2012/The Greatest Mystery of All... Girls!

The Greatest Mystery of All... Girls!
Date of Scene:	22 October 2024
Location:	Korma Chameleon
Synopsis:	Hinote asks Rashmi and Bow for romance advice. Also they discuss runestones! Rose Theft Plans are made!
Cast of Characters:	Hinote Kagari, Rashmi Terios, Bow

---

Hinote Kagari has posed:
Hinote Kagari needs advice. He's not ready to involve his mom. So asking her is out of the question. Dad is... complicated. Thusly, he's resorting to asking friends for help, which finds him in front of the Korma Chameleon today, dressed in a simple black t-shirt and blue jeans, sneakers. Nothing fancy today as he brushes the back of his hair.

Tracy isn't here today, Tracy is off investigating 'The case of the baked goods'.

*cut to Tracy eating a giant cupcake. This is the case. He's eating the cupcake*

Hinote Kagari enters the Korma and politely approaches the counter.

"Hey there. Uh. Is Rashmi-chan available to talk to right now or is she too busy? I can come back later, if I need to." he asks.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
The server blinks for a moment, surprised, but beams at Hinote. "You're in luck!" she says, pointing to a booth at the back of the restaurant, near the stairway leading to the residence above. There, Rashmi's hair can be seen over what looks like a fortress wall, composed entirely of stacked textbooks.

"You go say hi, I'll be along shortly to see if either of you need anything, okay?"

As Hinote approaches the Fortress of Studiousness, Hinote can see that the girl has either hit a wall and her brain isn't accepting any more new studying, or that she's just joined the Occult Club, going by the doodles and diagrams and symbols being absently sketched into her notebook.

Once the boy's shadow falls over her table, she looks up, eyes tired behind her glasses, but summons a warm smile for the boy. "Hinote-kun, hi! C'mon sit, let me just--" And she starts unstacking books to place next to her, forming a crucial breach in the fortress wall by which communications might be better served.

Hinote Kagari has posed:
Hinote Kagari looks at all the books and diagrams and sits down opposite of Rashmi and asks. "What... are you doing? Are you doing...research for uh..." he looks over at the counter and back before asking. "'School'." with audible quotation marks. Look. Public. Can't just mention magic willy nilly like that all the darn time.

He picks up one of the pieces of paper Rashmi isn't looking at it. Looks at it. Nods. Nods again. "Yes. I see." he says as he puts the paper back. "I have no idea what any of this is." he says.

He sighs a little. "I'm glad you're available to talk to, Rashmi. I need some help." he says. "See. I think. There's this girl I like..." he says.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"Yep," Rashmi chuckles, clearing out enough for Hinote to have enough table space, and arranging her papers -- pausing when Hinote tries to deduct the meaning of one, then laughing and sorting it into its stack. "Yeah. 'School,'" she answers, complete with finger-quotes, and pushes a mostly-empty plate of what look to be pale cookies toward Hinote. "Sandesh," she says. "Cheese and almond flour, and choco sprinkles. I was gonna get another plate anyway, so we can start sharing now!"

And then Hinote utters the five fateful words, and Rashmi freezes for a moment. Oh, this is *serious.* This is a whole class of serious beyond coming apocalypsoi.

This is *romance stuff.*

"Hoooo... Okay yeah lay it on me, I'll help however I can."

Hinote Kagari has posed:
Hinote Kagari steals a cookie as he settles and considers his words as he chews and swllows. "Oh that's good." he says as he clears his throat. "So some background. I've dated. Like a lot. Mostly. These are like... what I call oblidates. Obligatory dates my dad sets up for me. Usually with self absorbed rich girls." he rolls his eyes.

"But. This girl. I like. She's nice. A little quirky. Her name is. Miho-chan." he says. "She's uh. New around here." he says.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"Oh Miho-chan! Yeah I've met her, she's cool. ...I mean," Rashmi says, clearing her throat. "Ice magic, cool, wow that was dumb. Anyway... she seems pretty nice! And this sounds a little more serious than an oblidate, so... Go on?"

At which point the server comes up to the table, with a fresh cup of tea for Rashmi, and looks down at the plates. "Did you and your friend need something else, Rashmi-chan?"

"Oh! Heh... Yeah another plate, and whatever Hinote-kun wants to drink? I'll pay."

Bow has posed:
The server heads off for a moment after getting Hinote's order. However, it's not the same server that returns. It's Bow, handling the drink and a plate of naan. Balancing them pretty easily, he weaves his way over. "I was just finishing my shift and saw you both, so figured... well, I won't get killed for five seconds of overtime, right?" He's been getting in trouble for it because he's had no social life as of late.

"Hi. How're you both?"

