View source for 76/Sailor Senshi Data Meeting

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2015/06/18
|Location=Uminari City - Shopping Strip
|Synopsis=A meeting of the Sailor Senshin to exchange data turns into data gathering when they run into a mysterious witch, and get saved by an ally.
|Cast of Characters=29, 54, 63, 64
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:54|Sailor Mercury (54)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>It was after school, and Ami had no other choice but to meet with the Sailor Senshi about the people that went comatose. After tapping the communicator, the only one she could get a hold of immediately was Rei. After agreeing to meet with her for a bit of food at the shopping mall, Ami arrived early, waiting in the food court.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:64|Rei Hino (64)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Rei arrives just on time. Very punctually. She's still wearing her Verone Academy school uniform. As she sees Ami waiting in the food court, Rei reaches up high and waves to Ami.<br /><br />"Ami-chan! Hi!"<br /><br />As she walks closer to Ami, Rei says, "What's up, Ami?"<br /><br />Rei is friendly enough, but she anticipates the news to be at least somewhat serious, since it's Sailor Senshi business.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:54|Sailor Mercury (54)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Sipping at her shake, Ami smiles to Rei. "I wish I had good news Rei-chan. I went looking into those people mysteriously going comatose. I even did scans upon them. They're not recovering their energy." She says gesturing to the chair with her. "It's strange, because even the Dark Kingdom lets their targets recover their energy."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:64|Rei Hino (64)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Rei's smile turns to surprise and then a concerned frown. "Not recovering their energy?"<br /><br />Rei sits down in the indicated chair, propping her chin up on her hand. "It's true. Usually once the youma is defeated, the energy drain stops, too. For the drain to still be happening..."<br /><br />"Are you thinking that it isn't the Dark Kingdom, then? It's true that it's not really their style. They tend to be more subtle in their energy drains."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:54|Sailor Mercury (54)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"This isn't their style, Rei-chan. I've even looked at the sites where they were found. There's still plenty of magic there, but it isn't the Drk Kingdom's signature at all." Ami says softly.<br /><br />She then sips her shake and leans back in her chair. "A lot more subtle, until the Youma is dispatched. This isn't them at all." She then looks to Rei. "Have you been able to sense anything?" She's putting a lot of trust into Rei for this too. She didn't understand her power, but she's come to trust it.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:64|Rei Hino (64)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Rei thoughtfull hmms at Ami's explaination. Ami being a genius with powerful tech gives her a certain level of credibility.<br /><br />Rei sighs, saying, "Oh, you know how that is. I can use chants and fire to focus my powers, but I haven't seen any visions or portents yet. I'll have to keep at it once I get back to the shrine."<br /><br />Rei shrugs apologetically. She wishes she could provide something as substantial as what Ami presented.<br /><br />"It's worrying that whoever is doing this wont let people wake up. Were you able to see how the energy is still being drained?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:63|Scorn (63)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Two kids are meeting behind the mall. Typical Deliquent behavior, they're aiming on tagging the back of the mall with phrases and art. Otherwise, they are alone. "Heh, this'll show that old fart for kicking us out of the arcade..." says one. "Yeah it will!" says the other, as spary cans begin to turn towards the brick wall of the back of the building.<br /><br />Feet come to a land not too far off, belonging to the shillouted form of a witch, noticed for now as she speaks lowly to a feathered figure on her shoulder. "What do you think?" she asks, tilting her head a bit, as she grips the broom in her hands.<br /><br />c+"Perfect Targets, Please Make Haste---- don't let this oppurtunity go to waste!"</span><br /><br />The girl raises her broom as it begins to glow with a purple aura---- the boys suddenly look towards the figure, attention being drawn by the sudden commotion and words. "Huh, what's that?"<br /><br />Mercury's computer begins going haywire based on the readings she took earlier. Likewise, Rei might be able to feel the sudden surge of dark energy in the immediate area.<br /><br />Somethings going on, and close.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:54|Sailor Mercury (54)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Ami jumps as her computer begins to go haywire. She picks it up and it shows dark energy....and nearby. "Rei?" She says apprehensively. "Whatever's been causing this is nearby. Do you feel anything?" She says tapping a few keys to try and pinpoint it.<br /><br />Eventually she does pinpoint it, and stands up, thankfully, her food had already been finished. "It looks like we may find the source after all, Rei."