View source for 2781/Senshi Assemble!

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2025/10/13
|Location=Cafe BAKE Neko
|Synopsis=Minako's solo snacking in the cafe soon becomes a small Senshi gathering with Ami, Makoto, and Usagi joining in. The news about Mamoru and Riventon's fight is passed on before it devolves into speculation about very questionable not-science suggested by Mina. And boys. Boys too.
|Cast of Characters=27,122,45,43
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:27|Minako Aino (27)}} has posed:'''<br>The cat cafe was as usual one of the better hangouts -- If only because Mina had already burned through most of her 'arcade gaming' money at this point in the month and had been scolded by her mother to watch her spending. A grim situation for certain, but it was softened by the cafe full of cats (as well as teasing Artemis for wanting to visit in hopes of seeing Diana.) <br><br>Seated at a table she's already sipping on a warm cup of tea. A new thing for her, really, but it was less expensive than her usual sugar-bomb drinks and she could have a few snacks on the side with it.<br><br>One leg crossed over the other she sits leisurely with just the slightest bounce to her topmost foot matching the beat of whatever song was quietly piped over the cafe sound system. It was far quieter here than other places because of not wanting to disturb the cats. So Mina just waits, sipping on her tea looking all proper lady-like for the moment with her pinkie up trying not to drool over the slices of cake in the display case.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:122|Ami Mizuno (122)}} has posed:'''<br>It wasn't long before Ami found her way in behind Minako. The blue-haired senshi was quick to make her way to the counter and make her order. Sweetened cappuccino, among the more predictable things about her.<br><br>Well.<br><br>Ami was ''mostly'' predictable. Her backpack was slung over her shoulders even now as she caught sight of her bow-sporting blonde friend to make a beeline in that direction, coffee now in hand. There weren't many places she would go without a plethora of study supplies, after all.<br><br>"Mina-chan!" Ami smiled around the words, closing the distance, and selecting her own seat without invitation.<br><br>The invitation was implied.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:45|Makoto Kino (45)}} has posed:'''<br>To the surprise of approximately no one, Makoto has been baking.<br><br>This time, it's not for the cat cafe's limited time special, though. When Usagi texts her with an emergency request for sweets - and then later texts again to suggest they'll probably need more - Mako takes her self-appointed responsibility to feed her friends seriously.<br><br>So when she turns up at Minako's table only a little after Ami seats herself, she brings with her a plate piled with pale little donut-like cookies sprinkled here and there with rose petals. She slides it deftly to the center of the table. "These aren't technically from the cafe, so shh," she says, glancing from Minako's face to Ami's and back with a grin. "How are we holding up?"<br><br>She, too, does not bother to ask permission before she picks out a seat and settles into it. She brought them food, that is her invitation.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Usagi Tsukino (43)}} has posed:'''<br>Usagi is the last to make her appearance, coming in with Luna on her shoulder, all the better so that this time, she and Artemis can go off and talk, if they'd like. They don't ''have'' too, but it's an option they don't always have time to find, sooo... <br><br>When she enters, she takes the last seat at Minako's table, and is looking at the donut-like cookies that Makoto has with stark appreciation - and hunger. "Ah, they smell ''so'' good..." <br><br>She reaches across the table to touch Ami's hand, friendly and warm, loving even. <br><br>"Best as I can," she says with a little sigh, "How about you?" <br><br>Mamoru is with Kazuo and probably the other boys, if she had to guess, and she's hoping they've gotten him to sleep some more. Healed or not, his ''heart'' was still wounded.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:27|Minako Aino (27)}} has posed:'''<br>Minako Aino lifts her head when Ami approaches and takes a seat beside her. There's not a bit of complaint to that! If anything it brightens her spirit to have her friend join her and she inhales the scent of coffee with a wistful sigh. She was trying so hard to keep to tea for now! <br><br>"Ami-chan! I'm so glad you're here! It's been a rough time but mostly for the boys," she explains and quickly forgets as soon as Makoto joins as well.<br><br>"Ohthankgod Mako-chan you're a life saver!" Cookies. Oh god yes cookies. Her stomach grumbles just a bit as she reaches for one already flashing a grin at Usagi as well. "Yeah. I don't have siblings so I can't really imagine how that must be, but ... I guess it'd be like having to fight one of you all."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:122|Ami Mizuno (122)}} has posed:'''<br>Ah, the touch. Far beyond even the sudden presence of baked sweets, contact with Usagi captures her entire attention even if just for a moment. The smile offered to Minako shifts its focus and deepens at the same time she allows fingers to curl, to squeeze.