2461/Nyautral Ground

Nyautral Ground
Date of Scene:	09 April 2025
Location:	Cafe BAKE Neko
Synopsis:	By request from Mamoru, Rashmi begins Operation: Socialize Feral Zoisite. And *oh boy* is he ever socially feral. Nephrite, by contrast, is an absolute joy to meet, and the both of them will -- probably -- become good and fast friends. If Zoisite can keep himself from sowing the trail with caltrops!
Cast of Characters:	Rashmi Terios, Zoisite, Nephrite

---

Rashmi Terios has posed:
It's happening.

The dreaded day has arrived.

Shortly after clubs let out, Izou received a text message;

<< TXT from RASHMI -- Hi there! This is Rashmi Terios, I'm a friend of Mamoru's and we've met a couple times 'after school.' Mamo-kun wanted me to help you get used to making friends, and *wanting* to make friends, so... Are you free? Also is there any place in particular you want to meet up? Mamo-kun's place, the cat cafe, someplace out in the open with a dozen avenues of escape? Your pick! >>

...It's like she's texting by voice, but who would do that? *Why* would they do that?!

Zoisite has posed:
A buzz and he looks at his phone midst bagging up his cello. He'd been expecting a text from someone named Rashmi ever since Mamoru mentioned them, so it wasn't exactly a surprise that he got this text. It was just that it was someone new, and with the premise of helping him and get him wanting to make friends.

A tired look glazed over his eyes, leaning his hip against his desk and quickly texting back.

<< TXT from IZOU -- Good evening. Yes, Music Club just let us out. I would like us to meet at the Cat Cafe, as it's close to my home. Would you mind if I brought someone extra? Security reasons, of course. He'll be a perfect gentleman. >>

Unlike him, apparently. News seemed to travel fast about his problem. Which was why he immediately texted Nephrite.

<< TXT from IZOU -- Cancel all your plans. Rashmi is meeting me at the cat cafe about helping me to make friends, i need you with me so because obviously im a dangerous ex-obsidian worker that knows nothing about anything social so you might as well be there for security and my own sake. See you in ten minutes. >>

Clears his throat, and finishes packing up before leaving.

Nephrite has posed:
Who would text like that? Masato would, and did, frequently. He was a man who much preferred emails and calls, old fashioned in his communication habits. Really, there was a lost appreciation, even, for the art of letter sending that he took some issue with. Not screenshots of messages and texts demanding his presence.

But it is in this curious subtlety that he recognised something kindred about Rashmi may exist with him, and if so, Izou may also recognise it. And loathe it.

It isn't a hard call, to decide to accompany Izou. Even though it is a metting that will take place in a cat-infested cafe, that had no respect for the colour of his slacks-- some feline of opposite colour would find him, and rub against his leg, leaving evident cat hair behind. Such was inevitable, and Masato would endure it for the sake of things going well.

With a deep sigh, he sets off.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
<< TXT from RASHMI -- Of course! I'll see you there! >>

And indeed she is in fact the *last* to walk in the door, not until the two have already picked their table. Just... a slightly chubby little bookworm of a girl, all big round glasses, red hair and dark skin, and the kind of sensible casual clothes one might expect the skirt-favoring variant of 'nerd' to wear.

And she *definitely* hadn't flown here first, and waited for the phone associated with the text message to enter and stop moving about the cafe. Absolutely not. Because if she *had,* it would be to avoid 'intruding' on his comfort zone, which would be a bad start.

With that established, she crouches down just away from the doorway to lavish attention upon a curious calico, look up, and spot Izou and Masato. Rising back to her feet, she offers the both of them a cheerful wave and sunny smile, before weaving her way to their table, pausing in front of it with a bow.

"It's good to properly meet you both! Did you want me to grab anything for us?"

...And she *almost* speaks like a waitress addressing a new table.

Zoisite has posed:
There was a quick shake of Izou's head, icy blue crystal pinned to his green hair ribbon shimmering in the few beams of sun filtering through the large windows. The look on his face was casually tight, with jaw wanting to set in place as he knew why she what she was there for. To help.

"Likewise, Rashmi. And no, I don't need anything. Thank you." Izou nodded politely, arms crossed and just waiting for this to start and finish.

