>>5022719
Indy circle comics featuring adult content versions of several popular shows and games over the past few years for sure, though from your knowledge of the info on the spines mostly vanilla if not for the shoujo ai and shounen ai. Besides that were some more mainstream officially published works of some niche interest, upsettingly niche but you won’t begrudge your awkward friend’s predilections.

All in all, nothing really unexpected, given the titles. Rather on brand for Saori all things considered, besides the things she shoved out of the way at least.

Another matter close to your thoughts does manage to rear itself up at least in Akiyama’s presence as you disengage from your silent investigation. The fashion prodigy is, at least professionally, close to your ganguro fashion circle friend and student council president Nui Takeda...though you are uncertain if the girl is known to her under her real name.

“Hey, Akiyama-san, speaking about your next show,” you begin grabbing the girl’s attention away from the restraining of a monstrous transformation on screen, “Have you spoken to Teal recently?”

Idly while she composes her answer you slip out your phone and send out a few specific group texts inquiring if anyone would be willing to swing by Umeki-san’s after school with further snacks and to hang out. You know, rather than anything else more serious.

You’ve got the four rogue shadow girls in a safe house, and are already planning your to be faked public defeat of them to infiltrate the enemy. You’ve got a general lock on the imminent enemy action by Amazonite that's going to happen at the AIBA Youth Boxing Tournament next week. Why not get everyone to be a little more irresponsible with their time to relax like you have?

She pauses and turns to look at you, an eyebrow raised at your inquiry and a measure of curiosity in her eyes.

“I have,” she says simply before humming to herself, “She said she was having a bit of familial drama and wanted to use her real name in the listing; though she didn’t go into near as much detail,”

A sudden widening of the eyes hits Akiyama as she turns more fully from her long and arduous work on Saori’s now admittedly gorgeous looking hair and is no longer sitting on the edge of the bed, but kneeling on it and leaning toward you inquisitively.

“Do you, perhaps, know much about Takeda-san?” she asks pointedly using the girls real family name.

There is a demand and hunger in those eyes, hunger for something that stokes her passion in a way you’ve only witnessed in regard to clothes and the wellbeing of her previously missing and magically forgotten friends...but now that fervor is applied to the most dangerous force you can imagine among your age cohort.

Gossip.

>Feign ignorance of the drama’s details
>You know, but you aren’t comfortable being pressed
>All you know is arranged marriage drama
>All you know is relationship drama
>Dish the drama
>Write in

Glad to see this back. Don't know what I would vote for here if I'm being honest.

>>5022723
>>Dish the drama

>>5022774
Similar boat here. Glad to see it! Had to ponder on the vote for awhile.

>>5022723
>>You know, but you aren’t comfortable being pressed
Be a little cagey, Akiyama would be a valuable ally, and it seems Teal is working an angle, but not sure how much to share..
(And then Saori probably spills all)

>>5022723
>>5022821

I feel we could maybe explain something without going into too much detail. Like:

>"Her family is very traditional and it is currently coming to a head the plans they have for her vs. the plans she has for herself." Or something like that.

>>5022929
Anon, do you think perhaps you’ve wandered into the wrong thread? Or posted something in the wrong thread? Or are trying to reply to someone else in the wrong thread.

While you’re here. Please at least cast your vote.

>>5022936
Think it's a drive-by random pamphlet poster.
Though I am amused at it popping up while I was at the end of Boondock Saints.

>>5022952
Well the least they could do is also participate. Whatever I’m already satisfied with my service provider

Also, anons. I’m deadlocked on three votes for far longer than I was expecting to be and hoped drive by Sermon anon would at least break the tie.

>>5023022
I'm fine with >>5022828

>>5022723
>Feign ignorance of the drama’s details

Writing

“Well, just that...you know her family is very traditional,” you offer to the girl in front of you who mulls the matter over as though savoring the bouquet of a fine wine.

“Yes,” she responds carefully, if probingly, “The Takedas are an old family of local importances. Traditional enough to take issue with my current work and line,”

“Which might be why she wants to model under her real name...It’s a bit complicated but they made plans for her future that conflict with her plans for her future,” you explain, “And that’s all I can really say about why this is all coming to a head now,”

Akiyama is silent a moment as she mulls this over in her head.

“Its cunning of her to try and leverage her involvement in my project but that puts a negative attention on me that I might not be able to abide...still I greatly respect Teal...I’ll have to be more direct about what’s going on with her is all,” she sighs and flops back across Saori’s bed to look back at the screen and you do as well.

Where you find Saori Umeki not looking at the screen but propped up on her elbows at the end of her own bed looking at the two of you with a decided scrutiny and a crooked smile peeling across her features.

The two of you return blank and suddenly concerned looks at Saori Umeki, who in the burning light of the screen behind her and the otherwise darkness of the room looks like something out of a creepy horror movie. If only for the framing, position, and dark bags under her eyes.

Only her currently beautiful hair breaks the illusion.

“Good lord I needed all of this,” she sighs at the two of you and her eyes begin to water a bit, “You know what all of this has made me realize?”

“What’s that, Umeki-san?” Akiyama asks in a worried uncertainty.

“I can adapt...I don’t need to worry about being too normal. I can get more normal but I’ll still be me when it matters!” the girl bolts upright and hugs both you and Akiyama.

“What are you talking about? Is this the whole get back in touch with yourself thing?” Akiyama inquires, still worried while you reach a hand forward and pat the willowy girl on the back.

“She’s working through some things,” you explain, “So, what sparked this realization, Saori-chan?”

She sniffles a moment.

“I finally ran WILD with Takeda-san’s drama while you were clipping it down to Akiyama-san!” she breaks the hug and the tears and reels back in laughter, “With this new understanding of myself, I WILL BE UNSTOPPABLE!”

Akiyama looks confused and horrified.

Your phone chimes, Kairi-chan is busy after class with some of the support group stuff she was organizing and then meeting with her mom, Sasha is already busy with his own observations and classwork. Midori and Keiko can come over with snacks. And though not in your immediate team of people in the know, your recently declared friend Mio Nomura noted she was busy with Kairi-chan’s support group.

>>5023198

“She’s not stopping,” Akiyama whispers to you as the laughter continues and you flip through your phone messages.

You could have messaged Yoshi...but you know well that he’s presently grounded.

“No, she’s not. Hold on, I can fix this,” you explain, rising up from the bed and lightly bapping Saori Umeki on the head.

She recoils, and the laughter does stop, but she looks at you still grinning.

“I’m good,” she explains.

“That’s good, because I have Midori and Keiko coming over with more snacks,” you explain, “And we’ve got more of this game to get through,”

With Midori Mori and Keiko Sugimoto coming over you’ve a choice to make. This could continue to be a normal hangout, or you could encourage Akiyama that you’ve got things settled with Saori and she doesn’t need to miss anymore of her classes and work. Or, do you even want to talk shop with Midori and Keiko later as well?

Maybe it would be nice to keep doing this thing, this mundane and pleasant time with friends.

>Keep this train going, you need more mundane friendships
>Convince Akiyama that you’ve got things handled from here if she needs to get going
>Use Saori’s collection to try and frighten Akiyama into leaving early
>write in


Also, unrelated, but how'd you guys like my very very basic animated OP image?

>>5023199

>Keep this train going, you need more mundane friendships

Honestly, more excuse to have the mane six show up more.


>Also, unrelated, but how'd you guys like my very very basic animated OP image?

Holy shit! I didn't notice that at all at first!

>>5023199
>>Keep this train going, you need more mundane friendships
>>write in
"Well, if any of that unstoppable power comes up with ideas that could help Teal, let us know."

>>5023199
>Also, unrelated,
Was nice, remembered to check it since you mentioned working on one last time.

>>5023199
>>Convince Akiyama that you’ve got things handled from here if she needs to get going

>>5023199
>Keep this train going, you need more mundane friendships

Nice gif

Writing

Well. Here you are. More friends on the way and a decidedly mundane hangout time ahead...well as mundane as lives can be in the periphery of multiple magical attacks and crisises across the city. Between the spider-possessed incident at your school, a Dragon in midtown Tokyo, and the monster attack on Akiyama’s own studio the world and all friendships in it are anything but normal.

Friendship, like everything else these days, may as well be magic.

“Say, Akiyama, what wound up happening with that girl you and your friends were crying over after the monster attack,” you question the normally haughty girl as Saori spins back to the game and trying to provoke the current scenario’s steamy option with dialogue and action choices with the potential lover turned secret monstrous form.

You suspect the wrong choice will result in a bossfight of the game’s combat rpg subsystem.

“She got her life back, we got our memories back, later that night we regained the rest of our missing friends and memories,” she says with a somewhat misty look to her eyes before taking a more resolved tone, “I was told a price was to be paid for their restoration, heh, and it was something I didn’t really hold but it was taken all the same as a kindness,”

“Getting a little philosophical there Akiyama?” Soari questions leaning back against the side of her own bed and looking up at the girl.

“Maybe,” she smiles and places a hand down on the currently curled but willowy and lanky girl’s head, “but it taught me the importance of not judging people based on what they present on the surface and where I found the faceted diamond of your talent and beauty beneath your rough and uncut exterior,”

It amuses you that Red Eyes may be indirectly responsible for Akiyama latching onto Saori as one of her models.

However in this instance you can see the mental arithmetic floating around Saori Umeki’s head based on what Akiyama had just said. You stifle preemptive giggles.

“Are you coming on to me? I’m not saying no, I just need the clarification,” Saori says as Akiyama’s eyes initially go wide before settling in a flat stare.

A stare accompanied by an initially deadpan voice, before settling back into her usual cadence..

“No, Saori, I’m absolutely not coming on to you. Believe me, when I seek to pursue romance or gain someone’s attention I take no half measures,” she assures and then joins you in the laughter slipping past your lips.

“Like when you formed a girl gang?” you question through your own laughter, “To get magical help saving those friends?”

“Yes, exactly!” she returns in laughter before becoming serious, “How did you hear about that part?”

“I mean the rumors are all over the place,” Saori offers, rather truthfully.

“And I am friends with,” your phone pings and you see you have a reply from Hisako Ito, “@RepostYankee who, speak of the devil, just got back to me,”

Or in this case the wolf.

>>5023696

She’s free to hang out with you at Saori’s and wants to know if its okay to drag her roommate along. Apparently she’s finally coming out of her post monster transformation and rescue doldrums.

Her roommate, Hanako Minami, is a member of the Ganguro Fashion circle you are in under Teal and goes by the nickname Flowers.

You don’t have much of a problem with that.

She too is stopping for snacks.

“Hmph, well my reputation as an upstanding citizen is a small price to pay. Although,” there is a prideful look to her eyes, “that upstanding reputation should be reinforced considering my Primroses and I did participate in the War for the Park,”

“Yeah, your outfits were pretty cool,” Saori agrees and then placates Akiyama’s further surprise, “What, social media is still on fire from all that,”

“Mhmmm, Endymion Lives after all,” you repeat the meme you started.

“Ugh, I still don’t know what that’s all about...but whatever it means it’s a good thing for the Sailor Senshi so I think it must be a great thing!” Akiyama declares.

You and Saori share a look.

“I definitely think it is a great thing,” you reason a bit.

There is a knock at the door.

“Saori-chan...I have more...friends of yours downstairs?” her mother’s voice is completely uncertain and cautious before taking a more serious tone, “One of them also brought notes and the homework assignments you missed from classes,”

“Ugh...I thought you said they were bringing snacks!” Saori exasperates, “I knew I couldn’t dodge doing work...but still,”

“Yeah, it’s a bummer,” you agree, “I gotta do it too,”

“Hmph, well it’s the choice we made all the same,” Akiyama reasons, “No sense in getting cross at having to pay the debts you knew you were to accrue,”

Saori rises, sighs, and goes to the door.

“Thanks mom, you can send them up,” she says to her mother sheepishly through the open portal spilling the harsher and brighter light of the hallway into the space.


There is a brief smile that flashes across her mother’s face, before she leans in through the door frame and flicks on the lightswitch of the room.

“If you’re having so many friends over, you aren’t doing it sitting in the dark,” she explains.

Saori only grumbles as the woman retreats and she follows her downstairs. When she returns she has Keiko, Midori, Hisako, and Hanako in tow.

>>5023699

Greetings are shared with Akiyama by Hanako and Midori for their previous meetings. Downstairs Saori had been introduced by Hisako to Hanako. Hanako and Midori are definitely still in an awkward state with one another, and Hanako is definitely still being awkward with you after initial greetings and the distribution of snacks. Hisako and Keiko are properly introduced to Akiyama. And you’re greeted and greet familiarly with everyone in turn and things are just...a chance to hang out as you get everyone caught up with the game you, Saori, and Akiyama are cooperatively playing.

Keiko & Midori join the growing congregation sitting on the bed. Hanako hangs back near the door. Hisako joins Saori on the floor to hear her take on this game while she cracks open a can of something.

You suspect Hanako is definitely still rattled by her behavior leading up to her getting turned into a dragon briefly. And the false pretense fall out with the rest of the fashion circle.

