />The bag holds what's clearly a jewelry box within, all tied up pretty and fancy and clearly from some sort of boutique. Within that is a bangle bracelet, all colourful swirls and abstract patterning. Naru watches as Usagi goes digging for it. "I bought myself a new dress in Paris. I've even worn it already, to that little party thing that Madoka and Homura held on the weekend." She grins and then gestures to the bracelet.<br /><br />"Sooo.. I found this little boutique, and I kinda fell in love with their stuff, cause it's jewelry based on different artists paintings, and I hoped you'd like it too. That one's from an art deco painting, and I just loved the colours for you!"

:'''{{#var:58|Usagi Tsukino| (58)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Usagi woes wistfully. "It would have been so pretty to see!"<br /><br />Usagi looks up at Naru. "Did you take pictures of you in the dress?! I wanna see!"<br /><br />But by then, she's ooing and awing over the box, and when she gets it open, she's all gasps! "Ohhhhh, it's beautiful!" She darts her eyes back and forth between Naru and the bracelet as she slips it on and listens all at once. "Ohhhh, what painting? What does art deco look like?"<br /><br />She twirls her wrist for a second, admiring the colors, before she gives a soft squeal and hugs Naru with a giggle. "I love it! Thank you so much!"

:'''{{#var:127|Naru Osaka| (127)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Why would I have taken pictures? I still own the dress, I didn't manage to destroy it in /one/ evening of chatter and drinks and watching Madoka and Homura get all bubble stage at each other." Naru giggles softly. "I'll wear it again, I'm sure."<br /><br />"I'll show you the painting that it was based off of, art deco is all that vintage 1920s sort of jazzy stuff. It looks super cool, all chic and elegant." She reaches for her phone to go digging for the painting and then hugs Usagi with a grin. "I'm so glad you like it!"

:'''{{#var:58|Usagi Tsukino| (58)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>She giggles and gives Naru a good natured shake. "But still, ''pictures!'' And ug, I wish I coulda gone. I'd been in trouble for my last test, though." It hadn't been exaclt passing...<br /><br />"Are you kidding? It's gorgeous and from you, so of ''course'' I love it!!"

:'''{{#var:127|Naru Osaka| (127)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"These paintings." Naru turns her phone to show Usagi and then hrms softly. "Art Nouveau rather than Art Deco, apparently. I need to read more art history." She grins brightly and then reaches over to hug. "It was a bit of a bust as far as dances go, and besides, awkward enough with one couple being adorable, I didn't need /more/ couples being adorable." She grins, hardly looking all /that/ concerned over it.

:'''{{#var:58|Usagi Tsukino| (58)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Usagi looks at the phone and gasps softly. "Ohhhhh, those are so pretty!"<br /><br />Usagi accepts the hug, of course! And again raspberries. "Bleeee!"<br /><br />Then she gasps! And looks worried over being a horrible friend! "Okay, so, I haven't told you something yet, but I kept Mamo-chan a secret from you forever and don't wanna do it again, but, um...I'm also...sorta...seeing Rei-chan." Then she waves her hand. "And Mamo-chan knows! We have an agreement! And honest, promise, cross my heart hope to cry I'm not being neener about it, I just wanted to tell you, because you're still my Bestie, and--"<br /><br />"Usagi. Breathe."<br /><br />Usagi follows her cat's instructions and wrings her hands, looking rather nervous.

:'''{{#var:127|Naru Osaka| (127)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Naru pauses a moment to consider that and then grins. "Good for both of you. Better that Mamo-chan knows, too." She nods firmly on /that/ point and then quirks her head. "Rei? Really? Hunh."<br /><br />Naru sets her phone down and there's a bit of a sigh. "It's not being neener about it, and I'm glad you two.. three.. all the various combinations of however and whoever you and Mamoru date." She admits after a moment. "I am pretty sure I am going to get to sixteen and never have been on a date. Or have a real kiss."

