2259/A Deep Conversation Over Ramen

A Deep Conversation Over Ramen
Date of Scene:	21 January 2025
Location:	Okujoo Ramen
Synopsis:	Miho has some questions and concerns, especially about witches, and the duty one has to them. Chiyo, Philip, Coco, and Amy try to provide answers.
Cast of Characters:	Miho Inada, Chiyo Sakai, Phantom, Coco Kiumi, Amanda Faust

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Miho Inada has posed:
    Well its after class, and close to sunset. Miho heard about a place where she could get some really good ramen. She decided to try it, while thinking about what happend yesterday. So many questions weigh on her mind. As she walks out the elevator, Miho blinks a little bit. She takes a table where she can watch the sunset.

    The young mahou sighs a bit as she watches the sunset. A waiter comes up, and Miho orders a traditional ramen. Nothing fancy. Once its delivered, Miho keeps watching the sunset. The ramen smells extremely good, but Miho shakes her head. The fight yesterday just leaves her with some questions. Is that the fate of those who hunt the witches? To become witches? And the victims of witches...They were human. Is there really no way to save them?

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
The Winter chill in the air made ramen a necessity as much as an indulgence. There was nothing better than a large bowl of hot ramen, savory broth, flavorful toppings and of course lots of noodles. Chiyo heads up to the ramen shop she knew so well already intending to get some tonkatsu ramen.

"The trip went well," she remarks to Philip conversationally as she updates him on current events. "I got my Mark and so I can fight again! It's great! I haven't tried yet since coming back but we did some training on the island."

A pause and she asides to him, "The Cybodies are *giant*, really, like kaiju sized. It's probably a good thing their power is restricted to the island." Such chatter goes on without much care as she moves for a table with ramen in hand only to glance over at Miho, an as-yet unfamiliar face, to flash a smile.

Phantom has posed:
Following Chiyo up, Philip is a relative newcomer to the shop - after all, when he was a villain, he didn't know where the mahou gathered.

That would have made it easier to mirror them.

Arriving on the rooftop, he plans to order the same thing that Chiyo does as he listens to her recollection of the trip she took to the Southern Cross Island. "I'm glad that you found a focus to help out again with." he says in the dry British accent he's known for, "What type of training did you go through?"

And then she asides to him. "Huh. I suppose that they are... yes, that makes sense. There must be something that has them localized there so that you only get a fraction of their power here. I also deduce this means that when trouble arises there, you will need to return."

Pulling out Chiyo's seat for her first (he insists), he takes his seat after, looking around at the decor, and the partial view of the city. "Huh. Interesting."

Coco Kiumi has posed:
'Okujoo Ramen... Has it been here a while?' Her thoughts, caught by the place's familiar colours, move towards the restaurant, interest (and a healthy dinnertime appetite) prodding her towards the elevator that leads to the rooftop of the convenience store. As the lift raises, Coco hums a song to cover the not very catchy elevator jingle.

When the doors clank open, the blonde girl gives a smile at the pretty imitation of a starry sky, taking a few seconds to admire the sight in front of the elevator, and why not, snap a photo of the welcoming interiors. Placing her phone back inside the bag, Coco is about to take a place when she sees a girl a bit younger than her making a troubled expression.

"Is it ok if I sit here?", the mermaid nudges towards another seat at Miho's table, sitting down if she receives a yes, from which would follow a quick order to a passing by waiter of miso ramen with seafood. "That's a pretty sunset, isn't it?"

Her attention turns briefly to Chiyo as the purple-haired girl too claims a place at this table, accompanied by a guy she doesn't recognises. "Chiyo-san, hi", Coco waves. "Who are you with?" she smiles looking at Philip.

Miho Inada has posed:
    "Go ahead.", Miho sighs. Its soft, yet very familiar. Her appearence when she's henshined is so different. Its the girl who was with Amy yesterday. "It is, but kinda depressing. I was just thinking of something.", the woman says.

    "I'm not all that hungry. Just kinda watching things. Thinking of home, and what my mother would think of a few things. Sorry if I'm not good company.", she comments. There's a loud growl from her stomach though...

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Chiyo Sakai slips into the seat that Philip had held for her as if she were becoming used to such treatment. It was nice! She continues their conversation only breifly with, "There's reasons, but I'm not sure if they're mine to tell just yet. It's more Sugata-kun's issue."