<br><br>"I'm doing quite well, thank you." Ami's attention drifts to Makoto now. "Maybe a little bit busy, but Rome-kun's not going to study on his own initiative if he can help it. Somebody has to keep him on track."<br><br>Even so. One of the cookies disappeared and Ami washed it back with a mouthful of her cappuccino. Then she furrows her brows a little.<br><br>"What have the boys been getting up to now?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:45|Makoto Kino (45)}} has posed:'''<br>Makoto's grin brightens a little as she settles into her seat, then dims again at Ami's question. She pulls a wry face instead. "Usagi-chan can answer that a lot better than me," she says, green eyes flicking briefly in Usagi's direction, "but the short version, from what I know, is that Mamoru-san and Riventon finally fought it out. I got the impression it was pretty rough... like, Mamoru-san and Masato-kun needed healing after rough." <br><br>The corners of her mouth tug downward, but she continues on: "As far as the details beyond that, I'd kind of like to know more myself."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Usagi Tsukino (43)}} has posed:'''<br>Better Rome-kun than her! She loves her darling Ami-chan, but she really, really hates studying, and having a more casual Ami-and-Usagi hangout that involves studying is better than an Ami guided study session. Still, she makes a face when Ami asks, mostly because she realizes that she didn't interrupt Ami's studying to tell her sooner. <br><br>"Mako-chan got the summary... they finally fought over Riventon using that orb, the one that had Beryl's power, and it got ugly... Mamochan told Riventon that he couldn't handle his dark energy, and that he's on my side because I win and Riventon doesn't, and a bunch of ''honest'' stuff that still - you know, Riventon didn't like hearing, so he threw out their whole, no magic just fists fight rules." <br><br>She grimaces. <br><br>"He picked Mamochan up and threw him like a ball, and he ''bounced'' before he hit Masato-kun. Sailor Saturn had to use her silence wall to protect them from his dark energy blasting. We talked about it some, last night, but... Mamochan and Masato-kun are pretty sad now. ''But'', Riventon did destroy the orb, and we have the pieces! So you can examine them!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:27|Minako Aino (27)}} has posed:'''<br>"Move been wiv Mome-kun?" Surely that was something mean to be legible from Minako but she had been *so hungry* and those Makoto-made-cookies were *right there* so she'd crunched down on a couple till her cheeks were slightly puffed out making talking around the mouthful a-- Well, a mouthful.<br><br>Her teacup is drawn up to gulp down the cookies with the hot tea which doesn't seem to bother her at least so she can speak properly. "I mean, you've been with Rome-kun? How is he? Did he ask about me?" Mina is already leaning in toward Ami's side with a too-big-grin.<br><br>Ah, but they were talking about Important Stuff too so she lets her curiosity about him take the back burner with a deep breath as she re-focuses her attention. "Yeah he lost his mind like back when the guys did." A pause as her eyes dart around for any of said guys before she continues. "I think it's making them relive a bunch of that. Plus they worked with him back then? So he's like, the last one that we haven't been able to rescue yet because he was so convinced that he could take care of it himself."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:122|Ami Mizuno (122)}} has posed:'''<br>Ami nodded slowly.<br><br>"Riventon did get a little bit scary at the end of our space-ride, didn't he?" The senshi bit at her lip with a grimace. "I didn't think he'd go quite ''that'' far, though. That's actually quite sad to hear--for all of them."<br><br>She cupped hands around ceramic, drawing warm beverage in closer. A breath escaped her as a sigh and sapphirine eyes shifted to Minako now.<br><br>"I mean, it's not as though I've been sitting around with him every day." Ami's tone shifted into something resembling a complaint. "I'm sure he'd much rather be going on dates with you than wrangling his way through calculus with me."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:45|Makoto Kino (45)}} has posed:'''<br>Makoto sighs quietly, her frown relaxing into a fond half-smile at the interplay between the other girls. They are constants, each in their own way. There's a comfort to be had in that - in her friends, being who they are no matter what.<br><br>"At least there's that," she says in reply to Usagi. "The orb being destroyed, I mean, ''and'' Riventon not even still having the pieces. The last thing we needed was anyone running around copying Beryl's homework, no matter what they think they're going to use it for."<br><br>She reaches absently for one of the cookies, nibbles on it pensively. Usagi's description of the confrontation was perhaps a touch more vivid than Mako would've liked. Still, all of these things are good to know.