[Scene: Monday. The Dark Kingdom. Zoi is lying in bed and feels absolutely hideous with a really bad headache. There is a teapot on a tray next to the bed, along with a tin cup and his cellphone, which is ringing.]
[Zoi picks it up, still amazed that Kunzite manages to get cell coverage in this demon dimension, or wherever it is they are. The caller ID shows it's Usagi. Zoi answers]
Zoi: Hello?
Usagi: Zoi, it's Usagi.
Zoi: Hi, Usagi.
Usagi: [weeping] Oh, thank goodness. I was so afraid you wouldn't want to talk to me anymore.
Zoi: Why wouldn't I want to talk to you?
[Zoi touches the teapot. It's cold. He places his hand over the teapot and blasts it with flames to heat the tea before pouring himself a cup.]
[Zoi can hear Usagi crying]
Zoi: Usagi. What's wrong?
Usagi: [sniffling] I'm worried about Mamoru...I think...I think something weird is going on...He's been saying weird stuff.
Zoi: What kind of stuff?
[Nothing about Zoi, Zoi hopes]
Usagi: You...you know he is sick too, right...? Same thing you have?
Zoi: Yeah. The exact same thing. I'm pretty sure I caught it from him.
[Of course, Zoi doesn't mention how he caught it. Then Usagi would really start bawling.]
Usagi: He's acting so scared! I called him up, to see how he was doing, and the whole time he kept whispering "She mustn't find us... She mustn't find us..." over and over again! Then his aunt came in to his room and he let out the most terrifying scream. She had to pry the phone out of his hand and explain to me that he's really sick and she's called for an ambulance, for his own safety.]
[Zoi knows he has some very good advice he wants to give Usagi. The trouble is, he's too sick to remember what it is at the moment.]
[He sips the tea, which tastes very strongly of cinnamon and ginger. Almost instantly, his headache feels better.]
Zoi: Usagi. Mamoru is very sick right now. He's not himself. I wouldn't take any of this to heart right now. He said and did some very strange and inappropriate things when I saw him on Friday.
Usagi: I know. Motoki told me all about it. I'm so scared, but they won't let me see him.
Zoi: But I'm sure he'll be ok, once his fever dies down-
Usagi: [wailing] You don't understand! This is the exact same way Rei was acting! Right before she turned into a different person, and she decided she didn't want to be friends with me anymore! He's going to turn mean and break up with me! I just know it!
[Zoi hold the phone away a bit since her crying is making his head hurt again. He sips more tea and he doesn't know what to tell her. He'd like to reassure her everything will be ok, but he is certain Mamoru is going through a metamorphosis. Into someone else. Someone who is potentially very damaged. Possibly even broken.]
[Maybe breaking up with Usagi would be the kindest thing Mamoru could do for her under the circumstances.]
Zoi: I know you want to help, but there is nothing you can do for him at the moment. If he's that easily rattled, you should give him some space...You need to take care of yourself right now.
Uasgi: [sobbing] I haven't had this flu yet. What if I'm next? What if I get sick and turn into a really mean person who doesn't care about my friends anymore?
Zoi: I don't think that will happen. [But he's not certain that it wouldn't, and the thought of a blackhearted Usagi is a chilling one.] Look, Naru had the flu and it didn't affect her too badly so I wouldn't worry too much...
[Kunzite enters, and pauses when he sees Zoi is on the phone]
Zoi: I've got to go. Kunzite made me some tea and I don't want it to get cold.
Usagi: [cheering up] Aww... that's so sweet. He must love you very much to drive all the way from Seattle and take time off school to help your dad take care of you on a weekday.
Zoi: Um, yeah...
Usagi: Promise me you won't turn into a pod-person like all the others.
Zoi: I'll do my best.
Usagi: Love you!
Zoi: Love you, too. Bye.
[He hangs up and looks at Kunzite who is looking at him askew]
Zoi: That was Usagi. She's very concerned about Mamoru.
Kunzite: [scowls] Aren't we all?