2458/Gingerbread and Dedication

Gingerbread and Dedication
Date of Scene:	09 February 2017
Location:	Earth Court Frat House
Synopsis:	Sayaka consults Kunzite about what it's like to live with dark energy, among other things. Alexis's, Hannah's, and Lacrima's conditions are discussed.
Cast of Characters:	Sayaka Miki, Kunzite

---

Sayaka Miki has posed:
    Sayaka hadn't exactly called in advance before deciding to come to the ECFH. In fact, she wasnt even sure she wanted to see this place again, not because she had no interest in dealing with the likes of Mamoru or Kunzite again, but mostly because she was afraid she'd run into HER and she's still not ready to see that person any time soon. However, recent events did lead her to seek out Kunzite's wisdom, assuming he'd even want to talk to her, now that she's no longer 'friend of a friend'.

    She makes it all the way there and even rings the buzzer, before she ponders turning back, her heart pumping frantically. How awkward would It be if a certain someone else were to answer the door? So instead, Sayaka starts counting. If the door doesnt open in 20 seconds, she'll probably hightail it out of there.

Kunzite has posed:
The person who answers the door, however, is tall and white-haired, and very definitely not a magical girl. Kazuo bows to Sayaka gravely, and steps back to give her room to enter. "Be welcome," he says aloud. "Have you eaten? Would you like something hot to drink? The weather was terrible earlier this morning, and I don't imagine its improved that much."

They've switched back to using the main living room, the one that was the first place Sayaka ever saw Kunzite in, back when he was the ominous figure working for the Dark Kingdom. Then, it was empty and abandoned. Now, it's been redone -- couches and chairs and video games moved back in, yes, but it's all color now, not the blank whites and grays. The walls are painted with a detailed mural; the floor is a tile mosaic, protected by a layer of clear plastic; the kitchen is directly accessible, and there's the smell of coffee and below that of hot chocolate; the only undecorated space, really, is the wide wall of glass that gives that amazing view of Tokyo, and gives onto the balcony in case people want more.

Sayaka Miki has posed:
    "15, 16" And then suddenly the door swings open. She holds her breath andBreathes a sigh of relief when she realizes it's just Kunzite. "Kunzite-San.." she smiles faintly at him and nods, stepping in. "Thank you, I'm fine, just ate. oh and I brought snacks. Here!" she holds up the plastic bag of gingerbread cookies that her mom baked for her. "Here, I hope you like them!"

    As usual, Saya has spent way too much time around here to recognize much, except to notice that much has been rearranged. When's the last time she was even here? well, there is no police tape cutting off certain sections under construction this time, which is good. Her nose does twitch at the scent of hot chocolate, but for now she's good as she moves to flop down tiredly on a couch in the living room.

    "Umm how have you been? It's good to see you. I guess it's been a while.." She bites her lip, wondering what he's thinking. Was he surprised to see her here?

Kunzite has posed:
Kazuo bows to Sayaka again by whichever name, and accepts the little bag. "We appreciated them the last time," he says, "and look forward to doing so again this time." ... is that gingerbread? Well. He should probably let Nephrite and Jadeite have a chance at some of them, rather than stealing them away. Half. He'll count them the way he does Mamoru's desserts, and only reserve half of them to the more private kitchen. Surely that's fair.

For the moment, though, the cookies are set on the table, and he comes around to seat himself in the corner of the other couch. "It's a pleasure to see you, as well," he says. "It's been a little time, yes. I admit I'd have worried a little if not for Naru's having mentioned in passing that she'd seen you. Not the most peaceful of times in the city, just now. For myself, I've been all right; we've recovered from the entrance examinations, and the houseful of third-years is only scrabbling through the last stretch to graduation and, if all goes well, university beyond."

