Episode 5: Sailor, Pt. 3 TV Announcer: Previously, on "Open Circle"… *Scenes flash.* Kisha: ^-^ I know. Thanks. Kisha: *leaves* Kai: *gets back up and kisses Sailor Bob* You can stay here if Satsuki says it’s all right... It is getting a little crowded, though. Satsuki: *finishes packing* Well, then... I'll be off! Kanoe: One moment, please. Satsuki: Yes? Kanoe: *goes to her room, and comes back with one of her white roses* Here. Satsuki: *collects Suzuki from the kitchen and heads for his apartment* Joker: *grumpy voice* Boss had a change of heart at three in the frickin' morning, guess who had to go run around town... Sakura: *finishes up with her shower, looks in the mirror, and SHRIEKS* Kanoe: Here. *hands Satsuki the paper* A gift from the Boss. Satsuki: Because... he's some sort of hypnotist? Oro? Satsuki: ~.- I don't think the boss is selling all his drugs... Sakura: I haven't spoken about it, since I've been kind of out of it, but I get a strange vibe off of that guy... Not your friend, but the other one. Kanoe: Oh? Sakura: The one with the eyepatch... Satsuki: Sailor Bob showed up at the door of the Chinese restaurant several months ago, really beaten up and injured. Sailor Bob: *shudders, remembering* Satsuki: For whatever reason, Tetsuya took him in - well, not personally, of course, but saw that he was cared for - and gave him some odd jobs around the place to keep him busy... Sailor Bob: No... *shakes his head* I don't ever make people do things. Satsuki: And that was about it... Sakura: *under her breath* That would explain the vibe... Satsuki: *turns and looks at Sailor Bob* So, friend - what are you? And why would Tetsuya keep you around? Kai: @.@ TV Announcer: And now… Sakura: Well? Kai: @.@ Satsuki: *looks at Sailor Bob expectantly* Sailor Bob: *hesitates, not wanting to say anything, then sighs* I should have known I couldn't keep anything secret... Satsuki: *sits down, having a feeling that it might be a good idea* Sakura: *stays close to Kanoe* Sailor Bob: The truth is... Tetsuya knows only a little bit more than I know. Sailor Bob: I don't know my real name. Satsuki: ?.? Kai: ?.? Sailor Bob: I don't know where I'm from, or why I'm here and not there. Kai: ;.; Poor Bob-chan... Sailor Bob: All I can remember is a little bit about the place I was at before. Sailor Bob: *shudders* It was awful... Kai: *hugs him* Sakura: *still stays near Kanoe, but has an idea* I could... Satsuki: *feels bad for Sailor Bob* Sailor Bob: After hearing your story, Sakura-san, I have to think it may be a similar, if not the same, government operation. Kai: *hugs him tighter* ;.;! Sakura: Never mind, then... *said all this quietly, anyway* Satsuki: *shaking head* What are the odds... Sailor Bob: They experimented on me and tortured me, or so I think... I don't remember it very clearly... Sailor Bob: But for a long time I had horrible nightmares... Sailor Bob: There's only one thing I remember clearly. Sailor Bob: In one of the tests, they made me... They made me... Kai: ?.? Satsuki: *listens, scared of what he might say* Sakura: *might remember this, listens intently* Sailor Bob: *breaks off, starts again* You see, I... I do have two eyes. Kai: ?.? Sailor Bob: This eyepatch is a cover-up. Satsuki: *nods with satisfaction* Kai: Why? Sakura: *still listening, waits on him* Sailor Bob: Because... because my eye has... there's something strange about it... Sailor Bob: It... it makes people want to do things, but those things change with my mood... Satsuki: *listens intently, interested* Sailor Bob: If you looked into my eye when I was angry, you might go on a shooting spree... Satsuki: !.! *huggles Val* Satsuki: *then remembers that Suzuki is there, hugs him, too* Kai: !.! Sailor Bob: If you looked at it when I was happy, you might spend the rest of your life cheering other people up and being generally optimistic. Satsuki: ^_____^ That's more like it. Sailor Bob: When they... when