>Chat with Midori about Hanako
>You and Midori need to pull Hanako aside
>Wait, that smell, Hisako has beer? J'accuse!
>You need to talk to Hanako
>Focus on influencing Saori’s choices in the game
>Press Akiyama for more details about the Primroses and outfits? Feign ignorance where needed
>Write in

>>5023702
>>You and Midori need to pull Hanako aside

>>5023702
>>You need to talk to Hanako
>>Write in
Need to get her over the first hurtle, get her to relax, and let her know no one here is has or will have any issue with her over what happened.
Literally everyone here knows someone that has gone through similar, our best isn't here because she leads the local support group for it.

>>5023702
>You and Midori need to pull Hanako aside

Best to clear the air now.

>>5023726
I'm ok with us and Midori as well, the important part is the message.

Ah, always glad to see an Eclipsed Moon thread!

>>5023199
Also, unrelated, but how'd you guys like my very very basic animated OP image?


I didn't notice it was animated at first! It's cool, simple, but in a no frills, speaks for itself way.

>>5023696
>Friendship, like everything else these days, may as well be magic.
>What you did there
> I see it

>>5023702
I'll go with
>>5023726
>>5023727
No thoughts on having Midori either way

>>5024049
>>Friendship, like everything else these days, may as well be magic.
>>What you did there
>> I see it

And that explains why Akiyama is not interested in Saori. Her friend Kouki's younger, adopted brother probably already has a massive crush on her.

>>5024064
I don't think that would impact things, though. She clearly doesn't return his feelings.

Stealing a glance over toward Hanako, the girl actually glances away from you to instead look at the screen with an embarrassed swiftness. Moe Ueda probably spilled the beans on the grand revelation you gave her about your real name after she outed you to Nui.

She likely recognized you by name, probably scrutinizing you to her unease trying to gauge if she could make you as Miki, your long held persona and nickname in Nui’s Ganguro Fashion Circle, before you caught her trying to be investigative.

You feel a bit bad, the last thing you want to do is make her feel unwelcome. I mean, it isn’t your house this impromptu get together is happening at, but…

...but you entirely understand what she must be feeling. After she quit the circle amid the manipulated high of being turned into something she wasn’t, and then later being consumed with magically enhanced jealousy to the point of turning into a dragon by the civilian guise of the Dark General Kalunite...you’ve been worried about her. Honestly you think the last time you saw her was unconscious and draped over Hisako’s shoulders after you, your knights to that point, and the Senshi realized she had managed to follow and keep up with your roof hopping escape.

An action that helped settle into your mind to make Hisako Ito one of your knights.

A glance over to your friend Midori Mori, who does double duty with double identities as Jade of the aforementioned fashion circle and the Jadeite Knight of your own supernaturally inclined secret organization, confirms she is thinking along similar lines as her eyes meet your own from where they were a moment ago set toward Hanako.

You don’t need to be psychic to know that.

Even if you are psychic. Incredibly powerful in your magical psychometric abilities. Scarily powerful. Though here and now is decidedly not the place for them by any stretch of the imagination or foresight. Not even to coordinate and conspire.

Both you and Midori know well what needs to be done, what needs to happen, and how you need to pursue it. Well, maybe you both know. Again, you aren’t trying to press into your Knight’s mind.

Swinging off of the bed turned temporary couch, you cross the small room along with Midori toward Hanako who realizes all too quickly that the two of you are on approach. She looks rather embarrassed and sad, as though she expects a verbal blow to coming for her prior actions.

In tandem, you and Midori put those worries to rest by double teaming the older girl in a tight and worried hug.

“Huh?!” she gasps in surprise, “Jade? Miki?”

“We were worried about you. Teal told me the two of you at least made up after everything but we hadn’t heard a peep from you and I was worried you’d wilted over all this, Flowers,” Midori explains while referencing the girl’s nickname in the fashion circle.

>>5024327

You both pull back from her and Jade.

“I don’t know what you told Nui-senpai, but I know what happened,” you explain with certain ease to the girl’s initial horror, “I just want you to know we don’t want you to feel guilty about what happened, like, at all!”

“And here we go, straight for the jugular and no prisoners,” Midori huffs, “Well I guess it doesn’t serve to beat around it. Its okay, we had an incident at our school with mass possession not too long ago and I’ve seen how that stuff can get inside someone’s head,”

“Don’t forget that meeting at Akiyama’s,” you posit, “With the purple girl and the horse faced thing,”

“Or Venus Aino’s album launch,” grouses Midori.

“And the Sundae girl at the Crown Arcade,” you continue ticking off recent events on your hand.

“And the attack on me before that,” sighs Keiko Sugimoto from the otherside of the room as she had been paying attention out of her own interest in proceedings, “If we’re listing stuff that’s happened to our around us,”

There is a tense quiet that settles in the room as a certain amount of worry fills the minds of those there who are in the know. And a moment of quiet reframe from the two who don’t know certain things.

Hisako, breaking the silence, takes a long slurping drag from the can in her hand that is too tall to be a soda.

“Are we talking about monster stuff? I was one for a few weeks. It suuuuuucked,” Saori grouses, “I was just me but meeker, dirtier, with claws, and capable of actually being invisible,”

Offering a silent prayer to Saori for just, being Saori, you catch sight of Hanako looking a bit embarrassed. The college girl tugs at the hem of her sweater with one hand while the other scratches at the pixie cut natural hair in prior times you’ve seen her hidden beneath a blonde wig, and mutters her response.

“-was a dragon,” she lets slip out, “the one over midtown,”

“This town, I swear,” Akiyama considers before turning toward Hanako, “Well, I feel amused to have a celebrity collaborating on my ganguro line,”

Hanako goes beat red.

“Hey, none of that. It’s okay. Those things, they just take the worst parts of us magnified and empowered. You aren’t responsible for what happened and you weren’t in your right mind,”

“I’m serious about the Celebrity bit though,” Akiyama considers as Keiko glances back and forth between everyone and the awkward moment.

“I don’t really want to talk about it further,” Hanako admits and sniffles, “I’m just relieved that...that you two don’t hate me. I was scared Nui would hate me too but-”

She doesn’t finish and starts bawling.

>>5024328

You and Midori try to offer her comfort and you even suggest that your bestie outside the fashion circle runs a support group for people who’ve gone through the experience of temporarily being turned into a monster.

The hangout eventually winds down. Through it you mend the bridge with Hanako, develop a closer friendship with Akiyama-san and even spend a bit of time talking about the Fashion show with her, Midori, and Hanako. Keiko takes in the general scene of the space adn flits between conversation groups as they form and disperse. Hisako asked frequent questions about the game and it’s characters, seemingly a little lost as to what was happening to Saori’s frustration. Infrequently, now that the door is open, Saori’s mother occasionally passes by to check on the lot of you. She seemed distinctly happy to see her daughter in the company of friends.

Moments like these; experiences like this...they’re worth cherishing.

Though, like all moments they are eventually fleeting.


Dinner approaches, after school events are probably letting out, and you are at least expected home for dinner at some point.

>Continue hanging out with someone after this impromptu gathering ends, who?
>See if you can meet up with Kairi-chan and see how the day and her support meeting went
>See if you can intercept Yoshi Sakurada on his way home while being grounded
>You are a little worried about Nui-chan, maybe find her afterschool and take her temperature
>You are a little worried about Nui-chan, maybe seek out Daigo Endo to see what he knows
>You should really get home, maybe help dad a bit with dinner
>It might be worth it to go to the Crown Arcade, see what Artemis & Yeon-sek are up to
>Write in

>>5024330
>You should really get home, maybe help dad a bit with dinner

Well, I'm glad that ended well enough. Honestly, I wouldn't mind giving some (more) screen time to Dad, Luna, and Kalyke.

>>5024330
>>You should really get home, maybe help dad a bit with dinner

>>5024330
>>You are a little worried about Nui-chan, maybe find her afterschool and take her temperature
We'd like meddle, but coordinating schemes would be great. Nui has a bunch of friends willing to go to bat for her.xt

>>5024330
>You should really get home, maybe help dad a bit with dinner

>>5024327
>I was worried you’d wilted over all this, Flowers
Nice pun.

>>5024330
>Moments like these; experiences like this...they’re worth cherishing.
Yeah. This is what we fight for.

>See if you can meet up with Kairi-chan and see how the day and her support meeting went
>You are a little worried about Nui-chan, maybe find her afterschool and take her temperature
One of these two.Stay on top of things. Maybe shoot Yoshi a text while we're walking, too, whatever we do. I don't think he lost his phone as part of the grounding, but it's been a while since I read that thread.

Writing

File: Mamoru_Chiba-7851.jpg (190 KB, 765x765)

190 KB JPG

You should really get home, maybe help out dad with dinner. And probably have to explain about your absence today. Then again, you have a new homeroom teacher and friends who may as well cover for you so you’re sure it’s going to be fine.

Bidding everyone farewell you make your way from Saori’s back to your own neighborhood. Keiko and Midori heading back toward Midori’s, Akiyama summoning a cab for herself, and Hisako and Hanako breaking off to go hit a cafe or bar on the way back to their student apartment.

So, you’re otherwise alone and left to your own devices for the walk home. Briefly you consider falling upon Kairi-chan as she leaves the support group she leads or shooting a text to Yoshi...but after the past few days it might be okay to be low contact before you see him again at school. It adds an air of mystery afterall.

“I’m home!” you call out and swap from your shoes into your slippers and cross the living room to the kitchen archway as your father leans over.

From here you can see he’s wearing an apron spattered with a bit of batter, and behind him sitting on the stool before the kitchen island, face and tiny frilly apron also splattered in batter, is the brightly red haired Kalyke looking entirely happy and amused.

She’s still about toddler sized, has she been your father’s little helper in the kitchen today.

“Mikage, welcome home, we’re doing tempura for dinner tonight,” he smiles at you, “It’ll be a bit, we just finished mixing up some batter,”

“I can help out,” you offer and cross the room while putting your bag down, “Is Koyomi home yet?”

“No, she’s still out. She said she was going to spend time meeting up with the girls and Meioh-san’s daughter; to see how she was acclimating,” your father explains setting down a bowl before considering something, “Though she did say she would be home for dinner,”

Mamoru Chiba tucks into a cabinet and passes you another apron, last time you wore it you were making an absolute mess of the kitchen with your mother when the two of you got competitive baking cookies. Another warm memory that seems to settle in your mind.

“So,” your father pulls some flour and a box of tempura flakes down from one of the shelves, “Heard you skipped classes today?”

His voice isn’t scolding or judgemental, but it is even and full of inquiry. He’s not mad...he is just trying to see if he should be disappointed or supportive.


>So, so what you know I do this all the time, play it off flippantly
>Uhhh, I just remembered I have to go start on homework, abandon filial socialization
>Come clean, you were concerned with your spymaster who played hooky and got wrapped up in her entirely mundane chicanery.
>You were doing important work and coordination with your Spymaster, Saori Umeki, you could call her mother but she knows nothing of our secrets
>Look, baby Kalyke is so cute! Behold her cuteness and be unable to be mad at me!
>Write in

Correction *Black hair on Kalyke. I messed up

>>5025342
>You were doing important work and coordination with your Spymaster, Saori Umeki, you could call her mother but she knows nothing of our secrets
>Come clean, you were concerned with your spymaster who played hooky and got wrapped up in her entirely mundane chicanery.
>Look, baby Kalyke is so cute! Behold her cuteness and be unable to be mad at me!

Basically, we kiddingly say we were doing serious business with our spymaster before going in to the full truth and how given the last month to month and a half it was a mental health day for us too. Then try to get off the subject by pointing out Kalyke.

Also, I brought this up with Artemis once, but what do people think of giving her a civilian/Japanese name?

>>5025342
>>Come clean, you were concerned with your spymaster who played hooky and got wrapped up in her entirely mundane chicanery.
>Write in
Ended up helping another friend and making more of a friend out of a previous friendly acquaintance as well.
Time well spent, and missed school work had been acquired.

>>5025342
Yeah, >>5025363 is a good approach. I like the bit about it being a mental health day for us, too. The Mikage of the first 50 threads or so would never have thought of it, and now it sounds natural.

Also, I brought this up with Artemis once, but what do people think of giving her a civilian/Japanese name?
I suppose it’s inevitable. Not sure it has to be an actual Japanese name though, this is anime land after all. You can get away with all sorts of craziness without people batting an eye.

>>5025342
>Come clean, you were concerned with your spymaster who played hooky and got wrapped up in her entirely mundane chicanery.
I’m pretty sure that getting together with friends and helping Hanako get over her worries would count as important work in the Chiba family anyway.

>>5025342
>Come clean, you were concerned with your spymaster who played hooky and got wrapped up in her entirely mundane chicanery.
>Look, baby Kalyke is so cute! Behold her cuteness and be unable to be mad at me!

>>5025342
>>Come clean, you were concerned with your spymaster who played hooky and got wrapped up in her entirely mundane chicanery.

>>5025477
>I suppose it’s inevitable. Not sure it has to be an actual Japanese name though, this is anime land after all. You can get away with all sorts of craziness without people batting an eye.

True but it also would depend, I guess, on how we are playing her off. Is she a distant relative on Mamoru's side that they are adopting? Which, is kind of the truth. Or, are they going to play her off as a kid Mamoru and Usagi had, though that would probably be harder.