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:64|Rei Hino (64)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Rei suddenly stands up, looking over at a seemingly random point. From the way she's standing and holding herself, it's clear that something's wrong. Her senses are /screaming/ at her, and she has to respond.<br /><br />"Ami-chan..." Rei turns to her blue-haired friend, registering the fact that Ami's computer also picks up what she's feeling. "I'm feeling a lot of darkness coming from that direction, too. We better go check it out."<br /><br />Rei starts heading towards the source of dark energy, waiting for Ami to come with her. Ami's computer points to the same place, but Rei doesn't feel the need to double check. She can /feel/ it. "Be careful, Ami-chan. With this much darkness... it could be a powerful enemy."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:63|Scorn (63)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>The two kids seem perplexed! "Hey, who are you!?" demands one. "You can't rat us out!" he insists.<br /><br />The girl seems to ignore them as she waves her broom around, leaving a wake of violet energy in it's wake.<br /><br />"Grant my Heart's Desire--- SOUL RELEASE!" she calls out- the boy who tried to confront her is engulfed by a wave of violet, white light being sucked from him, and off into the broom, and immediatly after the boy slumps down, face first to the ground.<br /><br />The feathered shadow on the witch's shoulder squawks gleefully down. c+"One Down. One to Go! Don't Be Too Slow!"</span> spouts the raven in sinister rhyme.<br /><br />The other boy has dropped his can of spray paint and is already trying to run away.<br /><br />"W--What hey! You can't just run!" the girl insists. Nrg, now she has to chase him down the alley! She does so by hopping onto the broom, and begins to fly down the alley after him.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:54|Sailor Mercury (54)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>By now, Ami is running, more than likely, right after Rei as she's the more proactive of the group. However, the direction they're going in leads to outside, and more importantly, going directly towards it is a dead end from inside. Ami takes a somewhat more roundabout way though, especially as her computer chatters at her again. "Rei-chan, with this much dark energy, I think this calls for people a lot stronger than us." She says as a part of a hint for Rei to follow her instead of going directly for the source.<br /><br />Once outside, Ami goes down a side alley in between stores, and makes sure there is no one within sight range......and making sure they are nowhere NEAR the one giving off the dark energy. "Here should be good, Rei-chan." She says raising her pen...<br /><br /><span style="color:xterm33">Mercury Power! Make-Up!</span><br /><br />The symbol on the pen spins and expands from the pen, with a blue/white ribbon steaming out of the pen. Ami arches her back, lifts her leg and spins into the ribbon, which encloses around her form. The ribbon bursts into many points of light to reveal...<br /><br /><span style="color:xterm33">Sailor Mercury, Guardian of knowledge and justice!</span><br /><br />Sailor Mercury is done, she looks to Sailor Mars. "I don't think we have much time, Mars. Come on." She says starting to run RIGHT for the cause of the disturbance....<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:64|Rei Hino (64)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Rei's instinct is to run forward, but after Ami indicates that she knows a better path (that doesn't result in a dead end), Rei chooses to follow her. Someone stronger than us? Oh right, /that/ someone else.<br /><br />Following Ami down the side alley, Rei fishes through her purse to find the pen. "Right. Let's go."<br /><br /><span style="color:red">Mars Power! Make-Up!</span><br /><br />Magical power washes over Rei's form, surrounding her in a mass of blazing fire, stemming from her pen which she holds up high. Her sillouette is filled with darker blues and purples, like the night sky, contrasting with the orange and red flames around her. As the wild fire comes under control, it surrounds Rei like a sphere, then converges upon her in the form of firey rings.<br /><br />The magical flame surrounds her, turning into her senshi uniform, and a small tiara appears on her forehead. Sailor Mars appears!<br /><br />The two of them go after the disturbance, and as Rei turns the corner she sees a witch chasing a kid on a broom. Another kid is passed out, were they too late?<br /><br />That's about all she needs to see before she points at the witch assertively, placing a fist on her hip and shouting, "STOP RIGHT THERE!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:63|Scorn (63)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Indeed, the witch is chasing a kid on a broom...<br /><br />"GRANT MY HEART'S DESIRE! SOU------"<br /><br />She's not able to finish the spell however, as Mars goes about getting in her way. Soon, a blue haired girl, Mercury joins them. The girls stops and blinks a bit. She frowns. "Argh! You cost me someone!" she compalins. "Who do you think you are!?"<br /><br />c+"Warriors of Light!? This isn't right!"</span> spouts the raven on the girl's shoulder.