367/Prodigal Return

Prodigal Return
Date of Scene:	05 September 2023
Location:	Korma Chameleon
Synopsis:	Chrono returns to the Terios household and tells them everything... well. Everything he can. He also tells Rashmi exactly what is at stake, what she's signing up for... and that things are more serious than he let on. It look like it'll soon be time... for some befriending.
Cast of Characters:	Chrono Harlaown, Rashmi Terios

---

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown was doing better, mostly. While he'd traveled partway with Setsuna... he was able to make it the rest of the way on his own. Well... mostly. He wasn't so much better as he had full, proper medical treatment. And had expended most of his magic on a healing spell. He wished, at times like this, he was a better healer.

Maybe he shouldn't have left at all, instead waiting in bed. Resting. But Setsuna seemed to think it was a good idea he left and he was not want to object to her.

Something about her seemed... unique.

But, now, well... he'd been flying in stealth, using his little remaining magic to suppress his presence and avoid detection. So when he landed on the roof of the Korma Chameleon, he took a slow, deep breath.

<I am here, on the roof,> Chrono said through the device, to hers.

Then braced himself. Please don't hug him please don't hug him please don't hug him...

Rashmi Terios has posed:
The door to the roof does *not* bang open. This is the first hint that painful hugs might not be in Chrono's future.

Instead, there's a quick flash of magic from the side of the building Rashmi's room in on, and in short order the redhead is touching down just out of arm's reach. She does *start* to lunge out for a hug, but holds back.

Perhaps worse, however, is the fact that she looks like she's either been crying, hiding that they've been crying, or *about* to cry all day. And her voice is a thick whisper, around a shaky smile. "It's *so good* to see you, Chrono-kun..."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown eyed her and... oh. Oh dear. He knew that look well. After a few moments, he reached out and lightly pat her on the head. Though he had to reach up to do it. "I understand your worries. I am sorry for my mistakes and making you worry. I am happy you are okay, Terios-san," Chrono said before giving a soft, gentle sigh.

"And I understand you are likely still worried. My injuries are... more severe than I wished. I made a mistake. But I also am aware that... it has likely been difficult for you, not knowing if I was going to be okay. Especially considering all of that effort you put into helping me. You have a kind soul, Terios-san. I am sorry I caused you grief."

He said all of it with that same, gentle, kind smile of his. But she could likely see. He was standing a little straighter. Leaning a little bit forward. His suit hiding the bandages over his chest...

Rashmi Terios has posed:
*Are* the waterworks going to start up again? There's a *definite danger,* the way her chin is quivering and her eyes are shining, though she does mercifully bow her head to make pats that much easier. "I mean," she says, then sniffles. I *hoped* you were okay, but then everything exploded when we were flying away and I *still haven't heard from Koji* and and--"

Closing her eyes, she draws in a big deep breath. Panicking will not help. This is the *opposite* of time to panic. All will be well. All will be well.

Opening her eyes again, she shakes her head. "Sorry, Chrono-kun... If you were hurt badly enough that you had to *miss hotpot,* then a hug would be a *super* bad idea and I don't want to make that worse. So... consider yourself hugged."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown let out a silent sigh of relief. Yay, no hugs! He uhhh... never handled affection well. At all. Especially not from cute girls. "I know. It must have looked terrible. A lot happened all at once and me dying in the field is not an altogether unlikely event. However, it did not happen this time. I was wounded, quite severely. But I was rescued by the timely arrival of... Sailor Pluto."

"Unfortunately, my wounds will take longer to heal. And... less time to heal? I have new ones. But my device is healed and I have access to my magic again. I will attempt to use my healing spell as well, to help advance my recovery along, so next time I don't run into such a situation. And..."

Slow, deep breath. Please don't cry. Please don't cry. Pleeeeease don't cry. "I should... tell your parents. Not everything, obviously. But... enough. So they understand just how generous they have been. And why I ummm... haven't... fled or been recovered."

