Latest revision as of 10:41, 26 September 2015

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
The Game Center Crown is festooned with banners today, proclaiming the current contest!n The local tournament is in full swing, with preliminaries and exhibitions already started. It's the works: DDR machines, fighting games, and even ski-ball are all up for points and prizes! The main tournaments aren't on yet, but already the milkshakes are flowing and games, free tokens, and other prizes are being passed out! Poor beleaguered Motoki is behind the counter, the blonde young man taking tickets and passing out milkshakes. One free to each contestant!

For her part, Usagi Tsukino is sitting down, devouring a milkshake and staring dreamily at Motoki. Shoujo bubbles float off of her as she stares at one of her (two and a half) dream boys.

A local employee at the Game Center Crown, a local student, calls out on a microphone!

"Heeeey there everybody! The Super Street Brawl Three Turbo Mondo Edition tournament will start in ten minutes! The top prize is copies of the game for the XBrawnStation Eight!"

It's notably, not a very popular tournament.

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
Probably most of those shoujo bubbles pop as a shadow falls over Usagi's shoulder, and then there's a hand on the counter beside her, and it's attached to a voice that says cheerfully, "Yo, Odango-chan!"

Mamoru Chiba, fully that half of a dream boy out of the two and a half, swings into the barstool at the counter right next to hers. He's wearing a super-light long-sleeved shirt with the sleeves rolled up over a tight hipster t-shirt and skinny hipster jeans, and he's in the process of taking his glasses off to hang them on the thin cord necklace that it's commonly acceptable for fashionista guys to wear.

He also looks like he's in a good mood, and he signals vaguely to Motoki that he wants his usual but at the beleaguered blond's convenience, and then he turns sideways and leans on the counter, head propped up on one fist. "You'd better let me have some of that. Drink it so fast and you'll get brainfreeze."

Haruna Kurosawa has posed:
**EARLIER*

Tsukawa and Blue made it pretty clear to Haruna that she should probably wait a day or two before doing hero-y Pretty Cure things on anyone's behalf. Besides... she really needed to just sit and make sure she was okay. She also wanted to be sure Corvus was okay. She trusted him, but 300 years of angst and anger... she doesn't know how that effects /anyone/- demigods or otherwise. Luckily, Corvus is just happy to have someone caring about him. It reminds him of happier times.

So Haruna found herself flopped in front of her computer and tapping through local events. "Oh...there's some sort.. of game tournament tonight. Bleeh. But.. Free Milkshake......" she seems to consider this for a moment. "Meh...."

Corvus pauses. "Maybe you should go?". Haruna blinked. "Ugh. But. People...." she says. "....you can't just be alone forever... you know.". If you told her maybe two months ago she'd be having this kind of conversation with Corvus, she'd had eaten her witch hat. But Corvus has a point. She'd been... alone for a really long time. Maybe she should girl up and get out....

**NOW**

Haruna Kurosawa is arriving into the Game Crown Arcade with a silver raven on her shoulder. She steps lightly and has her hands held together in front of her, as not to let them be in the way. Her eyes are wide and nervous. So many people... this isn't her element. Not even a little bit.

"Now..now what!?" she whispers to her bird. "...Relax." he says quietly.

"Relax!?" she asks more louder. She has the person next to her look weirdly at her when she says this to her bird. She stares back. Her face begins turning red and she begins...sliiiiiiding behind an arcade cabinet.

This is kinda harder than she thought.

Junko Fuma has posed:
Junko is no stranger to the gaming center, but she's not quite familiar enough to be a regular. Still, who doesn't want a XBrawnStation Eight?! It's the best! And so Junko runs into the store, seconds after the announcement, "Am I late? Did I miss it?" She says as she bursts in, before she leans against a nearby table and half collapses, taking deep breathes. "Haaaaaa. I really want that Brawnstation. It'll make the perfect present!" The girl seems to have none of Haruna's shyness, unconcerned with any weird looks she might get-- in fact, she gives a tired little wave for anyone who DOES turn to look in her direction! "Huh. It doesn't look like anyone's started anything-- so I must be on time!" leased, Junko pushes away from the table, and starts glancing around, trying to find where the contestants should head.

Yuko Minami has posed:
     Yesterday had been a very, VERY long day. Granted, Yuko had only been occupied by the giant battle for a short part of it, but even that was a tiring experience for the girl. What better way to relieve all that stress than by playing video games?

     Granted, it'd probably be cheaper to play at home, but where else was she going to get real practice in fighting games? Having a tournament to learn from the best locals would certainly help even if she isn't anywhere near that level, and she's more than willing to try!

     It's for that reason that Yuko's at the gaming center today, stepping inside carefuly while trying to scope out the competition. She's trying not to look too obvious about it, though, and her attention is drawn briefly by the sight of Haruna. Wasn't that the girl from last night? Not that she'll approach her right away, of course, but... Best to see how things go with her.

     Not that she's all that subtle about watching Haruna. About as subtle as staring right at someone from across a room.

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Mamoru Chiba flops down beside her, and almost instantly those mahou bubbles pop like gunfire! She turns, and stares him in the face, before pouting!

Hands go to her hips!

"It's /my/ free milkshake! I'll drink it as fast as I want!" She proceeds to do just that, aaaand...

"Owwwww! My head! Chiba-kun, you /meanie/!" Somehow it's all Chiba's fault!

Motoki is a miracle worker and there's black /hipster/ coffee at the man's side!

For Junko and Haruna, the obvious contest is almost unavoidable.