<br /><br />"Wait--are these... the others you warned me about!? Already!? Nrg----" she says frustraedly at her feathered companion. She points at the other two girls. "Don't stand in my way! You are ruining everything too soon!" she insists as she hovers there on her broom.<br /><br />c+"Do as she says and get out of the way! Or will we have to make you pay!"</span> insists the raven in it's squaking, ryhiming tone.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:54|Sailor Mercury (54)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Thankfully, Mars Steps in front of the broom as the witch aims it at the kid. Mercury stops a step behind Mars and glares at the witch, and even the raven.<br /><br /><span style="color:xterm33">WHAT YOU ARE DOING SHOULDN'T BE DONE! DRAINING CHILDREN OF THEIR ENERGY! NO, WE WILL STAND IN YOUR WAY ANY CHANCE WE GET!</span><br /><br /><span style="color:xterm33">I AM SAILOR MERCURY! GUARDIAN OF KNOWLEDGE AND WATER! WE ARE HERE TO STOP YOU!</span><br /><br />Really, Sailor Moon needs to be here to give these speeches, but it gives the Sailor Senshi more of the spotlight.....<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:64|Rei Hino (64)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"How dare you!" shouts Sailor Mars. "Attacking kids as they're... er... what were they doing?" She trails off as she takes in her surroundings.<br /><br />Oh my god is that a spray can? Is this graffiti? Were they about to deface public property? Geeze! Well they don't exactly deserve to be stuck into a coma for that, but she can't really defend that behavior either.<br /><br />The pause gives Mercury time to say her piece, and Rei alters the direction of her speech quickly. "Never mind that! Kids who have gone astray should be led back to the right path, not lured into a deeper darkness with evil rhymes! I wont forgive you for attacking children no matter how bad mannered they are! In the name of Mars, I'll chastise you!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:63|Scorn (63)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Scorn looks between Mercury, and then Mars and gives a big anime-sweatdropped style reaction to it all. These guys /can't/ be real, can they? Or serious!? The red eyed girl gives a series of blinks, as she comes back to her senses over it all, as she places a hand to her chest for a moment.<br /><br />"Other people don't matter- children or not. What have they ever done for you or me!?" she insists. She hoves close to the ground and lands daintly. That boy is long gone now. She curses under her breath.<br /><br />"Because of you, I only got one! Now I'll need to find another! What a bother!" she says.<br /><br />The Raven cackles, but adds nothing to the conversation right now.<br /><br />"Do you know how hard it to catch people alone!?" she says as she huffs, tapping her broom's hard stick to the concrete.<br /><br />c+"Maybe you should make them pay. You've let them have thier say! Take thier energy, quick! and we'll get out of here, real slick!"</span><br /><br />"Right!... " announces the girl. She raises her broom--- "GRANT MY HEART'S DESIRE! SOUL BIND!" she calls out.<br /><br />The broom glows with energy and washes out against Mercury and Mars with black energy! This doesn't feel pleasent. It feels cold, it feels like despair, sadness and depression of the deepest kind. She's trying to psyche the two out with some sort of weird spell it seems.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:54|Sailor Mercury (54)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span><span style="color:xterm33">AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!</span><br /><br />Mercury screams at being hit with the energy. What she sees isn't pleasent either. It brings up feelings long buried, or thought long buried by Ami. She fights it though, with memories of friends, new friends, and even close friends that relied upon her....<br /><br />Like Rei....<br /><br />Unfortunately, Mercury is laid QUITE low by the energy and despair. She drops to her hands and knees and tears begin to drop from her eyes.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:64|Rei Hino (64)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Mars holds up her arms in front of her, trying to block the surge of dark power. The despair, the cold, and the sadness. Dark, depressing thoughts come to her mind, and she falls to one knee.<br /><br />"Don't give in, Mercury," she says, encouraging her partner but also saying it to hold onto her own determination. "It's just a trick by the enemy!"<br /><br />Still, Mars feels the energy bearing down on her, and after seeing Mercury be reduced to tears she too collapses.<br /><br />How could they fail like this? So soon after her own awakening, to be brought low by this... how could it happen?<br /><br />Maybe they were never really cut out for being Sailor Senshi after all....<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:63|Scorn (63)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Scorn watches as she brings the two people to thier knees, weaking them with her spell, she lowers her broom as she takes a deep breath! That took a lot out of her, just to bring them to her knees, but the girl is a LOT stronger than she looks. The raven on her shoulder fluffs up a bit, perhaps proud, perhaps happy that things are going so well.<br /><br />"Ha---hah! See. Now I'm going to.. take your souls! I bet you'll take like /five people/ off my count!" she says almost genuinely happily.<br /><br />c+"Hurry it along! Don't sing a song!"