At least he could take some comfort that Masato was next to him. Stupid boar could also use some lessons on how to be a better person.

"Make yourself comfortable." I guess.

Nephrite has posed:
"Ah, and this must be the delightful little security threat." Masato grins a charming if slightly mischievous smile, hands pocketed in his unifrom slacks. He's clearly somewhat amused by her chipperness, leaning forward at a slight and polite bend. "Hello."

Sapphire gaze catches Izou from the corner of his eyes as he rights to his full height. "I think I'll have a coffee. Black and no sugar, if you please." He gestures, "Why don't we take Mamoru's favourite corner booth. Shall we?"

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"That's me!" the girl chirps, dipping briefly in place in the barest echo of a sketch of a curtsy, and nods as the taller boy makes his request."...All right," says, "I'll be right back!"

And just like that she turns and bops toward the counter to put in her order, to be delivered to the corner booth the boys are headed toward. The cashier is paid, and she hurries back over, sliding into an open spot on the end. She opens her mouth, but her eye catches the tautness of Izou's face for a moment. She glances at Masato, eyebrows rising, and then the bright and sunny cheerfulness seems to... step back, on her face, replaced by gentle understanding. "Hey... I do understand," she says in a quieter voice. "It's probably a little insulting, me just calling you out of the blue like this. But Mamo-kun knows me pretty well, and he knows that asking just made the inevitable happen a little quicker, y'know? Besides, you'll probably feel a little better once we've gotten the ground rules out of the way."

She pauses, as Masato's coffee and her caramelly milk-tea confection are brought to the table, and doesn't pick up again until the server's out of earshot. "...Ground rules for me, I mean. Not you."

Zoisite has posed:
"For you?" Thin eyebrow lifts, green eyes setting on her with careful focus. Having watched her frolic back and forth gave him the impression that this person was indeed a rather joyful one, or that seemed to have things under control. The thought of a life well managed to where the outside never cracked to what the insides were hiding-- interesting, if his guess was anywhere near correct. He would not know now, perhaps never.

For now, he'd just observe.

The smell of sweet and bitter mixed, him having picked the seat across from Rashmi and next to Masato, making sure there was a very sensible distance between himself and the newcomer. Arms still crossed.

"What ground rules are you expecting to be placed? Therapists usually just sit me down and psycho-analyzes me before setting anything up. Unless you're the psychiatrist type that will be prescribing drugs."

Nephrite has posed:
The coffee is welcome, as Masato draws it closer and plucks it up to sip. The heat and robust flavour converts into a satisfied sigh, soothing after some time on the tennis courts.

"Izou," he notes almost casually, "I would would pay very good money to have you heavily sedated."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
At Masato's casual ribbing, Rashmi bites down on both of her lips, trying very, very hard to keep the laughter in.

She has a rotten poker face.

"...Well," she says, once she's gotten her voice under control, "I mean, I'm not *either* of those things, and frankly I'd be terrified if *any* healthcare system let a *sixteen-year-old* have access to a psychiatrist's prescription pad! Besides, I'm not here to *fix* you. I wouldn't even agree to try!"

Settling back in her chair, she sips a bit from the layer of chocolate pudding at the bottom of her drink, and considers her next words. "Mamo-kun says that you guys've been keeping yourselves to yourselves, after... After. Which... I mean I can understand, it'd be a lot for *anyone* to process. But the world's not gonna stay away forever, and *everyone* should have friends. So... yeah, ground rules."

Pausing, she looks to Masato, and beams. "And these can apply to you too, if you'd like! So..." She holds up a finger. "Rule 1: I don't know you. Which means if I start making assumptions about who you are, I should stop. And if you tell me where I went wrong, I'll do my absolute best not to do that again."

A second finger goes up. "Rule 2: I may *want* to be your friend, but I'm not *entitled* to friendship. So if I come on too strong, I should stop. This is for *your* sake, not mine, and your comfort matters more than any ideas that might come into my head."

She raises a third finger, and opens her mouth... then deflates a little. "...I meant to come up with a whole entire list but that was as far as I got. Are there any rules *you* have I can remember? And I have an excellent memory, he sounds like an English professor."

