2022-09-24 - Catching Up
| Title: Catching Up | |
|---|---|
| Summary: Kyouka invites Setsuna over to check in with her about recent events. | |
| Who: | |
| Where: Okazaki Household (Shitamachi) | |
| OOC - IC Date: September 24, 2022 - Thursday, January 14, 2016 | |
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
YESTERDAY
Kyouka had looked like hell when she left the Yagamis' household the afternoon of the battle at Dark Burger. It wasn't a secret that she had severely exhausted herself, mana-wise, and been given strict instructions not to use any mana for a few days to build up her reserves.
When Kyouka approached Setsuna the following day, after a good night's rest, she looked... better. Still tired, a bit more subdued and lacking her usual exuberance, but at least she didn't look like she was about to fall over anymore just from walking around.
An even bigger change might've been the way she addressed the other girl simply as 'Setsuna'--she'd been so careful with honorifics and last names up until then, always a bit stiff, a bit formal, but when she said the girl's name this time... well, it wasn't with her normal level of enthusiasm, but it was about the warmest she'd ever addressed her despite that.
Then had come the invitation, to hang out at her house after school, to have a chance to talk.
TODAY
She'd skipped out on participating in track for yesterday and today--she played it off as over-exertion (though she was looking better still than yesterday and definitely better than the day before last), had still assisted with time keeping and other more administrative duties.
And after Setsuna was done for the day, had come the trip to her house, in the Shitamachi area. Some light chatter on the way over, nothing too heavy, and Kyouka eventually lead them to a modest two-story house.
"Okay, so Wolfy loves meeting new people, so don't be surprised if he jumps up on you. He won't bite, promise."
She opens up the door and holds it open for Setsuna, then steps inside and whistles. "Here, boy!" Wolfy comes bounding down the stairs and leaps up on Kyouka with an energetic bark and a lick of the face, then turns to sniff at Setsuna.
<Pose Tracker> Setsuna Higashi [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
Setsuna didn't look any better than Kyouka last night, but she's at least more used to dealing with things like that. Today, it's almost like nothing happened--to listen to her, anyway. Her demeanor is as calm and even as ever, and she doesn't even sound tired. Only the hints of fatigue in and around her eyes betray that she, too, is still recovering.
She doesn't get particularly scandalized about the lack of honorific, instead just noting it and moving on. But...
TODAY!
Setsuna pushed herself to complete her activities anyway, and shows a remarkable amount of resilience in doing so, even if she's not at her best. On the way over, she chats about as heavily as she usually does... which is not very. Until--
"I see!" at Wolfy, and then she steps inside after Kyouka and looks down to Wolfy. "Hello, Wolfy," Setsuna says, and shifts her stance a little in case he does come jump. Despite the simple greeting, there's warmth in her voice though, and a bit of excitement. She does like dogs.
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
Kyouka would normally be pushing through like Setsuna is, but... she is not used to this particular type of exertion, so is playing it safe.
She smiles as Setsuna greets Wolfy, and the dog lets out a happy bark and then does indeed rise up, front paws planted on Setsuna so he can lick at her face. Kyouka smiles and gives Wolfy's ears a scritch. "Setsuna, this is Wolfy. Wolfy, this is Setsuna. She's a friend of mine from school." Does Wolfy understand all of that? Probably not.
"He loves pets, especially behind the ears," she comments as she takes her shoes off, then moves towards the kitchen. "Can I get you something to drink? Or eat?" She snaps her fingers. "Oh, I might have some oatmeal raisin cookies left..." she rummages around as she looks. "So... how you holding up?" She pauses for a moment. "My mom's not gonna be home for a while yet, so it's just us and Wolfy. So we can talk about... whatever. Akarun can come out if he wants, too, just... let me get a hold of Wolfy first so I can make a proper introduction."
<Pose Tracker> Setsuna Higashi [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
Setsuna probably shouldn't be pushing as much as she is... but it's her way. Less so than it used to be, at least.
Bark bork! Setsuna smiles at Wolfy, and gives hi8m a scritch too. She does turn her head a little because not the mouth, but seems happy to see him, and stands up pretty well against jumping! "Hii..."
A pause. "Oh, cookies sound good," Setsuna answers once she lets Wolfy down, and starts to follow after. How is she doing? Well...
"Sure, she can come out. She's pretty shy, but..." Akarun appears in a flash of sparkles a moment later, and the key fairy flies over to Wolfy. There's a moment of shyness before she starts twirling around the dog happily. "Kiii~!"
