Voicemail and Mailbox

[lightthedarkness]

"Hello! You've reached Serena Lapin! I'm sorry I can't answer the phone right now but please leave a message for me and I'll get back to you as soon as I can! Have a wonderful day okay?"

Comments

after that meeting (phone, at first)

[hearted]

Hey, you there? Sorry I'm late, we were slammed tonight! Be home soon, you want a snack or anything?

[lightthedarkness]

I'm... not hungry, but thank you, Minako-chan.

[hearted]

[Huh, that doesn't sound like her. She can hear something's off.]

Are you sick? Hang on, I'm coming!

[She starts racing toward home, swinging the door open with a crash once she gets there]

Usagi!

[lightthedarkness]

[Usagi has been curled up in her bead since she got home with Namine. She had hid how she felt until she practically jumped up when Minako busted in. She swallowed and wiped at her eyes. Minako will hear the soft sounds of "Flower Over Bones" playing and a white Casablanca pin in her hand.]

M-Minako-chan. [She couldn't hide it, not around Minako.]

R-Rei came in the store today. [She whimpered.] She looked me straight in the eye, Minako-chan. She looked at me and didn't know me. I couldn't reach out and hug her, I couldn't... I couldn't feel anything! It was a stranger in Rei's body!

[hearted]

[Oh no. Minako sucked in a breath. She'd been dreading this day, knowing it'd be hard, but seeing reality for herself was immeasurably worse. She practically leapt over to take Usagi's hand in hers.]

Her spirit's still there---we talked to her, remember? She's just trapped, locked so far away from us.

[She clenches the opposite fist and thumps on the bed.]

But we're gonna break through. Every time we'll get a little closer.

[lightthedarkness]

I-It is, but it's so far down. It's so far from me. I w-wanted... I just wanted to hug her but she was so scared of me.

She- she was scared of me. [She closed her eyes, pressing a hand over them.]

In a dream I could hold her, I could hug her and comfort her.

But here I'm a stranger that she fears. I thought I could do this without any problem. But I can't. I-I can't see her again and be made to smile.

[hearted]

[Minako curled close, tucking Usagi's head to her shoulder. She didn't know how in the world she could manage, but she'd have to.]

We've forgotten each other before, haven't we? It's...sort of like that. It never lasts forever, and Haruka-san and I will help you!

Do you think she'll visit the shop again?

[lightthedarkness]

[Not just forgotten, but attacked as well. Though that had been Galaxia's doing, not anything her senshi would have done on their own. She hugs onto Minako as tight as she can. She wants to hug Rei. She wants to bring her here and just hide her away from those who did her wrong.]

No... No she won't. I- I messed up. I messed up badly. [She sniffled.]

I just... I wasn't ready to see her and I nearly cried and e-everything was so awful.

[hearted]

Usagi...

[She starts rubbing her back gently.]

I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I know it's awful and scary, but it'll work out somehow! Somebody's gonna have you deliver to her, right? You've always been great with second chances, right?

[Sigh.]

She loves you. I'm sure it'll go better next time.

[lightthedarkness]

[She swallows and can only hope so. She keeps a hold on Minako and just allows herself to cry so she can calm down. With Minako, she knows she can do this because Minako understands. Minako trained her to be Sailor Moon alongside Luna and stood by her as one of her best friends and the leader of her senshi. She was shivering as she wiped at her eyes. She sniffled again.]

I hope so. I... I have to be strong for Rei and for us. I'm sorry. [She didn't move away from hugging Minako, however.]

H-Hopefully I'll do much better... i-if I see her again.

[hearted]

Shh...no, don't apologize.

[Minako's weeping inside, as she always does. Holding it in is second nature for her at this point, but she'll never cease to be awed by Usagi's tender and strong heart. She strokes her princess's hair soothingly.]

You're gonna do a great job. The very best! We'll all be ready to reach out to her, 'cause I know you never ever give up.

[lightthedarkness]

[She needed to be stronger. She had to be stronger. But she wasn't... she could never just shove her emotions to the side. Her emotions are what gave her strength, the ability to love was her ability to fight.

She took a deep breath, finally calming down.]

Thank you, Minako-chan... I really needed this.

[hearted]

[She holds tight.]

We're gonna make it okay again, I know it.

[lightthedarkness]

[She nods and smiles at Minako, feeling much better for the most part, even as the future looms ahead.]

When we're all together we can do anything!