:'''{{#var:58|Usagi Tsukino| (58)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Usagi slumps a bit with relief as Luna rolls her eyes and curls in Naru's lap.<br /><br />Phew!<br /><br />And then she blushes! "Well...yeah. I mean, I didn't even think...! And she's the one who...!" More blushing!<br /><br />And then she furrows her brow. "I'm not sure where it's at now. It's a weird...polygraph...thing?" More confusion!<br /><br />But then her eyes widen! "I don't think that'll happen! Besides, I think Naru-chan has bunches of people with crushes on her! And if they're too scared to come forward, poo on them!" She shifts a bit, a thought coming to her. "But um, well. If it's okay with Mamo-chan and Rei-chan. And if it counts as real. I mean, I promise I wouldn't get more than the platonic crush on you I already have!" Which...isn't saying much. After all, the only other people she has Platonic Crushes on are senshi and shitennou both, and well, let's examine Exhibit Rei, shall we?<br /><br />She waves her hands again! "And it wouldn't be a chore or anything! Not an 'ug do I hafta!' Because I've always thought Naru-chan would be a good kisser! And you don't hafta take me up on it at all! I won't be hurt, either! It's just if you wanna, the offer is there!"

:'''{{#var:127|Naru Osaka| (127)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"It's its own thing and both of you are happy which is really what matters." Naru replies on the notion of just how to define the poly thing. "More than both, which is even /better/." She pauses a moment and then adds "That one might be harder to explain to your Dad than the Sailor Moon thing."<br /><br />Naru pauses to process what, exactly, Usagi is offering here and then she blushes a touch too and there's a soft little giggle. "I dont /know/ if I'm a good kisser, I've never tried!" She protests and then reaches to scritch Luna absently now that she's regained a lap feline. "But.. maybe." She considers this a little further. "If I get to sixteen, then it might be more of a maybe." She adds after a moment. "I am pretty sure that no one has a crush on me. No one even /looks/ at me twice." She makes a face. "Even Lacrima has a girlfriend, which is nothing against Lacrima, but I'm not even cursed. Currently."

:'''{{#var:58|Usagi Tsukino| (58)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Usagi jerks in place and feels like suddenly she's a two-dimensional sheet of paper. "Well...yeah..." She pauses and strokes her chin. "I wonder if I can get Mamo-chan to explain that one. Daddy hasn't killed him yet, so he must like him."<br /><br />Then she's rolling her eyes and waving a hand, suddenly talking about the kiss thing as though it were about 'did you ''see'' what she wore Saturday, omg so cute!' and not 'You've known me since were were sixish, I'll smooch ya.' "Oh puh-''lease.'' There's no ''way'' my Naru-chan would stink at smooching. At the very ''least'' you'd be unpracticed, and even then I could give you pointers!"<br /><br />Usagi ''does'' wrinkle her nose about Lacrima. "You mean the girl who thinks you're a yummy Capri Sun?" She rolls her eyes. "It must be the Bad Girl thing. After all, look at Taka-baka! Ami-chan's still all swoony over him!" Her derision is toward Takashi, of course. Not toward Ami! "Which means I can't purify his butt for a month of Sundays...but Ami-chan ''did'' say I could punch him!"<br /><br />Then she shakes her head. "I refuse to believe no one's crushing on you. Heck, if I just met you, my crush wouldn't be platonic!"<br /><br />Then she wiggles and wrings her hands. And then she leans forward and confides something to Naru-chan she hasn't told anyone. "Besides. I think..." She looks down at Luna. "Can you...um...go into the bathroom? Just for a moment?"<br /><br />Luna harrumphs and hops down, trotting toward the bathroom with an indignant swish of her tail.<br /><br />When she's gone, Usagi continues. There is nothing but belief in her eyes. "I think if I weren't...you know. I don't think I'd have a Mamo-chan let alone a Rei-chan. Honest, I think it's only because of past life stuff." And her eyes are ''not'' welling up, it's just very dusty! "I think if I'd been only just me, neither of them would even like me!"

