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Setsuna Meiou DIPLOMACY!

For quite some time now, there's been tension between Setsuna and Usagi around Hotaru due to...a rather storied list of misunderstandings, shenanigans, complications, and circumstances.

And while Usagi has tried to do her best to move past it...she's apparently decided to get an objective opinion from someone she trusts.

And in the long tradition of diplomacy through famlilial ties, she has enlisted her cousin in this endeavor.

Thus, when Chiyo dropped by the Infirmary one afternoon and put forth the proposal, a time was arranged for the next day to visit...and Setsuna even offers to drive Chiyo there.

(...it's really just an excuse to drive her new car)

Thus, after a modest commute out to the rather swanker end of the Pikarigaoaka Ward, Setsuna pulls up to a rather large house and parks in the large paved area in front of it, "Here we are, Chiyo-san."
Chiyo Sakai At the very least, though there were current familial ties, Chiyo wasn't directly involved in the past-life drama of the Inner and Outer Senshi. She did however know them, most whom she had met before she even had discovered her connection to Usagi to begin with. It had been a bit since she properly visited Setsuna other than to drop off the healing candies she made--Mostly because she could no longer make them. This was now a reason to catch up as much as to help out with the whole diplomatic angle of things.

She rides along in Setsuna's car trying not to rubberneck at everything as they went by. Sure she'd seen much of it before but rarely in *a car*. This was still novel to her. On her lap is a box decorated with the Nounamu Sweets logo because of course she was going to bring treats. That was still something she was skilled at.

"Thank you, Setsuna-san. Your house looks lovely." Chiyo pauses a little awkwardly as she looks down to the box in her lap contemplating. "Do you think she'll like what I brought? I don't know much of her yet but I heard she had a rough life growing up, so I thought maybe some snacks from when I was younger might be a nice treat for her, too."

It's a thought offered before getting out of the car so they can approach the house. It's Setsuna's though so she leaves it up to her on where they go from here.
Sailor Saturn Hotaru Tomoe was inside, waiting.

And by waiting, it meant her face could be seen from under the curtains, subtly/not so subtly peering out from under the curtains. She was wearing a cute little dark blue dress, a one piece dress that was extra frilly on the neck. And a little buret.

Of course, the moment they came out of the door they'd be able to see her pop away from the window, before running to meet them at the door. Waiting patiently by the door... And then bowing when Chiyo arrived. "I-itadakimasu!" she cried out, bowing her head.

... Then went pale. Because she meant to say 'Thank you for visiting!

... She notably didn't say that, though. Her face going bright red and... not raising it. Nooooo.

Sailor Moon was going to think she was weird! Or hate her!
Setsuna Meiou Once Chiyo is out of the car, Setsuna absently hits the button that makes it chirp twice as she walks over to the front door, "I'm sure she'll appreciate them, Chiyo-san. And if you want to stay for dinner, I can cook, or we can order in, if you'd like."

And as she opens the door, Hotaru greets the guest in a rather...nonstandard way.

And her hand immediately flies up to her mouth where she claps it over her lips.

It's still pretty obvious that she's trying not to burst out laughing...and she's fortunately able to, after a few moments, get herself together enough to say, "...and it appears that Hotaru ALSO hopes you'd like to stay for dinner."

She then steps over and gives Hotaru a quick hug and kiss on the top of her head before waving Hotaru and Chiyo inside and following the two down a brief hallway into the large kichen.

Said kitchen is rather well-appointed with a large island in the center that generally doubles as a kitchen table for the household.
Chiyo Sakai Chiyo Sakai flashes a smile toward Setsuna's offer though her attention was already drawn in by the flutter of the curtains in the window. Someone was watching them while not being very subtle about it. "We'll see how things go. I don't want to stick around if I upset her at all." Not that she intended to, but sometimes... Well. Things just didn't always work out.

Like that greeting for instance.

Chiyo pauses to regard Hotaru with bemusement, and a quiet chuckle. "At least I know you're excited for the treats I brought!"

When waved inside she follows pausing only to take her shoes off at the entry way. Then she's following along moving to set the box down on the kitchen island. "I'm Chiyo Sakai. It's nice to meet you, Hotaru-chan."
Sailor Saturn Hotaru Tomoe gulped, giving a distressed 'save me' look to Setsuna when she raised her head. And the hug helped, too. She relaxed a little bit, bowing a second time to Chiyo.