they conducted the test, I was... I was very scared... Sakura: *slowly, almost imperceptibly, Sakura raises her right hand* Is it like this, Bob? *a slight whirring and machinery appears in her palm, extending all the way through it so it can be seen on both sides as a metal disc of sorts in her hand* Sailor Bob: *shakes his head at Sakura* No, not really... Sailor Bob: *continues* I was scared, and alone, and I didn't know what I was going to do next... Sakura: *nods, says to herself* Then it's not exactly the same government test. Sailor Bob: There was... a man... in my cell... Sailor Bob: They yelled at me, made me open my eyes and look at him... Sailor Bob: He was a security guard, with a rifle... and... and... Satsuki: *on the edge of her seat now* Sailor Bob: *bows his head, clasping his hands in his lap* Something... Something in my eye... Sailor Bob: Made him... Satsuki: *hides her own eyes, as if that would change things* Sakura: *waits* Sailor Bob: *almost whispers* Shoot himself... Sailor Bob: *shaking* Val: *beeps sadly, even though he could care less about anyone besides Satsuki* Kai: !.! *squeezes Bob tightly* Sakura: *looks at Kanoe, her eyes watering at the edges* Satsuki: *sits with her head in her hands* Kanoe: *buries her face in Sakura's shoulder so no one will see her crying* Satsuki: *whispering to herself* I - I guess that explains why Tetsuya would... Satsuki: *looks up, fire burning in her eyes* He didn't make you - make you LOOK at anyone, did he? Sailor Bob: *looks startled* No... No, he didn't. Satsuki: Good! *looks as if she would have skinned Tetsuya herself if Sailor Bob had answered yes* Sakura: *holds her close, crying a little to herself, although it's harder to cry now than it was before* Sailor Bob: *looks a little scared* It... it was an accident, I didn't mean... *looks panicked* Kai: We know you wouldn't want to do anything like that to anyone. Val: *beeps firmly in agreement* Sailor Bob: *looks relieved, sighs* Sakura: *quietly* At least I can control mine... Maybe I can help Bob with his... Satsuki: Hontou ni? Sailor Bob: *looks up* You can? Sakura: Yes. I have complete control over my abilities... But we aren't the same, so I don't know for sure.... Sailor Bob: *looks let down* Oh... Kai: But she can try! And if she can't we will help you find a way to learn! Satsuki: Hai hai hai! Val: *beeps* Sailor Bob: *looks hopeful* Sakura: *wipes face where tears have come down* I'll help any way I can. Satsuki: *surreptitiously scrubs at her own eyes* Yeah, me - me, too. Sakura: *strokes Kanoe's hair with her other hand, just a comforting motion* Kanoe: *hasn't moved from Sakura's shoulder yet* Sailor Bob: *smiles gratefully at all of them* Thank you so much... Kai: *hugs Bob tightly, not wanting to ever let go* Satsuki: ;_;V Sakura: *kisses the top of Kanoe's head, whispers* It's all right... Satsuki: Anyway... *looks at the sheaf of papers* Now what do I do with this? Sailor Bob: *brushes his hair out of his face* But that time made me vow, when I got out, that I would never ever let anyone see my eye willingly, and I would always try to help people. *saying this mostly to himself and Kai* Kanoe: *manages to control herself and straightens up, looking as cheerful as normal, which isn't really cheerful, but not distraught, either* Kai: *sniffles* That is kind. Satsuki: *shrugs, puts the papers in the trash compactor* That ought to do it... Sakura: *sighs* What a day... Kanoe: *looks slightly worn out* Hai, hai... Satsuki: @.@ You're telling US? Val: *beeps* Sakura: *looks at a clock* And it's not even lunchtime. Satsuki: Hmmmm... lunch... food... *hasn't had breakfast* Kanoe: I don't know about anyone else, but I'm going to take a nap... *shuffles off into her room* Sakura: *looks after her, wonders if she's serious about the nap... Or possibly...