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[This has been a long. Long. Long. Week. It's been one thing after another, after another, and while none of these have involved impacted Rei, the psychic wear and tear of people 's emotions going awry is enough to keep her awake late into the evening. Sleep is not likely, and there's one person Rei knows is generally awake long after Minako's gone to bed.

Quietly, so as not to disturb Dipper, Rei taps gently on Ami's door.]

Ami-chan. I know you're awake working. Can we talk?

[Whenever Ami was upset, she tended to dive into work. Hell, whenever she was happy she dove into work and sometimes forgot to come out, but today was the former problem. She needed to distract herself. She needed to keep her mind busy lest she think about all the danger Tadashi and Hiro were walking right into right now. How Dipper had gone and gotten impaled in the jungle, how she was a senshi and she never felt so helpless!

Stupid genius Hamadas and their stupid noble running into danger and likely getting their stupid genius butts in all sorts of trouble and-

Knock knock

Ami hadn't realized she snapped her pencil in half... She took a deep breath.]

C-Come on in, Rei. [She gazed at her notes and frowned. She'd have to rewrite them... again. These were not only incomprehensible to anyone other than herself, but she had gone on a tangent on various formulas and quantum physics. She rubbed her eyes as she took off her glasses.]

What's up?

[The sudden snap of anger wasn't lost on Rei, and it gave even her pause. Did she really want to investigate if something's made Ami snap her pencil? That was a sign to the other girls to run for the hills. Was it worth it, just to find out what's bothering her friend and ease her own troubles?

The answer was quick enough, with only a moments hesitation. The door slides open and Rei steps inside, a worried frown on her face.]

I wanted to talk about some things. I've had a lot of my mind lately. But clearly you have a more immediate need. [Folding her arms, she added in a voice that was as much a command as anything. Ami was distressed, and that was a stress point for her too. This had to stop, and get out in the open, and they had to do it without waking Dipper and Minako.] Get your coat, we're going out.

[She set her broken pencil on the table and stood up, not even waiting. Perhaps that was just as clear a sign as any that Ami was willing to pull away from work to go out rather than putting up any sort of argument. She was grateful that Rei could read her, honestly, but that didn't mean she was going to let Rei's issues be ignored either.]

We can still talk about your issues as well. [She grabbed her peacoat and put it on, slipping on her shoes at the door but waiting for Rei to join her.]

Addressing yours will address some of mine. Don't worry. [She knew better than to not concede that much, after all this time. Ami was as relentless as a tide, and it was foolishness to think she'd let it go.

Grabbing her own coat, she swirled it on and nodded silently to the pair of sleeping birds on one of the coatracks. A faint squawk murmured through the living room, but they didn't stir any longer. Stepping into shoes, she and Ami slipped out into the night. Cerealia was strange, lit up at all hours just like Tokyo, though it had a seedier feeling than she was used to. Not that she was particularly worried about anything or anyone in the colony. The random attack that'd taken place when she arrived seemed isolated and had not repeated, and even that wasn't enough to stop her.

Air was required, and she briskly led the way down the street level and kept walking with the same purposeful stride, boots clicking on the metal walkway.]

It's not like you to be so angry that you break a pencil. Did something happen that I need to be aware of?

[The brisk cool air was a welcome comfort, like cold water to the senses she felt more awake. She sighed as they walked around the colony, gazing in the direction of the tower...]

Tadashi and Hiro, they're walking right into a trap. They're breaking into the towers, trying to find... I don't know what they're trying to find. It isn't just them, I don't know who else, but I do know that they're going to have something horrible happen because everyone seems to forget how silly it is to try and be covert and secretive when they can literally watch what we see.

I'm a senshi Rei, the guardian of knowledge and yet they just... they're RUNNING IN THERE with their- [She clenched her fists.] Those stupid geniuses could be getting hurt and I- [She let out the breath she was holding.] It's poor planning, is what it is. Utter foolishness but I still can't do a-a THING except wait to hear about it when it's done.

Edited 2015-11-22 08:05 (UTC)

[Rei's eyebrow twitched as she listened, a thrum of pure irritation going up her spine and making her bristle a little like an angry housecat.]

And why are they doing this without at least telling us? [She did not like the direction this was going at all. Hiro and Tadashi both just...running off into the towers like idiots, when they'd already done that once before. And without so much as a by your leave to her, despite what Hiro at least had said he'd do.]

Why are they not bringing the two of us, the goddesses of war and wisdom in on this hairbrained scheme? [There is a dangerous quality to her voice now. Cold, distant, filled with a sudden disdain.]

