413/Coming Off The Bench

Coming Off The Bench
Date of Scene:	13 September 2023
Location:	Korma Chameleon
Synopsis:	Rashmi and Chrono finally learn what happened to Koji after the events of 'Digital Divide' and meet the person who saved his life, as well as her secret identity. A discussion of the repurcussions of secrets, and telling truths ensues.
Cast of Characters:	Koji Silvia, Rashmi Terios, Chrono Harlaown, Chiyo Sakai

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Koji Silvia has posed:
It's after school and just coming down off the dinner rush when once more the door greeting chimes...

    'IRRASHAIMASE!'

But instead of just another customer coming in for a quick meal to go, or a sit down after a long day of work... it's a much more familiar face.

Koji looks rather subdued, dressed out of his school clothes and in a blue hooded top and khaki pants. He half-stops on the way in, taking a moment to look around, as if trying to find anyone in particular, and then moves himself off to find if the usual 'student' corner table is available so he can slide a small backpack on top of it and settle in with his back to the corner and to watch the door.

Taking a new phone out of his pocket, it makes him look down at his jeweled smartwatch... and the frown on his face spreads. As if aware he could have just sent a message... but instead he's here in person.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
It's not long before Rashmi bops out to the newly-seated table, menu under one arm. "Good evening~!" she singsongs, "what would you li--"

And only now does it register *who* is at the table, and her typical server cheerfulness falls away like a rockslide. "....Koji-kun?" she breathes, worry and relieved happiness at war under her voice.

So the menu is set in front of the student, her own clipboard slapped on the other side of the table, and she just occupies the booth. "I was *so worried about you!*" she says in a library-conversation whisper. "What happened? Where did you go? Did you need help? Wh--" Pausing, she closes her eyes, draws in a deep breath, and sits back in the booth. "...Sorry. Talk at your own pace, and I'll take your order in back and go on break."

<< Chrono-kun, >> Rashmi messages S2U, << Koji-kun's just walked in the door, we're at the Student Booth in back. >>

Koji Silvia has posed:
The expression on Koji's face at the small bombardment of questions on what happened during the week or so he's been missing from view is one of resignation before Rashmi finally stops and says she'll take his order. As the hand with the watch goes down under the table again, he takes a breath, and then says in a softer than normal tone, "Probably good to just get some finger foods. Fried Paneers and some of those samosas your dad makes, Rashmi. And some hot tea, if you don't mind. Thanks."

Noticably, he's not sitting back like normal, the position giving him a hunched and almost pouting position over the table, his elbow on the edge to balance himself as he looks back over towards the other Device User, "I'm guessing you've let Chrono know I'm here? I hope he got the help he needed."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown had been out and about on WORK! Okay, he was investigating and... had come across yet another dead end. Great. Just. Great. He...

Received a message from Rashmi. Huh. Why would... OH! Koji was back? He'd... admittedly worried about him less than he likely should have. The kid had a stealth device, he assumed he just liked to be alone. That and Chrono had been busy. Very busy. So if the boy was back... it likely meant something was up. << I'm on my way, Terios-san. >>

He had the awareness to de-henshin BEFORE coming into the shop at least. Wearing his standard... pants and buttoned up shirt. His eyes fell on Koji the moment he made it to the back and he actually paused. "Silvia-san? What happened?" he asked, his face turning solemn and determined. Whatever it was... it couldn't be good.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
Biting back the questions that would follow from that incredibly deflective response takes real effort, and Rashmi is vibrating faintly in place as she writes down the order. "...I'll just be right back, then," she says with her server's smile plastered onto her face.

Ha! Two can play the 'not answering questions' game!

And with all nonmagical speed, she slips out of the booth and hurries into the back, to make arrangements for the last couple hours of the business day.

Koji Silvia has posed:
While Rashmi is in the back and settling things, but before Chrono comes in, Koji unslings the small pack off his back, still keeping his position as he winces visibly at the maneuver. Once it's settled beside him and out of view, he unzips the empty bag, and then reaches inside to begin disgorging some of the things he found on the piece of the Arthra. The empty data storage units, one of the field kits, and as many of the spare parts as the bag can handle.

The questions from Chrono cause him to bring his head up from what he's doing, and he stares for a moment.