* Kai: *hangs onto Sailor Bob* Val: *beeps impatiently at Satsuki* Satsuki: Val, give it a rest already. You heard why Tetsuya would keep him around... Sailor Bob: *is hung onto, feels content to just sit and be that way for a while* *A loud thump is heard as Kanoe falls onto her bed.* Satsuki: *yawns* Sakura: *walks towards their room, sticks a head in, not saying anything* Kai: *afraid Bob will be taken away from him if he lets go* Satsuki: *conks out on the couch, despite Val's beeping* Kanoe: *despite her best efforts, can't hold back a few tears* Sakura: *purses lips, thinks that's a nap* Kanoe: *rolls over onto her back and stares at the ceiling, her lips forming a silent word* Kanoe: "Doushite?" Val: *shows a swirly-eyed graphic before going into sleep mode* Sakura: *walks into the room all the way, closes the door after her* Hanako... Are you okay? Kanoe: *looks over at her, sighs* I don't think so... Kai: *whispering* I'm sorry... Sailor Bob: *smiles wanly* It's all right... It's over now... Suzuki: *feeling rather confused, sits next to Satsuki and pats her on the head* Sailor Bob: *hugs Kai suddenly* And now I have you, Kai-chan... Suzuki: *yawning, goes into the kitchen to make more coffee - doesn't feel like being reminded of his current dateless state* Sakura: *walks over, sits on the bed* Satsuki: *sleeps* Kai: ;.;V Kai: *buries his face into Bob's chest and lets himself cry* Sakura: Hanako. I'm here... for you... Satsuki: *mumbling in her sleep* Nn... demo... 'tou ni, doushite...? Sailor Bob: *comforts Kai as best he can* Kai: *pulls head back and wipes away tears* I'm sorry... Sailor Bob: *smiles at him* It's okay. *silences any more words with a kiss* Kai: *surprised, but kisses back* Kanoe: It's not fair... Sakura: What isn't, Hanako? Kanoe: *reaches up and touches Sakura's cheek* That people as wonderful as you and Bob would get such horrible treatment in the world... Kanoe: That people can DO those things to other people... Kanoe: It's not fair! Sakura: But it just happens. Kanoe: Why? Sakura: Because... life isn't fair. I learned that while I was imprisoned. Over and over again. Kanoe: Who made this stupid universe? Sakura: A higher power, I'd imagine. Kanoe: Well, I wish they would change it. Kanoe: Things shouldn't be the way they are. Satsuki: *still talking in her sleep* Tets... ya... 'tou ni... naze? Nnnn... doushite...? Sakura: Well, we can't help it, Hanako. We just have to accept it sometimes. Make peace. Kanoe: I don't want to accept it. Kai: *continues kissing Bob* Sailor Bob: *is kissed and kisses back* Sakura: *gently runs her fingers up Kanoe's arm, until their hands touch* Kanoe: *looks very sad for a few moments* Sakura: Come here... *beckons a little with her other hand* Satsuki: *still fast asleep on the couch, but no longer talking* Suzuki: *has fallen asleep while making coffee* Kai: *still kissing* Kanoe: *sits up and partially collapses against Sakura, shivering* It feels cold in here suddenly... Sakura: *holds her close* Cold? Kanoe: *nods, feeling rather clingy and a little scared* Sakura: *tightens her grip, drawing her closer* Kanoe: *whispers* I feel like a little girl who's afraid of the dark... Kanoe: And it isn't even dark yet... Sakura: *quietly* Well, don't worry... You're not alone. I'm here. And I'll be here. Kanoe: You'll never know how much I missed you while you were gone... Sakura: I could never express how much I missed you... Every night I would think of you. Kanoe: *nods in agreement* It was lonely without you... Sakura: I'm sure you found some way to pass the time, didn't you? *not mad, just stating it* Kanoe: Oh, sure, there were people now and then... Kisha was the closest I ever came to a real relationship, though... Sakura: *smiles* I'm glad you didn't mourn yourself to death over me. Kanoe: *looks sheepish* Door: *is knocked on* Sakura: *suddenly breaks the impromptu silence between them with a kiss* Kanoe: *is kissed, kisses back* Sakura: *kisses her a little deeper, begins to move her hands towards... well...