1429/Currying Healing

Currying Healing
Date of Scene:	19 April 2024
Location:	Korma Chameleon
Synopsis:	Rashmi and Chiyo come across an injured Philip at the Korma. They join him for a meal and Rashmi finds out that Chiyo has a type.
Cast of Characters:	Phantom, Rashmi Terios, Chiyo Sakai

---

Phantom has posed:
It's not quite time for the dinner rush, it's that grey area right between the school crowd letting out and the business crowd showing up. In other words, it's not terribly busy. And a good time for Philip Toms to arrive to find something to eat - and attempt to continue to recover. Recover from what? We'll get to that.

Taking a seat at one of the tables, he looks at the menu, already putting in an order for naan and the special. It doesn't matter what it is, he just knows he needs to eat, recover some of his energy and he can heal himself.

After all, making a barrier, creating a Terribad, manipulating four mahou and a fight against Haruka and Chrono can take a lot out of a busy villain! When the water arrives, he's quickly draining it down before setting it down for a refill.

Dressed down into the school uniform, and when he removes the jacket part, there's a bandage wrapped around his right forearm, near the wrist, where it's showing hints of spotting of blood where it hasn't quite closed up yet. He hasn't been able to make it back to Mirage Corporation, the teleport away took too much out of him. A quick pitstop, meal, healing, home.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
Rashmi has been loving the dorm life. Having roommates was *almost* like having siblings, after all, and cafeteria dinners was *almost* like eating on a budget -- given the standards set by Radiant Heart's cafeterias, a *large* budget -- but...

Well, it turns out Rashmi doesn't get homesick, she gets home-hungry. And Wako was off doing Wako things, so Rashmi simply herded Chiyo out of their dorm room and off campus. "We are going to have Indian food for dinner," she declared, halfway to the gate, "I am going to pay, and we are going to be too full to walk home, and that's that."

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
With an invitation like that, how could Chiyo refuse? She was admittedly a bit unused to the dorm life herself though getting used to it was easier than she expected. Having roommates like Wako and Rashmi certainly helped. Rashmi and she tended to play off one another's strengths for making sure there was almost always good food of some sort available.

But though the curry at RHA wasn't bad it was Japanese style. Not the sort that could be found at Korma.

The insistance from Rashmi is met with very little opposition. It's not long before they actually make it TO the Korma, and out of habit Chiyo steps forward to open the door before Rashmi can.

There's just that little breif moment of pausing to inhale as the scents hit her in the face causing her stomach to give a little kick of it's own informing her she most definitely wanted to get something delicious, and this SMELLED DELICIOUS. Then with a grin she steps through chuckling. "Are you sure about paying? I can cover myself, and I don't want your parents to think I'm taking advantage of you," she remarks teasingly to her friend.

Out of habit her gaze runs over those already here easily picking out the familiar Philip she'd run into several times already at her shop. "Oh, I know him!" she murmers with a gesture that hesitates as she also takes in that blood stained bandage with a concerned frown. A look is cast toward Rashmi only a moment before she strides in his direction with a friendly smile.

"Hello! Philip, right? We met at Nounamu Sweets."

Phantom has posed:
There's a word for Chiyo. It's not quite Nurse Nightingale, but she just seems to be one of those girls that when she sees someone that's hurt, she immediately wants to come over and help. Like finding a baby bird and putting it back in it's nest. Or bandaging up a wounded puppy - PHANTOM IS NOT A PUPPY. But she probably put band-aids on her dollies and that was her idea of playing 'Doctor'.

It's not annoying. It's just... frustrating?

And it's like blood in the water when she has noticed the mahogany haired boy. And before he gets a chance to cover the injury, she's making her way over, too late to cover up with his jacket and play it off. She offers up a friendly wave and a smile and oh Mirage why is she being nice??

"Yes. That's where. Hello Sakai-san." Philip offers with a polite upnod of his head, lips managing to somehow pull off a thin smile as he notices that Chiyo is not alone.

