View source for 1685/Less Charitable, More Paranoid

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2016/06/30
|Location=Uminari City - Central Harbor
|Synopsis=Some people dance. Kunzite and Kyouko prefer making sure other people can dance, even when their efforts aren't strictly necessary. Sayaka isn't quite sure what she thinks of the whole thing.
|Cast of Characters=109,78,7
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:109|Kunzite| (109)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>The Hotel Augusta is, unsurprisingly, crowded tonight, between the staff -- and the additional staff for the grand ball -- and the guests, and the photographers, and the representatives of other charities hoping to meet with guests in a generous mood, and the guests' own staff, and the gawkers.<br /><br />So many gawkers.<br /><br />Technically, the man in the pale uniform and white cape standing on the edge of a potentially lethal fall, watching the flash and flow of lights more than the individual people who comprise it, might count as one of the gawkers. The guests'-staff category might fit better, granted.<br /><br />Odds are good that he's hoping he'll be able to stay in one of those two, and not get pulled in to the vortex of Society himself. Odds are not so good for his being able to pull this off. Especially if and when Usagi manages to arrive.

:'''{{#var:78|Kyouko Sakura| (78)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Although there's nothing to distinguish this particular rooftop from any other in the area, except perhaps for an unusually good view of the Hotel Augusta across the way, it seems to be a lodestone for lurkers tonight.. or perhaps it's not the building. Kyouko does have a well-developed magical sense, after all. It's more likely she detected Kunzite's familiar presence while lurking somewhere else nearby.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Either way, she lands on the rooftop in henshin, but reverts to her street clothes in a flash of red as soon as her feet are on the 'ground'. Conserving magic- every little it helps, at least when not actually engaged in a fight. She makes no effort to hide her approach as she walks up to stand on the rooftop beside the white-uniformed man, hands pushing into the pockets of her jeans, a stick of Pocky hanging out of the corner of her mouth.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Looks pretty fancy. And crowded." She notes without formal greeting, her eyes watching the people going in and out.

:'''{{#var:109|Kunzite| (109)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>He glances back at the sound of her impact; his hair's grown long enough again that the wind at this height threatens to blow the tips of it into his eyes. Improbably fast, on the one hand; not nearly fast enough on the other. "Doesn't it. Eight-tenths of the money in the city is probably represented in that building." That may be as good a reason as any for him to stay outside.

:'''{{#var:78|Kyouko Sakura| (78)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Not really my kinda place, then." Kyouko says, affirmingly, crouching down on the very edge of the roof, balancing on her toes. Even when not in henshin, any sensible fear of heights has long ago died in her. "Momo's down there, though. Madoka-chan came and invited us both.. gave Momo a pretty dress to wear. She really wanted to go so.. couldn't exactly say no, could I?"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She laughs softly. "Still.. it ain't that I don't trust her to take care o' herself.. or Madoka-chan to look out for her. But.. makes me feel better to keep an eye on things." She doesn't explain further. She doesn't really need to with Kunzite, and she knows it.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There is just a hint of bitterness in her tone, though. Perhaps it does not sit so well with her that Madoka, a girl she barely knows, gives fancier gifts to her sister than she could ever afford.

:'''{{#var:109|Kunzite| (109)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Kunzite makes a low sound in his throat, slightly amused and possibly approving. "As long as she didn't try to bring Dog in as her escort for the evening, she should be fine." For certain values of fine that translate to 'Homura will probably stop time if the gunlance comes out midparty.'<br /><br />And given the amount of conspicious waste that usually marks high-society affairs, there's a fair chance of that happening.<br /><br />A flicker of movement above street level off to one side makes Kunzite turn his head, looking past Kyouko, but he relaxes after a moment. "There's Mamoru," he notes instead. "He'll help keep an eye on her if he sees her. At least until the light of his life makes an appearance, after which he'll undoubtedly notice nothing else for the rest of the evening."

