2357/A Scheduled Purification

A Scheduled Purification
Date of Scene:	25 February 2025
Location:	The Shed
Synopsis:	After Zoisite burned Minako's bow, Mamoru told him he needed to get purified. After his heart was shot out, he emailed Usagi Tsukino about it. Now, they've organized themselves and made it happen.
Cast of Characters:	Zoisite, Usagi Tsukino
Tinyplot:	The Demise of Bow-chan

---

Zoisite has posed:
Usagi gets two notifications of an email sent with high importance and a rather long formal text.
From: Izou Saitou
To: Usagi Tsukino
Subject Line: Purification Request

Log February 23nd, 2025. 1:35 AM.

This has been sent to your text messages as well, just in case.

Good morning,

I apologize for the lateness of this email and text, but I would like to request a meeting to be purified, by Mamoru's recommendation. Whenever you have the time, of course. Please message me back at your earliest convenience.

Thank you,
Izou Saitou.

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
From: Usagi Tsukino
To: Izou Saitou
Subject Line: RE:Purification Request

Log Feburary 23rd, 6:37pm

hi saitou-chan,
yeah ok i'm good after class on monday
welcome,
usagi

Zoisite has posed:
From: Izou Saitou
To: Usagi Tsukino
Subject Line: RE:RE:Purification Request

Log Feburary 23rd, 6:38pm

Good evening,

Tomorrow after class then.

Thank you,
Izou Saitou.

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
From: Usagi Tsukino
To: Izou Saitou
Subject Line: RERERE:Purification Request

Log Feburary 24rd, 9:12am

oh right meet me in the wooded path at the edge of the school. past the gardens. you'll see it.

(later, after school)

Truly, Usagi Tsukino is a princess of eloquent words. Still, after the last class has ended and the classrooms have been straightened up, Usagi Tsukino can indeed be found loitering at the edge of a wooded path, heading from the campus to some of the planted forest around the school, an artificially-made, natural greenspace around the school, that creates just that little bit of separation of the city and the campus.

It's a simple dirt path, not paved, with enough space between the trees for two or three people to walk side by side. Usagi's wearing her school uniform, with her bookbag on her back. She'd had to convince Luna not to try hiding inside, given how worried her advisor was, after hearing about the accidental attack on Minako, but Usagi is sure it will be worth it. Zoisite - Izou Saitou - will probably never speak up with an audience. Heck, he might not speak up without one.

"Hey, Saitou-chan! Over here!"

Zoisite has posed:
No reply given, but he had read the message during class when it was sent out and nodded to himself. Music practice was at his discretion, as long as he put in the hours, so he left his cello behind in the classroom before making his way out of the building and past the gardens as Usagi instructed.

Up ahead, he saw both her and her feline companion--which surprised him a bit, one eyebrow lifting in silent question as he approached. He was also wearing his uniform, pressed and looking sharp as ever, the green ribbon keeping his hair in a low ponytail.

"Tsukino-san."Bows his head a little, trying not to make a fuss at being called Saitou-chan. "Luna-san." A courteous nod towards the black cat. His book bag was in his hand. "This isn't a very discreet place for the purification."

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
"Saitou-san," Luna greets, mewing from beside Usagi, eyes focused on Izou.

"Yeah, you're right," Usagi says, lips quirking in a faint smile. She lets Tsukino-san go unchallenged - she hasn't seen Zoisite - Izou - in a moment that wasn't active combat or immediately post-combat since she promised to freeze the hair from his scalp if he ever attacked one of her Senshi again.

That kind of thing tended to put a damper on 'call me Usagi-chan'.

"This is just the meeting point. I figured, with everything going on, Mamochan might not have had the chance to show you to the Shed, and it's the perfect place to get you purified."

With that, she turns her back on him and starts walking up the path, Luna following at her heels.

"The Shed is our meeting spot. It looks like a regular old run-down wooden shed, but it's bigger on the inside - Entrapta-chan is testing out a shooting range, too..."

