197/It's A Beach Episode, Kids!

It's A Beach Episode, Kids!
Date of Scene:	02 August 2023
Location:	Beach
Synopsis:	What summer is complete without a trip to the beach? Usagi, Ami, and Rei are happy to enjoy the sea and sand as friends. (Note: Posted Incomplete.)
Cast of Characters:	Usagi Tsukino, Ami Mizuno, Rei Hino

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Usagi Tsukino has posed:
The summer has been missing a very important thing - the beach. And it's not like Usagi Tsukino doesn't understand why; this has easily been the most traumatic summer of her life. Maybe even the most traumatic summer of everyone's lives - it wasn't every summer that most people became a magical girl, after all! Between monsters, tests, enemies, quizzes, and unfortunate vehicular accidents Usagi was doing her level best to forget, she'd almost forgotten the perfect fun that was hitting the beach.

Almost.

It had taken some phone calls, but before she knew it, she'd gotten Rei and Ami both to agree on a date, and the three of them had caught the bus straight to Yumegahama Beach. This time, there were no plant monsters ruining the perfect calm.

"This is perfect!" Usagi cheers as she looks out over the surf and sand. "A beautiful day, and there's not too many people, and, best of all, we're together!"

She's wearing a white and pink polka dot swimsuit under a white sundress, a floppy straw hat clinging to her head for dear life. There's a picnic basket over one shoulder, with a few packaged snacks inside, but the most important cargo is Luna, the poor kitty still too injured to make the trip on her own two legs. She's got a beach towel tucked under her other arm. "Where do you think we should set up? Close to the surf? In the middle of the sand?"

Ami Mizuno has posed:
Ami follows behind the cheerful Usagi, wearing a blue one-piece swimsuit, a floppy straw hat of her own, and some flip-flops. Her long-sleeved white shirt is unbuttoned, and she wears a pair of shorts that she will abandon should they decide to swim. She's carrying a few things of her own: another picnic basket with more snacks, and a beach blanket. She smiles as she looks around, but keeps glancing to the basket with concern.

"Hey, Usagi?" she says, catching up to the blonde twintailed girl after a moment. "Is Luna going to be okay?" Ami is worried and it shows. This might be the third time she's asked after the black cat.

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
"She is," Usagi says, and even if it's the third time Ami has asked, she's doesn't sound the slightest bit annoyed or bothered. She understands the concern, after all - she was the first one to be concerned! "The vet said that the break was clean so the cast will make sure it heals right, and Naru-chan and I are making sure the stitches stay clean and dry, and her ribs are doing really well! The vet said they might not be broken after all!"

Which had been very, very good news. The idea that Luna had been hurt less was something Usagi rejoiced in.

"She's just been sleeping a lot; they gave her some pain medication she has to take every few hours, and it makes her really sleepy. It's one reason I thought the beach day would be nice! She can nap somewhere besides the school."

Ami Mizuno has posed:
Ami nods. She smiles a little. "I'm glad you take good care of your people, Usagi-chan," she says with a slightly bigger smile. "Oh, hey. I think there's a good spot, middle of the sand area?" she jerks her chin in the direction she's talking about, because her hands are full! "If you want I'll go grab it, and we can probably rent a beach umbrella. Luna would probably enjoy the shade."

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
"Oh! You're right, it does look perfect," Usagi squints at the spot for a second, before nodding in satisfaction. "You grab it, and I'll go rent the umbrella, and then we can get all set up!"

Not that there's much to set up - just towels, blankets, and themselves. She's pretty confident Ami brought a book too, but she's equally confident that she can convince her to swim and play in the sand instead.

Ami Mizuno has posed:
Ami did. It's tucked into the top of the picnic basket. "If you wait until I get the blanket set up, I can sit with Luna," she offers with a smile. "She seems comfortable enough with me," she adds after a moment. Either way, though, she'll go spread the blanket out and set her picnic basket on it.