:'''{{#var:127|Naru Osaka| (127)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"I think Daddies get to be ignorant of the nitty gritty details of their daughter's love life. It's just /easier/." Naru decides, immaterial of the fact that she declared secret identities to be easier to admit to. There's a limit.<br /><br />"Okay.. I'm willing to give you 'unpracticed'." Naru is willing to admit and then she giggles softly and shakes her head. "And pointers. Pointers might be useful, but unnecessary for the time being."<br /><br />Naru watches as Luna harrumphs her way out of the room and then she turns back to watching Usagi. She listens and then her face blinks in shock. "Are you crazy?" She leans over to give Usagi a hug and a squeeze. "Everyone in Tokyo loves you in various degrees and a whole lot of /those/ aren't likely to be platonic either. Mamo and Rei and anyone else that you'll end up dating can't /help/ but adore you! Just you, not because of Sailor Moon, or Serenity, just Usagi. The past life connection just made it faster, but if you were a jerk now, they wouldn't love you now, no matter how much history you had."

:'''{{#var:58|Usagi Tsukino| (58)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Usagi shrugs, looking down a bit, feeling more than a little bit guilty that suddenly it's all about her.<br /><br />"But...Naru-chan. You're the ''only friend'' who's put up with me for this long." This is, of course, perhaps not entirely accurate.<br /><br />She shrugs a little before waving a hand. "Anyhoo. Like I said. Anyone who doesn't adore Naru-chan is insane." She practically preens a little. "After all, the guys adore you! And I know Mamo-chan platonically loves you for being Naru-chan." She leans forward a bit. "His list of platonic love outside the senshi and shitennou isn't all ''that'' high, you know."

:'''{{#var:127|Naru Osaka| (127)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Which really just means that rest of them haven't been nearly as lucky yet. They will be." Naru is certain on how to answer the fact that she's Usagi's oldest friend, at least in this timeline.<br /><br />Naru giggles softly and her smile is rueful. "Just approximately everyone on Earth, cause he's their Prince. That's all." She points out and relaxes back in her chair. "I'm fond of him too, though. Like.. friend fond. And I love Kunzite to pieces, but not like /that/. It's okay." She reminds Usagi, and herself, possibly more herself than Usagi. "It's not the end of the world to not have a beau."

:'''{{#var:58|Usagi Tsukino| (58)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Plus again, if added mathematically, the friend she's known the longest!<br /><br />Still, she blushes a bit. "Pshhhh. Pshh." She pauses and thinks, then gives Naru a sly eye. "Soooo, basically what you're saying is some people aren't lucky or smart enough to know me, eh? Or...say...crush on a certain bestie of mine?"<br /><br />HAH, Naru, HAH! Two can play that game!<br /><br />Then Usagi giggles. "No, no! Not in like...a concept way! He likes ''you'' you, not just 'subject of earth' you!" Serious Face. "Platonically." Yes. He may date any of his guys, but Usagi will be very jealous about girls! (Jealous of his toothbrush still! Hush! ''She's working on it okay!!'')<br /><br />However, she sighs and her shoulders droop a little. "Honest, Naru-chan. I've always pictured myself watching you and a boyfriend being all smoochy and stuff while I adored on the sidelines. And they were always so strong! And I know I'm not a psychic like Rei-chan is, but I've always seen you wind up with someone and happy. And on the occasion I saw a jerk, I've always kicked his toe! Hard!"

:'''{{#var:127|Naru Osaka| (127)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Naru laughs softly as serious face emerges. "Have no fear about Mamo and I, dating. Not a thing." She grins easily. "Chatting, goofing off, painting his living room, but not dating."<br /><br />Naru's own serious face emerges at the sigh and she gives a little shrug. "I .. well.. I didn't even think I /wanted/ a relationship until recently.. I never really thought about it, but .." She pauses and considers. "I guess I want to know what I'm missing." She quirks a quiet smile. "Instead of finding someone strong, I'm just going to try and be strong myself."

:'''{{#var:58|Usagi Tsukino| (58)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Another relaxing droop of her shoulders! But then she's quick to reassure! "I mean, if you did, of anyone outside that whole group and female to boot, you'd be the one person I'd have least amount of jealousy over! But I'd have some! Because you know me, I get jealous easy!" Like that time Naru invited someone else over to her house. Granted, Usagi had a cold, but jealousy is never something that is logical. At least where she's concerned.<br /><br />But then her eyes light up and she leans toward Naru. "Are you ''kidding?!'' You're one of the strongest people I know!" A slight scootch forward, eager eyes. "I mean, how many people can find out about this whole thing, and still be as Naru-y as you?" Usagi blushes and looks down, shrugging one shoulder. "I mean...you've taken all of this a billion times better than even I thought you would."

