Setsuna nodded, noting his sour demeanor... And frankly, who could blame him? “I am sorry about your Splicing Center, and am appalled that the culprits were two of the ‘defenders of justice’.” Her own disgust at the two culprits was not hidden. “I know right now company isn’t big on you to-do list... But maybe I can help?”
Raising an eyebrow, Dr. Mera quietly, tentatively shook hands with her. “Maybe you can help. First off, where did you go that first time? And how did you know to find me here. I was certain my location was anonymous.”
“I have my ways. In time I may explain them but for now we have business to discuss.” She let go of his hand. “I must ask this one question, how much of a set back was the centers destruction to your research?”
“The attack was not a setback to my research in any of my cases,” Dr. Mera explained. “Splicing is Splicing. I have the files, the data, and the know-how backed up at other locations in my offices based in the United States.” He frowned. “What screwed me over was that this was my only Japanese office. And as I’ve announced on the news, anyone recently Spliced here isn’t going back easily.”
“What if I can provide the means to reestablish your center? I can’t do anything about helping undo the Splices that want to be undone but I can help you get back on your feet.” She said sincerely.
Dr. Mera raised an eyebrow. “What? Are you a major politician or at least a realtor? Because the major problems I face now will be finding a new place here in Japan to set up a new shop, in a land where real-estate is incredibly scarce and expensive, AND I will possibly have anti-Splice Lobbyists using this whole damned fiasco against me as well.”
Setsuna’s tone of voice was plain and sincere. “No, I am none of those but I do have financial backing... And your gift of Splicing has given my young ward the life she was denied... For that any price to help you continue to better lives is worth any price.” The green-haired woman then added, “And as for the lobbyists... I have ways to handle them.” She grinned.
Dr. Mera blinked his eyes. “Well, thank you, Meioh-san...” The man said, sounding slightly confused. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to book into a motel or something, so I’ll have a place to sleep tonight.
“Allow me,” Setsuna told him. “I know al the hotels, and if any of your staff need similar accommodations let me know.”
Dr. Mera nodded his head slowly. “I will have to look into it. I know Jen will be okay, since she’s living with her boyfriend. But Jacques and Dennis...” He shook his head. “They were staying at the Center, too.”
“Well, then I can set them up at the Hyatt, and as for you Dr. Mera, I can get you a hotel room, but there is room at my home.” She offered.
That caused the Spliced Doctor to raise an eyebrow further, showing off the black sclera and gold slitted pupil of his eye. “My dear Meioh-san, are you hitting on me again?”
“Maybe,” She grinned. “I didn’t say ‘sleep with me’, but I did offer lodging at my home. I do have a spare room and a stocked fridge.”
Dr. Mera smiled gratefully. “That would be delightful. At a private residence, I won’t be bothered. Plus...” He gave her a toothy grin. “I haven’t eaten since yesterday, so a stocked refrigerator would be well appreciated.
Setsuna smiled and took his arm. “Come then. I’ll show you there and once your fed we can discuss business.”
“I look forward to it,” Dr. Mera said as they left the premises.
(------)
Walking down the street of the Ginza District, two friends were intent on the surroundings. What made these two stand out was that they were both rather Unique Fur Splices. A Kitsune and a blue-furred Raccoon.
Around them, the people continued on, even though the remnants of anti-Senshi demonstrations remained here and there. The mood in the air was thick with animosity towards the Senshi, and what was going on was obvious to them.
Their days were numbered.
“I can’t believe those two... Why did they do that?” Ami murmured under her breath so the protestors couldn’t hear, but enough Rei could.
“Because Haruka is obviously an idiot,” Rei snapped a bit more angrily than she meant to. She winced and apologized to the startled Raccoon Fur. “Sorry, Ami.”
“It’s okay, and frankly I feel the same...” Ami admitted. “Thanks to her... We’re branded as racist bigots...”
Rei nodded and frowned. “Did you see the news? I can’t believe Setsuna was a Splice.”
“Me neither but then... It explains why she was supportive of Hotaru getting Spliced besides the fact she’s healthy again.” The Blue Raccoon pouted rather cutely as they continued to walk along. “But even with her laying the record straight not everyone will believe her...some will probably think we got Spliced to avoid implications with Haruka as the scapegoat.”
Rei nodded. “My thoughts exactly.” The Kitsune sighed and shook her head in disgust. “As far as I know, it might very well become a crime to wear mini-skirts soon enough.”
“The age of the fuku is toast.” Ami said as she nodded her head in agreement.
Rei sighed. “Maybe we’d be better off not being the Senshi in public,” She whispered over to Ami. “It might be safer for us.”
“I agree,” The Raccoon told the Kitsune. “If we have to deal with a situation, we better try and do it in an isolated area... For one thing, most of us have unique Splice forms that may give us away even with the glamour fields.”
Rei frowned, scrunching her features and causing a rather cute pout on her muzzle. She hadn’t considered that at all. “I guess getting Spliced to look like a nine-tailed Kitsune wasn’t that good an idea for being a super-heroine, huh?”
“Makoto, Usagi, Minako and I aren’t exactly ‘among the norm’ either,” Ami said. Although she had meant to get a more normal Splice, she didn’t mind the fact she came out of it with blue fur. But even if she was normal, that would’ve left another problem. “Hotaru and Setsuna are the only ones with normal splices, but then again somebody could sniff their scent...”