THANK THE MIRRORS.

"Ah... I would not want to interrupt your dinner. But it is nice to see you?" Be polite, be nice. Maybe she'll circle the table and return to the pack. That would be great.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"Oh don't be silly," Rashmi says regarding the 'taking advantage' joke, with a chuckle. "I buy dinner for someone here at least twice a month, it's never a big deal.

But then, Chiyo spots Philip, and Rashmi can't help but trail in the sweets-smith's wake.

"Hi!" she chirps as she comes up behind Chiyo, *extremely* pleased to see a known face to Chiyo -- friend is definitely too soon, since she'd said they 'met' -- in *her* family's restaurant. Having grown up literally over the place, a certain proprietariness regarding the restaurant is hard to shake. "I'm Rashmi Terios, it's good to meet you Philip-san! Have you been here before?"

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
There was a bit of an odd feeling about Philip. A tension that makes Chiyo wonder if she'd made a mistake in coming over. Though she knew his arm was bandaged, it was impossible to miss, once she greets him she doesn't once look down nor ask directly about it. Instead she tilts her head toward him in a nod as he adds he wouldn't want to interrupt her dinner.

"I think it's more that I'm interrupting yours right now. I'm sorry..." Ah but Rashmi had followed naturaly so she lifts a hand to gesture at her friend who helpfully introduces herself. "Rashmi-chans parents run this place. If you have any questions she can tell you the best things to eat."

The idle conversation goes rather smoothly. Maybe she won't ask about it. Maybe she won't point it out. Maybe she won't...

"Would you like to join us for dinner? You just started at RHA, right? I know you said you were newly back in Tokyo recently."

Phantom has posed:
Nope, instead of returning to the pack, the pack came to her. And Rashmi seems just as bad as Chiyo. Philip draws in a breath. "My apologies." he offers, his tone polite and hinted with a British undertone, even when using Japanese (a subtle nod to his DUB VA). "I was doing some parkour someplace I wasn't... exactly supposed to be, and took a spill." A gesture to his arm. "It's a bit of discomfort, but I didn't want to report it, because... obvious reasons?" he asks.

Oh, he's a bad boy.

"It is nice to meet you as well, Terios-kun." comes his polite smile to the dark-skinned redhead. "This is my first time here, and I didn't mean to be an imposition to your plans." He rolls his shoulders into a shrug, which brings a slight grimace. Apparently something else, that's hidden.

And anyway, he's already seated! But he's not telling them no, they can't join him.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"-san," Rashmi corrects with the immediate, unjudgmental tone of someone who's been correcting honorifics mistakes since her first class on the matter. "-kun is for boys you've known awhile, -san is always a good default. Anyway it'd be no imposition at all! Our 'plans' were to come here and eat something nice, and those're pretty foolproof plans! Wouldn't be any imposition at all, Philip-san!"

As Philip speaks to the origin of his injuries, Rashmi tilts her head. "...You should probably get it looked at by the nurse tomorrow anyway," she says, bobbing her head. "If it's something little like that, Meiou-sensei won't do more than tell you not to do that again... But she takes student health *seriously.* So... go to her before she finds out, basically, is always the best option."

She then looks to Chiyo, eyebrows rising. Sit here or at the next table? THE CHOICE IS HERS.

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
"Nonsense. You should meet some good people now that you're at the school, and Rashmi's one of the best I know." A glance is cast to Rashmi with a little shrug. Usually she wasn't so pushy. Usually. Maybe spending time with Wako was making her a bit more open about just jumping into things because she sits down at Philip's table with a grin. Oh no he was stuck with them.

"That sounds dangerous. I'm glad you're okay though." When Rashmi speaks of the nurse she can only nod in ready agreement. "It's not a bad idea. Meiou-sensei is more concerned that you get treatment than how it happened. You should check with her," she suggests looking to the bandages with a frown. "Even if it's just to get those changed out. Does it hurt much? I have some painkillers in my purse if you need," she offers already twisting to the side for the bag slung at her side.