Zoisite has posed:
"You're correct, he has not had the opportunity to do so. This is a perfect opportunity as any to enlighten me." Rather formal, possibly a bit too much for the moment--similar to his emails sent back and forth. To him it was a shield, not letting someone see him relaxed and more as himself (Zoisite). In time he'll relax again. There was also a mixture of respect in his tone as he spoke. That never left him in regards to Usagi, even after her threat against him.

"Ah. Like a Tardis." Another nod, following behind her and Luna down the pathway. "I'm assuming everything is sound-proofed and able to hold itself together very well against all sorts of attacks and magical powers."

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
"Yep, it sure is. Okay, so, we just follow this path up a while longer, and you'll see... that."

There, further along the path, is the Shed - an old, ramshackle building, that's been kind of cleaned up, lately, with a few heavy old statues clustered around it. It looks like it was used to store tools for the campus' various gardens, and then forgotten.

"A tardis?" Usagi's brows scrunch as she tries to remember where she's seen that before - "Oh! Like from the Doctor Who! Setsuna likes that series..."

Of course, thinking of Setsuna means thinking of Hotaru, and Mistress 9, and that... is something to think around, for now.

"Yeah, it's sound-proofed and pretty well put together. I mean, we've never tried to throw down in there, except at Entrapta's test for the range, but I'm sure it's pretty solid. If you want to train somewhere, Kyouka-sensei has a barrier we deploy on Wednesdays after self-defense class, for Fite Club."

A beat.

"It's not an actual fight club. It's for training."

Zoisite has posed:
Well, if they wanted the Shed to seem like nothing special, they sure accomplished it. The building seemed too small and weathered to withhold anything--strangely, his comparison to the Tardis was rather of apt. Something that could commonly be seen in a wide space new nature itself.

Izou did note that Usagi seemed to waver some at the mention of one of her Sailors. "Yes, I have just recently started rewatching some of the later seasons. Setsuna has good taste." Perhaps it would be a good idea to drop the subject for now unless she wanted to talk about it--she'd surely bring it up later if it bothered her enough.

"I understood, don't worry." He wondered if him and the rest of the Shitennou could use the Shed later to spend time together and practice. After what Nephrite mentioned during the meeting, it would be a good opportunity to spend time together besides attempting mingle outside their circle.

"Do I have to sign up for the Fite Club to be able to access it on Wednesdays?"

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Once they reach the Shed, Usagi waves Izou closer, and once he's near her, she reaches out for the handle - twisting it one way, and when she opens it, there's just a dusty old shed, worn down, with a fat raccoon sleeping inside. It hisses at them, and Luna hisses back.

"So, if you open it that way, you just get the real shed -" and Usagi quickly shuts the door, and twists it the other way.

Opening it now reveals a large, clean room, about the size of a classroom, full of tables and chalkboards, whiteboards, and bulletin boards with messages pinned up - some looking like reports, others like simple notes. She shuts the door again, and points to a large and kind of ugly statue of a tanuki.

"So, if you pick that up, and carry it across the threshold, you'll be keyed in by the sealing magic, and then the door will actually work for you. When we first got this place, all we had was the door, but it worked out."

And she hums - "Yeah, Setsuna is into a lot of science fiction stuff like that. If that's your thing, you guys might like hanging out... but, right now she probably won't be in the mood."

She steps aside, scooping up Luna so that there's no risk of tripping up when he goes to grab the heavy statue.

"Nope, you just need to show up. Me and Mamochan go sometimes, if everything isn't crazy."

Zoisite has posed:
"I wouldn't say science fiction is my thing, it was just a show I used to watch. I supposed I wouldn't mind talking to someone else that enjoys it however."

As he approaches, he watches the mechanics of the door carefully as Usagi turned the handle from one side to another, as though it were switching keys for different pocket dimensions. An interesting concept, along side the extra protection of the statue locking the users in place to be able to access the Shed proper.

