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Winter at the life sphere. Where the automated weather system would treat the residents to a little gift and lay a gentle snow upon the ground, and a cool breeze blow through the streets. Almost a divine excuse to stay inside, away from the outside world. Here, A highschool girl was sat at a table inside of the Library of the life sphere-- With one hand on a nearby Data-Book, scrolling through mountains of historic texts of Li and the various worlds, and her other hand, writing down notes and study facts upon a blank textbook. One, of many textbooks that was now a massive pile directly beside her, as she wrote and studied her notes over and over. 

"Mm....Even now, im still studying for tests. No matter where in the world i am...But, If girls my age can get jobs as high as miss Ciel's, I could be someone very important soon...I just need to keep at it!" Ami would say with a smile, as she continued her studying. But then, she stops at one mark...

"But then again...It feels kind of lonely here..." Ami would softly reply, looking back and forth across the empty table she sat at. "Minako would be there talking about the new boy she was dating...Rei would be picking on Usagi a bit..." Ami would recollect, as she sighed, looking down a bit. She had been studying for about three hours now, and the loneliness was starting to hit. She Missed those study sessions...Why was she alone on this world...? "Maybe i should get something to drink...I wonder if the kitchen is open for guest use...Maybe it has tea avalible." Ami would ask, getting up to look around the library.

[Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon]

"...Usagi, you cannot keep skipping school." Luna chided in an accusing tone. “...Who's going to ground me?” Usagi replied, lacking any meaningful energy in her tone. "No school. No hero work. Some hero you turned out to be." Luna scolds. “No parents. No Christmas. Some life this turned out to be.” Usagi bitterly mumbled in response. "Usagi, I refuse to let you waste away like this! What if the negaverse finds it's way here, to Li? Think about how many people could get hurt if you give up." Luna continues colding, trying to get through to Usagi. “...What are you going to do, scratch me again?” Usagi dryly asked, rolling over to look at the cat with an unamused expression on her face. Luna recoiled slightly. "...You are too much!" she relented, turning about and storming off. Usagi rolled back over and curled up.

"...Too much for me to handle. I need a Sailor Scout's help. This is an emergency!" Luna lamented once she was out of earshot.

...And that was how Luna wound up lead to the library. Frankly, she'd seen Usagi's behavior change in ways that were quite unsettling to her.  She wasn't afraid of pain, and she wasn't eating either. Can you imagine that? Usagi, not eating. And not even because she was worried about her weight either! If this kept up .... well, she was worried she was going to outright lose Sailor Moon!

As Ami is looking about the library, she suddenly feels something stiff underfoot followed by the shrill scream of a cat! ...Oops, got your tail there Luna. Luna jerks away and gingerly grasps at her sore tail, glaring at Ami for a moment before her recognition kicked in. "Ami!! Thank goodness I found you. I need you to come with me. Sailor Moon is in trouble." Luna exclaimed, oddly happy to see Ami in spite of the tail stepping. "...Ehm, soon, anyway. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to finish what you're doing. This time it's not the negaverse. Though it is quite dire." she awkwardly adds. Usually when she said that there was imminent violence afoot, but she was .... reasonably confident they could spare some time this time.

[PolarStarQuote]

Ami had begun a rather determined stride towards the kitchen, thoughts of how best to continue her study session once she had gotten her energy boost from her caffeine. Or rather, she was practically continuing her studying in her head, equations and mathematics flying by in her mental space as she walked. Unfortunately, this meant that mentally, she was rather preoccupied as the hard flat surface of her school shoes had certainly crunched the tail of the dear black cat underneath her!

"H-huh??" Ami would open her eyes with immediate shock and panic as she stepped back, the sight of a familiar black feline making her gasp in surprise! "Oh! Luna-- You're here! Thank goodness, a familiar face after--..." Ami would say with delight-- before, realizing why exactly the black cat had screamed to begin with. "O-oh! Im so sorry!" She would say with surprise, quickly getting down onto her knees to help inspect luna's tail for any lasting injuries. "Huh? Usagi is in...Trouble?" Ami asked, looking at her in concern...Until, Luna added in more detail. 

"She's in trouble, But...We can take some time? Is she sick??" Ami would ask, head tilting in confusion as to what Luna was saying. Ami got back up, and looked back over at her studying table. To the average person, it looked more like a small fortress of studying, in which Ami was Queen Nerd, as she would smile. "Well, I was getting ready to look into the first few volumes of Hyrule Historia for a history project in school! If you'd like, you can join me, and you can tell me what's happening to Sailor Moon?" She would suggest. Knowing Ami, this might imply a few additional hours of studying.