The topic is dropped for now as she glances over to the clearly hungry-but-depressed girl at the long table. When Coco joins she nods in familiarity to the other girl. "Hi, Coco-chan. This is Philip, my boyfriend." As the introduction is made she reaches across the table to catch at his hand giving it a fond squeeze.

"Are you okay...?" She asks Miho hesitantly. "Maybe you should just sip some broth to help your stomach a little."

Phantom has posed:
"I didn't ask." Philip points out with a small grin. "I figured you'll tell me what you need me to know, and should I need to know more than that, you will share it when it's needed." He shrigs his shoulders. "Just don't expect me to sit back if they try to indoctronate you into a cult or sanything like that."

But then Chiyo's glancing over at the other table, where the blonde joins the girl that was already here. No need for introductions when your girlfriend handles it for you, even as he's looking over the menu. "A pleasure." he offers after the introduction, squeezing Chiyo's hand in return.

Then he follows over to Miho and lifts a brow. "If this is about a romantic failure, there's no need to starve yourself over it. Clearly, you can do better." he offers in an attempt in a 'there-there' voice.

He's not very good at it.

"Whatever it is, it is not worth starving yourself over. Especially after you paid for a meal."

Coco Kiumi has posed:
Coco's smiles widens when Chiyo does the introduction. "Your boyfriend, congratulations! You were saying something about a island, right? Did you spend winter break with him there?", she asks quite interest. "Coco Kiumi, I go at the same school as Chiyo", she does the introductions to Philip.

Her attention turns back to Miyo at the concerning signs. "Family problems?", Coco tries guessing uncertainly at the mention of Miho's mother, only to give Miho a worried glance when her stomach betrays her.

Fortunately Chiyo and her boyfriend are already on the case with good suggestions, so Coco tries to help with her feelings. "So, I am good at listening, and anything you feel you can share, it's probably going to help if you get rid of it", she replies with a hint of nervousism. Is she pushing too far?

Miho Inada has posed:
    Miho shakes her head a little bit. "No, my mother is a part time miko. And just what happend yesterday, makes me think of what she would have said. And dispite Dad, she'd still have her say.", the young mahou says.

    The young woman hears what Philip says before she starts laughing! "My boyfriend and I are very happy! Oh gawd if Hinote heard that...", Miho says with a laugh. The woman shakes her head. "I have a friend whose in a bad spot. A rat has her stuck in a bad spot. And I can't do anything to help. And then dealing with what happend yesterday, just made it hit a bit more.", she tells.

    "I guess...I just can't do much to help her. But I don't want to have to fight her in the future. What I fought yesterday, I can't do that against her.", Miho tells. "Plus...with the others...I can't just...", Miho sighs. "This would be so much easier to talk about with Amy, but...I'm worried about her, but don't want her worried about me."

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Chiyo Sakai shakes her head slightlya t the question from Coco about the island. "Oh, no, I went with some friends to visit their home town. I uh, was getting something to help me with... Things. Again." She pauses, looking uncertainly at Miho since she wasn't really sure what the girl did or didn't know.

But then familiar names are bandied around. Hinote. Amy. Her head tips slightly and eyes narrow ever-so-faintly. "Is this about Kyubey?" She asks with a rather dark tone.

Phantom has posed:
"Oh good, I was wondering how much longer the charade was going to go on." Philip states with a mote of amusement as Chiyo mentions the rat-creature. "Mirage never let that thing anywhere near where we were. Creeped her out." He sets down the menu as he leans back in his chair. Coco looks familiar, but he's not putting his finger on it, as he waits for waiter to come up so that he can place his and Chiyo's orders.

"Sounds like you went against a witch." he says with a click of his tongue. "Nasty lot, those. And a viscious cycle it is for sure."

Coco Kiumi has posed:
It's with a very different tone that Coco comments in response to Chiyo. "I see... That's the reason. I guess everything turned out well, then", she makes sure to check out. Granted, she is right here, so asking is very likely superfluous.

"Mirage?", Coco repeats to Philip with a curious look. Curious and unsure. The only person with that name who would know about Kyubey is an Obsidian leader, as far as Coco knows. "Is this Obsidian business?"

"I was with Amy just yesterday, I don't think there is anything to worry about with her", Coco informs Chiyo while keeping her eyes on Miho. "Are you talking about a very short redhead?", she checks. "She is not really in a bad spot then. What makes you think she is?"