:'''{{#var:78|Kyouko Sakura| (78)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Oh, I'm sure she'll bring Dog." Kyouko sounds amused. "But at least she'll have the good sense to leave him outside. I hope."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She rises from her crouch and walks over to a big air-conditioning unit sticking out of the roof. Reaching behind it, she pulls out a six-pack of beer cans. "Scouted out good locations earlier.. stashed these." She admits, with a faint blush for perhaps picking up lurking habits a but too freely. She pulls one off, then sets the rest down on top of a vent. "Help yourself if you want, though I dun blame ya if you don't. It's cheap shit, but.. it's what I got." A shrug, and she cracks the beer open with her fang as she walks back to the edge, sitting this time with her legs dangling off.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"S'fine. Mamoru'll notice if there's trouble.. or if not him, Usagi will and then he'll notice. I want Momo to have a chance to do stuff like this. Stuff we never had a chance to do before. I been to a few of these fancy parties since gettin' here, and.. well, it's nice once in a while. But I really feel out of place."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She takes a sip of the beer, kicking sneakered feet in open air. "Maybe Momo'll find she has a liking for 'em, though. She never had the.. rough edges I've accumulated over the years."

:'''{{#var:109|Kunzite| (109)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>The odds of anyone they know applying good sense are relatively low, granted.<br /><br />"Thanks." There's a glance at her, with a lingering hint of amusement -- that's a ''good'' job of picking up lurking habits. "I'm on duty, but thanks." 'On duty' would undoubtedly get Mamoru to roll his eyes. There are, after all, probably only about twenty magical girls of some variety in the vicinity. Plus, most likely, several magical boys, including about three of the apartment's other denizens; Nephrite, Jadeite, and Zoisite are ''all'' vastly more social than Kunzite. The biggest danger is most likely someone who hasn't gotten the news recognizing Nephrite and deciding that he's obviously here to unleash a youma.<br /><br />But still.<br /><br />"Nothing wrong with cheap beer. People used to live on stuff like that." The odds of Usagi noticing anything while dancing with Mamoru are not something Kunzite's going to comment on. Ideally, one way or another, she won't have to. "And it's good to get her exposure to this kind of thing that isn't on television. Television only shows the good parts. Lets people think this is normal. Actually listening to people's conversation, watching what they do... if your sister does much of that, she might be glad to get home, after."

:'''{{#var:78|Kyouko Sakura| (78)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Kyouko also rolls her eyes on the comment about 'on duty'. As far as she knows, Kunzite is always 'on duty' when it comes to guarding Mamoru, so what makes this any different? Well, she doesn't argue, and it doesn't stop her from sipping from her beer can while she lets her eyes linger on the festively-lit building and the well-dressed people making their way in and out of it.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Yeah but expensive beer tastes better." Kyouko says, with a slightly lopsided grin. She shrugs again. "Ehh.. I just think it ain't for me, nii-chan, all that fancy schmancy stuff. Don't mean it's bad, s'just.. once you've seen what's really out there, it's hard to look around at all that glitter and glitz and not scream 'fake' at the top of your lungs. But hell, if they can enjoy it, more power to 'em. I know Madoka-chan means well, and charity is charity." Perhaps odd, coming from someone who generally refuses to take charity from others, but in Kyouko's mind, it's different when its her.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I dunno," She comments, about Momo. "Sometimes I think followin' in my footsteps is the worst thing she could do."

:'''{{#var:109|Kunzite| (109)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Technically, there are three others of the Four, and sometimes there are Senshi. Technically, he takes breaks. Officially, anyway.<br /><br />"Some scientists did an experiment once," Kunzite says. "They took the same wine, and put some of it in cheap-looking bottles with low price tags, and put some of it in sophisticated-looking bottles with high price tags. It turned out the price tag was what people were tasting."<br /><br />He sweeps a hand down at the buildings. "Same with this. The price tag is what people are seeing. But what's actually going on is intimidation, not much different than threatening people with your spear. Subtler, yes. Prettier, by some lights. But not so different."<br /><br />That last comment wins her a moment of study, then a glance back at the beer on the vent before he looks back at Kyouko. "Yes. I'm sure that being sharp, brave, skilled, and a survivor is a terrible fate."<br /><br />In some ways, granted, it is -- given what goes along with the 'survivor' part. But they both know that one.

