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Hino Rei still hates karaoke (fireandpassion) wrote in wariscoming,
@ 2012-01-05 18:09:00

Entry tags:

aino minako/sailor venus, hino rei/sailor mars, tsukino usagi/sailor moon

Who: Rei and open to Minako and Serenity
What: Rei is a target for bullies. So her first day of school she has to get cornered.
When: This afternoon after school let out
Where: Just outside the main entrance of Lawrence High School
Warnings: Bullying as only teenage girls can do. Everything else TBA

After classes were done for the day, Rei gathered her things from her locker and slipped them into her bag. Slinging it over her shoulder, she headed off to wait for Minako and Serenity outside. Or at the very least she'd wait for Minako so they could walk together. The first day had gone better than she'd thought it would. At least she had that out of the way so her reservations about school here could dissipate. She liked her classes, even had a few with Minako and Serenity. Though it was going to be difficult to keep up with having to translate constantly between Japanese and English, but Rei was smart, and if nothing else, she had an incredible work ethic. She had been a good student, no where near the genius that Ami was, but she worked hard and got the grades to pay off the hard work. It would just be extra challenging to do the same here, but she'd do it. Even if she had to get a Japanese-English dictionary for herself.

Stepping outside, Rei walked down the stairs to wait there for the other two to catch up. She stumbled forward slightly as someone ran into her shoulder, causing her bookbag to slide off her shoulder and fall to the ground. Rei spun around to spout a retort only to see three girls standing there. It took her a moment, but she remembered they were the ones that had stared at her and whispered amongst themselves as she'd passed by their table at lunch. Wonderful, her bully magnet had all ready attracted some. Well she could handle this.

"Oh look, she dropped her bag. How clumsy!" The first said. Rei wasn't going to bother with a response, so she bent down to pick up her bag when one of the other girls kicked at it, moving it out of Rei's reach. Glaring up at the girl, Rei was now going to give them a reaction.

"Stop that! What did I ever do to you?" She was more than ready to fight this fight out. Though she just hoped it didn't get physical because that wouldn't look good for her first day here. And she'd promised Connor she'd blend in. Getting in fights didn't exactly go with blending in.

"Oh, she does speak!" One of the other girls said.

"And here I thought she was just creepy and incapable of speaking English." The first said, tilting her head a bit.

"I can speak English perfectly well." Which Rei could, though her accent didn't really help that. And the three girls started laughing as her l's came out more as r's. Which only drew attention from the other people coming and going around them. Rei glanced around her, seeing all the eyes on her. Oh this was not good. She now had a bully target set squarely on her back.

"Oh really? Well Little Miss Perfect, why don't you show us your remarkable skills in English?"

"Leave me alone." Again, Rei tried to pick up her bag only to have it grabbed away from her reach and emptied of its contents. "Hey!" Rei exclaimed, now ready to just punch the girl for that.

"Oh look, I think she's mad!" The first girl said with a laugh.

"Now that's cute." The girl who'd emptied Rei's bag said. She then tossed the empty bag at Rei. Grumbling slightly, Rei caught it, glaring at the girls before bending down to start gathering her things before the wind started to blow them away. At least until one of the girls pushed her over, causing the three to laugh all over again. Rei glared up at them spitefully, ready to just get up and punch them flat.

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ibecamemyself
2012-01-06 02:49 am UTC (link)

It had been a long time since Minako had been in school and honestly, she had forgotten what it was like. Not so much the hustle and bustle of people. She was used to that with her work as an idol and getting through crowds of fans. But she wasn't used to the sitting in class thing and taking notes aspect. She didn't mind it, too much. After all, the whole point of this was to be a normal teenager. Something Minako still didn't think possible. Between one bitchy princess, a priestess with no social graces and a dying teen idol, normal didn't seem like it would fit. But they did have to try as they couldn't draw attention to themselves. At least, that was where Minako and Rei stood, who the hell knew about Serenity.

What Minako hadn't expected was to be approached by so many people in her class. For whatever reason, they had decided she was exotic and exciting despite her attempt to keep to herself and observe. When she was able to, she would sit with Rei and she kept an eye on Serenity. How this seemed to scream Talk to me, make me popular! the Love Senshi would never understand. It wasn't as if she were famous here, there was no reason for both girls and boys to crowd her as if her word were the be all end all of popularity. Maybe it was just Americans being strange, Minako really had no idea.