He was silent for a few more moments before speaking up again. "It is okay if you cry. I know this... must be a lot for you to take in. This is not a situation you were ever involved in. Someone like Testarossa being there... if I had known I would have never permitted you to go. She was dangerous. I am very proud of you for keeping yourself and that other girl safe. You would have made any TSAB agent proud."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
At the last of this, Rashmi shakes her head. "No... it was stupid to even get her attention, and I won't say it was stupid to go, but..." She lifts a shoulder with a sad smile. "I'm sorry it made you risk your life *again.* And I've been doing so much crying, I think I'm... actually cried out. But before you do, they'll probably want to know what this is, first."

And she holds up a gold-leafed envelope that is quite familiar to her, for it matches the one framed on her wall, tilting her head. "...I'd ask if you applied while you were on the operating table, but even *that* wouldn't be enough time."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown blinked a few times before reaching out to take it. "Uhhhh... what is..." Upon seeing his name on it, he opened it! A moment of hope... followed by crashing sadness. No, it wasn't from his family. From his mother. From others in the ship... his eyes wavered slightly, but his face was as much a mask as ever. "I see. So this is what she meant..." he said softly.

"I... will admit, I'm not as surprised by this as much as I should be. I wonder if I'm becoming jaded," he said. "Room and board would at least be settled. This would allow me to cause less trouble for you and your family. I will... try to visit the headmaster soon. To discuss things. There seems to be some magic involved, so I will see what they know and what arrangements can be offered."

Then, slowly, he looked up at her. "You never made me risk my life," he said. "Stopping Testarossa is my duty. Whether you had been there or not, it is my duty to interfere. Even if I get hurt during it, I made that choice. There's nothing you could have done to change it. But please... don't think you were wrong. While I didn't want you to be in danger... your boost likely saved my life. Fate Testarossa, Precia's child, nearly caught me by surprise. Your boosting magic gave me the edge I needed to survive."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"So uh... Remember when Koji said we should talk to the Guidance Counselor?" Rashmi says, cheeks reddening. "I uh... kind of booked an appointment for tomorrow. So that'll be fun, I'll get to tell her that it's all already taken care of." And she does manage a quiet laugh, then shakes her head.

"All right, though... I promise if I start thinking I was wrong -- again, I mean -- I'll remember what you said. But there was *so much power* being thrown around, I... Wasn't sure *any* of us had any business out there. And Chrono-kun, if that Testarossa woman's managed to get herself a position at Obsidian? That's *scary.* Because she... doesn't seem the type to feel like being someone's seceretary."

She pauses for a beat, replaying the conversation, and her brow furrows. "...Wait... *she has a child?!*"

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown just gave a small nod. As wavering as she was, he managed to keep his calm, his chill. Relaxed. Barely moving. Barely emoting. The soldier he was. Hell, if he wasn't so hurt he'd even be at attention. He meant for it to be comforting, to seem calm. To seem in control. To hide just how out of control this whole situation was. And likely making it worse for her...

"It might do you good to talk with her. I imagine this situation can't be normal and I'm sure it would do you well to speak with them. And... you aren't wrong. There was a lot of power there. Precia... Precia Testarossa is an SS class threat, at least when she has access to an energy source. Without it, she is considerably weaker. I could, theoretically, capture her myself. But on this planet? I don't know."

"The fact she has power at all is... concerning. She shouldn't. Especially at her age. And her daughter is a considerable threat as well. I'll need to ensure I am in top condition for the next time we fight, especially if I need to capture both of them."

... He had to be insane if he thought he could handle both of them. Or maybe he was a lot more capable than he looked. Or maybe he was just trying to see calm and capable in a situation that was quickly going out of control.

Or maybe... "But... it's unlikely even then I could, Terios-san. She is powerful. And she has powerful allies. It is my duty to put a stop to her, as the things she is after are... dangerous. Very dangerous. The reason I am here to begin with. If she manages to get a hold of them, your world could be at stake. Terios-san... as much as I hate to say it... I think I am going to need your help. To stop her. To stop her daughter. Before things go even more out of control. But... it... would be dangerous. More dangerous than even yesterday's incursion. If I've learned anything from this it's that as much as I loathe it... I do not have access to the TSAB here. And I need the help of people who shouldn't be a part of this to begin with."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
And Rashmi just... closes her eyes, and sighs, and gestures to the low wall surrounding the roof, where she takes a seat, patting the brick next to her for Chrono to sit as well. If nothing else, it has to be tiring standing that straight just after getting *that* hurt. *Again.*

"Chrono-kun... You need help. I understand that. You might even need *my* help, which... I mean intellectually I get, but the way you're talking it's against an enemy I should be hiding from. Either way... I understand that, too. I even have an idea whose help you could *really* need. The point is?" Dropping out of henshin, Rashmi takes off her glasses and scrubs at her face.

