interstellar5555 | Love and War [Closed]

Entry tags:

Love and War [Closed]

Who:

hearted
When: After the Ghost Stuff
Where: Brad's
What: Rei visits a local cafe, gets more than she bargained for.
Rating/Warning: None Yet!

[It'd been a trying few days, but Rei hadn't forgotten the promise she'd made to that girl about supporting the local business. The band was fond of the place, and everyone could use a taste of something they liked after that whole mess. So, she puts on the same outfit she'd worn at the concert and drives on down, hoping that the girl who'd recognized her was there. Not because she wanted recognition, but because she wanted to make good on that promise.

Pushing open the door and letting some early afternoon sunlight stream in, she's surprised to note that Brad's is completely empty except for a girl standing at the counter. Which...well that's fortuitous!

Smiling amiably, she walks right up and takes a seat.]

Hey. Told you I'd come.

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Well. It's a bit more than that. But, yes, a chance to sit and relax would be nice.

I was hoping to get a patty melt, if those are still on the menu, and coffee would be nice too.

[Not tea in this universe, her go-to is coffee.]

And I'd also like to get a to-go order together later, and I've got a little list. The...ah...family wanted me to pick up some things.

Sure! One patty melt and one coffee, coming right up...

[Wait a minute. Coffee? Aah, that's so strange. She's tempted to draw up the tea anyway, at least for herself, but she's certainly no master of it. She'll just awkwardly bite her cheek and stick to instructions.]

Okay, coffee station's coming right to you! Here are the blends---decaf, regular, and creamers! Hazelnut, irish cream...here's the sugar, a bit of milk, half and half? Do you need anything else?

[She's just going to watch intently. It's her mission to learn how to perfectly make Rei's cup.]

[Rei's eyes meet the blonde's and she rubs her chin in thought.]

Irish cream, with a extra sugar. Nothing too fancy.

[She's not a starbucks girl, Minako. Even now she's a total hipster.]

And thank you for being so accommodating. It's nice to just have a normal talk.

[Done and done! She puts it together with what she hopes is a smooth and steady hand.]

It's really okay! Everybody needs a chance to be normal now and then, you know? Can't let your job completely take your life, no matter how amazing it is.

[Like several jobs now and then...ah, the normal life she wished for and still eluded her. But she was genuinely happy with her loved ones and always would be. Now it was just a matter of getting Rei back...]

[Rei huffed a little, taking the coffee and noticing the slight shake to the girl's hand. It was hard not to notice, the little ripples in the liquid highlighting it.]

Yes. Though, it's not really as glamorous as it seems. [Not by a long shot.]

And I'm sorry, am I making you nervous?

Eh? It's that you have to work really hard, right?

[She smooths her skirt rather deliberately after that, trying to calm herself.]

And it's okay! I just. Usually don't get to talk to cool idols.

[Rei shakes her head and smiles, brushing hair back.]

I'm not really all that cool, either.

[She draws a breath, nods.]

And sorry, I guess...I thought you might be like one of those other girls.

[Minako pauses. This feels important.]

One of those other girls?

[Ah! Whoops, she said too much. But...no turning back. May as well fess up a little.]

I've run into a couple of girls around town, that act like they know me? Or knew me? And that me being around hurts them.

[Minako has to fight to keep her legs from wobbling any more. She's talking about Usagi and Haruka, right? They can't reveal all and take Rei home, they just can't, and they're so close yet so far away...it hurts, it really does.

There's a clear crack in her 'smooth' acting skill. 'Di' coughs, very pointedly spinning on her heel to avoid contaminating Rei and the food. Gotta compose herself.]

Ah---so sorry, dust in the wrong pipe! I mean. Maybe they knew you as kids before you got famous?

[Rei blinks, completely surprised by that reaction. It's apparent she's said something wrong, and that acting isn't good enough to fool a trained actress.]

No. I didn't have friends as a child. And I left to become a musician at fourteen.

[So, she'd never had an Usagi to pull her out of the darkness.]

That's not possible.

[Minako had dreamed of starting her career then. Right before a certain white cat barged into her bathroom...ah, memories. She forced them aside.]

Then I'm sure they're just really big fans! Everybody wants to feel really close to their superstars.

[It hurts her to say this, it really does, but it's too dangerous to allude to the truth just yet, isn't it? She knows she's lying.]

[And Rei does too. Frowning, she stirs her coffee a little bit, just staring at Di.]

I really don't believe that. People don't...talk...like that to people they don't know.

[There's a familiar edge to Rei's voice now. Less awkward, more...her. She hates liars.]

Talk like how? Like best friends? Girlfriends?

[She bites her lip. This could end very badly, and she really doesn't know which way to push.]

Like close friends.

[She's not sure she'd say girlfriend. Not with how Alex had...talked about the Sea.]

Ah...so I see...

[Minako is definitely absolutely not revealing the Truth, not without a long conference with the senshi and the other rescuers. It's definitely not time yet. But maybe she can share part of the truth...?]

It's like...there are a lot of songs about soulmates out there, right?

Soul...mates?

[Rei blinks a little bit. It isn't the truth, but there's something in what she says that rings in Rei's head.]

Wait. How do you mean?

[Minako pauses to steady herself. This is dangerous, but necessary.]

Like...people who are meant to be together in this life and the next? Reincarnations, right?