Sayaka Miki has posed:
    Sayaka smiles and nods, "Yeah, gingerbread. Glad you liked the last batch, I'm afraid I still havent got the hang of baking like my mom does though, but maybe next time I'll bring my own!" she smirks, "Dont worry, I'll make sure they're safe before I offer any of them to you.." She sighs as she stretches on the couch, glancing around thoughtfully, "A bit different than I last remember. I guess I've been away too long. But hey, I'm glad you're still in one piece. Yeah, exams have been brutal. I guess..Has it been..Busy in other ways too? I'm glad to see there are no missing walls or windows this time, at least..?"

    Of course, Saya still hasn't got to the real reason of why she's here, and surely it's more than just a visit to drop off cookies. "Hmm.." she nods thoughtfully at mention of Naru. "She's been good to me, considering all things. She's a good friend. Been helping me. With math. Problems." And only math problems. Of course.

Kunzite has posed:
"You'd be welcome to try baking here, too, if you're so inclined," Kunzite says. "Kino-san has priority on the kitchen, but we have the advantage of having two. And a couple of other interested cooks in the household, some of whom have made entertainingly embarrassing errors lately and can therefore commiserate at length."

He gestures around the room. "Fiore and one of Riventon's creations wrecked the place fairly thoroughly last summer -- in separate incidents, not together -- but we've managed some renovations. With luck, the walls will be more durable this time, though the painting itself should probably live in fear. Life's been busy in general, yes. The White Flower. The increased number of Wraiths lately, and the recurrence of Witches. A friend's ill-conceived plan. Another friend's medical condition. Spirits playing pranks. Things happen; life goes on."

The mention of Naru prompts a slight tilt of Kunzite's head, one that might go unnoticed if it didn't have such a ripple effect through the length of that white hair. "She's rather good with math," he notes. "And good with explaining it, which rarely goes with the other. I'm glad you've had help on hand for it."

Sayaka Miki has posed:
    Sayaka frowns softly at the mention of the White Flower. Madoka had told her a bit about that one a while back, before she had..Gone wherever she went. "Hmm.." she nods slowly, "I've never met this white flower, but I heard she's back in town, that Madison Perry had broken out and stolen her grief seed from Homura-san..And I guess the rest is history." she frowns a bit at the mention of witches.

    "Yeah, I was wondering about that..Because I encountered a bunch of familiars the other day and put two and two together. So. I guess they're back. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing..I mean, it means more grief seeds to go around, but I also wonder if it means there are less puella magi in town and that's why they universe rebalanced itself.."

    Sayaka sighs, resting her chin in her hands as she ponders, "Sometimes I wonder if I'm the only Puella magi left out there. Madoka-chan and Homura-san..I dunno, it's like they skipped town or something. Maybe Mami-senpai left town too, other than them, I can think of only two other Puella Magi in town.." she pauses, hesitant to mention Kyouko's name, hesitant to even go there. But for the moment, she's too distracted to think about math.

Kunzite has posed:
"The Witch we first encountered was in an area that hadn't shown sign of infestation before," Kunzite says. "But it had quite literally hundreds of familiars. Which speaks to it having existed for quite some time. I'm therefore inclined to believe that the White Flower's presence calls them from elsewhere."

Hundreds of familiars means that it's very likely indeed that some got loose.

"Kyouko, obviously," Kunzite says. "Her sister. There's another who works for Witchhunter Protective, as a freelancer. And yourself, of course."

Sayaka Miki has posed:
    Sayaka frowns softly, "Yeah, guess that might have something to do with it. Then I'll continue to hunt 'em." she smiles, "At least now I have a partner to help me patrol..It's a lot easier than going it alone, I guess." As she says that, Saya stares into space thoughtfully, but not saying more on the matter. At least not yet, even though it's part of the reason why she's here today.

    Then there's mention of Kyouko and her sister. She nods slowly with a frown again, "Y-yeahObviously. I..Heard she'd been badly injured in a witch attack recently, nearly died before some girl decided to let her have the grief seed. I..Hope she's doing okay nowBut I guess that's not my business anymore" She lets that sentence hang, curious to know more, afraid to ask.

