004 Video; UN: Cuddlebunny

[lightthedarkness]

[Usually, Usagi would just make this a text, but this was for Rei.

She took a deep breath as she looks at the camera, her eyes red and swollen, her nose red as well. She offers a wet smile before it falls away completely.

She takes another deep breath.]

For those of you who knew her, Rei Hino went- went home.

[Her breath hitches on that last part but she gets it out without a single sob or tears. Rei would be proud. She's done her crying, though, in truth, she's likely to do more later. Usagi knows she'll see Rei again, their lives intertwined, but it doesn't make her loss hurt any less.

Usagi debates for a moment if she should say anything else, pressing her lips together, and then lets out a breath.]

I know she meant a lot to many of you and those of you who Rei loved, she loved you fiercely, I can say that with certainty. [Rei never loved by halves.

Usagi is silent for a moment and then nods. She leaves it at that, at a loss on what else to say.]

Comments

[Action]

[imaglyphwitch]

[It takes some time, but Luz manages to fly over to see Usagi, ice cream in one hand and a personal chocolate cake in the other. It isn't much but hearing that message compelled Luz to go over immediately, because doggone it Usagi had had enough stuff happen to her lately.

Of course, Luz being the person that she is, greets Usagi completely out of breath, but still carrying both the cake and ice cream].

H-hi! T-thought you might want to talk, or snack. Came. As. Fast as I could.

[She's still in Christmas mode, so yes, this is what she's wearing].

Video; UN: Willow

[frogfear]

[It comes as a shock to see Usagi on the network, so upset, and her first suspicion is, unsurprisingly, that Maul has done something godawful again. The news that Rei has left Trench is far from what she expected.

Willow sits back for a moment, looking visibly stunned. Rei was one of her very first friends in Deerington and they had become such good friends, and long enough friends that this feels particularly out of left field.]

I'm sorry.

[She takes a deep, steadying breath. She'll be strong for Usagi now, and grieve quietly on her own later.]

How are you - how are you holding up?

private;

[entreats]

[ Rei.. gone, huh? It felt like the other had been present for so long. Not just here, but back in Deerington too.. It makes this message feel almost weird.

But rather than focusing on that feeling, what Ange mostly can think about is the way Usagi looks as she's making the message. So obviously upset. So obviously having cried - and unsurprisingly so. Usagi cares so much about everyone, let alone the people from her own world.. ]

I know.. there's no right thing to say here.

[ Because nothing makes loss better. Not a single word. Ange knows that so well, yet staying quiet feels too cruel as well. ]

But you two are so close.. Maybe she'll show up on the shores again in no time.

Video | UN: ClickClickBloom

[onekindsoul]

[Ruby just stares at the screen briefly. Rei had been here for so long it was hard to believe that she was gone. She was always such a strong and confident presence to have around and Ruby had owed her so much.]

I'm sorry, Usagi.

We're all going to miss her a whole lot.

I still remember the first time I met her- She saved my life multiple times and she put up with a whole lot of shenanigans when we lived across the road from one another.

...Maybe we should set something up. Like a little memorial or something.

Private Video; un: darkness

[survivalthroughhate]

I knew her well.

[It was hard not to given they'd literally melded in mind and spirit during his first month in Deerington. The insight it had given each of them on the other had helped to develop their friendship.]

And I will miss her.

[Then he pauses and looks at Usagi to gauge how she's doing.]

Do you want me to come over. Or do you need time to yourself for a while?

action

[loveandduty]

[It was honestly very sad news to hear. Just as Minako was finally going to say something to everyone. Rei's gone. It was a sad moment, but Minako knew that out of everyone Usagi would probably be the most affected. It was clear from the feed after all that she had been crying.

SO Minako was already on her way to bring hugs and maybe words of comfort. It was honestly the least she could do at this point. Soon she was knocking at the door.]

Usagi. Are you home?

un: trienemybest; text

[droptheious]

[He doesn't trust himself with text right now- his psyche is holding on by a thread, but despite all that he's trying for her. He can't just...let this go without saying anything at all. ]

I'm sorry, Usagi? Do you need anything?

video; un: morningstar

[morningstud]

[The name isn't familiar to him, but the look of sympathy on Lucifer's face is there all the same.]

Oh, Usagi... I'm sorry.

video | un: zing zang

[spiritwalks]

You two were close, huh.

[Anything else he could say — "sorry for your loss", "she's not really gone", "you'll see her again someday" — would just be worn-out platitudes.]

audio; un: doublehedgedsword

[laminae]

[Fern never connected who Sailor Mars is, but it's pretty clear that Rei is important to Usagi. He feels back for her, having someone close to you suddenly leave is never easy.]

Geez, I'm sorry she's gone. Are you okay?

[Action]

[lightthedarkness]

[It takes SEVERAL minutes for the door of her house to open. Mostly because Usagi has stood behind it and contemplated not opening it. Usagi doesn't want company, and she certainly doesn't want company she didn't ask for. She would rather be allowed to sob and cry and be a mess by herself or with the girls. She doesn't like people seeing her in a complete breakdown.

Which is what this caused, a complete and utter breakdown. But the door does open. Swollen eyes look Luz up and down and she curls her fingers along the door. She's a wreck. Nothing about her is bright or enthusiastic, she's... dull. She's like a shadow of her actual self.]

T-To be honest, Luz... [Her voice is hoarse.] I'm not in the mood to talk or to eat. [You always knew Usagi was properly upset when she had no appetite.]

But you're here, so come in. [She opens the door a bit wider.] It's cold.