</span> insists the shadowy raven on it's shoulder as it urges Scorn to finish this off.<br /><br />"R-right!" she raises that broom skyward.. "GRANT MY HEART'S DESIRE! SOUL RELEASE!" she calls out.<br /><br />The spell begins to resonate off her broom! It'll be just a moment now---<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:29|Runealy Waldia (29)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Attempts to learn more about the strange comas and food inspections had not gone well for Runealy. She has some leads, but nothing that can be turned into concrete information... and this sent her wandering the city for something, anything else. That brought her to Uminari, pacing the area near the arcade and she sees something up ahead. "Hn? Isn't that..." It's hard to tell at this distance, but 'blue and white' is distinct. "Mercury?"<br /> <br />If she's seeing Mercury - and a red and white figure near her, perhaps a friend of Mercury's? - then it stands to reason that trouble is afoot. Rune ducks into an alley to transform, emerging and jogging closer to the pair...<br /> <br />...And now she can see the dark energy, a worrying black that seems to have the Sailors in a very bad way. Even from this safe distance, she can feel how awful this is... and Scorn's words make very clear this is not an issue to stay neutral in. Anyone who talks of taking souls and using something that can make such horrible feelings weigh down on one's heart is an unambiguous problem... not at all like the clash between Nanoha and Fate.<br /> <br />"I won't let you do as you like! Not to people who cherish and protect the safety of others!"<br /> <br />Princess Runealy leaps high in order to aim over Mercury and Mars. Her wand launches a pair of green orbs at Scorn, and even as The Princess - not the very Princess the Sailors seek, alas - descends to ground level the orbs try to strike and burst into emerald sparkles!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:54|Sailor Mercury (54)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>The Energy, now dispersed, allows Sailor Mercury to stand again, she wipes her eyes and smiles as Runealy descends in front of them. She slowly gets to her feet and takes a deep breaths. Speaking of friends, Runealy was another that helped her many times, even though they don't know who each other truly are, she came when they needed her.<br /><br />Speaking of helping out....<br /><br /><span style="color:xterm33">SHABOU SPRAY!</span><br /><br />She calls out and a point of light forms in between her cupped hands. She turns 360 and crosses her arms behind the growing point of light.<br /><br /><span style="color:xterm33">FREEZE!</span><br /><br />She sweeps both arms through the point of light, which causes bubbles to spray past Runealy and towards the woman on the broom at a downward angle. If it missed, it only means the bubbles hit the ground and the fog to form around her instead.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:64|Rei Hino (64)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Rei's darkness weighs heavily upon her, and she herself can feel tears gathering at the edges of her eyes. She's barely aware of what's going, even as Runealy appears and fires green power at the enemy.<br /><br />Yet somehow, the appearance of a third magical girl, and her sudden attack, frees Mars from her depression. Looking up, Mars works her way back onto her feet. It's not hard to figure out that the new girl just saved her.<br /><br />"Thanks, whoever you are," says Sailor Mars, "but be careful! Her angst beams are something else!"<br /><br />Mercury's Shabou Spray goes up, and Mars knows how to follow that up.<br /><br /><span style="color:red">FIRE...</span><br /><br />She brings her hands forward, clasping them together, making a fingergun with them. An orb of flame appears at the 'barrel' of the fingergun, gathering and tightening into a ball. Her hands shake with the magical power she's attempting to <span style="color:ontrol.<br /><br />cred">SOUL!</span><br /><br />The fireball is unleashed, flying straight for the enemy.<br /><br />Hopefully between the three of them, their combined attacks can deal with this strange witch and her mysterious talking raven.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:63|Scorn (63)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Scorn is just about to send the spell flying off her broom with emerald orbs burst around her in sparkles! This is unpleasent to deal with, but nowhere near unpleasent than the ordeal Mercury and Mars just went through. She huffs. "A third!? NO FAIR! JUST HOW MANY OF YOU ARE THERE!?" she calls out.<br /><br />But before she can recive and answer, the SHABOU SPRAY has obscured the vision around her and fire is unleashed directly at her!? She can't see it coming and she's blasted out of the cloud of freezing spray by the combined might of sparkling , emerald motes and a powerful fire attack, in her wake, a line of black feathers is left in it's wake. She lands remarkably, on her feet, somehow- and the raven settles back down on her shoulder. Her eyes go wide.<br /><br />"Nrg-- this isn't fair! Three against one! I'm not strong enough yet... am I!?"<br /><br />The raven answers. c+"No Not Yet, But soon, I bet! Let's run away, we'll make them pay another day!"