It's been a rough week for Ami Mizuno, but she's mostly passed the worst of her emotional reaction, right now. From receiving a bad result on an important test, to a rough breakup with her boyfriend, the bluenette is emotionally spent. Thankfully, Makoto was there to cuddle her back to some semblance of normalcy.
But there's one person who didn't respond to any of Ami's fears--one person who she's been worried about, herself, for many reasons (some of which aren't obvious). So, the Sunday following it all, Ami has decked herself for going out in the gloomy weather to see her friend. A raincoat over a pair of bluejeans, with rubber boots to prevent splashing, Ami walks along under her umbrella, up the path towards the Hikawa shrine.
Her phone makes a small noise in her pocket, and Ami stops walking to pull the phone out. And there it is, a text from the one person she's been worried about. A smile creeps across Ami's lips, amusement and relief at once.
Ami thumbs a response into the phone, pockets it again, and then continues on her way up the path.
TEXT from Ami-chan: I'll explain in person. Look towards the torii at the entrance.
And thus she passes through that very gate on her way up the path.
Rei has always been fairly aloof. Her reputation for mystery is only partly due to her Psychic Powers. Most of the time? The Miko can be far more reclusive than most might think when talking with her. She's no social reject by any means, but perhaps one of the problems that piped up with Usagi was Rei's tendency to stay locked up in her shrine, and her duties as a Miko. A certain sort of social awkwardness masked by ancient traditions.
But as much as she's been a shut-in lately, she turns up at the front of the shrine almost perfectly. Umbrella in hand, still dressed in her miko outfit, Ami's approach is met with a lonely smile. She's been falling back into bad habits.
But it's a warm miko that greets Ami, and she finds herself offering a hand to the smaller Bluenette. A gentle grip, and Ami is being pulled towards the house area of the shrine. "You'll get sick out here, Ami-chan. Let's get you something warm to drink." Because of /course/ her first concern is for her friend. Rei is still very much Rei, and she hasn't stopped loving her friends. The inside of the house is warm, with a very non-fire reading fire going. It's warm, and already Rei's about making cocoa for Ami.
"What's wrong, Ami-chan?" Her voice has that tinge of concern, even as she tries to put up that front of stoic miko.
Ami allows herself to be tugged laong, happy to hold onto Rei's hand as they walk. Her eyes drift towards her friend briefly, and she smiles, but doesn't say anything. When they enter the house, Ami closes her umbrella and leaves it outside, then does the same with her boots, leaving her in a pair of warm ankle-socks beneath. Her jacket comes off last of all, but this she brings inside to hang on the rack. Beneath, she wears a warm-looking blue turtleneck sweater.
"Not too much risk of catching cold," the bluenette replies as she finds a place to curl up by the table while Rei fetches cocoa. "Anyways, I'm supposed to ask you that," she expresses amusedly. "But I suppose we both have reason to ask it. Takashi broke up with me," Ami explains in a far-too calm and rational voice for a girl getting over a heartbreak, "and the University of Tokyo rejected my application to start college this year." Which is really not surprising given she should be starting high school this year.
There's utter silence from the kitchen. Rei very nearly drops the cup as she hears both pairs of news. Her hands tremble, and only once she can offer some semblence of calm does she walk out. More silence, the cups are set down, and then she's wrapping her arms around Ami.
"I'm so sorry Ami-chan." Her face sets, anger in her gaze for just a moment.
"That idiot. He's an idiot! You're smart, beautiful, and wonderful to be around. So why would he do that!? Letting go of you like that!"
Rei might just feel a little warmer, at least until she manages to reign herself in. A small smile. "You'll get in next year, Ami. Even someone as amazing as you can't be perfect." One might notice how she's avoiding what's wrong with /her/!
Ami leans into the embrace--even angry as it is--like a child into the protective arms of a sibling. Or perhaps a lover into the protective arms of theirs. She closes her eyes and shrugs, just a little. "Priorities," Ami explains quietly. "His and mine don't seem to align, and things keep getting in the way of even the things we do both agree we should prioritize. It's okay, Rei-chan," she emphasizes quietly. "I've ... still got you." A bit too long of a pause before she adds, "And Mako-chan. And Usagi-chan. I don't need a boyfriend."
