[FFML] [fanfic][Sailormoon] Moonshadow, chapter 8 (first impressions)

[H. Torrance Griffin]

I see the formatting has corrected itself, but I will mark my (interspersed) comments out better anyway....


--- On Mon, 11/24/08, The Eternal Lost Lurker <lurkerdrome at sbcglobal.net> wrote:

> From: The Eternal Lost Lurker <lurkerdrome at sbcglobal.net>
> Subject: [FFML] [fanfic][Sailormoon] Moonshadow, chapter 8 (first draft)
> To: "FFML" <ffml at chez-vrolet.net>
> Date: Monday, November 24, 2008, 4:14 PM
> Another new chapter. Usual disclaimers apply. C&C
> welcome.
> 
> 
> 
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> A solemn group met in the faculty room of Juuban Junior
> High School two 
> hours before the start of the school day.
> 
> "Minna-san," the principal began gruffly, "I
> do not need to tell you that we 
> have a serious problem."
> 
> The other teachers shifted uneasily, casting wary, awkward
> glances at one 
> another.
> 
> "One teacher dead. Followed by multiple allegations of
> sexual assault by 
> said teacher from various students.
> 
> "One mass exodus from the building, without staff
> supervision, which 
> resulted in numerous minor and one severe injury among the
> student body.
> 
> "Every window in the building shattered. Every scrap
> of paper in the 
> building ruined.
> 
> "One lecturer and several students missing."
> 
> The vice principal coughed. "Actually, we've done
> some checking, and found 
> out that this 'Kamiki Amami' was not an accredited
> lecturer. Nor had anyone 
> ever heard of her before Monday."
> 
> The principal raised an eyebrow. "Really? How
> interesting." He swept his 
> gaze over the assembled faculty again. "And I
> won't even entertain the 
> reports of bizarre creatures or--" He coughed, and
> muttered something that 
> sounded like 'cheerleaders'.
> 
> "Which we all saw. It was kind of hard not to."
> 
> The principal harrumphed. "I didn't say nobody saw
> it. I said we're not 
> dignifying it with comment." He paused, wringing his
> hands in front of him. 
> "The sheer number and severity of bizarre incidents in
> and around this 
> school of late have prompted...an investigation. A
> *thorough* 
> investigation."

<<HTG: Tim's going to have his work cut out of them if the Senshi are active for more than a year or so at this rate.  Either that, or a quasi-official relationship with the authorites is in order.>>

<snip>

> *Sunset,* she recalled. *He said I'll be able
> to...I'll have my powers back 
> by sunset.*
> 
> She glanced down at her wrist, surprised to see she
> hadn't removed the 
> glittery green bracelet. Its weight was comforting; she
> admired it as the 
> water cascaded over it.
> 
> "Jupiter..."
> 
> She sighed. "Man, I really fucked up."

<<HTG: Well, yes... dealing with dangerous Johns is one thing but that rampage was a bit vindictive.>>

<snip>

> An image suddenly flashed through her mind: a girl with
> long, tea-coloured 
> hair, smiling shyly at her from across a packed auditorium.
> 
> The same girl, confronting the health lecturer--the one who
> had turned into 
> that monster bitch.
> 
> *I don't remember her name, but...that's her. The
> Princess. I'm sure of it.*

<<HTG: Well, that will simplify matters in the long run>>

<snip>

> It was minutes past eight, and entry to the building proper
> had been barred. 
> Uniformed police officers and--more disturbingly--armed
> soldiers from the 
> JSDF stood guard over the campus and the students.

<<HTG: So definitly no blowing up half the city getting brushed off>>

<snip>

> 
> "Why does stuff like this keep happening?"
> 
> Usagi, head bowed, eyes glistening, shuffled morosely
> through the crowd, 
> guilt settling like a heavy weight upon her shoulders.
> 
> *Minna...gomen nasai...*

<<HTG: Fallout from being a trouble magnet, but also a tradeoff for not letting such rampage freely.  If the stakes get bigger someone will have to get close enough to her to shake some sense into her.>>

<snip>

> =-------------=
> 
> *So, the other girl I suspected might be a Senshi turned
> out to be Jupiter. 
> Strange coincidence, that she would turn up at the
> Princess' school.*
> 
> *I thought you did not believe in coincidences, Master.*
> 
> *I don't. That doesn't mean they don't exist.*
> 
> *So one Senshi remains, and then...*