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Usagi Tsukino (43)}} has posed:'''<br>"It is sad! It didn't have to be like this, at all, but - but sometimes people are stupid, and Riventon is the worst about it, because he's a genius, so he's ''genius'' stupid." She is displeased about it, saddened as much as she is annoyed, and Mamoru is heartsick about it. "I don't know what else he's going to do now - Riventon, I mean - but it probably won't be good." <br><br>She shakes her head, and then in spite of herself, snickers a little, reaching for a cookie and stuffing the whole thing in her mouth. <br><br>"Mrrnnkn,'s nnt ike -" she swallows, realizing she's unintelligible, "''Minako-chan'', I mean, it's not like Ami-chan's been spending their tutoring sessions talking about you. You could just ask him! It's not like he'll say no."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:27|Minako Aino (27)}} has posed:'''<br>Minako Aino reaches out to pat Ami's arm lightly with a small nod of understanding. Of course Rome would rather be with her! But she knew her friend really wanted him to succeed, too, so god speed Rome. She wasn't going to interfere in that. It's not as if she could offer to help! <br><br>"Well I already did talk to him but that doesn't mean I can't think about him too!" She blurts out to Usagi. "I mean when was *I* ever shy? And-" she hastens to add looking guiltily toward Ami. "I did tell him I was also Minato."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:122|Ami Mizuno (122)}} has posed:'''<br>"It'll probably be even more self-destructive." Ami agreed with Usagi, nose scrunched a little as the grand scope of potentially silly things that particular boy might do opened up within her mind. "But, I can certainly take a look at the orb fragments. Sure. I've been trying to find ways to start reproducing some of the things I've learned with Rashmi-san, too, so this will be a nice test."<br><br>The plethora of scans and notes she'd taken while helping Rashmi with devicer technology, that was. Ami's far more ''private'' study around the intersections of the technical and the magical. ''That'' was exciting stuff, reflected in her eyes as they brightened considerably.<br><br>Then, of course, she eyed Minako again. Her brows knit closer together and Ami nodded once.<br><br>"Good."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:45|Makoto Kino (45)}} has posed:'''<br>"I imagine he's got something to prove now," Makoto observes, around her cookie. "Riventon, I mean. So yeah, we can probably expect him to do some big stupid or other about it. If we're lucky, it'll be obvious when he does it, instead of coming back to bite everyone during winter break or something like that."<br><br>Then she pauses, half a kaak warka in hand, and her eyes dart from Ami to Minako to Usagi to Minako in rapid succession. "So," she says, and there's a warmth to her tone that was ''not'' there when discussing Riventon, "I definitely seem to have missed some stuff."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Usagi Tsukino (43)}} has posed:'''<br>"At least you're not forgetting that about yourself! But still! Don't go pestering Ami-chan now, ''you'' have to talk to him." <br><br>And she wags a finger, then devours another cookie, before remembering that they're for Mamochan and forcibly stopping herself from taking more. <br><br>"I want to purify them, but I want - I think it would be good for you to scan them, so like... we have some kind of, I don't know, air pod tag for Beryl's signature, just in case?" Does that make any sense? Hopefully it does. Makoto's raising a point, too, about the having something to prove, and she grimaces about it. Then? Shakes it off! <br><br>"Oh yes, Minako's got a new boy she's after! Ami-chan's tutoring assignment."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:27|Minako Aino (27)}} has posed:'''<br>"He's got everything to prove, mostly to himself. Masato said he said 'Fuck you, your family and your future' which I mean we've all *been* to the future so I'm guessing he's kind of bent out of shape about that. If he's some super genius that thinks he can solve the worlds problems but then Usagi and Mamoru did it instead."<br><br>Once in awhile, just ONCE in awhile, she was decent at having some insight. Even if she didn't ultimately realize it. The plate of cookies is regarded woefully as she notices Usagi holding back which meant she would have to as well. Alas.<br><br>Ah, but the mention of another boy she's after does cause a giddy little smile to creep over her.<br><br>"I found his Tamagotchi and we had drinks and mine was kind of gross so he let me have his and I didn't even have to ask it was so sweet!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:122|Ami Mizuno (122)}} has posed:'''<br>"They've been mutually crushing on one another while not knowing each other's secret identities." Ami explained far more clinically for Makoto. "Which, given Mina-chan's disguise pen, has led the poor boy to have that crush on three people who are all the same person."<br><br>To Usagi, though, Ami nodded her agreement. "That's probably a good idea."<br><br>At the very least, Ami wasn't about to go poking at things with an influence of dark energy herself. There were other practicalities to flow outward.