2627/Checking In

Checking In
Date of Scene:	17 June 2025
Location:	Sarek
Synopsis:	After 2623/Stop in the Name of the Moon, Veronica and Laisa have a brief stop in Sarek to clear up the air.
Cast of Characters:	Veronica Perenna, Laisa Samuiko

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Veronica Perenna has posed:
As soon as the smell of smell of salt and the sight of the familiar path that crawls through the vegetation to Sarek's hideout greet Veronica, the thief immediately lets the Sailor Moon disguise fade away, returning to being the feline magical girl Mou Fubuki is familiar with.

What just happened made Veronica feel awkward enough that she really wants to go back to herself as soon as possible.

It is with a look of concern that she turns towards her beloved, letting the portal close as soon as she sees Laisa step through. She is still softly squeezing the snow angel's hand. "I am sorry. I didn't expect Mamoru to be there. That must have felt horrible to watch", she begins her apology.

Laisa Samuiko has posed:
    Mou's hand is cold to the touch, but Veronica is free to hold it all the same. She's staring ahead blankly because in this form she really couldn't care less, but she wants to reassure her girlfriend.

    Also, she wants to dehenshin and explore her real feelings for a moment when they aren't being suppressed. Just because she feels like she doesn't care, that doesn't mean she actually doesn't, and she can't be fully honest about her emotions if she's not even feeling them.

    "In the moment it was... in character? I think Mamoru hated it more than anyone. I get the feeling it's kinda... their nickname, you know? Like I'd probably object if someone other than you called me snowsweet."

    She glances behind her to make sure that the portal is closed and they're alone before dropping her henshin. Her hand gets a lot warmer, and she frowns at the ground as she tries to think about how she feels about it.

    "It actually doesn't really bother me much. You were very honest about what was happening from the start, at least to me, and I don't think you were actually flirting with him or anything. I think he knew that, too."

    Laisa is being honest when she says that, but she's also still thinking about it. It's a little weird but not... as much as one might expect. "Maybe... it would make my feelings more clear, if I told you a story from my family? Something that puts it in a context or perspective that I suspect many wouldn't have."

Veronica Perenna has posed:
Of course Laisa returns to normal. Her henshin self keeps her out of touch with herself, and Veronica waits patiently for her to assess her feeling, if with slight nervousism that manifests in her erratic tail.

She rubs the back of her neck. "I probably could have gotten away with laying on the act that thick if he didn't talk about me openly with New Moon. I would understand if that were Chibiusa, but it's kinda confusing to see him rub shoulders with Nemesis people. Are we sure he is not brainwashed too?"

She didn't feel any actual trace of dark energy despite his paper-thin disguise that would lead to that possibility, but it would honestly be easier to believe she made a mistake somewhere and missed it.

Laisa's returned warmth provides a lot more ease to the perplexed blonde, and she nods when the subject of her not flirting came up. "I would have turned around immediately if the situation came to that." She only has eyes for Laisa, actual flirting would feel gross to her too.

Veronica undoes her henshin and squeezes Laisa's hand a bit more. "I am always up to hear anything you want to tell me about yourself", she replies earnestly.

Laisa Samuiko has posed:
    Laisa smiles as her favorite catgirl magician turns into her favorite painter. There's a certain lightness in her eyes, though also a certain... the sculptor isn't sure what to call it. Pain? Memory of an old wound? Tiredness? It's not really any of these things, but none of them feel all that off the mark.

    "So... I've mentioned before that my family is pretty toxic, due to their curse. They are overly obsessed with the concept of victory, of winning. Even if, or sometimes especially if, it hurts another person. This can extend to their romantic life, which means sometimes people... betray their partners, or try to get someone else to do so. Or even just try to date someone else's crush, just because they want to hurt them. There really isn't a nice way to say it."

    Laisa frowns and looks down at the sand. "Because I've seen so many stories like that, and because my curse lets me look at such affairs with a certain emotional distance, I've come to understand jealousy in a kind of mechanical way. There are two main things that I've noticed which lead to that feeling: Insecurity and Ownership."

    She places her free hand on her hip and looks out over the water, mouth twisting in a kind of uncomfortable way. "To put it another way, if you think the person you love doesn't really value at all, that hurts. If you think you own someone and you don't, that also hurts." She scratches the back of her head for a moment and thinks, "I mean, I say 'own someone' like it's a bad thing, but it's not always that way. Sometimes you do have a solid claim to think of someone as 'yours'. There's a big difference, morally, between a spouse thinking they have a right to you, after you've already promised yourself to them, and a total stranger who thinks they're your 'destined one' or something. Both can experience that kind of harmful feeling though."

    She taps her lip for a moment, before turning back to look at Veronica. "I guess if I have to explain why I don't feel bad about it... I actually feel pretty secure in our relationship, or at least in your feelings for me. That's why it matters that you were so honest with me about what was happening. I also don't particularly feel like I own you in that way. We might commit to each other, and we can agree to be a pair, but that's different. I consider dating you to be a privilege. I think that mindset does a lot to protect me from those kinds of feelings."

    Laisa glances off to the side and says, "I... hope that doesn't come off as horrible of me to say."

    After a pause she adds, "Of course, your feelings matter too, and you certainly don't have to flirt with someone if you don't want to. Even if it's part of a disguise. Just know that I won't hold it against you if you need to maintain an act."

