"Hinote-san, are you okay!?" asks the person just off to stage right. There's a small group of Seishou's Drama Club here today. The person standing to the right has a thick binder. He's flipping pages. "You forgot half the words in this act."
Hinote is clad in some sort of ridicolous black costume armor for the dress rehersal. It makes him look like a comically evil goofy villian. "Yeah. I'm okay. I just have a lot on my mind.. and it's late." he says with the best faux happy demeanor he can. "Can we just call it a day? I'm kind of wore out." he admits.
"Yeah it is late." says the boy off stage. "Alright, everyone, go home. Hinote, do you need help getting out of the costume?" Hinote shakes his head. People leave off-- leaving Hinote on the stage alone. His demeanor kind of changes as he begins taking off costume pieces and dropping them to the ground without much care for the costume. He seems tired and upset and frustrated all at once. He picks up the pieces of the costume and moves towards the box.
"...don't even know why I'm bothering with it at this rate." he says outloud.
He needed someone to help close up shop when this is done. A key was needed for this.
Suzuki's been tasked with this. It really, only should, take a moment.
The helper, Suzuki Natsume! She was still... not entirely acting normal, still working at finding herself, but she was also beginning to help people closer to normal levels again. Which is why she was here at the rehearsal.
She sat quietly in the stands as she watched and listened to it. She was mostly here because she'd been given the keys to help close up shop and if they needed help figuring out where to put things! Another thing she really didn't understand why they didn't get someone from the drama club, but she figured they were busy with their own rehearsals. Or just taking advantage of her.
As everyone takes their leave, Suzuki offers small bows of her head and soft 'konbanwa's towards them, along with general wishes of getting home safely. Soon, it was just her and Hinote!
Slowly, she began to make her way up to the stage and begin to help put things away. "You seem a bit upset today, Kagari-san. Are you alright?" Suzuki asks quietly.
Hinote Kagari manages a smile at Suzuki. It feels a little forced. "I'm just thinking things over." he admits. "Wondering where I'm going. Doing. Lots of stuff like that." he says. "Wondering if I should quit the clubs I'm in so I can devote more time to doing things for someone important to me." he says, a little miserably. "Even though I know that someone wouldn't want me to do that for them."
As he talks he looks back over the auditorium. The furthest rows seeped in darkness as not all the lights are on. "And besides. I'd be asked a lot of hard questions from my dad about why I quit drama club. Ones I can't really answer." he says.
Then he blinks, and squints into the darkness. Did something just... waver. or move. back there? He does reach into his pocket and thumbs over the gem of a braclet in his pocket. Stone cold.
He jumps down off the stage and begins taking a few steps forward up the center aisle. "Hey.. did you see that too?" he asks back at Suzuki. "Hey, is anyone back there?" he calls to the back.
"I see, your mind is on difficult questions. That explains it." Suzuki responds softly, carefully putting something in one of the boxes. "Hmm. You sound a bit miserable as you talk about leaving the clubs ... it sounds like you don't want to. I'm sure your friend will understand -- you do have to do things for yourself, after all. Otherwise things become less... meaningful. It becomes less a favor for someone important, and a job." Suzuki responds simply.
A dark room, however, was not a problem for Verdrehen Sturm, which was hanging from Suzuki's wrist as usual. Still, for now, things are quiet. "...Yeah... not wanting to answer tough questions from your parent can be the most difficult thing in the world. I've had to answer a few of those in my day, like when I came home with a t-shirt and shorts the other day." She says, wrinkling her nose. "Anyway, that's beside... the..." She pauses.
She glances towards the darkness. She had definitely seen movement. She looks down towards her Device. She was just in here with Hinote. One more person wouldn't hurt if they knew, right? And then her device basically decides that for her.
<GEFAHR IST HIER.>
The ping just before the device speaks achoes through the room, and Suzuki glances down towards Hinote. "...Get back here." She says simply towards him. "...And don't panic over what you see." She lifts her hand, bringing Verdrehen Sturm to her lips. "Verdrehen Sturm. Set Up."
<JAWOHL>
Suddenly, a green ilght consumes Suzuki, and her clothing... well, explodes from her! Into motes of energy that simply disappear, immediately underneath there seemed to be a new outfit, and a pair of metallic boots appear on her feet. She holds her hand out, and Verdrehen Sturm detaches from her bracelet, turning into a fully-sized Device, finishing the transformation into Storm Knight. "It's dangerous."
Hinote Kagari is walking towards the back, but he stops when Suzuki asks him too---and when a suddenly familar tone of voice echoes from Suzuki's location in german. The look he gives Suzuki isn't one of panic, or fear. Maybe a close between amazed and concerned. There's suddenly thoughts racing in his head. All of them bad and causing him to panic inside for other reasons besides 'there might be a monster in the room'. No Suzuki... please Suzuki. Don't.... be magical. /please/. He's telling himself. /please don't transform/. I don't want to have to.....