"T-thank you for visiting! And, um, yes, please stay for dinner. I... I hear you're friends with Sailor Moon? Are you good friends? I've only seen her a handful of times and, um, they haven't ended the best. B-but she's super cool and if you're her friend I'm sure you're really cool I-I mean you're probably cool for other reasons b-but I mean Sailor Moon w-wouldn't be friends with lame people I mean n-not that lame people don't deserve friends b-but Sailor Moon is so sweet I-I think she'd help lame people stop being lame and and it's really cool to meet you, C-Chiyo Sakai sensei senpai!"

Hotaru just kind of... she'd like to go back to hiding now, please?
Setsuna Meiou Setsuna kicks off her shoes and hangs her labcoat on the rack near the door, then follows along behind the others...desperately trying to hold in her amusement at Hotaru's nervousness.

When they arrive in the kitchen, she comments, "We can visit here if you like, or the entertainment room, if you'd rather..."

She then pats Hotaru on the head to give the poor dear a moment to focus on something so she can get her babbling under control, "...would you care for something to drink? We have coffee, tea, a few different kinds of cola, several types of ramune..."

She then asides to Hotaru, "Hotaru-chan, have a seat, take a breath. Everything will be okay. Chiyo-san is a friend, there's no reason to be nervous."
Chiyo Sakai "Tea if you have it, please. Something warm. It's starting to get chilly out," Chiyo decides even as she seems satisfied with visiting right here.

Though she was a guest she falls into the habit she often had being the 'bringer of sweets'. The box top is loosened and flipped open to reveal an array of goodies she'd brought along with her. Daifuku mochi with various fillings of red bean, fruit, and the like. Some beautiful flower mochi creations. Small pressed 'flower' cookies, and some candied fruit covered in a glossy see-through sugar.

"I'm Sailor Moon's friend, yes, but I've known Setsuna-sensei for just as long," she explains toward Hotaru with a grin. "I used to be known as Culinary Guardia Daifuku. If you've ever had any of the candies that Setsuna keeps in the infirmary, I made those."
Sailor Saturn Hotaru Tomoe did as she was told, sitting down, gulping and nodding. "Y-yes. Sorry. I ummmm... I don't think we ever actually..." She trailed off. "I uhhh... haven't. I mean, I've had some of the non-purifying ones, I think. But purification and me don't... mix. I uhhhh... have some... issues... when I do it."

"... I react violently to it."

She then glanced into the box and her eyes lit up. "Oh my goodness. Those look so beautiful. Did... did you make them yourself? You're so talented..." Hotaru whispered, her voice filled with awe. "Wait... used to be? Who are you now? Wait, no, don't answer that, I'm sorry! I shouldn't ask that, I can't ruin your secret identity!"
Setsuna Meiou At Chiyo's mention of tea, Setsuna nods and grabs a small rack with an array of packaged tea bags which she sets on the island near the two, allowing the younger women to peruse and choose which kind of tea they'd like while Setsuna grabs a few cups and sets the electric kettle to heating.

Some mugs are retrieved and set before everyone while choices are made, then the kettle of boiling water is brought over, and after opening each person's chosen tea (green for Setsuna), water is poured over to let them steep for a few minutes, then the hostess glances over at what Chiyo has brought...and she smiles, "Oh, those DO look lovely..."

After a few moments, she sighs and shakes her head, "I should probably get some dinner in me before I indulge if those are anywhere your usual standards, Chiyo-san."
Chiyo Sakai "I made most of them, but the flower ones myh Ojiisan made," Chiyo explains about the treats as she points each out with a little gesture of the ones she means. Those were the most intricate at least, so it's no surprise it took someone with far more skill to make.

As the talk of identities continues she pauses to consider how best to respond. A little shake of her head is given. "I'm just Chiyo now. I lost my powers while fighting Queen Beryl."

Setsuna's arrival with the tea and she reaches for the mug meant for her. Hands wrap around it as she settles into a chair to get more comfortable. "Real food might be good," she agrees laughing. "And it's okay. I know a few people that don't do well with purification. That's not a great sign, of course, it means something is wrong--But until that can be fixed there's no need to push the matter," she assures. "I can't make any purification candies anymore as it is."

Then while Setsuna talks of real food she leeeans over toward Hotaru to whisper, "*One* before dinner won't hurt," with a conspiratorial wink.
Sailor Saturn Hotaru Tomoe would take a small chai. However, Setsuna's comment on the snacks made her nod. "They are so pretty..." she whispered.