</span><br /><br />The girl huffs and closes her eyes and wags the broom in the air in a circle, and wings envelope her from behind. When they fan away, she's gone! and the wings turn into a plume of feathers that fall to the ground before distengrating into motes of shadow.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:54|Sailor Mercury (54)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Sailor Mercury runs her way forward and taps her earring, just as the witch and her raven disappears. "No!" She cries out, as she moves over to look at the child that has collapsed. She shakes her head before she stands up. "Thank you, ma'am. You really helped us out of that." The Ma'am is directed, pointedly, at Runealy. "I appreciate you helping us, but I fear this is another victim." She says as she scans the child on the ground.<br /><br />She looks towards Mars. "Mars, this is someone I've worked with before. She calls herself a Princess, but to spare us the confusion, I've elected to call her 'ma'am', out of respect for her privacy. Ma'am, this is Sailor Mars, a Sailor Senshi, like myself." She says putting her hand on Mars' shoulder and giving a reassuring squeeze to it.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:29|Runealy Waldia (29)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Runealy blinks as bubbles fly past her. Mercury had /said as much/, calling them out, yet it still surprises her and causes her to stand near-motionless as they spread. "'Angst beams'... yeah." Her head lowers, acknowledging just how bad they felt even from afar; she can only imagine how much worse it was to actually be caught up in the dark energy!<br /> <br />And so a fireball sails by, and... it's a good thing this was enough to chase Scorn off; Runealy seems very shaken despite having just arrived, she probably wouldn't have fared well if the battle had gone on much longer.<br /> <br />She nonetheless has something to say to Scorn in a low and soft tone: "When it comes to safety, maybe it's okay to be unfair." She takes aim to unleash another magic blast, but reconsiders as Scorn starts to leave... and sags in relief when the mysterious attacker is gone. "Are you two okay? What was that all about? And..."<br /> <br />'Another victim.' Runealy pales as she sees that, looking ready to cry. "Should we call the healers?" She speaks in archaic terms. "Or is it too...?" Her voice trails off, unable to finish the sentence. Being introduced as 'Ma'am' is met with a tiny nod in acknowledgement, as is getting Mars' name. Rune is definitely spooked by what she just saw, enough to make her far more reserved than she was mere seconds ago.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:64|Rei Hino (64)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Someone that Mercury has worked with before? A friend, perhaps? Mars isn's sure what to think about this, but okay.<br /><br />"A princess? And she isn't /our/ princess?" Mercury should know what Mars means by that. Mars smiles at her royal savior and bows politely. "Hello! As Mercury says, I'm Sailor Mars. Thanks for your timely rescue, Ma'am." There's no reason not to use Mercury's nickname. It'll make it easier to keep track of who's being talked about.<br /><br />The smiles fade, however, as Mars focuses her attention on the comatose boy. "He's still alive, I think, and his friend got away, but..."<br /><br />Mars turns her attention towards Mercury. "She mentioned something about souls, as if she were draining them somehow. Could she... really be draining our souls?"<br /><br />Mars wouldn't disbelieve it, but it's still a shock to learn that such a thing is possible.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:54|Sailor Mercury (54)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"I wouldn't have believed it before, but now.....and no, not our princess, Mars." Mercury says before looking to Runealy. "Perhaps we could, but after we have gotten away from the scene. I don't think police would believe us if we said we weren't part of this." Mercury says to the both of them. "And I've been looking for you, Ma'am." She says gesturing for the woman to follow her, and of course, Mars as well. She then walks closer to Mars to whisper to Mars. "She only knows me like this too, so....let's keep it that way for now."<br /><br />As she rounds the corner, she steps up to a payphone, and actually calls the police from it. She explains in detail what has happened and where the youth is. When they ask for a name, she hangs up. "The police will be here shortly. We need to be away from here. I hear the local police are having a devil of a time with a Sailor V cosplayer, and I really don't want to be brought in just for looking like a cosplayer." She says starting to run to another part of the shopping mall.....ironically, near a display of Sailor V.<br /><br />"Sorry to have met with you under these...circumstances, Ma'am. But I did find out a few things...."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:29|Runealy Waldia (29)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Definitely not yours," Runealy confirms to Mars. It's not proud or defiant, simply a low admission; not the specific princess they seek. Yet she perks up a little when it's confirmed the child is alive. "That's a relief... but we really have to get away? The guards," again with using antiquated speech, "would suspect us? If you're sure, then... okay."