:'''{{#var:78|Kyouko Sakura| (78)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Yeah well, wine ain't beer." Kyouko says, smirking. She's never had wine, she's just pretending to know what she's talking about. Kunzite can probably tell, but hopefully he'll let her get away with it.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Oh, I get that. The intimidation thing, I mean." She says, glancing down at the building again. "The people with the biggest weapons are the ones who get to decide what goes on, and money's a weapon, sure as a spear or a gun." She shrugs her shoulders. "Really guess it depends on who's wieldin' it, whether its a good thing or a bad thing."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She glances back at Kunzite as he lists her virtues, and gives that lopsided, one-fanged smirk again. "She's my sister, nii-chan. She's gonna be a lotta those things whether I have anything to do with it or not. It's the other stuff.. recklessness, anger, mistrust. Pride. A lotta that stuff is 'me' too, and that's the stuff I don't want for her."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"In a lotta ways, who I am now is because of the three years I spent on my own, on the street, with nothin' and nobody. It made me tough and it made me strong, but.. it made me a lot of other, not-so-good things too. She got to skip that, and trust me, I'd prefer she never has to go through anything like what I did."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She shakes her head. "I suppose I dun need to lecture you about that sorta thing, though. S'not like your life has been without difficulty. Hell, my problems probably seem trivial by comparison. I ain't even got a single prince or princess to worry about. Well, I mean, I worry about Mamoru and Usagi now, so maybe that's a bad example, but." She grins, and finishes off the beer, placing the can aside on the roof.

:'''{{#var:109|Kunzite| (109)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Wine ain't beer, all right. There are creases at the corners of Kunzite's eyes, but he lets the statement stand, and listens to the rest.<br /><br />"She's had a little time," he says. "Enough to get an idea of what the world's really like, what the value of things really is." Nevermind her questionable relationship with money; the fundamentals are the imporant part. Money's a way of keeping score. "And now you've given her as safe a place as anyone gets. She'll learn from you if you let her; your biggest problem is having to keep an eye on what you're giving her to learn."<br /><br />Another glance out at the Hotel Augusta, and then Kunzite turns away from it, pacing over to that vent. Returning with two more cans of Kyouko's cheap beer, one of which is offered to her. Either he's planning in advance, or the definition of 'on duty' is getting stretched just a little. "Little sisters are never trivial. If mine had lived, I'd never have had a prince to worry about, either."

:'''{{#var:78|Kyouko Sakura| (78)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Kyouko turns her head to watch Kunzite as he fetches the beers, then proceeds on over to her. She accepts one from him, taking it and opening it with her fang again, because that's her habit. Used to amuse the hell out of the local urchins back in Kazamino. "Thanks, nii-chan." She shrugs her shoulders slightly. "I guess. I dunno if I'm a very good teacher. I tend to make a lot of mistakes. But maybe that'll at least teach her what ''not'' to do." She chuckles as she takes a sip of the beer.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She quirks a brow at Kunzite's words, tilting her head back to look up at him, her long ponytail brushing the roof behind her although she doesn't seem to particularly notice or care. "You had a little sister?" She asks. "I didn't know." She falls silent for a few moments, and then adds, "Sorry if it's presumptuous, then.. me calling you nii-chan and stuff."

:'''{{#var:109|Kunzite| (109)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Kunzite has no fangs. It's sad, sad lack at the moment; he has to open his the usual way. "I don't know anyone who doesn't make a lot of mistakes. Only people who are better at lying about whether they do. At least she'll learn to keep trying, not to sit back and wring her hands."<br /><br />He's a couple of swallows into the can before her ponytail is brushing the roof. "Long time ago." In multiple ways. "It's not presumptuous. You know what Mamoru says." Is that Dog down there, that he saw for a moment? Probably just a trick of the shadows.

:'''{{#var:78|Kyouko Sakura| (78)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"There can be value in mistakes.. if you learn from 'em. Problem is rememberin' what you learned next time around." Kyouko smirks just a little bit at that, more self-deprecating than anything else. "Well.. it's true. If there's one thing I'm good at, it's not givin' up. Think that's in the blood though.. don't need to teach her."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She regards Kunzite for a few moments as he drinks the beer and dismisses her concerns along with her question. Part of her wants to know more.. wants to ask about this long-ago little sister. Presumptuous or not, she now feels like she's stepped into someone's shoes.. someone she doesn't know anything about, which makes it hard to judge just how big the shoes are. But she doesn't ask- if it were something Kunzite were comfortable talking about, he'd tell her, and she doesn't want to pry. She values his comfort with her, and doesn't want to endanger that.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;So she just nods. "Yeah. An' I think it means even more to me now.. having my blood-sister back in the picture. Y'know, before, I could say words like 'brothers' and 'family', but also question if I really remembered what those things meant. Now I'm reminded.. and I find that it doesn't feel much different at all." She nods her head , self-affirming. "I make a lotta mistakes. But I don't think throwing my lot in with you guys was one of 'em." She laughs. "Guess there's still time to be proven wrong, but hell, at least it's never boring."