A big huff. "We all love you, Ami-chan. It's his loss. That big...." Angry Rei-chan rumbles! She mutters about priorities, shivering just a little, in between giving extra hugs to poor Ami!
"You can stay here tonight, if you want." Offers Rei, smiling just a little more. Her hair falls on Ami's shoulder, she lets out a breath, and just lets her presence fill the room. Two friends, so close, she makes sure Ami /knows/ she's not alone, in heart or in mind.
"I'm...sorry Ami-chan. I've been falling into bad habits again. I just..." Usagi and Ami have gained so many friends. Some of whom are old enemies.
"It's stupid. But I'm scared."
The offer catches Ami a little by surprise, but not unpleasantly. She considers it, then says, "I'd have to get up early so I can go home and get my uniform on," she poitns out. Because tomorrow is a school day. "But I wouldn't mind spending the night, if you don't mind," she agrees quietly. "And if grandpa doesn't." Not that he's likely to ever mind more young girls in the house, the old perv.
But habits earn a tight hug. Ami puts her head on Rei's shoulder and says, "It's so easy for both of us to just hide away and pretend we're alone. Mako-chan wouldn't let me do that. I'm not going to let you do it, either."
Ami raises her chin just a little so she can peer at Rei, so close. "What's got you scared?" Because it wouldn't do to tell the girl with literal premonitions that her fears are unfounded.
Slow frown. "He'll be good!" Rei states just a /little/ too loud. There's a crash in another room. Rei suddenly looks very happy for just a second.
Another deep breath, and Rei relaxes into Ami. A hand goes to the other girl's head, and she gently rubs just a bit. "Everyone. I...want to get to know Mamoru and Kunzite...everyone better. But it's hard. It's easy to focus on the shrine. Too easy to just stay away."
'Im not going to let you do it either'.
"Ami-chan, do you think we can visit Mamoru and everyone soon? I know I've been avoiding it, but with you there, I might be able to do it." Her smile grows warmer as she steels herself.
Ami lets her eyes drift close at the brief head-petting. It's weird, but it's the right kind of weird, and she snuggles in closer to her friend. "I didn't realise you haven't spent any time with them," she replies quietly, thoughtfully. "I've been so wrapped up in my boyfriend drama that I never bothered to check on you ..." she explains, then frowns at herself. "I'm sorry for that. Yes," she confirms. "Yes, I'll take you to their home. And you can meet them. They're good people," she explains. "Even Zoisite."
Rei Hino shakes her head a bit. "It's okay. That's a pretty big distraction, Ami. As long as you're okay."
Another breath, and then a slow nod. "I'm sure they are. We're lucky, that way. We could have lost them easily. And I think Usagi is even happier with them around. So for that much, I'm grateful."
/Zoicite/! She reaches into her outfit, and one hand has a trembling ofuda. Yup, she might be holding on to a few feelings. Just a bit.
Eyes close, she straightens, and then reaches over Ami to get her own cocoa. Sip. "I'll come prepared. He'll be good." Or else, there will be ofuda!
"He'll probably avoid meeting you at first, actually," Ami replies quietly, gently reaching up to touch Rei's ofuda-clutching hand. She eases the hand back down, then squeezes Rei again. "I don't think he's as bad as I once thought. He betrayed us all at the Walpurgis fight, but I was expecting it, and they seemed to think it was necessary to fool Beryl for some reason. I think he was just under her power, still."
With a shake of her head, Ami closes her eyes again, then tries to occupy the same space as Rei for snuggling. It doesn't quite work, but she does seem happier for the closer cuddling. "Don't be afraid of them. They're not the enemy anymore. They're trustworthy. I'm sure of it, this time, Rei-chan."
Squeeze. That hand goes limp, and she just relaxes in snugs and cocoa. For a moment, all is right in the Rei-world. But she does keep her attention on Ami.
A frown. "Well, I guess we can't hold grudges about what people do when they're under mind control."
She still sounds /very/ nervous though. "I should find something to wear. Maybe a dress. Is the house very formal?" Fret fret.