The day had gone by easily enough. True, Minako's notes were written in Japanese for her own benefit so she wasn't stuck translating while studying, but that didn't matter much. The classes seemed easy enough. Between the fact that the Japanese school system was more advanced in some ways than the American system on top of the fact that she'd had private tutors who apparently pushed her ahead of the curve, Minako followed along easily enough.

By the end of the day, Minako had gone to her locker and was trying to excuse herself from the people surrounding her so that she could meet up with Rei and the princess so that they could head back to the complex. And that's when she heard the commotion at the front of the school.

"Excuse me..." Ducking through the crowd, the fourteen year old made her way out to the steps to see the bullies around Rei. About to go down to help her second, Minako could only stare in shock as Serenity chased them off instead of let them have their fun. That was strange. Serenity made no secret of her disdain for the two senshi that were with her, so why would she help? Unless it was a ruse to get them to trust her... Minako really couldn't put much past her. No matter, jogging down the steps to where Rei was, Minako looked between the two, uncertain of what had just transpired even if she masked her features.

"Daijobu, Rei?"

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fireandpassion
2012-01-06 03:59 am UTC (link)

Rei had been about to get up and give the girls a piece of her mind when they suddenly got sprayed with water. Blinking, Rei's eyes went wide as she heard Serenity. And then Serenity was chasing the girls off and...offering her hand to her? Rei was wondering if she'd hit her head and ended up in some strange dreamland. But she reached out and took Serenity's hand, getting up to her feet. Her initial reaction to Serenity's comment was to huff. It wasn't like she'd asked for it!

"I didn't plan for that to happen." The remark wasn't nearly as catty as it could have been. After all, Serenity had chased them off. "Thank you, Princess." She still was completely not believing what had just happened. Serenity of all people had stepped in. Well, perhaps it had been better that Serenity had intervened otherwise Rei might've just thrown some punches of her own. And wasn't that Makoto's area? This certainly threw a curveball into the situation with Serenity. But if the Princess expected Rei to be grateful for the rest of time, she had another thing coming. Bullies would always find her regardless, and Rei could handle them. Of course now that she was Sailor Mars, there were times she just wanted to set some of them on fire and then see if they'd leave her alone. But she wouldn't go that far. Besides, Serenity had made enough of a statement for the time being. Or at least she hoped.

When Minako joined them, Rei looked at her, nodding. "Hai, arigatou." She glanced in the direction the girls ran off in, praying to the gods that they would leave her alone in the future and not renew their attacks. Or gods forbid they target Serenity for revenge. Provoking the Princess was not going to end well for anyone. It was then that she remembered all of her books and papers were on the ground. She bent down and started gathering them up, grumbling to herself. "Even on the first day, I can't get a break." She shook her head, still feeling some people staring at her, but she disregarded them as she put her things back in her bag. This was not the way she wanted her day to end, and she was still wondering why the Hell Serenity had intervened like that.

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twilight_flash
2012-01-06 11:04 pm UTC (link)

Serenity tossed the hose over to the lawn once Rei had stood up. She didn't fully understand herself exactly why she had helped the priestess. Something had deeply affected her while seeing what the girls were doing to Rei, a feeling she had forgotten long ago. These two girls were her friends, and allies back then. Serenity zoned out unknowingly, thinking about how she missed dragging Rei to sing with her at the crown but..that wasn't her thought. It was Usagi's. She was close to the surface and when the Princess had saved Rei, the girl had become curious enough to watch.

Snapping out of it, she glanced furtively at both teens. Had they sensed Usagi for a second? She needed to do something to distract them but trying to think of something catty to say while the feelings of missing her friends were lingering was hard. Usagi couldn't come back! Serenity had not yet tried to carry out her plan of destruction here. So she pushed Usagi down further, and forced her facial expression into showing nothing but ice.

"You're..welcome, Rei." She muttered quickly and glanced around at the dispersing crowd. Everyone else was going home, they probably should too. "I'm feeling a little tired. If you two aren't going to slow me down, I would like to go back to the Complex." She had said it as briskly as she could so the other two wouldn't sense how shaky she was feeling from being bombarded with emotions that weren't her's and at the same time they were.

"Oh, I forgot. Where were you, Minako? I had to lower myself to chase those girls off. That's something a Leader should do." She scoffed and quickly walked away from them, nearly stumbling over an uneven piece of the sidewalk. Damn inherent clumsiness, it just never went away no matter how many grace lessons she had attended. Serenity knew Usagi was an even -bigger- klutz. How that was possible she'll never know.

