View source for 711/Home is Where the Hurt Is

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2015/12/14
|Location=Mitakihara/Uminari City - Infinity Drive
|Synopsis=Mars takes the newly revealed Princess Serenity to perhaps the safest place right now - Mamoru's apartment. After all, it's not like the bad guys will be looking for him anymore.
|Cast of Characters=58, 64
|pretty=yes
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{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:58|Princess Serenity (58)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Mamoru probably should have hired someone to come by to clean every once in awhile.<br /><br />Not that Usagi's paying attention to the thin layer of dust everywhere, of course.<br /><br />She hasn't stopped clinging to Mars since that rooftop. Since, well. That ''thing.'' That ''happened.''<br /><br />She swallows, and remembers she screamed earlier.<br /><br />She looks around in confusion, because hey, shock, before looking back at Mars.<br /><br />"Do you think his bills were on autopay?"<br /><br />Such a silly thing to be wondering!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:64|Rei Hino (64)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Mars didn't let go of Usagi, either. She was supposed to protect her, right? She said she would, and she intended to live up to that.<br /><br />Mars glances around Mamoru's house, sighing that it's a bit unkempt, but it can't be helped. Still, this is where Usagi wanted to go.<br /><br />Usagi asks about the bills, and Mars just shrugs. "Maybe. I mean... he must have left things in order here before he decided to be my cousin for a while. I would think that applies to this."<br /><br />Mars remembers something. Something that causes her to smirk. It's a shallow amusement, beneath the weight she feels, but she'll take what lightness she can get.<br /><br />"Besides, he wouldn't have left without making sure that his car was taken care of. I'm pretty sure that's around here somewhere."<br /><br />Mars feels a clench in her gut. The emptiness of this apartment is a cruel reminder.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Princess Serenity (58)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>She giggles. It's a weird, hallow and short, not really Usagi giggle, but hey.<br /><br />"Probably has it under one of those car blankets."<br /><br />Her breath hitches in her throat, and her mind strives for something, anything, to stop thinking about things.<br /><br />So she clears her throat, pretending the hitch is because of the tenderness, and finally pushes away from Mars. "I-I need water."<br /><br />The kitchen isn't lit, the light from the living room casting it in shadow. But the further in she goes, the more the shadows retreat.<br /><br />This annoys her, as she pulls down two cups as though she owns the place, rinses them out like this is her home, and gulps down a cup even as she sets the other on the divider for Mars.<br /><br />She slams hers back on the counter. Irrational anger wells up in her chest and suddenly she's shouting. "Why am I ''glowing?!''"<br /><br />She wants the glow gone as much as this stupid, stupid dress, but it just stays.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:64|Rei Hino (64)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Mars giggles, halfheartedly, at the though of Mamoru's car under a blanket. When Serenity slips away Mars's hands go behind her back, one hand clasping the other.<br /><br />Mars follows Usagi towards the kitchen, staying on the opposite of the divider. As much money as Mamoru had, this is still an apartment for one person.<br /><br />She quietly watches as Serenity gets more and more angry. When the glass of water is offered, she picks it up and takes a drink.<br /><br />"Who knows? Moonlight, maybe? Power? This is your awakening as a Moon Princess... maybe that comes with a second henshin or something?"<br /><br />She looks down into the glass of water, and sets it back on the counter.<br /><br />"Have you tried dismissing it the same way you do your normal henshin?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Princess Serenity (58)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>She rubs at her arms, trying to get to the normal skin underneath. "Yes, since-since we started for here. But it just ''stays.''"<br /><br />And she's getting more angry, for all the reasons this time. "And why ''now?'' Why not ''sooner?'' Everything would have been a lot easier if she'd just--"<br /><br />And then she's crying. Again. Or still, but more noticeably. She doesn't remember. And her hands cover her eyes as she voices the train of thought she'd taken. "He was so lonely, Rei. And now he's going to be alone forever."<br /><br />More tears, more hiding, and she needs to process this but how on earth can she even do that?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:64|Rei Hino (64)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Mars continues to look down into her glass, tilting it this way and that, watching the water swish around.<br /><br />"I don't know, Usagi-chan. It happened when you were upset... no, no upset doesn't even begin to describe it..."<br /><br />Mars takes a long drink of water, before setting her glass down.<br /><br />"That was quite a scream. You wore yourself out from that alone. That's when you transformed. Maybe it has to do with your emotional state?"<br /><br />Mars is just guessing at this point... but... ugh... it's so unfair. It's so unfair that this is happening now!<br /><br />"... I should've supported your relationship with Mamo-kun from the beginning. I was scared. I was afraid. I just... I... I should have known. You're Sailor Moon. How could anyone not know that you'd be the Moon Princess?"