But when done, and glasses returned to her face, the smile she turns onto Chrono is a little wibbly, but kind and genuine. "My friend needs help. So I'm going to help him."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown nodded and took a seat besides her. He was silent for a long time, listening to her. Balancing the thoughts. And just, finally, he sighed. "I'm likely going to get hurt again. I could theoretically die. I'm not going to pretend it's impossible. I'm not... even going to pretend it's unlikely. My... father died. When I was three. To a Lost Logia. Enforcers like me... we die all the time. Every year, countless of us die."

"Because the things we are pursuing, Lost Logia? They... destroy civilizations. Worlds. Galaxies. There are some that are harmless. But people will always pursue them. For the wrong reasons. Greed. Hatred. Desires. So we stop them. I will always try to stop them. Even if it's dangerous. Even if I only have a one percent chance of stopping them, I will *always* try to make that chance the reality. If you... want to help me, Terios-san," he said, before reaching out and taking her hand. He looked up at her, his face determined.

"You need to understand that. This is *not* your fight. This is *none* of your fight. This is a fight that may get me, you, all of your friends killed. There is no shame in not being able to fight this. In not accepting it. I have trained my *entire life* to face things like this and even I am scared sometimes. This is new, this should not be something you have to do."

"... But I have to at least let you make the choice. Because if I don't, I know you will get involved. And I don't want you involved unless you know exactly what it is you are doing. What threats you are accepting," he said, before pulling his hand from hers.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
Rashmi listens, very closely, to what Chrono has to say, nodding in the pauses, very obviously taking all the information in, and giving it due consideration. But there is one fact about Rashmi that Chrono never learned, because it hadn't been pertinent to their talks up until this point.

If he hopes to convince a member of the Debate Club that she hasn't already made her choice and isn't just considering the argument, he's about to be disappointed.

"Chrono-kun," she says, and while quiet, her short burst of laughter as she says his name is *very* real. "I already *made* my choice, before you came back. I don't know how I can help... But that's easy to fix. Because I'm *going* to help, and you're right; better you accept, now, that a bunch of excited teenagers are going to be doing ipossible things to help you. Otherwise we'll just get underfoot and hurt worse *while* helping you."

Chuckling, she carefully puts her arm around his shoulders, for a very careful side-hug. Because one can't *not* at least try, after that silly, serious, earnest speech of his. "Sorry, Enforcer-kun. You're stuck with us."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown chuckled and gave a small nod. "I see. Then I feel I should warn you, Terios-san. It seems you are looking to assist a TSAB agent in rather serious matters. I'll have to authorize you as a TSAB temporary mage. Or even a citizen collaborator," Chrono said with a soft sigh. "This is going to be troublesome."

"... It'll also mean I'll need to stop holding back. Our training sessions won't be so careful and gentle, Terios-san. You could get hurt. You've seen part of what I can do. Once I am fully healed, I can unleash my capabilities without worrying about hurting myself."

"... Precia Testarossa may just be the tip of what dangers reside on this world. If you really want to face them... I won't let you go in empty handed. Just... know... These are real, credible threats. This is not the first time I have nearly died. I have known many, many mages who've died. And this world? Is unlike anything I've ever seen. I won't back down." He leaned against her and gave a soft sigh.

"... But... I'd be lying... if I said I expected you to say no. This world has strange and utterly insane threats. It makes sense that its protectors are the same."

"... How much trouble am I in with your parents?"

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"...Less trouble than you would if they heard you say all that," Rashmi admits. "Mostly they were almost as scared as I was. You'd disappeared as far as they knew, and I'd just told them I saw you coming after me just before the explosion. Which, I mean... all of that was true. And I had Nicomachea make up a TheyChat account so I could show them the message that you sent me so they knew you were safe. But yeah... They're proooobably gonna want an explanation, this time. Getting hurt twice in a week, Papi's about realy to take a baseball bat and start crimefighting around the neighborhood. ...Not that Mami'd actually let him, but... he's pretty wound up, *for* you."