<<HTG: Neither of them knows about Rei as of yet, or did I miss something?>>

<snip>

> =-------------=
> Glancing around warily, she walked purposefully over to the
> bespectacled 
> girl.
> 
> "Excuse me," she prompted softly.
> 
> The girl glanced up, annoyance in her eyes. Then, she saw
> who had spoken to 
> her, and her expression changed--only slightly.
> "Kino-san," she addressed in 
> a calm tone.
> 
> "You...um..." Makoto paused, uncertainly.
> 
> "Yes? I would appreciate if you were brief. I have
> fallen behind in my exam 
> preparations."
> 
> "Oh--sorry." The tall girl frowned. "Um,
> it's just...yesterday..." She then 
> noticed the glittering blue band on the shorter girl's
> wrist. Her eyes 
> widened. "I was right. You ARE one of those other
> Senshi."
> 
> The short-haired girl's test manual snapped shut, and
> her gaze locked onto 
> Makoto's face with chilling force. "Do not speak
> of such things openly, 
> Kino-san," she advised.

<<HTG: I wonder what kind of friends you are setting them up to be....>>

> "Um, right...thanks. Um, I'm sorry, I didn't
> get your name..."
> 
> "Mizuno," the girl replied tonelessly, adjusting
> her glasses. "We have 
> little need to speak to one another. Good day,
> Kino-san."
> 
> Makoto stood watching the short-haired girl for a long
> moment, then shook 
> her head and walked away.
> 
> *What the hell's HER problem?!*

<<HTG: She does have a fair number of issues, but then Mako-chan is in no position to talk>>

<snip>

> Makoto tensed, flinching as though struck. "So you
> really ARE the Princess."
> 
> Usagi nodded. "But it's best if you just call me
> Usagi, at least when 
> we're..." She gestured around them. "You
> know."
> 
> "Yeah." Makoto took a bite of her lunch, chewing
> silently. Then, she sighed. 
> "I'm...sorry I ran off like that. And, um..."
> 
> "It's...okay. I know the whole Senshi thing is a
> bit of a shock. It 
> certainly was for me." Usagi smiled. "You took it
> a lot better than I did at 
> first."
> 
> The tall girl grimaced. "I wouldn't be so sure. I,
> um..." She paused, 
> sighing. "Well, I guess the guy with the blurry face
> probably already told 
> you all about it."
> 
> Usagi blinked. "Guy with the blurry face? Huh?"
> 
> "You know, the guy who shut off my powers. You did
> send him after me, didn't 
> you?"
> 
> The tea-haired girl's confused look spoke volumes.
> "I didn't send anybody 
> after you," she said. "And what do you mean
> 'shut off your powers'?"
> 
> "He did...*something*...I don't know what. And I
> changed back into me. He 
> says I can't be Jupiter again until sunset
> tonight."
> 
> Now, Usagi looked VERY alarmed. "Anou...Kino-san...I
> don't *know* anybody 
> who can do that."

<<HTG: The best laid plans of Mice and Mages....>>

> =-------------=
> "Indeed. The other Senshi have fought powerful
> opponents already. They have 
> no training, but their true powers have been
> Awakened." He fixed a gaze like 
> cool steel on her. "You acquitted yourself well
> against the creatures which 
> attacked you at the museum that night, but you have not
> been tested since, 
> and you are not a full Senshi yet. If you were to encounter
> a youma, such as 
> the one Jupiter dispatched yesterday, you would most likely
> die. I have no 
> wish to see that."

<<HTG: Then send her to the Moon Rabbit for the trainign wheels to come off whydoncha!>>

> =-------------=
> 
> Naru groaned as her pager went off for the fifth time in an
> hour. 
> "Umino-kun," she sighed.
> 
> A classmate giggled. "Maybe he's given up on
> Usagi-chan and has a thing for 
> you now, Naru-chan," she teased.
> 
> The redhead rolled her eyes. "As if! He's just
> bored and lonely, and I'm the 
> only one who'll bother talking to him."
> 
> "I guess I do feel kinda sorry for him," the
> other girl said lightly. "I 
> mean, a week in the hospital sucks for anyone."
> 
> "You guys go on into the Wax Museum, I'll be there
> in a few." As her friends 
> walked off, Naru sighed, and hit the dial button for the
> geeky boy's phone.
> 
> "What's up, Umino-kun?" she said into the
> phone with exasperation.
> 
> //Naru-chan? Did you say you saw Usagi-san hanging around
> with the new girl 
> earlier?//
> 
> Naru blinked. "Kino-san? Yeah, they seem to be hitting
> it off. Why?"
> 
> //Naru-chan...I don't think it's a good idea for
> those two to hang out 
> much.// Umino sounded uncharacteristically upset.
> 
> The redhead frowned. "Why? I mean, she seems okay to
> me..."
> 
> Umino spoke at length. As he spoke, Naru's eyes grew
> progressively wider.
> 
> *Uso...*

<<HTG: Oh this can complicate matters... esp. given that they have little choice but to associate.

