52 [Accidental Video]

[marsfireignite]

[There's a series of slammed doors, when the PCD turns on -- anyone who has been inside of it will recognize the Temple of Heaven -- and anyone who pays attention will see that the reason for the slammed doors is quickly approaching the device

Comments

[Offline]

[infinityviolin]

[And Michiru will, eventually, find her. It's not hard to follow the sounds of slamming doors, and - a quick check to the network confirms a hollow, terrifying suspicion.

Usagi's PCD is no longer registered on the network.

And quietly, calmly, she'll just carefully drop to her knees in front of Rei, close but not touching her.]

Rei.

[Offline]

[marsfireignite]

[She doesn't have to look up to know Michiru is there. She simply knows. But she doesn't look up.

Her dignity has been taken away from her enough, these past two weeks. She refuses to have one of the outer senshi -- Michiru, no less -- see her sobbing.

Even though, dimly, Rei realizes that she already has.]

[Offline]

[infinityviolin]

Rei. [She knows she's repeating her name, but she isn't sure what else there is to say. Michiru isn't good at comforting people, isn't good with helping others through pain; even consoling Usagi usually consisted of things like calm, rational talks and food.

That isn't what Rei needs.]

Usagi-chan would be disappointed in us, wouldn't she?

[There's a hitch in her voice. Rei isn't the only one crying.]

[Offline]

[marsfireignite]

[She's silent, for a long moment, as that sinks in. Rei bites on her tongue -- she can almost taste the blood -- in order to stop crying. But she's still shaking like a leaf and, finally, she manages to choke out:]

If the Animus can take her away, what hope do the rest of us have?

[supermistfrog]

[Fran was goIng to try to avoid Rei this week, but this was different. Usagi isn't gone. She said she wouldn't leave. This has to be something else.]

...Rei?

[marsfireignite]

[... and the PCD is recording.

The last shreds of Hino Rei's pride were just effectively ripped from her fingertips.

A hand shoots out and knocks the PCD away from her, so she is no longer on screen, but with a hoarse hitch of breath -- ]

What.

[supermistfrog]

[sigh. She's still mad at him. But he'll ignore that for now, because there's a more pressing issue, the only one that would make Rei cry like this. His voice isn't as flat as it normally is. It's quieter and softer.]

Why are you sad?

[marsfireignite]

[She's not angry at him, really. She's angry at Adstringendum. At herself. At failing to stay with Usagi to protect her, to keep her safe. At being alone, again, in this world, without her best friend.

Her stomach turns over, at his tone.]

-- tch. I shouldn't be.

[idkmybffcrow]

What is it, Hino-san?

[marsfireignite]

Nothing.

[She refuses to admit what's wrong, not to an enemy, not to someone who just announced herself, to her princess, as an enemy.]

[idkmybffcrow]

[That attitude is at least more of what she expects.]

Nothing rarely looks so sad.

[marsfireignite]

[Rei clings to her attitude, to her pride, when she has nothing else left to stand on. Usagi is gone. Usagi is gone. And, suddenly, the senshi are without a leader -- and the senshi are without Venus, and Rei has absolutely no idea what to do.

But her fingernails dig into her palm as they form fists.]

Don't patronize me.

[hyuugahime]

Hino-san !

[marsfireignite]

[Goddammit, goddammit, goddammit -- ]

What, Hinata.

[hyuugahime]

W-W-What's happening ? Why are you c-crying?

[marsfireignite]

[Everyone will know in a matter of moments. But Rei hates feeling weak, above all else, and -- goddammit.]

Usagi is home, now.

[bunny_flower]

... Hino-san?

[marsfireignite]

What.

[Muffled, off-screen. The PCD is now on the floor.]

[bunny_flower]

What's wrong?

[marsfireignite]

Usagi is gone.