fujimaru | Reverie Inbox

Looks like it's your lucky day, Fujimaru Ritsuka! Today and today only, I'll be extending a limited-time offer to you! It's the Make Da Vinci-chan Your Servant special!

Today only?? （*゜ー゜*）
Da Vinci-chan, what have you been doing to take care of yourself??
I mean obviously yes but?????????

Just not participating in fighting, of course! I have enough to hold myself together, it's just a bit of a problem when I don't have the materials at my disposal to solve things on my own!
So of course I was considering Master Candidates, and they were among my teammates and options were limited, so your arrival was pretty lucky.

If it's more materials you need, let me know!! I'll help farm them
However farming works here ლ(╹◡╹ლ)
I already spent my favor with the suggestion box but next month! You should let me know!
But of course I'll contract with you
As long as you want me, I'm here (o゜▽゜)o☆

Next month, get yourself your favorite snack or maybe another one of your Mystic Codes. In the interest in sounding like a responsible adult.
But I wouldn't worry, you're my top priority here. Where are you now?

I'll definitely listen to what my resident responsible adult says ♪(´▽｀)
Anyway I'm in my room
Hiding snacks

Already hoarding, I see.
All right, I'll be there shortly. Be ready to let me in before I have to get dramatic.

I already promised one of my teammates I could be the melodramatic and angsty teenager so if you wanna make it a two-man show, we could
Maybe not today but soon

[ They can be a manzai-bokke team sometime, except today it's probably not what the rest of Cerberus needs or wants. ]

Sounds exciting!
But not today. We can improvise another time.

I live in very interesting times, Da Vinci-chan ㄟ( ＿＿)ノ｜
But if you're headed over now, I'll be waiting! Unless you think it's easier for me to meet you

No, it's fine. I'll be right there.

[ and indeed, Ritsuka will get a text when she's outside the dorm! ]

[ When she opens the door, she is dressed in the Arctic Mystic Code again, instead of those prison stripes. She's a lot more comfortable in that than the old Chaldea uniform for now. ]

Wooooow, it's the great and beautiful Da Vinci-chan! Welcome to the Underworld!

[ She strikes a pose. ]

Thank you, thank you! Here I am to brighten up the Underworld a little more before I return to the sun!

[ Wow. ]

Just as expected from Da Vinci-chan!

Anyway, c'mon, I think most of everyone are having emotional hangovers, so we should probably keep it down just a little bit.

[ She gestures and steps aside to let Da Vinci in. ]

Emotional hangovers?

... Never mind, I don't want to take responsibility for anyone else's emotional well-being right now. I'm sure they have support and I'll practice my bedside manner of minding my own business.

[ And she steps in!

... Wow, this aesthetic. ]

Yeah. It's kind of what it is.

[ She is not really that much more used to the decor, let's be honest. ]

There's also no exits except the front door, so I'm considering practicing my blanket-rope making abilities. C'mon, my room is this way.

If you need to spend the night at Sphinx, you can.

... Though we're hardly equipped for guests right now. To be honest, we're hardly equipped for ourselves, so you'd better believe I'm putting in work to change that! No rest for the weary beautiful geniuses, I tell you!

[ she gripes, but she's still following. ]

Cool, I don't think I'm in a position to invite anyone over either. Everyone's either sad, or more sad, and I'm still trying to figure everyone out so I even know how to help.

[ TA DAH, HER ROOM, which is the absolute bare bones out-of-the-box setup. She has not really done much to it except, as noted, squirreled away snacks wherever they can be hidden.

Or, you know, some are just in plain sight. ]

Yes, I imagine for someone who gets deeply involved into other people's matters about ten minutes into meeting them, this must feel like slacking.

[ But she says it lightly, as she's looking around.

At. All of the snacks. Amazing. ]

I don't always do that! Sometimes it takes me half an hour.

[ Also usually there's a lot more immediately pressing "the world is going to end" or "this Singularity is going to grow and destroy the world" or "guess I'm going through this prison tower with the Count of Monte Cristo, that's fine" matters involved.

And listen, Ritsuka is a growing girl, by which one means that because she's so low level as a mage she has to compensate with food, and there is no Emiya here to swoop in and cook incessantly every three hours. She's not about to ask her teammates to feed her unless they're already making things for everyone. ]

Sometimes, it even takes me a whole forty-five minutes.

But usually not any longer than an hour, right?

[ This girl. ]

Well, the situation's both less and more concerning than what you've had to deal with before, but we'll figure it out. For now, are you ready?

If you already know, you know!

[ There is no reason to be cagey or downplay it around Da Vinci. This is the one person in this whole place who can call Ritsuka on any of her bullshit and have the authority and understanding to do so.

And now she holds her hands out without hesitation. ]

I'm glad to be working with you again, Da Vinci-chan.

You too, Ritsuka. Let's make the most of it, shall we?

[ She reaches out.

CONTRACT GET. ]

I always do!

[ HOORAY CONTRACT GET.

There is also a little bit of tension that seeps out of her posture at that, the kind of thing that's only really noticeable in its absence, and probably not something someone who didn't already know her well would notice. ]

...

[ She just silently tugs her in. Plunk your head on her shoulder, equally short Master. ]

[ Well. She's not gonna say no. ]

...I'm really, really glad you're here. Even if it's not forever, I'm glad.

[ She smiles, resting a hand on her head. ]

It won't be. But for as long as I'm here, you can talk to me about anything. Or whine into my shoulder. I'll allow it.

I might need that.

Cerberus seems nice as a team, but... I don't know how much I want to tell them, yet. It's not that I want to hide everything, I just don't know how much they need to hear.

It's not how much they need to hear, it's how much you trust them to be able to hear without you feeling bad about burdening someone with it.

Luckily for us both, I'm here for any and all unreasonable and unruly complaints of yours, even when you inevitably adopt them.

I might not!

[ But she's smiling as she says it. She knows better. ]

...I don't want anyone to worry about me. There's nothing they can actually do to change or help--I think I'm on a whole team of main characters, Da Vinci-chan, everyone's got their own things to worry about.

... Wow. That sounds terrible.

[ Sincerely. ]

It's gonna be a wild time.

[ Thanks Dad she appreciates it. ]

I think you'll manage somehow, but I'll look forward to the stories of who tries to be sacrificial first.

I'm calling not it.

[ It's entirely possible it will be her. But given Cerberus's makeup, it might not! ]

You'd better.

I want to save people, and that includes me.

[ Please don't mention any of the times she has done something without thinking about her own safety. Somewhere, that board in Chaldea that reads DAYS SINCE MASTER DID SOMETHING STUPID is just waiting to be reset to 0. ]

[ YEAH SHE IS ALREADY OPENING HER MOUTH-- ]

Anyway it was good seeing you, Da Vinci-chan!! You should come by later when there are more people who are conscious!!

[ SHE'S NOT TALKING VERY LOUDLY FOR ANY PARTICULAR REASON WHY DO YOU ASK. ]

Oh? Goodness, Ritsuka, it's like you're kicking me out over a very likely call-out!

[ Rude! ]

Wow, gosh, I have no idea why you'd think that! I'd never.

[ She's in her REBELLIOUS TEEN PHASE!! take that! ]

Oh no, of course not.

[ Wry. ]

I'll let you get away with that, for now.

[ She sure said that ominously. ]

It's the "for now" that worries me...

As it should! I'm ready and willing to call you out at any time.

[ But she'll behave for now. ]

Ritsuka? It's Tsuruno. Can we meet up for a little bit?

[ Day 51 means Ritsuka is back to normal, so: ]

Sure? ヾ(•ω•`)o
If anything's broken it's not my fault though!

If anything's broken, it's usually MY fault. But...
I don't think I broke anything...
Maybe????

Probably not??
Let's just assume that if no one comes yelling about it we're safe o(*￣▽￣*)ブ
Where do you wanna meet?

I can drop by Cerberus, maybe? I've got something for you.

That works!
See you in a few

[ There's a kind of thudding sound in a bit at the door. Tsuruno has a bag and is also holding ten plastic balls carefully, either in her arms or tucked under her chin. One is secured by her ponytail band. It's fine. ]

[ She opens the door, then affects the most deadpan expression that she can: ]

What's the password?

Eat at Banbanzai.

[ without hesitation. ]

That works! Come in.

[ CERBERUS IS CERBERUS the only real difference is that she has in fact left the balls in the pit. They have fifty now!! Yay! ]

Oh, whoa. [ she blinks at the balls. ]

Can I just dump mine in there? Is there an official passing over ceremony I have to do?

Go ahead! As a generous contributor, you can have an extra thirty minutes when this thing is finally full.

[ She is, in fact, taking out her phone to make a note. ]

Thanks! I haven't been in a ballpit since I was eight!

[ And she'll carefully make her way over there and dump the balls in, pausing to free the one from her hair tie. ]

Neither have I, but when I saw this thing, I couldn't resist.

And anyway, I think it's funny with the rest of the decor. [ a pause as she pitches her voice lower, as much as she can manage ] Ohhhhh, we're the big scary dog from the underworld~ oh no~

[ and then back to normal: ] But a dog has to have balls, right?

I stopped taking it seriously when they added in the cuddle pit. But absolutely, a dog should have balls!

I wasn't here for most of the decoration decisions, I can only work with what is given to me.

[ She's very solemn as she says it, then pins Tsuruno with a thoughtful look. ]

How are you doing?

[ She pauses, then offers Ritsuka the bag. Homemade cookies. ]

Do you want the automatic answer or the "give me a second to think about it" answer?

I'd prefer the real one, honestly.

[ She peeks into the bag, then looks up again. ]

We can talk over these and milk? Or tea. I have so much tea right now.

[ With a little smile that's half-resigned. ]

Sure. I'll help you get through the tea.

I'm okay at it, I promise.

[ She knows that's not the issue, but she keeps her tone light as she leads the way into the kitchen. ]

Li-sensei is a pretty strict teacher about that sort of stuff. You don't know disapproval till an old man looks at you over his sunglasses and shakes his head.

[ And Tsuruno trots after her, head tilted. ]

That kind of sounds like a movie-style training montage.

It kind of was? You don't know intense till you get to know tea people.

[ She's selecting a milk oolong, holding the bag out for Tsuruno to sniff and approve/disapprove. ]

Though I guess Li-sensei is just kind of intense period.

Sensei? Did he also train you how to fight, along with tea-brewing?

[ With a thumbs' up once she's sniffed the bag. ]

Actually, no. I've asked, but he always refused.

[ She gets the tea brewing, though her expression is thoughtful. ]

"You can barely hold a spear, let alone kill with it." That's what he told me.

...

I can't tell if he was saying it because you have noodle arms or if it was meant to be deeper.

Oh no, he'd make much more explicit fun of me if it was that.

[ Deadpan joke aside, she goes solemn again. ]

...Li-sensei once told me that he only knows how to kill. If he takes up a weapon, or if the weapon is just his hands, he goes in with that intent. So he's always refused to teach me how to fight.

Tea, though, tea is fair game.

Tea's more fun than killing any day.

[ A very sage nod, though her expression's also lapsed into something more pensive. ]

I guess technically that's something all of us Magical Girls have to agree to, too. Even if we didn't quite understand at the time.

One of those "deal with the devil" kind of things?

[ She might not be familiar with meguca in general, because she was much more of a robot and mech girl than magical girls, but she's not not familiar with the genre. ]

I don't suppose you guys could unionize?

Unfortunately, Kyubey's kind of impossible.

[ Just. Impossible. But she nods, purposely keeping her tone light. She's done this so much that it honestly comes as second nature. ]

"Fight Witches, beings who spread curses and threaten humanity, in exchange for having your wish granted." Looking back on it, no sensible person would agree to that, with all the stuff they say about wishes, but...

Aren't most magical girls like... fourteen, in media? I wouldn't trust fourteen-year-old me to make a smart decision.

...On the other hand, fourteen-year-old me would have definitely thought she knew what she was doing.

[ Ritsuka, you were fifteen when you decided to call a number on a beat-up flyer in the subway,,,, ]

I was fifteen. We're kind of varied, from eleven to eighteen mostly... oh, but Yachiyo contracted when she was twelve and she survived all the way to nineteen! She's a veteran!

[ She's so proud of this. ]

You've got a point, though. From what I can tell, Kyubey also makes the offer when you're at your lowest or most desperate.

Wow. Throw him out a window.

[ SHE MEANS IT, ]

Is he, what, your representative talking mascot character? I'm so glad Fou can't talk...

Oh yeah, that's exactly what he is! He's small and white and fluffy and looks like a cat... bunny... thing.

[ Fou's distant cousin. ]

[ That is in fact exactly what she's thinking: that sounds like Fou?? ]

Is... is he really fluffy...? Does he sometimes say things like, "Die, Merlin!!"?

M-Merlin...?

[ ???? ]

He's kind of fluffier just in the tail, and the baby one we've been looking after doesn't actually talk, it just says things like "kyuuuuuu" and "mokyuuu!" Iroha-chan understands it somehow.

[ complete with higher pitch. ]

The bigger one has never told anyone to die. I think.

That's the kind of thing that Fou does... I wish I had my phone. My real phone.

[ She has SO many pictures of Fou on it, like any good pet owner, even if she's not his owner and Fou isn't really a pet. ]

He's more attached to my best friend, but he'll hang out with me sometimes, too.

I know what you mean... I keep thinking I should ask for mine and the charger from the box so I can show people things, but if it's not little things... [ like clothes and the balls ] ... there's something else I have to continuously ask for.

But maybe next time I can try! Fou sounds pretty cute, though!

I've mostly been asking for practical stuff. Like my uniforms and stuff.

[ She tugs briefly on her jacket; it's the arctic mystic code again today. ]

...and also balls for the pit. I'm thinking about putting something up on the bulletin board, after people have had some time to, you know.

Recover.

... Right. [ No wincing, no wincing. ]

People are resilient, at least... but it's been hard on a lot of people this time. In a lot of different ways.

They are.

[ She's smiling as she says it, though it's a little tired, mostly sad. ]

Even when things are really, really awful, people can still pick themselves up and keep moving on. Almost everyone I've seen has been choosing kindness.

...Except that one guy, but spiders basilisk is an outlier who doesn't count.

[ spiders basilisk... ]

Mm, I've noticed that too. We got a couple of visitors and I got the chance to visit some teams and... I think for the most part, like you said, we're all trying to move past it and show that we can't let ourselves lose to a task like that.

It doesn't feel like I'm doing enough, yet. But I kind of think maybe that's just how I am-- I won't feel like it's ever enough.

[ Spiders Basilisk is an outlier who should not be counted, Ritsuka says, on the vast authority of the fact that she likes two Basilisks a lot, personally, and has been given tacit permission to be a little shit to another one by his dad. ]

Maybe it won't. But it's still your life, you know? No matter how much the Warden is trying to play with life and death here... dying isn't something you can just take back.