"...I'm fine," Setsuna says a moment later. "Nothing I won't recover from. I'm glad that Hayate was able to get them to leave..."
A pause. "And that Lera and Soaring Sky weren't hurt this time."
"What about you? That was a harsh battle..."
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
Wolfy barks happily at scritches and offers more licks, then when let down noses affectionally at Setsuna's side. He follows along with her as Setsuna moves into the house, tail happily wagging.
Kyouka grins, "Cookies it is, then." She brings the cookies out and sets them on the counter, and then turns on the stove. "Give me a few minutes and I'll warm them up. They're way better that way."
When Setsuna says Akarun's coming out, she quickly moves to Wolfy's side and wraps her arms around his neck to keep him in place. She offers the fairy a gentle smile, "It's nice to see you again. Sorry I freaked out before. Akarun, this is Wolfy. Wolfy, this is Akarun. She's a friend, okay? Be gentle." Wolfy leans in to sniff at the fairy curiously, and then offers a soft bark. Seems he understands 'gentle' at least. When Kyouka's satisfied Wolfy won't do anything to upset Akarun she lets go and stands up.
She nods as Setsuna talks about how she's going, taking up a seat at the counter so she can keep an eye on the stove. "That was some quick thinking on her part, it sounds like," she says in agreement about Hayate.
She blinks. "Wait, Lera Camry? Your girlfriend? Is... is Soaring Sky a device? I ran into her at Juuban on..." it takes her a moment. "Monday? Monday. I didn't realize she had a device on her..."
Though the topic of devices being hurt makes her think of Strike Wolf, and she holds the device up to regard him. Even though he's been repaired, she was clearly distraught two days ago when Strike Wolf had gone completely offline, and even broke down in tears when he was reactivated and called her by name.
"I'm... I don't know. It just seems... so surreal, you know? I've barely started to understand magic and then this happens."
<Pose Tracker> Setsuna Higashi [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
Setsuna reaches down to give Wolfy another few pats as they go, and smiles back to Kyouka. Cookies! Setsuna is nearly always hungry. And she is fine with warm cookies. That is apparently how they work!
"Kiii~" Akarun replies to Kyouka, shimmering up towards her and floating before her for a moment before her tiny face breaks into a smile. "Kii~"
Setsuna smiles at er and Wolfy, and then walks along with Kyouka. That blink--"Yes," Setsuna answers. "Soaring Sky is her first partner." Pause. She tilts her head. "Hmmm. I should've let her tell you..." Oh well!
Akarun, meanwhile, is now riding Wolfy around. Whee!
"But yes, my girlfriend."
She remembers how hard Kyouka took Strike Wolf's damaged state. She is sympathetic. And what happens... "I wish it could've been easier on you," Setsuna admits. "...But these things don't really care what we wish..."
"Most threats aren't as awful as that. It's... a problem we're still working on. The dark Devices, their wielders... all of that. We don't have an answer yet. But we hope to find one."
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
Kyouka is, for all her rough and tumble nature, and her eagerness for things like sparring, is actually pretty gentle with Akarun this time around, offering a hand for the fairy to alight on if she so chooses, before leaving her and Wolfy to get acquainted.
She shrugs a little as Setsuna mentions letting Lera tell her about herself. "Maybe? I'm just surprised she didn't recognize my device. It seems like everyone else I've met has, but I'm still not used to looking out for them yet... Though to be honest, I was just excited to meet someone else from the States. It's not often that happens, you know?"
Though now that Setsuna's said that, there's something buzzing at the back of her mind... she's too tired to remember what it was, something Endo said, maybe?
It'll come to her later, probably.
Wolfy, having been properly acquainted, seems entirely fine with the fairy riding him as he wanders over to lay down next to the two girls.
She holds Strike Wolf to her chest, much as she had two days prior, though this time she's not crying, at least. "Yeah, I wish it'd been easier, too..." She inhales deeply. "I was afraid they were after Strike Wolf. They seemed to ignore him this time, since they had another target, but... they know he exists, now. I don't know if he's part of whatever it is they're doing--I barely know anything about him at all, in fact."
She places her arm on the counter, looking at the device as she contemplates something.
"Yeah, I have... a lot of questions, but... some of them might best be answered by someone else, when she's ready." It's also not a secret that she insisted Fate call her if she needed anything before they parted ways from the Yagami household. Then her fist clenches, and she looks up to Setsuna. "I know I have... a long way to go, to catch up to the rest of you, but once I'm in fighting shape again, I'm gonna be giving it all I got. I'm with you all, no matter what it takes."