Normally taciturn or even confident (in his henshin anyways), Koji instead looks... relieved... at seeing Chrono not just up, but also moving around. It's like a small weight comes off his shoulders, and he says, "I am so glad you're alright. I..."

Glancing around a moment, he stops from going further on the whole affair, especially in public, and then just adds, "If you'll take a seat and wait... Rashmi will be back and I'll explain."

For the more seasoned enforcer, that tone is something familiar. It's the sound of someone who had a mission go to heck.

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown gave a small nod and then, well, took a seat. Both elbows on the table, hands together, chin resting on his hands... He looked at Koji with a calm, determined look. If he wore glasses, they'd have even glinted in the light. He was an enforcer first and foremost, so whatever had happened he would treat it with the focus and seriousness such a thing entailed while he waited for Rashmi... and...

<< Terios-san, could you grab me some juice as well? And ummmm... whatever today's special is? >>

... Yes. He was also a soldier and therefore he marched on his stomach. And the food here was good DON'T judge him!

Rashmi Terios has posed:
For someone ostensibly off the clock, that is a large tray Rashmi is hauling out. A full plate of samosas to be split between all three, two bowls of what *look* like scrambled eggs with mix-ins -- but Chrono knows to be scrambled *cheese* -- three bowls of turmeric-yellow spiced rice, a small plate with heaped fried cheese and dipping sauces, and juice enough for all three.

This mountain of food gets deposited on the table in turn -- An effort at first confounced by all the parts occupying the table space, but quickly adjusted to -- with the samosas set to the center for people to snag as they like, and *finally* Rashmi drops back into her seat next to Chrono. "Oh good timing, Chrono-kun," she says with a grin. "So... what's up, Koji-kun?"

Koji Silvia has posed:
Looking at Chrono, Koji brings the backpack up and onto the chair next to the smaller boy, once more wincing from the movement, and he then uses his boot to push it closer to him, "These are for you. I stumbled on what was some kind of prep room. There's spare parts for Devices... some data storage units, and a field kit with some tools for work. So you can finish fixing your Device. I've got a few other things. A few space suit-things... and someone toys. Anyways..."

Sitting back, he adjusts himself so that he's resting favoring his left shoulder, and then looks between you both, "I... after that Sailor-person I didn't know took off with Chrono for treatment... I decided to pull the trigger on a plan I've been trying to work on for a few weeks. I attacked Obsidian."

He's talking in that low/quiet tone that doesn't let it carry far from the table, "Since earth tech is inferior to a Device, I thought I could get Hanzo in and steal information. Give us finally something on what's really happening. So I took an storage unit, and I went for their headquarters tower."

His eyes shade now, the reflection on his glasses completely blocking them off, "I got caught. The girl from the Arthra attack was there, and she... well... she took me apart. I had the data... I mean... I had a LOT, and I hadn't even looked. I was just ransacking every corner I could find, trying to get to anything that matched to some names I had to work from... but something ELSE caught me in there."

A thin smile comes out, "I'm probably not going to scar on my back, but it was a near thing. Another friend rescued me after I managed to finally... get away."

Then he gets THAT tone, "They were one step ahead of me. The storage unit... it literally... burned up in Dark Energy. I've got nothing. I'm just glad I didn't put anything in Hanzo, of they would have destroyed him too."

Finally, he reaches over and picks up a piece of paneer, chewing it down and swallowing, "So my friend got my mom to get me, she gave the school an excuse that I got in an accident on a construction yard and tore part of my back on some rebar, and that bought me time to recover. And let her chew me out, tell her what happened twenty times, and then chew me out again."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown slowly lowered his arms and ten... reached out for the juice. He picked it up, spun off the top and took a deep drink of it. Huh. Fascinating. The more he listened the more serious his face became. "I see," he finally said. "Well, Silvia-san.... your mother has chewed you out so I'll avoid doing the same. If Precia is working with Obsidian, your plan was flawed from the beginning. While earth technology is far behind midchildian's, that doesn't mean it is entirely inferior. To use an earth example..."

"One cannot grab a modern calculator and expect it to act perfectly as a... uhhh..." He paused and had to confirm some things and... "A gameboy? In the end, your device may have better processing, but the underlying systems on earth are separate from the ones used on midchilda. So hacking into them isn't always going to be as effective as you may hope. At least ,complex systems."