So doing everything you can is good, but you've also gotta know when it's just--enough. Dwelling only seems to hurt people.

[ Ritsuka is valid, as Tsuruno would ride and die for Sprezzatura anytime.

And Tsuruno's shoulders slump a little now. ]

Yeah... I know. I don't think I know when it is enough, but it's not like I want to worry anyone, either. More than I already did.

People are always going to worry, if they care about you.

[ Spoken like someone who both worries a lot and has also caused a lot of worry, and is (mostly) unrepentant that she will do so again in the future.

By now the water is probably boiling, so she's tending to that to get the tea steeping. ]

I think it's one of those things you have to decide for yourself, but also something you can't determine alone? My best friend is usually the one who tells me if she sees me overdoing it, and I trust her to notice the things I won't. If there's one thing I've learned about people, we're really bad at knowing our own shortcomings.

[ Either you think you have none, or you think you have too many. Both bad! ]

Well, see, the thing is...

[ She starts. And then stops, brows furrowed. And then huffs a little, at herself. ]

Sorry. I came here to thank you for your help and check on you, not...

[ FLAPS A HAND. This apparently means "spill things about how much I suck about my shortcomings." ]

...

[ She pokes the middle of Tsuruno's forehead lightly. ]

That's what friends do. You tell me your grief, I'll tell you mine, and then we do our best to move on.

Ah--!

[ This did not hurt at all, but she still presses a palm to her forehead, dramatically. ]

It's, um. Kind of going to be a little vague. Is that okay?

It's fine, it's fine. Specifics can wait for after we level up.

[ She's serene about that, because she knows how this goes. She knows what it's like to throw yourself at a wall of vagueness until it breaks down. For now, she's just bringing their teacups over to the table. ]

[ Usually she breaks it down herself. How the turn tables. ]

... I lost a really good friend of mine. I still kind of feel like... it was avoidable. I just wasn't there when I should have been, and when I heard about it... the others said it wasn't my fault. That it was bad luck.

[ She pauses there, because that's still... so ironic to her. ]

And that even if I'd been there, it wouldn't have made a difference.

I kind of... I know they meant it to be kind, but it felt like they were saying I wasn't strong enough. So I decided then and there I'd be the Mightiest. At everything. Strong and capable and cheerful and never a burden.

... And I did it so well that everyone came to believe it. They thought I was always fine. That nothing was ever too much for me. That I was genuinely happy and always able to keep my chin up, no matter how many times I got knocked down. That I really was... the Mightiest.

[ She's nibbling on a cookie as she listens, head cocked, thoughtful. ]

It sounds like you already know what the problem is. As much as it's a problem.

[ It is one in Ritsuka's opinion, but also, she's never had a very positive view on Being The Strongest, and that's only been reinforced after the end of the first Lostbelt. Don't lose to a world that only knows how to be strong. ]

...I don't think there's anything wrong in wanting to be strong. Or even the strongest, or the mightiest, or whatever--the best at something. But it sounds like you're stuck in a bad cycle with that.

Kind of...

A lot happened after that, and I'm a little better at it now... or at least telling Saturn and Navi if I'm not fully okay.

But then things like this happen and I'm back at it again. I couldn't really... shake the thought that if only I-- and I shouldn't make people worry, so I...

[ She trails off, a little tiredly. ]

People will worry about you no matter what you do.

[ She says it bluntly, but not unkindly. ]

That's the thing. This isn't your home. You're not the mightiest here--but the point is that no one is. We're all stuck in this stupid reality marble because someone wants to do a bizarre take on the Milgram experiment.

And that's okay. I promise.

Saturn said the same thing. [ with a huff of a laugh. ]

I mean, I get it. I do understand it, it's just hard to shake that feeling off. Is it just something I have to keep reminding myself of until it sticks?

He's a smart guy. Don't tell him I said that.

...But yeah. It's the same way you learn anything, you know?

[ She gestures vaguely with her half-eaten cookie. ]

You taught yourself and your friends at home that you were the "mightiest" by trying to live that as hard as you could, right? Now you have to learn a different way of handling it, because most people here aren't gonna be fooled because all of our stress isn't focused on some big picture... it's about what one person is doing to the people we're living with. It's easier to take things at face value if you're trying to protect a city full of people you don't know than if someone you live with is having a bad time. No matter how good she is at pretending.

[ That said, she was 100% able to pass off her canon update as a nightmare, so you know, win some, lose some. ]

I'll tell him you said that if you don't tell him yourself.

[ With a brighter smile. Saturn is a good subject. ]

But yeah... well, I think as long as I make myself talk about it to someone, even if it's just... "no, not really okay, check again later"... maybe that's improvement.

[ Tsuruno heaves a sigh, but lets her shoulders relax. ]

-- But thanks. So before I ask about your grief, I kind of just brought over chocolate chip, but what's your actual favorite flavor?

No way. It'll just go straight to his head.

But if you ever need or want someone to talk to, I'm happy to listen. I've been told I'm pretty good at it.

[ And now that she has been reminded of the cookie, she's finishing it. ]

--I don't think I've got a favorite, really? I just like sweets. Or food in general. I have to eat a lot to function, actually, so I'm really glad food was not ruined for me.

[ You can't really hide "passing out because you forgot to eat for six hours" from your friends even if you can hide a lot of other things, okay, she doesn't want to deal with that. ]

Fair's fair. I won't say "you should definitely tell me if you need to talk", but. If I have the option, I want you to have the option too. Even if people sometimes think I'm an idiot, I like to think I can say some good things too!

[ An enthusiastic nod. ]

... Um, so when you say you have to eat a lot to function, that's more than just the basic... eat to survive? Like there's another drain on your metabolism or something?

Ehh. People call me an idiot a lot of the time, too, but I mostly just ignore them.

[ Sometimes they're right, which is why "mostly," but also it's not her fault if they want to die on the hill of "you're an idiot for caring."

She reaches for another cookie. If she is not stopped, she will just eat this whole bag without sharing. ]

But yeah. Basically? [ She turns her hand enough to show Tsuruno the symbol on the back. ] --How much do you remember of that fight, after round one of that thing?

[ she will not stop her. Unisonya got her cookie for visiting, she's delivered the rest, Ritsuka can have the whole bag.

Tsuruno blinks, then carefully grasps Ritsuka's hand to look more closely at it. It's a very loose grip, at least. ]

You mean with Vicious? There was someone else with you, right? They were fighting him.

... Was your hand glowing? [ Parts of it were honestly a blur. ]

Yeah. That's what I do, mostly.

[ She wiggles her fingers at the touch--not to try and get free, but as a small abbreviated hello. ]

I summon... we call them Heroic Spirits, though they're not necessarily always heroes. Pick anyone famous from history, and I can summon a version of them.

That time, it was Enkidu.

[ Tsuruno grins a little, doing a tiny finger-tap in acknowledgment before releasing her hand. ]

That's pretty cool! So you have to eat a lot because summoning them takes a lot of energy? Or do they drain you when they fight?

[ She laughs a little, not quite ticklish, waving the hand when it's free. ]

Both, it's both. I'm not actually a born mage or anything, so we kind of have to, uh... saying "brute force it" sounds worse than it really is, but I've gotta compensate somehow.

So I have to eat really regularly, and also if you find me asleep standing up or something, don't be alarmed.

I can carry you if that happens, at least.

[ Yep. ]

I kind of get it, though. Nothing like summoning historical legends, but Magical Girls obviously aren't born, they're made. So we can only use so much magic before we have to replenish it. It's another part of why we have to fight.

That sounds like a great way to get trapped in a cycle.

[ She's not concerned about being carried. She's mostly used to being carried under someone's arm or over their shoulder, depending on her state of consciousness and also how angry she is at the time. ]

Like, what, farming for materials or something?

Yeah, that's the problem.

[ Nailed it in one. ]

And something like that. Witches drop things called Grief Seeds-- you use them on your Soul Gem, and they basically restore your magic. They're in pretty high demand back home.

Like those eggs...

[ BRIEF WAR FLASHBACKS FOR EGG-FARMING. thanks alterjuna. thanks.

But after a moment she clears her throat. ]

Yeah, in my case--it's mostly just, they stuck a giant magic battery on me [ again, she holds up the hand, wiggling her fingers at Tsuruno ] and the rest has to come from me.

It also means I can't actually keep a safety distance, because if they get too far away from me, the connection breaks down.

Oh, so that's why...

[ IT'S ALL COMING TOGETHER. ]

Are you okay now? You got enough to eat?

I've got snacks.

[ She says this knowing that it is neither a full answer nor entirely reassuring. But she shrugs after. ]

Compared to home, this place is better about food, to be honest. I'm okay.

Mmmmmmngh. [ she folds her arms over her chest, frowning deeply. ]

The restaurant worker in me isn't really satisfied with that answer...

...?

[ Something about this feels vaguely like something is looming behind her. ]

It's fine, you don't have to worry about it.

[ It's surely her imagination. ]

Remember what you just told me, Ritsuka?

[ And the frown is gone, replaced by a beaming smile. ]

I'm allowed to worry. And I'm gonna. I'll start making bigger portions when I cook.

[ BACK UP BACK UP BACK UP WAIT-- ]

Why, are you planning on eating more?!

[ She knows better, but also, ]

[ TSURUNO YUI CANNOT BE STOPPED. ]

Nope! It's for you!

[ HOW THE TURN TABLES. ]

Shouldn't you be cooking for your friends first?!

[ She pauses, head tilted to ponder that point.

And, sincerely confused-- ]

You are my friend.

[ And without skipping a beat: ]

Okay, fair, but what about the ones you live with??

[ Also without skipping a beat: ]

I'm not the only one who cooks and I always end up with leftovers anyway, so it's fine!

At least let me come over and do the dishes if you're going to do that!

Nope.

[ wow. ]

If you have to think of it like that, you're paying me back by keeping your energy up. But personally, I'm not doing anything I'd consider going out of my way at all.

I'm not gonna just accept food like that! Even in Chaldea, I never did that!

[ It's not like she had much need or opportunity to learn to cook, with the crowd that haunts Chaldea's kitchen, but she wants! To help!! ]

If you don't like the idea so much, just hang out with me while I'm doing them. But it's that or bust.

If you want to come over, that's fine. But if it's dishes you're after, then we're doing 'em together.

[ what a dramatic thing they're haggling over. ]

[ This is better than most things they could be argue about. ]

Then I want to help with the prepwork for the cooking, too.

You can cut and peel. Spices are a family secret.

Obviously.

[ She's not a thief! She holds out a hand. ]

Deal.

[ And she clasps her hand, firmly. A shake! ]

Deal.

[ WE HAVE AN ACCORD. ]

Pleasure doing business with you!

Anyway, your turn for grief.

[ she did not forget. ]

[ She did, but not exactly in the way that might be expected. ]

...I had something specific I was gonna say, and now I can't remember what... I got distracted about food fights.

... Oh, no.

[ Stricken. ]

I did this.

It's not that bad! You can ask something else?!

I'm not sure what I'd ask! I just wanted to help, too!

Honestly, just someone not fighting me on being their friend helps a lot?!

I mean, I get that, I've had to fight at least seven people on that since I came here, but I'm definitely not someone who'd turn it down myself...

You'd think some people here were allergic to the concept of friendship, when I know that's not the case...

[ She holds out a hand again. Solidarity handclasp. ]

[ SOLIDARITY HANDCLASP. ]

They just don't like to admit it, or think it's a bad thing to say they care. I'm used to it.

But! I'm not like that, so I'll happily point to you and go "Yeah, her! She's my friend!" anytime.

People are stubborn.

[ Both parties present are perhaps a good example, but shhhhh, ]

You can tell them that however much you want. You won't hear me complain.

[ they absolutely are. It's fine. ]

Good, then I will! Thanks, Ritsuka!

Of course.

...And if I think of anything to tell you, I will. Okay? I promise.

... I'm going to trust you on that, so I won't ask you to pinky promise.

If you need the insurance, though! I had to teach my best friend how they work, and I'm pretty sure there's nothing I could do to make her distrust me.

It's okay! I'll just remind you if I have to.

[After whatever happens today in Bingoland, and who knows what it might be! Ritsuka gets a text:]

Are you busy?

[ Who knows what happened!! She's a little surprised in spite of herself, but replies quickly enough: ]

Nope ヾ(•ω•`)o
Just hanging out on the beach

Do you want to meet me at the bar?

Sure
Give me five?
I probably should switch shoes

That just makes me curious...

I'll be here, though. Take your time.

[then:]

Thank you. For meeting me.

[ What he gets in response is just a photo of her bare feet in the sand--she's not in the suit, it appears--and then: ]

Thanks for inviting me

[ It's maybe closer to ten minutes, but she does show up at the bar, dressed in the suit again. ]

...Hey.

[send foot pics? foot pics plz??? send fo

When she gets there, he's dressed much more casually than yesterday, having gotten tired of the layers of the montsuki, not to mention dreading putting it on when it's so much warmer today. So he raided the Western-style (his preference, anyway) '50s fashion and came up with this and some cream slacks and black leather shoes. He is not a greaser boy.

He did bring snacks, set out on a table for them along with some water and a chocolate milkshake. And he waves her over to that, only a little awkward! Only a little!]

. . . Hello. You were taking a break from playing along, weren't you?

[ THEY'RE JUST FEET, on his phone now,

She drifts over, sliding into the seat opposite of him, and she is also only a little awkward. This Is Fine, surely. ]

Yeah. I had to change for bed anyway, so I just didn't bother putting anything on till now.

[ The Arctic mystic code is much better for napping outside, no matter what the weather is. Thank goodness for Da Vinci's ingenuity. ]

. . . You were on the beach in your pajamas? Well, I guess it isn't worse than the other options they give us for free. You ought to see the terrible thing I have to wear swimming.

[HE DOESN'T KNOW SHE SLEPT OUTSIDE,

He pushes the milkshake over to her without comment.]

[ NOT THAT MANY PEOPLE DID, IT'S FINE, only Da Vinci was even slightly told. ]

--Oh, no, I just wore my uniform. I don't have pajamas yet.

[ Ritsuka is not exactly raringly ambitious to get Echidna tokens, so she's mostly just been going with what she currently has, between the freebies and the two tasks that Cerberus has won since her arrival. She's slept in this uniform plenty of times! It's comfortable!

But she takes the milkshake with a surprised blink, tilting her head. ]

For me?

You might think of asking the suggestion box for something useful next time. Like pajamas.

[AND NOT BALLS! He leaves that unspoken, but he offers it with the tiniest twitch of a smile, uncertain if that kind of playing around is still—all right.]

And yes, it's for you. I thought you might like it . . . normally I would get us drinks since we're at the bar, but I've already promised Ingo drinks at some point and I don't want to overdo it. And you don't seem like the type, either.

I've only asked for useful things. Everything I've gotten from the box was for a purpose.

