RPG: Trouble With a Captial A
Started by: Amethyst
5/5/00
Players: Amethyst, Nephrite, Michiru, Zoicite, Argocite, the Dark Bug, Blake, Jurei-Jurei, Kunzite, Darien, Tashande, Beryl, and Guardian

Amethyst stood above the city and frowned. * I can't believe that I'm stuck helping the other generals, if it wasn't for Beryl I wouldn't have to help them. Well there is an upside to this whole thing maybe I'll get to work with Argocite. He's the only one that I would help, the others I will just leave to their fate I'll work with Nephrire, Kunzite, and Zoicite only if I have to.* Amethyst then vanished in a mix of yellow and black light and reappeared in her apartment. "They don't even know that I am back, they don't even know that I'm Nari Demarest one of their own students," Amethyst whispered.

Zoisite walked silently through the park, brushing away one of the blossoms that had floated down onto his shoulder. His thoughts were consumed by the usual... Nephrite and Kunzite. The thought that Beryl-hime had sent another of the kings to the earth realm wasn't even within his mind. Argocite was a person that rarely entered his own sphere of thinking. He hadn't seen the other for awhile, not since that night in the subway system. Even then, he didn't know much more about the other king than that he worked for Beryl-hime as well and had a thing for children his age like that... Dark Bug creature. Drawing his thin jacket further about himself, his emerald eyes settled on a park bench ahead of him. With a agile leap, he settled on the back of it to watch the rush of traffic with a dulled perception. Fingertips rubbed briefly against his temples, a throbbing headache there to match the brief pain in his midsection. A snarled curse passed his lips on that memory as well. It had been awhile, but the damned thing still hurt from time to time. Resting his chin on his knees, his feminine doll like features took on a blank expression as his thoughts continued their roaming.

With a yawn, Jakurin stretched and winced, rubbing her right shoulder. Ever since that night of the vicious storm and... well, she'd rather not dwell on that. It was rather depressing, and that was one word Jakurin didn't need to know. She galnced in the cracked mirror in the basement of Tudo's and sighed, looking into it, and pulled back her hair, blonde strands stubbornly going awry as her pink ones she left in front of her face. She glanced at her small assortment of clothes, and made short work of a black turtleneck into a tanktop, and skittered up two flights of stairs to Ureshii' room. After acquiring a pair of jeans, Jakurin clumped down the stairs, scrap-book in hand, and quietly went over into a corner to go over her notes.

Joey quietly sat at the bench in the shopping district, watching the people pass by. Particularly the pretty girls. He tried to drag Melvin along, but he wanted to stay behind at home and salvage what he could with makeup work for his ruined project. Besides, after that whole affair with... his new ID, it was a miracle he wasn't in a rubber room somewhere now. The guy would've been an anchor anyway. His mind drifted back to Jakurin, and how he'd like to show up for another slice of anchovy oko.

Jakurin sighed, and rubbed some off Ureshii's lotion on her hands as she glanced at her worn notebook for the hundreth time. She had many picture of herself-- well, Jurei-Jurei, now, thanks to Polaroids and such, but she had yet to be in the news for anything. In fact, in each situation, she had ended up getting whacked pretty badly. Grimacing, she rubbed her shoulder again. "Geez, what's next, jester-baka," she said to herself. "Getting toasted like a marshmallow by yet another pretty face?" If there was any senshi that impressed her the most, it was Venus. Now, that particular girl stuck out in her mind, memory-wise. Jakurin would often now retreat to the basement, and try to relax and gather up her memories about the Silver Millenium... or about all the guys she had met in her travels as Jurei-Jurei throughout Japan. There was Jeremy, her one-eyed customer. She saw him a few times at Juuban while she was forced into school service for a month, but aside from that, their paths never crossed again since that fateful taxi ride. There was Blake Ketsumi... she shivered. Blake, Blake, Blake. He made her laugh... Then there was Ace, poor guy. She hadn't even known him for twenty-four hours when he showed that he could be sooo sensitive! Or was it Joey who had written that note?? Then there was Zachary. Jakurin sighed. Such a pretty boy, and totally twisted in his thinking. If only she could--Jakurin shook her head. It was bad enough she had this other life, now. She couldn't possibly fit a boyfriend in the schedule... could she? Then there was the man who saved her in that first battle, and the one who saved her from being run over from the bus, and then-- "Argh! This isn't helping me think at all!" she shouted, slamming the book shut and placing it in her briefcase. In a few moments, Jakurin was outside racing along in her muddy ATV. Hoping to get it cleaned up, she barreled down the street, her motor sounds bouncing off the brick and wood in the early morning. Suddenly, her stomach growled, and Jakurin spun and made a quick detour to the shopping center, the taste of fresh gohan for breakfast enticing her.