Right amidst the arcade machine that Haruna tries to hide behind, the Street Brawl tournament is in full swing! It's still exhibitions, but the victor is clear: a giant, hulking russian man in a suit! He raises two large, meaty hands in victory as his opponent slinks away in defeat. There was barely room for him anyway.

"HAH HAH HAH! VIKTOR IS BEST AT SILLY GAME! You! You will fight Viktor now!" The poor, unfortunate person being called out by the big Familiar is Haruna, of all people.

"Girl is tiny like bird. No doubt is dextrous and fleet of foot! Come, be brave, little bird faces Viktor in manly challenge!"

The announcer girl is soon shoving Junko forward!

"You get in there too! Street Brawl has a tri-op mode!" A brawl for prizes is poised!

Near Yuko, Motoki all but materializes. He's smiling, holding a dozen empty milkshake glasses in one hand. He smiles, but there's stress written all over his place.

"Hello! What would you like for you rfree milkshake?" Smile! Smiiiiile!

Queen Beryl has posed:
'Mio' strolls through the doors, running a hand idly through her long, very very red hair. She looks around, trying to figure out exactly what is going on around here, why so many people are around. There's a part of her that would know - that part that was sealed away when she made it to D-Point...

She looks around, looking a little out of place. And that's when she sees /him/ - the boy she'd seen before. First her heart stops. Then it's like she can hear it beating in her head, like it's threatening to escape from her chest and run over there itself. Why does he have that effect on her? What is so special about this human boy?

And so, in a completly different approach from last time, she's carefully almost inching towards Mamoru, Usagi, and likely others. She's trying to look inconspicious. She is probably doing a poor job on this.

Haruna Kurosawa has posed:
Haruna seems to be doing... shy girl things. Like hiding. Not very well, mind you. She blinks. Is that green haired girl staring at her...? W...Why!? Various scenarios play out in her head. She just pretends very hard that isn't happening. It doesn't work very well.

She turns around and-----

She's.. she's suddenly in the tournament area. This is not helping her heart right now. Corvus brings a wing to his face and giggles. Just lightly. To himself. "God dammit... even when you're not evil.. you're evil!" says Haruna in a mock upset tone to Corvus. Also...should she really being saying god dammit? God kinda.... helped her. Like. The other day.

Everything in her life is now upside down and this isn't helping!

"Uh...I... uh. O-kay!?" says Haruna to Viktor as she begins to walk forward. Deep. Relaxing. Breaths.

She walks forward slowly to the machine.

She has no idea how to play this game. She is going to be terrible at it.

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
Mamoru looks comically affronted, placing a hand over his heart as he looks, SO WOUNDED, at Usagi-- but just when she might think she'd actually hurt his feelings, it's replaced by the superciliously smug wordless 'what did I tell you would happen', proving he deserves it.

And then all coffees aside, he quick-like-a-fox snakes her half-gone milkshake and steals some of it, drinking from the side of the glass with gusto and then theatrically licking his milkshake-moustache off. Then the milkshake gets plunked down in front of Usagi again, and he picks up his coffee and cradles it like it's the Phantom Silver Crystal.

"Just calling it like I see it," he says archly, and then turns around slightly when he hears Viktor's voice booming in the background. Maybe Hannah's here? Oh HA awesome, Viktor's challenging Haruna --but before he can really look, he sees Mio approaching, and his brow furrows slightly as if he were trying to place her.

Yuko Minami has posed:
     So much for her daring plan. How's Yuko supposed to stay incognito while watching Haruna and her other competitors with Motoki appearing like that? She even squeaks in surprise lightly as he approaches her, giving him a long blank stare at first.

     On one hand, she's not emitting bubbles like a certain Usagi before. On the other hand, she's definitely not NOT staring at him a little too long now. ".. H-huh? Oh! Erm. Chocolate vanilla swirl, if you can? Th-thanks." She even stammers a bit while saying that! She's definitely not the sudden blushing sort, but more of the awkwardly long staring and barely blinking sort.

     How subtle.

Makoto Kino has posed:
Makoto Kino has been over at the DDR machines, shooting for that high score. She's been making a very respectable accounting of herself, too; Mako's always been good at physical stuff, and this is no exception.

But even Makoto can only keep it up for so long at a stretch, especially when just the other night she was getting smacked around by a kaiju-sized corrupted spirit trying to become a god. It's high time for a break. Flushed with exertion, bright-eyed with satisfaction at her performance thus far, she leaves the DDR pads behind and orients herself toward the sight of Usagi's distinctive blonde hairstyle.

Seeing Mamoru already there pings some internal trigger that puts Makoto just a little more on alert than she might have been otherwise - enough that she makes note of Mio edging surreptitiously closer to the duo at the counter. Hm. Maybe it's nothing, but... For right now, Mako breezes right on past the redhead to plunk herself down at the counter on the other side of Usagi. "Hey!" she says brightly. Her left hand is neatly bandaged around the palm. "How's it going?"

Junko Fuma has posed:
"Eh?!" Junko is confused as she's shoved forward, but just stands there and blinks at Viktor before she throws a fist into the air, "All right! Prepare yourself, Viktor! We're going to be a double threat! Right?" Junko turns to grin at Haruna, reaching to try and grab Haruna's hand and give them a comforting squeeze. "Relax! It'll be fun!"

That said, she giggles and heads towards where she can play, glancing at those behind her who will likely soon become DEADLY ENEMIES for her to defeat in this ultimate of ultimate games! Her attention soon focuses back on Viktor, though, and she gives a bright smile, "Hey, don't forget to go a little easy on us, though, right? We're two cute girls, after all, and I've never played before!" She lies, giving a girlish giggle, "But it just sounds SO fun!" Junko glances towards Haruna again, and gives a wink. "Let's do our best!"