* *And that scene fades out.* Kai: *breaks away from his kiss* Satsuki: e.e... Satsuki: *looks at Kai and Sailor Bob blearily* ~.- Sailor Bob: *sits and looks pleased with himself* Kai: I better get it. *opens door* Yes? Tetsuya: *is standing there* Kai: !.! *has gun out* Sailor Bob: *starts when he sees Tetsuya* Tetsuya: *sighs, puts his hands up* I come in peace. Kai: -.- Satsuki: 9.9 Kai... what have I already told you? Kai: =p This is different. Satsuki: *yawns* Come on in, Tetsuya... Kai: You want to take MY Bob-chan, don't you?! Sailor Bob: *looks sort of scared* Suzuki: *hears commotion, wakes up and sticks head out of kitchen* ?.? Tetsuya: -.- I have no interest in your "Bob-chan" - at least not the interest you're thinking of. Sailor Bob: *still looks scared* Satsuki: *sits up, scrubbing at her face* Kai: -.- You want to use his powerthingamajiggy. Tetsuya: I would like to speak with him about it, yes. Sailor Bob: *looks even more scared* Satsuki: *yawns again* Sure, but we'll chaperone. Tetsuya: Fine. Sailor Bob: *looks slightly relieved* Kai: *moves out of the way reluctantly* Satsuki: Anyway, sit down... *moves over so he has room on the couch* Tetsuya: *comes into the apartment, but doesn't sit down* Kai: *closes the door and goes back over to Sailor Bob* Satsuki: Well? Talk away. Tetsuya: *looks at Sailor Bob, pointedly ignoring Kai* I just had a few questions... Sailor Bob: *acts brave* About what? Tetsuya: Why did you leave immediately after the accident? Sailor Bob: *cringes* Because... Because I was afraid of you and what you might try to use my... powers for. Tetsuya: Ah. Kai: That's two of us that want you dead... Sailor Bob: No, no! I don't want anyone dead! Satsuki: -.- That's NOT what Bob said, no da. Kai: *hugs Bob* Sorry... Tetsuya: But you see, I don't understand exactly what your powers are. Tetsuya: Without a full understanding, I would not act. Sailor Bob: But you would have tried to find out, right? Tetsuya: Yes. Satsuki: *shrugging* Well, can you blame him? Kai: -.- Tetsuya: In fact, I came to ask you about this - power of yours. Satsuki: *yawning again* Ah, you don't want to know. Tetsuya: I am always - curious - about such matters. Sailor Bob: *wonders if he should really say* Satsuki: Sailor Bob, you don't have to say anything you don't want to... Kai: *echoing her* You don't have to tell him if you don't want to... Tetsuya: *at Satsuki and Kai* -.- Sailor Bob: *takes a deep breath* Sailor Bob: When people look at my eye, they... react in strange ways... depending on my emotion... Tetsuya: *listens, impassive* Sailor Bob: If... If I was angry, and someone looked at me, they might... go on a shooting spree, or something... Sailor Bob: But if I was happy... they might never be sad again... Tetsuya: I - see. Kai: So go away. Satsuki: *bops him* Be polite, Kai. Sailor Bob: *silent* Kai: *hugs him* Satsuki: I told you you didn't want to know... Satsuki: I mean, it's obviously not something he can control, so you couldn't use it... *babbling, trying to distract Tetsuya* Tetsuya: True. *looks thoughtful* Kai: -.- Kai: *wonders why he is still there* Tetsuya: *casual tone* I don't suppose you've heard... Sailor Bob: ?.? Kai: ?.? Tetsuya: But perhaps Kai has, as I saw him at the bar in question... Satsuki: ?.? Kai: ?.? Sailor Bob: ?.? Tetsuya: *turns to Kai, looking as innocent as only Tetsuya can look* Tell me, wasn't that handsome man you were talking with the other day a public official of some sort? Sailor Bob: ?!.!? Tetsuya: I had heard that he was working in a special research division somewhere... Sailor Bob: !.! Satsuki: ?.?! Kai: ... Sailor Bob: *looks at Kai as if he was just stung* Tetsuya: I'm sure you would know, Cade - excuse me, Kai... Tetsuya: You certainly seemed to be spending enough time with him. Kai: ... Sailor Bob: *suddenly turns and glares at Tetsuya* You're lying! Satsuki: *wonders what the hell kind of game