"I trust you, Ami. Okay. Maybe we can all be friends. Do you think?"
"You should just wear something comfortable," Ami replies with a little giggle. "The house is as informal as can be. Mamoru-kun treats it like a frat house. It's pretty much as informal, friendly, and open as can be. They love visitors. Mako-chan goes over all the time to make cookies and sweets; there's a kitchen reserved for her use. It's a safe place."
Rei reluctantly stands up, soon back in the kitchen! More cocoa! She comes back, sitting down on the couch. She definitely is enjoying time with Ami, even if the circumstances aren't what she'd like.
"Then if Mako-chan comes over, then it's definitely safe. This might be fun Ami. I just hope we can all get to know each other better." Her smile grows, a little warmer, and maybe even a little bit excited.
Ami's eyes open as Rei tears herself out ofhte cuddles. She watches as Rei heads to the kitchen, then finally leans forward to sip her own cocoa. When Rei returns, she doesn't cuddle quite so close again, but does remain close. "We have got to get you out more," Ami explains quietly, smiling a little as she ships her drink. "The rest of us have become friends. You're the odd one out. But it'll be alright. We'll fix that, soon."
Ami considers a moment, then changes the subject, "So now that you and Usagi-chan aren't dating, have you met anyone else you're interested in?" A pause, then she adds hastily, "I mean, not that you need to have. I'm just curious. I'm probably going to avoid boyfriends for a while, myself."
Eyes close, and she nods. "I'd like that, Ami-chan. I haven't even been visiting Usagi. She'll think I'm avoiding her again." A shiver. No, she definitely can't allow that to happen! "And getting closer to them will let me get closer to Usagi. And with you, Ami-chan."
Why does she suddenly sound so happy? Even Rei doesn't know.
But the miko pauses. "A...aah, no. I, uh. Well, there's people I wouldn't mind..." Oddly, the Miko stutters a bit, until she covers her mouth with a cup. Siiiip. She drags her thoughts together from Ami's date assault!
"I want to avoid dating for a while. And concentrate on my friends that I love." Her gaze turns to Ami once more, eyes sparkling.
The bluenette glances at Rei, eyes meeting briefly, then looks away to her own mug of cocoa again. "Mmm," she agrees quietly. "I think I'm going to do the same." A pause, then she leans forward to put her mug down on the table.
A sudden thought strikes Ami, and she smiles broadly. "Remember Paris?" she asks curiously. "Poor Mako-chan couldn't speak a word of French, and had to figure out a room all to herself. Usagi-chan and Minako practically at each other's throats. The two of us barricading ourselves away from all their craziness." Her eyes dim a little, and she leans back against the couch. "I wonder where Mina-chan has got off to, now."
Rei Hino wiggles in her seat just a bit. "That's right. No worrying about dating. Just enjoying our youth with good friends." Adds Rei confidently. Images of times at the Crown dance through her head, and Rei is content for a moment. Just a moment.
And then she's laughing, almost dropping her cup! She puts it down, crosses her leg, and covers her mouth. "Oh, poor Mako-chan! I'm glad she wasn't alone. It sounds like you've been getting closer to Mako-chan. She's so strong and reliable, isn't she?"
Her smile drops a little. "I'm worried about her. She and Usagi are perfect for each other. Uh, I mean as friends. But she's just so...Minako-chan." Hand wave. How to describe /Mina/!?
"We should try to visit her soon."
"Mmmm," Ami agrees quietly, nodding. "Mako-chan is my best friend," she says with confidence. "Even when we weren't talking to each other it was because sh ewas worried sick about me, not because she was upset with me. Usagi-chan is very special to me," obviously, "but I think Mako-chan is closer to me."
Ami glances towards Rei at her next suggestion. "Visit Mina-chan?" she asks, confused. "I don't even know where she is. Usagi-chan could probably find her, though." She shrugs, then admits, "I don't know, if she doesn't want to be with us, I don't know how I feel. She's still never really made up for abandoning us when we needed her."
Ami sighs and puts her head on Rei's shoulder. "You're probably right, though. I shouldn't be so mad with her. It's not fair to her."
"I think that's why we need to reach out to her. If she ends up alone, she'll...she will end up like I've been. And I don't think anyone deserves to be alone and without any friends."