I doubt Usagi will revoke the demon-punding privliges, but Makoto had best level with her and Ami on the night job on her own terms>>

> =-------------=
> 
> 
> "Well...maybe that Mizuno girl is. What's wrong
> with her? I tried to talk to 
> her, and she's..."
> 
> "Grumpy?"
> 
> "Bitchy is more the word I'd use," Makoto
> replied.

<<HTG: *snort*>>

> 
> Usagi sighed. "Ami-san has never liked other people.
> And so many strange 
> things have happened lately..." She trailed off, her
> eyes moist. "She's not 
> a social person, and probably never will be. But she has a
> good heart, I 
> think, and she's taking this...*business*...seriously.
> Just...don't expect 
> her to get friendly. It just isn't her thing."
> 
> The tall girl nodded. "That kinda sucks, but I guess
> she didn't ask for this 
> either, huh?"
> 
> "No..." Usagi said softly, sadly. "No, she
> didn't."

<<HTG: There's an understatement.>>

> =-------------=
> 
> Mina slumped against the roof access door, panting. Sweat
> plastered her 
> bangs to her forehead. She wiped at the lenses of her mask
> with the back of 
> her glove.
> 
> "Better. Much better that time."
> 
> She glared at Timothy and made a rude gesture. "You
> can only do a few simple 
> tricks, huh?"

<<HTG: There too.>>

> "Sod off," Mina panted, glowering at him. Rising
> shakily to her feet, she 
> braced herself to move rapidly; she'd learned early in
> the session that 
> Timothy tended to attack without warning--and he was FAST.
> "One question," 
> she asked as her breathing grew less laboured.
> 
> "Hmm?"
> 
> "If you're packing this much badass, what the hell
> do you need with Senshi? 
> Why are you putting me through this when you're way
> stronger than me?"
> 
> Timothy chuckled. "Mina...I've been doing this a
> lot longer than you have. 
> You don't even have your full power yet. Once you do,
> it'll take you all of 
> ten seconds to beat me bloody."

<<HTG: If he does not blindside anyone with a power-nullifying spell of course....>>

> The blond regarded him sceptically. "I don't
> know...I'm starting to get a 
> little upset with all these things you keep not telling
> me."
> 
> The white-haired man sighed. "I know, and I'm
> sorry, I really am. It's just 
> that right now, things are delicate...it wouldn't do to
> dump everything on 
> you all at once." He paused. "The Princess,
> Mercury, and Jupiter were all 
> thrust into their roles rather abruptly, in the midst of
> traumatic emotional 
> shocks. They're handling it fairly well, all things
> considered,

<<HTG: I get the feeling he is softening things or has a rather scary definition of poorly.>>

> but--" He 
> sighed. "It isn't the way I'd prefer things to
> happen. That's why I'm taking 
> it slowly with you, trying not to give you too much to
> worry about all at 
> once. I know you're strong, Mina. I just...don't
> want to have to find out 
> how much pressure you can take before you crack." An
> old, deep pain filled 
> his eyes. "I never want to watch someone break under
> pressure again. Not 
> someone I care about."

<<HTG: Ah, the Old Shame/MyGreatestFailure bit.

(I like tvtropes, sue me)>>

> =-------------=
> Usagi stood, smiling. "Just...be careful what you do
> with that, ne? We're 
> very strong as Senshi, and you don't want to go around
> hurting people that 
> can't fight back."
> 
> Jupiter cast her gaze to the ground. "Yeah, I know. I
> mean, I know now. I 
> won't go flying off the handle again. I just..."
> She sighed. "I gotta lotta 
> crap to deal with, and this week's been hell on me. So
> when I got this 
> power, I just kinda..."
> 
> Usagi's smile turned sad. "I think I
> understand." She stretched. "I need to 
> get home. I'll see you tomorrow?"
> 
> Jupiter transformed back into Makoto, who smiled and
> nodded. "Un. Ja, 
> Usagi!"
> 
> The two girls went their separate ways.

<<HTG: Why does this look the the beginning of one of Makoto"s first real friendships in some time?  For that matter Usagi seems the closest thing Ami has to a friend at all.  Sounds about right.>>

> =-------------=
> 
> Timothy had insisted they end the day's training
> session with a "cool-down 
> jog".
> 
> What he'd actually meant was that they were going to
> dash across half of the 
> Minato ward, keeping to the rooftops, at deadly speeds.