Hinote Kagari has posed:
Hinote Kagari ahs. "Ah so you know about that, good." he says. He adjusts his seat a bit as he's asked about food. "Just a mango lassi, please?" he asks. He looks back to Rashmi and blushes a little, rubbing a hand down his face a little. "It's complicated. Her dad is some big MMA fighter. And ultra protective. But he's back home. Not in Tokyo." he says.

"Rashmi. I'm not fighting her dad. Her dad may want me to. I dunno how ready I am for that." he says.

"Anyways. We went shopping. But I wouldn't call that a date." he says. "So now. I guess. I need to.."

"Ask her out?" he says, like it's a question.

"Oh, hey Bow! Oh, you work here? I didn't know that~! Hopefully Rashmi's family doesn't drive you too hard?" he asks. "I'm fine." he says. "How are you?"

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"So ask her out," Rashmi says around a chuckle, resting an elbow on the table and her chin in her hand. "I get it, though! You don't know *if* she likes you, and the idea of being told 'no' is terrifying... Honestly I'd probably still be single if Chrono wasn't so... Chrono. But when you get down to it-- Oh hi Bow-kun!"

The explanation trails off as Bow joins the table, and Rashmi dutifully removes the *rest* of the books from her table, to give the other boy a spot to sit. "C'mon sit already, Papi's worrying enough about you overworking yourself he's been mentioning it to *me* in texts."

That said, she looks to Hinote again, tilts her head, and tries again. "So... this girl. You like her. You *want* to ask her out. So... what's stopping you?"

Bow has posed:
Setting down the Mango Lassi, Bow gives a smile when Rashmi makes room for him, but his attention it on Hinote at the moment. "Yeah, I started here shortly after prom, to earn a little money to go out and visit places and you know... was dating at the time." He shrugs his shoulders. "It keeps me busy and it's good work, and I appreciate everything Rashmi's parents have done to put up with my lifestyle."

As he settles into his seat, his hands fold together. "Oh, I just have a lot of extra time on my hands. And when I'm not working on upgrading my gear. Some of the tech we recovered a while back has been helpful in figuring out what I want to do. But I still have to buy some components. Hopefully soon!" There's a tone of hope there.

But he's caught up on the conversation, "Congratulations!" he says sincerely, giving Hinote a little dap in his upper arm. "Is she... you know? Of two worlds? Fighting things by moonlight and taking classes by daylight?"

Hinote Kagari has posed:
Hinote Kagari listens to Bow and says. "Oh! Well, hopefully you can get the pieces you need soon. Dating at the time?" he asks, before looking back to Rashmi and considering. "I've never. Asked someone out." he admits. "It's always been my dad setting this crap up." he says.

"So I've decided." he says.

"I'm going to invoke the legend of the magical love rose from the botanical gardens." he says cooly.

"And then. I'm going to give it to her. Then. I'm going to ask her out. Now. I don't know where yet, but I assure you, I think I will figure out the perfect place. Eventually. Maybe... the Zoo? Is that too lame?" he asks hesitantly.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"She is," Rashmi says to Bow, nodding. "She's on Onihime-chan's team, actually!"

Then she listens to Hinote spin out the tale of his plans, sipping her tea, and trying not to keep her smile from turning into a laugh. Which she's pretty successful at, and she takes a moment to be proud of her capacity to hold out. "...Hinote-chan," she says instead, voice gentle. "That all sounds really, really romantic. But you don't *need* to go to the perfect place... And even if you do, I will bet you five *thousand* yen that it'll only be the perfect place because she's there. Absolutely do the rose thing, but like... Just ask her if there's a place *she'd* like to go for a date. Then if she can't figure it out either, do something fun. Like an escape room! And if it turns out the escape room was put on by some youma to steal energy from people, well... then you're on a date *and* fighting with backup! I know Usa-chan complains about that a lot, but like... When my dates with Chrono get interrupted, he *still* is a flirty goober so it's still fun, y'know?"

"Having said all that," she says, "the zoo is a perfectly great place to go for a date. Everyone's got their favorite animals, and you'll get to see her being all adorable at hers."

With that, she turns to Bow, tilting her head a bit. "...Speaking of needing to do fun things for a change... Bow? Is that *why* you've been overworking yourself? To *fill time?*"

Bow has posed:
There's a sucker born every minute. = P T Barnum

One can see the sparkles around Bow and in his eyes as he perks up suddenly. "Legend of the magical love rose?" he asks in a way that screams 'Tell me more'.

"Well, if you're giving her the rose in the botanical garden, the zoo is right there!" he points out to Hinote.

"What type of things is she into? When I was dating Sayaka, she once took me surfing because that was something she enjoyed, and there was a lot of things that we did. So, I'd suggest you ask her what she likes. Maybe plan something together? No need to get the fish to sing on the first date, you know?"