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ibecamemyself
2012-01-07 01:28 am UTC (link)

Minako remained silent at Rei's words, merely nodding at the thanks she was given for inquiring on if the priestess was all right. She wasn't certain why that required thanks, but no matter. She was more intrigued by what had prompted Serenity to react and come to Rei's aide. Or to call her by her actual name after zoning out and gaining a far off look on her face. That was also something worth noting. Was it possible that Usagi was trying to break through? It was the only thing which Minako could come up with on why that had happened. Serenity had made it perfectly clear she had no desire to associate with them beyond what was necessary.

About to respond to the comment on getting back to complex assuming the two didn't slow Serenity down, Minako just blinked when Serenity then made a jab at her leadership skills because she hadn't been at the scene of the incident. Because clearly being leader meant knowing what was happening or was going to happen and getting across campus to ensure her precious Princess didn't have to lower herself to help a friend. Well, clearly not friend anymore. In the past, maybe, but definitely not now.

Watching the bitchy teen walk off, the fourteen year old just shook her head, mask firmly in place. Like hell was she letting Serenity get under her skin so easily. Minako knew where she stood, she knew her position. Did she feel that she should have been there to help Rei? Of course, but the fact remained, she was only human, Senshi Leader or not. She couldn't be everywhere at once and getting through throngs of students to get across campus was not exactly easy. Especially when one had to maintain a secret identity.

"We should follow after her before she does something reckless." Minako's voice was clipped, the ice persona back on. It was further proof that the Princess was completely changed. Focused on her path of destruction which they had to stop.

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fireandpassion
2012-01-07 06:58 am UTC (link)

Well, this was certainly awkward. Serenity of all people having intervened, and then she was being polite to Rei? Again, Rei was completely dumbfounded. Or rather, she still was dumbfounded. At least until she felt the surge within Serenity's presence. Was it... Yes, there was definitely no mistaking it. It was Usagi. She was waking up! Usagi's presence wasn't quite strong enough to break through Serenity's hold, but it was definitely stronger. There had been moments where she'd thought she'd felt a little twinge here or there from Usagi, but it was nothing like this.

When Serenity seemed to space out, Rei could tell it was because of Usagi. There was hope, oh there was hope! If possible, Rei's eyes grew wider yet. Perhaps now was their chance to try and get through to Usagi. Quickly shoving the rest of her things in her bag, then standing back up, she was about to say something directly to Usagi when Serenity made her comment about Minako. Frowning, Rei glanced at Minako, seeing the walls going back up. She glanced after Serenity as she left, then she quickly placed a hand on Minako's arm to get her full attention.

"I sense Usagi," she said in a tone only Minako could hear. "She's close to the surface. This may be our chance." She looked at Minako, hoping that for once the love senshi could put the icy persona aside to help her get through to Usagi. They had to try. Rei would try. Because now Serenity's actions made sense. Had Usagi driven Serenity to help her? It certainly wasn't out of the goodness of Serenity's heart.

Quickly walking after Serenity, Rei took a breath, hoping Usagi would hear her. "Matte, Usagi! Minako and I are here for you." Perhaps using her name would make Usagi stronger. Inwardly, Rei was hoping that Usagi wouldn't recoil. This was a chance, and she wasn't about to waste it by making some bitchy comment to Serenity for what she'd said to Minako. She wanted to, but she knew doing so would only push Usagi further away from them. They may not get another chance as good as this one again. So now Rei was going to push in hopes of getting something back. Would it work? It was difficult to say. But Rei finally had solid hope that Usagi could come back to them, and she wasn't squandering it.

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twilight_flash
2012-01-07 07:47 am UTC (link)

Serenity gripped the strap of her bag tightly. Keeping it together would be the best thing to do. Why couldn't see just destroy them?! In their world this would have been easy. She would kill the Senshi, and then the world. Didn't Usagi understand that they had to atone for killing Mamoru? Even if it had been a necessary evil.

She froze in place when she heard her name come out of Rei's mouth. It sufficiently shocked the Princess enough for Usagi to push through a little. The Ginzuishou started glowing, and she covered her brooch with one hand to block out the light. There was a ghost image of Usagi next to the Princess. Turning, a small, sad smile was on her face and tears in her eyes. "Gomen, Rei-chan. Dekimasen.." 'I'm sorry. I can't.', she thought again to herself.