Phantom has posed:
"Terios-san." Philip self-corrects. Why did he use -kun? Why did it feel right? Shaking off that feeling, he ohs when Rashmi points out seeing the school nurse. "It didn't happen on campus and it's not something I really want you know." A pause, he has to think of what to say especially when his brain breaks just a little when Chiyo starts to sit and something kicks into his head as he rises up.

Pulling out the chair for her to be seated, he waits for her to settle before scooting her forward, and repeating the motion for Rashmi. "If you're going to join me, I should be at least polite." comes his explanation for the behaviour as he returns to his own seat and settles back in as Chiyo asks if it hurts.

"Not too bad. I'll be okay. I just don't want something that requires a report and all. Right?" he asks the pair, a hint of bringing them on the conspiracy in his voice. "I usually do really well, just slipped and hit some rebar."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
Once again, Rashmi glances at Chiyo, her eyebrows rising, and after a moment, she simply shrugs. "Well, it's your choice," she says as she starts to take her own seat -- Then pauses as Philip fairly *leaps* over to be rather Britishly polite, which is a fairly new concept. "By which I mean, if she finds you before you're healed well enough, it's your funeral. But, thank you Philip-san, that was very kind!"

The menu, Rashmi doesn't even need to look at; do not cite the Deep Curry to her, she was there when half of it was *put* on the menu. "...So Chiyo-san, what're you in the mood for? I'm thinking samosas to start, then the aloo posto and dol maach for me."

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Chiyo Sakai is a little surprised when Philip jumps up to grab her seat. She'd seen it in movies, but never had anyone do it for her at all. It brings a smile to her as she settles in with a little nod of thanks for the gesture. The remaining little inch or two toward the table is scooted in on her own. "Thank you. If you're certain. Just keep an eye on it so it doesn't get worse," she suggests without pushing the issue further.

The urge to suggest he ought to at least try some of the candy in the nurse's office was probably not a good thing to bring attention to at the moment: That candy was healing a bit but he didn't exactly know her identity. Plus... was he also...? It was so hard to tell sometimes.

Rashmi's question earns a grin. "I just want a little something today. Maybe the Aloo Paneer and some roti?" You could never go wrong with simmered curry potatoes and bread. That was just delicious.

With a soft 'oh' of thought she adds to Philip, "If you're not used to spic you should also get a lassi. They're yogurt drinks and are delicious."

Phantom has posed:
"Sorry, my mother would have gotten upset if she heard I wasn't polite." Philip offers. "She's in charge of a small cosmetics company." he explains. Which is Mirage Corporation's cover, and he's willing to stick with that. "I will, Sakai-san. I appreciate your concern." Another small smile, polite to a fault as he settles back in. "I ordered the chef's special. The waiter seemed excited about it." comes Philip's offer on the matter as he lifts his arm to look at it. "If it's still bad in the morning, I'll get it looked at. Promise. If not? I am very good at ducking authority."

"So how long have your parents owned the resturant? I seem to be coming across a lot of family owned businesses. Back home, it is mostly corporations and the like." he explains. "London being home. My mother just moved us here from there, to start her work here." he explains as he takes a sip of his water. "Oh. I'll pass. Working on a bit of a budget."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"Oh man," Rashmi says, "good call. Papi likes to treat 'specials' like sushi chefs treat the omakase courses, and it's... April... Friday..." Behind her glasses, her eyes find the ceiling as she runs through her memories of specials by season and day."...mango season. Oh *man* yeah I get why Ryusuke-kun was talking it up, Papi *loves* to play with sweet-spicy lately." When asked about the business, she ponders, leaning back in her chair. "Oh um... Since not long before I was born? Call it seventeen years, now? Papi was kind of a vagrant chef after cooking school, he met Mami in Kolkata and they moved back here to settle when they married. She blends the spices, he dreams up the recipes that show the spices off the best. And don't worry about the lassi, I'll get it. If you're gonna have a mango-heavy curry, you'll want the coriander lassi for taste balance, trust me."