"On top of that, if Obsidian is connected with Precia, they likely have access to technology similiar to ours. She's an incredibly dangerous threat, as is her daughter. Any vital information from them would be hidden incredibly well on far, far more dangerous machines. I wouldn't try and do that with a top of the line device designed for such espionage. Let alone on my own. You're lucky it was just her. Had a more decisive and numberous strike occurred, you likely would have been killed. It's fortunate you were able to escape. On top of that..." Oh, and here he took a deep breath.

"Midchilda magic isn't operating entirely the same here. This dark energy is not something I can yet fully understand. I certainly don't know how it affects our devices. So please, next time you decide to do something so reckless, involve others. There are few of us enough as it is, without us running off and getting ourselves killed in reckless solo missions."

Right, and he wasn't going to chew him out?

"... I am happy you're okay, however. Just please be more mindful. Had you perished, we may never have known and if we were depending on you, we would have lost that support."

He then reached out and grabbed a samosa. Still as serious and stern faced as ever despite looking more like he needed a kiddy chair.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
Rashmi remains silent throughout the mission analysis, biting down on her lips to keep from even risking piling on, but the worry is clear in her eyes. At least she doesn't nod along with Chrono, however, so Koji is spared even that much indignity.

Busying herself with cheese and rice, she considers how to contribute helpfully. "...You did do perfect leaving Chrono-kun with that woman though, Koji-kun. Turns out, she's *really good* at magical doctoring." 'Doctoring,' not 'healing,' a deliberately chosen word. "Also, just... I'm learning that backup is *never* a bad idea, y'know...? Nobody can do everything by themselves, and that's just not how we operate."

Koji Silvia has posed:
"I get it." Koji says, and then almost mutters, "Chrono-san."

He gets a drink of tea and a few more pieces of paneer before he continues on, looking back and forth between the two, "I had my reasons. I could lay them out, but I've already had them all pretty well broken down on me. So... I'm sorry. To both of you. I shouldn't have done that, and I should have reached out once I was able to."

Almost looknig away, he drums his fingers on the table, "I am not used to working with people. I got Hanzo, and I was alone. Mom tried to teach me a few things, but most of what she was teaching me was self-defense and awareness... what to look for and see. And pretty much every big fight I've been in, there's been some girl with the equivalent of a tank cannon to take care of it, or I've worked my way around it."

"Anyways..." He just lets it go, and then leans forwards again to get some relief off his back, "I'm back at school tomorrow, and I've rested enough that I can start using my Device again. Now it's just a matter of... lying to everyone. Again."

That last part comes out RATHER bitter.

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown nodded along with Rashmi. "Terios-san is correct. Sailor Pluto was very useful and managed to save my life. I'll need to make sure you and her speak with each other again. She's also correct that, like it or not, we need to work together."

"I... understand that. I used to work alone quite often. As an enforcer, I am trusted and expected to be able to operate in solo circumstances to the best of my ability. Facing threats such as those we've run into is something I'd be more than capable of... under normal circumstances."

"But under normal circumstances I would have access to the resources of the TSAB." At which point he remembered to store the things that Koji had given him, into his device. "I would have people dedicated to giving me information, medics, possibly artilary. In extreme circumstances, firepower that would vastly outscale nearly every weapon on this planet. So even when I was alone, I was rarely truly alone."

"People are not *meant* to work alone, Silvia-san. It's not in our nature. We depend on each other, seek each other out. We all have strengths and weaknesses. In our efforts to prove ourselves as able to go it alone, we forsake our own strengths and bring more focus on our shortcomings. The more I study the people of this world, the more I am aware that going it alone will only lead in our destruction. Despite my desire to keep all those here free of dangers they may not have chosen. In the end, that's not my choice to make and rarely do we have the... opportunity to allow them to make it. This is the reality we have been given and our choices are to either adapt to it and ensure our futures are a happy one, or fail to force it to bend to our whims in a way that only ensures our destruction." He then took another bite of the samosa, a flake of its coating now stuck on the tip of his nose, which he failed to notice.

"I take it that your roommate isn't aware of your magical nature? If it bothers you, just tell him. Perhaps he is as well. If he's not, it's not like he'll remember it."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"Speaking of, how's things with your roommate, Chrono-kun?" Rashmi says, silently passing the boy a napkin. "Like I said, you made the perfect choice there, Koji-kun. Not only did you get him medical help, but like the *day* he got back, he got invited to the school."