Miho Inada has posed:
    "Well yes. Yesterday I fought a witch. Amy had said she was going to invite me to one of the fights. They did a number on Hinote, so I wanted to return the favor. But yes, I want to rip that thing apart.", Miho hisses out. "Kyubey. Such...a nasty thing. It pulls people in with a wish, but then twists it.", Miho hisses a bit.

    "But yes. This witch, was killing its own familiars to attack. And I couldn't stop it from attacking. Now I have to think though, is that Amy's future? And would killing the familiar be the same as...killing?", she asks.

    "As a miko, perserving life is my top priority. I can't stand the thought of having to fight Amy.", Miho tells. "I can't help but think I should have done more yesterday.", she tells. "That the minions could have been saved. Which now has me here! I should have done more."

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Chiyo Sakai glances over to Philip giving him a worried sort of look. The grasp on his hand squeezes again before she sits up straight and lets Miho talk. Lightly clearing her throat she settles back in her seat. When it comes to ordering she puts her order in quickly, and then turns her attention back to the issue at hand.

"I can share what I know about Witches, but honestly they're rather terrifying." She pauses looking to Philip with a little, simple nod, before she continues.

"I'm not sure what you're refering to as 'familiars' but if it's the creatures that work with the Witch Labrynth, no those can't be saved. They're just... what they are. Some Witches will try to lure in victims and those are 'Witch Kissed', they can be saved. At least most of the time."

Phantom has posed:
Philip copies Chiyo's order, but when she squeezes his hand, he quiets. Mainly because he realizes that he really shouldn't go off into the bushes too far about his past. "I've been there before." he offers cryptically, before his attention turns to Miho. "Witches and Puella are a bad beat." he says finally.

"A witch is formed from a Puella that has destroyed too many Witches, yet a Puella needs a Witch's stone in order to survive."

"And around and around they go, an endless cycle that Kyubey feeds off of." Philip shrugs, but does glance towards Coco. "I apologize if I ever caused you harm."

Coco Kiumi has posed:
Understanding dawns on Coco's face when Miho starts describing the Witch Coco had faced with Red, Yukihime, Shogun, Dawn and that perplexing new Puella Magi, Misfortune Mary. "I was there too, at the theather. The yellow idol", she reveals her identity without hesitation.

"Kyubey is a nasty thing indeed", Coco agrees with a scowl, negative thoughts about Misfortune Mary crossing the mermaid's mind. Did she really have to be so careless with that secret? She is definitely going to have words when they meet again.

"I have a similar duty, so please trust me when I say I understand you", Coco looks at Miho with sympathy. "I am entrusted with defending both land and sea, and I want to keep everyone safe too", the blonde girl shares to makes Miho feel between likeminded people.

"I understand that was a tough blow to be introduced to, but trust me, you won't end up fighting Amy's Witch. That happens when a Puella's Soul Gem is full of corruption, and hers was really clean yesterday. Amy-chan is really good at keeping track of it, and she has friends she knows she can trust", the mermaid smiles at Miho.

Coco glances at Philip, wondering at which general of the Phantom Empire she is looking at. Oresky? Phantom? Some other general she hadn't heard about? "Well, I am not one to hold grudges, so no matter who you were, welcome on our side", she offers a handshake with a smile.

Miho Inada has posed:
    Miho is sitting with Philip, Coco, and Chiyo. There's a bowl of untouched ramen near the mahou. There's the sound of mean, vicious growling heard. Like a wild beast, or a wild Miho tummy. The girl sighs a bit. "I have fought witches before. Just...the witch I fought...was Walpy. This was much different. Like I should have tried to save the witch, or its victims..", Miho says.

    "Either way, I had it pinned down...We could have tried...something. Just the thought of something like that happening...I knew Amy before I awaken...And I can't think of a worse thing to happend then be turned into...that. Or into Walpy. There has to be a way...", Miho comments.

Amanda Faust has posed:
    Oblivious to the current discussion, Amy places an order for a bowl of hot ramen that will really hit the spot and smiles and waves to the others, innocently unaware of the topic of the discussion until she gets close...

    And hears Miho's words, and her face falls.

    Her cheer at anticipated ramen gone, she answers coldly, "So we don't let it happen. I just have to keep a supply of grief seeds and... Look. It isn't going to happen unless... unless I would've died anyway. Unless I've more than died, I mean, been hurt like... so far beyond what would kill any of you that I'm out of magic."