Zoisite has posed:
Were there any rules he wanted to give? A dangerous question when Izou could easily ask her to do a myriad of unnecessary things. He could. The thought of fashion faux pas' crossed his mind, but there was no real reason to cause such a thing. Not with Masato next to him, who would probably know that he was making stuff up.

So he leaned against his chair, genuinely thinking about what he didn't want touched on, or brought up, at any point.

One finger lifted from his bicep then, pressed against his lips.

"Rule 3: You don't get to bring up or ask about my biological family at any point of this... thing you're trying to do for Mamoru. Yes, they exist, and I will set more than hair on fire if a word about them is uttered." A threat he intended to cling to. Rashmi was not in the rules. Not a senshi. So she was, as far as he was concerned, fair game to be fucked with.

His hand lowers then, back to his arm and relaxed. "Also, Nephirte, if you want me sedated, all you need to do is fracture my spine. Apparently that gets me quite sleepy."

Nephrite has posed:
"That could be arranged, if you bring any more throw pillows home," he notes of Izou's spine. But he nods across the table.

"I'd prefer to know the location, date, and time of your birth." Masato's request might seem rather cryptic, at face value. Perhaps even slightly ominous.

Even so, there's nothing about him, in his seeming ease, that suggests any nefarious intentions. He peers into his coffee mug, ignoring the ginger tabby that has leapt up into the window sill to warm itself.

"I don't always operate strictly within the law, and I expect you to look the other way about those matters... And I'm not looking for any surpises. Not for birthdays or interventions."

His attention flicked up to Rashmi again. "If you can do that, we'll be golden."

Zoisite has posed:
"Of course you'd ask her about her birth chart, gods damn it..." Mutters to himself, rolling his eyes.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
An eyebrow rises, and there is indeed a flicker of fear in her eyes, at the mention of 'I will set more than your hair on fire.' But, with a deep breath, she nods, then tilts her head. "I can agree to that... *if* it's okay if you try 'no' first. If I pry where I'm not welcome, and I don't listen to 'no?' Fire away, just wait for me to put the Barrier up so we can have it out without there being *anyone else* who can get hurt."

Her eyes move to Masato, and the redhead actually manages to chuckle. "Only if you allow for the fact that I won't *lie* for you. I won't lie for *anyone,* but I can keep secrets pretty well. But, no big surprises. I can do that. Won't promise there won't be little surprises, but you'll be warned first. And... my birth chart? D'you do astrology?"

For a moment, there's a gleam of real interest in her eyes, but she shakes her head. "Right! Last rule! I have a boyfriend from space, so neither of you have to worry about me falling in crush with either of you. I mean... you're both *amazingly pretty* but I know how to handle that, so. Nothing to worry about there."

Nephrite has posed:
"No, no lying on my behalf... I'm trying out this fun new thing where I don't manipulate people, if it can be helped." Masato returned dryly, openly at his own expense. But the hint of a smirk ticking at his mouth betrayed some levity behind it.

"As an answer and a point, let us say that your timing to see us was excellent, what with the retrogrades closing this Aries-Libra cycle." Masato gestures his mug and hand wide in a modicum of a shrug. "And, as fascinating and handsome as I am, I'm not looking for romantic complications. So all is fair."

Zoisite has posed:
Gods... Was falling in love really that big of a worry in her line of undertable work?

Green eyes narrowed with the added no and barrier. Where was the fun in that? "It's a sore subject, I had to give Tamaki a bag of ice for his hand after I was done with it, as he mentioned my family before. It only took a split second without thinking. So I'll leave that risk up to you if you really trust that my temper will remember to say no or allow a barrier to form."

It was more than likely an unfair reply, but it would've been so much worse had he not given her the heads up. In fact, many didn't have that luxury at this moment outside of Mamoru, Kunzite, Nephrite and Jadeite. He'd given hints to Minako as well, but he wondered now, with how sour their last exchange in text messages had been, if it even mattered to think about.

Now his leg crossed over the other, relaxing only a smidgen. "I'm also taken, by a very wonderful and handsome man. So even if you did, I wouldn't be interested. No offense."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"None taken," Rashmi chuckles, "and your past and family are off the table until and unless you personally say otherwise."

Oh Masato is throwing around astrological terms she can recognize but has no understanding of. *Absolutely* an astrologer, and she rewards him with a grin. "I'll ask Mami and text you," she promises with a firm nod.