But she did pause at the mention of how Chiyo lost her powers. "Beryl... she... oh. She... she was a real nasty one. I didn't really want her to die, but... well... if anyone there had to die, she was definitely one of them. She was mean to everyone, and bossy, and broke other people's things. Some of the people in her department were good, but she was terrible."

She nodded to Chiyo. "Yeah. It's... not good. A lot of people are working on it, but ummm... it's... not an easy solution. I got more time than I originally thought, though. I've been doing pretty good, all things together."

Hotaru's eyes lit up and... she turned the puppy eyes on Setsuna. "One... couldn't... right?" she asked. Sticking out her lower lip...

<< C-c-c-combo >> Luminous Titan apparently had opinions on the pair...
Setsuna Meiou Setsuna knows better than to try to fight the puppy dog eyes.

She's well aware that in the end, she'll just lose anyway. Better to cut losses now.

Dramatically rolling her eyes, she says, "...One."

Then she puts word to deed and reaches over to snap up one of the pieces of candied fruit.

After a moment of absent chewing (and making appreciative noises), she swallows and says, "Well, as the guest, Chiyo-san, it's your choice for what to have. There's a wide variety of takeout options available, or I could cook."

She absently taps a large video panel on the front of the fridge, which turns into what is apparently an image of the contents (it's fairly well stocked), "...at a glance, the easist thing for me to make that wouldn't take a while would be hamburgers, hotdogs and fries...so that's the local option."

She shrugs then waves absently at the LARGE house, "Really, whatever you want. It's no big deal...and as you might imagine, money's not really any kind of issue for us...so don't let that influence you."
Chiyo Sakai Chiyo Sakai gestures toward the box of goodies to encourage Hotaru to pick one. She might have made a recommendation but Setsuna puts the suggestion of choosing what to have for dinner on her. A thoughtful look comes as she regards the fridge from where she sits.

"Oh, well I guess if you're ordering out... I wouldn't mind some stir-fry noodles? I'm not picky, really. I've just been eating a lot of curry lately." Which was amazing! Having Rashmi as a roommate was great! A change of pace was always nice though.
Sailor Saturn Hotaru Tomoe looked into the box, hmming as she struggled to choose. Finally... she reached in and, clasping it with both hands, she took a small piece of candied orange. "T-thank you," she said, before biting into it. Well. Nibbling it. Slightly. Just the tip of it. She wasn't exactly what one would call a heavy eater.

"Stir-fry noodles are always fun. And curry is great, there's a wonderful place called the Korma we get food from all the time. Not often there, though." On account of her being, well, on the run. "There's a really nice girl there, too. You'd probably like her a lot."

Little did she know...
Setsuna Meiou Setsuna nods as the choice is made, "Kung-fu Noodle it is, then."

A menu is procured from a small envelope full of them taped to the side of the fridge which is offered to the other two for perusal before an order is called in, "Well, if the past is prologue, that should be to us in less than thirty minutes."

At Hotaru's comment about Korma, the older woman covers her mouth to conceal a giggle for a moment before adding, "Given they're more or less just down the road, we DO end up getting takeaway from them a LOT. Generally at LEAST once a week."

She snorts, "Pretty sure Ananda-san has memorized our number because when I call these days, she always addresses me by name."
Chiyo Sakai Chiyo Sakai smiles with bemusement. It wasn't as if she could fault anyone for choosing Korma. It was an excellent place! "Yes, I eat there fairly frequently. That girl is my roommate at the school," she explains still smiling. "Between her and myself we keep our third roommate rather well fed. My cousin is jealous." Sort of. She was of course jealous of the meals but she couldn't imagine Usagi wanting to room with someone other than Naru, too.

Things were far less tense now at least. She looks among the pair considering before blowing out a small breath. "I'm sorry, I do have to ask. How are you doing overall? People are still looking for you and it looks as if they're starting to step up their attempts." A glance to Setsuna. "I assume Setsuna has let you know this of course." What? She was only a couple years younger, she wasn't going to keep her out of the loop!
Sailor Saturn Hotaru Tomoe gasped, her eyes going wide. "Your... your roommate is Rashmi? Oh my gosh, you're so lucky! Your house sounds *amazing*... It sounds like such a magical place. Do you have mermaids there?" she asked. There was so much magic there already, she just kind of assumed there was more.