Tetsuya is playing now* Tetsuya: *smiles maliciously* Really? Sailor Bob: YES! Kai: He isn't... Sailor Bob: *jumps up and starts viciously attacking Tetsuya* LIAR!!! Tetsuya: *catches Sailor Bob's arms, holds them still easily* Sailor Bob: *kicks at him* LIAR!!! Kai: *stares at the ground* Tetsuya: *holding Sailor Bob's arms with one hand, takes off the eyepatch* Kai: !.! Satsuki: 0.0!!!!!!!! TETSUYA, YOU IDIOT! Sailor Bob: *instinctively shuts his eyes* NO! Tetsuya: *stares, waiting for something to change* Tetsuya: *shakes Sailor Bob, trying to make him open his eyes* Sailor Bob: NO! Kai: Stop it! Satsuki: CUT IT OUT, TETSUYA, THIS ISN'T FUNNY!!! Tetsuya: *yelling* OPEN YOUR EYES, DAMN YOU! Sakura: *hearing the commotion that is going on, lots of yelling, she smacks Kanoe* Hanako, what's going on? Sailor Bob: NOOOOO!!! Kanoe: e.e? Satsuki: *tries to drag Tetsuya away from Sailor Bob* Tetsuya: *knocks her away* Satsuki: @.@ Sakura: *falls off bed, throwing some clothes on* Something's going on, c'mon!! Kai: *points gun at Tetsuya’s head, aiming as far away from Bob as he can* Kanoe: *grabs clothes, throws them on, grabs some roses and runs out the door, all in 2.5 seconds* Tetsuya: DAMN YOU, WHY WON'T YOU OPEN YOUR EYES?! Kai: Let him go!!!! Sakura: *out the door right after her* WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?? Satsuki: Tetsuya... san... *tries to get up* Sailor Bob: *opens his normal eye* I VOWED I WOULDN'T! Sailor Bob: *glares with one eye* Kanoe: *brandishes roses* Let him go! Tetsuya: *drops Sailor Bob suddenly, almost tossing him away* Sailor Bob: *collapses* Sakura: *looks at Tetsuya, not knowing who he is, but already getting bad vibes* Satsuki: *manages to stand, but looks a little wobbly* Tetsuya-san... Kai: *grabs the eyepatch off the ground and puts it in Bob's hand* Sailor Bob: *hastily puts it on, looks up at Tetsuya* Tetsuya: *very, very quietly, and slightly hoarse* Leave me alone. Suzuki: *finally roused, out of kitchen and to his sister's side instantly* Satsuki: *smiles uncertainly at Suzuki, leans on him* Tetsuya: *is looking away from all of them, hands tightly clenched into fists* Suzuki: *is leaned upon, glaring in general but unnoticed* Kanoe: *examining roses, wondering if maybe they had anything to do with Tetsuya letting Bob go, decides not* Satsuki: *weakly* Tetsuya-san... why did you...? Kai: *finger twitches on the trigger of his gun* Tetsuya: *sits down on the floor, ignoring all of them for the minute* Sakura: *raises her hand, the same whirring noise is heard again* Just in case.... Kanoe: No, Sakura. Kanoe: *looks at Tetsuya, can't even fathom what he's feeling, but -* Let it be. Tetsuya: *sits perfectly still* Kai: *glares at Tetsuya* Satsuki: @.@ *confused* Suzuki: *also rather confused* @.- Sailor Bob: *sits on floor near Tetsuya, silently watching him* Sakura: *stops, but still has a supply ready, just in case* All right, Hanako... Tetsuya: *softly* I do not understand... I don't understand any of you... Kai: *sits next to Sailor Bob but not taking his aim off of Tetsuya* Kanoe: What? Satsuki: ?.? Sailor Bob: *silent* Tetsuya: *still ignoring them* You talk about things I don't understand anymore... Tetsuya: I cannot understand you. Kai: ... Kanoe: *softly, almost to herself* What is there to understand? Tetsuya: *stands up, face as still as a statue of a saint* This - this was a mistake. Since I began it, it has been a mistake. Sailor Bob: *silent* Sakura: *sits down off to the side, not really daring to interfere* Tetsuya: *bows to all of them stiffly* I beg your pardon for the trouble I have caused you. Tetsuya: I will not bother you again. Satsuki: Demo... Kai: -.