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
"Good idea; then I don't have to juggle the basket and the umbrella! Smart." She follows behind Ami, taking her time to step over sandhills and seaweed, avoiding anything that might make her take an all too characteristic stumble. Before too long, they're at their chosen spot, and Usagi sets out the basket and lifts Luna, offering her to Ami. The little cat is dozing again.

Ami Mizuno has posed:
Ami sits carefully before taking the cat in her arms and cradling her very carefully. She nods to Usagi once she's confident she's got poor Luna settled, and is okay with being alone with the poor thing. Once Usagi's out of earshot, she starts to sing very softly to Luna, an old lullaby she knows from childhood. Her voice is not quite on pitch, but the song is short and sweet, declaring the singer's love for the subject of the song. In this case, Luna!

After a bit, Ami looks up and out at the ocean. "It's a beautiful day, Luna," she murmurs to the cat. "I hope you wake up and can enjoy it soon!"

Rei Hino has posed:
    Rei bought a new swimsuit, and by all the Gods in the Heavens and Earth, she is going to use it before the Summar is over! Thus, she accepted the offer to go to the beach and rode the bus with Usagi and Ami. However, she wanted to get some beach items from the local shops since she doesn't generally keep a stock of such things at home. Not a lot of time spent enjoying the waves and sun when you don't have anyone to enjoy them with. Until recently, at least. Rei Hino is wearing a pale yellow sundress over her swimsuit, with a straw hat and sunglasses. She has her newly-obtained beach bag with beach towel, sunblock, lunch, a hair tie, and assorted other items. She isn't being followed by youma, or that weird German girl, or anything else. She really, really, really, really hopes this is just a day at the beach, because she needs a break. As the seabreeze catches her long purple-black hair and blows it out to her side like a curtain of midnight, she just has to listen for the telltale sound of Usagi's voice to locate where she and Ami have set up..

    Then she begins making her way towards them, waving and smiling to catch their attention. It may be a bit strange to bring one's cat to the beach, but hey, they're strange girls, and Luna is a strange cat, and if it makes Usagi happy, then Rei is fine with it. And if any beach police have a problem with it, Rei is fine with throwing them into the sun.

    Once she has joined up, she looks over at Luna and says, "Poor Luna... At least she's doing better. Are you're sure this wasn't... You know..." She hesitates to finish her question. They're here to relax and forget about their problems. Worrying isn't going to help. So she just shakes her head as she sets her stuff down. If there's help needed with the umbrella, she'll give it, otherwise she just gets out some bottled water to go with Usagi's picnic basket, and doesn't finish that train of thought at all.

    'Are you sure this wasn't targeted?'

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Ami is the perfect person to look after Luna when Usagi can't, so there's no lingering doubt or worry when she places the injured feline in Ami's hands. That doesn't mean she dawdles with getting that umbrella thought - she practically dashes away, almost launches the money when it's time to pay, and bustles her way back, calling out a trail of apologies for kicking up sand right up until she reaches their blanket.

It's a little messy, but she's careful, kneeling on the blanket until she's got the umbrella sorted out and spread.

"There! We're all set, just waiting for - Rei-chan!"

It will never occur to her that her voice was what guided Rei to them.

"You found everything you were looking for?"

It's not that she wants to ignore the question, the one Rei isn't asking. It's just, it's a question that doesn't belong here, on this bright, sunny day, and almost, maybe she does want to avoid it...

"It was an accident," she says, quiet but firmly, looking out at the water. "The guy who hit her, he helped me get her to the hospital, and he paid for everything, and... I don't think he was a bad guy. He was crying too."

Ami Mizuno has posed:
Ami raises an eyebrow at Rei, before shrugging carefully at the unspoken question. Luna's still in her arms, and Ami's going to sit there holding her as long as she's allowed between Usagi and the cat herself. "I dunno," she says after a moment's thought. "But it might not be a bad idea to keep more of an eye out." Her smile is a little sad. So much has changed in such a short period of time, but she's coming to terms with it almost distressingly fast. Being a magical girl has layers, apparently.