Video; UN: Cuddlebunny

[lightthedarkness]

[Not a LOT of people really know what her relationship with Rei is, what her relationship with any of the girls is. She KNOWS she'll see her again, and she clings to that as much as she can. She gives a small shake of her head.]

Not... not great. Rei- she wouldn't want me to cry like this, but she'd also know I wouldn't be able to help myself. [She wipes her eyes with her handkerchief.]

I'm sorry for bringing such sad news.

Private;

[lightthedarkness]

She's one of the most precious people in my life. I've died and killed for her. And she's done the same for me. [She offers sincerely, grateful for the privacy.] Rei-chan... there's no one else like her. She's not just a safe harbor in stormy waters, she's practically a mountain to protect you from the storm. Rei-chan was unshakeable, calm and fierce and always honest. Rei-chan never sugar-coated anything, telling you exactly what you NEEDED to hear even if it wasn't what you WANTED to hear.

And I know I'll see her again because our lives and destinies are intertwined. But... but she's a thread in my heart, Ange-chan, and I can follow it and find her anywhere. But while the thread isn't broken, when I tug on it, it feels like I can pull and pull and pull until I have a whole bobbin of it.

But I can feel her missing.

Video; UN: Cuddlebunny

[lightthedarkness]

She... she was pretty amazing. Absolutely incredible...

[She swallows, and it hurts to talk or breathe or swallow.]

I'm... I'm so glad so many people got to see how incredible she is. Not enough people knew it back home.

I don't know if she'd want a big memorial, something... simple. But... I think I have an idea that might be a good one for her.

Private;

[lightthedarkness]

She's so amazing. She'll be fine wherever she goes. I'm not sure I will be. [She wipes her eyes as new tears fell. She can be a bit more open with Maul. She can't break down around others like she can with the senshi, Maul, or Varian. Maul doesn't ask anything of her when she needs to break down. She doesn't have to be strong for someone else, she can just be... Usagi.

She can just be a scared teenager who lost someone precious to her.]

I... won't be... great company. Might just cry all over you.

[Action]

[lightthedarkness]

[There is a small number of people Usagi is willing to break down around. Minako is one of the top people on that list. Minako has seen her through some of her WORST times ever. When she senses Minako she practically runs to the door and into Minako's arms, immediately just sobbing.

Because Minako would understand. Minako would absolutely understand just how much this hurts.]

Text;

[lightthedarkness]

I don't suppose I can't ask for Rei-chan back, can I?

[There's a good twenty minutes before she follows up the message, having broken down sobbing from that text.]

I'm sorry, that was an awful thing to say. I wouldn't say no to lunch tomorrow or something. I just... I need to be able to break down, even though I know Rei-chan wouldn't want me to.

I want to be alone and I don't want to be alone.

Video; UN: Cuddlebunny

[lightthedarkness]

Luci, did you ever get a chance to meet her? She was... IS amazing. She's incredible.

Video; UN: Cuddlebunny

[lightthedarkness]

She's one of my most precious people in the universe.

Video; UN: Cuddlebunny

[lightthedarkness]

No.

Not even a little.

Re: [Action]

[imaglyphwitch]

[In the time that Usagi took to answer the door, Luz was taking several breaths and quietly regretting coming. It was her first instinct, because she'd seen Usagi's memories, she knew by now that people from her world MATTERED to her, whether they were her soldiers or her friends. She also knew, however, that Usagi might not want the company. She may have composed herself for the network, but that didn't mean that she was going to be in a good state for people actually coming to see her.

But this was typical Luz behavior from home: do first, ask questions later. In this case, her less than stellar arrival was punctuated by Usagi's sobering arrival. The mentioning of not being able to eat was a bad one, and worse still, that company was not wanted].

Sorry! I'm dumb, I should have asked! I just...

[She came into the place, shivering a little, but just as determined not to show any more weakness right now].

...I just can't stand it when my friends are in pain. So. I came.

[laminae]

Hah, sorry, that was a dumb question. I can come over if you want some company. We can do... I don't know, girly stuff? [He knows her well enough that suggesting punch stuff probably isn't what she'd want to do.] Or if you just wanna cry that's cool too.

[droptheious]

It's not awful if you miss her. We've been through this already- it's not a bad thing to want the people you love here with you. Not even slightly.

How about we pack some lunch then and you can come to my protected room? Then you can be in a safe place to do all the breaking down you need to. No one can come in unless I let them.

Private;

[entreats]

[ For a moment Ange is quiet in the face of that admission. Not because it's awkward, but.. while she's so grateful that Usagi is actually sharing her feelings, rather than cropping it all up, Ange still isn't sure what to say in a situation where no words will help. Loss eats away at you like that.

But as she silently thinks, she can realise one thing. Usagi always seemed more at ease with physical comfort, right..?

... ]

I can come over right now, if you want. [ It's offered quietly, like she doesn't want Usagi to feel pressured into accepting it if she isn't ready for company. But Ange figures Usagi more often wants company than not, so she can offer it in case the other needs it. ]

[Action]

[lightthedarkness]

Luz [She says it so tiredly.] I already said come in. [All of her emotional exhaustion was seeping in. She doesn't have the energy to boost Luz's confidence and correct her self-deprecation. Honestly? Right now? She doesn't care. She cannot be a support for Luz. She doesn't have the anything to make Luz feel better when she feels like she does right now.

She pulls away from the door opening it wider.]

Or don't.

[She's not in any mood to play this self-deprecating game.]

I guess I'll go make you something. [Because now she has to play hostess.]