Yawning softly, Zoisite leaped off of the bench's back with a grace that would have shocked a regular person. Things like that he tended to take for granted. Wandering through the crowds, he hummed softly to himself, putting the thoughts of his odd homelife behind him. Best to worry about such things when they finally came to him. Digging through his pockets, he came up with the magick key... well, at least to him. Nephrite's credit card. When bored, there's nothing better to do than max out the star king's credit limit. Smiling in his usual innocent manner, his gaze roamed over the shop windows. There had to be something pretty and expensive worth buying in one of them. Some new clothes wouldn't hurt either. Glancing up at Jurakin, his stomache took a downward twist. It was just the wrong time for Kunzite to not be here. Pretending to study a jade and quartz chess set in the nearest shop, he prayed to every dark god that he knew of that she had given up her quest to make him see the light on women. Tilting his gaze to the side, he spotted Joey as well, not knowing Argocite in his civilian guise. Worse to worst, that poor man was going to find himself with Jakurin dropped into his lap via Zoisite. Then again, Joey wasn't too bad looking himself. Not up to Kunzite and Nephrite's standards, but not bad. At least he didn't have his friend with the thick glasses and bugs with him.

Glistening dewdrops sparkled on emerald leaves. Golden light errupted across the sky. A figure darted across the ground, a long ebon and crimson cape billowing in almost a transemental wind. Sunlight flooded the area and the woman appeared. Red and green checkered outfit, lovely face marred only by a mask. She screamed out to the man as he fell to his knees, a dark woman standing over his fallen body.... He tried to move, but couldn't. The lady was screaming again, and her mask fell away. The man screamed her name Blake, sleeping soundly tossed faintly. In his dream that weird light flooded his vision... and his concious mind woke up with a start. School, oh shit, school. I'm late for school. 'Teach is gonna kill me if I don't get there before his class is over. Running... He's gonna make me run. Man I hate running... And as he peaked open one eye, sunlight flooded his vision again, awaking him totaly with a start. He rubbed blindly at his eyes and glanced at the calander on his wall. It was the weekend, thank the Lord and Lordess above, and he had the whole day to himself. With this newfound knowledge, Blake lept from his bed and humming, grabbed some clothes. He wandered into the bathroom, showered and changed, and then stood infront of his mirror. Deep violet eyes sparkling with mirth and joy glanced back at him, taunt little lips twisted in a grin. He ran his fingers into his charcoal locks, using a little bit of gell to slick 'em back. Silently he grabbed his makeup (the eyeliner pencil and black lipstick) and painted his face up like an American character he had once seen in a movie... He thought of the name for a moment and then grinned. "Ah yes. The Crow." And with deep laughter he glanced over his face, making sure the lines were perfectly done. His T-shirt was adjusted accordingly, his hands pressing out obvious wrinkles or other problems. "Goodie. Now.. what to do.." Almost on cue his stomach growled with hunger. "Ah, food. I think I'll go find something to eat... Hell... I'd even eat sushi if it game down to it." His stomach growled again, this time in protest. He usually got sick when he ate sushi, or anything ELSE raw, but he didn't mind. With a hop, a skip, and a jump, Blake wandered down his street, hands stuffed into the pockets of his widelegs, chains clanking against his chest and his thigh, a silent look of thoughtfullness swept over his face. His stomach was leading the way, he was just along for the ride.

