Love and War [Closed]

[faithfulflame]

Who: faithfulflame & 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!

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[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.

Comments

[faithfulflame]

[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.

[hearted]

[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!

[faithfulflame]

[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.

[hearted]

[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.]

[faithfulflame]

[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.

[hearted]

[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?

[faithfulflame]

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

[A weak smile.]

Is that melt ready, speaking of?

[hearted]

[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!

[faithfulflame]

[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.

[hearted]

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?]

[faithfulflame]

[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?

[hearted]

[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!

[faithfulflame]

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.

[hearted]

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.

[faithfulflame]

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?

[hearted]

[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.]

[faithfulflame]

[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.]

[hearted]

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!

[faithfulflame]

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.]

[hearted]

[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.]