<br><br>"''Plus''." Ami said a little tentatively. "It'll be ''interesting'' to try to figure out how Riventon managed it in the first place. Especially given I wasn't able to come up with a way to bind dark energy in place and, evidently, he ''has''. I'm sure that'll be useful at some point."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:45|Makoto Kino (45)}} has posed:'''<br>Makoto's brows lift and her eyes widen at Ami's explanation. "Oh, no, Minako-chan!" The hand that's not still holding half a cookie flies up to cover her mouth - she's trying, not very successfully, to smother laughter. That definitely sounds like a Minako kind of problem to have. "You cleared up at least some of it, though. It sounds like he really likes you!"<br><br>She's quite excited about this, really. Girls in love are allies, after all, and Minako was more than due some happiness in love.<br><br>Also? Honestly more interesting than the Riventon stuff, which at this point is perilously close to 'over Makoto's head' territory. "If anyone can make sense of that stuff, it's you, Ami-chan," she says. "In the meantime, I'll be keeping an eye out in case that guy starts any new trouble."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Usagi Tsukino (43)}} has posed:'''<br>"I have a feeling ''Hinoiri-chan'' is at least a little responsible for that," Usagi sighs with mingled fondness and exaggeration. "She's really good with magic jewels, and she's friends with Riventon, so... I'm going to ask her though, because it's just a feeling, and I could be wrong!" <br><br>She doesn't think she is. She remembers those fake Silver Crystals, spread through the city, and then delivered to her, a truce of sorts... <br><br>"But there's nothing to do but call her later. and tease Minako-chan about the ~boy~ she likes~!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:27|Minako Aino (27)}} has posed:'''<br>Minako Aino spreads her hands in an innocent 'what can I do?' sort of gesture at Makoto's exclamation. "I wasn't *trying* to make him fall for different versions of me! He just clearly has really good taste." Yes that's clearly it. Clearly.<br><br>The talk of Hinoiri though earns a little tired sigh, and nod of agreement. "Her magic is kind of different from what we're used to so I could see that happening. Or even if not her directly then I guess Riventon is supposed to be a genius. Maybe with that different information he was able to pull something off." Pause. "Or maybe he used really strong super glue?" No? Worth a shot.<br><br>Ah but yes, she grins again. "He's British and cute and knows how to dance ballet! Though I think he doesn't much anymore."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:122|Ami Mizuno (122)}} has posed:'''<br>Ami's interest was multifaceted. She'd already done her part playing matchmaker for Minako and Roman, it was more-or-less in their hands at this point. Now she could just sit back and let this new ship sail.<br><br>Well, right until the blonde said something Ami couldn't make much sense of.<br><br>"How do you superglue energy, Mina-chan?" Ami asked her friend, immediately confused.<br><br>She shook her head lightly.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:45|Makoto Kino (45)}} has posed:'''<br>Makoto shakes her head and laughs at the look Minako's giving her. "I didn't think you did it on ''purpose,''" she says. "I was just thinking... somehow that's very you, is all." <br><br>She can't even pretend she's not giggling any more. "That's great, though!" she adds.<br><br>Then Usagi's bringing up Hinoiri, and Makoto groans expressively, settling back into her seat. "It would figure," she mutters to herself - and then shuts herself up by stuffing a cookie into her mouth before she can say anything else about it.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:43|Usagi Tsukino (43)}} has posed:'''<br>"Honestly, I'm just glad I'm not the only one who fell in love with multiple versions of the same person," Usagi says earnestly, "Three people is one more though, so poor Rome-kun... but! At least you can tell him all three are you without like, risking being on the opposite side or anything." <br><br>Honestly, this is just some good old fashioned trouble, as far as they're all concerned. <br><br>Superglue just earns a giggle, as does Ami's earnest question.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:27|Minako Aino (27)}} has posed:'''<br>"Well... I don't know? Exactly?" Minako's nose scrunches as if she were really trying to figure out the semantics of how super glue would work on magical energy now. "Not literal super glue. I know you have to ground electricity so it doesn't shock you like when you leave a circuit open on a karaoke machine, so maybe he found what would be a good 'ground' for the dark energy and it just kind of hung around where it was being contained? Or magnetic pull or something." Yeah none of tha made any sense did it.<br><br>"Or maybe it's more like fire where you need to feed it logs to keep it burning but you have a circle of stones to keep it from spreading but in this case it's the stone thing that broke that kept it from going further?" By now she's reaching for another cookie while slinking down into her hair a bit further. So much further. "Mmjustgonnaeatthis."<br> <br>
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