Though, I don't necessarily agree that this is anime-land so people won't bat an eye at weird name. There may be monsters running around, enough that people growing up in Juuban are aware of such things, and magic has actually become a subject of research and study in school but it is still Japan. After all, Kanari is getting hit with harassment, if only from one or two sources, given the fact she is half-Japanese. Unless Kalyke has like a darker skin tone or features indicating she is not Japanese (Greek maybe?) it might be better to go with a Japanese name. If only to avoid being conspicuous.

>>5025696
You're not wrong. I'm just not sure how much it matters necessarily. I mean, it depends on how Artemis is doing stuff. Regardless, the characters are smart enough to take that kind of thing into account when picking a name.

>>5025881
Probably doesn't, just something that had popped into my head and didn't know if it was important or not.

>>5026254
Oh, sure, I get you. I have that happen a lot with quests. Fortunately, there's an easy solution; ask the QM if you're overthinking things, or going too in-depth, or whatever.

I mean, far be it from me to accuse anyone of overthinking. I’m running this circus and am in no place to pass judgment even though I think it very hard sometimes about myself and others.

>>5026262
Given I am Art's friend from college, have known him 16 years now, as I'm already writing a little write-up on if i was adapting this quest into anime, I think that is proof that i could ask him and they I put a lot of thought into this thing.

I’ll write tomorrow!

>>5026351
>I'm already writing a little write-up on if i was adapting this quest into anime
Really? Cool!

With a sigh you take the apron from your father and drape it over your head, careful to tuck your tails, before trying it off behind your back.

“It’s a whole thing, hold on,” satisfied with the bow tied off you smooth the apron down and give the small child on the stool next to you a quick lift before setting her back down.

“Take your time,” he says as the two of you get to work on the dredging and battering.

“So, Saori Umeki,” you begin to explain.

“Your Spy,” he nods.

“She was going through some things and I wanted to check up on her,” coming clean is the most straightforward way to present the situation, after what happened with Yoshi the other day you don’t think your father would quite have the patience for you to try a misdirection or even a joke, “She missed a day of school because she was upset to how she was reacting to some things going on, totally normal things but...other people’s relationship drama,”

You explain her freakout in class and her overactive playing hooky by locking herself in her room. Finding Akiyama-san there and her connection to both your exploits and Saori’s own life changes.

“And, while checking up on her it just kind of spiraled. I just wanted to spend time with her and get to know Akiyama-san better and thought it would help get her out of this funk...because I both care about her well being and I need her in the world,” you frown a bit, “no...I don’t need her out in the world for me, I want her out in the world for herself,”

Your father is nodding as you pass him the pieces of meat, vegetable, and shrimp as he employs the wet hand dry hand method to prepare the tempura for frying.

“And, maybe it was nice to take a day slow. After everything else I felt...I felt like I needed space instead of going to class. And it did help her, then after classes let out I dragged more people over and it was nice. I wound up helping another friend, the one who turned into a dragon, feel better and open up about the experience,” you smile, “...it was a full day but also a kind of lazy slacker day, but I got Saori-chan out of her funk!”

He nods again.

“You’ll need to come up with something a bit more nuanced when explaining things to Principal Sakurada,” your father explains, “Because she called me twice. First about your absence, then that she heard about where you were when speaking with your fellow absentee’s mother,”

>>5027019

Out of habit, you pale. However it is quickly shaken off. You weren’t just caught in a gotcha moment, you were straightforward.

“Umeki-san apparently made a strong case that you had managed to drag her daughter out of a hikikomori relapse and was so thankful that the school had paired her with such caring classmates,” your father teases, shaking flakes of flour from his dry hand.

You cannot tell if that woman is on your side or out to get you sometimes.

“Can you check the temp on the oil,” your father asks while cleaning up his hands.

“To temp,” you confirm and the frying begins.

“I’m home!” Koyomi pops through the front door a few minutes later before the scent hits her, “GASP, TEMPURA!”

Her declaration carries her across the living room and into the kitchen.

“GASP! Dad, Mikage-nee! You’re making Tempura!” she exclaims with exuberance and excitement.

“Bu!” declares Kalyke.

“Awww, there’s batter on your apron, did you help too?” your younger sister questions the child.

“She did,” your father explains, “Just let us clean up and we’ll be having dinner shortly,”

As the table is set and plates are made, you spend the meal…

>Asking dad about his day
>Asking Koyomi about her day
>Asking Koyomi about how she’s doing
>Playing with and showering attention on Kalyke
>Write in

>>5027023
>>Playing with and showering attention on Kalyke

>>5027023
>Playing with and showering attention on Kalyke

We must play with our sister-grandmother!

>>5026391
You are too kind. It's really more rather dorky/geeky but I have fun with it.

>>5027023
>>Playing with and showering attention on Kalyke

Even if this wasn't a consensus I would have voted for it anyway.

>>5027023
>Playing with and showering attention on Kalyke
Must play with beby

>>5027023
>You cannot tell if that woman is on your side or out to get you sometimes.
Given things with you and Yoshi, and the fact she taught your mom? Probably both.

> “GASP, TEMPURA!”
Did she say "gasp" out loud? Cuz I could totally see her doing that.

>>5027116
>It's really more rather dorky/geeky but I have fun with it.
Oh, it's definitely that. Cool too, though.

Maybe I should start that Tropes page for this quest one of these days. Never actually done anything on the site but browse before, though.

>>5027023
>>Playing with and showering attention on Kalyke
>>Write in
And in the course of playing with her, move her around asking everyone about their day and playing up every reaction Kalyke has along the way as a conversation.
"..and then we ate lunch-"
*baby cooing*
"Oh yes little Kalyke, that is great time of the day."
*baby laugh*
"Haha, yes she does enjoy it a lot."

>>5027370
>Maybe I should start that Tropes page for this quest one of these days. Never actually done anything on the site but browse before, though.

It's something I always have wanted to do but there are so many tropes I wouldn't know where to start.

>>5027116
You are doing a rather great job with it.

>>5027420
The Magical Girl Trope Index comes to mind. I don't think there are any bad places to do so, though.

My friend’s anime presenting project is in the discord. Dm me on twitter for it if interested

Or you just want to hang on a discord.

Writing.

Probably posting up sometime tomorrow.

>>5027423
Thank you!

Posting tomorrow

You know where to set your attention during the meal, with a soft playful voice and gentle language you provide aid as best you can. Cutting up the crisped vegetables and meats into small enough pieces and helping array them before the youngest at the table.

“That’s right. It's so yummy isn’t it?” you coo over Kalyke in her stool chair.

“She’s so cute!” agrees Koyomi as the dark haired toddler flails at her rice with a spoon while a free hand snatches up a small piece of fried sweet potato, “Ooooo, we’re gonna have to teach her to use chopsticks soon,”

“She really didn’t like my or Luna’s attempts to introduce her to baby food,” your father muses, dipping a small piece of shrimp into sauce.

You cannot resist the allure of squeezing the small child to her laughter. Most of the conversation around you is ignored as you continue to greet this adorableness with aid and attention and babytalk. Well, you don’t ignore your own plate, that’s for sure.

“Well, look at these,” you point out that the child while smiling does have a full set of teeth, “she was reanimated ready for solid food,”

“I was meaning to ask about that, are they bone or that crystal stuff? Did Tomoe Sensei ever get her dad to let her use that bone machine he was so protective of?” Koyomi questions.

“Don’t know yet, actually,” your father clarifies, “Though they said from study before she had a full jaw of outwardly appearing normal teeth,”

“but, now they’re baby teeth. Oh a kid with all their adult teeth so early would be terrifying,” Koyomi wimpers and then winces, “I feel guilty now for being scared…I mean she’d still be cute terrifying,”

“Why do I get the impression that you’re going to proudly show me a drawing before tonight is out of just that?” Your father smiles and lays a hand on top of Koyomi’s head.

“Wait, is she going to lose those crystal teeth for her adult teeth in a few years!” she wonders again.

“Don’t grow up,” you demand of the child worried momentarily about her heavily magical nature, “Or at least grow at a normal pace like Koyomi. Don’t skip forward unexpectedly like Diana-chan,”

“I resent that, but I understand where it comes from,” offers Diana-chan from the child’s other side in her humanoid form she leans over to ruffle her hair.

Luna pads in behind her, as a cat.

“So many incredibly and inherently magical shenanigans around children in this family, I swear,” your mother’s advisor complains before leaping gracefully onto the counter.

“I mean, yeah,” you concede and also ruffle the small child’s hair as Diana-chan breaks away from the giggling toddler and pops up on the other side of you while you continue to shower the child with affections and praise for doing such a good job learning how to navigate the use of a spoon.

>>5029684

“And I’d gotten used to being the baby of the house,” Diana-chan frowns a bit before tossing up a piece of shrimp tempura before snapping it down.

“I know what you mean, I feel like I’ve been growing up as fast as you have since things started,” Koyomi complains and mutters, “I used to be the imouto-wait,”

A dawning realization crosses Koyomi’s features as a smile and then excitement creeps across her face.

Wait, was Diana-chan eating your Tempura?

“Koyomi-nee?” she says aloud to test the sound of it.

Unbeknownst to anyone here, on the joint operations foothold on the moon, Usagi Chiba sneezes. Fully aware of why, though unaware that she did, Mamoru Chiba chuckles to himself for what anyone else might assume to be the wrong reasons.

“I’d think you’d make a good big sister, Koyomi,” your father offers as your younger sister seems to become excited at the prospect.

“I think you’ve really grown up and can’t help but agree, save for one thing,” you explain and pick up the tiny Queen Kalyke, “Get over here and dote on the imouto!”

It is an evening wound down in good company and cheer as you and your sister spend time doting on and playing with the baby in your midst. Diana-chan joins in as these deliberations move to the living room whilst your father and Luna clean up. Today has been naught but…good things. Things that have given you joy, warmth, and happiness. At least until as you and Koyomi put the eventually worn out child to bed, you realize there is yet some homework to contend with.

Readings and a few assignments. They shouldn’t take terribly long for you, as someone who takes pride in being a good student, but it is an anchor back to reality as the day draws to a close.

Today was a good day, your usual anxieties eased by the pace and company. Not even any signs of an attack. You want this kind of future and wish you’d been able to let yourself have more of this in the past.

No regrets.

Before bed, you want to…
>Check in and just spend time with Koyomi?
>Spend a little time talking with dad, what about?
>Shoot the shit online, fashion circle
>Shoot the shit online, with Hanako
>Shoot the shit online, with Ranko
>Shoot the shit online, with Sasha
>See how Diana-chan is adjusting to growing up
>Text a bit with Kairi-chan
>Text a bit with Yoshi.
>write in

&

>After that vote is settled, what topic or thread of conversation with the winner(s) do you want to focus on?

>>5029688
>>See how Diana-chan is adjusting to growing up

>>5029688
>See how Diana-chan is adjusting to growing up
We should try to stay in sync with our small guardian. Sounds like she might be maturing enough to take not being the youngest, and to sneak our tempura.

>>5029688
>See how Diana-chan is adjusting to growing up

>>5029688
>See how Diana-chan is adjusting to growing up

Rolled 16, 14, 19 = 49 (3d20)

Well, that is a consensus on who, and vaguely what. Lets make a roll and I’ll reference and write later.

>>5030541
Had some more thoughts on what but was sadly crunched for time. Friend ran somewhat last-minute LARP day, mostly for his birthday with a touch of Halloween. Just got back.

>>5030541
Among other things, think we should find out if she'd like to be included with more things with our friends, or if she wants to try finding more of her own, and probably making sure our stories are the same regarding who she is and who we are to each other. I'd say stick to relative true, daughter of a close family friend, practically cousins.
Other note is that she doesn't need to be bound to any fate to be our guardian, but it seems that she has made that decision, and we can honor that. Might need to start including her in the training with the Knights then, she already has been included in meetings as an adorable kitten, but we can include her more directly if she'd like.
Though she really should take time to enjoy being a kid/kitten while it lasts as well.
Not sure what age she seems in human form currently. Maybe see who else might fall into that relative age range (cue certain plant siblings and kid pluto?)..

>>5030599
>she doesn't need to be bound to any fate to be our guardian, but it seems that she has made that decision
I was still not quite sure if she was gonna do that for us or our sis or both. Might have forgotten something, though. Been a while since the last time I reread the quest.

>>5030990
I was rereading recently. She made a big stink once to get us to take her with and we ended up redirecting her to Koyomi to get food. For all that Mikage was very resentful when she was born and thought she was going to be Koyomi's she seems to want to be Mikage's and I don't think Mikage has realized that or thought into it.

>>5030994
Having a conversation with her about it definitely sounds like a good idea then. It gets my vote.

>>5030994
I'd swear there was a scene for that, or maybe that was all interlude and Diana inner-monologue, but I thought she established wanting to be Mikage's guardian.
Don't recall Mikage being resentful of anything kitten related.

>>5031069
I think it wasn't being resentful to Diana herself but just Mikage's situation and place in things; that she never had her own team to run with, either being solo or with a cold teacher that never praised her. In this case she kind of felt that Koyomi got to have everything. A team and now the guardian that should have been hers. This was in the thread right after the fight and before they made it to Aiha's house so Luna could give birth.