The ghost image of Usagi faded softly and the crystal ceased it's glowing. The sidewalk was deserted and no one had seen the light. It would have been hard to explain otherwise. Clarity returned to Serenity's eyes and she looked at the both of them harshly, "You can't bring her out. I am stronger than her! If you want someone to blame, don't blame me, blame Beryl for awakening me like that." The Princess was unaware that she could potentially give them something to work with against her. She turned sharply and started walking.

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fireandpassion
2012-01-07 08:10 am UTC (link)

When Serenity froze in place, Rei knew it worked. Usagi could hear her. Now she knew she wasn't just grasping at straws. They could get through to Usagi, help her come back. And more than that, she now knew Usagi could hear them if they spoke to her. Perhaps she might only hear if she was close to the surface as she was now, but it was worth it to continue addressing her as long as Rei could sense her. Of course, she also knew continuously calling the Princess by Usagi's name would only anger Serenity, but the fire senshi would pick and choose those battles depending on how things developed.

While she originally intended to stand infront of Serenity and look her in the eye while talking to Usagi, the light of the Ginzuishou made her slow down. And then the ghost image of Usagi made her stop dead in her tracks, her eyes going wide. "Usagi..." she breathed, then heard the apology. "I know it's hard, Usagi, believe me. I know the pain of losing someone. But you have me, you have Minako, and we aren't abandoning you!" But the the ghost image was gone before she'd even finished saying that. But she hoped that Usagi heard her. She wasn't going to let Usagi stay in there forever. If it was the last thing she ever did, she would get the bubbly teen to come back because she missed her. Rei wouldn't readily admit it, but she missed Usagi. The priestess needed her just as much as she needed Minako and the rest of the senshi.

Then Serenity was back to herself and Rei narrowed her eyes a bit. She cast a glance at Minako, wondering if Minako picked up on just how Serenity had chosen those words. Turning back to Serenity and walking after her, Rei wasn't going to relent. Not now. This could very well end disastrously, but at least Minako was there for this. "Are you so sure about that? Usagi is far stronger than you may think." Rei did think Serenity under-estimated Usagi, if only because she currently had no feelings of kinship towards the Princess while she did care about Usagi. She cast another glance at Minako, wondering how to press the Beryl awakening her issue. Minako usually was a little more tactful in her word choice.

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ibecamemyself
2012-01-07 07:38 pm UTC (link)

Minako nodded at Rei when she mentioned having sensed Usagi. So it wasn't just a wild theory the Senshi leader had to try and make sense of what had just happened. Usagi really had been there. The ice was there, but Minako knew better than to be this way when they were trying to reach the girl who was trapped inside Serenity. So she followed after Rei who had gone after Serenity, listening to the words spoken, seeing the ghost of Usagi apologize to them about being unable to. While she had vanished and Serenity had spoken, Minako had something to say to Usagi, though it did tie into what Rei had said to Serenity.

"Usagi, I know you can hear me. You may think you can't, but you're stronger than you let yourself believe, stronger than all of us. You need faith in yourself because we have it for you and we're waiting for you."

And then there was Serenity to contend with. Her word choice certainly was interesting. Beryl had awakened her this way? And just how did she mean that? Endymion had been hurt and Usagi had awoken as the princess only without her memories. It was when he was being taken that Serenity truly came to the surface. But Beryl hadn't done anything to awaken the princess. Not on purpose at least. So unless she meant in taking Mamoru, this was all Beryl's fault....

Disgusting. Rei thought Minako more tactful in her words, and she was, but she also thought this entire thing disgusting. And of course she'd place blame elsewhere.

"As Rei said, Usagi is stronger than you think, stronger than you. Do you want to know why that is? It's because she wasn't afraid to do what she had to in order to protect this planet. She allowed herself to break her own heart to do what she needed to do to save everyone. You, though? You wish to destroy everything she fought so hard to protect and even though she's hurting, she still cares about her friends. It's that caring that makes her stronger than you. You can claim this is Beryl's fault but you could still fight it if you really wanted to."

Was that the thing to say? Maybe, maybe not. Dealing with Serenity was always a gamble. But the fact remained that it was true. And Usagi needed to hear it as well. She needed to know that she was strong and the reasons for why that was. Yes, her words were directed to Serenity, but it was clear that Usagi was beneath the surface. She needed to know she wasn't alone.

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