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Usagi, for her part, doesn't notice Mio! Thank goodness!

Viktor is all grins as Haruna acquieses! There's a number of characters to choose from in the game! From big, powerful bruiser types, to quick-footed ninjas and fighter-school-girls! Despite his size, the huge Viktor picks probably the smallest character in the roster: a martial artist girl with a falcon pet. She's notoriously broken, and gets several 'boos' from the crowd.

In turn, he spouts several words in russian to them, then grins to Haruna.

"Da, girl is brave! Size not matter, only heart! Come, show skill and heart in silly fighting game!" He slaps her on the back in a friendly manner. Notably, Hannah isn't here. Maybe it's Boris' day off!?

Junko speaks, and the big man laughs!

"Alright, alright! Will go easy on tiny kittens! Just purr and fight well, and Viktor buys milkshakes for both! Oh screw it, is day off! ROUND OF MILKSHAKES ON VIKTOR FOR GREAT VIKTORY! AHHH HAH HAH~"

That voice sure does /boom/.

Viktor indeed takes it easy! But he's open to combined efforts from even the laziest of players now, sucking on a milkshake as he fights with the tiny controls!

The Usagi-pout-works threaten to appear, but soon he's smug, and then her milkshake is gone. The tears flee, and then she's grasping and leaning over Mamoru! Her face is but mere breaths away from his!

She's blushing, suddenly, and then Makoto flops down amidst her reaching for her stolen milkshake.

She's back in her seat, ramrod straight, and she's blushing to the neck! Usagi laughs nervously, soon reaching over to hug Makoto! This has the effect of dragging in Mamoru!

"Ahh hah hah hah! Hi Mako-chan! Chiba-kun and I, uhh, were enjoying the tournament! Yes! It's good to see you!" Griiiiin. She's totally not hamming up right now!

All of this right in front of Mio. /She's hugging his heart-throb/!

Motoki is a man amongst men, and simply smiles warmly to Yuko.

"I'll have it right up! Ah...two it seems!" He thumbs-ups to Viktor.

Motoki gets those kinds of stares all the time, and when he's back with two choco-vanilla-swirls, they even have cherries on top.

"Thanks for coming tonight! Please enjoy the tournament, and let me know if you need anything, okay?" Smile! Then he's rushed off to other customers!

Haruna Kurosawa has posed:
Haruna Kurosawa bleeds shyness so much it's palpable and Junko picks up easily on that, enough to reassure her at least. She blushes. "Okay..." she says silently as her hand is squeezed. Junko seems to do the talking. She lets her. Corvus has a slight look of amusement on his face as he remains a shoulder bird. He doesn't speak when he's so close to others because birds don't typically talk and he knows better than to blow cover.

Haruna is at the controls. At character select she chooses--- some sort of fight-schoolgirl-ninja-samurai-mage. This is in fact, considered the worst character in the game. This might get gasps from the audience!?

It makes her feel like she made a mistake. This was a mistake. She should had never come here because she might possibly be the first person in all of history to die from sheer embarassment.

Queen Beryl has posed:
There are a ton of things 'Mio' would like to do right now. Like run over and hug one Mamoru Chiba, while pushing him away from Usagi. Or just drop the disguise and wreck the Arcade. But she doesn't do these things, because for all her feelings, she still can't explain any of them. And right now, that is a very high priority for her.

Even still, she's inching closer to Mamoru and his ever-growing group of friends and associates. Even Viktor's big booming Russian voice can't pull her attention away. It's obvious to anyone in the vicinity who the object of her attention is.

But she's not sure how to approach him. She knows she didn't do well with him the last time, and there's a small fear she'd drive him off by being aggressive again. So she just... watches. Watches him from so close, yet feels so far away. It's a feeling that's very distinct, a feeling of something she's had to do before. It's so clear and distinct.

Yuko Minami has posed:
     "Two...? Oh. Two. Yeah, sure." Yuko makes a mental note to come back here another time. Probably with more preparation than she's had for today, even. It's not until Motoki steps away that she even regains some semblance of her senses back, observing Viktor, Haruna, and Junko from a distance while maintaining her prior subtlety (none). Junko seems like the most obvious threat, but Haruna could be hiding something up her sleeve with /that/ pick. Beecause really... HER? Viktor... He could also be a threat, but he doesn't register on her radar nearly as much as the other two. Still, She can't afford to underestimate anyone here!

     And then Motoki's back with the milkshakes, then gone as quickly as he came. At least that makes it easier for Yuko to keep her head on properly!

Makoto Kino has posed:
Mako feels maybe a little bad about the flush on Usagi's face, but at the same time she can't keep from laughing. The hug is answered by Makoto's arm slinging companionably around her friend, and with Mamoru dragged in on the other side as he is, Usagi ends up kind of squeezed between two tall people for a bit there.

"Well," she says, grinning broadly, "I'm glad you're having fun. Going to try playing some games, or do you think you'll stick with watching, Usagi-chan?"

Brightening when she catches sight of Motoki on his way past, she calls out to him. "Motoki-san! Can I get a peanut butter fudge shake, when you have a chance!"

...that redheaded girl is still staring. Mako's still not sure what to make of it, but after a sidelong glance toward Mamoru, she decides that something needs to be done. "Hello," she offers in Mio's direction, polite but pitching her voice to carry. "Are you a friend of Mamoru-san's?"