[Her eyes widen a little.]

Wait. Wait...is that the connection between...space ladies...and people!?

Uh...what's a space lady? Because I know I'm a spacey lady!

[Terrible joke there. But she feels like she's on dangerous ground.]

[Rei sighs. Maybe she's wrong?]

You know, maybe I'm just going insane.

[Just throwing that out there.]

I keep dreaming about women from space...but that can't be real.

[How should she say this...? She can't just introduce herself as Sailor Venus and whisk her away, it's too soon, but...]

Why not? So many stars, one of 'em must be warming a planet like this one! The universe is so big there could be life anywhere, right? Maybe bug-eyed aliens like those movies!

[A sigh, and she glumly sips her coffee.]

Yeah. Except...Uranus is a gas giant. And Neptune and Saturn are too. And Pluto's too far from a star to support life. And they aren't bugs.

[Oh well.]

Sorry, didn't mean to kill the mood. I just know something's off, and these girls are scaring me a little.

[She can't hide a little snicker. She automatically jumps to picturing their friends instead of the planets, and she's definitely going to call Haruka a big 'ol gas giant later. Well...Venus is pretty gassy too.]

Hey, it's okay! I love talking about weird stuff. And I'll do my best to keep you safe and un-bothered whenever you're here, okay?

[It's so much less than she wants to do, but it's all she can risk.]

Edited 2016-02-11 04:53 (UTC)

[She gives the blonde a sad little look, expression pinched..]

Sorry, I'm really just...there's a lot going on right now, and I'm just tired of being afraid.

[She sighs quietly.]

I'm sorry. I wish I could do more to help, but...ah, I'm just a waitress, I can only swing a broom, huh?

[There's so much she wants to know, but she shouldn't ask. Not now.]

Let us at lest make the best lunch ever for the band?

Yeah. That's true. and I'm just a violinist.

[A weak smile.]

Is that melt ready, speaking of?

Edited 2016-02-11 13:18 (UTC)

[Minako finally registers the ringing of a bell in her mind. The kitchen staff is glaring at her, holding...]

Oh yes, yes it is! Aaah, I didn't leave it too long, did I?

[She hurries the plate right over, breaking some speed records on the way.]

If it's cold we'll absolutely redo it, and of course we'll have your bandmates' meals prepared expertly for maximum freshness!

[Rei smiles gently and touches the plate.]

Not at all, it's just fine. Thank you, Di. [A nod to the kitchen staff.]

As for the rest? If you don't mind getting them started that'd be lovely.

[A beat.]

And you're still nervous. I can tell. Relax. Please.

You heard the lady! Let's get right on those orders!

[She's proud and confident when ordering over her shoulder, but when she turns back her expression is gentler, less certain.]

I'm sorry, Rei...

[She almost said Rei-chan. Oh no. Gotta get a grip.]

I just want to make a good impression, y'know? We're really in trouble if we displease a charming musician like you! And...I mean it, y'know. There's something about you that makes me want to please you.

[She whispers that last part. Was that too much?]

[Rei laughs softly, shaking her head. She had hear that. It helped, it made her smile...and it told her something else. That this girl was really serious, really genuine.]

This place is doing poorly, you said?

[Minako nods, steepling her fingers. She looks more serious than usual.]

Yeah. We're all doing our best to make people happy when they're here and get the word out, 'cause we can't close! There are so many people who need a place to eat they can afford.

And if cool musicians want to hide out here, we'll do our best to protect you!

Well. I can definitely help out a little bit.

[She's already got a plan here.]

I mean, I agree completely. If you keep it quiet, though, when we're here? I can make sure Virgo knows about this place.

On my honor as a server!

[She salutes. Honor as a Sailor Senshi, not so much, but...she can do her best.]

Thank you, Rei. I'll make sure your friends have a good time.

Of course. I know you will.

[She slides over the list of requests from FoB. It's...huge. The section for Pao-Lin is especially massive, at that. and she digs into her melt with gusto, finishing it pretty quickly.

And with that done?]

Now, what do I owe you?

[It's so painfully, painfully weird to ask Rei to pay her for anything, but she can't get away with trying to deny her again, can she?]

Ah, that'll be...for five...52, please. Thank you so much!

[She bows. Maybe overdoing it, but. Gotta make this feel normal somehow.]

[No, that's half the reason why she's here. She offers a credit card out, black with her name on it.]

Charge it there please. And I'll leave the tip on the table for you.

[See, this is the other half.]

Sure thing!

[She's grateful for the moment to walk away and charge it. She can let her pain and worry show for just a moment, maybe two...oh, Rei. They'll save you somehow. By the time she returns it's all smiles again as she delivers the packages, each with the bandmate's name and a cartoonish caricature drawn on it.]

Here you are! Have an awesome day, all of you!

You too.

[And taking the bags, she takes her leave, with an envelope at the table. Inside is are ten $100 bills, a full thousand. And a note: From Flowers over Bones, to a kind and struggling waitress. Hope this helps.]

[Minako nearly drops the whole tray she's carrying for the next load when she sees the table. Rei-chan...how is it that she's always there when they need her, even when they're so far apart?

She hurriedly tucks the precious gift away and blinks back the tears threatening to spill. They won't waste it.]

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Love and War [Closed]

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