[ EVEN THE BALLS, though she's not going to clarify about that unless he asks. But she smiles back, small and tentative. ]

...It was a good guess. I don't drink. Technically, I think I'm legal for it, now? But I know too many people with magic livers who'd want me to drink with them if I allowed it.

[HE KNOWS! But he already feels a lot better just having her play along, and seeing her little smile; his expression smooths out more.]

Ha, I see how it is. You really never do anything by halves . . . and you probably won't budge even here, will you? Not that I'm going to encourage you to drink, specifically.

Yeah. Cleaning up after someone after they've had a drunken bender really puts you off that kind of thing.

[ She will take this milkshake, though. This part is fine and uncomplicated. ]

Besides, Da Vinci-chan is here. What if someone else shows up? They'd definitely take that knowledge back and tell everyone else.

Ah . . . well, now you have me thinking for the first time in quite a while about what I would have to face if Mars or Jupiter were to suddenly arrive . . .

[oh god don't think about what a PR nightmare that would be to deal with don't think about it]

Just Da Vinci-chan alone was a surprise! I'm not expecting it, but I'm not not thinking about it.

[ His concern is a little funny, in a way that is both part of and separate from the current mess that is everything else going on right now. She gives him a sharp little grin before trying the milkshake. ]

Mash aside, I think most of my Servants would do okay here. Some would definitely be more okay than others.

[He should have brought himself a coffee . . . maybe later. And he sees that smile! She's making fun of him a little!! (He deserves it.)]

You were worried about how she would handle some of those tasks, weren't you? I take it that means most of your—Servants, aren't such pure-hearted people.

Most of them aren't.

[ Her smile softens into something a little more lopsided, a little more genuinely fond. ]

They're called "Heroic Spirits," but you don't have to be a hero in the same way we'd think of them, in the modern day. A lot of them were--warriors, I guess, for a lack of a better word. People who made their name in battle.

...but there's a lot of them who'd probably handle a task like this pretty well, too.

I see . . . we have similar legends, of course. Though most of ours involve Pokemon. As you might imagine. There isn't much in the way of history of humans distinguishing themselves in battle. Most of those legends end tragically . . . it's an interesting difference. So they've been hardened by battle . . . I can see how such a person might be given to indulge in this kind of game, too.

Most of our legends end pretty tragically, too.

[ And even the stories that end well can still have tragic points where a legend could be born. Ritsuka has never actually read the whole of The Count of Monte Cristo, but she knows enough to know that Edmond Dantes had a better ending than the one the King of the Cavern knows, in Chaldea. ]

You don't become a Heroic Spirit if you were completely satisfied with the way your life went. ...But a lot of them are pretty happy to indulge in other things while they're summoned.

Your Servants, then . . . they're spirits who were heroes in life, for the most part, but have regrets. And so they're summoned back to the world of the living, by the living, to serve them? . . . It's fascinating. But they aren't alive now, either. You've mentioned. Da Vinci . . . she had regrets, but she's still come to terms with having lived and died, is that it?

Regrets, and...

[ She goes quiet as she trails off, tracing an idle pattern in the condensation on her glass.

Omnipotence is too much for humans to handle. My work shall be done within the limitations of mankind.

After a moment, she shakes her head. ]

Things left unfinished, I guess. A Servant's life is supposed to be a temporary one--under normal circumstances, they work together with their Master for the chance of having a wish granted.

It is living, just... one that can't last for long, most of the time.

A wish? So that's the reward . . .

[He looks at her glass too, where the melted wetness is beginning to trickle down the side. Then he stands, moving away from the table.]

I invited you here to play pool with me, actually. If you want. Or maybe darts, though I've never tried that one before. Do you want to play with me? While I ask you what you think of wishes. Ha.

I've only gotten like one crash course in playing pool, so you'll have to deal with that.

[ But it's not a no; she also rises to her feet, following him. ]

Darts, I'm okay at. I played softball in junior high, so I've got semi-decent aim.

You're about the only kind of player I might actually beat, then. I only learned to play it myself a few weeks ago, and I haven't had much opportunity to practice against anyone in the meantime. Maybe you can show me how to throw a dart after this . . .

[He does kind of want to know. The allure of Hobbies here is a strong one, and darts is a pretty solitary game. It might not be bad to have another option for nights when he's bored or overwhelmed and needs something quiet to focus on out of Cerberus, which is what he already does with practicing shooting pool.]

Oh, I see how it is, go after the newbie.

[ She says it with mock-solemnity, picking up a pool cue to brandish it at him, pointing it like a sword for a second. ]

Akira-kun showed me, when I told him I didn't know how to play. I learned darts before I came here, though. And poker, but I suck at that one. I'm not allowed to play anymore, on account that people felt bad for how bad I was.

I never learned poker . . . I was going to say you could teach me, but maybe not, if that's your reputation at it.

[He grabs the end of the stick and moves it away with a huff of a laugh, grabbing the rack to rack the balls on the table.]

Too open-faced for it?

The rules aren't hard.

[ She does poke his arm with the cue lightly, then pulls it back to hold it in a more safe position. ]

But yeah. I'm just very bad at bluffing. Robin said it was like taking the whole "taking candy from a baby" adage too far.

[He swats at it idly, but he's mostly putting the balls in the right order, which there is one of and I used to know it but I don't remember what it is. He knows it! And then he's going to grab a cue and chalk it up.]

Another Servant of yours? One of the less innocent ones again? I don't know. I think you manage bluffing in other situations better than he might think . . .

[ This is fine because I only know how to play pool based off that one Try Guys video, we're doing great,

She tilts her head, bemused. ]

One of them, yeah. Pretty much anyone I namedrop is going to be one. And he tries to paint himself as a bad guy, but mostly he has a lot of bad habits.

...what do you mean by that?

For one thing, you're excellent at telling me things like that you're an ordinary girl with a straight face.

[Ha. He smiles at her, grabbing the cue ball to place it on the table and then bringing out a token.]

Heads or tails?

Heads.

[ She answers automatically, but she's still bemused, her brows drawing together as she looks at him. ]

I'm not bluffing on that, though? I am.

[He flips the token and it comes up heads! Congratulations, Ritsuka, have fun breaking the balls. Saturn leans on his cue and watches.]

I know you think you are. Perhaps the trick would be to teach you the different hands backwards, so that you were convinced all the good ones really were bad. Ha.

Too late, I already know how to play.

[ But for the moment, she's focusing on the setup, her eyes narrowing as she assesses the setup, pacing an entire lap around the table before she picks a position and bends to take her shot. She's certainly no prodigy, and it's not a lie that she has only just barely learned, but she does have a good eye for how to play with physics. Her first strike is decisive, and she watches the balls scatter and stop before she straightens again. ]

--Okay, then, what do you think I am?

[Hmm, that was better than he expected her to do for barely knowing how to play this game. Form counts for a lot! Besides, it's satisfying for that first strike to be a really good crack.

Anyway. He watches her, and then as he walks around the table to try and find the easiest shot to line up for himself, assuming Ritsuka didn't pocket any on the break, he pauses to give her a look. Just a casual one. But she deserves a real, honest, well-considered answer, and it's not like he hasn't thought any about it already.]

. . . I think there are different ways in which humans can be ordinary people. I know you think you haven't done anything that another ordinary person couldn't manage. Maybe you're right. But there are other things that are completely normal for humans to do. Things like giving up, or breaking under pressure, or becoming twisted by their circumstances . . . those things happen every day. And so do acts of courage, kindness, and strength. I still find those extraordinary, even when ordinary people do them. Especially then, maybe. . . . So, yes, you're an ordinary person, who has extraordinary resilience, adaptability, stubbornness, supportiveness, and charm.

[ So, hey, about that lack of a poker face!

If he's looking at her after he finishes saying all of that, he can see the surprise and the confusion on her face, her hands gripping harder on her cue for a few seconds. Even when the initial shock passes, she's still pretty clearly off-kilter. Her next shots probably will not be very good. ]

That's... that feels like you're going a little too far in giving me credit...

[ Charm? Charm?? Saturn, please, she probably still has leaves in her hair from this morning. ]

Ah . . . I didn't think I was saying anything all that effusive . . .

[But this is a problem he has in both directions, sometimes, expressing an opinion he thinks of as fairly neutral and simply honest only to have other react to it as if it's either a great insult or a great compliment. Not that this wasn't a compliment! It was! But she's so surprised when he didn't expect her to be!!

He lines up an easy shot to pocket the 2 ball, so, he's solids now.]

I--I guess it wasn't...

[ It was probably just a normal compliment, huh. It's not anything special, just an observation, and there is nothing especially meaningful about it. It's time for the Be Normal challenge, Ritsuka!

But for now, she just stands there, fiddling with the cue, staring at her hands rather than look at him. ]

Edited 2022-07-25 03:59 (UTC)

It was a compliment, and I did mean it entirely. I just didn't expect you to be so surprised by it. . . . I rather thought those were all things you already knew about yourself.

[He pockets the 7 next, but that's all he can manage; every other shot on the table is difficult, and he's not very good at this yet, so he only manages to move the 6 ball a little closer to a pocket. Your turn!]

I don't... really think about myself that much.

[ Ha ha that's true on multiple levels ha ha she is failing this Be Normal challenge already.

She goes to take her shot, but as anticipated, she's not really good for much; her shot just sends the balls scattering further, none in a particularly good position to be pocketed for easy points. ]

I think I'm pretty replaceable? I'm not saying it to make myself sound pathetic or anything, just--I am? Anything I've done, someone else can do. That's always how it has been. I don't resent it or anything. It's just what it is.

That's a terrible way to think of yourself.

[His eyes narrow, and he goes to try for the 1 ball, but he misses pocketing that too. They are both real pool sharks here.]

I know you have your reasons...I know I won't be the one to talk you out of them. But I can't let it go uncommented on when you say it, that's all.

I don't think it's that bad...

[ She studies the table, walking around it to try and figure out the best position. ]

I really don't. But--...

[ She bends to finally take her shot, and pockets the 3 striped ball,though she scatters the others worse in the process. Hm. ]

...but it's still nice of you to say. Thanks.

...There's a saying where I come from. I never thought much of it when I was living there. I didn't concern myself with such things. But it's an ancient inscription on the wall at the Solaceon Ruin site...

[He walks around the table to try and find a decent shot, hmm. The current layout isn't great.]

It says "All lives touch other lives to create something anew and alive."

That's just what relationships are, right? Whatever their nature, good or bad. They need to be fed and tended to like a conventionally living thing.

[ She leans on her cue a little, watching him. Be normal, be normal. ]

But there's things that stay, and things that change.

[Be normal challenge! He manages to pocket the 1, nice.]

But the people in them can't ever be replaced. When I helped you make curry for us...I wasn't thinking, "anyone else could do this." Regardless of the truth of it. I was thinking of spending time with Ritsuka, and no one else can replace you in that memory.

[ She smiles a little at that, small and sad and fleeting. Be normal!! ]

I hope not. But that's not exactly what I mean by replaceable... Of course the memories I'm actually part of can't be replaced with anyone else. But there's always going to be other times, where you could easily be doing the same thing. There's only ever been one thing I've been irreplaceable for, and that one is...

[ No one will truly know what you're doing, Merlin had told her once. No one will acknowledge it. She still clearly remembers that, years later. ]

... Well. We don't know how that'll end yet. But I'm okay with that. Even if I'm not anything special in the end, I still lived. I still had things I did, and things and people I loved. Being a nobody doesn't take that away from me.

[He misses his next shot, and turns around from the table with a flourish, brandishing his cue at her the same way she did to him earlier.]

Honestly. Where's Kleken when I need him to illusion you a new bingo card . . . I'll just have to write it out myself by hand for you. "Speak highly of yourself for two minutes." "Take a compliment someone offers you." "Lighten up just a little." Of course I'll have to put that last one on my own card, too. It's not as though I don't take some responsibility.

. . . Still. I'm not disagreeing with the core of what you're saying. And I'm not going to dig in my heels any more today.

I would not trust anything that guy gave me further than I could throw it.

[ But she goes to try her luck with balls. You know. ]

What do I win, if I get a bingo on this hypothetical card?

[ This time, she does manage to pocket a ball, which, you know what, she'll take it. It's something. ]

Ha!

[He lets out a cheerful little laugh, putting his hand to his mouth, both at the diss and at her finally sinking a ball. Hopefully it was one of hers. Go Ritsuka! It's still her turn!]

For a bingo? I'll make you something fancy to eat, or I'll at least do my best. For a blackout, I'll contribute to your ball pit.

Wow, listen to you, swallowing your pride like that.

[ She's distracted in trying to decide her next shot. Hm. ]

I'd want to at least vet this card first. I'm not saying I'll agree with it, but I'd want to see.

Of course. Well, I need time to come up with it anyway. It doesn't have to be for this game, either. I'll give it to you once I have it, to look over and decide whether to play along.

[ Her next shot pockets one more ball, but the next one is a miss, and she steps back from the table, giving him a quizzical look. It's more confused than anything, a little more vulnerable than usual. ]

...You're really serious about this?

. . . Well. Yes, but if I'm making you uncomfortable with it, only tell me so. But yes, I was serious. For fun, of course.

...

I don't think I'd want to do a bingo game after all of this, but... there are other ways to do a challenge, right?

Of course. We can find some other game that you prefer.

Probably not poker, either, unless you wanna stack the game so that you can win and boss me around.

[ She says that with some wry good humor, though. ]

Oh, of course I do. Obviously. But I won't. Does this mean you'll also be making a list for me?

If it's poker, I'm not even gonna bother. I never win poker. It's like a running joke, at this point.

I won't pick poker! It wouldn't actually be fun to crush you entirely, unless I truly earned it.

Well, it can't be volleyball either, then, because I'd kick your ass.

[ It's been years since she's played, but she competed! She's confident in her athletic ability! ]

I'd get Toxicroak to play on my behalf. That's the only way I'd stand a chance.

[He finally goes to take a shot, which he misses this time, but at least he sets up a decent shot for next time.]

No using a substitute if you actually want me to do any challenges from you. That's only fair.

[ Why does this vaguely sound like Truth or Dare? She's not even sure how that'd work.

For now, she moves to take her shot. ]

That's why I'm not going to make it volleyball! At this point, I have no idea what I'll do, but I'll think of something. Maybe you'll even have fun with it. I hope so.

I usually have fun spending time with my friends. Just don't turn it into a fight for our lives and you'll be fine.

[ No mob monsters, please. She leans in to take her shot--and manages two pocketed balls. She will not get this lucky again. ]

I'm not that kind of exciting—oh, very good. You really aren't bad at this at all.

That was probably just lucky. I can be, sometimes.

[ And as the prophecy foretold, she whiffs the next one, but she's in good spirits about it, laughing a little as she steps back. ]

It's not really the same, but I've played enough games with balls in them that I have a general idea of how to hit them to get them to go where I want.

