[Episode 250126] [Episode 250126]Shuddering, Setsuna curled up at the gate of time, rocking back and forth as she hugged her knees to herself. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and she just buried her face in her knees. Cool, calm, collected, aloof were all words that could normally be used to described the Senshi of time, and space, guardian of the gate that lead both through time and to the underworld. But right now, what the Senshi of time most resembled was a frightened young woman, because that's what she was.
"No. No. It wasn't supposed to happen this way!" She whispered to herself "I... with... before... no!" before she broke into sobs, which she buried in her legs. After a few minutes of this rocking back and forth, intermittently broken by her body being wracked by sobs, Setsuna managed to calm herself, and pull herself together. Taking slow, deep breaths, Setsuna stood, and took several slow, deep breaths, centering herself, then stood.
"Okay," she told herself "I need to do something. But before that, I need to calm myself down. I... I have to make sure I'm doing the right things, instead of flying off my handle, and making things worse."
Setsuna began the 24-step, one of the forms from the Combined Methods school of Taiji-Chuan. She stood still, and strait, and closed her eyes, focusing on nothing but breathing for several long moments. Her breathing deepened, and slowed. New tears formed at the corners of her eyes, but her breathing was slow, and deep, and relaxed. Then she commenced the form.
She focused herself on her breathing, and on the movements. As she parted the wild horse's mane, she felt her own long, and luxurious hair swishing across her form, tickling her back and rear. She continued through the movements, focusing on her breathing, and her posture.
White Crane Spreads It's Wings. Green dragon spits the pearl. She felt the soreness of her body. Her bare legs were sore, especially the inner thigh muscles that had strained, clenching her legs together, and the cleft that they lead too, still sore from last night's activities.
Play the Pipa. Repulse the Monkey. The muscles clenched tighter for a moment as she remembered what had made them sore, and sunk into her stance and then, with the next breath, she centered herself, drawing her thoughts together, before slowly expelling the breath, and with it her stress, pain, and rising panic. She allowed the muscles to slowly flex, and relax, the pain slowly fading as she moved.
Grasp the Swallows Tail, Left. Grasp the Swallows Tail, Right. She felt the strain in her arms that had alternately supported her, and clutched, and the strain in her hips and torso, from all of the twisting. Breathing in, breathing out.
Single Whip, Wave Hands Like Clouds, Single Whip. Her body was beginning to loosen again, to feel it's self. Her arms, legs, and torso slowly regained their flexibility and mobility, un-cramping from the exercise the night before, and the awkward postures of her sleep.
High Pat on Horse's Head, Kick with Right Heel, Box the Ears, Kick with Left Heel. She could feel her legs strain with reminders of that same exertion, and yet at the same time being soothed, as she moved her body through the healing postures, and gave her body the attention it deserved, focusing on it's needs, even as she exercised it further.
Snake creeps down, the golden cockerel stands on one leg. Snake creeps down, the golden cockerel stands on one leg. This part of the form was one of the most physically demanding. She could feel her hair and breasts sway as she moved through the low stance, legs stretching wide apart, before she pulled herself up on one leg.
She was grateful for the chill of her sanctum, keeping her cool as she moved, but the mist had begun to condense on her form, forming droplets that came together, spontaneously forming rivulets that slicked down her skin, dripping from her cheeks, to splash on her arms, or sliding down her breast, to drip off and splash against her knee.
Fair Lady Works the Shuttles. Pick Up Needle form Sea Bed. Flash Hands. Her body was loosened, but she began to feel the tears as they streamed down her cheeks, combining with the drops of condensed mist before dropping from her chin to splash against her arms, breasts, or legs.
Deflect, Parry, and Punch. Apparent Close. She was not alright. She was not "just fine". But she was better than she was before she started.
Cross Hands. Close. She was calm, she was collected. She was in pain, she was in danger, but she could act, and not make things worse. She had found the center at which she would hold herself, from which she would act. She went over to her desk, got some Kleenex, and blew her nose, repeatedly. That felt better.
With a soft, sad, somewhat enigmatic smile, Setsuna looked up and brought her hand to her chest. She clenching her fist, before thrusting it skyward, as light streamed to the tips of her fingers. "Pluto Star Power... Make Up!" Her pen spun up and into her hand, and it's symbol began to glow, and then to spin.
She felt the power of her guardian star infuse her with so much new energy that it burst forth in an array of dazzling lights, cleansing her body. That energy then manifested it's self as her sailor uniform.
Grasping her time staff out of the air, Pluto raised her head high, and stood tall, one hand on her staff, the other out in mid air, and straitened her back, as she spoke out-loud. "What is, is. Now, to deal with what has occurred." She said, as she strode toward the gate of time.
Moments later, Setsuna appeared in her bedroom in the house she shared with the other Outer Senshi. She tilted her head, and noted that the house seemed quiet. She nodded, and opened the door, and headed downstairs. By this time Michiru was up, and was cooking breakfast for the family. She was slicing zucchini and butter-nut squash into pennies to make them easier to saute. She also had a large number of onions already chopped, and some celery and carrots to the side. Pluto stopped in the doorway, and let her key-staff rest on the floor with a slightly louder than necessary clack.
Setsuna blinked, and looked up, with a smile that quickly lit up her face, and faded just as quickly. "Setsuna! Where have you been?" She asked. "Hotaru and I were very worried about you. You quit your job as a nurse, have been gone for most of the day for months, and last night you didn't even come home! No warning, no note, not even so much as a phone call. I was worried sick. And... you're in your Senshi uniform. What's wrong? Are you alright?"
