It's been a few days since the Sailor Earth fiasco, which means it's also been a few days since Minako saw Usagi for the first time since she got back into town. She'd been hoping to run into her to talk ever since, but despite spending a fair amount of time at the Game Crown Center where she knows the most delicious milkshakes are served and the fun games are there to be played she hasn't seen her favorite moonbunny crybaby.
Desperate times call for desperate measures, and though she's not entirely sure what she wants to say yet she knows the two of them need to talk; the longer it is until they do the more awkward things are going to be. And so Minako can be found walking down the street with a large bakery box in her hands headed towards the Tsukino household. She's never visited before, but she'd be a terrible detective if she didn't at least know where her fellow Senshi lived. An especially terrible one considering her law enforcement connections.
She's wearing a long sleeved teal dress with a largish sailor collar and equally white cuffs, and as she approaches the front door she shifts the box into one hand and puts on a bright smile, knocking on the door and waiting, ready to ring the doorbell if nobody seems to notice.
Usagi's eyebrows crease together in confusion as she looks up from her notebook.
'My Manifesto,' written at the top of a piece of paper in a new notebook, is scribbles out rather vehemiently. It makes her sound...cultish. And she's not particularly fond of whatever flavore of Kool-Aide that may lead to.
But, after all, a good account of her Plan needs a good Title, and Luna is no help with her napping in a patch of sunlight.
But her mind is actually drawn away. There's something in the air, but not quite, but she knows it...
Kenji, somehow, caught sight of Minako walking up the path. Normally he'd be too engrossed in the rival's paper to take notice, but their selection of stories is rather quite boring and it's not often he gets blonde teenager in his peripheral.
Setting the newspaper aside, he stands and strolls to the front door, opening it, and doing a sort of double take at the young woman in front of him.
"If my daughter ever needed a double for something? You'd probably fool most people." He stands aside to let her in, still with very suspicious and very reportery eyes on her.
"Usagi's in her room, because I'm sure you're not here for Shin---"
It's almost a sonic boom that greats the Tsukino household. One moment, Minako is poised at the threshold. The next, she has an Octosagi wrapped securely around her.
Kenji sighs. "---go. Usagi...Let her breathe."
"No! She gets all the hugs! Doesn't get to breathe!"
More sighs. "Her room is upstairs, second door on the left."
Not just any blonde teenager, but a startling beauty that any girl would be jealous of and might just cause overprotective mothers to lock their boys up in their rooms with curtains drawn. Or at least that's what she likes to tell herself.
"Me, double for Usagi-chan?" Minako asks with casual incredulity, only to lift her free hand and swing it down in a single wave while jovially replying in a high, airy tone, "Nah! I'm more of a Golden Sunset blonde and she's more of a Sunflower Blonde; no one would ever buy it." She starts walking inside after Usagi's father moves for her.
'Usagi's in her room,'
Suddenly Minako's eyes flick from Kenji towards the stairs and she looks to him, tilting her head and giving him an embarrassed grin, "Hold this for a sec." She all but stuffs the bakers box into his hands, just in time to get completely clobbered by a an Octosagi shaped cruise missile.
She can't quite help laughing and hugging Usagi back, though her arms wrap about her shoulders lightly because she actually can't inhale right now and her ribs might protest if she pulled the girl any closer. Eventually she'll pry Usagi off at least enough to get another breath. All she needs is one.
"Usagi-chan, I brought doughnuts!" There, that ought to do the trick. Kenji is holding them now (unless they got dropped!) and they're not just doughnuts, but bunny shaped doughnuts with pink frosting on top with little white faces drawn on filled with strawberry jelly. Delicious, if you can stand eating something so cute.
After a moment, the grip of the fearsome Octosagi relaxes just enough for easy breathing and the continuation of breathing normally.
Kenji sighs and holds up the box of donuts he suddenly finds himself with are unharms and unsquished.
And his daughter...is making no move to let go.
Suspicious, but he'll think about that later.
"Do you want some help? I probably have the Jaws of Life somewhere around here..."
Usgai's only response? A muffled 'yay Donuts!'
The dreaded constriction hug of the Octosagi is truly even more fearsome than Minako had expected. She even brought the proper lure of cavity inducing sugar but even that wasn't enough. It at once warms her heart and makes her feel a little sad, because the need to cling so ferociously wouldn't have come from nowhere.
"It's okay, Usagi-chan. I won't disappear if you let go," Minako says in a quieter voice that is rather at odds with the high, silly tone she took with Kenji earlier. Or rather it might be to anyone who didn't know her. She looks over to Kenji, "I think I've got this, but keep those Jaws handy in case this doesn't work.
Usagi can cling, and doesn't seem to want to stop clinging, but Minako still has some mobility left. Releasing Usagi with her left arm she bends down, dipping her very huggy friend a little in the process, and then swoops her arm right up under her knees and tries sweeping her straight up off the ground!