The thought cuts halfway out because Suzuki finished transforming. There's really nothing he can think. He just turns back to the darkness. Something jumps out. Originally, it was heading for Hinote. But with Suzuiki's transformation, it leaps into the air over Hinote-- towards her. It senses her power. It wants to take it away. The beast seems to be a cross between a feral dog, with porcupine quills, made out of a mass of black energy. It doesn't appear particuarly intelligent as it roars out toward's the Storm Knight.
Nrg--- he doesn't want to do this. He wants to pretend he isn't magical. He wants to run away. He wants to pretend he just didn't see someone he likes get attacked by--some sort of fricken porcudog or whatever! He doesn't want to be Suzuki's enermy when this is done.
He pulls out his right arm from his pocket finally. It has a very ornate, old, ancient braclet on it with a redish-orange gem. It doesn't talk to him.
"To protect justice....I'm Guardian Hino...!" he says. He slams his hand into the ground and a ring of fire erupts around him. When he stands up. He has a new hair color... armor... a cape... a sword.
"IGNITION!" he calls out as he fires a firebolt from his armored palm at the bizzare black creature. He's hoping to catch the thing mid leap. He doesn't. It's still leaping toward's the Storm Knight. "Nrg....!!!"
Unfortunately, Suzuki was doing the opposite of Hinote's decision. She was magical. She was transforming! She was also... not really all of that powerful or radiant, to be honest. She's a novice, and didn't know how to entirely properly channel her energy -- in fact, her device did most of it, instead. As the thing leaps towards her, she calmly watches it.
Her Naginata is lifted carefully, though ... she's briefly distracted, as Hinote proved to be magical as well, a rapid transformation that turned him into Guardian Hino! ... "...I see." Storm Knight says softly, that's her only comment on him turning out to be magical. As the fire is sent flying towards the porcu-wolf, the naginata is shifted carefully. She braces the naginata against the ground. "Verdrehen Sturm."
<VERSTRBUNGEN SPEER.>
The blade of the spear suddenly elongates, braced against the monster's leap like a spear against the charge. Finishing this appearance, Suzuki's other hand lifted.
<PANZERSHILD>
That lifted hand calmly creates a radiating shield from Suzuki's hand, simply ... waiting for the monster to impact. Hopefully onto the tip of her blade. It was mid-air, so it couldn't change its trajectory, right?
Guardian Hino missed with his last attack. He now realizes that a better portion of his battles have been outside. Not inside. While the Auditorium is open--- he wonders if using the brunt of his fire-aligned powers might light the auditorium on fire--though-- his magic fire hasn't really burned down anything yet. He pulls out his sword from it's place hanging off his waist.
The monster isn't able to change trajectory, and impacts the Storm Knight's blade. It lets out some sort of unearthly howl-- until it turns into some sort of black smoke-- and reforms itself at the shadows at the back of the stage. Though, with the appearance of Guardian Hino- it sees two potential targets now.
So now it's charging at him, leaping off the stage, but continuing it's run toward's him.
Hino raises his sword, as flames begin to dance around it. He brings his sword tip to the ground in a solid swing, and leaves a firey slice in it's wake. This hits the creature back into the direction of the Storm Knight in a firey blaze as Guardian Hino keeps his sword raised.
"Finish it, Suzuki." he calls out.
Really, the fire... seemed to be a bad idea, yeah! But Storm Knight didn't comment on it, simply keeping an eye on it now and then. Okay, nothing seemed to be lightly anything on fire. That's good. What wasn't good, was the fact that the monster was turning into black energy and disappearing -- moving elsewhere! And then... it was running for Hinote!
However, he seemed to have it in hand as well, unleashing a fiery slash towards the monster! Which sent it flying back her way. Really, it was like magical form of ping-pong at this point! Okay, not really. Regardless, however, Suzuki lifts her Naginata in simple response. "I'll try."
<SCHLAG>
Lightning crackles over the length of her Naginata's blade, which was moved into a ready stance -- this time not steadying it. She was readying for a slash. That crackling blade is swiped through the air, attempting to cut through the center of that monster, the lightning-filled blade leaving its crackling energy in its wake! Either way, it would likely cut /through/ instead of sending it flying back towards Hinote! She lowers her Naginata, stepping to the side and turning to follow the trajectory of the monster and keep it in front of her. Please be defeated please be defeated.