    "And a freelancer in WpS huh? I know there used to be a Puella Magi there butI mean since I work there now, I should know, but it's a big place, I'll have to look into it."

Kunzite has posed:
"She's recovered. Mamoru helped, and the rest of us keep an eye out for Wraiths -- they're easier for non-Puella to fight than Witches are, and the cubes are a little safer for non-Puella to handle, so we can contribute." Kunzite glances aside at Sayaka. "Which is something you should know. You do have a partner again, which should help. But all the same -- if you ever reach a point where you're in need, we have resources, and you are more than welcome to make use of them. If you're too injured to move, and healing it would use too much of your remaining magic, call us and tell us where you are, if you can. There is almost always someone here who could come and help. Not universally always; if we're in the moment of a crisis ourselves, for instance. But it's a spare chance, if you should need it."

Kunzite pauses for a moment to consider the rest. "As to whether that's your business ... I think that's entirely your own decision. The romance did not go well. That's something that happens. But that does not always mean that nothing can grow out of it at all. Or perhaps my own experience taints my judgment, there, and I am telling you what I wish to be the truth rather than what the truth is. I don't know."

Sayaka Miki has posed:
    Sayaka frowns, not really wanting to go there but knowing it would go there eventually. "I know.." she responds a bit stiffly, "For a number of reasons. We were always better as 'just friends'. Maybe some day we can be, again. ButI..Dont know if I want to see her again, any time soon. It wasn't just that it didnt work out, but that she was..Not exactly honest and straight forward about how she felt." her frown deepens, "But I guess that's between us. Anyway, I'm relieved that she's alright and she has people to watch out for her. And thank you for offering your help.."

    But there was that other matter too. She draws a deep breath, wondering how to word this. "Kunzite-san..There was something else I wanted to talk to you about. When you were in the Dark Kingdom? What was it like?" It's a loaded question, and she is most certainly going somewhere with this.

Kunzite has posed:
"The day that Kyouko isn't honest and straightforward about what she feels, to the extent she's aware of it, is the day that the sun rises not merely in the west but by burning a hole upward through Beijing," Kunzite says, dry. "That she may not have expressed herself in a way you understood, however, I will entirely grant. And that one feels precisely like the other, from the point of view of the one hurt."

Gray eyes flicker toward the window, just for a moment. To the place where Venus stood when she asked him if they could start over, last spring. To the last place she's said a word to him from to date.

No. It's not a topic he's unbiased on.

And then there's the next question, and his head lifts, quick and sudden as if at the whisper of a footfall. "What was which part of it like?" he asks. "What it was like to work for someone who was not merely willing but happy to spend stolen lives for her amusement? What I thought it felt like at the time, to exist there? What I knew it felt like once I was able to win a breath of the real world's air, and see clearly again for a moment? Something else altogether?"

Sayaka Miki has posed:
    Sayaka nods thoughtfully, "YeahI guess maybe, you're right, Guess that's just how the world works. I was really sad, really missing her before. But I guess lately, it's not so bad. And I kinda understand better now too. Then, I hope her the best. Naru-chan really is a great person. She's lucky.." But lately, Sayaka's thoughts are elsewhere too, and she too, glances towards that same window, remembering the many times she flew in there to see Kyouko, how excited she was to see her, to fight monsters together, to share memories. And now..Those emotions have become less intense, less painful. Sad, but maybe now she's finally moving on. Lately, she is daydreaming a lot of a certain other person..

    "Umm, no, I guess I mean. How did you feel about yourself..Emotionally? You were a human, possessed by dark magics. You've always been very..Stoic, I guess but before that time, you were. Colder, not so considerate of others. But underneath it all, you were still..You, weren't you? Somewhere beneath all the dark, hateful emotions, there was still a sliver of yourself, right? I mean..Isnt' that what was used as an anchor to bring you back to..Yourself?"