:'''{{#var:109|Kunzite| (109)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Even from the couple of times I've met her, I'd have to agree." Even when it would be a better idea to give up. Even when it's a statistical, or actual, impossibility to go on. The Sakura girls don't ''stop'' once they have ideas in their heads. it's the question of which ideas, always.<br /><br />... which makes Kyouko's brief silence all the more unnerving. Almost palpably so.<br /><br />She does not, however, push him off the roof. This is a plus. He listens when she starts talking again instead, and at her last line -- for once, when he shows teeth, it ''is'' a smile.<br /><br />"That reminds me," he says. "I've been meaning to ask. She's in a ... unique situation. Missing some skills people would expect her to have. I don't know whether you two are planning to try to send her back to school --" Given Kyouko's definite opinions on the subject of schooling. "But when things aren't going to hell, Mamoru tutors kids. I've been doing the same thing. If the two of you think it's a good idea, we might be able to give her a hand."<br /><br />Family worries about these things.

:'''{{#var:78|Kyouko Sakura| (78)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Kyouko is sitting on the edge of the rooftop across from the Hotel Augusta, where a fancy party is currently going on. Kunzite is standing beside her, and there is a half-gone six-pack of beer cans sitting on a vent nearby, with each of them holding one as well.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hearing Kunzite's offer about tutoring, Kyouko shrugs her shoulders. "I think that might be a good idea." Her opinions on school are solely for herself- like many people, even if she refuses help for herself she'll force it on her loved ones if she's able to do so. She's gotta pay the bills.. but that means Momo can have other opportunities. "I don't.. I mean sure, I'd like her to go to school. But.. well, like you said. Unique situation. She's thirteen, but she's also nine, and any way you look at it, she's missed four years of school. It'd be cruel to just toss her back in. I definitely.. think private tutoring would be a good starting point. Thanks nii-chan.. I'll ask him about it."

:'''{{#var:7|Puella Magi Sayaka| (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The party down below is looking pretty loud and noisy. Usually Sayaka likes a good loud party, especially if Kyousuke's playing in the orchestra, like he is tonight. Some days however, she'd much rather prefer to spend some quiet time alone. Perhaps it is the pounding headache she's been having lately, the constant worry of where she's gonna get her next grief seed fix or feeling helpless knowing she'll kill herself faster if she keeps on trying to be the hero.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Whatever it is, it brings her to the rooftops herself, henshined just long enough to leap to the rooftop. It makes an excellent view of the city and party down below and she can hear enough of the music without it grating too much on her ears.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Now, if she can just collect her thoughts and figure out where to go from here..

:'''{{#var:109|Kunzite| (109)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>There are very rare moments when it'd be convenient to have the Kunihiro Saito identity still to lean on. But that persona is, after Venus' machinations, very gone indeed. They'll find another way to certify things if it becomes at all necessary.<br /><br />Also, honestly, it wouldn't be a terrible thing to have someone else keeping an eye on Momo at least ''part'' of the time that Kyouko is working.<br /><br />Because rabies.<br /><br />Kunzite starts to answer Kyouko, then stills and turns his head sharply -- and then lets his eyebrows lift as he relaxes again. "I should have expected," he says aloud, and lifts the can of cheap beer he's holding toward Sayaka. Unlike the two girls, he's still in henshin, cape and all -- which makes the beer an even stranger contrast. "Good evening."

:'''{{#var:78|Kyouko Sakura| (78)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Kyouko, similar to Sayaka, had abandoned her henshin to conserve magic as soon as she hit the roof, so she's sitting on the edge in just her jeans and t-shirt, showing no fear of the heights at all- she could always henshin again if she were to fall, after all. As Kunzite's sudden shift of attention, her head turns as well, in-tune enough with his instincts to tell when something is amiss.. although it's a pleasant surprise this time, at least.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She smiles brightly and lifts her free hand, waving. "Saya-chan! Over here!" After a moment she puts her beer down and climbs to her feet on the edge of the roof, taking a few steps towards where the blue-haired girl landed. "What are you doing here?" She asks, tilting her head to the side, but seeming pleased to see Sayaka regardless of her answer.