The Little Mermaid has been checked off his list.

And it seems that both he and Rashmi have the same advice and he chuckles a little at that. And then... there's a glance to the side. A pair of fingers pressed together. "I mean, I've been rethinking my vlogs..." Since Casual Friday suggested they were dumb.

"So, I've been doing that, and studying, and working on upgrades, and why there might be yet another runestone in Tokyo. So..."

"I've been keeping busy."

Hinote Kagari has posed:
Hinote Kagari looks at Bow and then 'ohs!'. "Right. There's a legend that if you can steal a rose from the rose bushes in the botanical gardens at night, when it's closed, and give it to the girl or boy you like that it's certain to make love happen." he says cooly. "I'm gonna sneak in soon. Man, my mom is gonna be so upset if I get caught though..." he trails off.

He then blinks. "Runestone? What's a runestone?" he asks curiously at Bow. He then looks at Rashmi and listens to her advice. "Alright... so. Zoo. And if something pops up. It's still a date. Just a weird combat date, I guess..." he then blinks a bit.

"Rashmi. Am... am I a 'Dresden'?" he asks. "Miho compared me. And now. I wonder." he narrows his eyes.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"Sneak in in henshin," Rashmi advises, while the civic-minded corner of her brain screams that Breaking The Law Is Bad, Why is This Even An Option What Kind Of Delinquent Influence--

A corner of her brain which is quickly squashed with memories of breaking into a warehouse to steal evil smart-home devices and ending up in an explosion. That kind of delinquent influence.

"That way you're way less likely to get caught, and even if you do they'll never pin the 'rap' on you *or* Tracy. And since she's magic too, it's still from you so it still counts."

Bow's Little Mermaid reference has Rashmi laughing, then shaking her head. "...Chrono and I were flying to one of our first dates, and he started singing 'A Whole New World.' Neither of us is good at singing, it was adorable. Which, and this is important... Don't worry about being *impressive.* Worry about showing you care about her, and her interests. If she thinks you really *matter* to her, that's better than earning a dozen tournament trophies in her name."

And again, she turns a piercing, half-concerned-half-is-this-gonna-be-a-problem look upon Bow. "For starters... *I'm* BookWyrm," she says, naming the handle of an occasional yet *highly* supportive commentor on Bow's streams. "Second, it showed back up and started to set the Forbidden District on fire. It's looking for its Princess, and the *biggest* pain about that is... I'm pretty sure Catra-san's gonna be the one to pass its tests. And you know Catra-san... You *know* why I'm calling that a pain."

Shaking her head, she blinks at Hinote, tilts her head... then her eyes unfocus for a moment, and she pulls out her cell phone to show a picture of a man in a long leather coat, brimmed hat, and lever-action shotgun.

"...Like this? I don't know personally, that's Setsuchan's big favorite books. You could ask?"

Bow has posed:
"This is about your dating, I can nater about runestones later." Bow doesn't want to derail things, he's happy to stay on the task of Hinote's idea. "Show her what you're about, Hinote." he also prompts in time with Rashmi. "Dates are all sabout exploring each others likes and wants. So your idea is amazing, but don't let her get away with you planning all the things." he points out helpfully.

However, the conversation is guided back to the runestone, and Bow scrubs a hand over his face. "That... is concerning." he mutters. "It took all of us to take down Catra when she's being normal. I can't imagine what she would be like fire powered. Fortunately? She has it in her head that having a runestone makes you a Princess, which is the last thing she wants to be."

And now that they are into it, Bow figures he better explain. "There are several magic stones on Etheria. "There are currently seven known stones. The ones we know are on Earth? The Moonstone, Glimmer's, controls light. The Black Garnet, Scorpia's, controls electricity and elemental lightning. The Stone in She-Ra's Sword of Protection, which enhances her physically, and gives her healing -- possibly purifying powers. I need to check if she's tried that. I have a fragment of a runestone. No idea what it does, but since I arrived here, it's allowed me to enhance my physical abilities towards speed and endurance."

"The ones on Etheria are the Heart Blossom, that Perfumia uses to control plant life. The Pearl, Mermista's command of the seas. And the Fractal Flake, which gives Frosta command of snow and ice."

He draws in a breath. "There is one other. The Spirit Ember. It was thought destroyed, because the Princess that had it was consumed by the power of fire she wished to control and gave her life to it. If it's here... that's a problem. Not just in the Catra may get a runestone way."

"...but more, what have we done with all of us coming here, and the runestones coming over - and what happens when they all get here?"