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Chiyo Sakai glances over when Amy arrives with a ltitle wince of sympathy. This was the topic of discussion after all. "Ah... I can't really say. I've known some other Puella as well in the past, and even one that isn't a Puella anymore. Even met Kyubey a time or two." A look is flashed toward Philip with a reassuring grin. "I already had powers at the time though, don't worry."

Phantom has posed:
"I'm not worried, you're smart enough to say no." Philip responds to Chiyo at her concern. But as for the rest, he blows out a breath. "I didn't really come here to talk about whst can't be undone once done." he says simply as he squeezes Chiyo's hand and rises to his feet. "Nor is it any longer my place to get involved in magical girl affairs, seeing as there's nothing I can do about it."

Okay, he might get some words about that one later. For now, it's a kiss on Chiyo's cheek and a polite. "I'll leave you to your conversation, and get my meal to go downstairs."

Coco Kiumi has posed:
"Please, try to eat something", Coco urges Miho. She can't really expect to think positively on an empty stomach, and the blonde girl is honestly starting to think Miho might be stuck on a downwards spiral. At the very least, she doesn't have a Soul Gem to worry about.

"Now that we know the truth, we aren't going to let any Puella Witch out. We know how it happens, and how to avoid it. Yes, we don't have a way to save those that became Witches already, but they wouldn't want to hurt people, and wouldn't want to hurt, so we are doing something good by letting them rest."

Just then, both Coco's miso ramen with seafood and Amy come to the table. "Thank you", she addresses the staff as her bowl is placed on the table, before waving at Amy and nodding from the redhead to Miho.

"Nice having met you, Philip-san", Coco smirks at Chiyo's boyfriend. Her bowl in the meantime remains unattended as her attention is caught by Chiyo. "That's... possible, really? How do you stop being a Puella?"

Amanda Faust has posed:
    Amy relaxes a bit as the conversation continues, although she's still a little grumpy as she takes the seat Philip vacated, nodding to him in passing.

    She looks at Coco. "Very unusual circumstances. Not yet anything we can replicate. Everyone involved already Witched. Two of them are no longer magical." Amy considers how to word this for a moment, but... the Scroll of ka stuff is so long in the past, now.

    "The third is Sayaka, and it was possible because Klarissa had already Witched, fulfilling the contract in whatever magical sense made it possible to end it."

Miho Inada has posed:
    Miho winces a little bit. She didn't think Amy would be out after yesterday. "S-sorry just yesterday hit anbit hard. Had me thinking. I should have done more. Injust think how about how I burn through magic. Like today, the tank is past empty. That spell I used yesterday, it used all ten wolves. Each wolf is about a tenth of my magic.", she explains.

    "And as a miko myself, it made me question, is it right to just...stop them without trying to save them?", Miho asks. "Like morally is it right, since they were or are human?", the young mahou asks. Her tummy is demanding ramen. Amy likely knows Miho has tendicies to dig herself into odd spots mentally. "Sorry, just really worried, cause of that...thing. The walking talking white target.", Miho says.

    The young mahou watches the sun dissapear. "Sorry, I'm still learning about everything. And excuse my stomach. My...henshin drains me physically as well as magically. I just...can't seem to find the energy to really eat though."

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Chiyo Sakai tilts her head so she can catch the cheek kiss from Philip easily, before her attention returns to the discussion at hand. "I'll meet up with you in a bit," she assures though she's already planning to make it up to him for the discussion going this way.

When Miho starts up again, she sighs quietly as the talk of morals and everything begins. Her own ramen arrives which she pulls closer with both hands to allow the heat of the bowl to warm her fingers.

"Do you *know* how to save them?" She asks simply. "If it's something you or others don't know how to do, then all we *can* do is keep them from creating more victims. If things change, then we need to change to adapt new information and abilities as we go. For now? We do what we can, when we can."

"Eat before I sit on you and force feed you," she adds matter-of-fact. It didn't even matter that she didn't know the girl. "Dying doesn't help anyone." A pause, and she adds, "I ought to know. I already died once."

Coco Kiumi has posed:
Amy gives Coco the answer she wanted, and somehow, she comes out of it with more questions. Not to mention that these 'unusual circumstances' made as many as three people lose their powers. That... There was definitely a lot that happened, apparently.

