[that hits home, and Chibiusa lowers her head to hide a small chin tremble.
with fearful reluctance and her mouth now buried in the heel of her palm, she reaches into her skirt pocket under the table and closes her fist tightly around something. with an empty and miserable look, she reveals a teardrop shaped gem, which clatters on the table and rolls slightly after she releases it.
her Crystal. it's lifeless. no light, no glow, no warmth. there's hardly even a note of its signature rosy color, or the amount a shine a crystal that clear should have, magical or not.
her eyes well up despite herself as she looks at it, and they flick up to Mamoru's face, waiting.]