<br /> <br />She'll follow the Sailors, and is able to hold better conversation now. Still worried, but not freezing up as she was earlier. Mars' words stand out in her mind, and draw a concerned look to the Fire Senshi. "Draining souls? Is that possible? Would that explain what has been happening?"<br /> <br />And then to Mercury, "You did? That's good. I only found leads, nothing I could really act on. Whenever I go to try visiting people who were hurt, the area around them just feels awful..."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:64|Rei Hino (64)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Mars glances sideways to Mercury, and nods. Mercury didn't give away her secret identity, then. That's good. Mars isn't sure about strangers in general, but this 'Ma'am' did just save them, so Mars can at least give her a chance.<br /><br />Mars follows after Mercury, running to keep up. After all if Ami has something to say then Rei wants to hear it, and they /do/ need to leave. "Yeah, probably better if we aren't found here. Besides, there's not much more we can do to help."<br /><br />As Mars catches up to Mercury near a Sailor V display, she crosses her arms and listens to the input of the other two girls. "If she was affecting the soul in some way, then it might explain why the victims don't wake up. Whoever she was, the energy felt /just/ like the energy from the victims. She is a part of this."<br /><br />Runealy mentions that the places she visited, where the victims were, made her feel awful, and Mars asks, "Really? So even after the witch leaves, she still leaves enough darkness behind to cause a lingering effect?"<br /><br />This is all very perplexing, though it's clear that this problem is magical in nature and that girl with the raven is a part of it. "Why would she need that kind of energy? What could she be after?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:54|Sailor Mercury (54)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"That's the perplexing part, Mars." Mercury brings out her computer, which Runealy has seen before. "I've been to the hospitals and have run a few scans upon the victims, then run scans upon the areas where they were found. It's the same energy being used." Then then looks to Runealy. "The Youma we usually face drain energy and, when they're defeated, the energy goes back to the victims. Or, at least, the energy used to create the youma." She then taps on her computer again. "Mars? Can you remember that feeling you had when it flared up earlier? Ma'am?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:29|Runealy Waldia (29)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"I don't know about that," Runealy comments to Mars as they pace along, taking the time to stow her wand behind her back; it attaches to the side of her dress' bow as if magnetized to it. "What I do know is when I went to where your healers work... the 'hospitals', as you call them, they wouldn't let me in to see anyone. That's fine, but even getting /close/ just felt awful!"<br /> <br />Mercury provides more insight on it, drawing a faint nod. "So it's a match. How do we get them back, though? /Can/ we? Is that possible?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:64|Rei Hino (64)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Mars nods firmly as Mercury asks. "I remember. It was very distinct." Mars isn't sure she could forget that feeling if she tried. Not that she would, it's very relevant. "<br /><br />To Runealy, Mars says, "Oh, that's normal. Typically, only friends and family can visit them." At least, Rei is sure that's the policy. Mercury might know better.<br /><br />"I'm not sure if we can just save them like that. I don't... even know how she's doing this. Maybe if we could place a seal on a victim, that might stop the soul-draining effect?"<br /><br />Mars throws it out there, but she's not feeling super confident.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:54|Sailor Mercury (54)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"It's worth a shot. The other idea I have is to break that broom she has....or to destroy that weird talking raven she had." Mercury doesn't sound too confident about either one. "Either way, mars, Ma'am, I'm pretty much stumped on how to defeat her, unless we can get to her BEFORE she attacks someone." She sighs at that. "and I really don't relish the idea of attacking people at random." She then looks to Runealy. "It certianly sounded like she was being controlled or, at least, nudged, by the raven."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:29|Runealy Waldia (29)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"No seal I'm aware of can do that, but you probably know something I don't," Runealy concedes to Mars. Then to Mercury, "In a city of millions, we'd have to get really good clues to figure out where she'd be before she was there. You're probably on to something better with the broom or raven, really. A bird controlling someone, though? I've never heard of that. ...Then again, there are a lot of things here I've never heard of."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:64|Rei Hino (64)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"There are is at least one seal I know," admits Mars, "but it may not be enough. If we can't get close to the victims without catching the attention of the hospital staff, it may be a moot point."<br /><br />On the other hand, it might be worth a try.