Deathgrip hugs are less of an issue when they don't inhibit mobility. ...though it occurs to Minako that she might not make it up the stairs if she doesn't get another breath. A bizarre series of tilted head motions suggests that Kenji should set the doughnuts on the hefted Usagi.
And only at Mina's reassurance does Usagi's grip loosen somewhat. Not completely gone, of course, but now her limbs are more pliable, and with her knees draped over Minako's arms, her snuggling is done more with her nose than arms.
Kenji sighs, flounders a moment before sticking the box of donuts between his daughter's stomach and Minako's...person.
And even though she's all snuggles, she still hears her father's voice.
"She's a bit...out of sorts. Something feels weird to her that shouldn't, a friend she wasn't sure she'd see again came back." At that, Usagi's grip tightens a bit around Minako. "Just...give her hugs, is all."
Unfortunately for Kenji Minako needs both of her arms to carry Usagi, and Usagi is unwilling to stop hugging long enough to carry the doughnuts. Besides, there's nothing wrong with the doughnuts sitting on Usagi's tummy, unless it's perhaps cruel to give them an external view of what will more than likely soon be their home.
She's starting to carry Usagi to the stairs when Kenji speaks, looking over her shoulder. "Pfff, like anyone could ever keep away from her forever," Minako replies in a high, dismissive tone. "Though yeah, hugs, lots of hugs."
Stairs are a bit of a challenge because despite being able to lift Usagi easily enough Minako is not Makoto, and right now she's not Venus either. Luckily she's plenty athletic though her heart is certainly beating a bit quickly by the time she reaches the top of the stairs. The second door on the left is carefully remembered and approached because Minako does not feel like accidentally barging in on Shingo or Ikuko right now.
Cue some tricky footwork later and Minako manages to make it through the door without crushing either Usagi or the doughnuts. The door is pushed shut with her foot and Minako takes a curious look around, only to suddenly get a little embarrassed because she didn't actually have a plan what to do once she got here, and she's still carrying Usagi.
"Not quite ready to be put down?" she finally asks in a sympathetic voice.
And Kenji is just a hapless bystander, more or less. He hovers behind Minako on the stairs, making sure neither girl plummet to potential doom. At the top the the stairs, he makes his way into his own room, face first on a pillow because man his daughter's life is...interesting.
In her room, Usagi shakes her head th ebest she can. "No." It probably sounds a little petulant, very teary, and very much adamant.
A sniffle later, she adds to it. "I don't want you to dissapear again."
At that Minako carries Usagi over to her bed to sit because as good and healthy as it is to feel the burn it isn't healthy at all to feel the rubbery collapse. She settles in with Usagi in her lap, unless the moonbunny wishes to slide off and sit beside her, and sets the doughnuts somewhere within reach but out of the way and clear of squashing.
"Usagi-chan... I'm sorry I left on such little notice. I know I told you that we'd stick together, but there was a lot I had to work out about myself." The Youma and Dark Kingdom remnants were the larger reason for actually leaving, but saying something like that right now feels like it'd only be an excuse.
She then takes in a deep breath and lets it out as a sigh, "I know you don't, and I don't want to disappear again either."
Luna opens her eyes and blearily looks around for a moment. Not seeing a white cat anywhere around, she curls back up to enjoy her rudely interupted nap.
"No, no, I know, I know."And of course, she's still on Minako the best she could be, wiping at her either dry or damp cheeks, either way so she's not wiping at her own (damp) cheeks.
Her feet are over the side of the bed, still in those lacy socks meant for her schooltime mary janes, all innocence and school girl.
"I think I always felt Venus before, you know, but I think I was really confused because I think I feel Minako. And I was just--I'm just--so happy."
Now she does slide off Minako, pretty sure the other girl won't run away, and doughy distraction has never before been so welcome. "Bunny donuts!"
Luna would get a fingerwave if she were more awake, but Minako has enough experience with mooncats to know how annoyed they get by having their mooncatnaps (is that even a word?) interrupted and since Luna isn't Artemis she's not willing to flagrantly ignore that annoyance to disturb her.
Usagi slides off of her and Minako has the presence of mind to keep one arm around her shoulder, leaning with Usagi and giving her a squeeze when she finds the doughnuts. "That's right! And they're just as full of sugary sweet goodness on the inside as you are."
Minako quiets and gets thoughtful for a few moments before smiling to herself, "Is that any big surprise? I am Venus, Usagi-chan, just as much as I'm Minako." Sometimes it even feels like she's more Venus than Minako.
Something occurs to her as it sinks in what Usagi being able to feel her might mean and suddenly she's all excited and energetic, "Hey, Usagi-chan! What flavor am I? Cream Soda? Mr Pibb? Squirt? Oh! That's gotta be it, I bet I'm Squirt."
Luna would probably give Minako a Very Judgemental Eye, but that's about it. And if you ask her, mooncatnap is a very important word.
Usagi preens and gives an 'eeheehee' at the sugary comparison as she scoots and maneuvers better on the bed for donut noms.
Chom! Nom!