"So," she says, turning back to Izou, eyebrows rising. "Now that we know where I stand -- thoroughly unwelcome but tolerated -- is there anything you want to know about me?"

No qualifications. No 'except fors' an entirely open question with nothing to fence it in away from the uncomfortable. Were Izou of a mind, he could ask truly embarrassing questions, and claim he was within the boundaries of the question.

What he'll do with that is up to him.

Zoisite has posed:
Izou nodded as she seemed to finally understand what he meant. It wasn't for her to dig through. Hopefully it would remain as such.

The last question hung around his mind for a moment, tasting and acknowledging the freedoms of what he could ask, there wasn't much that came to mind besides what made him suspicious.

"I want to know why you're attempting this? Are you owing Mamoru a favor? Or is this plain curiosity on your part to work with individuals that could, technically, kill you?" A pause, only to tilt his head. "And are you expecting this to work or are fine with failures?"

Nephrite has posed:
Masato takes this as a good place to add to things, his head tilting to Izou. His expression is one of contemplation, and perhaps in his firt step of acting like any kind of security, he turnes his attention back to Rashmi.

"You're so... keen to befriend us. I don't assume it's charity or pity. But that said," Brown waves fell from shoulder as Masato tilted his head, "Izou and I do tend to be a little more cynical than most, you understand. Trust is a problem we're working on. Vulnerability has been thoroughly punished, in the past. Others more recently seem to... struggle to understand or simply don't bother."

He raised his mug to sip again. "I suppose we're both a little incredulous of what you're getting out of this, besides a headache."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"Good questions!" Rashmi says, beaming as she sets her mostly empty cup down. "And they deserve good answers. First off... I mean, sure, you could kill me. Lots of people could kill me. My own boyfriend could, and the way he trains sometimes it feels like he's *tried.* But I can give you three names of people I've made friends of, who at the time were probably *supposed* to be killing me. That's just *nothing new,* but not really germane to why I agreed to do this."

She sets her hands on the table, drumming her fingers as she considers her wording, carefully. "...So before I got magic... I didn't have any friends. None at all, just... people who knew me. Kind of a wallflower, y'know? But I *liked* people, in general. Still do. People can be rotten, yeah. They can do horrible things to each other, and sometimes it's hard to even understand why we bother to help when people're just gonna take their safety and do who knows what with it."

Shrugging, she picks up her cup again, and tips it back to catch the dregs. "But that's not *all* there is to people. Some of them, even the horrible ones, have these moments where they turn around and *decide* to do something so amazing, so noble, it takes your *breath* away. And, y'know? Times like that, it's *worth it* to protect everyone I can."

And the cup gets set back down, and Rashmi makes a pleased noise as a brave voidling hops up into her lap. Scritching it contentedly, she looks up at Izou and Masato, and gives them both a bright, sincere smile. "So why am I doing this? Because you deserve it too. Maybe it'll help you understand what *they* see in the world, that makes it so worth protecting. Because Usachan and her girls... they've got to try a lot harder than I do. Like I said: I don't know you. I wasn't there, before. All I know is this time, *here,* you barely survived being pulled away from that horrible woman, and it cost you all a lot. You've got new lives, now. And Mamo-kun knows that I've got no problem starting from scratch, getting to know you like you deserve."

Zoisite has posed:
Such lovely words were being expressed. Like a motivational book, if anyone were to buy one off the shelf. Like one of those random posters that hung in the hallways of their academy, one being of a kitten hanging of a branch precariously with the words hang on! The world is a beautiful place if you look hard enough, and with wonderful people! The world is worth every second, for the innocent that smile and care and deserve second chances and--

The mention of Usagi and the rest of the senshi having to try harder had pupils narrow, sharp precision in his eyes and teeth clenching down somewhat.

A sore spot. Once that hung in the back of his mind along with smaller memories. This one just... felt more painful than the rest. Almost hypocritical to hear, coming from someone that seemed sweet.

Pointedly empty words, perhaps. Again, unfair of him to think so.

"Ah yes, they sure do have to try so much harder than any of us." He contained well the curl in his voice, but not the gaze of disdain. "What do you think they see in this world then, Rashmi? Enlighten me."