Veronica Perenna has posed:
Laisa had already talked about how difficult her past had been for her, and everytime the signs of it show up in her demeanor, Veronica only feels more admiration for the way the purple-haired girl has carried herself through it. She is not sure many people would have handled it that well.

"I don't think you have to look for a nice way to say it. These are all things that are important to you, and I am glad everytime you share your feelings with me", she remarks once Laisa has finished speaking.

Veronica doesn't have much practical experience in these matters, but she has the presence of mind to consider every part of it and give it its weight. If she tries to imagine the situation Laisa describes, she can really see the mess it would be. It helps that Laisa is quite clear in her explanation and doesn't leave space to ambiguity.

"It's not horrible to say at all", Veronica shakes her head. "I guess that what you mean boils down to how bad it feels taking others for granted, if we really wanted to give it a short summary. I feel the same way about you. We may not know where it will lead us, but us dating is special to me", the brunette shares her thoughts.

"The situation earlier was a bit weird, and I think that might be the last of it as far as disguising as Sailor Moon matters", she considers out loud. "I am not the only one carrying her name in her absence, so it is probably safe."

Laisa Samuiko has posed:
    Laisa gives Veronica a bit of a relieved smile. Once again she opens up to her darling, and once again she receives nothing but love and support. Maybe that's also part of why she has no insecurities here.

    "I think that's a good way to say it, yeah. I'm happy with the relationship that we have, and I do want to see where it goes, but I'm not really taking you for granted. You haven't broken your word to me, and so you haven't really betrayed me."

    Leaning against Veronica and rubbing shoulders with her, Laisa coos, "Besides, no one who looks at us would think we weren't serious about each other. I have faith in you, and I trust you. Little things like this aren't going to threaten that."

    With a soft, warm smile, Laisa says, "I do think it's very brave of you to do all of that just to help a friend. I don't know the full story. I don't think there are many who do, but I know that several of our friends are in trouble. I admire that you're doing your best to help them."

    With a shrug, Laisa says, "Besides... regardless of how you interact with Mamoru, what's important is keeping the enemy confused. I'm more than happy to support you, my kitten."

    Laisa then covers her mouth and clears her throat before saying, "All the same... even if it's not a big deal to me, I'm very grateful that you considered my feelings at the time. It means a lot to me that you were thinking of me. I suppose that's part of why I trust you."

Veronica Perenna has posed:
Laisa's smile has a contagious quality to it, and Veronica can feel herself happily return it. It's like her girlfriend holds the key to make her feel relaxed at any time, just by being nearby.

Veronica's eyes twinkle when the purple-haired girl leans on her and she moves her arm to caress Laisa's other arm. "I am glad you trust me to do the right thing, it would be so easy for anyone to be opposed to it for the right reasons too, but you are going beyond all that." She really is an incredibly amazing person.

"There is not much of a story to it, just keeping the enemy on edge, not letting them think they are going to have it easy, making them understand we are still all together", she explains with a smile, fondly looking at her understanding girlfriend.

"This power does lends itself to confusing our enemies", she expresses agreement. "It's why I came up with Sonata Cheer during the 30th century, so Black Moon would think there were more of us than there actually were."

Veronica's face gleams happily towards Laisa. "You are so open with me, I am actually really happy I get to include you in my life", she lilts.

Laisa Samuiko has posed:
    Laisa keeps smiling at her sweetheart girlfriend, because how can she not? There is no one she loves and appreciates more in all the world. She moves a little closer to hold Veronica tightly for a moment. Close enough that she presses her cheek against her darling's. "I'm happy you're in my life, too. You're amazing and wonderful, and you make me so happy. I appreciate you always being so sweet to me."

    "... and even if I'm not worried about this situation, I certainly hope I never give you cause to feel bad. You mean a lot to me, and I want you to know that."

    She gives Veronica a squeeze before pulling back to smile at her. "For what it's worth..." she winks, "... I think a lot of your disguises are really cute. Especially Sonata Cheer, and the mermaid form too."

    Laisa gives Veronica a quick kiss then smiles up to her darling. "I've always tried to be sincere with you, and I think you've been the same to me. I think it's really worked out well for us."

Veronica Perenna has posed:
Veronica breathes softly when Laisa leans in further, feeling all fuzzy and happy inside. It goes a long way when her beloved is so eager to show her affection, and she feels like her snowsweet's warmth is reaching her right into her soul. She doesn't say a word about this moment, and instead she lets her feelings carry through to the other girl with her actions, nuzzling her cheek happily and moving her arms so as to facilitate being held tightly and holding Laisa tightly both.

"I don't think you could ever give me cause to feel bad. You are so sweet with me that just looking at you makes me feel really happy. I really care about you Laisa, and I am always happy to be together with you. I really appreciate that I get to see you happy, and I hope you get to be all the time. You really deserve it", Veronica lightly brushes her cheek.

She happily blushes when Laisa shares her appreciation for all of Veronica's forms, and she gazes into her snowsweet's eyes lovingly. "Hehe, I am quite proud of those, it means a lot to me that you think that", she gives a crystalline laugh.

The brunette slowly returns the kiss, focusing on her feelings of love that make her heart beat a lot faster. "I think so too, and when I am open with you, I feel a lot closer to you. I think the same way, and that we are great at working together." She gently brushes just above Laisa's forehead.