Looking over to the tanuki statue, Izou approaches it, now getting the strap of his book back to go over and across his body so he's able to use both hands to pick it up. Like any stone, it was heavy, but manageable, placing the base of it against his hip as he returned to the door. "Like think, correct? Now all I need to do turn the handle this way?"

He tries it, imitating what the Sailor showed him earlier. This way gave you the proper shed, the raccoon still in there yelping, offended. This way however, something seemed to click before opening the door once more, pulling it towards him so he could step into the classroom, statue in tow.

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
"She'd probably like that. I mean, pretty much everyone likes it when people want to talk about the thing they're into..."

"And Setsuna-san is the school nurse, if you weren't aware," Luna adds primly, watching Izou as well.

"You've got it! Once you cross the threshold with that statue, you're all set. You won't have to do it again... but we will have to take it out with us, when we leave."

She waits for him to open the door correctly, and cross the threshold before following him inside. Once through the doors, there's a flash of light as she calls her transformation phrase -

"Moon Crystal Power, Make Up!"

And there she is. Sailor Moon, standing before him, Spiral Heart Moon Rod at the ready.

"I'd recommend picking a chair to sit in," she says, kindly.

Zoisite has posed:
For now, he was entertaining some conversation, but his mind wasn't set yet on meeting Setsuna, especially for a show. Or perhaps he was still being a bit of a contrarian, keeping the arms length even with future thoughts and possible friendships or allyships. Hmm. If it were to happen, then it happens. Mamoru just wants him to be kind and to mingle. He could manage that much.

Izou puts the statue down atop one of the tables as Usagi transforms, turning around to see her in the Sailor Moon regalia. Same as ever.

"Alright." Book bag also now on the table, leaning against the statue, he pulls a random chair, placing it in the middle of the room before taking a seat and crossing one leg over the other. Arms crossed.

Defensive pose, despite knowing it would more than likely not hurt.

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
"This shouldn't hurt," Sailor Moon says, once Izou is setting down. She spins the rod between her fingers, and points it at him - the Spiral Heart Moon Rod is such a silly, ostentatious thing, bright pink and capped with a heart with a crown, golden and beautiful and hers.

In her gloved hands, it feels warm.

"Moon Healing Escalation!"

With a swift and practiced motion, she draws a circle of golden light in the air. When the circle is completed, silver beams of light blaze of Zoisite, as mists of silver foggy spread over the ground, obscuring his feet. True to her word, it doesn't hurt - it feels refreshing, restoring, like the sunshine after a rainstorm, like the first sip of water after a hard run.

His opinions don't change, his mind is his own, but the nagging bite to his frustrations might diminish, the urge to tear and find glee in the suffering of others. It's easier to separate himself from his anger, his fear, less overpowering.

Zoisite has posed:
As the beams washed over him, his fingers gripped his arms. He's been on the end side of this light before by choice, and knew this was for the better. That with this, he'd be able to get better, control and manage himself with more grace and discretion instead of having his fangs bared to most.

And refreshing was subjective to him, when his mind was scrambled. The most he could describe it as was cool. Like water caressing his skin and regulating the temperature of his body, calming his intake of air, a gentle breeze during morning walks with the sound of leaves over his head.

Comforting. Soft. Yes, that was refreshing for him. The cold, the mint.

Fingers slowly relaxed from their grip. Shadowy knots in his mind seemed to untangle with every instant the beam was one him, everything suddenly seeming less threatening. Much simpler. Much more... sensible.

Of course, his flaws would remain, it was just how strong they felt under his skin, limiting the stress of the world around him. Claws retracking, the heat behind his eyes being smothered. And his heart... Yes. That was being settled too.

Finally, he gave a long, deep inhale, exhaling a long sigh once this was over.

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
The aftermath of Moon Healing Escalation in such an enclosed space is that the Shed is full of the sparkling remnants of light, the air itself feeling clean and fresh. Sailor Moon smiles a little as Zoisite visibly relaxes, dropping henshin.