Lighting crackles, and the electric wake is sent into the monster. It howls out in a painful rage. Takashi's Retriever turns into motes of black and dispates from the attack. This one didn't seem particularly powerful. Something brought it here- most likely either Hino's or Storm Knight's transformation items. It probably wanted to take them back to it's master. Not that Hino or the Storm Knight know that.
When it's clear things are-- silent again. Hino points his sword downwards to the floor. He doesn't put it back in it's scabbard hanging from his waist. There's quiet in the air-- Hino doesn't let it get awkwardly quiet though. He talks.
"......I've seen things like what you weild before. Do you work for Miss White or Mr. Black?" he asks with a questioning, curious tone. Suzuki can't work for jerks like that. Can she?
He frowns a little. "This isn't. A very good postion I'm in right now." he adds.
It was ... dispatched. Well, that was easier than... most things she'd encountered so far. Storm Knight keeps her naginata held up for a while yet, her gaze slowly shifting around as she scanned the room for any other enemies. "Hmm..." NOthing was showing up, perhaps it was just that? She slowly lowers her naginata finally, her gaze shifting back towards Hinote only after she was completely sure the danger was passed.
"Miss White? No. I don't work for her, and I've never even heard of Mister Black." Storm Knight turns towards Guardian Hino, beginning to slowly walk towards him as she watches him. She slowly tilts her head a bit as she watches him. "I'm not entirely sure how it's not, though this does... somewhat explain some of those questions you asked me when we first met." Storm Knight lowers her hand, as her Barrier Jacket dispels, returning her clothing back to normal as she shifts down to sit on the edge of the stage, watching Hino a few moments. "...But please, explain."
Guardian Hino holds back thoughts in his head as Suzuki drops the barrier jacket. She's untransformed. You're still Transformed. You can cut her down right now, take her energy. It would be easy. Wouldn't it? No. NO! /NO!/. It's clear he's beating back something in his head as he closes his eyes. He drops his transformation because the tempation is very real. The braclet stays on his wrist though. Though, dry wit comes through in the end.
"I guess... it's kind of silly. To want to play the part of a dashing knight.... when you actually are one." he says. A lighter tone. It makes him feel a little better.
He looks down a bit. "Maybe. Two months ago. I met a Princess. I didn't know that at first. It's my nature to try to help people. She seemed- so lost. and sad. and dour. She became a friend fast. But that's when. The bizzare stuff started happening. Witches. Demons. I saved her from things like that. I mean. Before. The whole knight thing." he says.
"She gave me a chance to be a real hero. But really. Even when I'm the hero. I'm still the villian." he says a little dourly himself.
"It's why... I really wish. I didn't see what went on just now." he says looking down a little.
It would totally be easy! Theoretically! You could attack the person with martial training with a sword, it would totally go well and she wouldn't henshin before you could do much! Then again, this is Suzuki we're talking about. She'd probably not even want to fight him. Regardless, she tilts her head.
"I'm assuming you're talking about the Guardian Hino then, with that comment." She murmurs in response, one leg shifting up to casually and lazily rest on the edge of the stage, while the other shifts so that she's not doing something lewd, due to the fact she's wearing her school uniform.
"...Mmm. A princess... and a friend. You helped her, and then stuff started happening." She muses a bit. "Oddly similar, though I didn't meet a princess, I got a lucky charm that start speaking in a very scary and angry-sounding language." She says, glancing at the charm now on her bracelet. Her gaze returns towards Hinote.
"Before you got powers, you were saving her from witches and demons? ... And here you seemed to be ... not exactly the best person in the world at kendo. That's an honest surprise. Were you only pretending?" She asks curiously. The last few sentences out of Hinote's voice gets a silent gaze; one could almost feel the air shift.
Suzuki's gaze watched Hinote more carefully now, those impassive eyes watching, almost as if she were staring through him. "I suggest starting from the beginning on why you'd say something along those lines, being the villain. You did not act like a villain just moments ago, so I'm going to assume there's some sort of misunderstanding."
Hinote Kagari frowns. "I... took up Kendo. To train. So I could better serve my friend. But. It seems. When I'm the Knight. Things just come to me. Sword fighting... magic... that kind of thing. The training helps it a little." he says softly. He smirks. "I more just kind of crassly pushed her out of the way of dangerous things and didn't get hit by the attacks because I was lucky." he smirks.
He closes his eyes. "I can't tell you the reasons why." he says. "All I can tell you. Is that I need to collect energy--- or items of power. If I don't. Something really bad is going to happen. And I need to get this energy anyway I can. Even if it means--- fighting the other protectors of Tokyo. I don't have a generous time table for this." he says.
"It's why I said I probably won't be around to even see the show through." he says with a sigh.
