[FFML] [Sailormoon] Moonshadow, chapter 23 (draft)

[H. Torrance Griffin]

--- On Thu, 1/27/11, Mythril Moth <mythrilmoth at sbcglobal.net> wrote:

> "As we did...before...?"
> 
> "Find it..."
> 
> "Find it..."
> 
> "Please...find it..."
> 
> "PRINCESS!"
> 
> Mamoru's eyes snapped open. He sat bolt upright in bed,
> nightclothes soaked in sweat. He scrubbed a clammy hand
> through short, damp hair. His heart hammered in his chest.

He is going to hate life when he figures out who this chick in his dreams is....

> "That, I am still pondering. I would discuss the matter
> with our Lord Brother before setting forth a course of
> action."
> 
> "I agree. This must be handled delicately."

So, no splattering him accross Tokyo?

> 
> =-------------=
> 
> Sayoko tensed slightly at the impatient bite in her
> daughter's voice. "Very well. I know you're hiding something
> from me, and I want you to tell me."
> 
> Ami flinched almost imperceptibly. "I am not hiding
> anything of consequence, Okaasan."
> 
> "And that is the first time in your entire life you have
> lied to me," the elder Mizuno replied, a warning note of
> anger creeping into her voice. She crossed her arms.

Busted.

I do like how you are avoiding the "Eternal Cluelessness" meme.  The question is how many of the Senshi's families will also put things together. 

> Sayoko sighed heavily. "I should have expected this much
> resistance, all things considered." Shaking her head, she
> sat down on the sofa, absently rearranging her clothes. "I
> found the uniform you tried to hide," she said. "To be
> honest, I've been watching for warning signs of
> any...consequences ever since."

Under any other situation, I would expect Sayoko to seek counciling for her daughter over this.

> "She didn't say, she just said her mother figured it out,
> and that's why she isn't here today. She's trying to explain
> everything." Usagi sighed.
> 
> "...crap. So...this is a bad thing then?"
> 
> "It's certainly not a good thing," the tea-haired girl
> replied. "It all depends on how she reacts..."

Well, having an adult with medical knowledge and a bank account in on everything could not hurt in the long run....

> Once Mercury fell silent, Sayoko simply sat staring at her
> for what seemed like hours. After some time, she shook her
> head and sighed. "You know, Ami-chan," she said, "you've
> been the most hassle-free child a parent could ever ask for.
> In fact, there have been times when I've wished you *would*
> get in some kind of trouble, just so I'd feel like I
> actually had to do some parenting." She laughed shakily.
> "Well, you know what they say, be careful what you wish
> for."

I would have said Ami has borderline emotional problems, but she is right about it not manifesting externally....

> "And I suppose attempting to put a stop to this would be
> futile?"
> 
> "I owe Serenity a life debt. I pledged to continue fighting
> at her side until this war is concluded. And...until this
> ends, nobody will be safe. As much as I want to leave this
> to others..." She shook her head. "I have fought this enemy.
> I cannot ignore the danger to humanity. Not when I am one of
> the few who has been given the responsibility of protecting
> the Earth." She laughed mirthlessly. "And now I am beginning
> to sound like one of those ridiculous manga."

Awww....

> Rei nodded. "I see." She picked at her rice for a moment,
> then added, "If I may ask...exactly how did you discover the
> ability to power up your attack?"
> 
> Mina coughed, nearly choking on a mouthful of sausage, and
> turned red. "Um...that's..."
> 
> =-------------=
> 
> Looking around to make sure she was alone and unseen, Mina
> transformed into Venus, then leapt to the roof of an
> abandoned apartment building.
> 
> Sunset was the perfect backdrop for her special training,
> she mused, as she closed her eyes and focused on what she
> wanted to try...
> 
> Of course, with the horizon painted brilliantly red and
> orange, nobody noticed the giant glowing golden heart
> shooting off into the sky.

She's just the first to Level Up.

> 
> Back in the alley, a paused game of Maverick Hunter X
> merrily chewed away at the battery life of Mina's PSP, which
> she had forgotten to turn off...

????

> Mother and daughter had spent the day together, talking and
> eating lunch, in a rare session of pure family bonding.

Awww again.

> Ami waited patiently, knowing her mother had more to say.
> After a few moments, the doctor added, "It's just..."
> 
> "Yes, Okaasan?"
> 
> Sighing, Sayoko stood and began wringing the hem of her
> blouse. "There's something..." She paused. "I'm not trying
> to encourage this Senshi thing, but if things are as you
> explained them..."
> 
> "They are."
> 
> "Then..." Ami's mother sighed, and faced her directly.
> "There's something you need to know..."

This is what is referred to as an Oh Crap moment.

> "And that's the situation," Ami finished.
> 
> 
> Usagi stared at her in horror. "Unbelievable..."
> 
> "At literally any given moment, we may find ourselves
> facing an army of at least three hundred Necrocites."
> 
> The tea-haired girl paled.

A Crack in the Masquerade does not seem that big a deal now, does it?

> "I am surprised you are making no attempt to feign
> ignorance or refute my acknowledgement of your nighttime
> persona."
> 
> "Obviously, it would be a waste of time. You wouldn't be
> here if you didn't know damn well who I am."

Smart man.

> The oily-haired man laughed richly. "How amusing and
> ironic, that statement," he said. "To business, then?"
> 
> "What the hell do you want?" Mamoru spat.
> 
> "Why...you, dear boy."
> 
> Everything went black.

Hosed, but smart.

HTG