Ami smiles at Usagi and looks at her as she explains about Luna. Her frown is small, brow furrowed, as Usagi explains. "Did you get his name?" she says softly. She'll let Usagi relax for today. Honestly, they all seem to need it.

Rei Hino has posed:
    Accident or not, hurting Luna is a no-no for Rei. She pushes down the anger that makes her want to find this guy and throttle him, but she has already brought gloom into a day of sunshine, so she leaves that all off the conversational table. For now. "So what did you bring for lunch? I have some teriyaki salad, and some egg salad sandwiches with soy sauce for dipping, and a bunch of convenience store snacks... And the water bottles, there's enough for all of us. Should I have brought a bowl for Luna? Or does she... Also drink from a bottle?" Rei doesn't want to assume or treat Luna like a mere housecat. She probably eats at the table, and drinks from a glass, and uses the toilet like everyone else.

    Still, better to ask than not, she supposes. "Ami-chan, do you need sunscreen?" Rei is trying very hard to make up for her blunder and just move forward.

    "Oh!" Rei lets out as she remembers something. "So, I met this strange girl recently... She had some interesting things to say about heroes and demons in a distant past..."

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
"I missed it," Usagi says sheepishly. She's been kicking herself on and off ever since, because of course she didn't get his name, or any way to find him later. He'd even paid in cash (and who had that much cash on him, she really did want to know!), so that was no help.

"I brought sweets! And some rice balls, but mostly sweets! My friend Chiyo-chan's family owns this amazing sweets shop, so I got a bunch of mochi and dango treats, and some dorayaki too. Doesn't sweets at the beach sound nice?"

It's definitely not the most healthy meal, but since when does Usagi worry about things like balanced healthy meals? Since never, that's when. It's summer vacation, and they're going to have fun, and eat like the enthusiastic teenagers they are, with absolutely nothing to worry about, but regular things!

"Don't worry, I brought a bowl for her, and some ice chips too. Naru-chan reminded me that she might have having those more than getting up to drink water."

Where would she be without Naru?

But hey, wait... what's that about a mysterious girl? Is love on the - oh, no, it's just... oh right! Doesn't she also have something important to share?!

"Like what? Come on, don't stop the story there Rei-chan!"

Ami Mizuno has posed:
Ami looks up with a smile. "I could use some sunscreen, yes." Thankfully, the umbrella is over her at the moment, but it'll shift as the day goes on. "When I can put Luna down, I'll ask for it. Thank you." And she gives a little nod before smiling to Usagi. "Well," she says. "Maybe you'll meet him again some time?" It's a small hope, but one they can keep in mind. Tokyo is huge, but maybe, just maybe...

Ami looks at Rei. "Tell us more," she invites, eyebrow raising. "This sounds a bit wild, but I've heard some strange things recently." And her smile turns a bit wry, but she doesn't explain. She doesn't have to, she hopes. She's been through a crash course in Magical Girl 101 in like, a week.

Rei Hino has posed:
    Rei pauses as she tries to remember. "She was a foreigner, and spoke German and... Something else. I couldn't understand either, and they sounded similar, so maybe it was just all German. Anyway, she was giving off a weird aura and so was her... 'Dog' that I'm not sure was actually a dog. I think she said she's your roommate, Ami-chan, but I could barely decipher what she was saying so I might be wrong. All I know is..." She takes a breath and lets it out slowly. "She might be one of our 'Allies'. Even if not a Senshi... Maybe someone else. She has a sort of..." Rei gesticulates. "...Spacey feeling." Pause. Then she double-fingerguns towards Usagi. "Kind of like you."

    Rei then takes off her straw hat and sets it aside, before starting to work her way out of her sundress. "Honestly, at this point, I'm starting to think I should suspect every new person I meet of being something other than they appear." Dress over head, folded, set aside. There. Now Rei is in her swimsuit like her friends.