Just when Joey stood up to try a pick-up line on a girl looking at watches, he spotted Jakurin looking around the food court. He grinned. Her here? What were the odds of that? Then he saw that elfin-looking limpwrist who washed up in her pizza parlor not too long ago. Joey's grin melted. What WERE the odds of this? Better head off pretty-boy at the pass. He smoothly sauntered over to Jaku and asked, "I thought pizza was your thing, not breakfast food. Did you want traditional with rice, or Western with toast and eggs?

Zoisite breathed a sigh of relief as Joey stepped in for him. Flashing a grin of thanks, he dropped into a booth, peering curiously at the menu. A few of the kinds of food he knew, pizza being first and foremost. Trying to decide, he began rattling off his order to the waitress, consisting mostly of a cheese pizza and the most caffiene and sugar loaded drink they had.

"What?! Huh!?" blurted Jakurin, who had been lost in thought as she removed her helmet. She squinted and exclaimed, "Hey, Joey! You and, um, Ace! Are you guys alright? What the heck happened at Ace's house that night?!" Then she blushed, forgetting her manners and her typical personality. Placing on a bright smile, she bowed. "Forgive me for rattling off. And if you're buying, rice sounds just fine!"

Nephrite walked down the crowded streets with an opressed frown on his face. *Me a welcoming committee, I have never been so insulted in all my life* he thought as he looked around. *I'm suppose to meet the new recruit here today and get him settled in the ways of human lives. This is totally disquestiong. Why couldn't Zoisite do it? Why didn't I just pass it oneto Zoisite when I had the chance?* he thought. Another voice in the back of his head replied. *~Because Beryl-hime told YOU to do it, not Zoisite. And if Zoisite messed up it would be your neck~* Nephrite shook his head at that thought. "Alright you little wanna-be, where are you?" he muttered getting to the meeting place.

Beryl smiled as she glared into her large globe as the images flickered from her various Generals. How amusing was it, Amethyst thought the others didn't know, yet she had sent Nephlyte to greet her. Zoisite was shopping, interesting considering Kunzite was not with him, and Argocite was off making nice with the Earth girls. She smiled to herself, *How amusing it is at times to just watch as the Generals go about their little Earth lives. They think they are so bold and arrogant. I must wonder though if watching their human lives are so fun, how amusing would it be to watch the Senshi in their normal lives... if only I knew who more of them were.*

Jeremy Satterlee sat in a dark corner, waiting for his french toast. That was one of the good things about Tokyo, you could at least get American food in some places... that was the food he prefered, that was the food he liked. Sure every country had its good food, but nothing could top Jeremy's love for the good old western chow. He flexed his gloved hand, thinking about the torture hidden there and his mind flickered across to the other Senshi. The allies who had little clue on who or what he was, like he planned. To his knowledge the most they knew was that he was on their side, which was how he liked it. None of them were close to him in his civillian garb either, the only one even relativily close was Riona and even she had a ways to go before he consider her close. That was the part of his job he didn't like, the loneliness that he felt. He desperately in his own way wanted someone to love, yet he couldn't allow it no matter what. He was a warrior first and foremost, the protector of the Senshi. *Earth Garden, Venus, Peace Keeper, Thunder Dragon, Life Sustainer, Ice Shatter, Timelight, even that riduculous Jurei-Jurei. They are all my charges, they are all the ones I must protect, even if they do have their own knights who I'm not sure how far I trust.* Jeremy merely nodded his thanks as the waitress sat his breakfast in front of him and sighed, realizing they gave him sausage instead of bacon and cooked his eggs wrong, *Oh well. Food is food.* With that he dug in.