"Feeling better?"

It's a question honestly meant but he doesn't have to respond if he doesn't want to. While he thinks about it she to look at the bulletin boards, eyes skimming familiar notices and grateful that there's nothing new to worry about.

"We use this place to share information and get together with people who get it," she tells Zoisite, gesturing around at the boards. "If something big is going to happen and we need to get people together for security, this is where we end up. You can come whenever you want, but if you're the romantic sort, I can tell you from experience that this is not a great place for a study date."

Her tone is rueful, inviting him to laugh at what she and Mamoru had been unfortunate to discover, before she become serious again.

" I don't really know all the details of what happened between you and Mina-chan, and I don't need them. I might be the princess, but it's not like I'm your princess, not unless you agree to that. But I do trust that you two will work this out, at least so you can work together."

Zoisite has posed:
Chest was now full to the brim with the cool air of purification, still sensing it linger over his body and chasing after anything else that could ail him. But his limbs were relaxed, his mind more settled like his heart. A sense of control he was needing.

And in the quiet of the Shed, he heard Sailor Moon speak, explaining the purpose of the place. It made sense, and it was a smart location to have it for secret gatherings. Izou just wished she could have done without explaining the romantic thing. It made his brows furrow some, like he didn't want to imagine it.

Not his relationship to fret over, or consider in any other format.

As for the rest, Izou lifted his gaze to hers. "Of course, Tsukino-san. Mamoru already talked to me about this and I will apologize to Aino-san." His expression was neutral, not really addressing the rest. Was there any need? She would eventually be his princess and queen by marriage, and whatever orders she has to give would be his to take as well. As for the details, if she was not going to ask, why bring up the subject?

He starts to get up from the chair, adjusting his uniform. "Was this all, Tsukino-san?"

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
At least he looks a little more relaxed. A little. Still kind of like he's got a cactus in his pants, but less like he's actively sitting on it, now.

She'd think something less crass, but every minute she spends with Zoisite is realizing that Mamoru's current level of normal is a total miracle, because between Tamaki, Zoisite, and Nephrite, he's doing amazing.

She's tempted to suggest he call her Usagi-san, but honestly, she kind of feels like he'd just take it as some weird order and make it miserable.

"...you know, you're the one who asked me to do this for you?" She rolls her eyes and picks up her bag, allowing Luna to leap onto her shoulder. "You don't have to be grateful or anything, but you don't have to act like my presence is a torture."

Crossing the room to the door of the Shed, she swings it open, and considers offering him the chance to walk out first... She trusts him with Mamochan, for the most part, and her future daughter, because Chibiusa-chan is Mamochan's as much as hers. She does not trust him with pretty much anything else... but attacking her would be stupid, and if nothing else, he's not stupid.

"After you."

Zoisite has posed:
What was he supposed to say to that? That this wasn't really his decision? That Mamoru told him he needed purification and that he needed to ask her to get it? Yes, humble pie and all that, he needed to ask. Sure. Need to want to get better, yes yes, gods--Just--

Izou just drops the train of thought and shakes his head. Not the hill to die on with Sailor Moon.

Giving his back to her so he could grab his school bag, he rolled his eyes as well. "Your presence isn't torture. Trust me, you'd know if it were." It was secured on his shoulder and across his middle, picking the statue of the tanuki last. It was once again supported by his hip as he turned around to make his way to the door.

Izou was many things. A cheat, a sadistic creature, vain and snobbish when he could be. However, Usagi was a strange wrinkle. A lover to Mamoru, but outside of the circle he was used to. She cannot and will not be touched by him, no matter what the circumstances are. He is loyal to a fault with Mamoru, and fully expects that to be the death of him someday. So yes, he wasn't that stupid.

"Thank you." He walks past her with the statue and makes his way to the spot it belongs to outside.

"And thank you for the purification." Doesn't look at her as he sets the tanuki down. "I can feel the effects. It will help."