"...And wait. You'd have to deputize me? I.... that's so weird. Usually in superhero stories like that it's the *Earth* people deputizing the *alien,* not the other way round! But, if that's what you need, then sure!"

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown nodded and then gave another soft sigh. "Well, it'd be weird if your planet deputized me. You all have legal age requirements that require one to be of certain ages, but past those ages you people forget about magic. I'm an enforcer of magic. You don't really have the legal structures in place TO deputize me."

He closed his eyes for a few moments before slowly pushing back off her. "Let's... go talk to your parents. I might as well get this over with before I lose my nerve. And... Terios-san... this is dangerous. I wish I didn't have to ask you to be involved. But... I appreciate the fact you'll stand with me despite it. Now, let's... oh gosh..." he muttered. "...Your dad isn't going to think I'm in a gang or anything, is he?"

Rashmi Terios has posed:
It can't be helped, but Rashmi *does* pout internally as Chrono moves away. Just a bit. The novelty was nice!

"Well if he did," she says in a sour-lemon voice, "he wouldn't have any room to complain. I know for a fact *he* was a delinquent kid, and *he* got into all the fights in the world. But you're *not* a delinquent, so that's not even an issue."

Ah yes, teenager logic. The two are not the same, ergo, fair is fair.

"But yeah... Though... We shouldn't go in through the roof. How'd you get *up* here without magic, y'know?"

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown blinked and then... "I used magic. I flew here, used some magic to hide my presence," he said. "Why would I not use magic?" Well, i mean. That was a thing. Why wouldn't he use magic if... he could use magic? Magic was kind of his thing. He had like. One thing.

"And yeah. I... don't think I'd have lasted long as a delinquent. My mother would... not... have approved. And she could be incredibly convincing." And the way he said that seemed to imply it was in a manner different from how normal mothers could be convincing. In some scary way... but nahhhhh.

He took a slow, deep breath... before he glanced over the side of the building. "Maybe... fly down there, walk in? Wait. They... they wouldn't... try to hug me... would they? Because I really don't want to have to redo these stitches..."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"Not while the dinner rush is still on," Rashmi assures Chrono. "So we'll get to get you upstairs and rested before they have time to delegate closing to someone else. Which they *will,* so we won't have *all* evening, but. We can get you comfortable, and it's harder to hug someone until it hurts when you're on a couch."

Tucking her hair behind her ear, she clears her throat. "But yeah... Probably want to go down to the floor, because remember... Mami and Papi don't know we *can* fly to the roof. Or off it. Or out my bedroom window, which is how I got here."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown nodded and then motioned below. "You... should go to your room. I'll come in alone, prevent you from getting drawn into whatever fallout there is. Trust me, there will be plenty of time for that later," he said with a sigh. He pulled out the card housing his device. With a flip, it turned back into his device...

And he leaped down from the roof, landing in the side alleyway. Then de-henshined... and sighed. Ah. He looked... ruffled. Safe, mostly. But ruffled. He headed inside... and... Waited by the entrance for either her mother or father to come and then, in his normal... way, way too serious manner... "When you two have the time tonight, I... have some things I must tell you. I am still fairly exhausted, but I should be fine. Would it be okay if I wait on the couch again?" If granted permission, he would head up... and rest on it.

Oh. This was going to be *fun.* He could feel it. He felt like he was going to be tap dancing through a mine field.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
And Rashmi nods, flipping back into her Barrier Jacket long enough to put on her wings, and make her way back through her open window.

The Terios family knew, vaguely, that Chrono was hurt again, but safe. Word had been spread among the staff, to keep an eye out for him, and the moment he showed up at the kitchen door, Ananda was summoned almost as quickly as if by magic.

"The prodigal returns," the elder Terios woman says, her laughing eyes tinged with concern. "You have given us quite the fright, Chrono-kun. Rashmi tries to hide it, but she has been beside herself all day, though she tells us you have found help."