"Good call, Chiyo-chan! So--"

'London'

"Oh cool!" she says, brightening. "I've got a friend from just outside there, how're you liking Japan?"

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
"I've heard London is nice to visit though. Full of history?" Chiyo reasons as she wracks her brain trying to think of what she knows of London. Unfortunately the answer is 'not much' so she just smiles sheepishly at her rather lame contribution to the conversation.

At least he promises to get it looked at if it's not better. Though one day was a stretch for 'getting better' at least you could tell by then if it were 'getting worse'. "Okay," she agrees with a slightly relieved look.

Her attention shifts to Rashmi as she tries to figure out what the special may be, along with the talk of the lassis only to grin further. "I think we can cover you on the drink, Philip-san," she offers as she had really been trying to use the appropriate name for him. That was... wait, first, right? Darn.

"Yes, how are you enjoying Japan? I hope you've found lots of fun things to do so far. Otherwise we can make some recommendations."

Phantom has posed:
"It's full of history that has been appropriated from other countries and then charges citizens of those countries to look at them." Which, for Philip, is really approrpiate, because he is totally appropriating Precures for his graveyard... ahem.

Though apparently there is no getting out of the lassi, so he nods, "Very well, I accept it then, thank you." he offers politely, dropping his arm back down to the side so the bandages are not obvious anymore. Out of sight, out of mind? At least that's his hopes.

Then Chiyo calls him by his first name, and for a moment, he has no idea how to react to it. His free -uninjured- hand moves to push back some of his dark red hair, which only accents the blue of his eyes. "But outside of that, London is rather dreary. Very drab. Tokyo, by comparison, seems warm and full of life, so much to explore and do. It's... as if it is two seperate worlds."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
Like, *Philip* can say it, but it'd be the utter summit of rudeness to pay the comment *that* much mind, which is why Rashmi tilts her head upon hearing the comment, but doesn't seem to have all *that* much to say. Because being honest, there's no citizen that couldn't find things to be upset about their own country over, but nobody really *wants* to play Dueling Atrocities.

"...I mean, it almost kind of *is,* you're not wrong there. But I mean like... not even the museums, I can think of a dozen things I'd want to do if I ever went to England. Oxford would be first, I'm a *huge* Tolkien fan, but anyway. It sounds like you're already well on your way to enjoying being here!"

Ryusuke comes back to the table, and Rashmi is diverted with placing her order and making small talk, as if she'd known this waiter ever since he'd first begun to work here.

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
"Oh... I guess it is in that way, yes. I was more thinking like the clock tower building, and the castle? I think it's a castle." Palace? Chiyo really wasn't certain on that front though she does have to nod in agreement with the rest of the statement as well. At least that hot topic had been broached and could now pass by without further issue.

"That's one thing I love about this city. There's so much to do no matter what your interests are. You seem to like skating," she determines with a nod toward the now-hidden arm. "I'm not really familiar with it but I've heard there's some groups of skaters that meet up to do tricks together now and then. I mostly hit up the arcade when I want some fun. Have you been there yet?"

Phantom has posed:
"Elizabeth Tower. That's where Big Ben is. Sorry, I shouldn't speak ill of my home - I just feel that treasures that are collected should be.... I don't know." Philip shrugs his shoulders. "There's the new Ferris Wheel there. It's cool." he guesses. "But there's a Ferris Wheel here that would give you the same thing?" A nod of his head in thought.

"I was doing some parkour when this happened, but yeah, I like skateboarding." Though he gets a little smile at the mention of the arcade. "I have. The little UFO catchers were interesting, I didn't get much further than that, ended up getting a few prizes and wasn't sure what to do with them." He gestures to his bag where a small mecha keychain hangs off of it.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"Yeah there are *so many* kinds of gacha games all over the place," Rashmi chuckles. "Guarantee if there's Japanese media you're a fan of, there's a gacha game that'll get you little charms and keychains and dolls and whatever. So besides parkour... That's like that acrobatic running thing, where you're climbing and jumping all over the place? Besides that, what d'you like to do just, like, in general?"