Rei nodded. “And I don’t think a glamour spell was made to cover up our scent is right...” The golden Kitsune looked at the blue Raccoon seriously. “I mean, my crows recognize me, in my regular form or as a Senshi.”
“Right...” Ami said. “I think our Senshi days are numbered regardless, and we can’t publicly announce our identities like the Fantastic Four or some other super heroes.”
“Ami, those were comic-books and manga,” Rei told her. “I doubt it would go nicely, even if we DID announce who we were.”
“I know,” Ami said. “I’m just making examples.” The Raccoon Fur shook her head “As it stands, we have to distance ourselves from our Senshi roles... Possibly for good unless a threat appears.”
“Rei nodded her head to that. “Damn. I wonder what the talk will be like at school when we go back.” She shook her head. “I know I'm going to feel uneasy if the other girls start talking smack about the Sailor Senshi.”
“Same here,” Ami admitted. “But as it stands, the Senshi are heroines who have betrayed the city...”
Rei grit her teeth. “Damn Haruka and Michiru.” She had gotten used to being Sailor Mars, and actually enjoyed it.
Ami sighed. “On a small, small scale one good thing came about this... Even if at a cost I do not like.”
“What’s that?” Rei asked her friend.
“This will help the image of Splicing,” Ami told her Kitsune friend. “It will remind the masses that Splicers too are ‘normal people’ and are prone to being victims... This will get pity support among other things...” The Raccoon scrunched her features to look thoughtful. “Although I wish it didn’t happen in a way that stained our good names.”
Rei nodded. “True. Who knows? It might be an even-trade in some ways. We give up what we had, and in effect, get the concept of Splicing spread further throughout the world faster.”
“Possibly,” Ami said, not sounding too sure. “If anything... If a politician who was trying to ‘rid the country of furry freaks’ tries to do so now, the backlash will be severe.”
Rei winced visibly at that as one thought of dread went through her mind. What of her father? She knew he didn’t like Splicing. And he was a BIG politician.
“Rei, is something the matter?” Ami asked, noticing her friend’s distant look.
Rei shook her head. “Nothing.” She said. “Nothing at all...” She didn’t sound too convincing.
As gently as she could, Ami placed a hand on her friend’s shoulder. “Rei... Please... I’m your friend... Something IS bothering you.”
Rei didn’t want to say anything...
...And she wouldn't have to as her eyes went distant once more.
Seeing Rei practically go out of it, Ami blinked her eyes. “Rei...?” She asked hesitantly.
The Kitsune of Mars was attuned to nature, and the paranormal. Rei as receiving a vision via Astral Projection. No, she wasn’t even trying to look into the stars, into the threads of energy that supported life... There was just a powerful force out there that was seemingly making itself known.
Ami noted the look in Rei’s eye and realized what was going on. “It’s a vision, isn’t it?” She murmured.
After a moment, Rei finally spoke. “A shadowy dragon-winged fox, standing in front of a half-moon.”
Ami groaned. “Terrific... A new threat and we’ve just recently entered the ‘Most Wanted’ list ourselves.”
“No!” Rei said forcefully. “This is no threat. Follow me!” The nine-tailed Kitsune said as she practically went off into a sprint.
“Hey! Wait up!” Ami ran after her
(------)
After a trek down a few blocks, the two had reach Setsuna’s home. The door creaked while it opened slowly as Setsuna let Dr. Mera inside. “The kitchen is this way, I'll see what we have and you can tell me what sounds good for dinner.” She walked to where the kitchen was to check for something good to eat
Dr. Mera walked in, in awe of the size of the house and furnishings. He didn’t know a house like this could exist in Japan. “It’s... Incredible...”
“Besides my ward, I had two other house guests, but they’re... Moving out.” She says as she checks the refrigerator. Hey, who cared if this HAD been Michiru’s home? That girl should really pay attention to what she signed. “...Hmm... I see we still have some marinated meats, veggies and so forth... Any requests?”
“Let me see...” Dr. Mera said as he walked over to the refrigerator. He opened one of the containers and took a deep whiff...
...However, the scent of the meat was not what caught his interest. He quickly turned to look at Setsuna. He took another sniff. “Meioh-san?”
Yes?” Setsuna asked.
“Do you always wear that perfume?” Dr. Mera asked curiously. “It’s a rather nice and distinctive fragrance on you.”
“I often do. Not always but more than not.” She said as she nodded her head. “You like?”
Dr. Mera nodded. “Yes. It suits you well...”
What he didn’t mention was that he had smelled it somewhere else before...
It was a scent left behind by her...
Setsuna smirked. “Well Dr. Mera, have you decided on dinner yet?”
“Actually,” Dr. Mera started, “I think I’m hungry for a little information first...”
“Very well then,” Setsuna said calmly. “I have my hunches of what you’re to ask, but I guess you should be entitled to an answer depending on the question.”
Dr. Mera nodded. “I’m interested in how you switch between a Human form and that of a Splice, Meioh-San.” He looked at her seriously as he closed the fridge. “Or should I say, ‘Panthress Pluto’?”
Setsuna frowned. Nuts. And here she was hoping he was going to ask her to have sex with him.
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(Posted Thu, 18 Nov 2004 00:10)
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