Coffee shop

Despite the late hour and the long day she and the other Scouts had had, Ami wasn't planning on going to sleep any time soon. She had grown into quite the night owl over the years.

Her awkward teenage years had led her into the awkward lifestyle of a reclusive nerd. Aside from the other Scouts, Ami had few friends to speak of, and rarely interacted with people offline anymore.

After waving goodbye to the rest of the group, she and Sailor Venus, known privately as Minako, left together towards the small apartment they shared. Minako had noticed Ami's sad loneliness after high school and taken her in a gesture of friendship.

"They're getting stronger, I think." Minako said, stretching her arms above her head with a yawn. "I don't remember ever being so wiped out after a fight."

Ami chuckled. "Well, you're not sixteen anymore, either." But Minako was right. Ami was getting a lot of very concerning readings from their battles recently. Something wasn't adding up. Unless she missed her guess, something big was lurking about, but she couldn't quite figure out what or where.

Minako scrunched up her pretty face. "Hey, I may not be sixteen, but I'm still young and fit! Me being twenty three has nothing to do with it! Besides, you're older by a month and a half!"

Ami sighed. Minato had always been the most glamourous of the group and had grown into a real beauty. She seemed effortlessly beautiful no matter the occasion. It made Ami feel comparatively plain more often than not.

They approached the coffee shop where Ami liked to fuel up before her long nights analyzing data. "Hey, I'm going to stop off here for some caffeine. You go on ahead; I'll catch up."

Minako didn't break stride, already long since familiar with her friend's habits. "Yeah, yeah. I'll leave the door open for you." She stifled another yawn with her fist and waved goodbye.

Ami pulled open the door to the shop and sighed happily at the wave of delicious smells. She loved coffee.

She went to the counter and was greeted by an unfamiliar barista. Very pretty, with striking green eyes that drew Ami in mysteriously. She had to shake herself to collect her focus long enough to order her latte.

"Sure thing! It will just be a moment. Please forgive me, I'm still in training." The young woman said, far too energetic for the time of night that it was.

Ami waved dismissively. "No worries; everyone starts somewhere. Thank you."

There was a TV on one wall. A nees program was covering the damage to the buildings where Ami and her friends had just had their big battle.

She didn't even notice the baristas eyes sparkle with dark energy as she slipped something sinister into Ami's drink.

"Here you go! Than you for your patience!" The woman beamed, handing the water guardian her order.

She took it and immediately dipped the creamy brew. Mmm. It was even more delicious than usual. "Mm! This is good! You're a natural at this."

She took another sip as she headed for the door, enjoying the perfect temperature of the beverage while her enemy watched her with eager anticipation.

"Come again!"