Hinote Kagari has posed:
Hinote Kagari listens to dating advice. "Well I'm glad my ideas meet with approval. But. Going in henshin seems like. Cheating. Maybe if I only use it for it's hiding capability..." he says He considers and crosses his arms. "Yeah. Dating is the whole seeing if you're even compatible thing. I'll let her plan the next date then." he says as he considers this.

He glances at the picture and says. "Huh. Coat. Hat. Gun. Maybe." he says, "Ask the school nurse? Alright..." he had heard the school nurse IS magically aware, but well. Hrm.

He listens about the runestones. "Oh. So. Items of power from your world? Do they all... dangerous like that? Oh. So having a runestone makes you a princess? or a prince?" he asks curiously. "That... seems like a weird way to base a monarchy off of but I guess our legends here on Earth aren't much better..." he's looking at you, Sword in the Stone.

"Do you guys need help handing them?" he asks curiously. "I can keep my ear to the ground and my eyes out. What do these things look like when they show up? Manifest as anything?"

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"Honestly I'm more concerned about you not having to run from the police than playing fair," Rashmi chuckles. "And just... be up front. That was something I *had* to do when Chrono and I decided to give it a chance. Just be honest about what you're used to and what you're not. Nobody's gonna take points off for you not having experience with normal dates."

Then Bow explains more about the Runestones, and Rashmi nods along. "Definitely keep an eye out, and... well the manifestation was kind of like three cats in a hivemind. They were made of fire, and before they showed up there was an earthquake... They were *setting* fires just by walking on stuff and rubbing up against it, y'know... like cats. One of the three would absorb that fire to get stronger, so, watch out for that. So... if you and Tracy don't mind doing fire-watch, Hinote-kun, that's probably gonna be the best way to get to them before they can do real damage."

Rashmi, for her part, definitely intends to brush up on fire-response procedures when she can squeeze a free minute.

Looking back at Bow, Rashmi adjusts her glasses. "Honestly... between this and Glimmer, I kind of have to wonder if whatever's bringing you guys here isn't just hauling the Runestones over too, just to make sure that there's magic to pull from. That's definitely just a working theory, we'll need to see if your Frosta or Mermista or whatnot come over too, what happens then. As to why I think it's gonna be Catra's power in the end?"

Rashmi leans over the table, adopting a grave, serious expression. "She looked at a cat, *and told it no.*"

Bow has posed:
Leaning back, Bow rubs a hand over his face, scrubbing at it in thought. "I think when Adora and Catra came over - they triggered something. When I came over - I made it worse. Because we're all from different points in the timeline. And then, Adora... reset herself." It's really the only way he can explain it. "And I think, working theory, is that the runestones are out of synch and trying to find each other to reconnect. To whst end, I'm not sure. But I think a runestone can only occupy one space in time at a moment, and when they are there all at different times... it's like a clock running on one time zone and trying to set itself to a different one."

"She told a cat no? Why did it take the form of a cat. That's odd. I'll need to pull up the legend again to look it over."

"But for now? Your idea for your date is awesome, go for it, Hinote." he offers in reassurance. "I'm gonna head back home and muse over this information and see if I can puzzle out what it's doing. Maybe I can talk to Glimmer about it." He rises up from his seat. "Thanks for letting me sit and chinwag for a moment. I'll think on the vlog."

Hinote Kagari has posed:
Hinote Kagari frowna. So fire cats. Fire. Ugh. I'll do my best. I can provide fire control." he says. "Hopefully." he adds. "Tracy wanted to help me with my dating approach. But his idea of that is taking control and I don't know if that's a good idea." he says a little hesitantly. "Hopefully, he doesn't do it when I'm not paying attention."

He rubs the back of his head and considers all this information. "If I find this runestone, I'll be sure to make sure it gets somewhere safe." he says. "If it isn't three cats." he says.

Catra... not someone he knows. But he hopes the name is as it says on the tin. A cat magical girl? Sure. Why not.

"Thanks Rashmi-chan, Thanks Bow-kun. I'll be sure to acquire my rose next then." he says as he stands up. "Good luck with the whole uh. School work." he says, motioning to all the books. "Hopefully you figure out what you need to soon. Later taters." he says as he walks backwards a biy before turning around to walk out the door. He has to find Tracy now!

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"I mean hey, if she's really a keeper? She'll be okay with Tracy too, even if he does embarrass you," Rashmi says, grinning. "And I'm always happy to help!"

As Bow starts to get up, she doesn't move, or raise her voice, but her tone has all the tones of someone declaring that sky will in fact be blue (because it knows what's good for it.) "Friday nights are when you stream, right? I'll be there to help pump up the rest of your fans!"

Good is not always nice, but even when it is, nice is not always soft. And Rashmi *always* tries to be nice.