:'''{{#var:127|Naru Osaka| (127)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"I dont know if I get jealous. I don't think so." Naru has never really thought about that too much, but then she quirks her head at Usagi. "You can't get /that/ jealous, with the whole poly thing going on, but I guess it's different. It's an agreement, not a surprise."<br /><br />Naru blinks as Usagi calls her strong. She was /not/ expecting that and her eyes are a little wide. "Seriously? I can't do /anything/. I can't even go to the park without needing someone to babysit me, and as often as not, fix me later, cause all I've done is just fall over, like a lump." Naru shakes her head, frustration edging her tone. "I'm working on it." She sighs softly, getting over /that/ little hiccough of her own issues. Many as they might be. "I dunno why it doesn't freak me out, it just.. doesn't. I mean, I think somewhere in my subconscious remembered, even a tiny bit, and when I started remembering for real, it just sort of clicked as an 'oooh!'"

:'''{{#var:58|Usagi Tsukino| (58)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Usagi blushes and looks down, shrugging a shoulder. "I know what's going on. I mean, I agree with it a bajillion percent! But..." She looks up at Naru, looking more than a little ashamed. "I know I smooch Rei. And I know it's not fair that I get jealous when I feel he smooches...someone else." After all, that's Mamoru's place to tell! She shrugs again. "I know it's not fair to either of us, but I did tell him, warn him, it would happen when this started. I mean, you know me. I get jealous when I think you're better friends with Kunzite than you are with me. Which, even if it's true, I know it's stupid! And selfish! And Mamo-chan's told me he'd remind me over and over again why I shouldn't be! Which I already know, but..." And she's very much Not Crying, because she isn't wailing, her cheeks are just wet. And her voice is soft. "He's told me I'm nothing like ''her.''" ''Her'' is, of course, Beryl. "But if I get jealous over everything, how am I not?"<br /><br />And she's still sniffling, rather pathetically, as she continues. "Your strength is in ''here.''" Usagi's jabbing her own fingers against her chest, over her heart, and then she's resting her palm against Naru's chest. "Even when you're afraid and terrified, you're just so...''you.''" She shrugs a little, looking Over There. "And lately, when I get scared, I think of that. Of you. You're just so much stronger than I am. And I really stink about keeping you safe from those jerks."

:'''{{#var:127|Naru Osaka| (127)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"It's different." Naru takes a deep breath, held a moment and then sighed out in a slow expression. "I assumed you knew, cause Mamo's not a jerk boyfriend. But the jealous thing? You're not her. Nothing like it. Being jealous isn't a problem, that's just a /thing/. That's like something making you mad. It's a reaction, it's how your brain reacts.. what you /do/ with it.. that's the big thing, right? /She/." Naru isn't about to use the name any more than Usagi did. "Just went all RAWR, psycho bitch about being jealous. You go 'yep, I'm jealous, and that's not appropriate right now, so I'm not going to do stupid things, like demand they break up or something, and make everyone sad." She reaches over to touch Usagi's arm. "It's totally different." She may not have explained it very well, but she's trying.<br /><br />Naru takes another slow breath, felt under Usagi's hand. "You /save the world/. You're strong, you just dont believe it, but it's true. I just yell at wraiths and have to hope someone rescues me in time. You can take care of yourself."

:'''{{#var:58|Usagi Tsukino| (58)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Usagi's lips tremble and she is ''so not crying honest.'' But Naru ''does'' explain her stance well regarding ''that woman'', despite Usagi's feelings. The bunny's lips wibble as she cries. She buries her face in Naru's shoulder. "I don't wanna be her, ever, but it's so hard because I want him all for me, even if I'm okay with everything, a part of me is just all roar!"<br /><br />After a couple moments, Usagi is all sniffs as she pulls back. "And that's what makes Naru-chan stronger. You don't...you can't do what I do, not yet, but you're just so..." There's some more tears. "I'm so proud of you, Naru-chan. I don't think I've told you that. But I am ''so, so'' proud of you. I don't think I could have ''wished'' for a better bestie."