    Sayaka is totally going somewhere with this, she really is.
r

Kunzite has posed:
"'This, too, shall pass.'" Kunzite takes a moment to look at Sayaka directly; his expression is not easily classified, but there's something of understanding in it, and of common-feeling. A moment of relative quiet.

And then he listens to her questions, taking them in, considering them. Each on its own, and the greater thrust of the whole.

His hands settle in his lap, and his fingers are very still.

"Calling me a human possessed by dark magics, then, would have been ... not entirely accurate. My soul was a human's, yes. But it was not housed in a human body, not even to the extent of a Puella's soul; it was housed in a construct composed of dark energy. So it could as easily be said that the dark magic was possessed by me as the other way around.

"As for how I felt about myself emotionally -- I did not, at the time. There was some sublimated reaction, yes; I had hobbies that amounted to a long-term and involving game of Russian roulette, and other hobbies that amounted to simulating death. But I was not aware, did not have the capacity to be aware, that what remained of my self despised what I had become, and was sickened and horrified by my situation, and wanted to die.

"The dark and hateful emotions that you describe were not entirely alien to me. I was incapable of feeling love, but I was capable of feeling anger and a desire for vengeance over slights or injury to those that I would, under other conditions, have loved. I was incapable of feeling joy, but capable of feeling aesthetic appreciation, and therefore took a kind of pleasure in certain kinds of elegant destruction that I could mistake for joy. Those are not things that were imposed on me from outside, only exaggerated; they are flaws in my own character that I have had to keep in check all my life. That, after a fashion, was a sliver of myself.

"The first time that I was brought back to myself to a degree, it was -- there were certain things that had been done to my memory. I did not recognize Endymion when I saw him, not even when he recognized me, not even when I saw that recognition in direct contact with his mind. But when a single, particularly strong memory was called back, it put a crack in that manipulation of my memory, and enabled me to recall where my loyalties should lie. That did not truly return me to myself; I was still composed of the darkness, and it still weighed upon me. But it enabled me to escape some of the despair that had caused me to cooperate with Beryl, and enabled me to work against her to a degree. I still could not feel love, or joy, or kindness. But I was able to remember what they had been like, and to simulate them to a degree; once I even surfaced enough to laugh at something harmless.

"It was not, ultimately, what brought me back to myself. It was necessary to destroy the body I was housed in, for that. This one --" He gestures at himself. "This is a made thing, constructed out of earth and roses, dreams and magic, a constellation of symbols and planetary influence and the work of a double dozen people at the one time that would allow it. But it is a real thing, and wholesome, and as close as can be to human; I am no stranger in that than you are, now. Once that other body was dead, and not tainting my soul further with the atrocities that went into its making, I was no longer a monster, yes. But I was a spirit trapped in a piece of stone, and I could not clearly remember many things that went into being human. It took being made incarnate again to become properly myself at last."

Sayaka Miki has posed:
    Sayaka sits back and listens, wide-eyed, to Kunzite's very long and detailed explanation. Very detailed. Phew. But she did ask for an explanation, and when he finally finishes, she nods slowly, standing up to stretch. "Geez. That'sI didn't realize it was like that. So even now, your body is a magical construct? But then your soul was imprisoned in a body made of dark magic?" she sighs, "I guessMaybe it's nothing like 'his' situation..Except that he seems to be unable to express positive emotion in a similar way."

    She scratches her head, nibbling on a cookie as she begins to pace the room slowly, "I mean, it seems he is being kept alive by the very dark magics that have sapped him or att least repressed his positive emotions. Oh!" Saya laughs, pausing in her pacing as she realizes she hasn't really explained herself yet. "I mean, Alex..Alexis..That is.." she seems kinda nervous as she says the name. "Umm, I'm sure you already know him, considering everything, and what's happened to him?"

Kunzite has posed:
"It started out as one," Kunzite agrees to Sayaka. "These days --" He opens a hand, stretches fingers, holds it out to her. "No more of one than yours is. Flesh and bone, that's all."