<br /><br />"I've never seen a Raven quite like that." She leaves the meaning of that vague, though Mercury probably knows where Mars usually finds Ravens. "... but if we could break the broom or defeat the bird, it might free the people under her spell."<br /><br />To Mercury, she says, "Now that we've seen her face, I might be able to divine a little more. Focusing on the foods that were being pulled didn't yield much of anything, but after what we've seen I don't think the food was ever a part of this to begin with."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:54|Sailor Mercury (54)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"You'd be surprised at what Mars can do, Ma'am." Mercury says with a smile to Mars before looking to Runealy. "And no, only family and hospital staff are allowed near the victims. It's standard hospital practice, especially in trauma cases, for the fear that someone might come to 'finish the job'. Plus letting in anyone means they could cross-contaminate the sick."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:29|Runealy Waldia (29)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"I looked into the food too, and it didn't seem to bring up much. At first I was worried that Tokyo would be starved out if that kept going on, but it looks okay for now. It sounds like you two," Runealy nods to Mercury and then Mars, "Have found way more than I have. That's good. And... ah!?"<br /> <br />'Finish the job'. Those words jar the princess, eyes wide as she considers them. "Did they think that's why I was there!? People /do/ that!? That's..." Her head shakes several times, sentence trailing off.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:64|Rei Hino (64)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Actually," Mars mentions. "... now that I've seen her in person, some of the things I saw and felt while I was using divination make a lot more sense."<br /><br />"I tried looking at a few different things. Food and snacks were one of the things I used as a focus, because the government was doing a recall on them. They didn't turn up anything."<br /><br />"I also tried getting pictures of the victims from the newspaper. Those were accompanied with a feeling of sadness. One might expect a feeling like that to be tied to a loved one who was suffering some kind of illness, but after feeling that attack from earlier, I think it was more than that. I think that's what the victims are feeling. They felt... very lonely, and like they had lost something."<br /><br />"Also... I had a recurring vision about a stone tablet with a crow engraved on it, and the tablet was being held over fire. It seemed... like an old memory. I'm not sure what to make of that. Raven feathers also appeared in my mind whenever I thought about the pictures."<br /><br />Mars pauses for a moment, trying to decide if she remembers anything else. Nothing comes up. "If that's any indication, that talking raven is very important. I'll have to try again, now that I know her face."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:54|Sailor Mercury (54)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"I don't think so, ma'am. More likely cross contamination. And they didn't know who you were." Mercury says.<br /><br />Then Mars begins to speak and Mercury listens. It's obvious how much respect they have for each other, yet, with their elements, they SHOULD be complete opposites. Normally, complete opposites would be at each others throats, so why aren't they?<br /><br />it doesn't matter though, Mercury still listens to Mars and, while she's talking, she's tapping stuff into her tablet/computer. "All right. I think, based upon that, we can rule out the broom, and focus upon the raven. Focus upon the woman and the raven when you do your next reading." She then rolls her eyes. "Like I really know what you do, Mars. I'm sorry."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:29|Runealy Waldia (29)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Lonely? Do you think there's a pattern there?" Runealy ponders Mars' words, but finds herself sidetracked by where Mercury is going with the other topic. "So you think the raven is what we really focus on? I can't do this divination or reading you're talking about," she realizes how that sounds and hastily corrects, "The kind of reading you mean, anyway, I'm not illiterate! So I'll leave that to you?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:64|Rei Hino (64)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Mars giggles, "It's okay. It is a good idea to focus on those two. I try to keep it open what I do..."<br /><br />"... even though much of it is pretty mysterious regardless..."<br /><br />Mars and Mercury get along pretty well, probably in part because Mars isn't a fraud and Mercury doesn't treat her like she is.<br /><br />Mars nods to Runealy. "I have experience in that. I guess you could say that's my specialty in the group. Mercury-chan has her science, I have... more spiritual gifts. Moon-chan has..."<br /><br />Mars pauses for perhaps a bit too long.<br /><br />"... her endearing personality!"<br /><br />She drops that topic pretty quickly.<br /><br />"I think we've learned a bit more than we set out to, today, but that's good, right? We're one step closer to solving this, whatever it is."