While Diana did make a show of wanting to be a guardian to Mikage, it was at a time when Mikage wanted to go out and do her own stuff so she sic'd Diana on Koyomi for food, like I mentioned above. It was the thread where there was freaking out that Koyomi had cooked breakfast, and we pushed Dad into the kitchen to take one for the team. I think Diana may have also mentioned it once during the afterparty from The Rock Show.

Alright. Try and write something tonight.

>>5031706
Cool.

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After completing your work for the evening, in the last transitional hours of the evening before a reasonable person would go to sleep, you push up from your desk and stretch for a minute...before your mind drifts back to dinner. While you may have been doting on the new baby that is Kalyke, you can’t forget who the baby was literally weeks ago.

You remember being on the phone with Usa-nee while baby Diana sat in your arms sucking on a cookie. Now...now she’s almost as tall as Venus-chan, only a little bit shorter and still lankier than the Diana from Usa-nee’s timeline.

With a relaxed gait, hearing your father on the phone in his study as you pass, you look around the house trying to find the up and coming guardian and guide. Koyomi is in her room, headphones on bobbing her head between studying and art. Luna is herself curled and asleep on the coffee table. It isn’t until you’ve passed through the kitchen that you finally catch sight of your quarry.

Diana is in your mother’s garden in the backyard, splayed supine in human form on the curved stone bench where you previously found a confused and frustrated Saori Umeki trying to figure out how to talk to you one night.

Tonight, Diana-chan is relaxing there, looking up at a white plastic flip phone. Under its gentle glow she clacks at the keypad looking like an only slightly anachronistic pre-tween.

“Evening Diana-chan,” you say and step through the sliding door.

“Oh, hey!” the small cat girl chirps and kips up onto the bench in a fluid motion of humanoid feline grace before falling into herself and looking up at you as a small purplish gray cat.

No longer an outright kitten perse, but a small cat.

“What’s up?” she questions and looks up at you with an excited meow as you walk over and sit next to her on the bench, “Need me for a super important mission!?”

“No, I just wanted to see what you were up to, to talk and hangout,” you say and scratch at her behind the ears.

“Ahhh, that’s nice,” she purrs, “And I’m happy just to hang out! Like, I was hanging out the other day at the arcade and spent a lot of time playing games with Venus-chan!”

“Oh, you and the girls are getting along?” you question as she begins unconsciously making biscuits with the hem of your skirt.

“Yeah! It was super fun!” she chimes and stretches, “We played video games and I won a prize in the old Sailor V game!”

“Nice,” you smile at that, “So, you’re doing okay?”

“Yeah?” she straightens her posture and sits up, “Why wouldn’t I be Mikage-chan?”

“Well, you’ve been through a lot of stuff, and you’re still young,” you explain a little wistfully, “but growing up fast. I was just a little caught off guard when you acknowledged that you weren’t the baby of the house anymore,”

>>5032090

There is something to her earnestness and acceptance of her circumstances that makes you feel the slightest bit guilty over your flip flopping over her so much. Being worried or upset she was going to exist. Being afraid to have her as a friend and advisor like Usa-nee...

“You really are. Thank you again, for helping us spy on Hanako and dive bombing that guy’s face for me at the party,” you express before turning a bit serious, “though don’t think I didn’t notice you sneaking my dinner off my plate earlier tonight,”

She gives you back the most innocent look you think she has ever mustered. Perhaps a technique bequeathed to her by her older time displaced sister before she and your own returned to their future.

“Who, me?” her feigned incredulousness is laid on pretty thick, betrayed by a giggle running barely contained under her breath, “Eyes on the prize, besides I have to keep my skills sharp if I’m gonna be helping out,”

“You little sneak thief,” you sigh and pick her up, “Well come on in. We need to get our rest, it's going to be a busy weekend ahead into the chicanery of what comes next,”

“You need your rest,” she offers, “This is when I do my best work!”

She offers a firm nod before yawning.

“Though I guess it would be good to keep eyes on the house. Too much has been going on lately,” she laments.

And as night and this week draws to a close…

Perspective Shift?

>Kanari Kino is ready for SPORTS DAY on Monday!
>Saori Thread? Saori Thread. The Spymaster has work to do!
>Koyomi Thread, just after wrapping preparatory training on Sunday!
>Midori Mori, the Jadeite Knight, Marshals a Thread?
>Stay with Mikage after a weekend break

>>5032093
Have we had anything from Midori's perspective before? Don't recall one focused on her yet, so that is a very tempting option.
On the other hand, Saori doing Saori things is just gold.

Too tired to pick between them, I'm cool with either.

>>5032093
>Midori Mori, the Jadeite Knight, Marshals a Thread?

I don't think we have ever seen Midori's perspective before, so I'd be up for that. If I could have a second vote I would vote Saori though.

>>5032093
>>Midori Mori, the Jadeite Knight, Marshals a Thread?

>>5032112
>>5032116
I think there were a couple of short omakes from her perspective back during the Beryl arc?

Alright, looks like sometime later this week or by the weekend I start Midori Perspective as we move toward he next arc.

>>5033044
>we move toward he next arc.
> hype factor intensifies

>>5033468

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Forgot image

>>5033493
Boxing time, huh?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btPJPFnesV4

>>5033502
Yeah, and as pointed out by one of you who managed to manually plot out the dates of the quest and figure out an actual timeline…Monday is the Second Monday of in Universe October. Japan’s National Sports Day 2016 October 10th.

This is why I scheduled the Aiba Tournament for later this same week in Universe. In my brain. Years ago. Which I forgot. Was then reminded. Screaming at all the minor details I’ve let slip from my notes and fevered ideas.

>>5033515
So, closing in on Halloween in-universe too. ...would a Tuxedo Mask costume be too obvious?

No thread updates until Saturday at the earliest.

Last day of my current to job. Two back to back 5 person debates tonight. My boss wanted to know why I was turning down free lance work he was offering in the distant site after the day I leave and I explained to him I was quitting because I’m underwater on work travel and it was the reason I was quitting. I’d been in denial about it since moving back in with family and then they moved so at the main site is two hours away.

Less stress. Peace of mind. Gonna wheel around in the gig economy for a bit while I wait on a job about to be on offer to me according to the guy who interviewed me but delayed by the speed of a shore town municipality administrator’s drive to do anything including spend money on a new hire in fall.

I'd raise a glass to you, but I don't drink. Seriously though, good on you dude.

>>5035048
Happy it sounds like you do have some stuff worked out for the future at least.

I begin my final broadcasts at my job. See you on the other side

>>5035331
>broadcasts
Wait, what is the job anyway? Not sure it's ever been mentioned.

>>5035388
Local media. Got a city council at large debate

>>5035430
How'd the final day go?

>>5035430
Webcasting, then? Or something else?

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>>5035331
Best of luck, Art.

Everything alright, Artemis?

>>5036982
Spent yesterday with some family I haven’t seen in a while and finished off a nearly 30page tabletop campaign document/primer. Currently, having just finished some housework, I’m about to take a soak and have a shower with intentions of having an update out if not before 5pm eastern then before midnite.

>>5036985
Glad to hear things are going well, then.

>>5037021
I fell asleep.

>>5037090
Hope it was a good nap.

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>>5037090

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>plugs "sailor moon dream" into neural net
>converts to webm to fit
>result

In a small two bedroom apartment in the outer reaches of Juuban, on National Sports day...


Your alarm, older but quite durable, blares to life at the quarter hour pulling you groggily out of your otherwise peaceful sleep. It doesn’t whine at you or screech some siren, no. Instead it merely plays the music from the radio station you selected last night. A station you knew from experience would greet you this morning with pop and bubbles, but more confidence than kawaii.

To you groggy annoyance, but then quickly pleasure, experience has proven a mark in your favor.

It’s a beautiful Monday morning, National Sports Day at that. While you don’t have classes there are a bunch of activities at school today...not as many because the gymnasium is still being repaired and part of the day will be sharing space with the municipal middle school…but that’s okay. You could do with a lighter Sports Festival than usual after the weekend you’ve had.

Absent-mindedly you rub at your side where you were prepared to receive a kidney punch by that tiny drill sergeant. The memory plays across your mind in soreness and remembered pain despite the application of healing magics immediately after.

...this is your life now. No use fussing about it because its a choice you made...but magic was used to heal an injury dealt you to prepare you to be struck at by the same kind of attack because you’re expecting to be attacked.

Because, despite being a normal high school girl you agreed to be a Magical Knight to a girl who is really bad at not being the magical girl she says she’s not.

“You didn’t think it would be all sequins and glamour?” the spirit of your predecessor in vassalage to your Princess’s family chides you from the jewelry you wear that contains his soul that’s been teaching you to use the powers bequeathed to you in the oaths of knighthood as one of The Four Heavenly Kings.

Protectors of the Earth, it’s Kingdom, and her People. The Shintennou.

Finishing the stumble to the bathroom you take stock of yourself. Your somewhat crimped wavy blonde mop is wild and in some places a tangle this morning.

“Naw,” you murmur both to yourself and your ghostly companion, Jadeite, whilst pulling up a lock of hair and watching it fall limply back over your face, “Presentation always takes work. You know don’t take that for granted,”

Your name is Midori Mori. You’re Knight Marshal of the Shintennou, the Jadeite Knight in the service of the mysterious hero Eclipse...who is your classmate Mikage Chiba. Your classmate Mikage Chiba who, when you were in middle school, was the champion of love and justice in a Sailor Suit known as Sailor Moon.

And, after today’s festivities are done, you are helping to coordinate the final investigations of the enemy’s plot at the Tokyo Dome.

>>5037478

Because you have actual enemies now. Who you fight with a sword you summon from magic and hurl spells at while you command other people in kick ass outfits.

You are desperate for caffeine this morning. Not entirely sure if you can face the day, but secure in the knowledge that you’ll be able to see your girlfriend cheering on a crowd while done up in dress and outfit expressly for the task.

A blush of flustered and happy embarrassment takes you as you continue becoming aware of yourself and your own thoughts amid this slow and arduous wake up process. You have a girlfriend. It's the little joys and happinesses of just being able to wake up and realize that bit of information that really makes life worth anything...which is why it’s so precious to you.

Right, what were you doing? Getting up? Ugh...you are the responsible one though.

>You don’t have to be at school until later because of the holiday, snag a bit more sleep
>Alacrity must be achieved through effort, so begin preparing earnestly for the day ahead!
>Sports are on the brain today, you want to get your blood pumping so why not try a morning run!
>Meander a bit before getting ready, take the time to check your messages and social media.
>write in

>>5037479
>Meander a bit before getting ready, take the time to check your messages and social media.

The circle's fashion show under Akiyama isn't too far off and Teal's issues are also coming to a head. See if either of them posted anything.

>>5037479
>>Alacrity must be achieved through effort, so begin preparing earnestly for the day ahead!

>>5037479
>>Sports are on the brain today, you want to get your blood pumping so why not try a morning run!
>>Meander a bit before getting ready, take the time to check your messages and social media.
Meandering run to get the blood pumping, along with pausing at road crossings to check catchup on messages and respond.

>>5037479
>Meander a bit before getting ready, take the time to check your messages and social media.

>>5037478
>who is really bad at not being the magical girl she says she’s not.
As I said once before, Mikage may have quit being Sailor Moon, but she never stopped being the guardian of love and justice.

>>5037784
Well, more like she's now the guardian of the guardian of love and justice.

>>5037479
>Meander a bit before getting ready, take the time to check your messages and social media.
Maybe text our gf, too?

>>5037818
You never stop being a big sis.

>>5037818
And Diana is the guardian of the guardian of the guardian of love and justice.

>>5037861
There's a joke here that references "who watches the watchmen" and all that, but I can't quite put it together. Damn allergies messing with my head.

Alright, in it to meander in it. I’ll get to the update on the morrow.

Well, it’s comparatively early and you don’t have to be at school until later for the sports festival...so you leave the bathroom behind you with only your immediate morning needs taken care of, retrieve your phone, and set up in the overlapping kitchen/living room of the small apartment to meander a bit and flip through new and old business.

And there is plenty of new and old business.

You’ve got a few notifications to flip through, though you start the day with a smirk as you shoot a good morning text with a heart to Keiko. This private and personal giddiness that at least that is working out has you giggling on the couch and curling up before falling on your side...though it has you facing down a door that’s been closed for weeks aside from you popping in to keep things clean.

The boat your dad is on will be back soon, this time he’s on a crabbing ship so you’re smack in the return window. With everything...you aren’t sure how you’ll tell him about you and Keiko. Hey, while you were away my best friend became my girlfriend and-

And you are scared and frustrated. Ever since mom...your dad hasn’t ever really talked about it or any of his feelings. He just promised he’d do his best to take care of you, that it wasn’t your fault, and then he went in for the grind. You struggled to believe the second part; an you have no idea how he’ll react to this.

No, not now. That’s a later problem. Maybe you can wonder about how he’d react to your escapades at Tokyo Tower? You’ve got a right to your secrets, right?

Well, notifications.