She hums and she chews and then swallows. "Yeah, but, now I feel Minako. Same Venus, more Minako. See?" She holds up the container in an offer, her cheeks chipmunked with the pastry she just stuffed in.
And then she's wrinkling her nose and giggling! "See, if I went with Mr. Pibb it woulda made more sense to people, but it's still not quite right! Maybe I shoulda gone with chocolate!"
But the question's been asked, so Usa leans forward and there's a quick LICK of her tongue agianst Minako's cheek. "Hmmm! Squirt, maybe, or maybe you're Surge!"
Minako reaches in and snags a couple bunny doughnuts for herself when they're offered to her. She thinks for a bit longer on Usagi's words before giving an embarrassed shake of her head, "Not really. I think it'll be a long time before I'm as much an expert at feelsies as you are, Usagi-chan."
Then the blonde looks at Usagi and gives her a confused look, "What's not to get? One's the real thing and another's an obvious cheap knockoff." She closes her eyes and shrugs her shoulders while shaking her head, "I just think she's even more of a knockoff than you do."
Her eyes are still closed when Usagi licks her cheek, and she simultaneously flails her arms and goes very red in the face. "U-usagi-chan!" Her head then immediately snaps to Luna with narrowed eyes, "Hey! You! What the heck have you been teaching her?!"
Usagi gives a pleased blush. "Well, either way."
And then she flaps her arms out! "Ug thank you! I dn't think people got it! That's why I volunteered like I did, that and your leadership thing! I gotta know why!" Then she pokes Minako! "Hey, she's knock-off and feels flat!"
Then she seeks the safety of her pillow, giggling deviously from behind it! Luna lifts her head and sighs, still a bit bleary. "Not that, I can assure you. She seems to have gotten more that way since she because smoochy with more than Mamo-kun."
Minako looks perturbed, "I understand what you were trying to do, but it should never be you that makes an offer like that, Usagi-chan. Even if your heart is in the right place I really can't condone that. We don't even know what her taking energy from you might mean; what if it turned you into an armored zombie? I'm glad she didn't take you up on that, because I'd have had to step in." And if Venus stepped in to prevent draining the step would probably be a very long one with a shout of 'Sailor Venus Kick'. She does let out a snort at the mention of Earth being a flat knockoff, "What's the point without the fizz anyway?"
She really doesn't seem to know quite what to make of Usagi's devious giggles, and she nods along with Luna's words. "Oh yeah, that might-- wait what!? When did this happen? With who?"
Minako's head turns quickly between Usagi and Luna, her expression a mix of shock and giddy gossip-mongering.
"But no, see. The only person she had a nickname for is me. And I'm not saying I'm completely safe, but if she does find me for things, I'll totally let everyone know by pressing my communicator."
She scrunches up her nose. "Still...right? Mamo-chan always tastes better, even on his worst day."
And then there is blushing! "Well see...I'm um...sorta also dating Rei."
"I'd be careful around her if I was you, Usagi-chan." Minako's expression goes firm and serious for a moment, "Remember what she was saying, that the Earth and the Moon have a special relationship? That may be true, but it's obvious that girl is unstable has dangerous ideas. She thinks we should belong to her instead of to you. She might think you belong to her too, and that's not something I'm willing to put up with."
When it comes to Mamoru being the better tasting soda Minako agrees, "I certainly prefer his packaging and advertising campaign."
Usagi and Rei are dating? Huuuuuuh. Minako takes a few seconds to process that before squealing and hugging onto Usagi, swinging her from side to side, "Usagi-chan, you little minx! You really caught yourself a looker, didn't you?" One hand goes to her chin and starts rubbing it back and forth in a very conspiratorial fashion, "You know Christmas is coming up. Have you thought about what you're going to get her? I'm sure she'd be happy with anything but I bet you could knock her dead with the right gift."
Minako never got to interfere that much in Usagi's relationship with Mamoru because of all the dangers surrounding it and her confrontational attitude at the time, but this? "Uhuhuhuhu..!" Minako's eyes narrow slightly and fix upon Usagi with an evil, dangerous glint in them. "Tell me everything!"
"I know, she--she called you guys traitors. And said all that mean stuff about Mamo-chan." Her lip curl is probably the closest to disgust she'll get. "But she wasn't lying, Minako. There's a connection, no matter how offbrand it is. Why is it there? Did someone put it there? Could someone do that again in the future? It doesn't feel horrble by itself, but if someone did do that, I just feel...icky."
And then se's blushing! Oh my! "I very much prefer his packaging. Oh yes. And, um, advertising, yea, that too."
And then there are some squeals and giggles and hugs1 Very much girl things! "I don't know what to get her! Or Mamo-chan, for that matter! I wanna get them both something good..."
She rubs her chin in thought, but then she's blushing again! And almost hiding her face behind a pillow. "It just...I mean, it just sort of happened! Mamo-chan knows, of course. Rei knows about Mamo-chan, obviously."
She sighs and flops on her back. "I'd have thought we'd go together like oil and vinegar a year ago! But nope! Oh wait, oil and vinegar do. What is it again? Oil and milk?"