Sayaka finally names a name, and Kunzite exhales, leaning back for a moment. Then cancelling that lean back in favor of reaching for a cookie. Eating is not something she's generally seen him do casually; this time is an exception. "Alexis," he says. "Yes. There are some parallels, as there are some parallels between me and Lacrima. Dark energy-based life support. There won't be any way to evict those energies unless and until he can recover from the wounds; and, of course, the dark energy is liable to be hampering his recovery, even as it damages his ability to feel positive emotion."

Sayaka Miki has posed:
    Sayaka nods, "Yeah, I guess so. And yeah, I've noticed the similarities with Lacrima as well. I guess she obtained some sorta cursed necklace that turned her body into a magical construct. I'mNot sure if much can be done to help her, unless a different magical body can be constructed for her, but Alex is" she bites her lip, staring away thoughtfully, "Well, lets just say I promised I'd help him, and I've been thinking..Sure, he's alive because of the same dark magics that suppress his positive emotions, but y'know what? Super healing happens to be my specialty. Do you think..It'd be possible to save him, if he were purified and then I were to heal his wounds?"

    Of course, Saya doesnt mention that healing mortal wounds to such an extent may very well kill her. Or at the least, seriously weaken her. "As for the purifying, can Sailormoon help him?"

Kunzite has posed:
"Can you heal others?" Kunzite asks. "Yourself, certainly, I've seen you heal. But not others. How draining is it for you?"

He glances aside, then, toward one of the side halls. "Still. Healing and purification are both components of what he may need. But we can't yet be certain they are all of what he may need." His attention comes back to Sayaka. "Lacrima takes energy, yes, but she takes more than only that -- there are certain elements that have to be drawn from human beings that are necessary to sustain her; she no longer possesses what she needs to generate them herself. If Alexis is in a similar situation, then even if he were healed and purified, he might become ... at best, devoid of personality; worse, a vegetable; worse yet, a mindless predator. Also, we need to understand his physical situation better. If he's a living human being, granted life support by dark magic, then healing and purifying him may work. If his body actually died, and is now animated and sustained by the curse Lacrima gifted him with, then healing and purifying him would kill him."

He falls silent for several seconds.

"I don't like that he doesn't seem to eat."

Sayaka Miki has posed:
    Sayaka was pretty hopeful at the beginning of this conversation. Now however, she's a bit less so. "UmI never considered all of that." she sighs, "But Im not super smart. Heey, wasn't there a sailor senshi who's supposed to be super smart? I'm sure Kyouko once mentioned her." as for the not eating part, she kinda..Smirks, "Um, I have a plan for that, actually."

Kunzite has posed:
"Good," Kunzite says. "If there's a significant amount of his human nature left to him, then anything that fosters that -- company, light, warmth, food and drink, socialization, art of any kind -- will foster that. That may be necessary; there's a real possibility of the darkness that sustains him also devouring him, and anything that prevents or delays that will help. So I'm glad for your plan."

He inclines his head to Sayaka's speculation about the senshi. "Sailor Mercury," he agrees. "She's brilliant, and she has far more of a capacity to analyze situations like these than I do. Still. It isn't always brilliance that helps the most with these things. It does help. But a kind heart is as important, or more."

Sayaka Miki has posed:
    "Hmm, that's the plan, I hope it helps. He seemsWell, I guess he's experienced a lot of what I have, maybe.." she smiles, speaking fondly of someone she doesn't know all that well. HowOdd. "Well, I'm glad to know it's a good plan. I wasn't too sure, honestly, but I'm sure there are lots of people out there looking out for him, inspite of what he claims. Like no one really cares or considers him a priority.."

    She pauses at mention of Mercury, "Oh yes, that's it. I always hoped I could get to know the other senshi a bit better, but I guess I've only ever talked to Sailor moon, and she's.." she blanches, "Hard not to notice, I guess. Hard to forget too."