Nephrite has posed:
Masato exhaled through his nose, and drank his coffee down. Heart on sleeve, the girl seemed to be trying in earnest to tell them she had a particular bent of benevolence for the isolated. There was nothing wrong with finding inspiration in odd places, such as those moments when a very small amount of kindness could shift fate or seed new hope.

The great suspension of disbelief-- that even the worst of the worst could be a good person, if they just had cause to try.

"Sounds like you get your jollies in backing underdogs, to me."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"When you *were* an underdog," Rashmi points out, "why would you want to see anyone else on that side of the fence, when they don't have to be?"

But then she turns her attention to Izou, and meets his eyes. And it's like she can see the disdain he *didn't* show, just by the tone in his voice. "Honestly? It's probably actually a really good idea to ask *them,* if you want to know the answer to that," she says evenly. The sarcasm absolutely seems to have failed to get a rise out of her. "I can *guess,* but, it's just a guess, and I really only know Usachan well enough to *make* that guess. And she does it because... when you have the kind of power that can make miracles, you really only have three choices what to *do* with it; use it for yourself, bury it completely, or try your hardest to make the world better for it. Well... she definitely didn't do the first two, and I've been watching her do this as long as I have, and *better.* And when I said she has to try harder?"

Her voice softens. "You all were still recovering, but... That Woman opened a portal that trapped a bunch of us, once. Took us to... a memory, an echo, of the final days of the Moon Kingdom. I *saw* what Kunzite did because of her demon, I *ran from it.* I didn't see the rest of you... except at the final war on the moon. When I say they have to try harder... It's because *I* don't have those memories burned into my soul. In that way, I have it easier." And now her eyes soften, and her voice is sincere, honest... and utterly lacking in judgment. "They weren't with you this time, like Mamo-kun was. They didn't have to win free. And I know *him* well enough to know that I'm here because he *cares about you.* So he brings me in. Someone who doesn't know you, someone who isn't bogged down by trauma older than civilization. Someone who trusts the experts. And Mamo-kun is probably the best expert on you guys alive today, so..."

Leaning back, she spreads her hands. "Here I am. You don't have to trust me... But I will do my very best to show you you *can.*"

Zoisite has posed:
He could get up. He could leave. Rashmi was at least admitting she did not have those memories to fully understand them, and she never would. It was not her fate to carry any of it. But in truth, what Izou did not have were his full memories as well. The true ones. The ones that mattered to the core of what he was, why he was, who he was: Zoisite. Knight of Healing and Purification. Rapier and strategies and nerves of fire and steel where only the echoes of his past self exists in the depths of his mind--trapped and only visible when he needs to be strong for Mamoru. When he can afford to be raw.

At this moment, he was nothing like that. Not even an iota, and he's so aware of it.

He could definitely leave. Just leave her and Masato there. The two would find quite a bit in common, perhaps. Charming, gallant, a talker. Not what he was. Izou found little use in trying to be fake in friendliness.

"I'll throw you a bone, Rashmi. Only because Mamoru thrusts you enough to come talk to us." Nothing, not a crack in his expression then. "I don't want to be here, as I did not ask for a stranger to try and be my friend. Lucky for you, I am feeling charitable enough to give this to you straight. I will fuck with you. You will not know me. I will lie through my teeth, and continue to do so as I please, and you will not know when I am being truthful. Perhaps one day, I will forget your existence entirely while you sit with me, for the fun of it."

And he shrugs. "So, it's up to you, if you truly wish to continue."

Nephrite has posed:
"There was a time, very long ago in that life, when I would sail beneath the Western skies," Masato murmurs this, peering into his mug with a far away sort of look as if he could imagine a tiny ship in the last of his coffee, "On the calmest of nights, those waters would be as a dark and still mirror. The stars reflected on them and the horizon invisble. Crew loyal, rudder sure. All quiet."

The nearby tabby cat had curled up in a sunbeam, an ear flicking.

"The moon above was a waxing crescent, and I stood at the helm with a telescope. Just off to the side of it, the twinkling red eye of the Mighty Bull shone with this brilliant luminosity. Jupiter just beyond, dancing with the Hyades... It was the most beautiful sight. I would cross oceans just to see it."