<Pose Tracker> Setsuna Higashi [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
Akarun hovers just over Kyouka's hand and brightens, shining sweetly near her even if she doesn't actually light down. But she does seem happy enough.
"Lera... doesn't always notice things," Setsuna considers. "And you weren't that obvious--I only knew to look because of the rumors, and she doesn't usually pay attention to those."
A smile. The States! ...That probably means something. Setsuna's pretty sure it means something. But she doesn't want to interrupt to ask...
Akarun will snooze on Wolfy in the meantime.
"I worried they might be too," Setsuna admits. "But it seems not... though the other Devices they went after--they had 'copies' of those. We haven't seen one of Strike Wolf." Yet. It's possible they still will. "...Yes. It may be important to learn what's possible about him..."
Questions. Setsuna is willing to not answer all the questions herself; she can wait on Fate for tha. But for now...
"Mm! Then if you do your best, you'll be with us." Setsuna nods fiercely. "I'll help if I can. I can't train you in magic... but I can bring you along on some patrols to give you a chance to practice."
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
"Ahh, I see..." when Setuna mentions Lera not paying attentions to rumors. "She goes to a different school, too, so who knows if she'd have heard them anyway..."
Wolfly will absolutely let Akarun snooze on top of him, and in fact has wandered over near the stove to curl up next to that nice source of heat.
Kyouka regards Strike Wolf for a moment, and it seems like they silently come to a conclusion, with Kyouka nodding in agreement at the end of some internal exchange. "There is... something I do know about Strike Wolf..." She gets up, carefully stepping around Wolfy and Akarun to put a sheet of cookies into the oven. Then she sits down again. "I..." There's a complicated set of feelings there.
"Well, first, I wanted to say, thank you. For reaching out. The day that you told me you were a magical girl. I... I really needed that, right about then. I know I was kind of suspicious of you but, after everything that's happened in the last..." She blinks. "Two weeks? Has it only been two weeks? Anyway, I've had a lot of time to reconsider and I wanted to be a better friend to you. More trusting. More open. That's kinda why I invited you over, to sort of make a fresh start of things."
She lights up when you mention patrols. "Yes! That'd be great! Fate's been heping me train--actually, it was only because of her that I was able to do as well as I did--but I could absolutely use some more real hands-on experience."
<Pose Tracker> Setsuna Higashi [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
"Mm-hm. She's at Juuban sometimes to see me, but I go to Infinity about as often to see her instead."
Heat! How perfect.
"Something you know...?"
Then she pauses, as Kyouka thanks her. She listens, seeming impassive, save for a small smile that is her first answer. "You don't owe me anything," Setsuna says. "...But if that's how you want things to be, then I'm all right with that."
A fresh start...
"I know how it feels to want a fresh start."
Then, "Oh, good--I'm no mage. I can't help you with your magic exactly, though Fate can. ...Really it's going to be your relationship with Strike Wolf that gets you the farthest... but old-fashioned practice can't hurt, either!"
"...So what's this thing you know?"
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
She grins a little and nods firmly. "Yep, a fresh start. Or at least, a chance to make up for the first one. I'll be honest, I hate being so suspicious all the time, anyway. I'd rather just be chummy with everyone."
Kyouka nods along. "I know, I know. And Strike Wolf and I are learning a lot, and the practice is definitely helping but there's... a complication."
Setsuna asks again about what she knows and Kyouka puts her hand up on the counter so Strike Wolf is visible. "So, the thing is... I think I mentioned I rescued him from someone trying to steal him, and trying to return him to his creator." A small, sharp intake of breath as she prepares herself for the next part. "The reason is... I don't think he was done being built yet. Strike Wolf doesn't know who was building him, or where, but his activation logs have a lot of errors in them... I haven't shared this with anyone yet, except Fate, but... it could be important, if Jail is interested in devices."
"It also means we've had some... interesting challenges learning how to tap into his powers."
<Pose Tracker> Setsuna Higashi [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
"...That makes sense." She doesn't like to be suspicious. Setsuna can accept that, anyway. But a complication? This makes Setsuna look expectantly at Kyouka over the matter, and in short order, she's answering.
"You mentioned," Setsuna says, and then looks more thoughtful. "Not finished..." Hmm.
"It might be. It's possible that he knows more... Though maybe not, since he didn't go after Strike Wolf the other night. But it might be important."
"I can see where that would make things hard..."