[It's so charming to see her happy...it makes him feel soft inside, watching her, and it's easy to remember now how they ended up in this whole awful situation in the first place. Because he feels this way when he looks at her.]

You're comparing this to volleyball, really? Ha.

I also played softball. And like two whole weeks of tennis before I got bored of it.

[ She sticks her tongue out for a moment, deliberately silly, before she catches herself. ]

I draw the line at golf, though.

What's the matter with golf?

[THIS IS IT, THIS IS HOW THEY FINALLY STOP BEING FRIENDS FOREVER

He walks around the table, looking for his next shot. Hmmmm!]

[ She looks him dead in the eyes, as serene as she has ever been, and says: ]

Nothing... If you're my dad and his work buddies.

I don't know how you managed to make something so innocuous sound so insulting.

I love my dad.

[ That, too, is deadpan in her delivery. ]

But I'm pretty sure I will never understand how much he likes that game.

I absolutely don't want to be lumped in with your father, whatever else you may think of me, and however much you love him.

[ In another time, she might've made a some people are into daddy kink joke, but this is not the time.

She still thinks it, though. ]

Just don't extoll the virtues of golf and we'll be fine.

I won't, I won't. —Though I think you're being slightly unfair to it, but that's all I'll say!

It's okay. Just consider your fondness for it as like... being a dad in training.

[ She says it with a straight face, then gives that up to laugh. ]

I know you know that makes it worse!

[But he can't even pretend to not be at all amused.]

Worse, or better?

[ Eh? Ehh?? She gestures for him to take his turn. ]

You know!

[HE MISSES THIS ONE. Too much trying to just get it over with and not enough trying to win! Foolish!]

I can only guess!

[ But she's still grinning at him as she steps back to the table, giving it a thoughtful look. Hmmmmm.

Her shot isn't a great one, but it at least (hopefully) sets her up for a better shot next time, unless he counteracts her. ]

Honestly. Now I'm just going to have to have my revenge by crushing you at this game.

[SO SCARY. He does make a show of walking around the table and picking out his next shot carefully, drawing it out.]

Yeah? Do your bet, Papa.

[ She doesn't say that as brightly as she might have, a couple of days ago, but she's not not teasing about it. Carefully. Just in case that's a line too far. ]

[He makes such an affronted noise at that! How dare she! Papa! But you know, definitely the kind of noise that comes out sounding like he's also smiling. Because he is.

He also manages to sink a ball, though.]

Ha! Your days are numbered!

[ Since that went over better than expected, she brightens a little in response. ]

Keep dreaming big, and I'll call you Daddy next.

[ She will not. ]

I'm two or three years older than you!

[FLUSTERED...he doesn't even have a strong concept of daddy kink, and it definitely doesn't apply to him on either side of the equation, but there is still something about her saying that! He misses this shot!]

Ah, it's my turn now.

[ She's unrepentant about it, stepping up to the table to study the current layout. There's one shot she can possibly make, and she's careful about lining it up. Sometimes you take advantage of something without giving it much serious thought about how else it could be interpreted. On some level she realizes, but she hasn't yet connected it consciously to the moment. ]

I see you already have the psychological component of this game down pat. I don't actually believe you anymore that you'd be bad at poker.

[SHE COULD JUST CALL EVERYONE ELSE AT THE TABLE DADDY AND]

[ She laughs at that, pausing to concentrate on her shot, sinking one more ball. HaHA. ]

I know a little bit about trashtalking. That doesn't really save me in poker.

It could if you did it aggressively enough, I'm sure. But maybe not. You could apply it to golf instead.

[It's time to make golf more interesting!]

I feel like trashtalking too much in golf would be dangerous... you're swinging those clubs a lot harder than any force you put on a pool cue.

[ She's pretty sure she would get clobbered for it, knowing the people whom she might have played golf with back home. ]

Wait until we play darts next. You'd better be careful about calling me your daddy then.

[As if he could throw a dart with any kind of dangerous intent and not completely fail. Even his Pokeball throwing is pretty much on the least impressive possible level for throwing a Pokeball. He's not shit compared to the guys in Galar.]

Wooow, is that a threat? Kya, kya, help, police.

[ They can wrap up this pool game (he wins) and move onto darts.

Where she will 100% kick his ass. ]

When you have a minute, I have something for you.

Something??
I'm fine whenever, where should I meet you?

Drop by Sphinx, I'll let you in.

OK, give me a minute

[ The nice thing about the dorms being connected by the lobby means that it really is only about a minute before there's a knock at Sphinx's door. Ritsuka is even barefoot, because why bother when she doesn't need to go outside? ]

[ Da Vinci answers it, smile as vague as ever but beckoning Ritsuka inside. There's a very faint air of Something Tired about her, but she's bustling along quickly once she lets her in and starts heading down the hall. ]

This is unrelated to the topic, but we just got a combat simulator room. I was thinking if you wanted to, you could come over whenever you wanted to make use of it. Or have your very own Pokemon battle.

[ She does see that, but it's easy to put it aside for just the moment, perking up. ]

Really? How complicated is it? Can I have a whole team??

[ Important questions to get out of the way first, ]

Not complicated at all. Ingo has the knowledge and we have a few other trainers here, so depending on how I set it up, you should be able to control up to six.

[ She had a feeling Ritsuka would be thrilled about this. ]

I've already added my own knowledge from the simulator back home, just in case.

I wanna try it! Please let me try it soon!

[ She's so excited, okay, she has already bemoaned with Minato about how impractical it would be for them to have their own Pokemon but also, the childhood dream lives on. ]

Maybe not tonight, but tomorrow?

Tomorrow is fine. Try not to be too excited to sleep tonight, okay?

No promises! I have plans to make!

If you doze off in the room I'm making you take a nap.

I won't! I'm not going to!

[ She goes up onto her toes a little, puffing up as she does. ]

...It's not like I have my old phone back yet, so any notes I have on there are currently lost.

[ Ritsuka, did you keep notes about Pokemon on your phone? Obviously, because if one thinks she, child of the internet age, did not make some obvious comparisons between Servants and Pokemon, you are wrong. ]

[ Ah, there it is. The "Ritsuka goes up on her toes to try and establish huffy dominance" moment. Da Vinci just snorts a little and keeps walking, letting her into the room and moving to her workshop to push a little box on top of the table towards Ritsuka. ]

You could ask for it, you know. Not that I'm encouraging this.

I've got other stuff I need to get, first. What's this?

[ She picks up the box, looking at Da Vinci briefly for approval before she opens it. ]

[ She nods her blessing. Inside is a delicate-looking necklace, a multicolored ring (for the utmost irony) hanging from a light gold chain. ]

An extra bit of assistance. When it can't sense your consciousness but your body is still moving, it acts as a dampener of sorts. It won't restrict our friend entirely, of course, but I happen to think it's better than nothing. I've attuned it to your Magic Circuits, sad as they are, which means no one else but you will be able to remove it.

--Oh, pretty.

[ She lifts it out of the box carefully, smiling a little at the ring. No one else here is going to get the joke, but she understands. She can appreciate that irony. ]

Thanks, Da Vinci-chan.

I'm a little annoyed it took so long, but getting the right materials from the box took some time.

[ And it's pretty so she's satisfied. ]

Better late than never! And it wasn't even late!

[ Ritsuka has no idea how long these things would take, But she's quite pleased, undoing the clasp so she can slip it around her neck. ]

If all it does is slow him down a little, that's more than enough. I don't want him to hurt anyone.

[ And especially not using her body. ]

Theoretically, it should also siphon portions of his own energy if he tries and make the necklace even more effective for the next time. But obviously I couldn't test that part.

[ Pity. ]

But it looks good on you! As I knew.

With luck, we won't need to test it.

[ They are almost certainly going to need to test it in the future. But that's a problem for later. ]

But I'll trust anything that you make for me, Da Vinci-chan, to be practical and pretty.

And your trust has been rewarded! Just make sure to keep that on, okay?

[ She tucks it under her shirt, out of sight, then gives Da Vinci a thumb's up. ]

I will. Trust me, I don't wanna test what might happen, if I don't.

Neither do I.

[ We're doing our best here, in one way or another. ]

He hasn't popped up or anything since I had to fight Sholmes-san... I think.

[ She isn't exactly right about that, but no one who saw her eyes has told her otherwise. ]

Guess he also wasn't super fond of the last task.

I think that's something we all have in common. And with barely any time for people to recover from it, either.

I can kind of get the reasoning behind it, but...

[ But. She shrugs a little, not quite awkward. ]

Part of me kind of wants to sleep for a week after all of this.

Nothing wrong with that. Well, aside from the obvious. But getting a little extra sleep won't hurt you.

I kind of feel like sleeping that long would only be worse in the long run... kind of like running away? I'm bad at that.

Running from the task before this one, or this one, or both?

Definitely this one.

[ ... ]

...Da Vinci-chan, I don't wanna be a girl who has an easier time with people dying than holding hands.

[ She's whining, but also, she means it. ]

Yes, I know. Me neither.

[ Ruffling her hair. ]

But you do know that means you actually have to take steps of your own.

Everyone here is extremely complicated for Reasons, capital R, and you know that.

No. Assume I know nothing. Explain it to me. Preferably with specifics.

I'd really rather not.

[ She just Smiles. ]

I know. Which is why, if you really want to change how things are, you're going to need to at least get past this particular hurdle of Talking.

I already talk so much. I talk so much, and at this point, I'm starting to feel like talking just gets me into trouble.

... Ah, you're so much like me it actually kind of hurts.

...am I?

[ ????????????????????????????? ]

Not in the usual ways.

But I too have gracefully lodged my foot in my mouth several times this task. And I also handle people dying or attempting to murder me better than navigating romances these days.

...Oh.

[ Well. Clearly the thing to do is to get up and toddle over to Da Vinci, leaning to thunk her head against her arm. Hi. ]

[ She gently tilts her head to rest her cheek against Ritsuka's hair. Similar height solidarity. ]

This is a no trouble zone. We can't possibly make it worse between us.

[ This is good, she is fine leaning tiredly on one another. ]

I liked it better when the fires were more literal than metaphorical. At least those where things I could actively do something about.

You just need to figure out a different method. Though that's not exactly easy.

I'm working on it. It's only been... a couple of days. I think. I don't know.

This task started three days ago. Though time's felt off here, with how much things happen.

That part is at least familiar... it's kind of like I never left home.

I'm not barking orders as much here, thankfully. But it does mean I'm made to focus on other things, whether I want to or not.

...Yeah. I've had to think about a lot of stuff I didn't think was ever gonna be an option for me.

Is it still a terrifying prospect for you?

...Yeah.

[ Simply, because there's no point in dressing it up. ]

Not just because of what could happen to me... I'm scared of what I might do to other people.

[ A quiet hum; it's non-judgmental. ]

In what way?

[ DEEP BREATH........... ]

I feel like I'm a homewrecker.

Even if it's not the case, I still feel like it.

... Having received bits and pieces of Stoat's data and paying attention to things myself, I think a lot of people here could be considered homewreckers.

So your options, if you wanted to be involved with someone, would be to go with someone who's similarly unattached or you try to... hm. Speak with the other partners?

I think most people are fine with the way things are--that's just how I feel.

[ She might have Da Vinci's allergy to considering herself a viable partner, but she also (unfortunately) has Roman's embarrassingly deep romantic streak. ]

I'm friends with his partners? I like to think I am, anyway--so it becomes weird. I know it's this whole trope about like, oh no, ruining a friendship by telling someone your feelings, but--it just feels extra weird.

...And even if--even if I think it'd might be nice, it's--...

[ ... ]

It's been a long time since I've had a friend my age, Da Vinci-chan. I love Mash, but I just--want a friend that I don't have to be an example for, either.

[ ... I can't believe I have to encourage this for Saturn, the man I currently want to throttle-- ]

Well, is your friend aware of this? I think before anything, before you immediately shut down the idea, you should let this friend of yours hear from you. Like you said, not everyone feels like a homewrecker. There's no guarantee they'll think of you as some kind of seductive hussy.

Or... multiple friends. However many friends your age you're worried about this affecting.

[ You're a good dad, Da Vinci. ]

I don't even know how you start a conversation like that. I don't even know if it'll go anywhere? What's even the protocol for something like this? Can we just stage a jailbreak? I hear Greece is nice this time of year.

Deep breath, you're escalating.

[ With a soft huff. ]

Also no, it didn't go very well the last time. But I can safely say there is no protocol. Which opens you up to countless avenues of creativity!

[ She automatically takes the deep breath when prompted, then slumps when she lets it out. ]

I don't want to be creative right now, Da Vinci-chan... I'm too tired for creative. This isn't something where I can throw myself off a roof and it works out.

And I dearly hope you weren't considering that as an option. So here's my genius advice.

[ She shifts, if just to free up her arm to rub Ritsuka's back soothingly. She can still lean. ]

Speak to them as your friend, before anyone else. Not as Saturn's [ grimace ] potential girlfriend having some kind of tentative truce with another of his partners, but as Ritsuka, the girl who's friends with Mysterious Individual. Your strength is that you're Ritsuka. Use it.

[ No she just did that to Kaine at one point! she does not say, because she's too busy grinding her forehead a little against Da Vinci's arm. ]

It doesn't really feel like a strength or anything right now. I have no idea what I'm doing.

No one really knows what they're doing here. The longer I'm here, the more I'm certain of it.

What do you want to do, Ritsuka? Strip off the "ifs" and "buts". What's left?

...

I want to live.

[ But that's more than just the actual physical act of it, too; she's known that since the first time she screamed it at the end of the world, when it had been only her and the Beast of Pity. ]

...

[ Gently, leaning over to kiss the top of her head. ]

Then live. Live as hard as you can. With everything that comes along with it.

[ She's quiet for a moment, then reaches out to grab Da Vinci's sleeve. ]

Is it really okay?

[ It's a silly question, and she knows it, but it still feels vitally important in a way she can't articulate. Is it okay to ask for things for herself, in spite of everything else she needs to do? ]

...

[ She smiles, softly. ]

Yes. It's really okay. And when have I ever lied to you?

You probably have at some point, I just don't know about it.

But that's okay.

[ Because where and when it matters, Ritsuka trusts her wholeheartedly. ]

Wow. I'm going to count this as you still having faith in me. Done running now?

[ she says this dryly but fondly. ]

Probably?

[ She's not in any hurry to straighten from leaning on Da Vinci just yet, though. ]

I want to at least sleep on it. Be my best self for whatever happens next.

Good call. I endorse it.

I'll text her tomorrow or something.

...What about you? Are you--I saw you got a gold star, but I really dunno where they got the idea you were dangerous...

I drove two men to tears and flustered a lot of other people in some way, shape, or form.

...So, like, business as usual. Who did you make cry? Should I also make them cry?

