2637/She Will Keep You Company

She Will Keep You Company
Date of Scene:	20 June 2025
Location:	Radiant Heart Academy
Synopsis:	New Moon enters Radiant Heart Academy once more for an impulsive conversation with Ami - who's been told the truth by Wicked Lady. With no more secrets between them, the Senshi of Water and her corrupted princess are free to speak openly.
Cast of Characters:	Usagi Tsukino, Ami Mizuno
Tinyplot:	Black Moon Clan
Tinyplot2:	BMC: Wicked Ride

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Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Last time New Moon wanted to talk to Ami, it was easy. She just had to go to Mamoru's place and poke her head in at the Cat Cafe. This time...

Well, this time she does not find her there, or at her house, or anywhere convenient. Nope, this time, grimacing and annoyed, New Moon finds Ami on campus - at the school pool. She's not quite powerless, but she's absolutely restrained from using power, as she might once have, and she's suppressed but not in anyway freed, feeling sick with none of the benefits.

Ugh. The things you do because you like people.

"Ami-chaaaaaan! Come talk to meeee!"

Now that Ami knows the truth, it's impossible not to see Usagi's face under those pink bangs, impossible not to hear her voice in that pout.

Ami Mizuno has posed:
Ami liked to swim.

It was the sort of activity she could just lose herself in, drowning out the world in order to find a sense of peceful zen. Quietude, because--and let's be honest--she could also lose herself in study, but it was definitely different. This was one of the few times that Ami could turn her mind off and give her brain a much needed rest.

And there had been a lot to rest from recently.

She was several laps in by the time the call of her name caught up to her, bringing about a pause in the water before she made her way to the side. It was perhaps the fastest she'd paddled through the pool yet. New Moon--Usagi's--voice fluttered things in her chest and set to her a kind of frantic energy.

"I'm in here!" Ami called back, elbows upon the edge of the pool, already moving to haul herself free.

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
"Oh, I am not getting in there," New Moon breathes to herself, even as her eyes catch on the light as it glints across Ami's wet skin, her hair slicked to her face from the weight of water, her face flushed with exertion. A part of her wants to forget all about her topic of conversation and hold her hand.

The rest of her walks over to the edge of the pool and offers her hand to help her up.

"It makes sense that I caught you here, but, also, I don't like it here," she says plaintively. "Not the pool part. Can we talk? Do you want to be dressed before we talk?"

Her usual depths of compassion and empathy are not exactly turned on right now, but for the people she loves most, there's still a strong desire to make them comfortable (when she's not on Wicked Lady's agenda) (she's mostly on Wicked Lady's agenda). Still, even she knows being wet from the pool without being in the pool isn't exactly comfortable always.

Ami Mizuno has posed:
Ami couldn't help but take notice of just how hot Usagi's skin was as she took hold of the offered hand. The once more shocking revelation that her Princess was very, very sick indeed and made all the more stark given how cold she was fresh from the water.

As she set foot to firmer ground, sapphirine eyes met with sapphirine eyes. Even amidst all else that might be happening, Ami couldn't help but smile. It was relief again, seeing New Moon with new sight. Able to peer past the Veil finally to see this most imporant person looking back. Ami lifted a wet hand almost absently to set it to Usagi's cheek.

"We can talk." Ami agreed.

And then she shuddered.

"You're right--at least a towel?" Ami's lips pulled into a tight, silent apology for the inconvenience.

She was definitely noticing the cool now, wearing only a very wet pale red and white striped one-piece swimsuit.

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Yes, her skin is hot to the touch. Hot to the touch, a little clammy, even with Ami's hands being wet from the pool, the symptoms of sickness inescapable. To the keen eyes of one studying to be a doctor, there are shadows under her eyes and a sallowness to her skin, that indicate the sickness. Still, she smiles with bright eyes in spite of that, and when Ami's hand rests against her cheek, she smiles bright enough to rival the sun, pleased.

"A towel is fine! You're all wet, and I found you in the pool, so I can be like, gracious."

You have to take care of your toys, after all, and Ami is a precious toy, just as she is to Wicked Lady.

"But then I want to talk to you! Mamoru says I should, about Adora. You met Adora, right? She's Makochan's roommate, can turn into an eight foot tall lady, super hot?"

Ami Mizuno has posed:
Of course, the towel wasn't exactly far away. It would have only been a short walk to where it sat folded, awaiting Ami's departure from pool to dry. But, it took a great deal of effort to disengage from contact with New Moon. It still felt like it had been so long since she'd last seen Usagi, last had a chance to touch and feel and know that she was okay.

