2728/Kaito Gets His Rock

Kaito Gets His Rock
Date of Scene:	23 May 2025
Location:	Crystal Millenium
Synopsis:	King Endymion collects another of his own Shitennou in Crystal Tokyo. Welcome, Newphrite.
Cast of Characters:	Mamoru Chiba, Nephrite, Zoisite
Tinyplot:	Black Moon Clan

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Mamoru Chiba has posed:
They've just seen everyone off, and King Endymion took a moment to thank Sailor Pluto again, and ask her if she did want people sharing the watch with her, after all, and give her time to think about it...

He drifts for a moment afterwards, then makes himself focus and 'follow' after Isamu and Kaito. "Gentlemen," he calls, and then he's right there, because he's a ghost and can do that. "Isamu-kun, do you have it on you?"

Nephrite has posed:
He still wasn't quite used to the King appearing suddenly, or moving around instantaineously, because he was still mostly used tot hinking of the King as corporeal. So, when he popped up on Kaito and Isamu after being Somewhere Over There, gloved hand reflextively goes to holster at speed. What was once the reflex of a swordsman, his tension fades as he sighs.

"Your Majesty," he's trying to cover it, "You're very sneaky like that."

Zoisite has posed:
Whereas, Isamu seemed more calmer towards the apparition, turning head to look at his King with a soft smile that reached his still smokey eyes. He'd been crying a little since the send off, having grown a bit attached to the bundle of mahou.

Then a bow of his head, arm resting across his middle--the same way he used to always greet Endymion as a Knight.

Once standing upright again, he nods at the King's question. "Of course, your Majesty. Is it time already?"

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
"Please, we're alone. Call me Endymion if you must, but... I was Mamoru for you a lot longer than I was Endymion, and-- when we're alone-- after this-- I'd like it if you called me that. You're not the rest of the world. The senshi get to call me that, you get to call me that. Only Usako gets to call me Mamochan though," the King says, his voice soft; he's smiling a little. "Sorry to startle you, Kaito-kun. But yes-- whenever you're ready then it's time."

Nephrite has posed:
"Endymion." Kaito said it, as if to correct himself, and smiled a little. "I'll never be more ready than this, I don't think. I've got vacation time to make up for, after all."

It was a small joke, but he turned his gaze towards Isamu. He studied him for a short time. "I should thank you, too. You've helped me understand more about why I want to do this."

Zoisite has posed:
With confirmation from both sides, Isamu extended his cybernetic arm, as a small compartment began to open and reveal the stone he's been holding onto for King Endymion, for this specific moment.

Stone in hand, the light reflected off its surface, a deep rich red that gave off discreet crystal glimmers within. Such a lovely hue, alive, and he held it as though it was indeed a beating heart.

This is when Isamu lifts his head, gaze meeting Kaito's again. Gentle, calm smile on his lips. "I'm glad I could help in your decision, Kaito-san." There was no worry in his eyes, only fondness and patience as each Knight seemed to find their way back home.

Greens found the King once more. "After you, Endymion."

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
Endymion smiles a little wryly. He's not afraid, but that's because he's decided he's rather spend what limited mental and emotional energy he's got on something other than being afraid. He's -- numb, thinking, maybe he'll back out if I offer it, maybe he's --

"It's not your duty yet," he says instead. "But once you pick up the stone, it will be your job to distract me until they get back, and to look after everyone, but gods please don't let me spiral it is so easy to absolutely deathspiral right now."

In other words do it man.

Nephrite has posed:
"I'm a great distraction. I'm handsome, funny, good with kids..." Kaito says it is if this is obvious, nearly deadpan casual, and glances at Isamu. "I know how to juggle."

But despite the levity, his gaze drops to the stone as if it may bite him. A short process, removing glove, stalls. "Just like cold water, this. Dive right in. Just one, two... splash." His bare fingers wiggle, tentatively, hovering above it. His lungs fill, and then his cheeks fill, and he blows it out again.

He snatches it like viper, quick and suspicious and immediately, the stone is reactive. It is like Isamu before him, red and gold light playing and dancing and winding around his arm. As if struck like stone, the animated man is perfectly, almost eerily still now.

A statue that is being transformed, through red hair seems to move in an unseen whip of cosmic winds. Shadow flickers. Stars glow, little pinpricks of light provding an aura as silvery lines connect constellations, ancient and earth-seen. It culminates when hand moves, and stone meets chest, pushed into it as if there is no impediment, and the red flash invelops him.

Replacing firearms by thigh is a sword, replacing pack and mask is a lengthy cape-- like a shimmering nebula, shifting red and gold hues underneath it. The uniform pristine, as it ever was. Something golden in his eyes as the light fades, until they are simply brown again.

Everything is very still, and so is he. Staring ahead blankly.

Zoisite has posed:
Breath hitches in his throat, the attempt to inhale lost as green eyes were transfixed at the transformation. Of the winds and gold and red light that took over every inch of the man called Kaito. Twinkles of stars, shimmers of constellations before all gave way to white uniform. Cape, sword and all that it entailed. A Shitennou.

Isamu finally took a quiet gasp, air back in his lungs before glancing over to their King. How he wished Endymion was able to touch, to feel, reach out and hug.

At least Kaito did not collapse like he did.

Green eyes return before he quietly asks. "Nephrite?"

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
"...you just realized you'll have to babysit, didn't you. Glad you're good with kids," the King says dryly, but it's the gentlest of teases. "Would it help if I told you that you have an amazing henshin sequence?" So is that.

There's a silence where there might otherwise be a sigh, or the sound of fabric shifting as the King fidgets. Fidget he does, until he crosses his arms tightly. "I can't hug you, this is the best I can do, I'm sorry," Endymion says, ghostly mask going a little more opaque for a moment as he turns his head away, closes his eyes...

...then straightens up and puts his shoulders back. "Nephrite, I need you. I miss you. I forgave you all a long time ago."

Nephrite has posed:
It's slow the way life seems to blink back into him-- literally, with a blink, and the slight crinkling of his brow. The weight settled onto him is visible, but he holds it well, and subtle movements return. He looks like he may cry, there's glassiness to his gaze, and his hand doesn't leave his chest. It's held there, against his own heart.

His free arm reaches for Zoisite-- he cannot reach for the King, and this pains him. "I am here," it slips out of him weakly, overwhelmed and emotionally, "I am finally here... At last."