    And whatever swimsuit they may have been expecting from the rather conservative and uptight-seeming Rei Hino, it probably wasn't this one. It's a red and orange one-piece suit with a bit of decolletage showing, with cut-outs on either side of the body. She sets about tying up her hair into a side-ponytail with a red ribbon. "As a matter of fact..." she starts. Then she stops and shakes her head. No, best not to bring that up again. "...Anyway, the girl's name was... Steiner, I think. Hannah Steiner. She wasn't normal but I can't say for sure what that means."

    Once she is all settled, she pops out one of the sunscreen bottles from her bag and holds it out for Ami to take.

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Usagi's swimsuit, pink with white polka dots, is a simple one piece, accented with frills at the hips to give the semblance of shape. What? She's fourteen! It would be nice to grow in one way, since Setsuna-san had cruelly crushed her hopes of getting taller. She's folding her sundress, mostly for the sake of doing something with her hands while she listens to Rei's story, and frowns a little.

"I don't think I know a Hannah," she says with a little hum, thinking, "And I haven't met anyone with a dog. Well! I met a magical girl with a cute lizard dog, at Inai-sensei's fighting class, but I think you'd have noticed a lizard dog, Rei-chan."

Truly, she holds Rei's power of perception in such high regard.

Usagi squints a little at that spacey feeling comment, but she's choosing to take spacey to mean Moon and Space like, not well - the other kind of spacey. Which she is not! She's a totally serious, totally grounded person. Absolutely!

"Honestly? Me too. I mean, I've met a lot of people, and they aren't involved! But then I meet more people, like - ahaha, I um, found one of our allies? And you'll never guess who."

Just slide it under the radar!

Ami Mizuno has posed:
Ami looks at Rei as she carefully sets Luna down. Once she's sure the sleeping cat is comfortable, maybe fussing a bit more than necessary, she kinda stares at Rei again, then shakes her head at herself. "I know Hannah, yes. She is my roommate," she confirms. But something's sticking in her craw, and she thinks a bit more as she takes the sunscreen, finally. "Sorry," she says, for making Rei hold it so long. Applying it medatatively, she thinks a lot more, kinda off in her own little world for a few minutes until Usagi speaks up again. She frowns again but doesn't say anything.

"Wait," she interrupts. "I was at fighting class! Is there something I'm missing?" She kinda stares at Usagi the same way she'd been staring at Rei. Then she blinks. "Dare I ask?" she asks of Usagi. "I'm a bit concerned at how you're trying to slip things under the radar, by the way."

Rei Hino has posed:
    Yeah, that way lies madness. Suspecting everyone around you is going to lead to paranoia, and Rei is too young to become a conspiracy-theorist. Maybe she just sensed wrong. She shrugs. "Alright. You know her better than I do, Ami-chan." No issue with holding onto something for the blunette, Rei had to ditch her sundress anyway. Then she focuses on Usagi. "Is it that Naru Osaka?" she guesses. That's the first person she would assume is a magical girl given her close connection to Usagi.

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
"You were at fighting class," Usagi says immediately, remembering seeing Ami there - at the mundane class, the first half, the one where she had to learn grapples, over and over, ugh! "But... okay, so, I was waiting for a time when we weren't getting killed by a library youma, and this is that, huh? So, Inai-sensei - she's the guidance counselor at our school, Rei-chan! - she teaches the regular fighting class... but she also teaches a fighting class for magical kids. It's right after the regular class, and that first week, I trained with this really enthusiastic girl named Ms. Tragar-chan! We uh... went a little overboard."

Yep, that's a sweatdrop, as she remembers their stern talking too.

"Now that you've awoken though Ami-chan, you can come too! And Rei-chan, I bet she'd let you come too, even if she might try to get you to transfer schools..." Inai-sensei seemed the type who might want as many of them as possible to have that benefit, being in the same school.

And then, she sweats even more, because Ami-chan is calling her out. "I should have texted you guys right away, but I was really distracted with Luna," she says all in a rush, "And I forgot! Until Rei-chan said she thought she found someone, but I actually did! And it's not Naru-chan, even though she can see things she's not supposed to, and I have to talk to her, and I'm um, thinking of telling her the truth, but - no, I met Sailor Pluto!"