<<HTG: Whee!!!!>>

> Timothy pointed down into the street below. "You see
> those two guys there?"
> 
> Mina followed his gaze, and groaned. "Oh man, why do I
> keep running into 
> jewel thieves in this stupid city?"
> 
> The two masked men below were holding guns, and were
> clearly about to break 
> into a jewelry store across the street.
> 
> The white-haired man eyed Mina speculatively, then grinned.
> "Tell you what. 
> Why don't we make this your 'homework' for
> today."
> 
> The Senshi blinked. "You mean, stop the robbery?"
> 
> Timothy shrugged. "Why not? It's an easy workout,
> and you'll be doing some 
> poor soul a favor."

<<HTG: Perhaps the others will hit on this as a control exercise?  Do not cripple anyone, level anything, or get caught?>>

> =-------------=
> 
> "No, it's not like that," Usagi replied,
> shaking her head. "It's just...she 
> says she met someone yesterday who..." The tea-haired
> girl paused, then 
> shrugged. "Stopped her powers, somehow. Broke her
> transformation. She got 
> them back about thirty minutes ago."
> 
> Luna's eyes widened. "Such power exists?
> But..."
> 
> "Then you don't know anything about it?"
> 
> "I've never heard of anything like this
> before," Luna replied, shaking her 
> head. "As far as I know, only the Ginzuishou can do
> that. Or a circle of 
> High..." She trailed off, eyes wide. "High Lunar
> Mages..."
> 
> The princess and the youma shared a glance.
> 
> "I want to have a word with your
> 'Master'," Usagi said, a cold fire in her 
> eyes--eyes which were suddenly blue and sharp, despite her
> not having 
> transformed. "As soon as possible. No excuses."

<<HTG: This is going to be even more fun than the Tux-Boy thing....>>

> Luna could not completely repress a shudder at the tone in
> the young girl's 
> voice.

<<HTG: Her Highness leaking through?>>

> =-------------=
> 
> "Tadaima," Usagi called as she walked through the
> door.
> 
> "Usagi-chan! Come see this!" Ikuko called
> excitedly from the living room.
> 
> "Eh?" The tea-haired girl shuffled into house
> slippers, then entered the 
> living room, where her parents were anxiously glued to the
> television. 
> "What's going--"
> 
> "SHH!"
> 
> On the screen, a reporter stood in front of a jewelry
> store--one which Usagi 
> recognised as Osa-P. Police lights were flashing behind the
> reporter, and 
> uniformed officers were bustling to and fro in the
> background.
> 
> //--robbery was foiled by a mysterious vigilante,// the
> reporter was saying. 
> //And we have exclusive video footage of one of the most
> amazing and 
> unbelievable events in this city's history.//

<<HTG: Yup, this is going to complicate matters big time.  Timmy's got some explaing to do....>>

> "CRESCENT BEAM!"
> 
> A golden shaft of light lanced out from her finger, sending
> one thief's gun 
> flying. A second blast dealt with the other gun as its
> owner stared in 
> shock. The two men stood, transfixed, unsure what to do.

<<HTG: Side note, massive coordination/aim here.  I do not think the cops are going to arrest Mina (let alone the others) without thier cooperation>>

> Kenji clicked off the television. "Can you believe
> it?"
> 
> "I've never seen anything like that!" Ikuko
> cried. "It's like something out 
> of one of your silly manga, ne Usagi-chan?
> ...Usagi-chan?"
> 
> Usagi had left the room.

<<HTG: Much stress potential.  Or perhaps a hasty conference call>>

> Mina wilted a bit at his criticism. Then, she looked out
> over the city, the 
> light evening wind stirring her hair. "Ne, if I was on
> the telly, does that 
> mean the Princess and the others saw me tonight?"
> 
> "Probably."
> 
> "What're we gonna do about that? I mean,
> aren't they gonna be pissed or 
> something? What do we tell them about tonight?"
> 
> Timothy shrugged. "C'est la vie."

<<HTG: Why do I get the feeling....>>

> He looked over the notes he'd taken, cursing his lack
> of proper attention in 
> English class in school. The furiously scribbled kana added
> up to a whole 
> lot of gibberish, as he'd only gotten every third word
> or so.

<<HTG: Someone that knows eigo can decipher more.  Not quite enough to be damaging on it's own but the new kid clearly has companions/allies/masters.>>

> 
> One thing, however, he'd heard VERY clearly--and it
> would be enough to 
> guarantee a front page byline.
> 
> The very last line of kana he'd written, he underlined.
> 
> Se-ra-bi.
> 
> He frowned. That last didn't sound QUITE right. Idly,
> he chewed on the 
> eraser of his pencil, then nodded thoughtfully, crossing
> out the last 
> character, and carefully wrote in a new line below it:
> 
> Se-ra-V.

<<HTG: Called it.  Too obvious not too.>>

HTG