- Kanoe: *shocked* Sakura: *doesn't understand* Tetsuya: *bows again* It - was an experience, knowing all of you. Especially Satsuki-san. Satsuki: *blushes* Tetsuya: *turns to walk out the door* Kanoe: Wait. Tetsuya: *pauses* Kanoe: *without making him turn or facing him, walks forward and takes his hand, pressing one of her black roses into his palm* Good-bye. Kai: ?.? Tetsuya: *softly* Thank you, Kanoe-san. Kanoe: *turns and goes to stand next to Sakura, her face unreadable* You're welcome, Tetsuya-san. Tetsuya: *disappears through the door* Satsuki: @.@ Kai: ... Sakura: *looks at Hanako* And that was... Kai: *to Bob* I'm sorry... Sailor Bob: *silent* Satsuki: *starts suddenly* Hey, Kai, did you hear that? He said it was an experience knowing me! Kai: ... Satsuki: *pokes Suzuki* You heard him, didn't you? It was an experience knowing me! Suzuki: Hai, hai, imouto-chan... I heard him... *tolerant and long-suffering older brother mode* Satsuki: ^_____^V Kai: *to Sailor Bob* I guess you don't want to talk to me... *goes to his new room, closing the door behind him* Kanoe: *laughs, then walks over and tousles Satsuki's hair* Of course it was, Satsu-kun! Satsuki: *beams, looking about five years old* Sailor Bob: *sits on the floor, thinking about what happened and about Kai and everything* Kai: *cries to himself in his new room* Satsuki: *looks at Sailor Bob* Anou... Satsuki: *goes and sits next to him* You know, I think Tetsuya was lying about most of that. Sakura: *being ignored, and not having said anything before this point, or done anything, wanders back to the bedroom* Kanoe: *follows her* Satsuki: I mean - let's face it, Tetsuya knows how to push people's buttons. That's why he's so good at what he does. Sailor Bob: *shakes his head* It's not that... Sailor Bob: It's what he said after... Satsuki: ?.? Sailor Bob: About not understanding... Satsuki: Oh... Satsuki: I don't know what he was talking about with that... Sailor Bob: I wish I did know... Sakura: *sits on the bed* Who was that guy, and what was all that about? Kanoe: I'm not sure. Satsuki: Well - don't worry about it too much, okay? Satsuki: Tetsuya's a weird guy, and he has been for as long as I know about... Satsuki: And right now - I think you have a boyfriend waiting for you... *pokes him* Kanoe: All I know is, he was in pain. Kanoe: And it was a deep pain, not something you could heal quickly, not even with a rose. Sakura: *gets up and shuts the door* Oy... Back to bed, best thing to do is sleep off the drain from gathering up that energy... Sakura: I'm still listening, Hanako, I was just a little preoccupied. Sailor Bob: *looks startled* Oh, I forgot all about poor Kai-chan! Satsuki: ^-^;;; Why don't you go talk to him? Sailor Bob: *looks all sweet and guilty, goes up and knocks on door* Satsuki: *satisfied in a job well done, goes back to the couch to sleep some more* Suzuki: *pats her on the head, then goes back into kitchen for strange, unknown reason* Kai: What...? Sailor Bob: Can I please come in? Kai: Why? I'm a terrible person. Sailor Bob: Please, Kai-chan, it's important! Kai: OK... Sakura: *Changes into her sleep outfit, which is, of course, nothing, and gets into the bed. She gives Kanoe a quick kiss, then zonks out from energy drain.* Kanoe: *sits at her desk and tends her roses carefully, thinking about Tetsuya and the rose* Sakura: *sleeps* Sailor Bob: *goes into Kai's room, looking guilty and sweet and cute* Kai: *tries not to make it obvious he was crying* Kai: I'm sorry... Sailor Bob: No, I'm sorry. Kai: ?.? Sailor Bob: *glomps Kai* I don't care what he said he had to have been lying and even if he wasn't I still don't care because you're too special to lose over something as trivial as talking to someone in a bar! Kai: !.! Kai: *blushes* Thank you... Sailor Bob: So do you forgive me? *looks sweet and cute and hopeful* Kai: Of course! *glomps him back* Sailor Bob: ^__#V *And, on that happy note - fade out.* Credits: Satsuki: Hokuto Kuzuki Kanoe: MokonaChiirushia Kai: Ryuujin Tatsu Sakura: XxGigasboltxX Tetsuya: Hokuto Kuzuki Sailor Bob: MokonaChiirushia Suzuki: Hokuto Kuzuki/MokonaChiirushia Val: Hokuto Kuzuki TV Announcer: Hokuto Kuzuki