001 ❊ He dreams of honor and strength.

[somethingtoprove]

[For a long moment, there's no sound, no movement. Nephrite just stands in the middle of a long tunnel to a dark cave, staring at his hands and his clothes as if to decide whether or not they're real. His uniform, his powers, the unusual eye and hair color-- they're all back. ...But this is a dream. Of course it is. In reality, he's nothing more than a stupid human now and he is not in the Dark Kingdom anymore. He bares his teeth, ground tight against each other in frustration. This should be a good dream, but all he is... is confused. Confused and angry and maybe even a little jealous.

He wants his role as a Shitennou back-- it's all he has. But he's not so sure he wants to obey Beryl or endure the mockery he's so sure to receive upon returning. With a loud growl, his hands ball into fists and he slams one of them into the nearest rocky surface, spraying dirt and debris.]

Even my own dreams mock me!

Comments

[mooneternal]

( it's not that she means to sneak up on him... in fact, usagi isn't the greatest at the subtlties of sneaking in general... but when she sees him pound that fist into the nearest target... part of her suddenly seems to realize being here isn't the best idea.
so this is the former moon princess... attempting to tip-toe away unnoticed... )

[somethingtoprove]

[What's this? The lack of subtleties - even if only because this tunnel is otherwise dead silent and prone to amplifying sound - is enough to prompt Nephrite into turning around. Instead of looking enraged, though, an arrogant grin spreads across his face.]

Look who it is! What's the princess doing in the Dark Kingdom?

[He pivots to face her completely. Oh, he'll chase you if he has to. Even if it's only in his dreams, he's going to defeat the Moon Princess!]

[mooneternal]

Gii --!! ( uh oh... caught!! slowly she turns around, a goofy, and rather nervous wide smile across her face. immediately an arm seems to find the way to the back of her head as she forces an airy laugh ) Ah... heheh! Looks like I took a wrong turn, this isn't the ice cream parlor! So I'll just be on my way...!

[somethingtoprove]

Not so fast! [Boom, Nephrite bolts in front of her, barring her path with his large frame.] How idiotic do you think I am? You're not going anywhere! [You're welcome to try getting past him, though. In fact, he really wants you to try. Not that he needs an excuse to try to punch Usagi, really, but... it's more satisfying this way.]

[mooneternal]

Yiaaah!! ( she wasn't expecting quick movements like those, neph. in fact, it sends her tumbling backwards onto her rear. she's rubbing the sore spot... ) Ahh... that hurts... ( she looks up at him out of one eye, squinting the other in discomfort from her fall still... ) Wait you look... familiar... ( you van pratcially see the gears a'turnin'... )