"Can you explain to me why this Klarissa becoming a Witch would fulfill the contract for Sayaka, Amy-chan?", Coco tries to understand, feeling a little lost.

"Like I said, they wouldn't want to be hurting people, and they wouldn't want to hurt either. I know it's not a nice situation, but letting them rest is a good thing. We are helping them the best we can", she tries to make Miho understand.

Amanda Faust has posed:
    Who is Klarissa. What even. Amy blinks, she didn't know who had and hadn't heard. "An accident with a magic artifact split Miki-san in two. The one that saw things in a better light kept the name Sayaka, and the one that saw the worst in everything took the name Klarissa. Klarissa Witched a year ago, but they managed to like, re-merge? That's why she could summon a small version of her Witch. Recently -- well, like this summer I guess -- she got out of the contract, though I won't say how where he might be listening, and now she's a Pretty Cure."

    Amy listens to Miho's explanation and ahs. "Yeah. Learning to manage your magic is totally doable, though! I used a little under a wolf in that fight. Doing a, like, one of those named special attacks? Is like a wolf and a half, Communal Blazer's uh..." Amy looks like she's thinking, "A little under three wolves I guess?"

    "Anyway," Amy continues, trying to give Miho a reassuring smile, "Anyway, it's totally manageable! There were actually no Witches around for like two weeks after I contracted, so I was down to about two wolves when I finally faced one. More experienced Puella Magi than me took it down though, it kinda made its lair suddenly underwater and Coco here saved us from drowning!"

    Amy beams at her mermaid friend!

    And then looks back at Miho, with slight seriousness, "And that's why we never enter a Witch's Labyrinth alone."

    Then a server brings her a bowl of hot ramen and she cheerfully digs in!

Miho Inada has posed:
    Miho sighs, and slurps a little bit of the ramen...before she ends up demolishing the bowl in a few seconds, and ordering 2 more bowls. After fights, Miho's hunger is insane. "Thats why I've been practicing keeping a few out, ready to go. Just that last spell, I can't tone it down unless I know the entire strength.", she explains.

    The young mahou nods to Chiyo a little. "I'm kinda like Onihime. After our fights, we have to eat like crazy.", she explains "And I didn't think a witch would be there."

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
"You're using energy to fight, and being physical too. Of course you need to eat after. Everyone does. This is usually a good spot for eating after fights. It's hydrating, delicious, and on the roof," Chiyo points out with a little shake of her head. "I'm Chiyo Sakai, by the way," she offers realizing she hadn't really introduced herself.

With her own bowl mostly done she moves to stand. "I'm going to go catch up with Philip. I know he tries to be good about not butting into things given his past but I don't think he needs to keep being so distant anymore."

"It was good seeing you again Amy, and Coco."

Coco Kiumi has posed:
"Uh, that's nice", Coco nods when Amy actually gives her all the answers, and even then she is confused by the prospect of a person's... existence, maybe? A person's existence being split in two. She is not aware much about magic theory, and honestly, she should really ask Noel about that. "That makes more sense, and I hope she is much happier as a Pretty Cure", Coco smiles widely. She holds little doubt about that. Anything better than Kyubey.

Coco beams back at Amy at the recounting of that time, and then adds an explanation for Miho's benefit. "My Live Stage is a safe space when it comes to the general environment. It can't help against direct magic, but it can hold out noxious air out, and the same goes for water. And I don't have any problems with water myself since I am a mermaid."

"That's actually a very clear model", the blonde girl compliments Amy on her conversion of Miho's system. A funny thought crosses her mind then. "In a month, we are all going to be using wolves to explain ourselves", she jokes.

Taking a bit of her miso ramen, Coco eats it slowly, savouring the delicious taste in her mouth. She doesn't even have to blow on it, the temperature too is perfect. "Same here, see you soon!", Coco replies cheerfully to Chiyo once she finished that first taste.

Amanda Faust has posed:
    In a month we'll all be using wolves! Amy laughs out loud, some noodles spilling down onto her shirt. She picks them off and dabs at her shirt with a napkin, and smiles to Chiyo before she heads out. "It was good talking to you again, Sakai-san!"

    Amy looks at Miho eating for a moment. "Wow, being able to replenish magic by eating would be really cool... I guess I've got the reverse, I could probably go without food by using magic... though it wouldn't be pleasant or comfortable."

    Amy frowns slightly at that thought. "I guess if you look at it that way, eating does save me the expense of using magic for that, at least."