:'''{{#var:127|Naru Osaka| (127)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"You're not her. You /can't/ be her. It's not possible." Naru assures as she wraps her arms around Usagi all over again. "A part of you is, and mebbe someday you two will decide that you want to be just two again for a while, or maybe you'll both settle into various arrangements of sharing that work, but jealousy, even with roars in your head, doesn't make you her. You're waaay too good at love to ever get close to being her."<br /><br />Naru resettles on the edge of her chair, still close as Usagi sniffles and makes a little face. "I'll never do what you do." She sounds so certain of that, and she's technically quite right. There is exactly one Sailor Moon, and Naru is not it.<br /><br />Naru looks bashful at the praise. "My bestie is pretty amazing too y'know." She shakes her head a little at the notion of Usgai being proud of /her/, but she doesn't press it.<br /><br />A hand reaches up to rub at her eyes, about as close as Naru gets to tears, or at least has in the last half dozen years or more. "We're pathetic, y'know."

:'''{{#var:58|Usagi Tsukino| (58)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Usagi barely finishes her raspberry at Naru before she starts giggling. "We're the most pathetic!"<br /><br />Then she sighs and hugs Naru close. "But, see? The thing is. You may not do what I ''do.'' But that's just what makes you so...amazing. Because you ''don't'' do that, yet knowing what that implies you volunteer." Usagi sighs. "If I were you and you were Sailor Moon? I'd hide in my closet all day."

:'''{{#var:127|Naru Osaka| (127)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"I considered hiding in my closet. It's kinda full though." Naru points out with a thoughtful little tap to her chin and then she hugs Usagi close, done with the teasing for a moment. "I didn't want to give up doing things, especially not once I started getting ambushed all the time. Staying at home, they'd of found me here /anyhow/, so there's no point in not doing normal things, and well.. it's mostly okay." There's a pause and Naru admits quietly. "I don't go to the park alone anymore. I just can't face that one, which is silly. There's plenty of other places I should be just as weirded out by, but only the park."

:'''{{#var:58|Usagi Tsukino| (58)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Usagi sighs, an insurmountable sense of guilt in her voice. "See, you shouldn't have to fear the park. I wish I could just tank it for you every time you wanted to go. Then I could kick the toes of all the bad guys!"<br /><br />Usagi snuggles close to Naru. "By all rights, you should be weirded out by ''everything.'' But you? You just take it all on."

:'''{{#var:127|Naru Osaka| (127)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Well, next time I want to go sit in the park and draw, I'll make you come with me." Naru gives Usagi a gentle nudge. "You and your girlfriend.. or your boyfriend.. can be all snuggly while I draw, and it'll all work out."<br /><br />Naru leans against Usagi. "I do get weirded out by things, just not everything. Wraiths weird me out." There's a little shudder. "I hate things in my head, good or bad. I hate that a lot but if I ever get chewed on by a wraith any worse than I was already, Mamo gets to poke in my head and fix it. Worth it."

:'''{{#var:58|Usagi Tsukino| (58)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Usagi nods! "Or all three of us!" Because people know how important Naru is to her!<br /><br />Then Usagi is wrinkling her nose. "If a Wraith nibbles at your mind, I get to make sure it's asploded. Lots. Like, it won't even exist anymore. Mamo-chan will make sure your brain's okay. but I'll send a message to all the wraiths! Naru-chan's brain isn't to be messed with ever!"<br /><br />This, of course, is Usagi's way of mentally assuring Naru doesn't get messed with more than once by random people.<br /><br />Of course she fails because of ''Lacrima.''

:'''{{#var:127|Naru Osaka| (127)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"The last one to chew on my head got its butt kicked into oblivion by Madoka, so have no fear that it didn't get its comeuppance. It and it's friends too." Naru gives Usagi a stern look and a waggle of her finger. "You be careful fighting them, Wraiths /suck/. At least they don't seem to be super common. I haven't met them more than once, at least."<br /><br />Naru leans over to give Usagi another hug. "It really is okay. I hate making people have to feel like they need to babysit me."