:'''{{#var:7|Puella Magi Sayaka| (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sayaka spies Kunzite first and smirks at the odd juxtaposition of the beer can and the dark kingdom uniform, finding it just plain odd. More importantly, she clearly does not approve of the beer cans scattered about, being the oftentimes strict person that she is. Or maybe it's just that she's never actually drunk alcohol before, coming from well-to-do familiy that she does, who probably wouldn't approve.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Whatever the case, Kunzite does receive a slighted arched brow and a slow nod. "Kunzite-kun. Good to see you again." She seems tired, and..Preoccupied, somehow.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It's only when Kyouko calls her over that she smiles a bit more broadly, stepping quickly to her side. "Kyou-chan!" she beams, leaning over to kiss her lightly on the cheek, and give her a quick hug if allowed. Seems she's been less reserved than before, perhaps she is still taking the 'living life to the fullest' idea to heart after their last chat.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;How've you been? How's your sister? Hope she's not getting you into trouble.."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She doesn't have to really ask why they're up here instead of at the party. Sayaka already knows the both of them are not terribly social creatures.

:'''{{#var:109|Kunzite| (109)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Golden Kingdom uniform, technically. But they both involve a lot of gray and white, so it's a reasonable confusion. Kunzite bows to Sayaka's greeting; it's only when Sayaka smiles and her steps speed up that he turns back to scan the area around the hotel's front for approximately the thousandth time. See? He's up here for a reason. Working. ... pay no attention to the beer can behind the curtain.

:'''{{#var:78|Kyouko Sakura| (78)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Of course Kyouko allows hugs from Sayaka. There's a relatively short list of people with that privledge, it's true, but Saya-chan is certainly at the top of it. Kyouko squeezes the blue-haired girl back, and blushes just faintly at the cheek-kiss (reserved as even that is compared to some other people) before she settles back, smiling. "Eh, you know." Kyouko has no doubt been texting Sayaka regularly even if they haven't seen each other much face-to-face recently. "She's good. Remarkably little trouble has been her fault but.. it's different, having to take care of somebody." She shrugs, not seeming to find the burden too heavy.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I may have a lead on the whole Grief Seed situation," She says, her voice lowering as she talks to Sayaka, even though Kunzite pretty much knows the whole story anyway.. more habit than anything else. "I gotta look into it some more, but I'll tell you as soon as I find anything substantial. For right now though, we're still doing okay."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Unpleasantness taken care of, she turns back to glance down at the party. "You headin' down there? Madoka's down there, so I figured you might be makin' an appearance. Glad you swung by up here first."

:'''{{#var:7|Puella Magi Sayaka| (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sayaka smirks, sure they've been texting back and forth but it only makes her miss her all the more in person. All those over time shifts and keeping an eye on her sister must keep Kyouko busier than usual. Sayaka sighs tiredly, plopping down on the ledge next to the red head although Kyouko does get a tender smile from her. "Well, it must be a comfort to have her back all the same. She seems like a nice kid...." but...But there is hesitation there. She's not sure if her revival is part of Kyubey's evil plan - if something bad might come of it all. But for now at least things seem quiet.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She'd normally go back to staring quietly, worrying to herself, when Kyouko mentions a possible lead and she's all ears, turning to face her. "Wait, what? Really? That's great! What did you find out? Need help looking into it? I cant stand waiting around, not knowing what's going on......" but she does nod when Kyouko responds further. "Ugh, I just hate all this waiting. I guess we still have some time but how much?"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Well....Right now, she just wants to relax. It's a party, right? "Hey, can I try one of these?" she asks as she picks up a beer. "Did you bring these, Kunzite-kun? So, what's this party about, anyways?"

:'''{{#var:109|Kunzite| (109)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>A lead? Kunzite's attention flicks back to Kyouko in an instant, but -- she's telling Sayaka. It's Sayaka's privilege to do the asking three times over, then, if one adds in that it's Puella business, and that it's the two of theirs. He doesn't say anything; but he's listening.<br /><br />-- And then, well. That's an interesting question, isn't it? The one on the rooftop who looks closest to legal age for purchasing alcohol makes a noncommittal noise to the queries about the beer, which could be interpreted as anything from 'go right ahead' to 'is that light over there the reflection of a car headlight, or a flying saucer?'. He gestures downward with his free hand, though. "Fundraiser to help with some of the wreckage lately," he says. "Mitakihara General was hit pretty bad by the alien plants, and there's still some cleanup going on from Walpurgisnacht in a couple of places. Officially. Unofficially, given Madoka's involvement, it's also 'we didn't die, let's celebrate.'"