No, no. They didn't do anything wrong. And it happened for different reasons, but ironically, it was the twins.

Ehhh...

[ She's both surprised and not, considering that. ]

...is this what you meant, when you said there was stuff you couldn't avoid, either?

Exactly that. Well, things have kind of gone beyond my own expectations, too. But for today, I've done all that I could.

[ It's out of her hands now. Which is almost a relief. ]

Ah...

So like, things that I should be careful of? Or do I need to get a shovel?

Neither. Just treat them as you normally would and I'll let you know tomorrow or so if anything changes.

...Okay.

[ There's a pause, and then: ]

I know you'll be fine whatever happens, but... if you can take the option that makes you happy, Da Vinci-chan, I want you to also go for it.

Honestly, at this point, Ritsuka...

Whatever makes them both happy will make me the happiest.

[ A pause of her own, and then she laughs. ]

That's between us, though. Saying things like that isn't good for the prideful rep.

I promise not to tell!

[ She puts a finger to her lips, grinning. ]

...But I'll hope for the best outcome, whatever that ends up being.

... Thanks. Me too.

Are you feeling okay? I know you were possessed and I also know people aren't feeling too hot today.

I mostly just have a headache (￣￣|||)
Though I am considering just being a blanket hermit for a week??
I'm more embarrassed than anything

Embarrassed? Why?

I mean...
The last thing I remembered was running around the cell block, and then I had a really weird dream, and the next thing I knew, I was waking up and people were fussing over me?
But it sort of feels like people saw stuff I wasn't expecting them to, either...

I think it kind of can't be helped when you go into someone's heart to drag them out... it's like the dreams we have here sometimes.
I saw a lot of things I didn't expect, either.
Um, not with you though. Just with a teammate.

Yeah, but I still feel embarrassed about it
Like what if someone saw the metaphorical equivalent of my messy room or something??

Wait, were you in one? Σ(°ロ°)
You're not hurt, are you???

Nope, completely unharmed! I got in a fight or two, but.
Magical Girl!

[ Sorry, Tsumugi's semi-normie heart inhabitants. ]

A few of my teammates wound up in the same situation as you, so.
I stepped in where I could.

People on Kraken, huh... and then I know Wei Wuxian on Basilisk too...
Can't say I recommend it, from this side of things (￣ヘ￣)
Okay then next question
Are you okay?

Yeah, I reeeeally hope this was a one and done.
But I'm sorry you had to go through it too.
But yeah, I'm fine! Kinda?
I'm a little dizzy and achy but no fever or anything.
But it seems like we've all got something going on anyway.

I mean more in the aftermath of that stuff
I don't remember a lot of what happened
But I definitely woke up to a lot of people giving me The Concerned Face

There was a lot I didn't really understand...
I think I'm just worried that what we did in there could have some kind of effect on you guys, beyond just us finding you and bringing you back.
I mean, we were in your HEARTS... what if we did something that wasn't actually good for you?

[ hypothetically. ]

I can't speak for anyone else but
I feel pretty much the same?
Just the embarrassment thing
But if you wanna come over and see for yourself, you're welcome to

Do you want me to bring anything? Instant noodles? Tiny painkiller packets?

If you can grab sports drinks that'd be good
I think I've replaced like half of my blood with gatorade

I don't think I want to test that out so I'll believe you.
Okay, give me a few. I'll be right there.

It's fine it's nostalgic
Like being on my old volleyball team again
But yeah just knock, I'll fight the door for you

[ She knocks! Eventually! Kind of!

With her foot, her arms are full of sports drinks. ]

[ She opens the door, and then has to bodily wedge herself against it to keep it from slamming rudely as she gestures Tsuruno in. ]

You're my favorite person here right now.

I'll enjoy that title for the next ten minutes.

[ Sage nod as she scoots inside.

And trips, stumbles, and somehow manages to correct her footing but still sinks onto her knees like ten seconds later, drinks still safely clasped. Whew. ]

C'mon, it'll be at least thirty, and it always circles back again.

[ She hurries forward whens he goes down, not quite hovering. ]

--Are you sure you're okay? I think everyone's feeling the Warden's tantrum right now.

Yeah, I'll be fine.

[ A moment to squeeze her eyes closed, letting the dizziness happen and subside. And then she rocks back, clambering to her feet. ]

I had a fever once and it was bad enough that anyone who touched me would get burned, so this is way better. I'll probably just go to bed super early today.

I think that's probably gonna be the case for most people.

[ She reaches to take some of the bottles from her, but also to try and put a hand on her forehead. ]

[ She's allowed to. Maybe Tsuruno hasn't quite registered what her hand's doing, beyond taking some of the bottles, but nonetheless, it's contact.

She's warm to the touch, warmer than most people, but. Phoenix. And maybe a little warmer than her usual, but not alarmingly hot. But there's disorientation from the dizziness, a warm concern that accompanies the acknowledgment that this is a good friend, but twisted beneath all of that is a deep, weary guilt and sorrow and frustration-- not directed at Ritsuka, and it's just a flash of it, something always present but very rarely breaking free. ]

...?

[ Ritsuka's not entirely unused to someone else's feelings in her immediate awareness; some Servants are less polite than others about how much they utilize their bond. It's not familiar, but it isn't entirely alien either, and she responds automatically: a sense of immediate concern, the desire to fuss that she reigns in with some practice. She's not the sort to smother, but she still worries.

Other than that, she's steady; the foundation that Dantes guards for her is sturdy, and while she's also tired, worn at the edges--none of it has to do with what has been happening here. It's an old feeling, familiar as a friend. ]

Maybe you should sit down for a bit...? Unless you've got somewhere else to be?

[ Tsuruno's a little more accustomed to processing emotions that aren't her own, though it's still always such a strange feeling when it happens, and especially here. But she shakes her head, breaking that contact as gently as she can. ]

I can't stay for long-- I'm one of the ones who's doing better than the rest of Kraken, so I've been trying to help out there. How are your teammates holding up? How's Saturn?

You can at least sit down for a bit. --And he got hit harder than both of us. I made him lie down until he fell asleep, but it was a little bit like trying to convince a five year old.

[ She says it fondly, though, in spite of her exasperation. ]

[ There's no real reason to protest so she just kind of plops down on the nearest available-- thing to plop down on. Her expression softens as she listens. ]

Aww, I'm a little sorry I missed it. That sounds kind of cute.

It was, but don't tell him that. Do you want me to text you when he wakes up?

[ She plops down agreeably next to Tsuruno, not close enough to touch, but close to be companionable. ]

Only if he's up to talking. Otherwise you can just send me a picture.

[ And she flashes Ritsuka a grateful smile, recognizing the consideration. ]

But a text update on how you're feeling later too is also good. I don't know how long this is supposed to last.

The real question is, when is he ever not up to talking?

[ She's still fond about saying that. Some people hate talking a lot, and some people regularly volunteer to make the big speeches about what needs to happen as a team during tasks. ]

Anyway, I'm pretty sure this is just the Warden throwing some kind of tantrum. I doubt it's gonna last that long... I do feel a little bad everyone is getting the backlash for helping out, though.

Well, if you feel like he should be talking, then.

[ she'll trust Ritsuka's judgment. ]

Anyway, don't feel bad. You didn't ask for any of this to happen, just like the other people didn't ask for it. And we weren't forced to go in and help-- she's just a jerk for taking it out on everyone when she's the one who wasn't communicating with us properly in the first place.

[ Another pause to let the tiredness pass her by and then she shrugs. ]

I've felt way worse and at least I can help the people who aren't handling it so well.

Even if you weren't forced to... that sort of thing is pretty big, right? On both sides. The people who had to help, the people who needed help--no one asked for this.

[ She leans like she's going to bump against Tsuruno's side, then catches herself at the last second. ]

I still feel bad. I don't think anyone got injured helping me out, but... I know there's a lot in here. [ She taps her chest. ] So that's not anything I'd want to just dump on someone.

[ ... She notices that, debates the pros and cons-- and honestly, she's far too tired to care. ]

You can lean on me, if you want. And honestly, that's just how hearts are. No matter whose... but so many people wanted to bring you back, Ritsuka. I think that would have been worth any amount of risk, physical or emotional.

[ She hesitates a beat, then leans to rest their shoulders together. She's more concerned now, and there's an almost immediate sense of disbelief at the comment. There's no real need for anyone to risk anything for her? Seems fake. ]

I don't know... I don't really want anyone to risk anything for me.

[ There's an immediate swell of disbelief from her, too. Ritsuka, please, have you not gotten to know the people here-- ]

I'm sorry that what happened took your choice from you.

But the people who went in made that choice for themselves. They wanted to risk it. And no one can take that choice away from them.

[ Listen, Ritsuka would do this about her Servant body as a whole, too,

But she cocks her head a little, bemused. ]

I know that. I'm not saying that it was anything they didn't choose to do... I just don't have to like it, either. I'm just me, you know? I mostly get into trouble and then need to be helped.

And people like just you.

If anything happened to anyone else, I'm pretty sure you'd be there to help. [ she's pretty confident in that. ]

But either way, I think we can both say we're fine with it never happening ever again, right?

Definitely.

[ It is easier to focus on being wryly amused rather than argue; being liked by someone doesn't necessarily mean they'll help her. ]

I'd be a little surprised if this is some kind of one-time thing, but we can hope.

[ Tsuruno abides by the rule of helping everyone, whether they like it or not, but it being more of a given if it's someone she definitely cares about-- well, but maybe she's odd. She's accepted that. Not everyone is like this and that's okay.

Still, she also thinks it's a given that the people who care about Ritsuka would have definitely wanted to help her. ]

I'm sure a bunch of other things can happen that'll be just as exciting, in exchange.

[ Or a pain, but. She'll be optimistic. ]

[ Ritsuka herself is always willing to help, but she's less used to other people volunteering for her sake, and more her having to ask to what she gets. But those are just details, in the end. ]

Yeah, probably... I think I could use a break from excitement for a bit, though. Maybe the next task can be just arts and crafts or something.

[ She nudges Tsuruno, playful. ]

How good are you at origami?

Absolutely flawless.

[ Well. She cracks a grin a second later. ]

I mean, they look like birds? A lot of the time!

[ She grins at that, an immediate fond amusement at the clarification. ]

Yeah, I know how that is. I used to be pretty good at making frogs, but it's been a while. So yeah, my vote's still for arts and crafts.

Okay. [ equally fond. ]

Maybe if we both think it really hard, it'll just happen.

Just manifest it into being? I'm all for that.

...Or I guess, since that bingo game stole my idea for making truffles for everyone, we could just see if we could set up a craft table somewhere when we get back to that village...

We'd have to probably get fun paper from the box, since I don't think there's a lot around... when the box is feeling up to it.

Yeah, after they've had a bit of a break... I think it'd be cute, though. Maybe some paint markers, if people want to make extra decorations.

Yeah, definitely.

I'm looking forward to it. [ something safe and nice and creative and fun ]

[ A break would be nice! A break that won't become either another traumatic event or get interrupted by GUDAGUDA or anything along those lines. Ritsuka flops a little more against her side, humming. ]

Me too... I just wanna have a day or two to just breathe, you know?

Usually we only get a day or two to breathe... so hopefully it's coming soon.

[ the exhaustion is real-- not in her tone, but how she feels, as she lets her cheek rest against Ritsuka's head. They're close enough in height, it's not hard. ]

A day can be enough, if you spend it right.

[ She relaxes a little at that, because this is nice. She does like contact, even if it usually takes extenuating circumstances for her to ask or accept. ]

I think we deserve it. A vacation, after everything else she's put us through.

Yep. I think we should aim for two. But one is enough.

[ Especially when every day here has been Something. ]

... I don't like the idea of leaving the people in solitary here, though. I know they're fine, but...

[ There's a pause, and then she reaches to lace her fingers with Tsuruno's, giving her hand a careful squeeze. ]

It's never easy, leaving someone behind. Even if it's because you have to.

But... now we know specifically where Solitary even is. It's easier to get back to somewhere when you know that, instead of just trying to find it in the first place.

[ Tsuruno's hand is warm, very much so, and after a moment, she squeezes back. There's a surge of something bittersweet. Not quite grief, but not quite resignation either. Maybe it's a bit of muted heartbreak, punched up a bit with determination. ]

... Yeah. I won't leave them in there.

[ She leans a little harder against Tsuruno's side; in contrast, she's steady, resolutely calm about the idea. There is sympathy for that grief, gently warm. ]

I don't think anyone wants to. So in this, no one's going to be alone in going in to help them.

[ Sometimes your boyfriend gets chucked in there right when you think you can finally get a break. It's very rude.

Ritsuka will feel an answering brush of gratitude, though, soft as it is. ]

Then I'll start trying to figure out a way... there has to be something.

There's definitely a way.

[ That, she says with the utmost confidence, the sort that comes from having faced down far worse odds many, many times, and still somehow finding her way through. ]

I dunno what it is yet. None of us do. But there's definitely a way. Randy woke up, right? So we know it's possible.

Yep, yep.

[ ... And she winces a little, because now she's even sounding tired, optimistic as she is. ]

Anyway... I should probably get going. Make sure you nap when you need it!

I should be the one telling you that. Don't think I won't sit on you to get you to stay still.

[ But she does twist enough to give Tsuruno a hug, tight. ]

Remember it's okay to take a break here too, okay? It's good for you to pace yourself.

It's okay. I'm just going to make sure my teammates aren't curled on the ground outside or being traumatized, and then I'm going to go lie down. I can't help anyone if I don't take care of myself, I know!

[ she's learned.

But she also gives as good as she gets, so Ritsuka will also get a very firm and warm hug. ]

Thanks, though.

[ so Minato is finally wandering back into the shared Cerberus Room after meandering around for way too long considering they're all sick.

But also.

He's super used to being sick so it's whatever.

He's tryyyying to be sneaky on his way back in to try not to disturb anyone and/or get scolded for meandering around, but then it's ruined by a sneeze he can't restrain.

Achoo! ]

... Ugh...

[ Ritsuka's compensation for having her body taken over is apparently that she is on the mildest end of the sick spectrum, and she's been running errands almost all day. Unfortunately for him, this means that she is alert when he comes trying to sneak in. ]

--Minato-kun? There you are.

[ She was going to come drag you back by the collar if she had to, boy. ]

[ ...!

He tries to straighten a bit at that, even though he falls back into his usual slouch a few moments later. ]

Ah... Ritsuka.

[ ... ]

Yo. How's it going?

[ nailed it. ]

I feel like I should be asking you that... how long were you wandering around out there?

[ She does not cross her arms or anything, but she is giving him a pointed Look. ]

[ he.... considers that for a moment, sniffling a bit, before he just shrugs. ]

Not that long... Zhongli-san was out wandering and didn't know how to handle a cold, so after that I wanted to make sure nobody else was dealing with the same thing.