Those boys aren't geniuses. They're idiots, and if this is their idea of doing something useful, then I'm going to have to reclassify the pair of them. Because you're right. It is a trap. The last time there weren't any CERES Employees in the offices because of the flooding. Now? They're ready and able to intercept. Anything they do learn is suspect, too, because logically CERES is either going to kill them or allow them to find something that's probably falsified.

Because, apparently this is someone named Katsura's plan. I don't know who he is, but considering how stupid this plan is, he may as well have told the whole colony: "Excuse us, everyone! My group and I are going to storm the Tower when no one is there to see if we can find anything. But shhh, don't tell them please!"

[She needed to snap another pencil.]

But that doesn't excuse anything! Certainly not from those two. They should know better, and Hiro already went into the Tower yet there he goes, just running into things again. I swear to Mercury, the both of them are just willfully ignoring the facts. I would drag them out by their ears since they are clearly not using those either.

[She had to take another calming breath. Deep breaths. It wasn't like her to get so upset, except that her friends were walking into a trap that THEY created! She rubbed her temple, thinking of multiple chess moves and actions and trying to not connect them to people. People weren't just pawns to sacrifice to checkmate the king, even if they were running head first against the queen. Breathe...

Deep breaths. There was planning to do, preparing for the inevitable fallout.]

I don't know who this Katsura is, but he better pray he not meet me lest he wants an earful of how much of a-a-a fool he is, breaking down every ill-advised, every ill-conceived, stupid, moronic, idiotic, imbecilic, dim-witted LACK OF A PLAN he created!

Edited 2015-11-22 08:40 (UTC)

[Rei wanted to do far, far more than give Katsura an earful, her anger now bubbling up. This was not the conversation she'd expected, but it was equally important. Fists clenched, knuckles white, the air around her began to heat slightly. They were being idiots, all of them, but especially the boys. The breach of trust was what hurt the most, in truth. She wasn't as worried about their safety, since death wasn't quite so permanent here, but the rest of it?]

It doesn't excuse anything. It makes it worse. The two of them should know better. Hiro-kun especially. He was there the first time, and he knows how dangerous it is.

[Rei's lip curled up into a sneer, because she knew where this was going to lead. She could already feel it. An argument she didn't want, and in a way she was saddened by it. Hiro and Tadashi had impressed her at first, with their honesty and reasoning skills, but in the end they were still just boys. This was a reaffirmation of an old maxim of hers on the emotional capability of certain kinds of people, and while she knew she shouldn't be as angry as she was growing it was hard not to be.]

Men, it seems, are at the root of so many problems. They're being willful and stupid, and they're not going to listen. And as usual, it's going to fall to us to comfort them when they get burned.

[Ami, why do you like this boy again? He's clearly nowhere near as intelligent as you think he is, if he acts like this.]

Ugh! What in God's name could have possessed them to not even tell us?! I mean, I assume Tadashi told you after he'd already made up his mind. How typical.

Edited 2015-11-22 20:08 (UTC)

[It had been a long time since she had heard Rei's rants on men. They had been much more prevalent when they were younger but eased the closer they got with their prince and people in general. Rei clearly still fell to her sexist remarks, which they all knew them to be, when she was enraged. If Ami were not much more level-headed, she might even be inclined to agree right now. She took a deep breath. But she wasn't entirely wrong. They weren't listening, they didn't listen to anyone when their minds were made up. What did they have as a plan of escape when everything would (not if) went pear-shaped.]

We need to speak to this Katsura, while I know that it was still Hiro and Tadashi's choice, Hiro is still young and desperate to prove himself, and Tadashi will follow Hiro everywhere. He's smart, but he's also... desperate, eager to show how much he doesn't need anyone so long as he has Baymax....

[And then... an idea. At least an attempt to channel Rei's anger and her own ire.]

Rei... Rei, I think, if not an actual practice battle with Mars and Mercury, he needs to understand that there is a vast difference between wanting to improve, and jumping into something only to prove himself.

He has a brain, he needs to start using it.

[She sighed and rubbed her face.]

I suspect he wouldn't even have told me if it weren't for my idea. I think it's time the three of us return to that jungle. We need to test our powers there, and so long as we're inside the colony, we can't do that. [She put up a hand to still Rei's ire.] I have no intention of leaving before I speak with the both of you on the subject, if you aren't amiable to the idea at the moment, it will be put on pause, but it must be done. And with how... eager our fellow colonists are in getting themselves in danger, the sooner the better.