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
Mamoru's grinning like a maniac as Usagi leans over him and begins the scuffle for the milkshake, so close-- so close!! --and then Makoto's there and Usagi's blushing and loudly laughing and he's blushing but laughing under his breath, and it's all very distracting as Mio continues her approach, quiet and unsure, watching him.

And then he's dragged into the hug and flails slightly as he loses his balance and almost falls off the barstool, but ends up crashing into Usagi and Makoto for a half-second instead; there may be some sloshed coffee here somewhere.

Somehow he doesn't object to any of it. Somehow he's, on some deep level, really glad that stolen milkshake is not interfering with this unchoreographed and probably mostly unknowing closing of ranks.

"Makoto-san, hi--" he says with a laugh, straightening up a little but not actually losing contact, but looking over blonde odangos at the brunette girl, and then she calls over to the approaching redhead, calling attention to her again.

His eyes widen. She's still watching him. "Uh-- hi-- no, I don't-- did I get coffee on my shirt?" he glances down uncertainly.

Junko Fuma has posed:
"Yay! Thank you so much, Viktor!" Junko says with a bright, beaming smile, before turning back to the game. Her own pick is a handsome magic-cyborg-soldier prettyboy with an eyepatch in an all-green uniform, known for being sturdy but with only weird, complicated special moves. A dark horse!

Behind her, as the game counts down to the begining, she hears that particular Usagi laugh and glances over, spotting Mamoru and his all-girl crowd. She just catches Yuko looking at her as well, and throws her a grin and a little wink, because she can tell a 'spot the competition' gaze when she sees it!

Still, the countdown is going! 5...4... "I'll be counting on you to help me take Viktor down!" Junko says encouraginly to Haruna. NO PRESSURE! And then she's looking back to the game, ready to kick Viktor's tush-- or at least not embarrass herself too badly.

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
The crowd indeed gasps...and even gives a few encouraging cheers! Seems Haruna has /supporters/! Mostly due to Viktor being a broken-characer-using-jerk!

The fight starts off! Viktor is indeed going soft on the two: light attacks mostly, and using the /worst/ super attacks! Even the two novices will get a good chunk of his health down! The crowd /roars/!

Then he counter attacks! Just as swiftly, he's knocking off half of both of his opponent's health! Yet, he's open, and soon both characters have Super-Violent-Desperation-Moves available! (The key sequences are on the arcade cabinets)! Can they come back and beat the Great Russian Video Game Beast!?

Motoki gives a little nod to Yuko!

"Have fun, okay?" With his cargo delivered, the blonde man is off! He offers a thumbs up in Yuko's direction!

The announcer is soon at her side! The young woman enthusiastically grabs the PreCure by the arm!

"Congratulations! You're our 100th guest tonight! You win our lovely door prize! ONE FREE COUPON FOR A MIDORI-YA CAKE! Made right here in Mitakihara! Go tot he Midori-ya for all of your bakery needs!" Poor Yuko will have a coupon all but plastered upon her!

Motoki is like some kind of ninja. A milkshake ninja, as there's suddenly the blonde man behind 'Mio', with a vanilla and strawberry confection in tow. He's smiling, all warmth, and offering both to her.

"Hello miss! Here's your complementary milkshakes! Can I get you anything?' So...polite!

Then he's waving at Makoto!

"Right up, Makoto-san!" He knows her favorite, after all!

Usagi, similarly, isn't objecting. But Mamoru /does/ point out something. Suddenly, as the group hug ends, she's all up in his grill. Or more accurately, his shirt! She has a moist wipe, and she's suddenly balling his shirt, scrub-scrub-scurbbing away far too familiarly!

Right. In Front. Of Mio!

"I'm just here for milkshakes! And...free Sailor V tokens!" Usagi announces proudly!

"You've got coffee all over you Chiba-kun!" She admonishes!

Junko enters the fray! That prettyboy in green is a solid fighter, and indeed, Viktor is in a corner! Will the two girls unleash Special Attack Fury! The crowd is leaning in, oooh'ing and the announcer is only building excitement!

Queen Beryl has posed:
Everything is happening in front of her. And yet for a moment, she's still, quiet, not responding to Makoto or anyone else directly. But then - there's that moment. That brief moment where Usagi looks at Mamoru, and it's like a flashback.

She has to do something, she can't just watch. So she steps forward and says softly. "I'm sorry. He reminds me of someone... someone I knew once." she says, smiling. "I apologize, all of this must seem so strange to you all." she adds, looking to Makoto, Mamoru... and Usagi. There is something about the look of Usagi she immediately hates. But she manages to push all of that down.

"My name is Mio Kuroki." she says with a slight bow. And as she comes up from that bow, her eyes are still fixed on Mamoru - but she manages to peel them away, trying to seem less creeper'y than she did in her other identity. So this time, she actually looks at other people. "I don't know how to explain it, and I'm very sorry. It's just... like a pull I can't ignore. I'm sure that sounds insane..."

Haruna Kurosawa has posed:
Haruna is a button masher. That is. She's pushing buttons and jumping and leaping at Viktor's character on the screen. She's not particularly good at this. Her character is a random assortment of moves right now. If anything, her edge is that Viktor can't predict what she's going to do. Of course. SHE can't predict what she's doing! This is either the most perfect strategy, or the worse.

Junko says she's counting on her. She sort of blushes a little. She's doing her best.

She has no idea how to do that desperation move. It just kinda happens suddenly when she mashes the right buttons!