Why, what's up? Did you need something?

I was worried about you.

[ She's mostly deadpan, half exasperated and half amused. She knows what he's like, and it's not a surprise. ]

I just convinced Saturn to take a nap. I thought I was gonna have to drag you back to get you back inside.

... Ah. Oops.

[ he rubs the back of his neck sheepishly at that, before he just offers her a rueful shrug. ]

Sorry. I'm okay though. A little under the weather too, but... I'm pretty used to it, so it's not a big deal.

Just because you're used to it doesn't mean you have to keep pushing through it. C'mon, let's getting you sit down.

[ She is approaching, reaching for his hand. ]

I've been grabbing sports drinks, so you should at least try drinking one of those.

[ He won't refuse or be difficult, at least. He's nodding even before she takes his hand, and when she does--

She'll feel it, but it's not a particularly strong rush of emotions. Instead, there's a slow, gentle sense of fondness and light amusement, and some sheepishness for making her worry. ]

Okay, okay... you're right. I'll take a breather now.

[ Well. She hadn't really been expecting that, though she's had a couple flashes of this earlier! There's a moment of genuine surprise, though she doesn't let go of his hand--surprise that is underlying a low-grade concern, as much as she's trying not to be overly fussy. Unlike him, her feelings are less gentle, more like they're being physically reigned in somehow. Ritsuka frequently has a thousand feelings at once, but right now the worry is what outweighs everything else. ]

...Okay. Uh. C'mon, let's get you lying down.

[ ...?

Minato's emotions shift to light confusion for a moment as he feels her worry--and then slowly, his eyebrows arch as realization settles in. ]

Ahhh... It's like this again, huh...?

[ He glances at their connected hands, curiosity and concern mingling. ]

Has this happened before?

[ She's mostly bemused, rather than outright worried or confused, also looking at their hands. ]

I mean, it happened with Saturn, too, but I thought it was maybe some side effect from his ridealong...

Mm... the last time it was by choice, during one of the tasks. But we were able to share our emotions then, too.

[ he's quiet for a moment, before he just flashes her a quietly concerned look, matched by the emotions she'll feel from him, even muted as they are. ]

You don't mind?

It's a little weird, but...

[ She shrugs after a moment. It's not the kind of thing she's immediately thrilled about, and there's some things that she doesn't particularly want him to know, but... on the other hand, she does trust him. Things could be worse. ]

...if you don't mind, I don't.

I don't mind.

[ He responds with that immediately, his emotions backing it up with a peaceful sort of acceptance, alongside a warm feeling that she's willing to trust him with something like this. ]

It's a little intimate, but not in a bad way.

[ She pauses at that, a little thread of something wistful that bubbles up and fades away again as she leads him to the nest. Overall, though, she's calmly thoughtful. ]

It's a little weird, too. It's not like I can't tell they're not my feelings--but they're still there. Chalk that up as a new one, even for me.

[ Wistful, huh...? His curiosity bleeds through for a moment, before he tempers it with comfortable patience. ]

Mm... it can be a little odd. I guess the real question is just if we should ignore it or talk about it, right?

[ all of those feelings, simple as they are, that they're feeling.

He flops pretty willingly into the nest as soon as they make it, but slowly enough to not have to let go of her hand. ]

[ She considers a moment, then sinks down to settle next to him. Holding hands is actually pretty nice? It's kind of nice to have associations beyond just "one or both of us are on the brink of death." ]

I dunno... if you can feel it, do you need to talk about it? But also, just leaving them as-is probably won't do any real good, if there's something wrong. I can see the points for doing either.

[ he smiles a little at that, squeezing her hand, amused and charmed in equal measure. ]

To be honest, I'm just curious and nosy, so I'm always tempted to ask you what you're thinking.

[ the emotions just make him want to know even more!! ]

I'm usually thinking about a lot of things. I can think about how I'm worried about people who are sick and wondering if I can find cheese crackers in the canteen the next time I go there at the same time. Stuff like that.

[ That is not the whole of what she is thinking, but those are still things she's thinking about. ]

[ he nods thoughtfully, contemplative and quietly pleased that she's sharing, even if it's just stuff like that. ]

And that's exactly the kind of stuff I like to hear about--serious stuff, but also mundane things. Even if it's a little weird to be interested... I dunno. It's nice.

I don't think it's weird at all. ...I just don't really know where or how to bring things up. Not even 'cause I don't want to, you know? It's just--I do a lot of things without really thinking about them until after.

That's okay too, honestly. I mean, it makes sense.

[ he squeezes her hand in his own, torn between fondness and ruefulness. ]

I don't want you to think I'm nagging at you to talk about what you're thinking more often or anything. I just like it when you do, that's all.

You've never made me feel pressured about anything, Minato-kun.

[ She says that firmly, with utter sincerity, squeezing his hand back. This is something she is firm about, perhaps only a little surprised that he would be worried. ]

It's happened plenty of times. Even people who I know love me and mean well have done it--but never you.

Ah... that's a relief to hear then.

[ he's a little startled by her certainty, but in a touched and grateful sort of way. After all... he likes Ritsuka so, so much exactly as she is--the last thing he ever wants to do is put any sort of pressure on her to change or do something outside of her comfort zone.

A bit more lightly: ]

I wouldn't be a very reliable alternate universe self if I did that sort of thing, after all.

[ She blinks, laughs, and flops down onto her back next to him in the nest pile. This is fine. ]

I dunno, yes and no? Theoretically, if anyone was gonna bully me into doing the hard things, it would be myself. Or another me, as it were.

[ this is very fine. He follows suit, flopping back and covering up a yawn with his free hand. ]

I don't really think you need any bullying for that sort of thing. You just approach things at your own pace sometimes. Nothing wrong with that.

I dunno. Sometimes I think I need it.

[ She tips her head to look at the ceiling, smiling faintly; it's a little tired and rueful, but as complicated as her own feelings are, she's not upset about them. ]

It's not always a bad thing... I think I'm glad for both outcomes. Whether someone pushes me, or whether they don't.

Mmm... I guess it's also a sign of how much someone cares, if they're trying so hard to push you out of your comfort zone.

Yeah... it depends on how they do it, but I've never felt like it wasn't with my best interests in mind.

[ She lifts their joined hands up over their heads, to look at them; she's still calm, more gently amused than anything else. ]

I appreciate how everyone I know deals with me. Is that weird?

I don't think that's weird at all.

[ her amusement matches his--they can be gently amused together, just casually vibing on the bed.

And then, a little teasingly: ]

It means you've reached enlightenment. Buddha levels of zen.

Haha, if only.

[ She sighs, deep and exaggerated, though she feels nowhere near as aggravated as she's acting. ]

If I were, it'd probably be a lot easier for me. I've just learned that there's some people where, even if I yell at them, they're not gonna change.

I think that's kind of a sort of zen all in its own...

[ that's just mumbled though, before he shrugs a bit, squeezing her hand. ]

Are there people like that here, too? Everyone seems pretty easy-going from what I've seen, but I haven't met everyone.

Mmmm... yes and no? It's not something I could just say one way or another and really mean it.

[ It's a thoughtful response, more contemplative than waffling. ]

Even people who act easy-going can be pretty stubborn. There's a metaphor somewhere about bending so you don't break.

[ there's faint, gentle amusement in response to that. He should know, since that probably describes him to a T. ]

I guess I just mean that I can't imagine you having to yell too much at people here. You're also pretty easy-going, you know?

Am I?

[ There's a beat of genuine surprise and curiosity, and she tilts her head to look at him. ]

I mean, I usually feel like I am, but also lately I feel like I've just been mostly... uh. You know.

Stressed out?

[ the amusement lingers, and just becomes more and more fond. ]

That doesn't change the kind of person you are. Besides...

[ he yawns, which turns into a sneeze mid-way. ]

... You've got some pretty good reasons to be stressed out lately.

Do I, though? I feel like it's all been selfish.

[ She's a little rueful, a little self-deprecating at the suggestion. ]

Everyone's been nice to me, and I've just been a mess.

[ his bemusement feels entirely sincere from their connection, as he tilts his head to look at her quizzically. ]

What's wrong with that?

I don't want people worrying about me.

[ She says it quietly, because there is something heavier there--the sort of weight that she can never really shed, and possibly never will. ]

Where I'm going... I'm the one who's chosen it. I know what's probably going to happen, and I've still decided to go through with all of what might happen. But I don't want people to worry, either? I'm not being coerced, and I'm not being tricked. And no one here is going to follow me, so...

[ She shrugs. This is the kind of thing bumping up against a whole huge tangle of emotions that she can't really properly articulate: serenity and resignation and wistfulness and resentment and anger and hope, all of it at once. ]

I should just be glad to have my chances here at all. It feels ungrateful that I don't. And then I just get mad when people try to be nice about it.

[ He's quiet for a long moment, processing that--though he doesn't feel surprised. If anything, there's a faint mix of emotions that he doesn't really bother to try to hold back: concern and sadness and a little bit of nostalgia, especially at the serene resignation she feels. ]

... Mm. That's fair. All of that... those are your feelings about your own situation, and nobody can really understand it like you can.

But what I meant is... I don't think there's anything wrong with being a mess. I don't think there's anything wrong with feeling the ways you do, even when they contradict or you don't feel like you should. After all... isn't that the most normal, regular old human part of you?

[ The part of Ritsuka that she's so proud of being, that she won't let people forget about in favor of trying to treat her like she's special--it's that she's a regular human, right? ]

Maybe, but... I don't feel like I'm really handling any of it that well.

[ She sighs; there's a large part of her that wants to argue, but he's not wrong. He's not wrong to point it out, or to push back, no matter how much she instinctively wants to argue. ]

And a lot of my life is pretty reliant on my ability to handle things. It feels a little like letting myself get distracted is going to end up badly back home.

[ He's quiet for a moment, eyes sliding shut as he takes a moment to try to think through his minor flu-induced fog.

But there's no hiding the way that he feels a little sad at that, sad and wistful and nostalgic. ]

... I wish you'd let yourself feel those things, without trying to push them away. Even if it's just for now, just here. Being able to do that... is something precious, I think. Especially since you have to keep yourself together back home.

Some of it is fine.

[ Some of it, but not any more. Nothing here is going to be permanent for her, and she is resigned to that. ]

It's been nice to... catch up, I guess? To get to do things I would have, if things had been normal. But I have to be ready to keep going even when it ends.

[ he squeezes her hand gently at that, understanding--and confidence in her--washing over him. ]

... You will be. Because you're Ritsuka... and that's the sort of person you are.

I don't doubt that at all.

[ She's quiet about that for a moment, grateful for his confidence, and also gently regretful. There's just so much she wishes she could say, or ask for, and none of that is something she's allowed. ]

...Thanks. I'll be doing my best.

[ He's quiet for a moment, her gentle regret sinking in for him. It... is definitely a little painful to feel that from her, because he understands. He understands what it's like to want something so simple, so understated as a normal life, and to know that with what's in your future, you just can't have it.

... He squeezes her hand gently in his own, before he brings their joined hands to rest over his chest, where his heart is. He knows she can feel his mingled fondness and sadness for her... but he can't help but demonstrate it in that way too. ]

... I know you will. That's... what makes you so precious to so many people. Because no matter what... you're always very, very Ritsuka.

Precious...

[ She's a little more bemused by the comment, though she doesn't resist when he pulls her hand in like that; all she does is roll to face him better, her head tilted. It's a strange feeling, o know he believes that, and not really feel it herself. Ritsuka is an ordinary person, with ordinary goals; being precious feels like it's for a rank above her.

There's also something wistful at hearing him, specifically, say that, but that's really neither here nor there. ]

I don't know about that. But as long as people like me enough to work with me, I'll be glad.

[ She rolls to face him, and he does the same thing, flashing her a small smile. He lets her feelings wash over him, takes a moment to process them, and then responds with peaceful contentedness to be in this position, to be able to be here. ]

... Yeah. I know.

[ Ritsuka never asks for much. Really, she never even asks for enough. ]

But I hope you can at least believe that that's how I feel. While we're like this, anyway.

[ he waggles their joined hands with a fond little smile. ]

[ Ahhhhhhh this feels like dangerous territory, and this is where Ritsuka should back off. But she can't back off either, so instead it's this: gratitude with her confusion, along with everything else. ]

...I'm glad you do. I hope you know that part.

[ this is very dangerous territory and Minato is pretty oblivious, but he's not that oblivious--so after a moment, he slowly shifts their hands so they're at least between them on the bed, cheeks a little flushed. ]

... I do. No matter what you're going through...

[ he clears his throat, and tries to push away his light fluster and embarrassment to focus on what really matters. ]

... I've never doubted that you care just as much for the rest of us.

[ danger aborted surely, this is fine ]

...Good. I don't want to make it seem like I don't--I do care about everyone here. It'd be nice if I could see you again after we leave, but...

[ But :( ]

[ he's going to very generously interpret that as her talking about everyone so that he doesn't have to dwell too hard on the implications.

(He can't hide the wistfulness on his end either--wistful and a little sad, but never regretful.) ]

Never say never. Something could happen that could bring you back here--or back to where the others are for a little bit, or something like that. For a nice reunion.

I feel like anything's possible after all that we've seen.

Anything's possible.

[ But there's so much that she has to do before she can think about that. The only thing that really gives her any comfort about being here is knowing that things are still progressing the way they should(?) at home. She's still facing down those Lostbelts, no matter how long she lingers here. ]

It'd be nice if a reunion was one of them.

This is a place shaped by our hearts and hopes and dreams... and I doubt you're the only person who will be wishing for that.

Soooo...

[ he squeezes her hand with a smile. ]

... I'm gonna go ahead and assume that one day, it'll happen.

I'll put my faith in that.

[ Which she does, sincerely, even if there's a part of her that feels detached, still, from the possibility. This smile is sincere, though it's less a positive one and more distant. ]

... I'm glad.

[ That's just said softly, almost gently, but his emotions have settled at a simple, peaceful contentedness. ]

If there's something to hope for and put faith in still, then... sometimes, that's enough.

Sometimes, yeah... but I think it also always has to be there. It's always important, it's just a matter of whether there's more on top of that.

Yeah. I think so too. Everyone needs something to keep fighting for, right? And hope... hope's a really powerful thing.

[ That gets a powerful sense of wistful nostalgia--something that is half-guilt, half-fondness, all tangled up. ]

It is. ...It can make living through years of hell worth it.

[ through hell... there's a flicker of pained sadness that she has to go through that at all, but... he's not surprised. Of course he isn't. He understands it--every word she's saying resonates with him. ]

... I hope that it does. For you, especially... I hope it makes it worth it.

It has for me, so far. But...

[ But. She thinks of Roman, and the things she only learned after he was gone. ]

...there's one person I wish I could ask that. Was it worth it? [ Was I worth it? ] But I don't think I'll ever get that chance.