Kunzite has posed:
"We do care," Kunzite says quietly. "But there are a dozen running situations at any time. So we can't spend all our time on any one. It's good to know that there's someone who's focused on him first. Who can take the time to show him more plainly, and in ways he can understand better, that there are people concerned about him." He pauses for a moment. "And who's stubborn enough to ignore him when he tries to brush it off as something he's not worthy of. Which he does try, and will."

The mention of the other senshi prompts Kunzite's mouth to turn up at one corner. "Definitely hard not to notice," he agrees. "Be wary of drawing too much of her attention. She tries to medicate people with Disney marathons." ... what. "The others are interesting in their own ways, though. Mercury is brilliant, and fascinated by the world. Jupiter is a valiant defender, and fosters beauty as naturally as she breathes. Mars is terrifying." He says that as if it were an admirable quality. "And Venus -- well. Venus is Venus."

Sayaka Miki has posed:
    "Yeah" she sighs, "Guess I've been so wrapped up in my own problems lately, that I havent really noticed anyone else. But I guess it's good that I have a focus right now. And with the return of the witches, things sure are hectic." Sayaka pauses, considering, "Y'know, I know I'm not a senshi, but it doesn't meant you can't call on me for help too. In fact, I'd love it if you did, because patrolling on your own gets lonely sometimes. And who knows when Alex will get 'bored' of me.." her expression hardens, yeah she's being bitter, and probably suggesting a certain someone else got bored of her and left her alone too.

    Kazuo mentions the other senshi and she arches a brow. "I've probably met one or the other in passing, but our lives never really crossed." she smirks, "Oh yeah, Mars once came to my rescue..I'm not sure why you call her terrifying. And what do you mean, Venus is Venus? That doesnt really say much"

Kunzite has posed:
Kazuo glances aside at Sayaka, considering her for a lingering moment. "I don't believe," he says calmly, "that Kyouko got bored with you. I have not discussed the matter with her; it is private business between the two of you. I can, if you wish, give you an outsider's perspective on what went wrong. Since some of it may be cropping up again in your current work, it might be useful to you -- I speak of your mentioning that you work for WPS, not of the matter with Raskoph. If you would prefer continuing to fling insinuations at Kyouko, in her absence, without grounding them in fact or in detail, that is your choice.

"As for the senshi ... Mars is terrifying because Mars is terrifying, irrelevant to her being one of the Senshi. Her magical powers are the least of her abilities. And Venus is --" He halts for a moment. "I don't have any better way to describe her. A force of nature; a whirlwind of chaos that decided it liked people, for once."

Sayaka Miki has posed:
    Sayaka frowns a bit at his mention of Kyouko, shaking her head. She doesn't care for where that particular thread of conversation is going, nor the mention of her being in WPS, norInsinuations. "No..Sorry, I shouldn't have brought that up. Anyway, it doesn't really matter I guess. I just want to move on with my life. And for the record, I joined WPS expressly so I could curb their..Err..Extreme tendencies, and to act as a conscience for the group. Oh, and because I needed a job. That does not affect my sense of justice, nor my offer to assist you and your friends whenever needed."

    She shrugs as he continues to speak of the other senshi, smirking a bit at his description of Venus. "Sounds like quite the girl. I'd like to meet her, someday. You seem to speak rather highly of her.."

Kunzite has posed:
"I respect her a great deal," Kazuo answers, regarding Venus. "I'd offer to arrange an introduction, but she's been busy elsewhere for some time; she and I haven't spoken in close to a year, at this point. Still, if the opportunity rises, I'll be happy to do so."

He considers Sayaka for a moment longer. "Are you aware of Miss White's current condition?" he asks. "And of what she is doing to attempt to remedy it?"

Sayaka Miki has posed:
    "I'd like that." she smiles, "Someday, it would be nice to meet her, and the others.." As for Miss White, her frown deepens. "Yeah, I know she's been growing steadily weaker because she's overtaxed her linker core, and I've heard rumours that she's been hunting other people for their linker cores, but I have been unable to find her. And as far as I know, she's acting alone. However.." Saya make a fist, looking pretty peeved, "If I do find her, I will definitely have to knock some sense into her!"