Yuko Minami has posed:
     Crap. Yuko's been spotted! Well, again. Junko's wink doesn't go unnotticed, and she raises a hand in a slightly awkward wave. There's a bit of a grin on her face as she does that, though, a sort of knowing gesture given to the blue-haired girl. Her attention is snatched away by the announcer, however, and there's another light squeak as her arm is similarly snatched!

     "Huh? Really? I.. Um. Okay. Won't say no to free stuff!" Laughing lightly, she doesn't have to be convinced much to take that coupon. She's already a regular customer and supplier for the place, but the announcer lady doesn't have to be told about that little fact.

     And then the fight is on! Yuiko's having a bit of trouble actually paying attention to it, though, between that coupon getting pushed at her, the interaction between that strangely familiar tall guy with the twin-tailed blonde girl, the redhead lingering near that tall guy... It's rather telling that the fight between colorful characters in the fighting game is the most normal thing going on.

Makoto Kino has posed:
Makoto's eyebrows raise and she glances curiously toward Mamoru for a moment, but then she's disengaging herself from the momentary pileup. A quick check for coffee splashover on her clothes, before her attention returns to Mio and she dips her head in response to that bow.

"Not as much as you'd think," she replies with wry cheer when Mio says that she must sound insane. "I don't really get it," the comment is punctuated by another teasing sidelong glance toward Mamoru, "but I don't think you're crazy!"

She studies Mio for a little while longer, green eyes thoughtful. "I'm Makoto Kino," she offers. "It's nice to meet you, Kuroki-san."

Junko Fuma has posed:
"Ack! No! Eeeyah! No not that way!" Junko is one of those people who seems to panic when playing video games, yelling at the screen and moving her whole body, as if that will help the buttons be pressed any faster or any better. "Waaait! No you hit me! I almost finished the combo!" She wails-- but alas, she didn't!

She's doing reasonably well, though, so fully intent on the game even as she leans dangerously this way or that, as if dodging the blows herself, that she does manage to pull off a combo move-- it just happens to be when she's facing in the completely wrong direction from Viktor! The second one, however, meets its mark-- but she's now dangerously low on health, her green-clad soldier clinging on with the sliver of life force left.

And then there is yelling of a Cake coupon-- and Junko makes the amateur mistake of looking away from the screen to see what's going on, "Cake? Do we get cake coupons?!" She asks, before someong frantically yells at her to look back at the screen. Jumping a bit she does so, fingers fumbling over the buttons-- but were those crucial seconds enough to deal her a final blow?!

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
"Augh!" yelps Mamoru as he's suddenly let go of and wobbles unsteadily in his seat again, hurriedly putting down what's left of his coffee, and then is just as suddenly assaulted by Usagi grabbing his shirt and determinedly cleaning coffee off of the whimsical threadless.com design imprinted there.

Sweatdrop.

"Usagi-chan, you're wrinkling it too--" he protests, but calls her something other than Odango, so maybe he's not actually protesting; it has the effect of also completely distracting him from Mio AGAIN.

That is, until she explains her position, and all of a sudden he's staring at her, the length of her hair, her grace and undeniable beauty, and there's a lead weight settling at the bottom of his stomach. "Haha, um," he says, then clears his throat; one of his hands lands on Usagi's on his shirt, but doesn't move it away. He exchanges a glance with Makoto, and then the tall brunette's addressing Mio, and he falls silent for a moment, briefly glancing back at Usagi.

His eyes soften around the edges; he doesn't move his hand away from hers, only sort of leaves it there to one side of hers, as if keeping her rapid motions from knocking over the rest of his coffee.

Then he introduces himself politely, even though what he gives is less of a bow and more of a pronounced nod. "She's right, we get that a lot. I'm Mamoru Chiba, pleased to meet you."

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Usagi is there, almost as assuredly as Makoto is! She's up, handi-wipe away, and over to Mio in a flash with a warm, loving smile! She offers both of her hand, trying to take Mio's and shakes hard!

All of this loving /ACCEPTANCE/ might just further increase Mio's hatred.

"I'm Usagi Tsukino! Nice to meet you! You've got such pretty hair, how do you keep it so nice?" Compliments the girl, even as she digs for hair tips!

Surely Beryl has an awesome youma stylist!

Viktor's VIKTORY is forestalled! Haruna's button mashing is truly prescient, and results in a super just as his character slams into Junko's! Her super goes wide, and he knocks her out, but he's wide open! Down goes his character, Haruna getting a Super-Ultra-Critical-Attack!

That falcon falls, and Viktor lets go of the controls! Dramatically, both hands go to his head!

"Nooooo! Felled by tiny-cute Bird and Kitton! Woe is VIKTOR!" He laments, only to wink in the direction of his opponents! He falls to his knees!

Cue dramatic fake-sobs, the crowd patting his giant back, and a mysterious redoubling of prize winnings. Boris' boss is good like that, on her Familiar's word.

The duo are approached by the announcer girl!

"You win the special prize! COPIES OF THE GAME, PLUS XBONESTATIONPLUS EIGHT SPECIAL OMEGA EDITIONS!" The crowd goes wild!

Usagi is ever helpful!

"Mako-chan is super nice! Mio-san, let's all be friends! Chiba-kun is a jerk, you know?" She huffs here! She even gives the man a /look/!

Then Usagi is back over, and frowning!

She 'whispers'. Mio can no doubt hear it.

"Don't be mean to Mio-chan! She has pretty hair! She's a nice person, I think!" Hair shouldn't be a measure of trustworthiness, Usagi!