Pluto took a deep sigh, then smiled wryly, and sat down. "No, I'm not okay. It's a long story, and to even really begin, I need to call a meeting of the Senshi."
Michiru nodded, and frowned. "Of course. I'll go wake Haruka and Hotaru. Is there anything else you need me to do?" Setsuna nodded, with a deep sigh. It was early morning, and already she was feeling drained. That wasn't a good sign. "Yes. I'll need some help contacting the other Senshi and convincing them to meet as soon as possible. But before that... I really need a good cup of black tea."
Michiru nodded in concern as she rubbed her dear friend's back. "Of course. Just a moment while I pour you one."
Setsuna nodded, smiled to Michiru, then looked to her wrist, where her sailor communicator faded into existence. "Rei." She instructed, and at the other end, a chime began to play. Rei answered momentarily, appearing in her priestess garb. Apparently this was one of her mornings to tend to the shrine. "Setsuna? What's the matter?" She asked in a quiet voice.
"I need to call a meeting of the scouts. Is it alright if we use the shrine?" Rei nodded in reply. "Of course. Grandpa wants me to tend the shrine this morning, so it's more convenient for me anyway. I'll get everything ready. Can you tell me what this is about?" Setsuna shook her head. "I'll tell you at the meeting. I need to contact the others." "Alright. Rei out."
Setsuna nodded, as the communicator went dead, then began to sip her tea. Oh tea, glorious tea. Alright, so far, so good. Her house was being raised, the normal meeting place was available. That left rousing the rest of the inners, and getting there. Once that was arranged, she'd have some breathing room to think on the way over on the way to the morning meeting. Morning. That meant her next call had to be...
"Chiba residence, Mamoru Speaking." Came the slightly-sleepy reply over the phone. A small smile lit Setsuna's lips. She always enjoyed speaking with her prince. "Mamoru, sorry to wake you, but I'm calling a meeting at the shrine. Please wake Usagi, and get to the Hikawa Shrine ASAP."
Mamoru's concern was audible over the line. "Of course Setsuna. I'll get right on it. Do you need anything for the meeting?" So considerate. "No Mamoru, just you and the Princess. It's important though, so please make sure she's dressed for the day, and has all her gear, especially the Ginzuishou."
Setsuna could hear Mamoru's frown over the phone. "Alright Setsuna, I'll get Usagi up and dressed. Be careful." "I will." Setsuna promised, before hanging up. Then she paused, with a blink. "Dressed! I have to get dressed in civilian mode!" She put her hand to her head, and took a long drought of the tea now that it had cooled slightly.
It was at that point that Michiru came back into the room. "Setsuna, Haruka and Hotaru are getting ready. Who do you want me to contact?" Setsuna looked up to Michiru gratefully. "Ami, Mokoto, and Mina. I've contacted the others, and I need to get ready myself. The meeting is being held at the Hikawa Shrine." Michiru blinked, then nodded. "Of course."
With that, Setsuna headed to her room, closed the door, and sat heavily on the bed, with a deep and prolonged sigh. "Okay. I need a civilian outfit." She murmured.
Nodding, she stood and began to pick out an outfit. While she did want to call a meeting of the Senshi, she was sure she'd need to let her transformation drop at least once in the next several hours, and preferred to have some clothing to return to when she did. She began with the under-wear drawer.
Setsuna considered the basic requirements for her outfit. First, it had to appear both respectable and presentable. She was going to be recovering from a large social impact, and as such could not appear to be a slouch in any social department. That demanded professional attire, and some sparing jewelry.
Still, she did not want to be overly opulent given the presence of both Saotome Genma, and Tendo Nabiki. Now that the other Nerimans were brought to mind, her clothing also could not be overly alluring, as that would decrease the chances of meeting her objectives, and increasing the chances of a battle. Further, they needed to be clothes she could fight in. Finally, when dealing with Ranma's mother, some hint of a tradition would not go awry.
She sighed, shaking her head. "This isn't going to be easy." she whispered to herself. "But at least I can start out with some sensible under-garments." She quickly picked out a pair of plain white panties that could not be considered exotic or enticing, and supplemented them with a sports bra. If a fight broke out with her in civilian garb, she at least wanted to minimize her own discomfort.
Of course this particular brassiere had some padding, but that was to compensate for the less than flattering nature of a sports bra on one's figure, rather than to actually make her bust appear larger than it was. This also had the side effect of some minimal protection for a sensitive area that could be taken advantage of in a fight, or impacted by a stray ball if one was playing sports. At least that's how she justified the padding.
Next she chose a crisp pastel green blouse, with some ruffles along the neckline, hiding the buttons, followed by one of her most comfortably fitting suits, with a loose skirt that went down a few inches below her knees. While she often wore shorter skirts, she felt that despite wearing western-style clothing, the more conservative dress skirt length would likely help with the more traditional members of Ranma's family. She checked the green against the nearly grey lavender of the suit, and nodded, deciding that they would go acceptably well together.
Next she picked out a nice, but small watch, a pair of small clip on purple earrings, and a small heart shaped locket. She smiled, thinking of the pictures hidden within, and took just a moment to unfold the heart to a clover, and view the four images inside, before closing it once again. Of course, she still had the small ring on her right hand, representing the promise that she, Haruka, and Michiru had made to raise and protect Hotaru. True, Hotaru was older now, and sometimes guided and protected Setsuna. But all three of them still held to that promise.
Next she got out a pair of black hose, and a pair of attractive shoes with low heals. Nodding in satisfaction, she let her transformation drop, dressed herself, before heading out to meet the others. She could fix her hair on the car ride over.
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(Posted Wed, 31 Aug 2011 22:19)
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