    She sighs, shaking her head. "Honestly, this is the first time I've seen this side of her, but I still believe there is good in her. She's just..I dunno, stubborn, misguided? But for people like that, I'm definitely not gonna give up on her potential for good, anymore than I'd give up on Alexis..Or Apatite, when she was under the control of the Dark Kingdom. Maybe I just dont understand her well enough to help her yet.."

Kunzite has posed:
"They're not rumors; I was there for one incident." Presumably the one Hannah was hospitalized after. "She stole two; we retrieved one for its owner, but she made away with another. The effect on her isn't strictly weakness, either. It's likely to be rendering her mentally and emotionally unstable. I'd be interested to hear whether you can detect it directly, if you find her."

Kazuo lets out a breath, his frown deepening. "I agree that she has potential for good. All the more so since she took certain steps that together ensured that we'd be trying to stop her; some part of her does not want to be doing this. But she's made some damning choices, and it seems she feels as if she's bound to them, now. Still. If you want to be of assistance -- Raskoph and Miss White are the ones who need that assistance most, and you already have connections to them both. Sometimes that assistance will be direct. Sometimes, perhaps, by making sure for them that they cannot do harm they will later regret. But I've seen you with your swords. That's something you can do."

Sayaka Miki has posed:
    Sayaka nods. "Yes, of course. Dammit, I feel like all this stuff happens when I'm stuck in cram school." she grits her teeth, "Looks like this may call for an emergency WPS meeting. I'm not really sure how we can stabilize her linker core, but I'll definitely do my best to find her and bring her in until that point.."

    She sighs at Kazuo's explanation, "Do you think she's gone past the point of no return? I sure hope not. I'd like to think it's never too late. But..I'll do my best to help them both.."

    She grimaces a bit at his mention of her swords. "Eh..Sometimes I think I scare people a bit too much..Like when I learned about how Norie was responsible for Alex's current condition. I wasA little torn on that, I felt that she should have let him die, rather than live a monster. But now, I kinda regret saying those words to her. Afterall, there may still be hope for Alex yet. And if she hadn't saved his life, I never would have met him.."

Kunzite has posed:
"Cure Gull is probably the best place to start," Kazuo says. "Certainly she's the most involved, and if any hope's been found, she'll know of it."

When Sayaka asks if Kazuo thinks Hannah's gone past the point of no return, he shakes his head, firm. "No. I think there's more hope for her now than there was a year ago. She's still committed -- but part of her is beginning to understand that she doesn't want to be; she went looking for alternative solutions before flinging herself into this one, and for someone with her pride, that says a great deal."

There's a pause before he says anything about Norie and Alex. Considering her words. Probably considering his own history. "His eyes are still green," he says then. "Or were, the last time I saw him. That's a definite sign that he's not as far gone as Lacrima. Even if they change -- he may still not be as far gone."

Sayaka Miki has posed:
Sayaka Miki nods, "She's really lucky she has someone as dedicated as Gull.." Why, she almost sounds jealous, "But I'm glad. Haruna can do what I cant for Miss White. But I'll still do my best to help. Maybe then I wont feel so useless all the time. Somehow, I'll find a way to help them both.."

    Sayaka seems reassured when he says she has not gone past the point of no return, and smiles faintly, "I'm glad. She sure is a proud person, but I dunno, I like her. Faults and all. Maybe she reminds me a bit of my own pigheadedness sometimes too.."

    As for Alex, she shrugs, "Like I said, I've got a plan to help him, even if we do manage to get him back to normal, and he's a different person who" Saya shakes her head, not wanting to go there. "At least if I can help him, it'll be enough. But I'm more concerned about Norie. IWas terrible to her. I should go apologize. I feel really bad, is there any way of saving her, or is she too far gone? When I saw her, she had fed on so many people, but she had stopped short of killing them. Even so..I dont think that's something that should continue. I offered her to feed off of me but.."