Well. As okay as she could be while swallowing down all of that Dark Energy.

"You know I like to swim." Ami offered with an agreeable smile now, finally shifting past New Moon to fetch the aforementioned towel.

She started with her hair, head, and face. Neck and shoulders. Arms... Ami blinked and looked back, mid-drying.

"Adora-san?" She nodded. "I helped her get settled into the school a while ago. What about her?"

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
"I do. New Moon watches Ami towel off with the casual interest of one taking in a beloved sight - in New Moon's case, Ami, because she doesn't usually see her. She's with her adorable daughter, after all. She loves Wicked Lady. She loves being with her. She could never want anything more than that!

But it's nice to see her friends.

"So if Usagi wanted to take her on a date and show her a good time and raise her standards so she never accepts a bad date again, how would you feel?"

Her tone is casual, but her eyes are intent, and it's clear she doesn't know that Ami is in on the secret, though Wicked Lady probably wouldn't mind her knowing. She's just... unaware.

"Mamoru doesn't like the idea of Usagi dating other guys. If you don't like her dating other girls, she won't."

That's just how it is. That's just how it will stay - even now, even like this, when it comes to romance and love, she will not be changing, or doing anything that would hurt her dearly beloveds.

...Even if she's pretending to just be the messenger.

Ami Mizuno has posed:
Ami paused, towel about a calf, and she lifted her head to glance over at New Moon. Her expression was, perhaps, a little inscrutible for the moment and the blue-haired senshi lifted towel to wrap about her shoulders.

Then she made her way back. Distance closed again. Eyes narrowed. Ami leaned in very closely, pristine blues searching Usagi's face very, very intently.

"You're not just looking for a way to get out of homework with dates, are you?" She was damn-near squinting now.

And because they were so close and alone. "Usagi-chan." Even then, it was still very, very scarcely whispered--just barely audible even to New Moon.

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
New Moon's riveted on Ami - not on her calf, towel wrapped around it, mostly dry but shimmering with dampness, but on her face, watching every minute shift in expression, searching with all her reduced empathy and compassion for understanding, looking for what can't be masked.

Even still, she can't quite read that impassivity, and stays still and transfixed as Ami leans in close to her, searching, squinting, looking, but for what, but for what -

"What?! No, I'm not just trying to -"

And she goes still, eyes widening, white visible all around, surprise and then swiftly pleasure and joy, satisfaction -

"She told you!"

And she giggles and throws her arms around Ami.

"Yes! She told you! Oh, good, I mean - well, I've got to keep it secret, it's the Game, can't disappoint My Lady, but this is so much easier when you know, Ami-chan!"

She swoops Ami around in a hug, but she's not as strong at the school, so at least she's not fully picked up her feet by henshin strength.

"It's not to get out of homework. Even if making me do homework now is so mean, it almost could cut into my doting on Wicked Lady time!" Almost, which means it doesn't actually cut in, and she's just whining. "It's because I think she's really hot and sweet and Catra's dating Hinoiri, which means I don't have to pretend I respect their discount miracle romance!"

Ami Mizuno has posed:
She, too, was overjoyed the moment realisation dawned upon her Princess' face and then she was swept up in the hug. Powerful, claiming, and altogether vibrant. It felt good to be on the receiving end of what was, at the end of everything, a good old fashioned Usagi hug.

Something Ami had painfully missed, even despite the quiet wince it drew. Though the superficial scratches about her arms and thighs had already faded, the abused ribs were still tender.

"She told me, yes. Apparently Wicked Lady was worried I'd figure it out on my own, anyway." She was smiling brilliantly for the moment before the tail end.

"And I would also prefer you don't just date Adora-san to spite Catra." Ami's brows furrowed a little again. Dark Energy did have it's quirks, of course. "But, you know... It doesn't change anything really, does it?"

There was a pause. No. It didn't matter.

"I missed you so, so much."

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
"Mmm, you would figure it out," New Moon nods, her smile broad and pleased. "That makes sense! Better for her to tell you than you figure it out on the field and tell someone - not that you're a blabbermouth, but you know, out in a fight is different than normal, you're thinkin' all different! You might not keep it a secret!"

She doesn't notice the wincing. She's not paying enough attention, not when hugging and spinning around had made her remember how tender her own stomach is, how much she's on the urge, but - nope, nope it's fine, she's fine, she's well!