'Serve'. Well, he was serving a princess. As a knight. Interesting. She watches HInote quietly as he talks, taking in his body language and his words. "I see. So it's similar to when I henshin; things come to me more naturally." She says, her arms staying more or less relaxed at this point. She either didn't consider Hinote a threat, or didn't think he'd attack her.
"Not telling the reason why is a foolish thing... it leads to misunderstandings and poor assumptions when you leave it so vague. If I was someone without any power, sure, then I could maybe understand not telling the reason why, I simply would not understand it." Suzuki says softly, musing a few moments. "However, the last person to tell me that she wouldn't tell me her reasons was Miss White." Suzuki leans forward slightly.
"From how you mentioned Miss White, however, I'm going to assume your opinion of her isn't particularly high. Which means you're probably not on the exact same side as her." Suzuki gives a soft exhale, her other leg being slowly lifted up, her arms wrapped around her knees. "...Something really bad, hm?" Suzuki murmurs softly, leaning forward to rest her chin on her knees, watching Hinote. "How well do you know the person telling you to gather the energy? Are you entirely certain that she's trustworthy? That she's not manipulating you to help her do something really bad, herself?" Her tone was genuinely worried, honestly. But she had just questioned Hinote's friend! "I would consider your answer thoroughly, because it could mean the difference between saving a world and condemning it." Suzuki says, slowly standing up. "...Just how bad are we talking, if she /is/ telling the truth?"
Hinote Kagari frowns and closes his eyes. He takes a deep breath and reopens. "Because. If you knew the reason why. It could be dangerous if the wrong people found out. People like Miss White." he says. "I know the reason why. I've seen the reason why with my own two eyes." he says. "....and I trust.... my princess. Explicity. She doesn't want to do it either. It's why... I... we promise. To do what we can to help. Why I couldn't just let you handle that thing by yourself and just pretend like I couldn't help. Why I'm not going to stop fighting... Witches and Monsters and People like Miss White." he says. "That she stresses that it's important we handle threats like that. To not put innocent people in danger, Before becoming... a bandit." he says. His tone's sincere, as he can be right at this moment.
"I'm going to do my best.... so she can feel safe again. So she can smile again."
"But really. She's probably going to worry that someone knows who I am now. But I didn't really have a choice in today's matter. I couldn't just.. let you fight that thing alone." he says a little guiltily.
"And gathering energy from those things is nonviable?" Suzuki asks simply in return to Hinote, carefully hopping down off of the stage. "Many of them fade quickly, but does it require too much time or something to drain them, or is it more an issue of ... the potential corruption that they hold?" Suzuki asks, stepping closer to Hinote, watching him quietly for a very long time. "Frankly, I'm certain that there's several people who would give it up willingly." Suzuki says softly, her eyes half-lidding as she thinks on it.
"...I will honestly think on it, but to be completely frank with you..." Suzuki's eyes open fully, intent on meeting Hinote's eyes directly. "That would put me in a very vulnerable position if I allowed you to do such. And I have met you a total of three times directly now. I do not dislike you, but I have not been around you enough to breed that sort of trust just yet." Suzuki slowly bows her head.
"You do not have to worry about me knowing you though. Because, among other things, you know me. And if I revealed you, you could always reveal me to one of those who would be less benign." Suuki's head raises slightly. "...Still. I am not in the habit of revealing others' secrets. So you will not have to worry about it." She pauses. "...You could have probably let me fight it alone. It seemed weak compared to the others; that you DID help me speaks greatly of your integrity. However, regardless of the ultimate outcome of this conversation, we should probably close up before someone wonders what we're doing in here since we're in here far longer than we would have to be otherwise."
Hinote Kagari closes his eyes. "The Princess said someone did already. The person said the deal was... he'd let her drain him every so often--- as long as someone named Sailor Moon was off limits- but said that while she could honor the deal--- she doesn't control the actions of her Guardian Knights. That We are not her servants subject to her every beck and call- that we are her friends." he says. "I've chosen to honor that as much as I can. I do not wish to ruin The Princess's deal. Guarnteed energy, is better than none." he says.
He opens his eyes again. "...Yes. You could had. I felt silly when I realized I was cutting through it like butter with the flame. And things like. That being. And Mister Black--- they're all corruptive energy. It's useless for the purposes we need the energy for. Really. It'd make the problems worse." he admits.
She says she'll think on it? He wasn't... even asking. His look softens a lot. "To... have you even consider it. Without me even asking, Is an honor Suzuki. If.. if you ever need help. Dealing with anything... fighting something. Protecting something- anything. Call me. I'll do my best."
Then.. "Right. Let's get out of here." he says as he begins to turn around. "I should get home anyways." he admits in that sheepish Hinote way. Yeah. He's feeling a little better now about what just happened.