After a moment, Ami pulled aside a passing by Pharoh Man, and asked him to bring her some tea to keep studying-- A Courtesy the Robot Master was very willing to provide as per his programming, as Ami sat down at the table, offering a free chair for Luna to hop up onto the table to chat with her on.

[Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon]

Luna's tail fidgetted irritably as Ami inspected it, but seemed no worse for wear all things considered. ...It had endured worse. At Ami's question, Luna hesitantly replied. “...Yyyes, I suppose that's a good way to put it. She's very, very sick. And sure.” Luna replied. She knew that was a misleading statement, but it was none-the-less true. It was a sickness of the mind and heart--not the body, but a sickness none-the-less. She hops up into the chair that Ami has offered for her, peeking out over the edge of the table. “...Hyrule. I'm still not used to hearing such strange names and realizing they're real places here.” Luna mused aloud before continuing after a shake of her head. She then remains quiet until Pharaoh Man was gone, not wishing for the attention a talking cat might get right now. Yeah sure there were weirder things in The Sphere, but that didn't mean nobody would stop to appreciate it.

“...It's terrible. She hasn't been to school in months. She's stopped fighting crime. I can barely even get her to go out and eat. Nothing I say gets through to her. It's like she's given up on life itself. I'm very worried that she isn't going to get better.” Luna explains.  She then takes on a different, more hesitant tone as she begins to explain why. “...When we came here, her parents didn't make it. Sailor Venus had to drag her away from them before monsters overwhelmed us, but .... I think the experience broke her. ...I don't know what to do anymore. I think she needs her friends more than she needs me.”

[PolarStarQuote]

Ami tried to continue her studies as she put her lips to the glass, sipping softly in her usual delicate manner as she tapped on the screen. In a way, This technology the library used felt so out of place and time for Ami, yet the Bluenette was scrolling through the touch screen with the best of them in a casual manner. It was her natural place as the tech-kid of the group. Once Ami found what she wanted, she tapped the screen, filling it with a variety of texts on Hyrule's history and relationships between kingdoms, particularly the beginning establishment of the kingdom after the sealing of the ancient realm. Ami set the tablet against her books stack to read as she wrote, Noting to give Luna the occasional glance to listen. 


"Many of Hyrule's central figures, such as the Hero Link and Princess Zelda, were very important figures during the subspace war before the life sphere's establishment, And it's foundations are central to this world and it's history! It's very fascinating-- So, even though Hyrule is no more, it's important to learn all we can about it." Ami would state to Luna at her questioning, as Ami started writing handily in the book. At Luna's mention of Usagi's Habits, Ami would pause. "...Her skipping school doesn't surprise me-- But not eating?" Ami asked with quiet surprise, looking at Luna with raised brow. That sounded improbable for Usagi. Usually sadness made her eat more! But, it was when Luna dropped the bomb, that Ami dropped her pencil entirely, staring at Luna in shock.

"M-miss...Mister and Misses Tsukino are...D-Dead?" Ami asked, Words choking in her throat as she stared at Luna wide eyed. Flashes of Usagi's mom's blue hair, her fathers humble appearance, And then... "...And what about Shingo?" Ami asked with dread, Usagi's bratty little brother coming to Ami's mind as she winced, stopping her writing. Ami had always enjoyed speaking to Usagi's family...The thought that they were gone hurt. Ami paused as she digested what Luna had told her, clearly a bit deep in thought. After the pause, Ami turned back to the Touch Pad she had displayed the Hyrule Historia on, and changed it quickly. Folder after folder and Folder, Ami went into a new set of books. 

'Psychology, Grief & Loss, Therapy', Was the set of folders, as Ami read through them silently, Before nodding quietly, closing the touch pad. "Alright...Give me a few hours to prepare. I'll meet you back at where Usagi's staying-- If you could give me an address?" Ami would say with a nod. "Im going to brush up a bit on this topic, and meet you there tonight. " There was a determined look in Ami's eyes. Something that said she was ready to tackle this head on, for all the times Usagi had been there for her. "Is there anything else about that event you need to let me know about? So i dont bring up something bad?"

[Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon]

Luna is quiet for a moment. “...Gone.” she replies rather simply, looking away. In truth, she hadn't... technically seen what happened to Shingo, but they'd been trapped in that house for a WHILE. She can't imagine he escaped on his own. “...Sure. She lives on 1212 Buttram Road.” Luna explains with a straight face. ...What? There's nothing funny about that name. The people who name streets in the Life Sphere are very serious people who definitely speak Common. ...She would've written it down if she had hands.

“...There is... one thing. Usagi did not leave her parents' side willingly. Sailor Venus had to drag her away. I don't think she's forgiven her, even if her heart was in the right place. Usagi would've thrown her life away trying to save them.” Luna explains. Listening to Usagi scream and cry as she tried to get back to her parents had been... haunting to hear, to say the least. “Tuxedo Mask was there as well.” she added, leaving it implied that this may have affected Usagi's opinion of him. “...Oh. And--Thank you. I believe you and Makoto are her only hope.” Luna replies. ...Well. Maybe Sailor V if she put on some rad shades and played the part. You get the idea. “I'll make sure the door is unlocked. Just in case she doesn't answer.”

---

...Some time later, when Ami finally arrives, she finds herself at a snowy little house with the lights off. There are no decorations or signs of life inside, but this is definitely the place! How could you forget a street name like that? And the 1212's right there on the door. Which, sure enough, is unlocked.

Usagi is curled up in bed, sleeping the day away.

[PolarStarQuote]

"....B-buttram." Ami would echo to herself as she stared at the street name, quietly blinking as she stared up at it. There was a moment of contemplation from the nerd as she walked down the street. She would take the occasional moment to quickly look behind her every so often to make sure she wasn't about to learn the rules of this particular road. Ami had prepared well to enter the Den of the depressed. Ami had a small shopping bag next to her, and-- ...Usagi had a house?? Huh. Lucky her! Ami was basically living out of the school's dorms. Seeing the lights off inside, Ami would sigh softly as she walked up to the door, and gave the first courtesy of a tender knock on the door, loud enough to certainly be heard, before Ami turned the knob and walked inside. 

"Usagi...?" Ami would softly ask as she looked through the home, before knocking on the door to Usagi's bedroom, and slowly creaking it open. "Hey, Usagi." Ami would begin with a soft smile and tender tone of voice. "Luna...Told me about what happened. She said you weren't coming to school, so, I thought you might appreciate me bringing your homework for you." Ami would say as she raised the plastic shopping bag she had in hand...It was true, it contained a rather beefy looking folder of missed paperwork and studies. Always looking for the important things, eh Ami?

"I also found this convenience store down the road, and picked up some snacks! They had some Comic Books too-- And They only had *one* slice of strawberry shortcake left, So i picked it up for you." Ami said, Hoping to bait out the Leader with one of her favorite things...I mean, C'mon Usagi. it was the last slice. Just for you. Surely that was worth a look.

[Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon]

Jingle jingle . . .

Every time Ami looks behind her, she catches sight of a sheep standing a ways away, staring at her. It's always standing still, and yet she can hear its bell jingling the moment she turns around, and sure enough, it has moved closer each time she looks. It does not speak. Frankly, there's no particularly good reason to assume it does. Yet, something about the way it only gets closer when Ami's back is turned sends a message.

Thankfully, she manages to get to Usagi's without the sheep catching up to her. Who knew what sort of diabolical interest it had. And indeed! She had a house. A house too big for one girl, in fact. It almost looked like it was meant for ... a family. Usagi was curled up in bed. She didn't respond to the door, unable to comprehend it as anything more than a noise in the background interrupting her rest. Nor did she respond to Ami's voice. She just couldn't find the motivation to respond, even if a part of her wanted to. The energy to get up and speak just wasn't there. And honestly? The mention of schoolwork almost got a groan out of her if anything. Comic books? Nothing. The mention of food however, did get the slightest bit of temptation from her. She hadn't eaten all day, and really she'd been starving herself on and off for quite a while now. Her body was not happy with her. A soft sigh escaped Usagi and she finally stirred, sitting up.

“...You don't have to do all this for me, y'know. It's not like I've done anything to deserve it.” Usagi dryly replied, silently feeling a bit guilty having Ami run around all over the place for her.  She glanced around in search of Luna for a moment, but the cat had made herself scarce. Now was not the time.

[PolarStarQuote]

Ami's expression was one of deep worry, as her walking right into her room didn't elicit so much as a response from Usagi. I mean-- What if someone just wandered in here and decided to kidnap her?! Just like Sailor V the other night on the Stadium! Ami would set down the bag onto a nearby table, pulling it over closer to the bed so that Usagi wouldn't need to even get up out of it to eat the Cake that managed to stir her up. It was about making her comfortable, after all. 