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:54|Sailor Mercury (54)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"And Sailor Jupiter is a solid friend and is very protective of us. She just has this.....aura of warmth and safety, when you're her friend." Mercury says with a smile to Mars. "Yes. Sailor Jupiter has awakened, Mars." She then turns to Runealy after that bit of good news. "The probably is a pattern, Ma'am." She says tapping in a bit more data. "I know I felt it when I was hit by that magic." She then looks to Mars. "Mars? Did you feel the same way?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:29|Runealy Waldia (29)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Perhaps not picking up on the pause, Runealy remarks to Mars: "It sounds like Sailor Moon is pretty important to you too. Maybe some day I'll get to meet her? And yes, this sounds like progress."<br /> <br />When Jupiter is brought up, the alien princess smiles. "So she's safe too... that's high praise. It sounds like every one of you is incredible, really."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:64|Rei Hino (64)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Jupiter has awoken?" asks Mars. She's going to have to ask Mercury about that later. Whoever Jupiter is, Rei wants to meet her.<br /><br />"That's right, I felt very depressed. It was a sad feeling."<br /><br />At the mention of the senshi being incredible, Mars smiles and says, "Well, I'm just happy to have such wonderful friends. Maybe you'll meet Moon sometime. She's hard to miss."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:54|Sailor Mercury (54)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Yes she has, Mars. You'll like her when you meet her." Mercury says before looking to Runealy again. "She's safe. And is safety. if you ever meet her, you'll understand. Especially when she went upo against Nephrite's youma....named Bridezilla, and thunderblasted it out of the shop." She then smiles a bit to Runealy. "We're........We do what we're able to do, Ma'am. We're not that incredible." Mercury tries to stay grounded.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:29|Runealy Waldia (29)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"What do you mean by 'awoken'?" Runealy is confused, raising an eye to Mars. And despite the odd phrasings being used - partially her own fault, using slang that isn't at all local - Rune /likes/ what Mercury just said. "That's some of the highest praise I can imagine for anyone. So it sounds like Jupiter is a wonderful person too, and at this rate... you all look like that, right? White with a defining color? Blue, red, and so on? If so, I'll keep an eye out for all of you."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:64|Rei Hino (64)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"That's right," Mars says. "This is pretty much the Sailor Senshi outfit. You could probably identify one of us like that. None of us are particularly unfriendly and we tend to be willing to help, so don't be shy!"<br /><br />From Mercury's description, Mars can't wait to meet her. She probably will sooner or later.<br /><br />"You're very kind, Ma'am. It's sweet of you to say that about us."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:54|Sailor Mercury (54)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Very sweet, ma'am." Mercury says with a bit of a blush. She then holds up her computer and smiles. "I still have your contact information, ma'am. So if you feel anything, be sure to let us know." She then smiles to Mars. "You certainly saved us today, ma'am." She then leans a little bit over as she watches another officer head for the alley where the child is. "As much as I dislike saying this, we've done all we can for now. Excahanging information that we have is better in the long run, so all of you know what to look for." She then turns towards the door. "We need to get going so we can meet up with Sailor Moon and Sailor Jupiter, Ma'am. I'm sure you have some friends you need to warn as well." She says with a wave. "I'll leave a message next time we run into something."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:29|Runealy Waldia (29)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Okay... I'll make sure to watch for all of you, then. And maybe that's sweet to say, but so far it looks to be very true, too." Runealy takes a few steps back as Mercury starts to dismiss this meeting. "You're right. I'll be telling the Knights about this so they know what's going on... thank you for sharing this."<br /> <br />And so the alien princess turns and paces away, head lowered in thought. Once she's out of hearing range, she comments to herself: "If it can affect someone like that, so they never wake up... should I really be getting mixed up in this? What happens if one of my friends winds up like that, or I do?" A chill runs through her as she realizes that could easily be the final thing that destroys her world... she'll have to think hard on this. Very hard, as her world's survival is weighed against not wanting to abandon people to such a fate if it could be prevented...<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:64|Rei Hino (64)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Mars nods at Mercury saying, "Right! Let's go."<br /><br />To Runealy, Mars waves and says, "It was nice meeting you! Thanks for coming when you did. You really saved us."<br /><br />Mars walks off with Mercury, off to talk with friends and chat about matters both serious and probably not-quite-so-serious.<br> <br>
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