Akiyama-san thanking you up and down for helping her wrangle Mikage into her measurement appointment that also turned into a preliminary fitting. Moe-chan sent you pictures of the outfits that Akiyama wants her to wear, and also wishes you and everyone in the circle to do their best on sports day. It's so exciting for the line to be coming together like this, and she nailed down her venue for the show.

The Omotesando Hills Shopping Complex, in their Space O exhibition venue.

At least all the bullshit around Akiyama-san and her friends has already been settled and the only problems at the fashion show will be mundane. Terribly, terribly, mundane.

Umeki-san sent write ups and detailed reports to you of her and Sasha’s investigations. You went over some of this Saturday during the meeting and training session, and they’ve got a little more.

Some actually actionable information too; placement vectors around the Big Egg complex of canisters like the ones Mikage found during the Venus Aino Album Launch.

Hanako-chan is busy rebuilding and rebranding herself; with yet more accessories and bangles, and everyone’s opinions are being solicited for input.

And that brings you to the terribly, terribly, mundane trial that lies ahead.

>>5038885

Teal-chan, Nui, has her regular messages in the main thread but has sent you a few private messages about her situation and you’ve been chatting with her about it for a few days now. She’s appreciative of all the support everyone wants to give and she’s thankful you and Miki weren’t making as big a deal about her situation as you both clearly want to.

By modeling Akiyama-san’s line under her own name, she hopes to bring enough public attention to herself and her modern aesthetics and ways to make her parents rethink pursuing marriage arrangements at this time.

You’ve got this concern that it can blow up in her face two ways if it doesn’t work. Akiyama-san is hailed as a prodigy of fashion and has done work with more traditional aesthetics in the past, while her parents may not approve of Nui’s agency in pursuing work with her they may see it as a value add for her prospects in arrangement. Or, they could react on harder traditional lines and decide they have no daughter.

Though you haven’t said it outright, you’re of the mind she should state her honest case that she doesn’t want what they’re proposing, and maybe be honest about an interest in officially courting her junior on the student council.

...ugh, why are you such a hypocrite. And when did you turn yourself entirely upside down on the couch?

There is a chime, Keiko shot you back a message.

She’s wishing you good morning, and she hopes you like her outfit for the festival part of today.

Again, that quiet giddiness takes you.

>It’s out of your way, but meet up with Keiko and walk to school together
>it’s out of her way, but ask Keiko to meet up and walk to school together
>Jump back into getting ready and head to school directly
>You want to swing by Nui-chan, make sure she’s okay on the walk to school
>See if you can meet up with Mikage on the way to school and go over Saori’s report
>Write in

>>5038886
>>It’s out of your way, but meet up with Keiko and walk to school together

>>5038886
>It’s out of your way, but meet up with Keiko and walk to school together

>>5038885
>At least all the bullshit around Akiyama-san and her friends has already been settled and the only problems at the fashion show will be mundane. Terribly, terribly, mundane.
Does anyone actually think things will stay that way?

>placement vectors around the Big Egg complex of canisters like the ones Mikage found during the Venus Aino Album Launch.
Hmm. Any ideas on how to neutralize these without the other sides knowledge?

>>5038886
>>It’s out of your way, but meet up with Keiko and walk to school together
Let's be a good girlfriend. And let's try and tell Teal about what we're worried about with what she's doing. It's her decision, and we shouldn't give advice unless asked, but we should make sure she's taking everything into account.

>>5038886
>>You want to swing by Nui-chan, make sure she’s okay on the walk to school

>>5038999
>Hmm. Any ideas on how to neutralize these without the other sides knowledge?
Keeping a stealthy eye on the locations and disabling them, though I imagine a lot of those sites will be high over active crowds or in key locations for circulating air conditioning.

>>5038886
>It’s out of your way, but meet up with Keiko and walk to school together

>>5038999
>Does anyone actually think things will stay that way?

Midori doesn't strike me as genre-savvy enough to know she jinxed it.

>>5039020
Yeah, I'm just not sure how to disable them without being seen if they're watching the spots.

>>5039035
I meant anyone IRL.

>>5039067
I know what you meant, I just found it humorous

>>5039166
Ah. Yeah, I can see that now. Hard to tell tone with text.

Alright; gonna try to get an update done tonight while I try my hand at rideshare and gig food deliver…because its dinner time but I’m getting no notifications.

Well, you’ll follow that giddiness. That quiet internal happiness you get when the sun shows you it’s true face. Getting yourself together, with a hairband for today’s athletics and a lighter touch for your admittedly light week day makeup loadout, you put yourself together and grab a duffle bag with your gym kit rather than your usual school bag.

“Alright, Jadeite, let’s have a beautiful morning,” you say in the mirror after pulling the bow over your uniform’s sweater vest.

“And for the joys and solace of today, let’s prepare to bring down the enemies of the royal family for the sake of this earth,” he nods and smiles.

He was always a bit dour and serious when you first met him, but in the time you’ve spent with him as an accessory you’ve been bringing him out of his shell. His penchant for misdirection and overly complicated plans is totally at odds with your predilection to the direct approach though...so those parts of you balance out at least.

It's your intention to get across town early, to meet up with Keiko, and to walk to school together. There’s a lot on your mind, but at least for the start of your day that’s the way to go.

Out the door and down, you head toward the exterior stairwell as opposed to the interior stairs or the elevator. It’s a nice day so you feel like it’d be nice to take in the breeze and actually make use of the vantage point this apartment building affords. Not that it affords much aside from being vaguely affordable.

You're not the only person to have that idea. Several neighbors, including students at Juuban Municipal and other schools nearby, offer you good morning which you offer in turn. The errant wishes of a happy sports day echo and hang in the morning.

While you go you shoot Teal a message about how she should really just be direct about this and not try this subterfuge. As much as the dead man who whispers in your ear thinks her strategic planning is brilliant.

Shooting Keiko a message that you’ll meet her for the walk to school you feel on top of the world.

Crossing that much of the ward to the suburbs isn’t too bad, it is a very walkable city, but there’s just something happy about being able to do this, and something happy about her.

Your mind wanders back to the changes she’s gone through since this all started. The end to her long suffering and the removal of that spectre and shadow from over her soul. That she can shine free and be alive without...without the fear that gripped her and the fear that you had for what she might do to escape it.

Ducking into an alley, you compose yourself. You are the tough one. You are the mean one. You are the serious girl who is a rock for others. Even repenitent for your earlier bullying and villainies in the name of keeping yourself sane or for your own insecurities...you aren’t the one who cries.

Like you are right now.

>>5039964

Like you are right now.

You never used to cry this much when things were worse, when you were worse. It isn’t even sobbing, just tears. Tears for a somewhat melancholic happiness that feels so miraculous to actually have.

“Get it together,” you tell yourself in this moment, girding yourself for everything to come, “Things are great right now but the war isn’t over,”

Righting yourself and taking a steadying breath you seek to get back on track and find your way to Keiko for a beautiful sunny morning walk to your school for the Sports Festival.

...except you hear the distinct sounds of fist fighting and a person slamming into a trash can from around the corner in an adjoining alleyway, along with a clamour of voices in aggressive argumentative tones.

You aren’t a delinquent anymore, even if you played the part of one again alongside Ito-san at the Battle of the Park.

This...shouldn’t concern you.

>Do not investigate the street fighting, acquire your girlfriend’s presence
>Investigate the street fighting, do not make your presence immediately known
>Investigate the street fighting, yell at them what they’re doing causing a ruckus so early
>Investigate the street fighting, Jadeite will appreciate you ‘stumbling’ into it as an innocent high school girl
>Write in

>>5039965
>Investigate the street fighting, Jadeite will appreciate you ‘stumbling’ into it as an innocent high school girl

We can be responsible.

>>5039965
>>Investigate the street fighting, do not make your presence immediately known

>>5039965
>Investigate the street fighting, do not make your presence immediately known

>>5039965
>Investigate the street fighting, do not make your presence immediately known
It's the right thing to do. And this way, we can do the "innocent high school girl" thing if we choose. But first, gather info.

>>5039965
>>Investigate the street fighting, do not make your presence immediately known
Wonder if we can pull off a good Red Eyes impression, or just go in an imitation of the delinquent gear from the other day.. if we need to intervene at all.
Feel like I'm more on Jadeite's wavelength with that train of thought though.

Rolled 13, 4, 11 = 28 (3d20)

Doing some Rolls. Writing probably later today.

Midori Stealth
+1 from Agility

Augmented with Silent Image to provide a cover blind

Rolled 20, 13, 13, 11 = 57 (4d20)

Perceptions of participants in whats going on.

Rolled 17, 20, 14 = 51 (3d20)

Rolling Midori's Streetwise +4

This absolutely shouldn’t concern you. Not at all; you have your own responsibilities as a respectable highschool student and as the last Knight Marshal of a bygone kingdom. Just a few days ago you were rocking a sukeban style look and running into the fray pretending to be a delinquent again alongside a living legend come out of retirement.

…

And it was exhilarating, even before the true business that night came to a head.

“No, excuses,” you consider aloud, “No excuses for or against, I’m a Knight and I’ll have to make it my business one way or another,”

You dry your eyes from the sense of overwhelming happiness that you’ve been working hard to keep to yourself, and you cast forward an illusory blind of the wall you can see. While you’ll try to sneak, it isn’t your strong suit so you may as well make use of your magic to grant you some cover.

If things go awry, and you’re found out in spite of the illusory cover, you could always play at being an innocent schoolgirl. Rule one of fighting dirty, leave your opponent off balance before making a surprise rush at their kidneys.

Quietly stepping out behind the blind, crossing your arms out of habit as you look out judgmentally at the scene you begin taking it in and trying to analyze things.

Well as quietly as you can at least. You step on a bit of hard plastic that krinkles noticeably in the downturn of combative din.

Three boys from Northern Juuban Technical Prep stand in a half circle around a groaning figure among knocked over trash cans.

“You hear something?” one of them asks, casting a suspicious glance around.

“Shut up,” the suave looking one with obvious leadership deferment granted by the body language of the others commands and kneels facing the figure in the trash.

A boy wearing a Juuban Municipal High sweater.

“Now listen Kanagami,” the kneeling jerk hisses at your now identified schoolmate, “You were at the battle for the park, unless I missed my guess that means you had to pass through my turf to join in from out here. You and a bunch of other folks, so I’m making sure word gets out that I’m owed my due with you, an old friend,”

The person on the floor is a friend of yours since elementary school, Kanagami Kaneda. Back in your delinquent days, before you became respectable, you ran together.

“Like I owe you shit, Blue Jean,” he spits up at him as his face wheels into view and he spits, “And get my name out of your mouth, we haven’t been friends in years,”

Blue Jean, that’s a nickname you haven’t heard in a long time. Not a friend per say, but someone in the orbit of wannabe young toughs back then. Last you knew he moved. Looks competent and not like the snot nosed punk you remember.

>>5041239

The bespeckled boy cleans his face and glasses with a handkerchief and snaps his fingers. One of the others kicks Kanagami. The other is now looking with uncertainty in the direction of your blind.

You weren’t hiding your displeasure at seeing a friend hit when he’s down. And if that is a kid from back then means you’re less likely to get away with an innocent schoolgirl act.

“We definitely aren’t alone,” says the one that had previously been told to shut up, “This is the red eyes’ territory, boss. I don’t think we should do this here,”

“I said shu- no...you aren’t supposed to think but that is wisdom,” he rises and adjusts his glasses before looking down at where his cohort holds Kanegami down with a foot on his shoulder, “Well, if we aren’t so familiar anymore then forget that old nickname, Kaneda-san,”

He turns toward the mouth of the alley you are spying on. The one who seems to have locked on to something being wrong where you illusory blind rests follows him but keeps glancing back to where your concealment may have been noticed but not breached. The third leans on your friend’s shoulder and you bristle before they push off to follow.

Your friend rises.

“HEY! You don’t get to step on me and just walk away because you’re scared of her!” he barks, “I still live here and you disrespect me then I want to throw hands! Come on Blue Jean, I didn’t hear no bell!”

“Just because you squeaked through your school’s bug problem and then threw down at the park you think you’re hot shit now?” he removes his glasses and growls under his breath, taking the bait.

>This is a private and personal fight now, a matter of pride, don’t intercede but watch
>This is a private and personal fight now, a matter of pride, leave because Keiko’s waiting
>You don’t trust this punk to meet this challenge fairly, stand beside and back up Kanagami Kaneada for the fight
>You don’t trust this punk to meet this challenge fairly, stand beside and back up Kanagami Kaneada and try to intimidate them into not fighting
>Use magic to have a facsimile of the Red Eyed Beast make an appearance, try to scare them off
>Use magic to have a facsimile of the Red Eyed Beast make an appearance, distract them to suckerpunch
>Charge in swinging,no pretense or posture, the way you like doing things
>Rush in and grapple Kanagami, drag him away berating him for getting into trouble again to diffuse this
>Write in

>>5041243
I kinda like the idea of waiting, and then sucker punching him or his buddies if he tries to cheat, assuming we intervene. Not sure if we should, though.

>>5041243
>Use magic to have a facsimile of the Red Eyed Beast make an appearance, try to scare them off

Honestly, they spoke her name so her showing up makes sense. Mikage would probably be all for it and this is Midori's magic specialty (illusions).