Kunzite has posed:
"If you want dedication," Kunzite says quietly, "watch carefully to make certain that your choice is who you want it from -- then be dedicated. If you want someone to make you part of their life, then open up your own to them -- all of your life, not isolating them in a bubble that touches nothing of your family, your school, your hobbies; and when they open theirs to you, embrace it instead of hiding away. That's a difficult thing to learn. It's a kind of risk we aren't accustomed to taking, and it's dangerous if things go wrong. But if we bleed from it -- well, then. Bleeding heals, as long as we don't keep prodding at the wound and picking at the scab."

There's no accusation in that; Sayaka may not know that the we there is literal, but she may be able to guess from the tone.

As for Miss White -- "So do I," Kazuo says. "But that doesn't blind me to what she's done, or what she's capable of doing. She gave me something that carries certain responsibilities with it. I intend to make certain, if I can, that carrying them out does not require me to kill her. But I'm aware it may be necessary. I hope you and Gull can find a better route."

"As for Norie --" He has to pause a moment; the urge to call her Lacrima is strong enough that the names almost tangle. Only almost. "There's someone who believes there may be a way of saving her, but I don't know the details. As it is, she's improved vastly from when I first met her; her hunger is nearly always under control, and while she is still not capable of entertaining positive emotions, she can act on her desire to keep people's company in ways that approximate friendship and concern. Be careful of asking her to feed off of you, though. There's a small chance of unfortunate interaction between her power and yours. If she takes you up on it, you'll want a supply of grief cubes each time, and the first time you'll also want someone nearby who can recognize a problem with your soul gem if one starts to manifest."

Sayaka Miki has posed:
    Sayaka arches a brow as he says 'we', wondering if he's including himself in that sentence, or if he's just being figurative. But somehow she feels it might be the former. "Yeah..I guess that is a tough thing to do, although honestly, I think I tend to wear my heart on my sleeve a lot." she chuckles, "I dunno if that's a good thing or not, but I suppose in other respects..You may be right."

    Sayaka is a bit..worried, to learn that what Kazuo has may well kill Hannah. Possibly. And she bites her lip, determined, "Hm, I'll hold an emergency meeting..Haruna..And Mikoto too. She's super smart. Surely she can find a way. I hope we dont have to sacrifice Miss White. I really hope we dont.."

    Then the conversation turns back to Norie and she frowns. "Hmm that bad, huh? I mean, I once let Alex feed on me and I nearly fainted, but I've managed to accumulate a good supply of grief cubes, and with the return of witches, it should make things easier."

    She hesitates. "I..Guess I told Alex about us Puella" but, how much does Kazuo know, given his close relation with one? Probably everything, but she's not about to reveal all like she did before.

Kunzite has posed:
"I'd suggest you talk with Haruna first, outside the emergency meeting. Get the two of you in order before you start adding third parties. Gull does much better at keeping her thoughts organized if you don't put her on the spot."

Kazuo inclines his head to Sayaka. "It's a question of interaction. A drain on your energy drains your magic. But she doesn't only drain energy -- there are subtler things involved as well. For most people, there are no long-term consequences to those things. But Puella are somewhat differently organized. I can tell you that it did not do me damage, and I also keep my soul in a stone; but emotion does not have the same effect on me that it does on you, and I don't know whether Lacrima's feeding will, either."

How much does Kazuo know? He knows that much, at least. And Sayaka's seen him listening in conversations about Puella turning into Witches, and he never blinked once.

Sayaka Miki has posed:
    Sayaka nods, "So, the repercussions are worse with Norie.." she sighs, "Gee that really sucks, but I'm glad to hear that someone has an idea that might help her.." however, with a glance at her watch, Saya realizes she is late for school and she's skipped too many classes as it is. "well it as nice talking with you, Kazuo-san, but I'm afraid I'd better get to classes. Thanks again for the chat!" And she's off.