But she quickly moves on. "But we'll talk with Usagi. Do you want something to eat, Ami? I have leftover pizza in the fridge." There's soda in there too! A perfect heartache-reducing fatty food feast! Rei hops up again. "One moment. I should get changed." A few minutes later, she returns! In a pink nightie and shorts that would give Usagi a run for her money on pure cute! With anyone else here, she'd never wear it. With Ami? Well, she can endure a blow to her dignity.
"Pizza sounds great," Ami says, rolling back to her feet. She pads towards the kitchen to find the pizza and soda, while Rei heads back into the back. By the time Rei emerges, Ami has the stove on and is hunting for something to reheat the pizza on.
She looks up as Rei emerges, then grins. "That's super cute. Although I really didn't expect to stay the night, so I'm ... probably going to have to borrow a long teeshirt, or something. Do you have a pizza pan?"
Rei Hino does a small spin, kicks up a foot to the side, and then flicks her hair a bit! Little bubbles and sparkles float off of her as she poses for Ami. Is she blushing a bit? Maybe. Just maybe.
"Of course! I'm going to be a model after all, so I have to be able to wear anything!"
There's some self-aggrandizing Rei-chan! Then she's in the kitchen, getting out a pan. "You can borrow one of my t-shirts." In fact, as if she'd anticipated the problem, Ami gets a big blue t-shirt tossed at her, with the name of a local band on it. She gets out the pan too!
"I'm sorry you didn't get into college, but, I think Usagi will enjoy having you in her classes. Maybe you can keep her out of detention." Not gonna happen.
Ami catches the teeshirt by surprise, then smiles at Rei and hugs her briefly. With the pan problem solved, she says, "I'm pretty sure not even an act of God could keep Usagi-chan out of detention." She heads towards the bathroom, "Be right back."
And indeed she is right back a few minutes later, wearing Rei's teeshirt. It's not quite long enough to call a dress, but at least Ami will be decent while they're inside. As long as Grandpa doesn't snoop around too much.
Putting her pile of clothes by the door where her raincoat is, Ami straightens and moves to join Rei again in the kitchen. "I'm not too worried about it," she admits in thought, resuming the converstaion. "College, that is. I mean I was really bummed out, but I think it'll be nice to see what high school is like for a year before I go off to college. Besides, there's still a lot I'd like to learn before I become a doctor."
Grin! "Perfect. You look ready to be lazy and not worry about idiot boys, or idiot admissions offices. You're going to take a page out of Usagi's book tonight, Ami-chan." Already, the tv's on to some anime. A slice of life comedy!
Several nods. "You're smart. Too smart sometimes, Ami. You should enjoy high school. It won't be too long before everyone's an adult. I worry about you some times. That you're going to rush past dummies like me." Smile. In goes the pizza for warmups!
Ami sniffs amusedly at Rei, but she does grab a blanket for her legs and curl up on the couch to watch the anime. "You're probably the least dummy among us," Ami counters with. "I can figure things out if I know them. You just ... intuit everything. It's amazing. I wish I could do the things you do, Rei-chan," she says as she drinks the last of her cocoa.
Rei Hino laughs just a little. Soon enough, though, the pizza is ready. No need for Ami to get up, as Rei brings two plates over. Rei, for her part, apparently uses a fork and knife. Perfect for a student going to Verone.
Her face hangs a little though. "I was just lucky to be born with those powers. Without them, I wouldn't be much. I'm not athletic like Mako, not smart like you, not good with people like Usagi...but I guess if it let me meet you and Usagi, then...maybe these powers aren't so bad."
Ami is a total slob. She eats pizza with her bare hands, heedless of the danger to Rei's borrowed blanket or borrowed teeshirt. The pizza's gone almost as quickly as it's delivered--well bedore Rei is through her third bite of her own. And then, Ami leans forward to set the plate aside, because right now she needs free hands.
"Oh my gosh," she declares as she turns to tackle Rei with a hug. "You're ridiculous. Stop being so mopey. You're amazing. You're smart, even if you aren't on the same level as I am, and you're the most beautiful girl I know, and you can predict the future! 'Lucky'," she says with a sniff, as she attempts to tickle Rei into submission. "You're amazing!"