"No, no, I'd never!" Her eyes widen with surprise. "I would never date someone just to spite someone else, that's not fun, you know? I want to date Adora because she's nice and sweet and kind and she's had a rough time and I think she should have fun, you know? I want to give her some standards because she deserves to be treated right, and I - I don't think anyone ever has!"

This is real emotion, raw and real, even with the dark energy.

"And also, I used to knew Future Adora and she said that she and Catra were in love and got together and she would always say Catra meant well even when Catra was clawing her up and she always had scars, and I don't want that for Adora. I wouldn't do that. She'd be sweet and good and also she'd never upset Wicked Lady!"

Ami saying it doesn't change anything makes her smile and she leans in, presses a kiss to her forehead even if she has to get up on her toes a bit.

"It doesn't. It's not like I'd love you less! Wicked Lady gets the lion's share, but I wouldn't love you less than I do now if I dated Adora too." She reaches up and brushes a hand through her hair. "I missed you too. I did try to invite you to come join us."

Pout.

Ami Mizuno has posed:
"Love isn't a finite resource." Ami agreed. "It's the choices you make and the things that you do."

There was hint in that. Very subtle, perhaps, but a tacit agreement of understanding. Why was Usagi going through all of this? Choices. The things she would do. Her love. Ami knew.

"I'm sure you'll help Adora-san to see just how special she really is, too." She was still smiling, she couldn't not.

Not with the kiss to her forehead or even in the face of that pout. She cupped a hand to the side of Usagi's face again.

"We'll all be home together soon though, won't we?" Ami tilted her head a little. "After all, Wicked Lady is beautiful and perfect. I'm sure she'll see to it."

A promise, even if it were wrapped in a misdirection.

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
"Exactly! Time is though, so I'd have to coordinate, make sure nobody got left out, especially with the Wedding and everything, and there's hunting for the Silver Crystal, even if we're not really doing a good job, and there's so much to do, but still! I'll make time for dates."

Of course she would make time for dates. She likes dates.

But.

There is a hint there, wrapped in obvious truth, that Ami understands, and something deep in Usagi unwinds, because she appreciates that, more than anything - she loves that, because she loves Wicked Lady, loves Mamoru, loves Ami, she would do so much for them, she would fight for them, she would kill for them -

She would suffer for her daughter, and she's been proving that every minute of the day for weeks now.

"I will! That's the goal! And the dream! And also she's really, really hot, and really, really tall, and I could climb her like a tree," she sighs wistfully, "I don't think she's ever been kissed or take on a date or given flowers, and I want to do all those things! She's too cute to be sad! Hot girls shouldn't be sad!"

She pokes Ami's belly as she says that, intent on making her giggle, leaning into her hand.

"That's right. After this wedding, we'll all be together. We can set things off proper, and it will be fine..."

Ami Mizuno has posed:
She was with her right up until the poke. Well, it was less the poke and more the resultant, ticklish flinch--complete with short-lived giggle--that saw Ami grimace faintly. It was caught quickly, though, and Ami recovered well. She positively beamed at Usagi.

"Everything will work out in the end." Ami nodded as she let her hand slip away from Usagi's cheek and to her shoulder.

Where it was poised to pull her in for another hug. Heavens, Ami didn't want to let go.

Underneath it all, she was tired and bruised. Ami had been working herself to the very bones for the wedding, but also to keep herself from worrying about things. Things she felt she no longer had to worry about for as long as she had hold of Usagi.

"Do you think she could carry you around on her shoulder like a parrot?" Ami mused quietly.

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Just a couple more days. Everything would be sorted after the Wedding. Everything would be fine.

Mamoru's thought something like that, around New Moon a few times, thoughts spirited away during contact, and New Moon agrees. Once the Wedding is done, they'll find the Silver Crystal, kill Demande and Saphir, figure out what Wicked Lady wants to do with Wiseman, and live happily ever after.

It will all be fine.

But for now, they're here, and she's made Ami giggle, and she's pleased in that quiet way that even being sick to her bones can't disperse. Another hug is just what's destined, honestly.

This one is a bit more gentle, pulling Ami into her chest, tucking her close, holding on, happy, pleased, and she murmurs quietly, "Oh, I think she could carry us both around on her shoulder in henshin. Outside of that... mmm, I think she could hold me."

Ami Mizuno has posed:
Ami tried to picture that in her head. A powerful woman, striding forth into battle with a pair of senshi upon her shoulders. She giggled again.