Viktor is smiling to Junko, as the crowd disperses. He laughs, broad and warm!

"Good game, little kittens! Play again with Viktor! Mistress is so boring and wrapped up in work sometimes! Dah, is bad for health, all work, no play! Here!"

The pair in addition to their prizes get passes to local concerts! All for the young crowd, not an old guy like Viktor!

Mitoki is beside Cure Boost, on break. He smiles.

"It's always lively in here! Just have fun, okay?" He offers to the PreCure, all warmth and smiles! Truly, it's a wonder this man isn't married yet.

Queen Beryl has posed:
Mio smiles at Makoto, her hands in front of her clasped tightly showing she is still somewhat unsure of herself. "It's okay, you don't have to humor me..."

And then Mamoru Chiba introduces himself, and she visibly blushes a bit. "H..hello..." she stammers out "...Chiba-san." There's a pause. Usagi clasps Mio's hands! She shudders involuntarily and pulls away. Mamoru caught that, for sure.

"I don't know if he's a jerk, though. He's the one I'm most pulled towards. And then you and Kino-san there." she says, softly, and honestly, and her eyes look to all of them again. "I can't explain it."

Haruna Kurosawa has posed:
Haruna blinks!? They won against that weird russian man!... with the familar voice and accent....

Does she know him from somewhere? Maybe....?

She looks towards Junko. "Yay! We won!" she says cheerily. The raven on her shoulder seems appropriately pleased. She beams...

Then pauses...

"I guess I have something new to do..." she says as she wins things. She tilts her head at Junko. "You were a lot better than me. Ah... W..What's your name?. I'm... Haruna." she says softly.

Yuko Minami has posed:
     Maybe lingering around the edge wasn't such a good idea, if that was the big match. Well, at least it'd give Yuko some ideas for the next tournament! Or whatever this was. Besides, she's still getting a free cake out of the whole thing. She even seems surprised by that upset victory against Viktor, although there's something strange about that man she just can't quite put her finger on... How suspicious!

     Not nearly as suspicious as that group over by Mamoru, though. How did she not notice Makoto before? Perhaps it's the combination of vibrant hair colors making hers blend in a little more, but even that stands out because of all the bright colors! Come to think of it, there was something strange about the whole situation in general, but...

     Maybe she's just overthinking things. Yesterday did mess with her head quite a bit, after all. Stepping over towards Haruna and Junko, she smiles lightly at the two before giving them both a thumbs up! One thumb.

     "Good work, both of you! Wish I could've gotten in on that, but... Aah, free cake. Next time, maybe~"

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
Mamoru is suddenly bereft as Usagi flits over to Mio, and his hands fall to his knees. He watches her, he watches them interact; he sees the abrupt pulling away from Usagi and frowns slightly. Then Usagi's run back to him and dragged him down to stage-whisper in his ear, and he gets this offended, obstinate look on his face.

"I'm only mean to you," he retorts, but she's already off and away again, and he's offbalance, adrift. And Mio is looking at him again.

Mio is blushing at him. And saying she's pulled to him the most.

He casts Makoto an uncertain look, then looks to Mio again. "It's not humoring," he says as gently as he can amid the shouts and cheers and loud gameplay. "I do feel as if I've met you before. But I feel that way about a lot of people these days."

Something desperate makes him grasp at straws. She can't be the Moon Princess. He won't accept that. She feels so familiar, but the familiarity's mixed: a friend, a friend from so long ago, but caution and hurt and regret and anger are all mixed up with the affection, and he doesn't understand the source of any of it. So he suddenly blurts, "It's almost like people I meet are people who've been missing from my life, you know? Like there's supposed to be a matching set but I've been the only one, until recently..."

Makoto Kino has posed:
Mako's smile is an indulgent one. Nice hair is definitely not a basis for judging someone trustworthy, but Makoto, as is so often the case, can't bring herself to argue with Usagi. Catching Mamoru's uncertain look, she can only shrug: 'I don't know, either.'

"Well," she says a little dryly, looking back toward Mio, "he can be a *bit* of a jerk. But, hey," she adds, folding her hands casually behind the back of her neck, "if you can't explain it, then maybe it's better not to overthink it."

Junko Fuma has posed:
Junko cheers, throwing her arms skyward and jumping into the air at the news that she's one. "Yay!" She says, then moves to give Viktor a pat on the back. "You played really well, though! Be proud that you did your best!" She informs him, before turning to throw her grin at Haruna, again reaching in an attempt to grab her hands, pumping them up and down, "I'm Junko Fuma! You can just call me Junko, since we won together! Heeyah!" She says, beaming...then leans forward to sneakily inform Haruna, "And the only reason I'm better is that I play this all the time with my dad." So she WASN'T a novice! Giggling she looks at Haruna's shoulder, "Pretty bird. I have a bird at home, too, but it's..." She sighs deeply. Disappointed even thinking about it... "Hey, why don't we go see if we can get milkshakes? Or make friends with that girl who won free cake?" Without even waiting for an answer, Junko is off towards Yuko... just in time to hear Mamoru's confession of half-lives.

"Uwaaah, that sounds so romantic! ...It sounds like you're just getting old and lonely, though." She says with a shrug. Dismissing all romance as Old Fogey Syndrome! And then she spots Yuko and gives an energetic wave, "Hey! You! One Hundred Girl!"

Queen Beryl has posed:
Mio nods a bit at Makoto. Then she turns to Mamoru. "A matching set..." she muses, almost visibly turning the idea over in her mind. "...You know, thats a very apt way of putting it. Like there's a matching set... something more than I understand, like I've been... missing someone, for so long, like it's been just me when there should have been more than that."