<br /><br />No... No Mars shouldn't break down right now. She needs to be a good friend. Mars is in pain, sure, but she wasn't ''in love'' with Mamoru the way Usagi was...<br /><br />"Yeah, he was lonely, for a very long time... but also... I mean, I got that text on my cellphone. I think a lot of people got the same text. If he really texted all of us... then he might've just been texting everyone he thought of as a friend."<br /><br />"... at the end, I think he actually had a lot of friends."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Princess Serenity (58)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Usagi just gives up trying to stop glowing, hands flopping to her sides. "I'll probably be stuck in this stupid dress for a long time, then."<br /><br />Then her shoulders slump a little. "No, it wasn't your fault..."<br /><br />She understood why Rei had been against them at first. She knew Rei had only been looking after her, the both of them. And if anyone should have known who the princess was, it should have been the princess herself.<br /><br />''Stupid Usagi!''<br /><br />And then she feels the sentiment even more so, because Rei is right. Her Mamo-chan had so many friends, and she'd just...shut off. She's not the only one hurting, yet she's been acting like she was!<br /><br />She whisks out of the kitchen to crush her friend in a hug. "I'm sorry. It'll be okay!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:64|Rei Hino (64)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Mars catches Usagi in a hug, smiling at her. Mars still blames herself a bit, but if Moon-chan doesn't blame her, then that does make her feel better.<br /><br />Mars holds Serenity tightly, saying, "If they can get him back... if Mercury-chan and the rest can... We'll look after him, just like we look after you. I'm sure the others will feel the same way..."<br /><br />Mars does laugh again, saying, "Oh, but you really surprised us... I wonder what Jupiter-chan will think when she finds out? Or heck, even Luna-chan? At least now we know why we always remembered the Moon Princess and never a Sailor Moon..."<br /><br />Can Mercury really help bring him back? ... No, she ''has'' to. It's not a question. They can't just let this tragedy continue. Whatever happened in the past, they had to have been given a second chance so that they could make things right, right?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Princess Serenity (58)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Usagi nods against Rei's shoulder. It wasn't fair to have asked that of Mercury. And she wants to believe that he ''can'' be brought back. But that gaping wound where the bond had snapped is still so raw, and part of her believes she'll have to learn to just...live with it.<br /><br />"I always wondered, too. I figured I just wasn't...with you guys back then."<br /><br />She breathes a short laugh, though. "Do you think Luna will faint?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:64|Rei Hino (64)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"I always thought you were one of us." Rei hugs her just a bit more tightly. "Honestly... in retrospect, this makes a lot of sense. You being the Princess I mean..."<br /><br />Rei chuckles. "Maybe! I bet she'd be in shock."<br /><br />Even with the laughing, she knows that Usagi's still in pain, and so is Rei... but... it's almost too much to process. Rei's lost someone before, so she knows what it's like. Grieving doesn't always happen all at once. It takes time.<br /><br />"... but... yeah... I mean for some reason it always felt right to have you around. I guess I just couldn't believe for a second that you weren't one of us."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Princess Serenity (58)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>On her end, the hug of comfort becomes a cuddle. And a small, genuine smile leaks on through. "You were ''always'' my girls."<br /><br />This is perhaps the ''only'' good thing to come from this. Her girls have been with her forever. "And now we know why I never took to fighting as well as you all?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:64|Rei Hino (64)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Mars smiles at Usagi. "Well if I had known you were new at it I would've been easier on you. I think we've all got some things to learn, Usagi-chan."<br /><br />The Red senshi gives the princess a pat on the back, still holding her, now cuddling. "... I think you've done alright so far, actually. I mean... maybe you're not used to it, but... you've... you've been dependable. Even if you get scared sometimes, I can't argue with results."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Princess Serenity (58)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>After a few more moments, Usagi pulls away. She's still holding Rei's hands, and while her hair is silver and there's glowingness and a moon on her face, her sleepy smile is a reminder that she's a sleepy Usagi. <br /><br />"I couldn't ''not'' help. That's just...crazy."<br /><br />Her shoulders slump again. "Is it okay to be...tired?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:64|Rei Hino (64)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Mars holds onto Usagi's hands, squeezing them for a moment. "Yeah... I think... I think you're a good princess. You've been everything a princess should be."<br /><br />Usagi looks tired, and Rei can hardly blame her. She considers Usagi's current costume, and what would happen if her family saw her actually glowing...<br /><br />No, maybe it's best that she doesn't go home right now.<br /><br />"You know... nobody's probably going to attack here... if you wanted to stay the night here... maybe... I mean... I don't think Mamo-kun would've minded."