Bouncing down the street with an rare form of hyperactivity , Blake watched people move away from him cautiously. Children screamed and ran to their mothers; mothers screamed and ran to their husbands; and even a select few husbands would slowly walk away, trying to find some dignity in being afraid of this teenage boy. And as he passed by the foodcourt, not really content with Japanese this morning - A good pizza down at the 'Spot sounded more tempting - who did Blake see out of the corner of his eye? Jakurin was there, talking rapidly to some guy... Well, that was a kick in the teeth, no? His hyperness faded as he stuffed his hands back into his pockets, pushing through a crowd with anger. He had no reason to, of course... but this is love-sick lil' Blake we're talking about, not the most popular guy in school. Passing by his gym teacher, Blake lit up a cigarette and then dodged into the 'Spot, violet eyes shimmering.

"And the guard says, 'You know how Friar Werks blows up at the Fort of Jewel Eye'!" she said, laughing. "Get it? Oh, that one cracks me up!" she said, wiping an imaginary tear from her eye. A scent wafted by her nose, and her stomach rumbled. "*How long are they going to keep me in line?!*" she grumbled in English, forgetting who she was with.

Amethyst stepped out of the shadows. "Oh it's just you Nephrite, I would've thought that Beryl-hime would've sent someone far less annoying. Then again if there were a few more women in the Negaverse I wouldn't have the problem of having to work with you and the other Generals," she said. Amethyst then removed a strain of hair from in front of her face then frowned and folded her arms in front of her. "Okay so why are you here to greet me Nephrite or are you here to remind me how much I hate men," Amethyst said smiling. "Because I don't need you to remind me of that, the men of this world already remind me of my mistake."

Kunzite was shopping, an activity he loved to do with all the rabidness of a clotheshorse. He had several bags of finely tailored clothing lading down his arms when he finally decided to stop at an eatery to grab some energy before continuing on. His mouth curved into a smile when he saw the lone figure sitting at a booth. "Zoi," he said, coming up to him. "Here alone? Want some company?"

Zoisite stopped in midbite of his pizza, staring up at Kunzite as if he'd never seen him before. Blinking a few times to reassure himself that he was indeed seeing the ice king, the thought of Nephrite finding out about this sent a black thread of terror through him. The star king had those damnable tapes... Still, he couldn't refuse his superior anything. It made sense on one level. Snapping his mouth shut, he gestured to the seat across from him, head lowered so that he didn't have to look the other man in the eye. He knew that to his lover, he was a pane of glass, revealing all secrets instead of hiding them. "Certianly..."

Kunzite sat down carefully, stacking his purchases into a corner and accepting a menu from the waitress. "What's the matter, Zoi? You look tense. Did Nephrite show you those videos too?" he asked in a low voice, a edge of ice showing at the star king's name. "It would be just like him too."

Zoisite nodded mutely, his eyes finally rising to meet Kunzite's with a sheer of tears shimmering over them. Biting his lower lip, he seemed more afraid and miserable than anything. "He said that unless I stayed away from you, he would turn them over to Beryl. She's torture us, or brainwash or something, Kunzite-sama!" he whispered softly. "Beryl hates me anyways. Imagine how much fun she'd have with the both of us if she made me forget you... or something worse. She needs you. She doesn't need me."

Kunzite sighed and gently brushed his fingers across Zoisite's cheek, his expression dark. "Yes, I know. He told me the same thing. But I think that Beryl knows about us already," he replied, remembering a decidedly odd conversation he had with her a few weeks ago. It started with his club and went into sexual relationships outside AND inside the Dark Kingdom. "Don't panic, Zoi, please. She needs you just as much as she needs me. She might get mad at us for keeping it a secret, but there's nothing wrong with us sharing a bed. It isn't like we were planning to kill her." ~Zoi, calm down. Nephrite will get tired of this game of his soon then things will return to normal. He can't keep an eye on you forever, all we have to do is be more carefull. I think his mansion is one place we can't go to anymore.~

At the touch of Kunzite's fingers to his cheek, Zoisite turned his head slightly, pressing his lips against the ice king's palm, the tip of his tongue tracing along the lines of it. His eyes rose briefly to meet Kunzite's. ~I don't think I can live much longer with you, Kunzite-sama...~

Nephrite rolled his eyes. "Please spare me." he muttered. "I really don't care who you like and who you don't like. I'm only hear because Beryl-hime sent me to make sure you were alright in the 'human' realm before starting your assignment. Myself, Zoi, and Kunzite have all established ourselves in this relm as normal people. Alright, maybe not so normal, but close enough." he said. "Maybe we can hook you up with a modeling agency. Gods know you got the body for it." he said with a smirk. "And it would be good for us to have someone in show business."