Eyes flick from Philip to Chiyo and back again, and it's lucky she's already having a good time because otherwise she'd have to explain the smile as something *besides* seeing the two of them apparently click, at least a little. When the drinks finally come, she settles back in her chair with rose-flavored deliciousness and watches the pair interact, for a time.

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
"Oh! Parkour, right." Why had she thought skating? Did she totally miss out on his mention of parkour? Or was she just assuming based on his sort of bad-boy looks that he had. A little flush of pink rises to her cheeks as she looks away trying not to make it obvious she felt silly having made that mistake.

At least there's the distraction of the gatcha charm being shown off which earns a grin. "Oh I'm terrible at those. That's a great catch, then. I think you can donate the toys if you don't have any idea what to do with them. You ought to keep some though, for yourself."

When the lassi comes she takes it quite thankful. Her own being a mango because ... well it was her favorite. A sip is taken earning a happy little side-to-side shimmy in her seat as she lets her eyes slip shut. "I really have to figure out how to make a candy with this taste. It's so good!"

Phantom has posed:
With the arrival of the lassis, Philip thankfully has a reason to stop talking for a moment, to take a drink from the glass. There's a small blink of his eyes. "This is delicious." he murmurs, and realizing how sweet it is, he takes a longer drink - Chiyo may have already figured out that he has a bit of a sweet tooth - and it's on display again as he finishes off half of the drink before he dabs his lips with the napkin and ohs. "Did you want one?"

Opening the bag, he roots around and comes out with a small package, setting it on the table near Chiyo. "Here." Inside, there's a small figurine of a calico cat sitting on a rubber duck with handlebar ears. "A thank you for the drink." he offers to her as he withdraws his hand and looks at Rashmi. "Would you like one as well?" he asks her.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"...Okay *that's* adorable," Rashmi laughs. "And it's perfect for you, Chiyo-chan! Oh, um, sure, I wouldn't mind! If it's no trouble, I mean."

Already tickled at seeing Philip's reaction to the lassi, the redhead grins. "*Yeah* it is. I've always liked coriander when I'm in the mood for something different. You wouldn't think it would taste great, but it's like... citrus and mint and just a little bit of spicy... I love it."

And Chiyo's little happy wiggle, clearly, is the correct response in the presence of the owner's kid. "It's actually not that uncommon, Chiyo-chan! Like... ooh, there's an Indian fudge-kind-of sweet called burfi, you make that with mango and wrap mochi around it... That sounds amazing."

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Oops. Was she happy food dancing? Oh dear. Still, even if it might have gained her some teasing when she was younger, this was one little personality trait that she didn't actually feel bad about. Good food *should* be celebrated! Chiyo grins broadly as Rashmi suggests the candy options with her eyes clearly brightening at the thought. "Oh I'll have to look that up and experiment!" She promises.

Her attention shifts to the little toy that Philip brings out with a quick, "Ah, you don't have to--Oh! Oh it's *cute*!"

Her head lowers to peer at it rather than just pluck it up off the table, and she grins broadly. "It looks like Bonito!" Rashmi would know who she meant. Philip not so much. Her eyes flit up toward him across the table to explain sheepishly, "He's my cat. Thank you! This is really sw--Cute." Sweet. No it wasn't sweet of him to offer a gatcha it wasn't. Maybe a bit. It's taken in hand now to smile down at it simply admiring it for several long moments.

"Thak you."

Phantom has posed:
When the present is accepted and appreciated, Philip offers a small smile and a nod of his head as he rubs at his arm. "I'm glad you like it. Better if you have it - especially if it reminds you of someone." Taking another drink from his lassi, he sets the glass back down, and now he realizes his problem.

There are two girls at the table that seem to love to make conversation, and he is not good, at all, at making any type of conversation with anyone.