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Princess Serenity (58)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Her eyes widen and waters as she nods. She feels like she's three again and Mama and Papa just told her that yes, Usagi, you can sleep with us because of the red headed monster in your closet.<br /><br />"Are you going back to the shrine?"<br /><br />She really hopes not. But if Rei wants to, she wouldn't stop her. <br /><br />She tugs and pulls on those hands for a moment before she goes to the bedroom, because there are shirts there and she wants out of this dress. <br /><br />And yes, Mamo-chan, she steals one of your beloved space t-shirts. So there.<br /><br />"If I take the dress off and put the t-shirt on and I wake up as Usagi, do you think the princess will be..." her cheeks warm. "Not dressed next time?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:64|Rei Hino (64)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"No... I... I have to stay with you tonight," says Rei. "There's no way I'm leaving you alone after what happened tonight. We don't even know what ''happened'', and you might still be in danger..."<br /><br />Rei lets go of Usagi as she pulls away. If she at least wants to get out of that dress and into something normal, well, Rei can hardly blame her. She doesn't know if removing the dress will help with the glow, though.<br /><br />"I doubt it, I mean.. anytime my senshi outfit has been damaged it always just shows up again whenever I need it, as good as new. Maybe the dress is like that?"<br /><br />Mars stays outside of the room after Usagi goes in, staying around the corner so she can't see but Usagi and her can still talk. "I'm just hoping that, though. It's not like this is a normal henshin, as far as I can tell."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Princess Serenity (58)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>And try as she may, Usagi cannot hide her relief. ''Good.'' She doesn't ''want'' to be alone.<br /><br />As Rei stays out of the line of sight, Usagi steps out of her dress, taking off weird accessories, placing them on a night stand. Then she's in a shirt that's almost to her knees, and it takes awhile for her to pull out her noticeably longer hair.<br /><br />But even though it's a placebo effect, she still feels ''better.'' Even if it's just a little.<br /><br />She keeps her hair up.<br /><br />She closes the closet door, because Mamo-chan's so weird about people seeing it. And then she joins Rei again in the hall, glow still there.<br /><br />"Do you want--" She looks back at the bed. "I mean, you don't have to. But."<br /><br />A part of her just ''knows'' it's best if she's not left alone.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:64|Rei Hino (64)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Rei could, concievably, sleep out on the couch, but... would she really be comfortable with that? Would she really feel like she could be sure of Usagi's safety that way?<br /><br />No, she'd be waking up every 5 seconds, peeking into the bedroom, just to make sure that her glowy friend was still there. She'd be way too worried.<br /><br />Maybe ''she'' knows that Usagi shouldn't be left alone right now, either.<br /><br />Still when Rei looks in and hears what Usagi is suggesting, she has to blink a few times. It makes sense, and they have sleepovers all the time, right? It's not really anything new. Technically.<br /><br />Well...<br /><br />"... I mean, if you're comfortable with that, sure."<br /><br />Maybe things will feel better in the morning... They will at least have time to sort things out, then.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Princess Serenity (58)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Usagi's immediate answer is a nod. She's looking at the bed, knowing his scent would more or less be gone with how long he hasn't been here, but she can still hope. "I just..."<br /><br />She doesn't know how to voice her thoughts on this. She doesn't exactly know what they ''are.''<br /><br />So instead, she pulls down the covers. "If you don't want to be cuddled, I'll try hard not to. But according to Luna, I do do it in my sleep."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:64|Rei Hino (64)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Mars lets out a snort. "Are you kidding? If all I have to worry about for the rest of the night is your cuddles, then I think I'll be alright."<br /><br />Mars isn't going to comment on whether or not she's already aware of this habit of Usagi's.<br /><br />"Don't worry about that."<br /><br />Mars looks down at her own outfit... frowning. "Though... I think it might be better if I stay like this... I mean... in case something happens. ... I'll try not to set Mamoru's apartment on fire if that happens, though."<br /><br />Mars starts to head towards the bed, sitting on the opposite end of Usagi. She kicks off her high-heels at least. Heck, Mamoru might've been put out at her for even having worn them inside as long as she did. But they're magic high-heels, so they're okay, right?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:58|Princess Serenity (58)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>She slides under the covers, heart lurching in her chest.<br /><br />Apparently, it ''does'' still smell like him. A sleepy him.<br /><br />She settles in, rolls on her stomach, and burrows into the pillows.<br /><br />She does, of course, sleep cuddle Rei.<br /><br />Well, when she's actually asleep, and her sleep isn't fitful.<br /><br />So maybe a total of five minutes worth of sleep cuddles. And a healthy dose of cuddles while not asleep.<br /><br />She does, however, get a light doze here and there, usually when her mind can forget just about everything.<br> <br>
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