Of course everything would be fine after the wedding. Mamoru had promised, Ami trusted. Everyone was working incredibly hard to see to it. It was a shame that she and Usagi, just for the moment, had slightly different definitions of what this meant. But, it would all come together in the end.

I hope you know that I would never do something that would put Usagi or Chibiusa in danger... She had texted to Mamoru very recently. An absolute truth, all other affection set aside, that was her duty as a senshi--it would always be. Her Princess was her life.

But, for now, there was Usagi.

"I got something while I was in Germany." Ami said quietly. "Well, a few things. But..."

She hummed. "Would you follow me? My backpack is in the changing room."

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
They're drift-compatible, sharing thoughts, because New Moon giggles too, having the same image in her mind.

She-Ra, walking into battle with Sailor Mercury and Sailor Moon on her shoulders, firing their attacks as she rides in sword in hand. It's an incredible mental image, and she's ready to try and make it reality.

"Is it for me? Is it a gift for me, you know I love gifts, and also seeing other people's gifts, and oh, is there one for Wicked Lady?" Her eyes shine brightly, and she bounces a little on her heels, thrilled. "Of course I'll follow you! Show me the things in the backpack."

Ami Mizuno has posed:
Ami smiled and led Usagi along, and it wasn't long before they were in the changing room. The blue haired senshi knelt and opened her backpack, plush bluejay unmistakeable attached to the latch as it was. As orderly as she kept it's contents--mostly books, though the Mercury Computer was there as well--it was very easy for her to lift a hand-made ballerina bunny clear.

"It was a baking book for Makoto-san." Ami explained. "Because... Well, it's Makoto-san. I missed her cooking, but it wasn't the same trying to do it for myself."

She stood again, turned, and held the bunny for Usagi. It was about twelve-inches tall all up with long floppy ears, a pale pink tutu, and a little flower of the same colour atop its head.

"They're not really gifts. Or, they weren't at first." She smiled down at it. "And I thought to keep this one with me after Wicked Lady came to see me the other day. Just in case, because--"

Well. She was grateful that Chibiusa had told her.

"I called this one Chibi-chan and she would sit at my desk with me." Ami smiled and her face turned a bit redder. "Usa-chan is on my bed, she's too big for my backpack."

She bit at her lower lip. "They reminded me of you and I hope they'll remind you both of me while you're up there."

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
New Moon follows along, and it's a lot like having the regular Usagi following after her, humming a little under her breath and excited, curious about just what it is that she'll be seeing, that Ami brought along from Germany, from her exchange studies -

Usagi missed her, of course. Being without her was an ache, just as it always was when she missed her friends, only Ami had been a lot farther away than usual, hadn't been holed up studying but actually in another country, with a big time difference, and she'd missed her, but now she has her, and there's a part of her that wishes that she could have been there when Ami got home, but -

She was where she needed to be. She'd been where she needed to be, and she's still where she needs to be, now, walking along at Ami's side.

Crouching down at her side, she leans in - and gasps, quiet, as she sees the hand-made bunny plush, with the pink ballerina tutu. "Ami-chan, it's so pretty... and... oh, you bought a baking book? Did you give it to Makochan? She's really good at making all kinds of sweets, she'll even be able to make these sweets, and oh, I want to get more of her treats, but she's busy with the wedding..."

And then she realizes that it's not a gift, but it's not, not a gift. It's....

"Oh, Ami-chan... are you -" and her face burns red, with flustered happiness. "Usa-chan's on your bed? And Chibi-chan stays close to you? That's so sweet..."

Ami is squished into a hug, Chibi-chan carefully squished between them, and she holds on to her tightly.

"They will. They're perfect. And I'll - I'll make sure to bring Chibi-chan back."

Ami Mizuno has posed:
She nodded, even from the press of hug. "Of course. It wasn't nearly as much good to me." Of course, Ami had annotated all of the very German recipes into Japanese for Makoto as well.

Ami returned the hold, tight, happy, and ever-so relieved that she coud have Usagi here. Even if it was only for a little while. It was enough and it settled her worries in a way that only Usagi could. It reinforced the feeling that everything would be okay.

"She kept me company and now I hope that she will keep you company." Ami said of Chibi-chan.

She loved Chibiusa as well. She really did. But, both Ami Mizuno and Sailor Mercury were in agreement. Usagi, her Princess, was the most important person in her world. While New Moon might not quite understand, she knew that Usagi would--Ami would support her as best she could.

"I'll never let you go."