Girls in mirrors tend to be terrible to practice on.

And it's in that moment that there is a moment of awkward silence as he has run out of conversational topics that he feels comfortable with broaching. Someone else is going to have to step up!

Rashmi Terios has posed:
Luckily, what has arrived is the salve for every lull in conversation; an excuse!

In the form of dinner!

Set in front of Philip is chunks of chicken swimming in a gravy that smells wonderfully of mango, tomato, and coconut, with saffron-tinted rice to one side. Violently reddish-orange fish and a bowl of mustard-and-poppy-sauce simmered potatoes is set in front of Rashmi, and Chiyo is favored with a bowl of potato-and-cheese curry stew and flatbread.

And for a while, there doesn't *need* to be conversation.

But it's evident from the look on the redhead's face, she's dying to see her friend and *her* new friend's reactions to the food on offer.

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Chiyo Sakai is quite happy to be distracted by the food as well! She really was gushing a bit too much tonight. But so far it was going well with her roommate, and a potential new friend, and she had a cute new decoration too out of it.

The smell of the food earns a sigh as she murmers, "I almost forgot I was hungry until I smelled this. I'm sure you'll love yours, too, Philip," she encourages as she takes a bit of her flatbread to tear a bit off lightly dunking it into the still-piping hot curry to pop into her mouth.

It really was good. A bit hot, but she expected that, and she rests her hand on her cheek as she chews just looking *quite* satisfied.

"Rashmi your parents really do make the best curries!"

Phantom has posed:
Food is a great distractor from awkwardness! And Philip doesn't really need to eat. But Mirage-sama was adamant that Phantom establish this persona to get to know his enemies better. Fighting Pretty Cures is one thing. He has a sound strategy - divide and conquer, it's easier to take them down when seperated. Take out members of a team one at a time.

But here, in this city? At the school? They travel in packs. This is going to be difficult.

But where were we? Oh yes, food. Phantom could sustain himself on dark energy without a problem, but this was all part of the cover - and the food before him looks appetizing. He takes a bite and realizes... as his pale cheeks darken, taht it is quite good. And quite spicy. After swallowing, he's immediately back into his lassi to drink from it and then another bite, alternating between the two.

"...this is quite spicy. But delicious." he manages between bites. Focus on the food, that's easy to talk about.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"They really, really do, and it really, really is," Rashmi says, delighted... And somehow half of her fish and rice has already disappeared, and she's making headway on the potatoes... is the girl some kind of eat ninja?

"D'you have a favorite food back in London, Philip-san?" ...A question which... seems to startle her into a chuckle-fit for a moment? "Sorry, I just reminded myself of when my friend Molly-chan was telling me about English food. *Her* favorite was steak-and-kidney pie and Yorkshire pudding, and... well I'd never heard of either of those before, so what I was thinking was *way* not what it was."

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Chiyo Sakai smiles a bit at the way they're all just... sitting and enjoying a meal. There was always something special about that. It was a great way to get to know people, and she imagines Rashmi feels the same watching others eat the food her parents make that she does when she gives people the sweets she makes. Pride. Enjoyment at their enjoyment.

"Oh, that does remind me I should swing by the shop after this to say hi to Ojiisan. Do you think it'd be okay if I ordered some food for him to go, Rashmi? I want to make sure he's taking care of himself."

Phantom has posed:
"Fish and chips." Philip responds. "It sounds pedestrian, but I love a good fried fish plank with crisp potatoes." he offers, clearly having studied up on his cover, so that he's not caught flat-footed like a certain Etherian archer. Finishing off his meal, as the pair talk about Chiyo's grandfather, he slips some yen out of his wallet to pay for his meal with a tip.

"It was nice to meet you, Terios-san. And to see you again, Sakai-san." A polite bow of his head. "I should get back home before my mother becomes concerned. Have a good evening." And with that, he moves to leave, giving Rashmi a chance to start her inquistion - we mean gentle questioning of Chiyo.