Sapphire eyes closed, and Masato took a deep breath, holding it in his chest before releasing it slowly. "If you've seen what followed, then you should understand enough of why we haven't exactly gone out of our way to make new connections."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
Not once does Rashmi waver, meeting Izou eye for eye as he bestows his gift of truth. At the end of it, she purses her lips, nodding slowly, and sighing through her nose. "Yeah... Catra Protocols... Okay so. If we're putting our cards on the table, let me tell you my truth, Izou-san. I will not mess with you. I will *never* tell you a lie. And I will *listen,* and I will *take you at face value,* and I will *learn* who you are under the scar tissue and defenses. Hopefully you'll be *worse* at lying to yourself, because when that stops working you'll be able to see what he sees in you. And it's up to you, if you have the courage for that."

That said, she settles back to listen to Masato's story, a dreamy smile tugging at her lips. "That sounds... like a memory worth keeping though, Masato-san. And I get it... I do. But maybe it's not penance, anymore. Maybe it's just hurting yourself for no good reason."

Zoisite has posed:
Good. Object engaged.

A warning was all he needed to give to see the persistence in the girl across from him, and the green in his eyes twinkled with a childish mischief that seemed to naturally bloom. A smile finally spreading across his face, reaching his eyes. Knife like, predatory, and unwilling to compromise.

She picked this, so he would deliver it to her. He was no brute of a man, just a boy that liked to play. Perhaps one could call him a cat, the type to swat at a bird, torture it by pulling its feathers of breaking a wing, only to watch it try to fly away. Find joy in the scene, before clamping teeth down, hearing every hollow bone crack under pressure.

"Courage is not what I lack, Rashmi. But good guess."

Nephrite has posed:
There was a fairly needling look given to Izou, but Masato said nothing to address him. Instead, he returned his attention to Rashmi.

"And Penance, I'll pay in other means. Make no mistake, I don't intend to stand around whipping myself. I thought I had good reason to believe the things I did, and I was horribly wrong. I can't change that." Masato acknowledged, inclining his head to grimace.

"But I wasn't ready to form new bonds, after Obsidian. For ancient and recent reasons. I don't want to be an Oathbreaker, in every turn at life. I certainly don't want to give anyone mistaken cause to trust in me, before I can earn it..." Brown brow ticked. "... Or trust myself."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"Funny thing about trust," Rashmi says, bending down to bestow smooches between the ears of the cat occupying her lap, a purring puddle of bliss. "Sometimes, trusting yourself doesn't come first. Sometimes you have to understand why *others* trust *you.*"

She looks up, then, and sees the mischief, and the murderous smile. And... she can't help but chuckle, shoulders quivering enough to earn a disgruntled look from the cat.

"...Joker took personal notice of me for almost two weeks, Izou-san. If you're trying to scare me... Trust me, *that* smile ain't gonna do it."

Zoisite has posed:
He giggles. "Oh good, it's not meant to scare you at all. Sometimes I just smile a bit too big, because I'm pleased. Either way, I know my features are sharp. Unlike this oaf, he's rounder, like a bowling ball. And dense, too."

A relax of muscles now, having a clear destination of where any of this will go.

"Anyway, you should tell me about Joker and how he terrified you. I find such stories so interesting."

Nephrite has posed:
Rashmi's words certainly hold a point of truth, but when it comes to understanding why others might trust Nephrite, Masato falls far shorter than his frame. Very few reasons exist, beyond Mamoru's vouching for him and the good will that Endymion has, as Tuxedo Mask or not. Nephrite is, as he still sees it, something of an extension of that in the minds of most.

In that, he feels an immense duty not to disappoint.

"And like a true pinhead, you are going the right way for a strike." He sent Izou a look.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"Oh, not here," Rashmi says quietly, shaking her head... and not disguising the shudder that courses through her. "That's a story to tell on Academy grounds. He can't teleport out of there, so he's maybe less likely to show up cos we say his name. Ask me again there, sometime, and I'll tell you the story though."

Falling silent for a moment, she carefully scratches the top of the cat's head, as is only right and proper. "Despite best effort," she finally says, her smile growing crooked as she nods to Izou, and less so at Masato, "it was actually really, really good to meet the both of you. Astrology and pranks aside, d'you have any interests I could think about for next time? Oh... Also Masato-san, can I have your number so I can send you my birth chart?"