:'''{{#var:58|Usagi Tsukino| (58)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Usagi snorts as she leans against Naru. "I don't needa babysit you. I just wanna make sure you're safe."<br /><br />She sighs, long and hard. "But still, remind me to give Madoka-chan many, many hugs. Because no matter what you say, I'll always be happy if my Naru-chan is safe."

:'''{{#var:127|Naru Osaka| (127)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"It's not so very different. Babysitting me, and making sure I'm safe." Naru points out, with a note of a smile to her tone. "Still. I was grateful she was there, that's for certain. And I'm grateful when you fix me, or Mamoru fixes me, or I heal. I'm pretty resilient."<br /><br />Another squeeze. "C'mon, lets try breakfast the sequel, sound good?" Naru offers.

:'''{{#var:58|Usagi Tsukino| (58)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Usagi sighs and nods. "I'm good for breakfast-take-whatever. I like multiple breakfasts." A pause and a beat. "I wanna beat Lacrima up, though. And other people who drain you. Just because you're tasty. So rude."

:'''{{#var:127|Naru Osaka| (127)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Lacrima and I had a really good talk, last time we met." Naru points out. "No draining, just chatting. She's /trying/. I dunno how well it will work long term, but it was a really good talk."<br /><br />Naru pushes herself to her feet, to rescue the cinnamon bread that's been baking while they've been gossiping. "Mou Fubaki? You can beat her up, that's fine. Wraiths? Yep. Fiore? We covered him already." She pauses and mmmms, as if she's suddenly realizing that being able to list off quite /this/ many foes without pausing and having plenty more besides actually /is/ a touch concerning.

:'''{{#var:58|Usagi Tsukino| (58)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Usagi wrinkles her nose even as she follows it toward cinnamon. "Well, nice or not. She's just lucky it wasn't a drain last time."<br /><br />She snugs against Naru and hugs tightly! "Still. If she behaves now, I guess I won't purify her as much."<br /><br />A woeful sigh. "I wish I could get to them first, though."

:'''{{#var:127|Naru Osaka| (127)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"It might sound crazy, but I like Lacrima." Naru comments quietly. "Even the first time, when she drained me pretty flat, I enjoyed talking with her. Her drain doesn't hurt much, and simple drain like that heals up pretty quickly."<br /><br />Naru tips the loaf out onto a cooling rack, the scene of baking and cinnamon filling the kitchen. "You have plenty of other things to do, and you do sometimes. Imagine how much more trouble I'd have if you didn't?"

:'''{{#var:58|Usagi Tsukino| (58)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Usagi snorts, though by now it's more or less half-hearted. "Still. Draining you is just plain rude."<br /><br />She really should have a talk with that girl...<br /><br />Her nostrils flair at the scent of cinnomon et al. "And um. Duty. And things. And that smells so good I wanna nom it all but I won't but yummy."

:'''{{#var:127|Naru Osaka| (127)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"You get half." Naru points out as she reaches for a clean tea towel to be able to hold the loaf long enough to slice, all piping hot and fresh from the oven. "Or more, if I'm slow eating."<br /><br />"That first time, she didn't yet have any sort of control, and she was struggling a lot. It was a triumph that she didn't drain me unconscious." Naru fails to add how narrow a margin it was between conscious and not. "She's doing a lot better now. I'm better at coping with it too, which helps a lot. I can generally get myself home, or to the boys' apartment, before I pass out, if its a bad one. They havent' been that bad in a long time." Naru smiles as she offers Usagi a slice of steaming fresh cinnamon bread. "It really is getting better, I promise."

:'''{{#var:58|Usagi Tsukino| (58)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>There's a bit of a grump from Usagi. Not at the promise of halvsies, but of the draining. "Still. She should know that you're not...um...all you can eat...ah..."<br /><br />She leans over Naru's shoulders, nostrils flaring as she takes in the yummy scent.<br /><br />Usagi shakes her head sharply and steps back, taking the cinnamon bread with a happy lick of the lips. "Ah, but see, even if it's a bajillion times better, I'd still have worry. It's what friends do!"<br /><br />She helps Naru with the rest of the bread, sorting out tables and place settings. Part of her wonders if she'll be seeing her own bed anytime soon.
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