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
"I've been... scared of letting this get out but..." There's something that firms up in her expression. A setting of the jaw, a determined glint in her eye. "I meant it when I said I wanted to be with you all. And that means sharing what I know and not keeping secrets. And trusting you all to look out for me, too. Like you did two days ago."
Tuesday was an eyeopener. In a lot of ways.
"So... yeah. I've been scouring the city, hoping to find Strike Wolf's creator, or... some lab or workshop he came from, or something. Strike Wolf hasn't recognized anything yet, though, and just doing that hasn't gotten us any new leads so... now we're trying alternate options."
Kyouka gets up again to get the cookies out of the stove, piling them on a plate and then setting out two smaller plates with a glass for each of us. There's an offer of milk--or anything else Setsuna may prefer to drinka, along with a mentions being able to rustle up some more grub if that's not enough.
She sits down again, taking a cookie and popping a piece of it into her mouth to chew. "So... yeah. I wasn't planning on mentioning it quite yet, but since it came up... guess I could've mentioned it Tuesday when we were all together but I was kind of... distracted." | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | | Jan | Jan | Jan | Jan | Jan | Jan | Jan | Jan | Jan | Jan | Jan | | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | |Today is Jan 14, 2016, Part 4. ||http://battlefantasia.pinksugarheartattack.net/Holidays_and_Events
<Pose Tracker> Setsuna Higashi [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
Yes, that determination is something Setsuna can see. It's clearly important to Kyouka. "...I'll do my very best," she assures Kyouka, and then listens. Scouring the city, looking for a lab...
"It would surprise me if Strike Wolf were from Earth," Setsuna opines. "Devices like him aren't made on Earth usually; this planet just doesn't have the technology, in gneral."
Cookies!! Setsuna accepts milk, and doesn't worry about anything else there. Cookies! NOM. Setsuna looks very happy as she starts in on a bite. But then she focuses.
"...It's scary to have something like that known," she says. "I can see why your instinct would be otherwise. But..."
Hmm. "I think it's Ok to mention it now."
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
The oatmeal raisin cookies are nice and thick, with plenty of raisins AND walnuts, to boot. Truly a formidable cookie.
Kyouka spent a long, long night of contemplation and reflection getting to the point where she was ready to take the leap in placing that trust in her newfound friends.
"Yeah, I know. They're usually made on Midchilda, but the mage I saved him from was here in Tokyo, and Fate said the way back to Midchilda was difficult to traverse, so... I dunno? I was able to distract the mage even without magic, so he can't have been all that powerful." She considers for a moment and then adds, "... or smart."
She shrugs a little. "I don't have a way to get off-planet to check, so my only option's been to search Tokyo for clues. Though... there is someone I might be able to ask for more info about that..." she muses quietly, making a mental note.
She takes a deep breath and nods. "Yeah. It's... managing all of this has been tough. But... it's important to me that I trust you guys."
"So... you mentioned patrols, right? How often do you go? I think I need a few days to recover still, but as soon as Strike Wolf gives me a clean bill of health, and we resynchronize, I think I'll be ready to hit the town."
<Pose Tracker> Setsuna Higashi [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
Setsuna is not just hungry most of the time. She truly appreciates food. Today, a good cookie finds a home.
"Hmmm... Yes, I see. That's true; it's difficult to traverse it. " Then she tilts her head, considering. "...You don't have to be smart to be powerful; sometimes someone's easy to trick but when they get their head on straight, they're very dangerous. And sometimes..."
She looks for a moment, and then shakes her head. "Good luck then. I don't know where to start."
Important... "We'll try to be worthy of your trust," Setsuna says. "And--Mm, I go a few times a week or so, usually. In addition to just keeping my eyes open while I'm coming home from school. Let me know when you're ready--I'll bring you along!"
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
Kyouka nods a little. "Yeah, that's true," she says of 'smart' and 'powerful' not being intrinsically linked. "But this guy had a temper a mile wide. ... It's honestly the only reason I was able to do anything to him... Did I ever tell you how I got him to drop Strike Wolf? Threw a garbage can lid at his face." She pantomimes throwing the lid like one might hurl a frisbee. "Hand went up for his face, Strike Wolf dropped to the ground... I slid under him and scooped him up, just like that."
She lets out a short chuckle when Setsuna mentions being deserving of her trust. "I should be saying the same thing to you all, since I'm the new person here..." She rubs at the back of her neck. "But I'm gonna do my best to earn it. And to catch up to you all. Strike Wolf and I both want to prove ourselves. Right, buddy?"