And the tall, black-haired Indian woman, elegant even in gray slacks and a red-trimmed black button-up shirt, crouches down to look at Chrono at eye-level, meeting his eyes like one equal to another. "When the shop is in hand, we have questions. But we trust our Sunshine's instincts, so understand this; we are not angry with you, Chrono-kun. We are very, very worried *for* you. The difference, I hope, is one you understand?"

But he *is* allowed to pass in, and up the stairs, and Rashmi already has the teakettle on and curry-pan warming up in the toaster oven.

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown would nod. Though he had no idea what the 'prodigal returns' meant. He figured he should be somewhat meek. Somewhat gentle. And he was also willing to nod along that he understood the difference.

That difference was why he had been working on what to say to them. How to say it to them. What to do. How to do it. When... where... why....

It wasn't... going to be easy. He knew. But... well. His role wasn't easy. Especially... if he knew one day he might have to explain to her parents... what happened to...

He'd never let that happen. Because he refused to be the one to have to tell them their daughter was gone. She may be an acting agent but he WOULD keep her and everyone else safe. He... just hoped he could keep this promise.

However, he was pretty tired... so when they finally did come to the couch, he had passed out on it again.

Soldier life. Boy could sleep just about anywhere.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
...That was unexpected, to be sure. Rashmi had *zero* answers, besides 'I guess he's still recovery-tired...?'

So at least Chrono gets one more night of sleep, and finds himself duly be-blanketed, and awaking the next *morning* with the smells and sounds of breakfast cooking. Somehow, Rashmi managed to find the time to slip the acceptance letter and its envelope under his hand, as he slept.

And Goro is usually such an energetic chef, it's easy to wake up to. Not this time.

But there is no escape from that expectant look in *everyone's* eyes. He's still being fed, still has the couch, but he *did* promise answers.

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown would, well... he'd get up and, slowly, make his way to the table. Sit down. Try not to... lose his cool. Deep breath. Slow. Gentle. Determined. He could do this. "I suppose... I should begin with who I am. Chrono Harlaown. You know that, I suppose. But... I'm not from here. Japan, I mean. My family and I are from... well. That would be hard to explain as well. However, upon arrival we were supposed to be together. But there was an accident."

"I am searching for them. Have been for... a while now." While technically they were the crew... he certainly seemed to have no qualms about calling them his family.

"I... still don't know where they are and I am still looking. I did get hurt in a mugging when Terios-san found me. I... expected a quick patch up and to be told to leave. Instead, I was treated with far more care than I could have asked for. More than I ever expected. Thank you for that. Last night... I was following a lead. Unfortunately, it did not pan out. Instead, I was injured and a friend of mine had to aid, ensure I received vital care. She is currently helping me get things sorted, shelter and all. But it will likely take a few more days."

Deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment. "I... wasn't... entirely honest with you, though. About... some things. You see, I uhhh... am not... as young as you may think. I'm actually fourteen. I... would have corrected you on that first night, but... I did not. As I did not want to bother you with something that I thought didn't matter. But... this is relevant because I know in Japan, fourteen likely seems... far... too young to be doing any of this. But I assure you, where I come from, it's... not altogether uncommon." Well, that was a lie. The TSAB allowed SOME younger agents, but they were the EXTREME minority. Very few made it anywhere NEAR his rank at his age.

"... So... I guess... that's... that. Who I am, what I'm doing, why I disappeared, why I am here and where I intend to go."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
'Following a lead.'

That, it seems, is the structural brace to this entire story that the Terios family seems to be latching onto; you can *see it in their eyes,* how things begin to make a weird kind of sense that isn't fully believable, because--

Goro sips at his tea, eyes narrowed in puzzled suspicion. "So, wait... kiddo, sounds like you're tellin' us you're from some kinda... what, PI family? Cos I ain't gonna lie, that sounds pretty wild."

Ananda, meanwhile, seems to think it less strange, as she takes her husband's hand. "Says the vagrant swordsman of the culinary wastelands," she says, a note of teasing in her voice. "While perhaps our childhoods were not so productive as this, do we not have our own whirlwind stories to claim?"

Rashmi simply looks from mother, to father, and back again, then gives Chrono a look as if to say '....wait... *that's* what they're going with?!'

