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[fujimaru]

It's Ritsuka! I've either fallen asleep or couldn't find my phone in time, so leave a message.

[ text / action / etc]

Comments

[fujimaru]

[ 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.

[fanstheflames]

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.

[fujimaru]

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?

[fanstheflames]

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.

[fujimaru]

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.

[fanstheflames]

Oh, so that's why...

[ IT'S ALL COMING TOGETHER. ]

Are you okay now? You got enough to eat?

[fujimaru]

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.

[fanstheflames]

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

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

[fujimaru]

...?

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

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

[fanstheflames]

[ 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.

[fujimaru]

[ BACK UP BACK UP BACK UP WAIT-- ]

Why, are you planning on eating more?!

[ She knows better, but also, ]

[fanstheflames]

[ TSURUNO YUI CANNOT BE STOPPED. ]

Nope! It's for you!

[fujimaru]

[ HOW THE TURN TABLES. ]

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

[fanstheflames]

[ She pauses, head tilted to ponder that point.

And, sincerely confused-- ]

You are my friend.

[fujimaru]

[ And without skipping a beat: ]

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

[fanstheflames]

[ 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!

[fujimaru]

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

[fanstheflames]

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.

[fujimaru]

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.

[fanstheflames]

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. ]

[fujimaru]

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

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

[fanstheflames]

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

[fujimaru]

Obviously.

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

Deal.

[fanstheflames]

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

Deal.

[ WE HAVE AN ACCORD. ]

[fujimaru]

Pleasure doing business with you!