<Affirmative.>
Kyouka nods on the topic of patrolling. "Right! Most nights I take the time to train my magic... I usually wake up early, do my partial arts practice, go do school, come home and do homework, maybe cook dinner, and then go out and train for a bit. Or search the city. So I'll just make patrol nights my training for the night." She thinks a moment. "And I guess it can also double as searching the city."
She lights up as she thinks of something, and it's clear her normal enthusiasm is rolling around in her somewhere, regaining its strength. "Oh! And you said we could spar sometime, right? I'm still looking forward to that!"
"When we're both better," she hastily adds.
<Pose Tracker> Setsuna Higashi [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
"Anger can make the enemy easier to deal with... but it can make them more dangerous, too. I'm glad that it worked out for you." She hadn't heard how Kyouka managed it, but that makes sene to her. "Hmm..."
Then she smiles back. "I believe you. I know you'll do what you can. Both of you!"
"Kiiii...." Akarun snoozes on Wolfy.
"Yes. Patrolling is basically searching the city for monsters, so it amounts to the same thing." Then--
"I did. When you're feeling better I'd be happy to. I think it's a good idea for a mage like you to be sure you can stand up to close-quarters attacks anyway!"
Smile. "...And thank you for the cookies. They're very good."
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
"Yeaaaah, I was lucky that Strike Wolf deemed me worthy of forming a contract. My back was kinda against the wall for a moment there. Attacking a mage without magic of my own was... pretty boneheaded."
She looks reflective for a moment, looking down at Strike Wolf. "Then again... I wouldn't have been there at all if I hadn't heard his cry for help to begin with, so... I guess it was fated to happen, in a way."
Wolfy lets out a soft snort in his sleep, but otherwise doesn't move from next to the still-warm stove.
Kyouka grins. "Close-quarters combat is kiiiiind of our specialty. But I need more practice integrating magic into my combat style anyway. I'm using my martial arts as a base, but I have to get used to thinking about and integrating spells into my repitoire."
Kyouka beams at the compliment. "Thanks! And you're welcome! Do you want some to take home with you?" Even as she asks that she's getting up to fetch a small box to put them in. "Here, if you want, I can give you the rest. I can make more, anyway."
And then she remembers the other thing she wanted to mention. "Oh, and I also wanted to say... I saw how you moved in front of me on Tuesday. After you transformed. Thanks. For looking out for me." No embarassment, no chagrin, just appreciation and a bit of fondness in her tone.
Of course, she'd tried doing the same thing after Cure Passion went down, but Shamal had gotten to her first. But still, it was the thought that counts.
<Pose Tracker> Setsuna Higashi [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
"Yes," Setsuna agrees with Kyouka, which may seem uncharitable. Except that she follows up, "But sometimes the right thing to do is something that's a bad idea. I'm glad you rescued him."
"Then that's what we'll help practice! It's mine, too; hand-to-hand combat is most of my combat specialty." A nod, thoughtfully. And then--
"Yes!" Setsuna will happily accept these cookies. "Thank you! I'll share them..."
But what she wanted to say--Setsuna loks down, and inclines her head. "You're welcome. I didn't end up able to protect everyone, but... The fact that I can try to protect people now, instead of hurting them... It means a lot to me."
"And I'm sure you'd do the same." Setsuna didn't see; she was out. But she's right about this one.
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
A determined nod. "I'm glad, too."
Kyouka grins at the promise of training. "Good! Fate and I discovered how to help prompt Strike Wolf for new spells. We tried to get him to come up with some long-range spells but... apparently he can't do that, at least not yet. They don't work in his gauntlet form, and we haven't been able to get him to change into another form like Bardiche can. So for now, it's hand-to-hand stuff for us."
It feels so much better to be discussing her capabilities frankly like this. Besides, it's good to know what each other is capable of in a fight.
Kyouka packs up nearly all of the cookies, but leaves a couple on the plate for us to nosh on as we continue to talk. "Please do! The only thing better than making good food is sharing it."
Setsuna looks down when speaking of her ability to protect people... and Kyouka takes the opportunity to sling an arm over her shoulders and give a squeeze in a way that's probably not so often done in Japan, but for her... well, feels pretty natural. "I'm glad to have you on our side, too."
She sits down again and places the box by Setsuna's side for her to take later when she leaves.
"I did," she says quietly. "When I saw you go down the first thing I tried to do was to get to you to help keep you safe. I think Shamal got to you first, but... there was a lot going on." Setsuna, Signum, and Mikoto going down may have also inspired her new attack to develop, but... no need to try and explain that right now.