But then the elders stop mooning at each other long enough to chuckle at the shared joke, and return to breakfast. "I mean," Goro drawls, "gettin' the feelin' there's a lot you ain't tellin' us, but... here's the thing. All we saw was, Rashmi found a kid in need o' help, an' we raised her *exactly* to do what she did."

Rashmi sinks a bit in her chair, flushing with embarrassment.

"Now, we're comfortable here. We got room enough to help a kid needin' help, an' it says a lot about you, Chrono, that you've been tryin' to give back any way you can. So... I suppose, there's only a couple questions as really need askin'."

The scruffy Osakan leans forward, elbows on the table. "Can you look me in the eye, an' promise me as you're gonna stay on the right side of the law as best you can? An', more important..."

"...You got any cookbooks from where you're from?"

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown blinked and had to look at Rashmi for a moment... then use a quick search to determine what a PI was. After that, he shrugged. Eh. Close enough. He shared the look with Rashmi. Well, it seemed to be going well enough. He couldn't exactly explain the truth. Literally. They'd just forget it.

"I assure you, I am telling you all I can," Chrono said. But the fact he said it all so seriously. He then glanced back to Rashmi for a moment. There it was, that warmth. Their family. It was... so kind. Inviting. He really would miss being here. Then he turned back to the parents. "Indeed. Terios-san has been incredibly generous. And my mother has always taught me that one should properly repay those who aid you and aid those you can when you have the chance. It is a wide... world out there, one which we should all endeavor to lift each other up."

He did look Goro in the eye and... "I will stay on the law as best I can and, as far as I know, have yet to break it. As for cookbooks, I am afraid nod. About the only recipe I do know is... a tea one my mother was fond of. Green tea, eight spoonfuls of sugar, four tablespoons of cream. I couldn't say what plant the tea was made of, only that it was green. I... tended to prefer water." Oh by the... she DRANK THAT?!

Rashmi Terios has posed:
Silence rings around the Terios table as this horror is given its due appreciation. "...Lord a'mighty," Goro finally manages, "that much sugar in tea, wouldn't be surprised if she could see through time."

Aheh. Aheheheheh. Heh. Yes... Because of the sugar.

"Well," Ananda picks up smoothly, "perhaps when you reunite, we may see about... expanding her palate. In any case... you say you stay with us for a few more days? What then?"

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown gave a soft sigh. Well, to be honest... he had stuggled to resist saying that, technically, he was the closest thing TO TSAB law here. So, one thing managed to avoid. "Yeah, mom... really liked-- likes her sweets," Chrono said. Nope. she was okay. She WAS okay. He knew she was. She had to be. She... she had to be. Because if she wasn't...

She had to be okay.

"When I find her, I assure you I will bring here first if I am able to. I am certain she will love it as much as I. As for... where I intend to go... well... RHA has now extended me an invitation. I intend to meet with the headmistress within the coming days and tell them of my current situation. If we can reach an... adequate arrangement, I will move in there and continue my searth fopr my family while attending school." If not... well...

If not, he didn't extrapulate on that.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"Is there anything you can tell us of your family?" Ananda says, idly comtemplating her chai. "Perhaps there may be little we can do from here, but... it is a truth of the restaurant, that sooner or later half the world may pass through one's doors. If we had descriptions, identifying marks perhaps. Things a server might spot and tell to management?"

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown hmed for a moment. "They'd... have clothes, similiar to what I wear. And... I could give descriptions of them. There's a lot of them. And they might... they'd likely seem... confused. I... don't know how to explain that... ummm..." On the upside, the TSAB spoke japanese. For... reasons... magic. Who knew? He couldn't say anyway.

"If you'd like, I could try and give detailed descriptions of all of them."

... Could he really remember all of them? Unlikely. But... he DID have their logs. So that helped.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
The suggestion is made that Chrono make a list to be distributed among the staff, in case any of them are likely to blow through the Korma. But, once the matter of how the family can help is settled, breakfast-table talk turns to scheduling, and business matters, and possible ideas for seasonal specials, as it does nearly every morning at breakfast.

Chrono may be young, he may be hiding things, but for as long as he needs it, he has a place at the Terios Table.

And the family puts out a *hell* of a spread.