It's testosterone and youth. It's foolishness, you are right.

[Snorting, she almost spat out an oath at the prospect of Hiro actually using that brain. Right now she's angry, she's ready to chew iron and spit nails. And she knows that. Ami's words help calm her down just a bit, and her fist unclenched, rubbing her jaw as her feet slowed to a stop. A channel, calm. Calm is what she needed right now. Because while Hiro was being stupid, he was still going to need to do better in the future. That thought startled her.

The realization that she cared enough to want him to improve was vastly different than the reaction she ordinarily would have for an idiotic man. She's still angry. She's still mad. But that energy can be constructive.]

You want to show him just we're capable of? You think he'll pay attention to that, really? I mean, we can certainly try, and there might be some catharsis in it. He promised he'd talk to me before doing these dangerous things, and that's a breach of my trust. I...[She looks at Ami, helpless in a way.] you know how that is for me. I want him safe, I want him to improve and be...better than stupid shit like this. But lying to me?

[That's a stinger right there, and she deflated a little, obviously hurt by it. Her eyes snapped back up to Ami's at the suggestion, and she shook her head sharply.]

No. [Her answer came perhaps a little too quickly. She'd thought about it too, and she was not ready. At all.] Not yet. Not for any extended period of time. I'm not ready. I'm...not...really sure I'd be more than a liability for an extended trek, and I refuse to let the two of you go without me. You'll need me, and I just...after what happened to the last group, we need to be more cautious and better prepared.

[A sigh and she slumps forward, the anger simmering for a moment as worry takes hold.]

And I'm not there yet. Maybe in another few weeks.

I want him... both of them, preferably, to understand what we ourselves have gone through to get to where we are, and we didn't get there by running head first into a trap until every other option was exhausted.

[Oh, they both knew the senshi had run into their fair share of traps. Minako running to the audition at the Dead Circus, the challenge Ami accepted against the Black Moon Sisters. Just... everything having to deal with Pharaoh 90.]

But... Hiro should also realize there are consequences to his lying and to abusing the trust of those who offer it to him. [She shook her head.] I just don't know what. In truth, I know he doesn't trust me, and Tadashi probably doesn't either.

[She's kept her abilities close to her chest, hers were not impressive, in any case. True shows of power were for Makoto, Rei, and the Outers. But it also hurt, she wasn't that close to anyone except Rei and Minako, trying to be friendly with others, it was still... tricky for her.]

No, I thought perhaps not, but that's alright. [She may have said she'd go alone, but honestly, that wasn't really in her nature.] It's alright Rei, the jungle isn't going anywhere any time soon.

I actually explained a good deal of it to Hiro-kun. I went over the highlights, at least, and explained the dangers of what we've faced. He...seems to think we're some sort of storybook heroes, and in away I suppose he's right. But that's...someone lying to me.

[She quirked her head to one side and takes a step closer, pulling her arm around Ami and bringing her in close. That reaction, the emotions roiling around in Ami, the hurt in her words? That soothed the rage even further, making her file it away. She knew Ami's troubles with opening up, and she'd come a long way, and she was coming further with Tadashi and Hiro than she had with many people ever, and seeing things like this? The things that idiotic people did without thinking, things that hurt her dear friend? That was beyond anger-inducing for her. It was something that she'd remember, a grudge she'd bear.

She would not forget this, even if she did forgive them for it. One didn't hurt a Senshi and not draw the ire of the others. That wasn't how these they operated.]

I know they don't necessarily trust you yet. They clearly don't trust me either though, and that's...I know it hurts. Maybe I opened up a bit too freely with him. Maybe I was wrong? I mean. I want to stay friends, but I also want them to know just why it is that this is bothering us.

[And as the second in command, she felt something come over her, an intense...something. Rei's hand reached up and she held Ami closer, almost slumping against her]

I know. I shouldn't...be this way though. I just...after the first time? I don't want to. I'm afraid. As much as that hurts to admit, I'm afraid of what's out there. But I know I'll have to push myself sooner or later. Not...right now though.

Perhaps we both allowed ourselves to believe that things would be as simple as they were with Usagi and the others. [Because it was simple, with Usagi. Usagi was the sort to trust so implicitly, so immediately in people with her whole heart, even to the arguments of others. She smiled as she thought of their princess, but then pressed her lips together.]

Perhaps we are being unkind... we trusted as we might with a senshi, with Usagi, but they are neither. [Even with Tadashi's Sailor Earth joke.] It is unfair to ask them to trust so deeply when they are more like you and I and less like Usagi...