She regards Setsuna for a moment. "Say... if you don't mind my asking... How did you switch sides, anyway? If you don't want to tell me, or it's not the right time, I understand. I'm just... curious about my friend. I've talked about myself enough tonight, so..."
<Pose Tracker> Setsuna Higashi [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
"Oh, good!" Pause. "Less good." She frowns thoughtfully at the matter of long-range spells. But if what he has now works well enough...!
"Okay!" Cookies will be shared. And Kyouka slings an arm over her shoulders, and Setsuna blinks once--but smiles, leaning against her friend for a moment before she breaks off. It is even less common where Setsuna comes from, but it's not a bad thing.
"Thanks." Then, "...I appreciate the effort. I did my best, but..." She shakes her head. But the question gets her to tilt her head, and consider.
"It's a long story," she says. "But, the short version is that..." Usually Setsuna thinks about things before she says them, but this time she has to think while she's saying it, too.
"Lera and my friends showed me something important. And when I saw that... I couldn't keep fighting for Labyrinth. They didn't just let me go, but I think I'll... leave it at that for now."
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
Kyouka shrugs a little bit at 'Less good.' "I'm just focusing on what we're good at, for now. We did come up with a bunch of new spells, though. considering I didn't have any when I fought the ogre... it's an improvement."
Kyouka is all too happy to let Setsuna lean into that, giving an extra ressuring squeeze before stepping away.
"Hey," she says quietly. "We all tried our best. You did great. It was cool getting to see you in action." And she means it.
She nods, and listens intently to what Setsuna has to say. She senses that now might not be the moment where she gets more details, but she's appreciative of what Setsuna decides to share, nontheless. "Okay. Well, I'm glad you were able to make the switch."
"So... we've discussed magic, training, sparring, patrolling, Strike Wolf, um..." And it's finally here where the new-found calm confidence seems to falter for a moment, a light blush coming to her cheeks. "Um... what do people usually do when hanging out like this? I don't really have any video games or anime, but I've got some movies..." she looks at the clock. "Might be a bit late to start one... You could stay for dinner, if you want, but if you need to get home that's cool, too."
<Pose Tracker> Setsuna Higashi [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
"Yes, that makes sense."
Improvement is good! Setsuna nods brightly. And then the reassurance she gets in turn gets another small nod. "I hope to show you more another time." She didn't even get to use most of her cool moves! She has lots of those.
"Yes. Me, too. I will tell you more sometime... but it's not something I like to talk about in detail, so I want to do it a time I feel ready."
Discussing lots of things, Setsuna finds that Kyouka is a little embarrassed and unsure. Setsuna doesn't hold that against her. "I don't know," she answers pleasantly, without any pressure. "I should probably get back before dinner, this time... I'm supposed to help. But I would like to come back, sometime. And I don't have to go just yet."
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
Kyouka grins, "I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what else you have up your sleeve. And I'll get to show you some of my moves, too."
Kyouka nods, "Fair enough. I guess I did kind of spring that on you. Sorry about that."
She nods a bit as Setsuna says she still has some time, but there was another detail that catches her attention. "Oh! And what do you usually do to help with dinner? Actually, hold that thought. I'll be right back." She charges up the stairs and then comes back down a few moments later with a photo album. "We were talking about different places around the world before, right? I could show you some of the places I've been, maybe...?"
It might be a weird choice, but... Maybe Setsuna will go for it? It's worth a shot.
<Pose Tracker> Setsuna Higashi [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
"Yes!"
Setsuna shakes her head. "No, it's not a problem."
But that detail does catch attention, and so Setsuna starts to answer--and then doesn't! She blinks, and tilts her head slightly, waiting for Kyouka to return with... an album! "Yes," she remembers, they did talk about that. And she could show her some of these places she's been?
"That sounds good!"
Setsuna doesn't find it weird at all.
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
"Eheh, sorry about interrupting you. I just got excited because I had this idea... So, what do you do to help with dinner normally? I take turns with my mom cooking dinner and prepping lunches." This time she does actually wait for the answer before she continues with the photoalbum.
She places the album down on the counter between then, and then opens it. There's quite a lot of different places she's been, and Kyouka spends some time hopping between different photographs and discussing them. Lots of them are nature photographs she's taken from camping and hiking trips in exotic locales, but there's just as many of landmarks, cities, markets, bazars, and cultural celebrations and events... all of which she's able to expound on at least to some degree.