Joey laughed a bit at Jaku's cute little pun, while silently wishing she'd go buy a decent joke book. "Some butthead trashed Ace's place and totally destroyed his lab with the insects. Made off with his data, too. Purely for his misery. I'm trying to find the sorry punk and teach him a thing or two." Off in the corner of his eye, he spotted Jeremy eating classic sausage and eggs all by his lonesome. As he got a craving for some chicken-fried steak, Joey considered walking up and offering an ear; the first step in inductment. But something about the guy staved him off... something very familiar. Something he wished that wasn't. Tabling that, he also spotted Blake slinking around with his smoke. Joey bookmarked him for later reference. An old song came to mind: "All the lonely people; where do they all come from?" So many of them, and they were the bread and butter to his minions. So many jerks turning them out from their society. No wonder his movement was going rapid guns, especially with Melvin leading them off. It was the jerk factor that practically jet-propelled Amethyst to his corner, too. Here he gulped. What would she do to him if she saw him playing the field? *I was just getting 'cruits, hon, she doesn't mean any--* Then he pictured a pile of dust with a whistle on top, along with a small whip, and a pair of eyeballs that blinked and X'ed out. Just then they got to the cashier. He readied the debit card Ace scammed for him. "Uh, hibachi steak plate, fried rice, green tea, and, uh, what's your pleasure?"

"Oooh, the biggest bowl of gohan with scallions and peppers and olive oil, please!" she said, as the cashier rang up their total. A few minutes later, Jakurin was happliy chomping through her bowl. It wasn't every day she could get her favorite food, especially dressed the way she liked it, for free. Giving a huge swallow, her eyes turned into little upside-down u's at Joey. "Thanks! I really need this today!! Is there anything I can do to repay you, Joey? I don't have any money, but any time you need a ride somewhere..."

Amethyst shook her head and continued to frown. "You just reminded me why I don't like you Nephrite, and also why I tried to stay away from you whenever you came to the Negaverse. But I guess I could go into show business," she said. *I wonder what Argocite would do if he saw me talking to Nephrite. Now Argocite I could deal with, he isn't as annoying or stupid as these three generals.* "I'll do show business Nephy, but first you have to do something for me. It really isn't very hard but then again maybe you won't be able to handle it." Amethyst then turned away from Nephrite. "When you see Argocite tell him that someone wants to see him, and give him this." She then handed Nephrite a small black rose with a envelope attached to it. "Don't open that Nephrite, it's for Argocite's eyes only. Don't worry he'll know who it's from," Amethyst said. Amethyst then started to walk away from Nephrite. "Oh and Nephy you're right I do look good in fact I look marvelous," she said laughing. *But if he ever smiles like that to me again I'll give him something to smile about.*

~I miss you too, Zoi~ Kunzite replied, his expression soft. ~IT's like pure torture, not to be with you, only to see you in our mortal guises.~

Nephrite looked at the rose and the letter. "Great..." he muttered. "Good luck, Amethyst. I really hope we can patch up old times... I'm really not that bad... honest." he said with sarcasm. He then teleported to outside Argocite's room and smiled. He tapped on the door. "I have something for you from a very pretty lady. If you don't want it, I'll read it." he said through the door.

~Then let's go to your club... somewhere where Nephrite can't find us. He's out taking care of business, so Sanjouin Estate is empty. Your house... anything, please?~ Shifting his shimmering green eyes up to Kunzite, unfallen tears clouding them, his mental voice pleaded with the older king. As far as Zoisite reasoned it, Nephrite was off elsewhere making someone else's life more difficult, and he'd never know.