[At being held close, she stiffened for only a moment, because she was not the sort to do physical touch easily. But then she relaxed into Rei, she held onto her sister in battle and wrapped her arms around Rei. She could trust Rei, she could trust Minako, she could trust the girls. And maybe, someday in the distant future, she could trust in Hiro and Tadashi almost as deeply. But it was unkind of her to ask it of them now.]

It's alright to be afraid. We've never been in something like this before, we've never been without all the girls and our princess this long before, you longest of all. There is no rush, honestly. Until a real threat rises, we'll slowly collect our data and take our time. This is to be a long battle, we must go at a slow pace, tend to our embers until we must be a roaring fire. [She stroked Rei's hair.]

Yes, perhaps that’s it. They’re only human, and they’re still men. There’s…only so far either of them can go. They’re better than most, but still. You’re right, they aren’t, and maybe I forgot that too. [Which naturally makes her feel quite the fool, especially considering the amount of trust she’d placed in Hiro. There were others here who knew more, to be sure, and none of what she’d said to him could be used against them really. Unless an enemy showed up, and she refused to consider that Hiro would willingly approach any of their old foes. That far she knew she could trust him.]

But I don’t think we’re being unkind. They’ve done us a disservice, as men often do. As people often do to both of us. It stings, but…[It was a reminder that despite everything the Senshi had in common with the people of this place, they were also something separate. She couldn’t bring herself to say that, but the thought hovers on the tip of her tongue. Instead she finishes lamely.]

shouganai. [It cannot be helped.]

[The tension in Ami wasn’t unnoticed, but it was a familiar feeling now, and she just held the other in that tender, sisterly embrace in silence for a long moment. Her fingers ran up and down Ami’s back, little patterns meant to give her something else to focus on, and she found herself smiling into that mop of blue hair.]

We will. We’re hardly burned out, I just...every time I think back to my arrival, I remember h ow alone I was. And I don’t want to go back out there and risk losing one of you, or risk taking myself away from one of you. I know it’s a cowardly thing, I know I should be better, but I don’t want to be alone again, even for a day. Because as we’re discovering, as nice as the people here may be, they are not our people. And maybe that’s what stings most of all. [A sigh.]

I’m hoping that the next cycle has another of us, that’s fit the pattern so far. But every time new people arrive, I look for them, and I pray.

Humans who strive to be more than they are, but yes, human. [And was that not what the original war, the war that started all of this, had been about in the first place? The separation, the divide between humans and those who lived and protected the moon? She swallowed. Maybe someday, they could be trusted as deeply, though in a different way, than the girls trusted one another, but for now? It was all too soon, and they had no one but themselves to blame for rushing ahead.] But we can't demand them to go against what they are and what they believe in either.

We were too eager, I think... or... I know I was, at least. [Hiro and Tadashi were, despite Rei's beliefs, smart. Young and inexperienced in some ways, but still smart and hard working.] They aren't bad people, but slowly. [She smiled. Just hugging onto Rei and knowing that they weren't alone in the world anymore. They had each other, they had the senshi, they had their princess and prince. She felt her heart become warm.]

No no, it's okay, there is no rush, not really. I don't want you to have to feel that ever again. I can wait, that jungle isn't going anywhere.

Maybe we might even have Usagi join us. [She would love for their princess to arrive.] One giant video game? How could she possible resist.

[Rei rarely liked to think on that, to dwell on the memories of their distant past. But sometimes? Sometimes it was unavoidable. The war had scarred all of them, and torn a paradise asunder. Perhaps that too, was unavoidable, but that didn't mean that she had to like it. But it was strange thinking of human beings and themselves as separate species, though it was getting easier and easier here in Cerealia. They'd had years of time to work through everything, to get their memories back, and become used to it, and with the variety of people here it wasn't hard to start categorizing.

Was that the best? Probably not. But in Rei's head, there was no lie. She and the others were more than human, and for all their human friend's positives, they were definitely more limited. No less intelligent, maybe, but they were foolish, and were still committing a foolish act.]

We may have been too eager, you're right. But then, not everyone has been so...infuriating. There are plenty of people who have been forthright and not quite so quick to break the simplest promise.[Exhaling slowly, she steps back after letting the hug linger a little bit longer. They really weren't asking for a lot, just the knowledge that their friends were going into danger, instead of being in the dark.]

Regardless of their presence...we just have to keep hoping that one day soon we'll have another room filled.