:'''{{#var:78|Kyouko Sakura| (78)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Kyouko leans lightly against Sayaka as the girl sits beside her, seeming comforted by the contact, slight and casual though it might be. "It's.. an adventure. I'll say that much." She says, with a slight laugh, to the topic of Momo being back and having to adjust to it in innumerable ways.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As Sayaka leaps at the idea of a lead, Kyouko shakes her head quickly, holding her hands up. "Don't get your hopes up Saya-chan.. I mean, I hope it'll lead somewhere, I'm just not sure yet. I gotta talk to a few people.. Mako-chan especially. Sailor Jupiter, I mean. If it turns out there's something worthwhile to look into, I'll let you know right away, I promise. I could use you to watch my back, as always."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She doesn't answer the question of 'how much' time they have left. It probably all depends on how responsible they are with their magic.. something Kyouko honestly hasn't been doing that good a job of. She just grins as Sayaka picks up a beer. "Sure." There's only three left, and, lightweight or no, it's unlikely Sayaka could get too drunk just from that even if she drank all three, so Kyouko isn't worried.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She nods along with Kunzite's explanation. "Yeah, raising money for disaster relief, and stuff." Just then an alarm goes off in her pocket, and she curses, tugging out her cellphone. "Ah shit, I forgot. I signed up for a late shift tonight since I knew Momo was gonna be out." She sighs, getting to her feet. "I gotta run."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She leans down and smooches Sayaka quickly.. then grins and turns away. "Glad I got to see you, Saya-chan." Then she walks over and gives Kunzite a one-armed hug, as has become the tradition. "Nii-chan. Keep an eye on things for me, huh?" And then she's turning to leap off the building, henshining to break the fall as she does.

:'''{{#var:7|Puella Magi Sayaka| (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Ahh, right!" she laughs nervously, recalling how she crashed and burned pretty hard while trying to take out the youma at the top of the building that was controlling the lesser youma. That was embarrassing. "Well, i'm glad the others managed to take out that youma and stop the plant invasion....I guess that was related to Fiore, huh? And what happened to him?"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Obviously she hadn't heard about the senshi's flight to the asteroid and subsequent defeat of Fiore. "But I guess Madoka-chan will jump at any opportunity for a party. Glad she's never lost her cheerful side. As long as people like her are around, I'll never lose hope."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She nods slowly, trying not to lose hope as Kyouko tells her she'll investigate it further and just nod speechlessly as she gets up to leave. "Geez, they sure work you hard. I wish..." if she could only get adopted, maybe taken in by Saya's family..But she knows that'd never happen.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Well, okay...I'll drop by later, okay?" She reaches over to hug the redhead before watching her leave, a look of longing in her eyes..<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Finally, she glances back to Kunzite, curiously. "So, all alone, huh? You dont have some sweetheart waiting for you down there?"

:'''{{#var:109|Kunzite| (109)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>What happened to Fiore? "Mamoru managed to get the flower out of his head long enough for the Senshi to get through to him," Kunzite says to Sayaka. "He pulled the thing out out of himself by the roots." He does not specify that the roots in question were around Fiore's heart. That's not an image that even a Puella, accustomed to the madness of labyrinths, really needs to wake up to at night.<br /><br />He glances away again from the girls' farewell, studying the assortment of people coming and going from the party. There are still newcomers arriving, even now. And sometimes, the best way to encourage something is not to interfere.<br /><br />Not until Sayaka addresses him again. "Mn. Most of the rest of the household is down there, or ought to be. I don't have modern etiquette down on this level, though, so I'm keeping out unless I'm needed. With any luck, it'll be a dull night."

:'''{{#var:7|Puella Magi Sayaka| (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Sayaka sighs. She's missing Kyouko already, and doesn't really know Kunzite that well so this will probably be weird or awkward. "Oh, you guys got through to him?" she smiles, "That's good....Right?" well, she didnt hear about what ultimately became of him. But maybe it's not something the senshi really want to talk about either. Perhaps she should not pry.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I guess, the important thing is that everyone is safe again..Right? I just wish we could get a bit of a break from stuff happening,.."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Glancing down below, Sayaka is half tempted to join in the festivities, although it wont be the same without Kyouko. But at least she'd get to see Madoka again. "Maybe it's time you got some practice. I guess you're pretty much stuck in this world now, right? No better time like the present to get used to it, dont you think?"