Joey arched an eyebrow as he sporked a piece of steak. "You and money aren't especially close acquaintances, are you?" he asked. "I simply better get a phone number from you, so I can call you. Maybe you can freelance an odd job or two for me when you have time." He polished off his zucchini and rice. "Meanwhile, do you think you can drive me over to Melvin's place, say right after we eat?" *Poor, hungry, alone, dying for attention, and extremely cute,* he mused predatorily. *This girl may prove to be as good as the Dark Bug.*

Melvin stood agog at the newspaper article. It'd been a few days old, and he was still amazed at the headline: "It's No Act: Monster Bug Ravages Movie Theater, 28 Hospitalized." He looked dolefully up at his room. Sure, they fixed it up, but that saboteur really fouled up his academic plans. He could do make-up work; in fact, he had finished the rough drafts of everything on his armtop computer. But now his hopes of his first college pick were very shaky at best. Trying not to think of it, he decided to check up on his buddy Joey later, and try to call Jaku at her pizza place first.

Nari walked pass the food court where Joey and Jakurin was. * I don't know who I should drain the energy from first, that girl or the guy talking to her. Maybe I'll just drain them both. Knowing Argo he's probably off somewhere geeting new recruits and forgot all about me.* She then walked to another food court and stood in line. As soon as she was at the cashier, Nari ordered some rice with chicken teriyaki, and green tea. About three minutes later Nari was sitting down eating. * That girl will go first, no girl deserves to be almost as cute as me and gets away with it.*

Kunzite struggled with his conflicking emotions. On one hand, he missed Zoisite, his need for the little sakura like a raging. But he gave his word, and to the ice king, few things were more binding than his word. Closing his eyes briefly as his feeling overran his senses, he sighed and nodded. ~To my club then or my mortal flat. Neprhite doesn't know of them nor has he been to either one.~

Nephrite stood there for a few more moments. "What the hell am I doing?" he cursed himself. ~Argocite... I need to see you immediately. Meet me at Sanjouin estates.~ he sent telepathicly. he then teleported home and poured two drinks. Curiousity was eating him, but he could be patient for a few more moments.

After a few drinks and a few cigarettes, Blake emerged from the club with a laugh and a smile. His hair was a little messy.. accually.. that was a major understatement. The usually neat spikes were bent and tussled, as if someone had been doing something not so innocent... He turned the corner, walking back to the Food Court. His slightly glazed-over violet's turned their gaze to Jakurin, who was still talking to that guy. Feh. Whatta pain. Depression hung over him once again and he stood in like for some pizza... hell... he was even up for a mushroom sandwich today... and he HATED mushrooms...

Joey surged forward a little as Nephrite's telepathy page sounded in his noggin. It took a second to recall the voice, but he did. It was the first he'd heard from him since he showed up in Tokyo. And the timing was in its usual form: lousy. "Uh, Jaku, sorry, I just remembered. I've got some very important business to take care of here first. I'll have to take a rain check. But I would like your cab number so I can ride off with you another time," he said with a rogueish smile.

Zoisite's eyes went wide in disbelief as Kunzite actually agreed for them to escape for some time together. Nodding hurriedly, he rose to his feet, tossing a few bills on the table without bothering to look at their denomination. "Gomen, Kitsume-sama, but my brother gets worried if I'm not home on time. With all the terrors around Toyko... well, you know how kids tends to get into trouble." ~I'll meet you at your place in ten minutes!~ Smiling still as he slipped out the door, Zoisite couldn't be happier that whatever buisness that Beryl had heaped upon Nephrite was keeping him occupied. Powering off his cell phone avoided those nasty interruptions that might occur. He could always claim that he had to go to the library to do some research, and the librarians didn't appreciate cellular phones or beepers going off. Wandering down the sidewalk towards Kitsune's flat, he was the closest to happiness that he'd been since Nephrite had shown him that tape.

On to Part II