[Swallowing somewhat thickly, she looks away, squeezing her shoulder.]

It's like there's something vile in the wind this month, it's like everyone but us has been suffering or acting strangely.

They are infuriating because we care. [She laughed, able to see the humor in the situation, stressful as it was.] But we will have to address the broken promise. Though Tadashi has yet to break a promise to me, Hiro's cannot be ignored.

[Ami looked up at that.]

Perhaps... there is, Rei. But what do you mean? Who else has been acting strangely?

[Was there something in the air that was affecting humans? Was there something that CERES was doing?]

Well, for starters, everyone who went on that trip into the jungle.

[Rei's lip may be curling into a scowl again, but she resumes walking.]

That whole expedition was a disaster from the start. Narukami-san should have known better than to bring Dipper-kun along, and as I understand it, one of the people who died was even younger than him. Who brings children along?

I'm afraid I only know Dipper-san and the Hamada brothers that went. But... I do know that there were deaths. Honestly, Rei, if they weren't acting strange with all that happened there I would be more worried.

As for this Narukami-san, I cannot say I understand their reasoning. Dipper-san is smart, but he's young. He, like so many his age, strive to prove themselves to those they admire, resulting in foolish decisions and actions. He would not have thought through all the consequences, apparently, none of them did.

Or perhaps, they simply do not care if they die, considering they may view themselves immortal.

Yes, there were deaths, but the entire affair just...reeks of poor planning and arrogance. I've spent some time with Narukami-san, the supposed leader, and I'm actually rather good friends with another person who was on the trip. Hanamura Yosuke-kun.

[A breath.]

Narukami-san is a mess of emotion, much the same as I was after the raids, but he seems just...like he doesn't understand why what he did was stupid. He took children into danger, and that just strikes me as strange. Not to mention the people I know what did go were primarily not exactly...warriors or survivalists. Every single one of them are from the city. Does that not strike you as a strange choice?

Everything I've seen and heard from these... raids, these... adventures, they are all poor planning. [She admits honestly. She doesn't target any one person, that would be rude, but the plans are things she can focus on. They're bad. They're just...]

They're plans are those of frantic people, but there is no need for us to be frantic. Not... yet. Yet, that is how they are acting. If they know... if they're aware of some doomsday countdown clock, they aren't sharing the information. Perhaps there is... but I doubt it. No... no it is simply.. [She made a vague, dismissive gesture with her hand.] It's the act of those seeking to be more than what they are. Hiro wants to be a hero, Tadashi wants to protect his brother, Dipper-san wants to prove he's an adult, and I'm sure they all have their reasons, whether we agree with them or not.

You know, Rei. As we speak they're breaking into the tower, but you know who doesn't need to? I don't. I'm an analyst at the actual tower, the very thing they are cracking into. Hiro isn't, Tadashi isn't, I don't know who else is going but you know what I have? Access codes, the ability to hack, the- [She took a deep breath before she got upset again.]

Regardless, I don't want to be on the side of CERES, but I simply cannot abide by foolish plans. The senshi made plans in desperation for desperate times, but there is no giant galaxy crushing down on the colony, there is no creature from the depths of a mirror poisoning the earth. There is no excuse.

Misadventures. [It's a gentle correction, but it's a correction all the same.]

You're right about all of them. And there's...more that's been going on. Not necessarily related to anything with the raids. Just, it's been a bad few weeks for people vanishing.

[She steps close again, her hug nothing short of ferocious.]

I've been scared, at least three people I know have just disappeared overnight. And it made me think about...losing either of you.

[Both were acceptable in this case, but Ami wouldn't argue semantics. She gazed down the road and sighed.

However, when she's hugged tight again she doesn't argue anything, she just holds onto Rei, gently stroking her hair and rubbing circles along her back.]

I can't promise I won't disappear, but I will do everything I can to try and stay here until we can all leave together.

I know.

[She does. She really does. It's just hard, thinking about how she'd been alone. And how she could just...fade away...leaving nothing behind for Minako or Ami. She didn't want to see either of them in the Nexus Code...or for them to see her. That broken, crumbling ruin of a place. It was awful, the worst possible fate in her eyes.]

And I'll try...[She makes a choked sound, trying not to cry, the sudden thought coming back. An ossuary for defunct code...I wonder if this is to be our grave as well... Simon had said, and those words had bothered her then. Now? With the man sealed away in them? They came roaring back to haunt her, a shiver running through her spine as if the man's fingers ran up her spine.] not to...I'll do whatever I can to...do the same.

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