:'''{{#var:109|Kunzite| (109)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Better than the alternative. Fiore wasn't a bad person, on his own; he only listened to the wrong voice. Everything after that was the monster, not him." Kunzite drinks the last of his can; he protested being on duty to Kyouko, but this has been a conversation that, while he wouldn't have missed it, has been irregularly spiked with the exceedingly awkward. Even cheap beer has been welcome.<br /><br />"That's three out of four major problems that I've been aware of dealt with," he says to Sayaka more directly. "I'm probably missing a few. But being able to concentrate on staying aware to back your people -- that makes a pleasant change."<br /><br />Which means he can see her glancing down, and see that wistful expression. "I've always hated these things," he says, absently conversational. "Too many people, too close, too influential to just shove away. And the worst weapons there aren't the ones you can see. But the rest of them like it." Is that last sentence resigned agreement? It's hard to tell.

:'''{{#var:7|Puella Magi Sayaka| (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sayaka nods slowly, noticing how he speaks of Fiore in the past tense. So he must have...Died? Left? it's hard to tell and she's afraid to ask. "I see...Well, I guess it's over now. You and your friends can relax a bit. I'm curious what this lead Kyouko has but I suppose she'll get back to me on it whenever she can." She smirks, "Three out of four ain't bad. That's exactly why you should be celebrating."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Although..when he explains it like that, Sayaka nods slowly, understandiingly. "I guess not everyone likes crowds. i'm good either way, honestly. But I wont push you into something that makes you uncomfortable. I guess you and Kyou-chan are more alike than I thought."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She chuckles at her own private thought, "Is that why you're such good friends? I guess..She never really told me much about her time in the Dark Kingdom, working with you and all.."

:'''{{#var:109|Kunzite| (109)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Our few weeks of overlap?" Kunzite glances aside at Sayaka; his expression isn't quite as unreadable as usual. Something just a little amused. "I don't know why she had time for me. Not in the beginning. For me -- she reminded me of someone else I missed, at first. And after that, we understood each other a little, yes." He shrugs, and then says as if it explained everything, "She hates wasting food."<br /><br />He steps over to set his empty can in close company with Kyouko's abandoned two, then gestures down to the building. "If you'd like to go -- it's not an experience you should have to miss. I can come back and get these later."

:'''{{#var:7|Puella Magi Sayaka| (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sayaka had taken a beer can, experimentally tasting a bit, but she was unaccustomed to the bitter taste, and didnt care for it much so it was left mostly next to her seat on the roof's ledge as she peered over the side towards the party.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A part of her wants to go down below and join the others, but she's terribly curious to learn more about Kyouko's 'big brother.' "Perhaps, in a bit. I'm in no rush, really."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She smiles, "Kyou-chan's an unusual girl, I'm sure she sensed a kindred spirit in you too. Perhaps you helped each other. I hope you will continue to help her. If something happens..." she draws a deep breath, "If you have to choose, I hope you will take care of her first. Because she means a lot to a lot of people, no matter what she says."

:'''{{#var:109|Kunzite| (109)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Kunzite studies her for a moment, and -- yes. There is no 'little' about it. Downright wicked amusement. "You're welcome to hope that," he says. "I, on the other hand, have reason to recall how she expresses her opinion of people who take even insufficient steps to make certain you're all right." The dark red-brown lining of his cape provides enough contrast, even in the night, to make his movements clear: he puts a hand to his side, running it across part of his back and back again. As if to mark entry and exit wounds of, say, a rather particular spearpoint. "Though I suspect you're both equipped to take care of yourselves, and the one I should be watching out for is Momo."

:'''{{#var:7|Puella Magi Sayaka| (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She arches a curious brow noting the movement. "Hmm? What happened, she lose her temper with you too?" Sayaka smirks, "Guess that's just a thing with her, huh. But that was in the past. I guess you were both different people back then too. What's more important is what's happening now.."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He mentions Momo and Saya tilts her head, pondering this. "I havent seen her in battle but she's pretty young. So she's put you in charge of her wellbeing then? I'm still a little concerned about the way she came back. Cant help but feel that her revival is related to Kyubey's grand scheme or something. I'll also keep an eye on her..." there's a thoughtful pause there. Will she be trying to protect her, or just watch her?