"You're right, I dont have to....But, I want to." Ami would say with a warmth, as she presented Usagi with the Strawberry shortcake onto the table. It was kept in a plastic container-- meaning Usagi would actually have to get up and pull it open to get at the cake inside. But once she did...She would notice the cake itself was actually, for real, cake. Not the usual processed flavorless kind of food the life sphere usually provided-- A genuine treat! And to top it off, Ami even brought a plastic fork for Usagi to eat at it with. 

Cake wasn't exactly a...Fantastic breakfast, but it certainly was a step up from nothing but grief that Usagi was munching on. Ami would wait for Usagi to get up and start eating her cake for a few bites first a foremost-- so that she had something in her belly, before Ami continued. "I know you're probably not in the mood, But i'll set these here." Ami would say, before setting the Comic books on the table as well. They were Manga-- Lots of the kind of sweet romance kind that Usagi typically frequented-- Not to mention a copy of the latest 'Girls of Li' Fashion Magazine. 

"At risk of sounding a bit like Rei...Are you really going to just lay in bed for the rest of your life, Usagi?" Ami asked with an air of concern. "I'd hate to not see you out and being yourself...Even if you aren't Sailor Moon."

[Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon]

Usagi gazed down at the cake as it was offered to her. She was... very hungry. But the bland rice substitute food was sad, and more importantly, a powerful feeling washed over her as it actually came time to eat. She... didn't deserve this. She didn't deserve to eat. The thought of enjoying this cake caused a spiritual ache that was a bit stronger than the aching of her stomach. She instead looks up to Ami, an exhausted expression on her face despite the fact that she'd presumably been sleeping for quite some time now. “...Not... Sailor Moon?” she replied in confusion. She then... smiled, because Ami had just reaffirmed their friendship outside of their... obligations and hero work. But then tears began to flow down her cheeks, because that thought raised a very painful question. “How can I ever go back to being myself after what happened..? There's no Tsukino house to go back to, no Tsukino family waiting for me, no more birthdays, no more holidays, no more discussions about grades, no more annoying fights with my brother. No more chores or special dinners cooked by people who care about me or what I eat. Not even an arcade to run away to on the weekends! I can't stand it, Ami. Every moment of silence reminds me that they're gone. And the worst part is... I know that if I go back out there and try to lead the Sailor Scouts, I'll just mess it up again and next time... you girls will be the victims. I can't do it...” Usagi lamented.

She shook her head and sniffled, falling quiet for just a moment. “...I can't do it. I can't...” she echoes after a moment before falling silent again--this time for much longer. She then laid back down in a defeated fashion.

[PolarStarQuote]

As Usagi started, Ami's eyes landed on Usagi, giving her full attention. Ami would relax her posture, sitting back and listening to Usagi. In truth, Ami's eyes grew wet as she listened to her friend's depressed plea. But, Ami held strong, Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath in as she listened, Giving Usagi undivided attention as she laid her grief before her. Once Usagi fell quiet, And laid her head back down onto the bed, Ami would sigh, standing up and walking over. She sat down at the foot of Usagi's bed, and with a gentle hand, moved to rest it atop of Usagi's hand.

"Usagi..." Ami responded in silence, as she gently stroked the back of her hand with her thumb. "...Would you...like for me to cook for you, somedays?" Ami would then ask, softly smiling. "There are things we can fill in for you with, And a lot of things we can't...Your Mom was a really amazing woman, and your dad was fantastic as well. Your brother had a lot of charm too. We can never replace them...And we wouldn't want to try. But we can try and make it a little easier...You know?"

"Nothing will ever stop me from being Sailor Mercury, or any of us from being Sailor Scouts...But right now, We don't need Sailor Moon. Right now, we need Usagi Tsukino." She said. Cautiously hoping Luna didn't hear that. after all, that was kind of against the whole point of this, wasn't it? "We need to know she's safe. And that she knows how much we care for her...?" Ami asks. "Because the worst thing for us is if...Well, If you gave up. None of us want that...Your family wouldn't want that either." She said, Before slowly pulling her hand away-- slow enough so that if Usagi wanted to keep feeling Ami's touch, she could reach for it, but if not, Ami could pull back and await what Usagi said.

"I dont mind how long it takes. I'll always be here, for whenever you need me. We all are."