"Like something... no, someone... has been missing for so very long." There's a pause, and she takes a step forward - and then pulls it back. "I'm sorry. It's just like for the first time, in a very small way, something is making sense. And you all are a part of that thing."

Haruna Kurosawa has posed:
Yuko steps forward, and can confirm at this point that she was the girl with Blue the other night during the dreadfulness that happened not all too long ago. Yuko would know it's the same girl that also turned into a Pretty Cure and kicked the demonic bird thing straight in the head. Haruna, of course, has no idea who Yuko is.

Oh! Right! Milkshakes! They're supposed to be free today! or at least. the first one is. She escapes to try to get one. Wait. Free cake!?

Yuko came in right on her heels... that means.. that means... if she was only shier for one second before entering SHE would have had free cake! She seems sad about this. But she doesn't look too put out.

"Um. I'm just. going to get my milkshake now...." she says walking to the bar. "What's your name..? Oh! Um. Bird's name is.. Corvus. He's a friend!" she asks to Yuko and says to Junko. She reaches the bar and peeks.... what should she get. This puts her near the talking group for a bit. She can't help but overhear things, and she gives a sidelong glance at the group.

Yuko Minami has posed:
     It takes a moment for Yuko to understand just what Junko's referencing, but she does snicker once she finally does get it. "Heeey. What would you call me if I wasn't that lucky person?" She's saying it all in jest, of course, although her curiosity to hear that answer does keep her from introducing herself properly right away.

     Also, she's been keeping a steady pace with her own milkshakes! Clearly, she didn't forget them that entire time since Motoki had brought them to her. She's just a fast drinker is all.

     She can't avoid introducing herself forever, though, when Haruna asks her that very thing. "Minami. Er. Minami Yuko. Good to meet you all." She nods to Junko, Haruna, and Corvus each. Her gaze does linger on Corvus for a bit longer before moving to Haruna, and she even brings up her hands to press and knuckels together to crack them lightly. Would that get her intent through to the girl? Or would it look like she was challenging this shy girl to a fight?

     It'd probably be better to stop doing that while she was ahead. "Well, I can't finish the whole cake myself if you two are up for a little celebration sometime later." A complete lie, especially if it was a cheesecake, but... Eh. Details, details.

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
Mamoru's feathers ruffle slightly, obviously, at the statement that he can be a jerk -- however true it is. He looks irritated for a half second, then sighs, and he's looking through the crowd, trying to spot the odangos, and it's a little rude but he's a little rude.

He zeroes in on Junko's comment about ROMANCE and looks briefly horrified, then lifts his hands, red-faced and grimacing out a teeth-gritting smile, shaking his head. "No, no, it's nothing like that! God..."

And Mio's making it even worse for a second, before she fits 'you all' in there and he settles down a little, still jumpy but at least mollified. "Maybe you feel so drawn to me because we're both looking for the same person," he says uncertainly. "And if it should have been more than just you, that's probably not a coincidence either. Um-- I'm grade eleven, I go to Infinity-- do you go there? Maybe I'll see you in school. I'm not going to be around much before then, I have a pretty full schedule, but I'm sure we'll meet again before then."

He edges slightly closer to Makoto.

"We'll all definitely meet again."

Junko Fuma has posed:
"Hey, I just said what it sounded like." Junko says over her shoulder, and sticks her tongue out at Mamoru. Then she's happily turning back towards Haruna and Yuko, holding out a hand towards Corvus-- but not petting, yet. First letting the bird see the hand, "Does he bite?" She asks Haruna, before looking over at Yuko and smiling, "Nice to meet you, Minami-chan! And I don't know what I'd call you otherwise-- why worry about things that aren't?" She asks, flashing a grin before she eyes the menu, "One sweet potato milkshake, please!" She asks, and will likely receive.

Looking back at Yuko, she beams, "That sounds like fun! I can treat you for cake sometime afterward, too." She says, pulling out her cell phone, "Do you two have phone numbers? We can celebrate our victories or play the games we just won together sometime!" Perfect strangers are just friends whose numbers you don't have, after all!

Makoto Kino has posed:
Makoto makes a good-humored face at Junko's remarks; her ponytail flicks with the shake of her head. "This is all getting a little too deep for me," she says, reaching to pick up her milkshake where Motoki set it down for her on the countertop.

When Mamoru edges closer to her, she shifts a little on her feet, orienting herself to edge her shoulder in front of him. It's a demarcation of personal space - not quite making a human wall of herself, but perhaps ready to do so.

Still, her smile to Mio is polite, if somewhat reserved. "I'm a second year at Seishou Middle School," she supplies, following up on the information that Mamoru's volunteered. "I'm sure that we'll see each other around, whichever school you go to. Especially if you come to the Crown much. Usagi-chan and I are in here all the time."

Queen Beryl has posed:
Mio is seeming suddenly increasingly tense herself - jittery, perhaps panicky even. "I don't know if it's romance or not." she adds, with a blush. "But this isn't the first time we've met, Chiba-san. I am absolutly sure of that." she says. The statement is the first real definitive statement she has made in this whole discussion.

Mio smiles a bit and takes a little bow. "I want to see all of you again - because if you don't know the person I am trying to find... maybe you can help lead me to them. Whatever it is, I know you're connected to it all." she adds, looking at Mamoru, then Makoto, Minako, and in the direction Usagi went.

Then, suddenly, she's starting to leave - and then very quickly her small slim frame, even with the bright red hair, vanishes into the crowd.