Zoisite has posed:
"Oooh, he-who-must-not-be-named. I'll be sure to lock my bathroom, turn off the lights and call upon him like a child would Bloody Mary." He teased, waving a hand dismissively before giving Masato a pointed glance.

"In front of everyone or in private? Gods know you'll frighten the cats more than anyone else if you launch yourself at me in the cafe. Then what will you tell Mamoru? Oh Zoisite said an illegal name and wasn't social, uweh weh." Shakes his head.

"As for interests, anything about the catacombs will do. Paris, Rome... specifically the Catacomb Saints. The bodies of the dead covered in gold and jewels that litter the churches of Europe. Always a good start, don't you think?" He offers to Rashmi.

Nephrite has posed:
"I'd appreciate that." He reached into a pocket in his blazer, producing an older type of phone that slid upwards to access the number pad. This, Masato tapped at for a few moments, before sliding it across the table for Rashmi to input her details into his contacts. "I'll send you an email with the various legal ways to get ahold of me."

He clicked his tongue. "I'm also in the Tennis club... and I enjoy karaoke, if you're ever inclined. I have some cover songs on NND's Utaite category under the name Ishiou."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
Well it may please him that 'catacombs' and 'Paris' strike an unhappy chord within Rashmi, and the look she turns upon him is distinctly unamused. "Yeah... I'm not exactly a big fan, especially after the whole 'sacrificing my life in a warren of skulls and bones to make sure that Mamo-kun didn't have an obstacle in his path.' Mostly because of what it did to him, really. Also I'm a wuss when it comes to horror."

The phone is taken up, and after a moment's puzzled stare, she -- strangely laboriously -- enters her details, after puzzling out the 10key-ABC interface, then slides the phone back. "Also... Debate Club, and I *love* karaoke but I am *just the worst.* Which is part of why I like it, sometimes it's fun to fail out loud."

Zoisite has posed:
Click his tongue. "Oh dear, and I'm quite the fan of horror. And you did ask about my interests. Well, I can't force you to do anything."

He does watch Rashmi punch in her number into Masato's brick of a phone with mild interest.

Nephrite has posed:
Taking the phone back, Masato tucks it away again. "Debate club. That's fortunate. This idiot tends to enjoy starting arguements quite a bit."

He smiled patiently, enduring the matters of Paris and Catacombs, knowing the inflammatory thing that it was. "Perhaps a museum, instead, if you want to see skeletons, Izou. Or your closet."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"I did ask," Rashmi acknowledges. "And at least I know what I'm in for if you get to pick the movie."

Her wry smile turns on Masato, and her glasses catch the light just right to shine, for a moment. "Does he? Wouldn't have guessed! ...Wait no, what's that other thing-- obvious, blindingly obvious, *that* was what I was looking for."

Chuckling, she gently lifts the cat out of her lap, and set it on the floor. "Also if you want a *really* good meal, come by the Korma Chameleon sometime! It's my parents' place."

Zoisite has posed:
A slow roll of eyes, settling upwards on Masato, a hand lifted only to rest under his chin in tired amusement. "I could venture into my closet, but something about yours feels more fitting. You spend enough time in there yourself."

Then his gaze returns to Rashmi, that little pointy smile still on his lips. "Indeed you have, my dear. Make sure you're ready. I like many."

"Ah, Mamoru does speak of your parents' restaurant quite a bit. Many take outs already ordered, I believe. Lovely curry. Our compliments to the chefs."

Nephrite has posed:
Masato does finish off his coffee now, setting the mug back into the saucer, and raps his fingers against the table. "Right, Izou. You've officially exhausted the last of my patience."

With palms flat upon the table, Masato moves now to stand and set his bag back over a shoulder. He inclines his head towards Rashmi. "I'll be in touch. Call if you need anything."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"Will do! And thanks, Izou-san!" Rashmi chirps, slipping out of her seat and hopping to her feet. "Mami's the spice artist, next time I come over I'll bring one of her chai blends!"

With a bright wae, she turns to make her way out of the cat cafe, letting out a long sigh once she's turned into the nearest alley.

Catra Protocols indeed... Hopefully *he* doesn't have her sheer ability to lie convincingly to herself.