>>5041269
Hmm... maybe combine it. If it looks like they are going to play fair we let things go along whichever way they do. If they try to overstep we have Red Eyes show up.

https://pastebin.com/pHdVBVqy
Mmm, hadn't poked around the pastebin in a bit, our Marshal is a solid scrapper.

>>5041243
>>5041271
Fair idea. Use ventriloquism spell to whisper threats to the others to stay out of the fight between those two or their beating will be worse than it will be already.

Recommend dropping Mikage the location as well, early morning is her typical morning run time, chance she can play the role. But if not, I think Midori could pull off a good thrashing in her name.

Alright; we’ll see if I get an update out tomorrow.

>>5042505
Happy early Spooksmas!

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>>5042571

>>5042806
I'm not sure if more context would make this image better or worse.

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146 KB JPG

>>5042807
Just the perfectly normal beach episode.
#20: The Summer, the Beach, Youth, and Ghosts

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182 KB PNG

>>5042819
Not to be confused with the later beach episode with the Chibis and Nessie.

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80 KB JPG

>>5042819
And my favorite part about that episode is that they never really goes into there being a wolfman, a Frankenstein person, a vampire(?), and whatever elf/vulcan grandpa is working there, they just exist and we and Usagi just have to deal with that. Rei and Ami think they are costumes, but ain't nobody sticking to a gimmick that hard at a resort no one goes to..

>>5042820
Art, out of curiosity, has Mikage met Kirin?

>>5042830
Wow. It's a good thing magic means he doesn't have to take care of that outfit. Salt water on a formal tux sounds like a nightmare.

>>5043289
Given what Art has told me about his plans for the Usagi/Mamoru wedding, you haven't seen anything yet.

>>5043396
Oh right, I think that was mentioned at some point in thread.

>>5043406
He did do a part 1 of it back in day.

>>5043436
Also true.

You know this is now a matter of pride, a specific call out. As the two young men square up you narrow your eyes through your illusory blind as the two gons in support seem to be lining up alongside their boss.

“Too chicken shit to try and take me on alone?” Kanagami Kaneda declares and smirks with self confidence of a man who has delivered a blistering insult.

“When you’re a man in charge, you only have to get your hands dirty as much as you want when you want,” he frowns, “And you need to be taught a lesson,”

The exact means of diffusing this, and protecting your friend’s pride is obvious. However there is one particular bit of risk to it you are not excited about taking. Eh, you only live once and you’ve almost never abused this magic for personal reasons. Hardly ever.

Kanagami’s back is to you. His three assailants face your illusory blind at the end of the alleyway. One of them casts a glance at it with a decided uncertainty but is otherwise possessed of a confidence bolstered by numbers and focused on Kanagami.

“You owe me for this one,” you hiss under your breath, “Even if I can never really collect,”

Willing your magic forward, using your ring as the focal point, you wreath yourself in the visual guise as you intend; as the face your Princess wore when she was less together and when she wanted to let herself be far more violent than she is otherwise possessed of being as far as you’ve seen.

In truth, you think you could match that rage, but that mood requires more than a bit of action first. You hope you won’t have to experience that tonight.

Before the magic completes you summon your blade in hand but in a more appropriately aesthetic shape, and then you walk through the illusory blind so to them it will appear as though you are stepping forward out of thin air. Dragging the blade loudly along the wall.

This morning a pretender is the red eyed beast.

>>5043462

Jadiete’s approval radiates through you, with a sinister smugness.

It isn’t as perfect an illusion or disguise as Mikage’s pen, after all you’re still new at this. Their reaction is immediate. The three of them stop, all wide eyed. Standing there in a torn and dirty middle school uniform and long messy hair.

“He called you out, not your henchmen,” you explain in that raspy angry voice as best you can imitate, “Though afterwards there will be words and blood about your crew trying to operate on MY turf,”

For his part, Kanagami turns around and his face goes blank. Not with fear but surprise.

Blue Jeans, as you still can’t remember his real name, look shaken. As do his minions. Without so much as another word they turn and run.

“HEY!” Kanagami turns around to see them flee and lets out a gruff huff before sighing, “Guess that was the bell around here. Thanks for the help, but I had- no...doesn’t matter if I had him. Turf is turf and your house your rules,”

Though looking bruised and a bit beaten, Kanagami scratches at his cheek. Is he waiting for you to say something or trying to say something himself? There it is, the cost you knew for doing things this way, his damn crush on the Beast.

You aren’t even the beast! You just look like her. Hell even the Beast isn’t the Beast anymore!

>Leave, get to Keiko
>In your princess’s best interest, shut this crush down now
>Wait for Kanagami to say something
>Threaten Kanagami, get him moving so you can too
>Ask Kanagami if he’s okay and what that was all about
>Write in

>>5043463
>Leave, get to Keiko
It may be pertinent to say something in passing, but I don't this is really going to come up or be important enough to "need" shutting down.

>>5043463
>>5043471

Yeah, I can agree with this. I mean, how often will this guy ever really run in with Red Eyes? A crush is just a crush. I'm sure even he knows nothing will ever come of it.

>>5043463
>>Leave, get to Keiko

>>5043463
>Leave, get to Keiko
>Write in
> Don't do it again. Now, I got more important shit to take care of than beating the shit out some small-timers, so you owe me two. One for trespassing the night of the big fight, one for saving your ass just now.
> Text Mikage a quick message on the way about your actions
Maintain the Beast's rep, and make sure we're all on the same page. Don't want Mikage to be confused if someone brings it up while she's undercover. Such tiny things have wrecked ops.

>>5043555
From what I understand, this guy didn't really do anything. Other guy apparently trying to squeeze other gangs for money under the excuse that had to travel to get to the big fight we arranged the other day where everyone turned up to drive out the psychic-drug punks.
Agree Mikage needs to be told though.

>>5043463
>>Leave, get to Keiko
Don't say anything more, he knows Midori. Don't need him imagining a resemblance. Leave it at a grunt and head tilt to acknowledge that he's right, this is our turf/rules, and coolly jump back and "disappear" as we pass back through the illusionary blind, and gtfo out of sight in case he tries to pursue.
Places to be. Girlfriend to see. Mikage to update.

(And regarding regarding the Beast, looks like we need to tear up some denim. Poaching people on our turf *and* getting at people that helped with that fight? Oh yeah, going to take out missing the diligent fight on Blue Jean & Co..)

Updating tomorrow.

You turn away from him and make your way back to the soon to fade illusory cover blind.

“Turf is turf,” you grunt succinctly as you disappear though the illusion, “they’ll learn,”

Once clear from line of sight you break into a run back the way you came, dismissing your blade and dropping your focus on the disguise, letting that illusory shell dissipate off of you like mist. How did Mikage do that voice so often? It was grating and painful. Ugh, at least doing it enough that Kanagami didn’t recognize you. A piece of Mikage LIVED with that voice...you kind of want to recommend herbal tea because that may have damaged her vocal chords.

...unless her healing magic undoes that over time? Whatever.

You have to make up for lost time and meet up with Keiko. Taking out your phone you shoot Mikage a quick text about what was going on and what you did. She can handle it later if she wants to, but there are many bigger fish to fry as it is. But that small fry, he offends your sensibilities so it’s likely he’ll also offend her own.

You succeed in shaving a few minutes off of the trip and see Keiko standing outside of her house, checking the time on her phone. Because it’s Sports Day she isn’t as made up as she normally is, and her long black hair is tied back.

There, outside her house, where the two of you hid and cowered as Kairi Osaka in her guise of Nephrite Knight stood her ground against Two of the Enemy Shintennou while Mikae helped you save Keiko. You think about the gouge in the street from the fight and power thrown around that once frightened you.

A road now patched by city works...but the signs of what happened are still visible. It frightened you before you saw what Keiko could do afterwards. And then what you gained at Mikage’s offer.

“Morning Midori!” Keiko chimes at your approach, that confident sunny smile radiating off of her like it ever did, though now with a different warmth than what it had been before.

At least, knowingly this time. A smile and warmth in her eyes that are your own. Just as the smile on your face right now is specifically for her.

“Morning yourself,” you grin and stop before her, “ready for today?”

“I’m ready and excited! Did you find out which event sign ups you got?” she asks as the two of you make your way along the route to school, “I got my email confirmation this morning, I’m on human pyramid and the folk & pop dances,”

You knew she would be, she was always first for that signup.

“I’m in the relay at day’s end and tug of war before that,” you explain before groaning, “I’m gonna really need to psych myself up for the tug of war,”

“Intent on not losing?” she chides, “Somebody’s gotten a bit prideful,”

You laugh a bit as the two of you fall in step together.

>>5045434

“Pride nothing,” you look away awkwardly, “Like, I just want to make sure I look really cool for this girl I like. I’d totally hate for her to see me lose,”

“Even if she would just be happy to see you do your best, win or lose?” Keiko asks with a wonderfully and coyly feigned ignorance before she too breaks into a smile.

“Even if,” you nod, and continue through the busy morning foot traffic to the nearby sounds of cheering and the final festival setup.

>Just walk along with Keiko, enjoying this morning moment
>While you walk to school with Keiko, hold hands
>Let her know about what you’ve heard about the next real fight
>Tell her about your encounter this morning, complain about mimicking the princess
>Complain about the ongoing situation with your friend Nui
>Write in

>>5045436
>Just walk along with Keiko, enjoying this morning moment
>While you walk to school with Keiko, hold hands

Don't know why Art supports this level of lewdness, but it seems appropriate. Plus, given everything, let the two have their moment.

>>5045436
>>Tell her about your encounter this morning, complain about mimicking the princess
>>While you walk to school with Keiko, hold hands

>>5045436
>>Just walk along with Keiko, enjoying this morning moment
>>While you walk to school with Keiko, hold hands
Can we truly do this filth on a blue board?

>>5045436
>>Just walk along with Keiko, enjoying this morning moment
>>While you walk to school with Keiko, hold hands

Though I'm not opposed to some friendly grousing about the encounter this morning as well.
Interesting intersection of her old and new lives.

>>5045512
Grouse later, fluffy schoolgirls in lesbians now, IMHO.

>>5045436
>Just walk along with Keiko, enjoying this morning moment
>While you walk to school with Keiko, hold hands
>Tell her about your encounter this morning, complain about mimicking the princess

Alright, I’ll get to writing.

Did I say writing, I should have said doing a quick freelance turnover then getting to writing later tonight.

So. Funny story. My gf just texted me "WTF IS THIS AND WHY DON'T WE HAVE A COPY" and sent me a facebook group post about the late 90's early 2000's Sailor Moon RPG.

And I explain what it is, who published it, and their disastrous profit model based on exploiting US Canadian exchange rates that eventually caught up to them...and then told her I did own a copy of it.

Hilarity ensues because it hasn't come up before.

>>5046481
Warm and fluffy domesticity. Also, can you share the story of this RPG here? I don't think I've heard it before, and it sounds great.

>>5046493
Well, it was Guardian's or Order's second Tristat Game and first licensed game after their initial BESM Game and its really just BESM with a coat of Sailor Moon Shellacking on it.

I got my copy when my college scifi & comic book club was liquidating it's old lending library.

>>5046591
I miss those days. That club was amazing.

With everything else going on, you just want to enjoy this morning walk. The comfort together, since she grabbed your hand to be open the other week...you admit to having had some struggle with being out.

No one at school has said anything, maybe because of the whole spider possession thing or something else.

Well, no matter. Since she did the same to you on the bleachers that day you haven’t been nearly as afraid. Afraid of reaching out.

You take Keiko’s hand.

And like when you first confessed your feelings, in the wake of her freedom from the spectre that haunted her amid waking from lucid dreams; you feel warm, happy and safe. She beams at you when your fingers interlace. Trading the smiles you have for one another, seeing in each other's eyes, you continue forward together.

None of your schoolmates whisper anything harsh at the two of you walking together as the foot traffic picks up and becomes more dense. Some look at you enviously. The disapproval is there, there is some jealousy, but it pales in comparison to how much other people haven’t cared and how much you don’t care just being around her.

And you keep that energy and feeling for the duration of the walk. This morning’s shenanigans don’t matter. The war ahead can be a distant concern. Your roles in things, as Knight Marshall for you and her role as a living superweapon, are incomprehensibly distant to you now.

“Let’s have a good day today!” she smiles as the school gate comes into view.

And you know it will be. So you nod.

The sports festival awaits, and you’ve got to get your face on. Through the school gate there are many chairs set up before a number of tents in the shared athletic field between your highschool and the middle school. A number of student and faculty volunteers helped put things together during Saturday’s class period and further on Sunday.

“Alright, I’m gonna go meet up with the rest of the other dancers and go over the routine before the opening ceremony,” Keiko says and leans over to kiss you on the cheek to your momentary embarrassment before skipping off.

You feel relaxed. At peace. Comfortable even.

Time to go about shattering that with attentiveness and responsibility before the sports festival starts..