... Mmm.

[ that's... a tough one. The people they've lost and left behind along the way... it'd be nice to be able to speak with them again. ]

What do you think they would say? If you just had to take a guess.

What do I think... I don't know.

[ That, too, comes with a sense of deep wistfulness--a loss that she has only just barely begun to process, skirting around the edges of that loss. ]

He hid a lot from me. Not because of anything I did or anything, just... he was so afraid of something. I want to believe he would tell me it was worth it, but I can't know.

... I don't mean to bring up painful memories or anything...

[ he says that gently, a little bit of soft apologeticness bleeding through their connection. ]

I only ask because... you're the only one left who's keeping him alive, you know? You, and... whoever else still remembers him. So I think in that case, sometimes... you just have to guess on what he would say, and hope for the best.

I'm always hoping for the best, Minato-kun.

[ But at the feeling of contriteness, she squeezes his hand again. It's all right. There's no real way to avoid this grief, and she doesn't want to forget Roman, either. ]

I think... he'd probably tell me it was. He was kind of a coward sometimes, but I think--I know that in the end, he did want to do the right thing.

Yeah... I didn't know him, but...

Well... I think anyone you respect as much as you respect him would think it was worth it too. That's just how I feel.

[ There's a pause as she takes that in, and then she squeezes his hand harder in a flood of sudden gratitude. ]

...Thanks, Minato-kun. I hope--I think you must be right.

[ Aw... he smiles a little at that, feeling only soft affection in response. ]

Those are just my impressions, that's all. It's nothing you need to thank me for.

It still means a lot to hear. You know how it is.

Yeah... I do.

[ he rubs the back of his neck a moment with his free hand, before he just shrugs, and flops back against the bed again. ]

I'd like to hear more about him sometime... I like it when you talk about him.

You do?

[ That, too, is a complicated feeling, but not a bad one: a sort of tentative hope and a little confusion. There's only been two people she's ever felt like she could talk about Roman--and one has been dead at home for over a year, and the other... isn't here. ]

I'd like to. Eventually.

[ In contrast to her complicated feelings in response, Minato's feelings are simple--a peaceful sort of contentedness, sincerity and warmth. ]

I do. There's no rush, of course... I want you to take your time and only talk about him when you're comfortable.

It's just... you light up when you do, you know...? In a special sort of way.

[ In a way that shows just how special he was, in so many ways. ]

I--do?

[ That startles her a little. Not even in a bad way, but clearly not something she expected; it's not as if she's spoken about Roman that much, or that often, in the years since the Grand Order. ]

...huh. I had no idea.

Yeah, you do.

[ A tiny smile, and Minato shrugs a bit. ]

I think it's just... because you really cared about him, right? That shines through.

He...

[ She's quiet for a moment, then smiles wistfully. ]

I think he was maybe the first person I ever had a crush on? But even more than that--he was always kind of goofy, but he tried really hard. I didn't even know how much he put into helping me until he was gone.

[ That gets a small smile out of Minato in response, soft and fond. ]

... That makes sense to me. He was your Sun, after all... right?

One of them, yeah.

[ She takes a deep breath, holding it for a few beats and then letting it out slowly. ]

In spite of everything, I admired him a lot.

"In spite of everything", huh...? He sounds admirable to me in a lot of ways, so...

[ he doesn't think that's so strange. ]

He was. He was a really, really admirable guy.

But he was also kind of oblivious and bad at reading the mood. He got petty and distracted by little things.

But he also gave more than anyone else I know, to make sure I could succeed.

... Well... if he didn't have some flaws, he wouldn't be human, right?

[ that's just how it is, and it's endearing. That humanity... he thinks that's precious too. ]

I wish I could've met him too... but I'm glad I was able to see him through your memory. I'm lucky I could.

...there are a lot of people I wish he could meet. There are so many people I know now, that I didn't when he was around--I think he'd like some of them. People here, people at home... I still think about that. A lot.

Hmmm... to be honest, hearing you talk about him like that... I don't know, I like the sound of it. It feels like you're keeping him alive, in a way. When you think things like "I wish he could've met this person", or "this reminds me of him", or "he would've liked this"... that's how it feels to me.

[ at least, he'd really like it if his friends back home thought of him like that sometimes. ]

Do you think so? That would be nice.

[ She smiles a little at that, quietly wistful. ]

That's how it is with most Servants, you know? The versions I summon... they exist because their legends survive. Maybe people don't remember the actual person--but their stories. They live on because humanity remembers them.

I don't want to be a hero like that, myself, but... it'd be nice to be remembered.

Right... that's exactly it. You're remembering him, and in more ways than just... grief and regrets.

[ she is a hero, of course, and knows it--but he gets not wanting to be remembered as some grand person. But... to be remembered by friends... ]

I think... I hope--that all of our friends here will always remember us in the exact same way. That... there'll be things that remind them of us, or people they would've wanted us to meet.

That's all I want, really.

[ The subject of what happens after they leave is kind of a tender spot for her, but it's the sort of thing that she is willing to swallow. She might have had some hopes and wishes, but she's practical enough to know it was never going to happen. ]

As long as people remember me fondly sometimes, I'll be content with that.

Yeah... me too.

[ he gets it. No matter how many times Akira tells him that he wants to find a way, Minato knows... their futures are what they are. ]

It's nice to think about, to be honest.

[ Listen, she'd just be happy to know that Akira is so determined. Minato deserves nice things he can have, even when this dream ends. ]

Yeah. As long as there's someone who can say--I knew her, I remember her... I'd like that.

[ sometimes you just can't accept the future to be anything but what you know it has to be... he figures Ritsuka would understand the better than most. ]

Yeah... it feels pretty lucky to have that, honestly. And--even more than that, we'll have so many people in so many different worlds who feel that way.

Yeah. Even if I wish--

[ No. She pauses at that, then laughs a little, shaking her head. ]

Well, it doesn't matter what I wish. I'm not unhappy with what I've gotten to have, here.

[ ... hm. ]

... Is it okay if I ask? Maybe... maybe it doesn't matter. But... I'd still like to hear it.

If you're okay with sharing.

...

[ She's quiet for a long time, mulling it over, and then she lets out a breath that isn't exactly a laugh, shrugging. ]

I guess--I just wish that someone would be willing to come help me. But that's not something I can ask for. Not with the way things are--it has to be the other person's decision. I can ask for a lot of things, Minato-kun, but I can't ask for that.

[ ... he wishes he could offer. With all of his heart and soul--but the Seal needs that very soul to remain intact, and so there's only one place he can go after this. The yearning is palpable, but tempered by resignation to a different fate that he's already chosen. ]

... I understand.

[ softly, a little sadly, but with fondness. He can't be that for her, but... he can still hope that someday, someone will. He respects this about her, though--that she understands just how important it is that it's their choice. ]

For a choice that monumental... it'd have to be their choice. ... Maybe someone will surprise you, here.

Maybe... I'm not holding my breath.

[ She'd entertained the hope for maybe a day--but she knows better. It's not something that she can ask for, or resent if no one asks her in turn. There is a chance that she'll survive everything and succeed... but there's a greater chance that she won't. There are no expectations. ]

But if people remember me now and then, I'd be more than happy for that.

I can promise... at the very least, that I'll always remember you.

[ for whatever consciousness he's allowed. In a way, he thinks that means she'll be remembered for a very, very long time. ]

You're way too Ritsuka to forget.

What's that supposed to mean?

[ She laughs aoutright at that, giving him a little nudge with her elbow. ]

It's not like I'm the same as any other Ritsuka out there! Even the spelling's different from the most standard.

Right, that's exactly what I mean.

[ a solemn nod, even though he takes the elbow without trying to dodge. ]

You're so aggressively yourself that now... there will always be things that make me go "Ah, that's just like Ritsuka", you know?

That just makes me sound like I'm impressive or something.

[ She elbows him again, then just leaves her arm there, because what else is she supposed to do? ]

[ serenely: ]

You are. You're impressive in a way only you can be.

[ since her arm is there, he'll go ahead and just link their arms at the elbows casually. comfy. ]

You know what I meant by that.

[ But even though she grumbles, she's fine keeping their arms hooked. This is just fine. ]

[someone leaves a tiny package at Cerberus for Ritsuka, maybe just in a bag hanging on their door with her name on it! it's the ball pit ball Wei Wuxian borrowed from her a while ago. there is a silly bunny face and bunny ears drawn on it now, and a little seal on the opposite side from them in some kind of indelible red paint.

there are no instructions with it, and if she puts it down on a surface by itself it doesn't do anything! but if she puts it down near other ballpit balls it suddenly starts bouncing up and down, getting like a foot off the ground.

and then after a minute all the other balls in the pit will start bouncing too, until the bunny ball is removed.

maybe this will make having a limited number of them more fun!]

[ It takes her a bit to figure that out, just turning it over her fingers and trying to puzzle out what it's for. Even if she'd forgotten about loaning him a ball, it's not difficult to figure out who it's from, but she's not sure what the extra parts are except cute.

But when she puts it with the others, she has a solid minute of delighted laughing before she retrieves it. It can have a place of honor on her desk, before she texts him: ]

Thank you so much!! („• ᴗ •„)
I'm going to use this to make Saturn's life difficult just so you know

(๑•ᴗ•๑)

do you think he'll believe it's a pokemon

I don't know
But now I feel obligated to try and convince him

tell me how it goes!!!

I'll see if I can record it (✧ω✧)

(・ω・)b that's what i like to hear

You helped make it happen!
The least I can do is show you the fruits of your labors

if you want to make it look more alive, bounce it in at an angle so it'll go all over the place and need chasing to catch

i'm not sure if all the other balls will do the same but it's likely

Edited 2022-11-10 04:05 (UTC)

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh
He's already SO grumpy about me making this ball pit in the first place
I'm absolutely gonna do that to him

[ Ryunosuke definitely isn't expecting such a nice care package to show up at Tsuchigumo's door. The soothing teas make him quite homesick, but are also a balm after all that's happened. And the chocolate, well, that's a special treat he isn't used to having all that often, so he's quite touched.

Taking note of the name on the note, it's easy to find this Ritsuka in the directory and send them a message. ]

Hello,
Are you the one who left a package at the Tsuchigumo dormitory? Thank you so much!
- Ryunosuke Naruhodo

[ He's used to writing letters, not text messages. ]

[ Oh no... that's cute. She doesn't reply immediately, mostly because her team has dogpiled her to stop moving around, but eventually: ]

That was me, yeah! ( ´ ▿ ` )
I'm glad if it helped at all!
If you have any flavor requests I can put something together

[ Ryunosuke has no idea what that arrangement of symbols is for, but he's able to make out the rest of the message, so it's probably fine.

His replies are slow. He isn't used to typing. ]

Flavor requests? For the tea, you mean?

That too!
Megumi's got sooooooooooo much
But I meant the chocolate
I can make different flavors if you have a favorite

Flavors of chocolate? Beyond milk and dark, you mean?

That's right! ( •̀ᄇ• ́)ﻭ✧
Fruit, coffee, other desserts... the possibilities are endless!!
So if you have a request hit me!

Oh! Well, I haven't tried any of them, so it's hard to know which would be best. All I ask is that it's not too bitter...

That's easy enough to narrow down!
Think fast!
What's your favorite fruit?

Mandarin oranges are quite good.

Piece of cake!!
Give me an hour and I ksdlf

[ There's going to be a pause here. Sorry, bro. ]

[ What is that random string of letters at the end? ]

Oh! You certainly don't need to do it now!

[ He thought they were talking about some point in the future??? ]

Edited 2022-11-14 04:19 (UTC)

[ It's like twenty minutes before the reply comes back: ]

Sorry Saturn tried to steal my phone
What I was gonna say is gimme an hour and I can make them
They're easy so it's not a big deal for me

Oh, you know Mr. Saturn? Are you on Cerberus as well, then?
Either way, you definitely don't need to rush. You gave us plenty of chocolate already...

I'm with Cerberus, yeah!
He's mad at me for not resting but making chocolate is really easy

He's right! You should definitely listen to Mr. Saturn and rest!

It's fine, it's fine, he's probably going to Kraken later
So I can get some work done then!

I really don't think I should be encouraging this!

[ His plan to offer thanks has completely backfired...! ]

It's fine, it's fine
I like to be busy!!
And I like to help where and when I can

[ Unfortunately, Ritsuka is one of Those Protagonists. ]

[ It seems she won't be listening to reason, nor does he know where to find her. Probably in the Cerberus dormitory, but should he go barging in there? Most likely not. ]

If you say so. But please keep in mind there really is no rush...

If I put it off now, I might end up forgetting
I've never been good at procrastinating

Oh, that's understandable.

[ Relatable, even. ]

Then I will have to find some way to repay your kindness!

It's a thing friends do! ╰(￣ω￣ｏ)
So don't worry about it. I like doing things like this!

We haven't even met! I don't think. But you would still call me a friend?

Edited 2022-11-21 18:43 (UTC)

Sure I would!
Just because we haven't met face to face doesn't mean we haven't met
What do you think this is? (●'◡'●)
Talking is still getting to know someone, whether you're doing it in text or in person

I suppose that's true! We will meet in person when you drop off this chocolate as well, I'm sure.
Or no, I should come pick it up! If that's all right.

You're welcome to come at any time!
But I do have one warning for you if you do ╰(￣ω￣ｏ)

Oh? What's that?

The others are gonna make you stay for dinner
They're really big into feeding people

Oh! Well, I could just come to the door if that would be easier...

Edited 2022-11-29 21:43 (UTC)

It's fine, it's fine
There's usually SOME kind of food floating around
And everyone's friendly

I have gathered that much about Cerberus, yes.

Please don't believe all the rumors they say about this cell block though
That's been pretty weird to field

Rumors?

[ He has heard a few things, but he would rather not jump to any conclusions. ]

People have some weird ideas about how close we are?? ( ˘︹˘ )
I'm still not sure where they get it

Mainly what I've heard is you have a lot of boyfriends?

[ Of course it's that one... ]

I only have one. And that's still really new??

Then I suppose I should issue you congratulations.

Dear Ritsuka,
I have a present for you, as a thanks for the chocolate you gave me before. Please let me know if we could meet somewhere, or if I should drop it off at your dormitory.
- Ryunosuke Naruhodo

[ ????? Huh. ]

Ehhhh, you didn't have to do that!
But we can meet somewhere!
Beach or diner?

Let us meet at the diner. I'll see you shortly!

[ Presumably they met in person when Ryunosuke picked up said chocolate, so he leaves it at that. He waits around directly outside the diner all the same, holding a wrapped gift under one arm.

He's wearing a holiday sweater with mismatching pajama bottoms. ]

[ She is not currently on reindeer duty, so when she turns up at the diner, she is dressed like so. It's festive, but it's a lot more than just pajamas, because Ritsuka likes to seize the opportunity to dress cutely when she can.