:'''{{#var:109|Kunzite| (109)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"She was herself again, by then. I wasn't. I watched a fight you were in rather than getting involved in it; you were injured, but not so badly you wouldn't recover. She stabbed me for letting you get hurt." The summary is casual, with little to no emotional load ... up until the brief note of affection in the last sentence. Because obviously stabbings are warm and admirable gestures of communication.<br /><br />Kunzite and Kyouko might have a few things in common, yes.<br /><br />"I'm not in charge of anything about Momo," he assures quickly, when the topic changes. "I couldn't be; I have other duties that would prevent it. I haven't seen her in battle, either, but I've heard reports, and seen the aftermath. She's not particularly experienced, but she keeps her head in a crisis -- as much as she does the rest of the time, at least -- and she doesn't panic when people around her are bleeding. Better than some."<br /><br />A brief moment of quiet, after, and he glances toward the party again. "Not impossible it's related. Kyubey wasn't the impetus behind it. But her presence may have affected the timing."

:'''{{#var:7|Puella Magi Sayaka| (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sayaka listens quietly, eager to soak up any information about Kunzite and Kyouko's history. Because honestly, it's a little interesting and tells her more about the mysterious red head. And it seems there's still so much she doesn't know about her. Except for the part where she stabbed him for letting Saya get hurt.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Her eyes widen in surprise, widenning further at his casual mannerism. "Wait, what?! She stabbed you? Because of that?" she sighs, shaking her head, "Guess she hasn't changed in some respects. I'd prefer if she didnt do that, but I guess she's always been kinda stubborn..."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Another casual shrug as she attempts to sip some of the beer again. Yeah, she really needs a drink. Maybe the beer's not all that bad afterall. She'll have to talk to Kyou about that however.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Didnt she ask you to keep an eye on her, make sure she doesn't get into trouble?" she frowns, "It really sucks that she has to work so much..." well, it cant be helped. "I need to find Kyubey and put an end to this. I dont like what it could mean..But I hope you're right and it's just timing.." Even so, she cant shake the nagging feeling that there might be something more sinister involved. Or maybe she's just thinking too much.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Soo, how are your..Brothers? I never got to thank Nephrite-kun for helping me that last time. I've forgotten the names of your other brothers. It must be difficult adjusting to earth. Must seem so boring after the life you've lived before. Kings was it?"

:'''{{#var:109|Kunzite| (109)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>She stabbed him? "She did. It was fairly impressive. Took a good part of my energy at the time to patch myself back together." ... that is definitely affection, not to mention appreciation of Kyouko's skill. Little sister did good. Somewhat more seriously: "And she had considerable other justification, given what I was doing at the time. If you'd been there, you'd have been at her side for that one, believe me."<br /><br />Which is probably all the more reason for Sayaka to want that drink.<br /><br />"She asked me to keep an eye on things here. I was doing that anyway; Mamoru's at the party. Momo's down there somewhere, too, yes." Now there's an image. Girl with gunlance and Dog, at a party for and frequented by Society. Hopefully she won't wind up in any kind of legal trouble as a result. "So if anything much starts up, I'll see it -- or hear about it -- and be able to step in for her."<br /><br />Sayaka's concerns about Kyubey win her a nod. "We can hope," he says. "But it's best to consider all options." Including the less pleasant ones. Maybe Sayaka will be able to consider them and put them away -- or maybe not.<br /><br />His brothers. "Jadeite and Zoisite," Kunzite supplies almost automatically for the missing ones. "They haven't set our apartment building on fire yet, so they're doing all right. Nephrite just made it in the doors down there a few minutes ago; he should be apologizing to his date even as we speak." Another slight gesture, a little almost-neutral shift of his hand. "We've had enough crises that 'boring' isn't the appropriate word, really. And we all grew up here, too; that helps, to an extent, even if we don't remember much of it. As for before -- 'kings' is an idiom, there. We were -- guards, advisors, sometimes generals. Sometimes other things. Mostly guards, in the long run, even if it extended to 'to properly keep our prince safe, we need to negotiate this treaty, or fight this battle.'" His eyes crease at the corners. "Zoisite's particularly displeased at having to deal with high school instead. But he'll live. And it's good for him, to have to pretend to follow rules."
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