>Explore the tents and see what is set up to distract folks between events
>Look for Nui-chan and chat about her situation with her parents
>Look for Nui-chan and chat about circle business
>Look for Saori, get a verbal breakdown of her and Sasha’s findings
>Look for Mikage, Knight business
>Look for Mikage, delinquent business
>Look for Daigo Endo and press him about Nui
>Look for Kairi Osaka and discuss Saori’s report
>Go scope out team lineups for the relay and tug of war
>Write in

>>5046661
>>Look for Nui-chan and chat about her situation with her parents
>>Look for Mikage, delinquent business
>>Look for Kairi Osaka and discuss Saori’s report

Not sure we can pull off all three, but had trouble narrowing it down further.

>>5046661
>>Look for Mikage, delinquent business
>>Go scope out team lineups for the relay and tug of war

>>5046661
>>5046725

I can back this.

Writing in the morning

Overslept and running late.

>>5047985
Hope it was the type of oversleeping where you're well-rested, not tired.

>>5047992
Nah. Didn’t eat past a cut off point for bloodwork today. Its gonn be a thing. And tonight I’m working the gig economy.

First things first, you have a lot to take care of before the opening ceremonies of the sports festival, and almost all of them are social in nature. First and foremost you need to track down the leader of your fashion circle and the Student Council President, luckily you know exactly where Nui Takeda will be this morning

The Student Council Tent is the nerve center of Student Coordinated Activity for the sports festival, as such the council itself and numerous volunteers are already buzzing in and out of the tent, reminding you of honeybees in springtime.

Maybe, maybe it's best not to think in bug metaphors about school right now; at least that’s what you think as you suppress a shudder from the earlier chicanery and danger.

Venturing under the tent, which is notably more of a pavilion cover as most of these setups have no walls, you easily find Nui and the rest of the student council in the throws of organization and business practices, the object of her current affections is there too, Daigo Endo.

“Takeda-senpai,” you approach and use the appropriate honorific rather than her nickname, “Do you have a minute?”

“Sure Mori-san. Kim, finish sorting these ‘You Did Your Best!’ envelopes!” she calls out to one of her seeming underlings of the day and then returns her attention to you while walking with you out the back of the tent, “I have some Official Unofficial business!”

“You know that’s going to catch up to you eventually,” you roll your eyes, but are clearly still smiling.

“Yeah, well it hasn’t yet,” she laughs and then looks up at you starry eyed excitement, “Are you excited for it all? Sports today and then it's almost time for the fashion show! Have you had a chance to look at the venue photos yet?!”

Taking a focused breath, you steel yourself for this conversation. No matter what, you try your best to be a pragmatist. The realist. The voice of reason, and the underhanded executor of what should be obvious in the face of insanity.

“Are you going to be okay, and have you considered the different ways this could all blow up in your face?” your voice hasn’t become droll or joyless, but it is one of serious concern.

You need Nui to understand that you’re in her corner. That you have her interest at heart. That you are thinking about your friend and her decisions. She falls a little quiet and looks away, mouthing a near silent reply under her breath. Not filled with disappointment but shearing through the guise of her earlier exuberance.

“Of course I have, I’m not an idiot,” it takes the breath out of you, “I wouldn’t be doing this if I couldn’t accept the consequences. I can survive being disowned,”

>>5048991

“I’ve accepted that Daigo Endo is the hill you want to die on,” you explain further, and take on a softer countenance and place a supportive hand on her shoulder, “but is coming at your parents from the side like this; there is the chance they won’t disown you but decide the prestige is enough to be a value add-on to your prospects,”

She pauses for a moment, she hadn’t thought of that and it’s clear as day on her face. You can practically see the math being performed behind her eyes as considering angles and sums not previously included in her calculations. The stunned expression fades with a sigh.

“I hadn’t considered that, but it's unlikely. My father may be the kind of person to see that, but mother will have none of it,” there is a sadness to her voice this time.

“You could just be straight with them, that there is someone you like and want them to consider,” you offer, “Or that you aren’t ready,”

“I’ve thought about that...and not yet,” she looks back toward the tent somewhat wistfully, “I’m not ready to try and face them with either of those things,”

“Well, whatever you decide and whatever you do. I’m on your side, you know all of us are,” you explain.

“Jade,” she replies with a somber happiness before regaining her smile and more energized composure, “Thank you. No matter what tomorrow brings, let’s do our best today!”

Parting ways from your friend with a hug, it does take you a bit longer than you would have liked to locate your Princess. With some luck she’s already in the company of who you’d seek out afterwards; your fellow in Knighthood Kairi Osaka.

You find Mikage Chiba and Kairi Osaka chatting with Gai Ginja, your classmate who you’ve since learned is an Alien named Estra who feeds off of the ambient and projected emotional energies of others. They are off away from the bulk of people congregating near the athletic fields, and in turn a fair distance away from the Sailor Moon statues on campus, nestling their conspiratorial conversations behind a corner of the building away from most others.

“-comfortably transport maybe seven people in total, though I would have to pilo-,” the illusion clad alien considers as you turn the corner, “-drive yes I would drive the ca- oh, hello Mori-san,”

Your Princess and fellow Knight turn to face you, having been momentarily worried about their operational security for this conversation, probably about making use of Ginja-san’s spaceship for your own tactical purposes, before relaxation hits their faces.

“Hello Ginja-san,” you offer with a smile and nod, “Sorry to interrupt but I come with some urgency,”

“Like...ongoing mission urgency or something else?” questions Mikage, who was clearly invested in hearing about going to space.

>>5048995

“Did you get my message?” your attention is immediately on your pink haired princess, she’s done her hair up in her tightest large buns today for the sports festival.

Her features scrunch up.

“Yeah...I don’t like how bold this guy is being, do you think that was enough to scare him straight?” she questions, though she also seems a little uncertain about something.

Did you step on her toes by pretending to be her former personality alter? Probably. Mikage has issues, and not all of them worked out yet. All the really beautiful women in your life are chock full of them and recovering at different speeds.

For a moment you’re reminded of the choice in your formerly recurring dream. The choice between the submerged darkened forest that Keiko sank to and a reaching hand trying to save you of Miki above, the sun above the surface of the water above. You, trapped between. Uncertain between saving yourself and trying to save someone you knew was sinking…drowning and maybe wasn’t sure if she wanted to be saved.

And how she broke that choice. How your Princess saved the person you couldn’t and encouraged you to be your truth, to confess your heart. Mikage Chiba lifted you and Keiko out of perdition, and gave the two of you the sun. Even if the two of you sometimes disagree with the means, motives, and actions that are necessary…she is your Princess and has earned your loyalty, honesty, and directness to action for as many lifetimes as your soul will know.

“Maybe not. I just scared him and his cronies off by showing up,” you explain, “I have no idea if he’ll back off from this scheme or just try again with larger numbers,”

“I’ll sort this at the root, then,” she considers and smiles, “It’ll be good to blow off the steam. Thanks for bringing it my way! Who was the guy they were roughing up?”

“Kanagami Kaneda. When I was still a delinquent we used to walk in the same circles,” you explain, Mikage’s face is blank as she fails to connect a face or any familiarity with the name, “Class two?”

“I have no idea who that is,” she admits, though seems to strain, “but it feels familiar?”

“He was the only other student to avoid getting spidered; he helped Endo-san brace the gymnasium door,” she blinks a few times, and then she gives you that nod that of course they remember when they actually do not.

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>>5048997

You’ll take it. Probably for the best that she doesn’t know him at all.

“He got a few shiners, I can ask him about them if he shows up today. Get you more details,” you sigh.

“Awesome. Other business though, we were talking space travel with Estra,” she beams and then leans in conspiratorially as Osaka-san blushes, “Did you know he took Kairi-chan to low earth orbit,”

“I’d heard something about that happening, speaking of whom,” you turn to Kairi Osaka.

>Talk to her about Umeki-san’s report right here
>Pull her aside about Umeki-san’s report
>Pull her aside about Umeki-san’s report and press about her and Ginja-san
>Pull her aside about Umeki-san’s report and try to get her thoughts on Mikage’s state
>write in

>>5048999
>>Pull her aside about Umeki-san’s report and press about her and Ginja-san

>>5048999
>>Pull her aside about Umeki-san’s report and press about her and Ginja-san
I mean, we can't NOT ask her.
Mikage will probably be distracted with talking about the spaceship for a bit anyway.

>>5048999
The conversation with Teal is absolutely heartwarming. That's how you be a good friend.

> she gives you that nod that of course they remember when they actually do not.
Heh. Yeah, you know you're close with someone when you can identify that.

>>5048999
>>Pull her aside about Umeki-san’s report and press about her and Ginja-san
Talk about important superhero stuff AND potential romance? It's the in-character, in-genre move.

>>5049061
It is a behavior Midori learned to notice from time with Miki.

>>5048999
>Pull her aside about Umeki-san’s report and press about her and Ginja-san

Might as well jump on the bandwagon here.

>>5048999
>Pull her aside about Umeki-san’s report and press about her and Ginja-san

Alright, I'll work on writing tonight into tomorrow.

…In writing this, Midori’s inner mean-girl as friend as opposed to bully has come out in regard to Kairi. Their back and fourth outpouring.

I need to insert a note or statement from Kairi wondering if this is how Mio Nomura felt when she aided and abetted Mikage’s befriending of her.

Haven’t even gotten to the Saori’s report stuff. That may have to wait until morning. I’m tired, and may change my mind on what I’ve already written as being good or in character. Sleep now, more tomorrow.

You zero in on this information. Has this come to pass? You’ve been hearing whispers and catching glimpses of Mikage’s machinations regarding these two. And heard about Kairi and Ginja-san having been on a date.

But space?

It burns in you with curiosity and need for gossip. Something that held true even in your delinquent days, and has been reinforced among your time as a popular girl. As a mean girl. And more than anything you need to know.

Was it just space, or is there a euphemism involved here.

“Osaka,” you say simply and seriously as Mikage seems to consider something to herself with some volume of satisfaction about...you aren’t really sure what, “could I borrow you for a word,”

“Yes?” she questions as Mikage looks at her with a sly and mischievous glance, “what’s about?”

“I wanted your thoughts on Saori’s latest discovery, lay groundwork for what to do with it before the final strategy meeting,” you explain, and you have been percolating with what glances you’ve taken of the short form of the report.

“Shouldn’t I-” the Princess begins before you shut her down.

“As your appointed Knight Marshall, I am also acting General of your forces and I need to confer with at least one of my peers before presenting you my plans,” you explain with a somewhat...rehearsed tone and teasing tone.

You’ve been waiting to do that to her, maybe not those exact words but something like that, since she put you in charge. She has your loyalty but you need to remind her of your own agency in all this, to use it in some small way to at least exert a bit of the control you feel your life has lacked. Her father’s explanations about the duties of the Royal Knights sealed the deal for how you’d do that.

Sure, you can’t stop her from running herself ragged when she gets too focused on something, but at least you can keep her from getting her teeth into it for a little while.

“...what are you up to?” she is suddenly suspicious of you, for good and bad reasons honestly.

That paranoia serves her well, but is also a massive problem for her wellbeing all things considered. She’s getting better, no doubt, but since you’ve come in to see these things and to know her deeper than just as Miki or Princess No.

Saving the world is going to involve saving her from herself, you’d stake your life on it. And whether it’s telling her that in the moment, stopping her from doing something, doing something she cannot do, or being the one to do something she cannot be allowed to consign herself to do…

That is your loyalty.

You look at her incredulously, the shift in the set of your lips and eyes evoke the question of ‘Really?’ before you spare a side glance at Kairi Osaka beside you. She is entirely unversed in this language, like, for sure. Then you settle your eyes pointedly over to Gai Ginja before they return back to Mikage’s.

>>5050801

It isn’t a lie, and let her have her suspicions of you all she wants, because she also has faith.

And she smiles, again slyly. The echoes to the full alter that was Miki as you knew her continue to ripple through your princess. You’ve wondered if you should mourn, or celebrate that she’s home and a step closer to being whole. For now you’ve accepted it as it is. Miki is Mikage, Mikage isn’t entirely Miki. She understands your intent to grill Kairi Osaka about her and Gai Ginja under the pretense of serious discussion.

“So, what’s the timetable for a lunar orbit trip?” she has turned back to Gai, following the thread she has chosen to chase and leaving you to your inquiry with Kairi.

In truth, your want for the hot gossip will take place alongside actual serious discussion; as you and Kairi turn back around the corner.

Kairi Osaka isn’t someone you’ve had a particularly good relationship with. You were her bully, same as with Saori but not for quite as long. Sure circumstances have cleared the air, and given you a decent understanding and respect for one another but, even if she’s forgiven you that hasn’t washed away all of your guilt.

Guilt, however, isn’t for people who know how to wear heels.

“So, you and Ginja-san went to space?” there is an endearing quality and a slightly teasing tone to your voice.

It isn’t the dismissive undertone you used to use...when you were trying to make yourself feel superior to her for your own reasons...so it shouldn’t rattle her. However the familiar presentation, now that’ll raise her hackles just a little bit.

“Yes, he showed me the world from Low Earth Orbit,” Kairi explains, showing some suspicion of your intentions here.

She may not have seen your face at that moment, but she is also no fool. Doesn’t help that she too has an advisor who knows a thing or two.