When she sees him, she waves, trotting over. ]

--I hope you weren't waiting for too long.

[ It's certainly an outfit that seems to suit her well, and Ryunosuke greets her with a bright smile before shaking his head. ]

Not at all!

[ He moves to open the door with his free hand, holding it for her so she can step inside. ]

Ehh, what a gentleman! Thank you.

[ She's got a bounce in her step, grinning at him before she steps in. ]

I gotta say as a preface, though, you didn't have to do a return gift for the chocolate. I did it because I wanted to.

And I brought you a gift because I wanted to!

[ There's not even any telling that it will be a good gift, but it's the thought that counts, isn't it?

He steps over to one of the booths and sets the gift down before sliding onto the bench. ]

It's nice of you, for sure. A lot better than our last go-around, right?

[ So far, no one has died in this gift-giving game. She thinks. (She hopes.) ]

Yes! I think this game actually allowed me to get to know my teammates better. It hopefully means we'll be better prepared for what the future holds...

[ He nudges the gift toward her, across the tabletop. ]

You don't have to open it now, but you certainly can.

It's more fun opening with friends, right? Anyway, it's also been fun to see what the gacha comes up with. Thank you, by the way.

[ This isn't really a gachapon machine, but it's not UNlike that, in her opinion. So she's sticking to that, unwrapping the box carefully. ]

Edited 2022-12-13 05:35 (UTC)

Gacha...?

[ That's not a word he recognizes. Either way, the gacha comes up with edible bubbles for Ritsuka! ]

Don't worry about it. If you haven't been exposed to the horrors of gacha, then you should stay innocent.

[ Bubbles are more important than introducing him to the true horrors of blind box-style gambling. Of course the first thing she has to do is uncap the bottle to blow some bubbles. It's practically an obligation, getting something like this. ]

That's quite an ominous thing to say, Ritsuka-san...

[ However, now there are bubbles! He's quickly distracted by that, watching them float out across the diner. ]

Could they really be edible?

[ Sholmes would love this. ]

Anything's edible if you believe enough.

[ Did she deliberately ignore the comment about ominous things? Possibly. Maybe she's just distracted by the bubbles, aiming a new stream at him. ]

Try taking a bite, I guess? I wonder what flavor they have...

[ It feels a bit awkward, but when comes close enough he lifts up in his seat to try and catch it in his mouth. ]

Oh! It's sweet...

[ But it's some artificial flavor he's never had before (watermelon), so that's all he knows. ]

[ Sometimes... you've just gotta do the dumb thing.

At the comment, she considers, then sticks her tongue out so she can touch it to the wand. And then makes a face. ]

--watermelon, huh... I wonder if it comes in other flavors.

Oh... do you not like this one?

No, no, I like it! It's a very summer flavor.

I just wanna see if you can make it into a weird soda, where you mix everything up.

[ This is one of the joys of having an iron stomach. ]

Like that ranch dressing soda...?

...

Was that an option??

Two of my gifts to others were, yes...

Minato might still have some?

That's horrifying, and yet, I kind of want to ask him if he does...

[ She sys it slowly, thoughtfully, the tone of a woman who knows this is a bad idea, but is also going to seriously consider this. ]

D-do you really like things that purposefully taste bad?

I think if you're making something like that, you're fully aware of what you're doing. And therefore, you might as well lean as hard into the joke as possible.

I don't understand why anyone would willingly drink it, though...

Does it count as willing if you do it on a dare?

Ah, dares again? I still don't quite understand the reasoning behind them...

They're for fun! ...Mostly. Some people do it because they wanna prove something, but sometimes, you know--you just wanna do something stupid with your friends. Right?

I see. Yes, I can understand that much. I played truth or date here once before, but it sounds like sometimes you perform a dare just for the sake of it?

Yeah, but that's also because of friends. If you're going to do something stupid, you do it because you want to prove something to your friends. ...Usually.

[ Thinking of some of the dumb things he's done for Kazuma... and Sholmes... ]

Yes, that makes sense.

It's just for fun, in this case. No one's gonna die from drinking a ranch soda, even if they feel gross afterwards.

Yes, that much is true. Do you think you'll find someone to share it with, then?

I bet I could get Moon to try... maybe Ruggie? It's a food challenge, so those are generally easier to convince people.

You will have to let me know how it goes.

You'll be the first person I cry to. Get ready.

I hope it doesn't actually make you cry...

Don't worry! I'm tougher than that!

In that case, I'll wait to hear your impressions!

[Attached is a photo of a present outside of the dorm door. IT'S FOR YOU!!!]

Same phone who dis

[ Is what she types back in reply as she opens the door to look outside. ]

[Like the photo, it's a present wrapped in pink with her name on it.

You're definitely not being watched ~~you're being watched because you can hear Kaine's text notification go off above you~~]

[ Of course it does. She picks up the present, and then looks up. ]

Hello?

[He's just on the ceiling doing the Spider-man thing.]

...Hi.

Hi!

[ She breaks into a smile when she sees him. ]

You wanna come down before I open this, or are you just gonna hang out up there?

...

Wouldn't it be too awkward if I just watched you open it?

If you think you can avoid a hug, I'll just get you later.

[ BUT SHE'S OPENING IT!! ]

Yeah, I believe that...

[the RNG gods deliver unto you, a wristwatch!]

--oh, I haven't had one of these in years...

[ Time to fiddle to try and put it on, semi-gracelessly. ]

[Watching,]

That's a good thing?

I think it's pretty neat, actually!

Hi Ritsuka. I have a gift for you.

?????
Really? ⚆_⚆
That's really nice of you!!

Well, it is a part of the task.

And I like winning more than anything else.

That's fair wwwwwwwwwww
Okay, I will accept your gift to help you win!

Thanks. I will be waiting in the lobby.

[ It's about five minutes later when she comes wandering into the lobby. She is dressed for the holiday, except with a little deer antler headband. ]

Hi.

[ Emmet is waiting there! He has a small gift with a berry on top. Joltik is on his shoulder, wearing a cute little sweater that Da Vinci made for him. ]

Hi Ritsuka.

[ It is through sheer willpower that she does not squeal at the tiny sweater, though she brightens when she sees it. Oh nooooooo that's so cuuuuuute. ]

Hi to both of you! Let me guess, you've already exchanged presents with Da Vinci-chan?

Actually, no. She gave the Conductor this sweater earlier.

Ehhhh, as expected from Da Vinci-chan! She's always prepared.

Isn't she? And the Conductor loves it.

It's cute on him.

Anyway--I know this was supposed to be you giving me a gift, but I managed to grind a few tasks in the last second. So I've got one for you, too.

[ #gachaprotaglife ]

Oh, good! We can exchange them, then.

[ He hands over the gift (+ berry) to her. rng says it is a head massager. ]

That's the best way to do presents!

[ He gets a gift + a small bag of cookies, because she was raiding the diner before this. RNG says mustache stickers. ]

[ He opens the gift up and laughs softly. ]

These never fail to surprise me.

Right? These take a lot of the stress out of actually gift-giving, but I also just like seeing what's in the boxes.

Yup. It is fun and verrrry easy.

I don't wanna think about what it'd be like if we had to actually pick them instead of randomize it...

Verrrry difficult.

I'm honestly kind of scared to think about it.

Then do not.

You make it sound so simple...

I try.

[ Around evening time, Ritsuka receives a text message! ]

help

[ Because that's not alarming at all. ]

???
What's wrong?

I have a serious problem and need advice

Oh
I can provide that!
No guarantees if it's GOOD advice though

you're my only hope, Ritsuka...
ok so
what do you do when you're mega trapped under a kotatsu but you're also super hungry

Oh no
Perish

noooooo
I'm gonna die!!

It was nice knowing you (*￣3￣)╭
But at least you'll be warm and comfy

I suppose if I must expire
this is the way to go
man, I can't even order for delivery...

Nope!
Buuuuut if you wanted me to bring snacks, you could just ask
I take payment in kotatsu time ( •̀ ω •́ )✧

omg
would you? please? pretty please?

The Fujimaru Express is here for you!! ヾ(•ω•`)o
But you've gotta tell me what you want!

make it savory!

Aye aye!

[ There is one problem with this plan, though, in that when Ritsuka comes knocking at Bugbear's door... who's going to let her in? ]

[

fuck! ]

do you think if i slid my phone hard enough on the floor it could make it under the door

I dunno
We could try??

ok!

[ about five seconds later, Ritsuka will hear a thud! against the door ]

[ and about fifteen seconds later, the door swings open ]

So much for that plan.

We tried, and that's what matters.

[ She holds up a small bag. ]

But I've got snacks, like you asked. I brought cup noodles too, but I thought it'd be better to make it once I got here. Can I use the kitchen?

Oh, great idea!

[ instant noodles comin' in clutch! ]

Go right ahead. Want me to get you something to drink?

Please! We're gonna overdo it on salt, so let's not go so hard someone comes in to wonder what happened.

Aww, so no margaritas then...

[ :J heh heh. Mizuki leads the way to the kitchen. ]

What're you in the mood for? Tea, coffee? Or just some water? There might still be a few sodas stashed away.

I'd take tea! That way I can pretend I'm being a little virtuous.

[ The first thing Ritsuka does is drop the bag and start unpacking it. There are three kinds of cup noodles, including an intimidatingly-spicy looking thing, and also a whole variety of different chips, some in some unique flavors. ]

Got it—coming right up.

[ She'll get to work on that, meanwhile! ]

[ This is the best way to bond, you understand, food and hanging out; Ritsuka is humming cheerfully as she gets the noodles set up and the chips on display. ]

[ Oh yes, absolutely. Just girls hangin' out.

Eventually, Mizuki appears to set two cups down upon the table. It's a tasty (your tea flavor of choice). ]

There. Piping hot tea, a toasty kotatsu... This is what life is all about.

Don't forget the snacks! Those are also important.

[ They've got tea and cup noodles. At least one of those chip flavors is weirdly sweet, so that probably counts for dessert. ]

Definitely. They're saving me from starving, and no amount of tea would dot that!

Right, right, you can't just live on tea alone.

[ She snaps her chopsticks apart, because getting those cheap wood ones is just part of the experience. ]

Even chazuke has more than just tea in it.

[ Where would we be without cheap wooden chopsticks. ]

Now I wish there was some leftover rice in the fridge... I should start making extra, since we can't order takeout whenever we want here.

Right? I live with a bunch of really talented cooks, but sometimes you really just want cheap junk food. But the closest we've gotten to that here is that we briefly had a standard combini.

Ruggie really spoils me, but he left earlier… [ No one here to make dinner when she wants to be lazy under kotatsu. ] What happened to the combini?

Eh, that's not very nice of him.

[ She says this very seriously. Oh no. how could Ruggie have done this, ]

Anyway, it was in that weird alternate prison we were in for a couple of weeks. Honestly, the diner is a lot nicer, but I still miss some of the stuff in that combini.

[ Right? How could he?? How dare he have dinner plans elsewhere in Mizuki's time of need????? ]

Oh, that place again... Yeah, I think I'd rather have combini food because I want to, not because I have to. That'd get old real fast.

It was the only thing we had to eat for all meals for like a week... it sucked.

But it could've been worse, right? From what I heard about the place, I'd expect prison slop.

It could've been a lot worse. ...Honestly, the thing about it wasn't that it was horrible, it was just--really inconvenient. This village is practically a resort, right? We get so much freedom to move around and ask for things. That other place was just--lots of little petty unpleasant things.

So what was the point, to make you miserable for a little bit?

I think it was a little more involved than that. That was around when the Warden was trying really hard to make our possessions take over us.

Oh, right. And then that weird palace stuff happened too, didn't it? Everything now sounds so quiet in comparison. Mostly.

Yeah, that wasn't fun... even if things around here are quiet, my ridealong hasn't stopped complaining about it.

... You have one of those?

I mean, you know.

[ She taps her temple. ]

The possessions that the Warden gives us? I already knew mine from before.

Oh, that's what you mean.

... Yeah, I guess they are ride-alongs in their own way. I usually think something along the lines of freeloader.

I dunno, we're all technically freeloaders except for the people on Echidna.

Is it freeloading if it's against your will?

I think it depends on who you ask.

Hm... Nah. I'll consider it compensation for the bullshit we gotta put up with.

That's fair! And you gotta admit, the benefits are pretty nice. Nicer than you'd expect, when the Warden wants to roleplay prison life.

And I think I'd grow bored out of my mind in a normal prison. ... More than I do around here, anyway.

I know. I'm used to being so busy all the time, being here is kind of weird.

Or not kind of. A lot? A lot weird.

Right? I've been super busy for a while too, so coming here to a lot of nothing... It almost makes me miss work.

I...

[ This is a thing that requires a few seconds of deep thought. ]

I do, but I don't. If that makes sense.

Oh, right, 'cause of...

[ Stuff™ ]

... Are you glad to get away from all that?

...A little?

[ She's not entirely sure, even in her own heart. Is she? Surely a little, but at the same time-- ]

I just hate that I haven't finished, either. I don't like leaving a project partway through.

I think that's a little more than a "project", though.

A little, but I don't know what else I'd call it.

I guess it's more like a... mission? No, maybe 'undertaking' is more like it.

Yeah... when I'm really tired, it's mostly just, "let me live."

TV really makes it seem more glorious than it is, huh.

TV leaves out stuff like there will be bugs, and uncomfortable camping spots, and lots of really angry smelly beasts that don't care about anything but trying to literally bite your head off. Yeah.

If nothing else, you deserve the break.

...honestly, even with the bad things that've happened... this place kind of is like a break.

[incoming text]

Ritsuka... I'm sorry for the other day.

[ Presumably at this point she has gotten her tantrum out, and is lying on her face in her room, so it's a few minutes before the reply comes: ]

It's fine!
I'm sorry too

No, it was my fault. I just got carried away.

It's not wrong to be excited
I felt bad bursting your bubble too

Some bubbles need to be popped.

What's fun and games for me is painful and traumatic for you. Realizing that has helped me change.

I'm sorry.

It's really okay...
Was it because of the game?

Not entirely. I finally confessed I was the mastermind of the killing game to my friends. Friends who were trapped in it and died in it. It's helped me realize I need to move on.

And part of that is not treating you like the audience surrogate or disrespecting your trials.

You matter. More than any fun I've had with fate fate/fate. Or a pretend game I could've had if you had fallen for my 'I'm a Master' lie.

...

[ There is a slightly longer pause before the next text comes: ]

You wanna meet at the diner for ice cream?

[she takes a moment to dry her yes after seeing Ritsuka's text]

I'd like that.

I'd really like that.

Edited 2023-03-01 06:26 (UTC)

Okay!! ( •̀ ω •́ )y
Meet me in ten!
I'll get the fixings for sundaes.

Reverie Inbox

Day 45

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some point after post-game maaaaybe day 51

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1/2

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