It's pure efficiency, how Rei devours that pizza. She manages both grace and near-gluttonous desire as it all goes down. Except for the crust. She snatches that up, nomfs it down, and then daintily wipes her fingers on a napkin. Also there's grease licking from digits just before. She's still a teenager, no matter how refined she tries to present herself.
HUUUUURK! Ami tackles! And tickles! There's no defense against the young woman, as she's pushed to the couch, and tickled mercilessly! Her laugh reverberates through the house, her face is red,and she's wiggling all about!
"I....I'm not...aaaah hah hah hah...s...stop ami-chan! Noooooo!"
A few more minutes of wiggly, shovey, snuggy Rei-chan, and she collapses back-up with a goofy grin on her face. Ami has utterly destroyed Rei's dignity for a moment, and she couldn't care less. A few breaths, and then? A nice, warm hug.
"I love you Ami-chan." Admits the young woman. It's a blush, a little vulnerable. She seems to let her guard down around Ami a lot. It's almost brutally honest for the woman.
"I don't mean to be awkward. But I do. You helped me with Usagi-chan. And you've always been there for me. And...you keep pulling me out of being a withdrawn idiot. Thank you. You're a precious friend." She squeezes one of Ami's hands.
Ami does stop, after a few moments of being asked, then curls up next to Rei, head on the raven-haired girl's shoulder. She lets outa slow sigh, then closes her eyes and gives Rei a gentle squeeze. "We have to keep each other from closing up," she says quietly. "You, and me. We're both at risk of it; just closing up and pretending like we can hide from everyone else. If we do that, we're no use to Usagi-chan." A pause, then she says, "And no use to each other, either."
Ami frowns a little, and her pulse begins to race--felt through their close physical connection, at the moment. She blushes, as well, and tries to roll out of the close embrace, to sit back up and arrange the blanket around herself once again.
Eyes slowly close. That squeeze, and Rei settles down, letting out a breath. She's relieved, comfortable, and completely /right/ for just a moment. The closeness of a friend? She could stay like this foreve.r It's a feeling she's unused to. And it's one she'll cherish for as long as she can.
"I know. I know. I know! We need to support each other, Ami-chan. For Usagi-chan, and each other, and everyone. My passion, and your intellect, maybe...maybe we can do this together. That's the Senshi, isn't it? We might be weak by ourselves. But together? We can accomplish more than anyone. As long as we have friends and partners."
Eyes brimming with tears, she keeps Ami close. Her own heart beats just as furiously, but she keeps close until Ami pulls up. She moves, shifting, half curled up and basically using Ami as a pillow. She's blushing a little. And looking oh-so-comfortable.
"Let's promise each other. To do our best. To each other, to everyone we know, okay Ami-chan?"
Ami glances down at the head in her lap. Black hair instead of white. Long instead of short. Feminine instead of masculine. And yet, she's uncomfortable not because Rei's there; not because Rei is so close ... but because of what Ami herself is not saying.
"I promise," she murmurs qiuetly, wondering to herself just how honest she's being. Ami puts a hand over Rei and hugs her gently, despite the awkward angle, then tries to calm her twitchy uncertain smile.
"Anyways, I'll go do dishes since you heated up our supper," she says. "And then we should probably get some sleep. I'll come by after school sometime this week to drag you to meet the boys, okay?"
Perhaps thankfully for Ami, Rei's powers only go so far. The depths of the human heart are as lost on her as anyone. Some things, it seems, shall come only naturally.
Rei's hands clench together, and as she too sits up, she's happier than she's been in weeks. A hug, and then, Ami is let up to do dishes. Rei seems even more radiant, and warm, than usual after the little exchange.
"Ami. I'll hold you to that." She says, voice dead serious, quite in Miko Mode (tm). It fades quickly.
"You're right. Let's get to bed soon." Blush.
"I'm excited. Nervous. But excited. I hope we can all become real friends." A soft breath, nervous, but hopeful. Hands squeeze together, and she walks into the kitchen to help. She softly hums a tune. For now, all is right in the world of Rei.