Jadeite laughs in the back of your mind, about how this kind of juvenile banter and distraction was the kind of planning that laid him low when stripped of his humanity and used as a cruel weapon against the innocent of this world. He finds it poetic to be on this side of it now.

“Is that,” you linger with your words here, just so, “all that he showed you?”

Kairi Osaka blushes.

“I- No!” she stammers out, “We haven’t done anything like that!”

You nod firmly.

“Good, I would hate to think you were rebounding so hard to just throw yourself at the space elf,” you sigh in relief, remembering what she told you prior to her own developed infatuation and the triangle turned square around-

Well. You understand that one entirely.

“I told you that in confidence,” she hisses and glances at the corner, “Don’t be so casual with it!”

“Oh please, you’re not the only one,” you remind her of what you’ve shared with her of your own infatuations and turn want of confession between Miki and Keiko-chan, “And I told you THAT in confidence too,”

She sighs.

>>5050803

“...he’s never done anything like this before,” she explains, still blushing, “exploring the attempted growth and nurturing of a romantic love. He says it’s entirely new territory for him but he’s willing to try,”

“That’s a weird thing to call dating,” you question before musing, “but a confession like that over the curve of the earth sounds pretty romantic. Points to Ginja-san,”

“It’s not a confession though, he’s not acknowledging being in love,” her blush recedes as she rises to a tone in his defense, odd despite you offering a compliment to his having game, “It’s, honest. And honestly it really made me realize that neither am I, we have chemistry, common ground, and he’s cute...it would be nice if something’s there; but he’s right about it being something to build,”

“That sounds so mature,” you observe seriously, before taking her hands in yours to make sure what you have to say next really hammers it home, “I might take back my relief you weren’t rebounding. Are you two at least having fun?”

“Oh my god,” she seems exasperated and breaks the contact, “Yes! Where is your serious pragmatism, I thought we all agreed you were the responsible one,”

“That’s taking a back seat to what is, frankly, a delicious drama,” you explain, “Look, this is absolutely coming from a place of concern and maybe my own guilt for my bullying keeping you a social pariah for so long; but I am concerned whether or not you’re having fun and you’re enjoying this. It’s your first time pursuing something like this, and her hands have been all over it after she picked someone else for herself, and that’s my pragmatic worry,”

“So, this is when we finally meet directly,” she looks at you not with scorn but narrowed eyes with at least a bit of derision, “Jade,”

“Do not treat my issues with escape as an entirely different person,” you correct with perhaps a bit of bite, “I am aware of the time and place for MY, singular, behaviors. Right now it’s this time and this place,”

Kairi Osaka rolls her eyes and laughs.

“So, this is what it feels like to actually be friends with you,” Kairi Osaka sighs again, “Not just understanding. Do you treat all your friends like this,”

“Yeah,” you reply simply.

“I thought you and Mikage were bending over backwards to get romantic justice for Takeda-senpai?”

“Like I didn’t hit her with ALL the ridicule over the last year about her obsession with her council junior. And after they started becoming something you better believe I was relentless before her family drama started,” you offer in explanation.

There is a certain resignation and defeat in her expression. She told you how she got Mikage to start the chain of events that gave her and later you Knighthood. Neither of you are so innocent. She just needs to learn how to play with her nails out.

>>5050805

“So, Saori’s canisters?” is her concession, she can’t guilt you or shame you so maybe she can distract you with something serious.

Because you are an almost entirely shameless bitch. You want Kairi Osaka to have that kind of warmth that you have with Keiko-chan. You want for her happiness, and so you’ll work as the sieve to make sure she’s filtering and considering all the angles toward achieving that happiness. Which, you think, she does have a good handle on.

Not that you’d admit that to her now. This was too good.

Taking out your phone you adopt a more serious attitude.

“Besides the total interior coverage through the dome itself and in the ventilation hub, I’m not surprised they’ve planted the mountings for dispersal systems to cover the exits,” you observe of the diagrams sent to you after pulling them up, “Though they aren’t sure if they’ll be using remote radio controls like at the album launch or trying something more advanced. We’re looking at close to one hundred units of that size given the mountings found,”

“I think they’ll have sleepers or lesser shadows manually operating the one’s outside. It’s too wide a spread for one remote and the Big Egg complex itself would interfere with a local transmission outside the dome,” Osaka-san considers much more seriously and looks up, “I’ve been doing my own research about broadcasting and cell reception inside,”

“If there are manual releases, in time for evacuations,” you consider aloud in response, “Then I’m thinking we need Kino-san outside to collect and field purify. Anyone else with that power is a heavy hitter who will need to be inside,”

“Considering the size of the space, with disguise power you and Mikage could gain access to the ventilation systems while the rest of us try and stealth retrieve the ones atop the dome itself,” Osaka-san posits, “I was talking to Sasha and he thinks they’re going to wait until after the quarterfinals to drop the gas, get the most negative energy and the least positive energy in the space,”

She pauses and shakes her head.

“Also because Amazonite apparently has no pokerface and was excitedly telling him as her cover that the Quarterfinals would change the face of the competition,” she finishes.

“If we get caught clearing the canisters it may force their hand to do something earlier,” you reason and express your concern, “but then we can go at them head on...which I think is better for our chances if they haven’t created a significant buffer of cannon fodder,”

“I’ll look for Koito during downtime during the sports festival,” she affirms, “I’ll go over it with him and we can talk to Sugimoto-san after she meets up with us post closing ceremonies,”

“Sounds like a plan,” you nod, “Sorry if I got carried away about you and Ginja-san,”

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44 KB JPG

>>5050806

“I’m beginning to understand what Nomura-san must have felt like after Mikage decided to befriend her. Really though, I’ll take this kind of treatment over what you used to dish out,” she smiles.

“I’m glad you feel that way, because I won’t let up,” you smile with a faux sinister intent.

“Let me get my footing and I’ll dish it right back to you about Sugimoto-san,” she challenges.

“That’s the spirit,” the two of you share a laugh in camaraderie.

Stressed camaraderie but camaraderie all the same. When it dies down the two of you look at one another and share a small genuflecting gesture that had been shown to both of you by the spirits bound in stone in your respective rings.

“For our Princess,” the two of you say in unison, “For Earth and Elysion,”

“Attention everyone!” the loudspeaker calls out with the Principal’s voice, “Please head to the main athletic field for the opening ceremonies of the Juuban Municipal Highschool and Municipal Junior Highschool Sports Festival!”

>Go to opening ceremonies
>Try to find Kanagami Kaneada
>Let’s Skip ahead to the Tug of War
>Let’s Skip ahead to watching the folk & pop dances
>Let’s skip ahead to the Relay
>Let’s skip ahead to closing ceremonies
>write in

>>5050807
>>Try to find Kanagami Kaneada

>>5050801
>doing something she cannot do, or being the one to do something she cannot be allowed to consign herself to do…
Please don't go all "hard women making hard decisions while hard," Midori. That never works out.

>>5050803
> he showed me the world from Low Earth Orbit
SO JEALOUS!!!!!

>>5050805
>Look, this is absolutely coming from a place of concern and maybe my own guilt for my bullying keeping you a social pariah for so long; but I am concerned whether or not you’re having fun and you’re enjoying this. It’s your first time pursuing something like this, and her hands have been all over it after she picked someone else for herself, and that’s my pragmatic worry,”
Ah, open, honest communication, to follow up the teasing. Beautiful.

>>5050806
>You want Kairi Osaka to have that kind of warmth that you have with Keiko-chan. You want for her happiness, and so you’ll work as the sieve to make sure she’s filtering and considering all the angles toward achieving that happiness. Which, you think, she does have a good handle on.
F R I E N D S H I P

> “I think they’ll have sleepers or lesser shadows manually operating the one’s outside. It’s too wide a spread for one remote and the Big Egg complex itself would interfere with a local transmission outside the dome,” Osaka-san considers much more seriously and looks up, “I’ve been doing my own research about broadcasting and cell reception inside,”
Assuming they don't turn the building itself into an antenna. Not sure how possible that is, though.

I don't remember, have the Scouts been told about the AIBA thing?

No thoughts on the vote.

>>5050836
The Scouts have been told and are training with Sasha to potentially fight boxer themed monsters.

>>5050807
>>write in
Make sure to include time with Keiko during the festival.
And when Keiko is busy, we can
>>Try to find Kanagami Kaneada
May as well fish for more info and see how he is while the festival and his fresh bruises provide easy cover for bumping into him and asking about him looking like shit.

Yeah, this Vote is still open.

>>5052553
Sorry, Artemis, I just really have no idea what to vote for.

>>5052571
S’alright

>>5050807
>Try to find Kanagami Kaneada

Writing tonight!

>>5053227
Yay!

Still writing. Posting in the late morning.

Still trying to write

Rolled 18, 7, 10, 20, 2, 1 = 58 (6d20)

Parting ways with Naru Osaka, you join the cluster of people moving into today’s opening ceremonies. The great mixing of students from the High School and the Junior High comes together in the Athletic field shared by the schools, though with distinct areas for the competitions and exhibitions of both.

Both in the shadow of the school’s long standing statues of the previous three Sailor Moons.

Searching through the crowd you see if you can locate and get the intel you promised earlier. In truth, even if it’s a throwback to a part of your life you tried to leave behind, this street punk drama is grounding for you. At least, compared to everything you’ve been dealing with the last few weeks. It’s a small and perhaps welcome distraction from what you’re otherwise working on.

The stakes aren’t the same for one.

Though, that doesn’t matter.

You have a friend to touch base with. And you find him sitting in the shade under a tree further back from the preceding announcements. Passing by some of the girls whose orbit was more important to you in your year just a short while ago, you offer a passing wave to some guilty or neutral faces. That doesn’t matter right now. You’re learning who the real friends of your life are now anyway.

Kanagami Kaneada tried to clean himself up; but you can only do so much for the state of his uniform, minor swelling at his cheek, and the quickly applied bandages to the cut above his brow.

“Hey, you look like shit,” you offer as you lean against the tree next to him, looking out at the students and visiting parents congregating.

“Well, I feel like shit,” he concedes, “living dangerously if you’re looking to bum a smoke off me now?”

“Nah, that was a relapse of habit. That was a bad week, and now we know why,” you sigh, “Noticed your face and wanted to see what’s up,”

He hums to himself and grunts, throwing his arms over his knees in a relaxed balance.

“Had a run in with someone from the old days who thinks he’s important now,” he reminisces, “You remember Haru Ueno, Blue Jeans?”

“Only the nickname, moved away right?” you half lie.

“Just enough neighborhoods over to reinvent himself, he’s some kind of boss over at North Technical Prep,” he groans, “And he’s trying to get dues out of anyone he thinks crossed his turf to get to that rumble in the park,”

“I heard about that,” you hum to yourself, ignoring the fact that you were there too, “I mean everyone’s heard of that. Endymion Lives, right?”

Hell, it was your plan to have Ito-san post up that video as a call to arms. She doesn’t have the luxury of being entirely unrecognizable in it, but hopefully no one noticed you. Sasha’s distinct enough but maybe for the outfit choice he’ll go unmolested for it all things considered.

>>5053923

“Right,” he nods, though his glance over to you contains a little side eye.

“How much was Ueno asking for?” you inquire.

“He didn’t say a number, but he wanted a lesson and a message sent in the territory...he’s probably getting his now though,” he laughs and winces before clutching his cheek, “She showed up,”

Spending a bit more time chatting with Kanagami you find out what you can, the opening ceremonies of the National Sports day introduces the Folk Dance teams from both the Junior High and your own School. This pulls your attention as Keiko, still popular and a figure of some social power in the theater kid circle, steps forward with the mic to introduce the routines being done by her team before passing the mic to a girl from the Junior High.

And, in this moment you relax and watch. Bidding Kanagmi a quick goodby before heading in closer to get a better view of the proceedings.

It is only then, that on an off chance, you catch sight of your father entering the shared field along with a few other stragglers for the day.

Eclipsed Moon Quest Thread 162
Midori Perspective
End

>>5053925
> It is only then, that on an off chance, you catch sight of your father entering the shared field along with a few other stragglers for the day.

Oh shit.

Thanks for the run Art! We can finish this some day if we keep at it!

>>5053925
TFR, Art.

>>5053925
Thanks for running, Art.

How’d you folks enjoy the current state of Midori and a brief glimpse of what its like between her first Knight & Knight Marshall

>>5054167
Seems there are still some issues to work out, but compared to Mikage herself things are just fine.

>>5054167
Things aren't perfect, but they're slowly getting better. And isn't that what this quest is about?

>>5053945
DunDUnDUUUUN.
..My memory is somewhat full of holes. Her doing the delinquent/bully thing was tied to something in her family.
Mom left or suicide?

>>5053925
Thanks for running!

>>5054199
Midori’s mother went missing after a long battle with mental health issues and her car was found amid the woods at the base of Mt Fuji, often called the Suicide Forest. This lead into her becoming a delinquent, bully, and initially aggressively befriending Kieko when she found her self harming to quiet a voice in her head that was overwhelming her

>>5054209
I can't help but think "aggressively befriending" sounds like something from a different magical girl series.

>>5054209
Another person to add to the list of people to Usagi.

>>5054234

*glares* *sighs*