Haruna Kurosawa has posed:
Haruna acquires a vanilla milkshake. She is not feeling particularly bold today. It's still delicious as she sips it. It's even better because it's free. Free milkshakes just taste better. She turns to face Junko. "Corvus-chan won't bite~" she insists. Corvus-chan? The bird sort of blushes for a moment. She doesn't mention that the bird also talks and is her magical girl mascot. Regardless, it is ready for pets.

She looks at Yuko's motions. Is... is she threating her? Or... she blinks thought. She seems nice enough. She acquires... a phone number!? She might have to actually put a contact into her cellphone!? For the first time ever!?

She looks at Junko. "Um. I think. I outta go. I'm feeling a little woozy." she says. "Soon. I wanna finish my milkshake." she insists.

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
"Thanks, Mako-chan," says Mamoru very, very quietly as he watches Mio leave. "I don't know what it is about her..."

But he trails off, and clears his throat. "Let's go find Usagi-chan," he says firmly, and gets up to do just that.

Junko Fuma has posed:
One number acquired, one person shying away-- all in all, a good haul! Junko beams at Yuko and waves farewell to her, before turning back to Haruna, concerned, "Woozy? Are you all right?" Without even thinking she reaches up to try and feel Haruna's forehead-- does Junko have any idea of personal boundaries?! Apparently not.

"If you're sick you should head home soon and rest. It's the best way to get over being sick! Pushing yourself just leads to trouble." She gives Haruna a rueful smile, "I learned that the hard way."

There's another glance towards Mamoru, the jumpy, shy older guy who is afraid of redheads and romance, apparently. He's so weird.

Haruna Kurosawa has posed:
Haruna Kurosawa has a hand pressed to her forehead. She blinks rapidly and blushes. She's not running a fever. She KNOWS why she's woozy and it has to do with magical matters. "Ah..! No, I'll be fine. It's just been. A stressful couple of days..." she admits softly. That's really one way of putting it.

She sips at her milkshake, puts Corvus down on the bartop, and begins petting/preening. Corvus gets all blushy and sitting like he's on a nest.

"So what's your bird like?" she asks softly.

"I like birds. I think they're pretty." she insists.

Junko Fuma has posed:
"Ehhh...he's really lazy." Junko says, crossing her arms over her chest as she looks up, trying to think of the best words to summarize her parrot. "Da-kun is a parrot, too, and when we got him he already know lots of words, and he always says the wrong words. Minori-san-- she's my stepmom-- she says he just repeats things without knowing what they mean, but /I/ think he insults me on purpose. And he's always trying to eat my food!" Junko pouts. What an awful bird! But she grins at Haruna, "I'm glad you feel better, then. You should relax for the next few days. You'll definitely get sick if you stress out too much."

Haruna Kurosawa has posed:
Haruna Kurosawa ohs! "A parrot!" she pauses. "Parrots are pretty. It's not odd for them to be lazy. Right?" she asks. She's never really seen an active parrot. She likes birds, but she's not a bird expert. "I kinda like seagulls... me and my sister used to feed them at the beach!" her demeanor suddenly sullens a bit not too long after she says that. She knows her sister..is alive now. But... out of reach.

Corvus looks suddenly concerned and hops back to her shoulder. Ah..! Right.

"Um. I know lotsa other people see em as flying rats I guess. But they're really super pretty..." she silently. A little smile returning softly.

Junko Fuma has posed:
"They also taste /terrible/." Junko says, nodding. "I read in a book once that shipwrecked sailors would starve rather than eat seagulls, because they taste really really bad." Her milkshake finally arrives, and Junko takes a nice large sip!

"I have a little brother now-- he's not even two yet, though, so I can't do much with him. He's really, really cute though!" Junko says with a bright smile. A proud older sister! ...since her brother can't talk yet, anyway. "And yeah, Da-kun is a parrot. I figured he'd at leasst fly around or play but he only flies to get food. He's so boring."

Haruna Kurosawa has posed:
Haruna Kurosawa is still sipping her milkshake as talk turns to EATING birds. Corvus's eyes go wide and there's a sweatdrop. "Why would you... ev----" Haruna has to actually lift her hand and close Coervus's beak for him. Her eyes go wide. "Ah--haha. Um. See. I can do. Ventriloquism see......"

She releases Corvus's beak and says. "Why would you ever wanna eat a bird. caw caw caw!" she says. Corvus just takes a breath and closes his eyes.

Also, those two voices didn't match up at all.

But hopefully it was enough to throw the other girl off. Haruna is probably gonna have a talk with Corvus about talking in public. Hell... that was even /his/ rule before they left! Why remind her of such things and do it anyways!? Arrrrhhhhhhh!

Junko Fuma has posed:
"Uwaah, that's so cool!" Junko says, blinking...and then looks slyly from Corvus to Haruna, grinning. "I should bring Da-kun next time. You can make him say something actually sensible." She says, then laughs. "He's really a scaredy-cat though, so he'd probably hide from such a pretty bird like Corvin."

Looking over the prize she's won, she tucks it into her backpack, "I should get going soon, though. I can get this set up so Dad and I can play when he gets home!"

Haruna Kurosawa has posed:
Haruna Kurosawa whews.... that was a close one.

"Okay...it was nice meeting you!" she says with a smile. She's out the door. Soon, so is Haruna. She looks at Corvus. "You didn't know that people eat some birds, did you...." she says with a shy tone.

"N--no. Please don't eat me?" says Corvus with wide eyes.

Haruna giggles. "...silly."