A/N: This story is a companion piece to my friend SinJazz's fic 'The Barista'. In theory you can read either fic in any order but in my opinion you should probably read her fic first. Both fics are set during Season 3 of the 1992 Sailor Moon anime a.k.a. Sailor Moon S.
Bunsen burners hissed. Glass beakers bubbled. Electrical apparatus crackled. Adding to the mild cacophony of sound was the rhythmic click-clacking of high heels. Specifically, blood red ones that well complimented the similarly crimson dress and scarlet hair of their owner.
Though she could of course levitate and teleport, Kaolinite seldom ever did so within the laboratory; exempting when she departed for missions of course. There was no rule forbidding her from doing so, nor was it even common sense per se. She was hardly likely to startle the laboratory's master in the midst of his work; he was far too used to her and Witches 5 to be shaken by their sudden appearance or disappearance.
The truth was, traversing the lab on foot meant she could spend more time observing the experiments in motion. Or, more precisely, the scientist performing them.
Even watching him from behind, hunched over the table, the shadows dancing off his white lab coat as the experiment played out, sent a thrill through Kaolinite's heart; or what passed for her heart anyway.
It was when she was just ten feet away that she at last halted. All the years she'd spent with him, longing for him, had given her a knowledge of his body language; despite this not strictly speaking being his own body, of course. And so, she contented herself to remain still and silent, simply observing his wonderfully dexterous fingers at work, adjusting the flame, swirling the contents of the glass beaker, and noting the slow shiver, the building energy, within her superior's body. The experiment was reaching its climax.
A small, delighted titter echoed through the laboratory, somehow drowning out all other sound. "Kaolinite…At last…I've done it!" Like lightning, Professor Tomoe whipped around and held the beaker high into the air! "I have brewed the perfect batch of coffee!"
Kaolinite's face remained composed, the only visible sign of her surprise a singular, slow, blink.
"That is wonderful, Professor," she at last purred, half hoping her superior hadn't noticed her delayed reaction; half hoping he had. Indeed, she rather hoped he'd notice anything about her. One of these days, surely, he'd at least comment on how inappropriate her dress was in a lab setting; she had been gradually lowering the cleavage for well over a year now.
Alas, if her beloved Germatoid had noticed anything about her, he didn't show it, instead lifting the glass beaker to his lips and taking a sip. "Ah. It's utterly delightful…or it would be if I had waited for it to cool down. As it is, my hand and tongue are horribly burnt."
"Perhaps you should brew another batch?" suggested Kaolinite, "By the time you're finished, your tongue at least will have recovered."
Tomoe/Germatoid's mouth formed into a half moon smile. "That is an excellent idea, Kaolinite, I will begin immediately." Tomoe turned back around, putting his hands to work on the apparatus once again.
"Perhaps we could share the brew once I have taken the Pure Heart from the next target?" Kaolinite's voice remained even and measured, not at all betraying any of the hope she harboured.
"Speaking of which," Tomoe said, not bothering to look at her, "I have selected the latest target myself." Almost casually, Tomoe released a Daimon Egg into the air. "It is the owner of a coffee shop in Juban."
For once Kaolinite was glad her beloved had his back to her so he couldn't see the confusion creasing her brow. "I'm sure she will prove a fruitful target, Professor. However, I am at a loss as to why such a person would have a Pure Heart?"
"Coffee is the lifeblood that makes all adults able to function. Without it society itself would crumble into glorious silence. Anyone who provides such an elixir, and at such reasonable prices, must have one of the purest hearts of all!"
"Of course, how ingenious," Kaolinite lied.
As the professor took another sip from the burning hot beaker, he let out a mad cackle that Kaolinite couldn't help but think was some private joke at her expense. Perhaps he knew, as she did, that they would surely never share that cup of coffee today; or perhaps ever.
With that, she about faced, took three steps that were drowned out by the Professor's laugher, and teleported away.
A/N: My good friend SinJazz wrote a wonderful fic called 'the Barista' which was set during Sailor Season 3/Sailor Moon S. I loved it so much I wrote this little fic as a companion as every S episode featured a Tomoe scene and they were usually creepy/hilarious. In this case I played up the comedy but also tried to compliment SinJazz's fic by making Tomoe and Kaolinite something of a dark relfection of Makoto and Taro from Sin's original story. Hope you all liked it!
Also, just to let you know I am involved in a discord called 'Moonlight Legends' which is dedicated to sharing all sorts of Sailor Moon fanworks, including other fanfics. If you would like to join so you can share your own work, get help with your current projects or just connect to other fan creators shoot me a PM and I'll send you an invite. All are welcome!