However, the question about how she was doing, however, made her smile slow. "Oh... Ummmm... I-I... I... I'm doing okay, I think," she mumbled. "I haven't had any severe incidents or anything. The others... take good care of me..."

"... I didn't want to run away, but... I wasn't getting better and I was getting more dangerous. I'm... safer here. If they have to, they'll stop me before..." Her gaze shifted away. "They'll stop me if I need to be stopped."

"... What do you mean stepping up their attempts?"
Setsuna Meiou Setsuna sighs as she sits down, "Apparently someone stole some of Miss Kirara's former research and has been using it to try to jumpstart thier search attempts. A few of us have already gotten together with Miss Kirara and are working on rendering their plans moot."

She reaches over and pats Hotaru's hand, "We might need to do something else to throw them off as well, but I've been waiting to see what Page Mage, Miss Kirara and a few others could come up with first."

Hotaru's comment about 'stopping her' gets a frown from Setsuna...but after a moment, she sighs and shakes her head before going on, "Not being constantly surrounded by Dark Energy has helped Hotaru a LOT."

A glance at her phone has Setsuna getting up, "Be right back. Food's almost here."

With that, she walks down the hall towards the front door.
Chiyo Sakai "That would help anyone. Dark energy really isn't something to mess with. Having positive influences around is always a better option," Chiyo agrees with a solemn nod. "I just have to ask. I'm getting caught up on what's been going on myself. I may not be able to join in any fights anymore, but that doesn't mean I can't still help out."

The explanation of what's been going on with the towers is left up to Setsuna. That was still an area she was fuzzy on, though she had heard some of the details herself. She adds in, "The Heartstealer Rifle has made a few more appearances lately too. I even got caught by it a few weeks back. I'm told that's part of Tomoe Life Sciences."

An apologetic glance is cast back to Hotaru. "I'm sorry. I know this must be difficult to hear about. You're old enough to fight and old enough to know what's going on though. A lot of people are working to help you out... And frankly the 'dark energy' that you have worries me. It's an awful thing to do to someone."
Sailor Saturn Hotaru Tomoe gave a small nod. "Uh huh. The... dark energy scares me too," she said softly, glancing towards Setsuna, watching her leave. She then looked towards Chiyo and gave a small, weak smile.

"I... know. About the rifles. Riventon-senpai helped make them, but... he didn't realize how dangerous they could be. He tried to taper them off, but..." She sighed and lowered her eyes. "It's... Kaolinite. Daddy... officially runs Tomoe Life Sciences, but she's the one who's really running things. She manipulates him and they... keep pushing things even further. If it wasn't for that thing inside me... Then he'd not need to work for them. But because they give him the resources he needs to try and help me..." she mumbled, crossing her arms.
Setsuna Meiou A few moments later, Setsuna arrives with several bags of takeout which she then begins to distribute to the intended recipients, providing plates and chopsticks and/or forks as each desires.

After a moment, and just before she takes a bite of her shrimp mai-fun, Setsuna grins and says, "It's a pleasure to meet you!"
Chiyo Sakai Chiyo Sakai regards Hotaru a long few moments only to take a deep breath. "Are you absolutely sure about that? Riventon willingly works with Obsidian because they can give him the budget to fund his experiments. His brother told me so." A pause, and she adds, "My ... parents aren't great either. I tried to convince myself they were when I was younger, but... That won't get them to change."

A touchy topic for sure. When Setsuna arrives with the food she flashes a grin at the attempt of humor, and settles in to eat as well.
Sailor Saturn Hotaru Tomoe gave a small nod. "I am. I know... I know Riventon isn't always the best person. But he does try to do what's right. He messes up. A lot. Oh my gosh sooooo much. But, even then?" she asked.

"He is trying, though. I'm not the only person in Obsidian he has tried to help. There are some... suffering people over there. Who are... going through... some terrible, horrible things. And they're trying their best, but... for some people? Obsidian is the only help they can get. And they're trying their best within those confines."

"... But... Riventon is dumb sometimes. So is daddy..." she mumbled. "Even smart people can be dumb sometimes..."

"... And daddy... is trying his hardest. He spends all his time, all his resources, trying to keep me alive. And it hasn't... been easy..." she mumbled. "And the stuff he's developed has... saved a lot of lives, too."

Then there's food! She grins, moving to sit down, flattening her skirt... and Chiyo might notice that Hotaru had only eaten half her candied orange slice. She definitely... picked at stuff.