She falls silent for a moment, realy *looking* at Koji's face.

"...Is that what bothers you most? The lying to people?"

Koji Silvia has posed:
Koji ends up looking away from those prying eyes for a long moment, still stinging from the 'not-scolding' from someone at least 2 years his junior. A drink of some tea helps, and so does putting together a small plate of the scrambled cheese and rice, buying him some time to collect his thoughts, "I didn't really make that choice, so I'm not going to take credit either. It was just good luck on our part. She landed right where I'd left a Blade as my escape point."

To the rest of it, another few small bites of food are given to the silence, "I don't like lying to people who matter. My mom's lied to me most of my life, and now I don't know WHO she is anymore. At least, that's how it feels. But I keep lying. Because the truth would get people hurt. I know she was doing it to not hurt anyone... I mean... how are you supposed to tell ANYONE you're an alien from another planet, that just happens to look just like a human. I would've thought Hannah or even Chrono-kun here was crazy if it wasn't for what happened to me."

Sort of still dancing around the issue at hand for himself, he eyes Chrono once more, "That's the weird thing about me and Darien-san. We... fight to be normal. Like... I don't know how to explain it. Neither of us want to be whatever it is we are away from the school when we're hanging out together. We just want to be... NORMAL. Have normal problems, be annoyed at normal stuff. Stay up late eating junk food and studying for classes we both know we'll pass easy because that's what everyone else does. It's the one place where most of the time... I can turn off this part of my head that knows how BAD it is out there, and that it's just getting worse."

"And I'm worried that if I tell him... that goes away."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown gave Rashmi a small smile. "My roommate seems good. He's kind of... shy, I think. A bit strange. Mumbles sometimes and whatever he has about himself that's causing issues is..." An eater of terrible cheeses. Hmmm. He let that thought trail off and die before glancing back to Koji. What to say, what to say.

He took another bite and chewed slowly, wiping his lips and... not... realizing her had anything on his nose yet.

"Relationships cannot be formed from lies," Chrono finally said. "We may believe they can, at times we can even fool ourselves into believing 'in this situation, it's fine'. But the truth is? The truth is necessary. To understand each other, to understand ourselves."

He placed the samosa on the plate. "The truth might get people hurt, it's true. And there are people you can't tell. But do not mistake 'some' for 'all'. And do not mistake 'protecting them' for 'protecting yourself'. I've lied a few times myself, but... well... I, generally, try and be open with who I can be."

"But then, I have little to lose. My... family isn't here. I have little to lose. If anyone tried to come after me for what I am, they'd soon realize that was a poor choice. You do not have that luxury. But that doesn't mean you need to hide away from the world for fear of everything. As I said, humans seek out friends, comrades. And... if this Darien-san of yours is like us? It's not altogether wrong to just tell what you can. That is the relationship my roommate and I have. He is magic, I am magic. I don't know, nor do I care what his type is. He can't tell me, I won't pry. But it makes things far simpler to just... know the truth. If you live your life hiding everything, eventually the mask will crumble, Silvia-san. And then you'll have nothing."

"As for the... 'normal' problems, I don't know what to tell you. You can have normal problems as well as these problems. One does not preclude the other." Once again, elbows on the table, hands together, leaning his head forward.

"... And what makes you so certain that it is getting worse? I have seen only a few things in my time here. And while I will admit that things in this world are... for lack of a better word... offputting? 'Bad and getting worse' is not how I would ever put it. Dangerous, terrifying, horrifying perhaps."

"But the future is one we are shaping every day, Silvia-san. And I'll be damned if I'll allow it to slip into a future of destruction and I very much doubt anyone else will. So long as there are others like Terios-san in this world, this world's future will never be worse."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"Koji-kun," Rashmi says, sighing quietly. "...Look. I get it's hard to wrap your head around someone you knew all your life having stuff about them you didn't know. I *still* don't know what Papi got up to when he was my age, and I've *asked.* But like... she's not a *different person* altogether. She's still your mom, she still married your dad and it sounds like they're pretty well matched. All of those things would be true even *if* she wasn't from space. And until *anyone* finds a way to get the space people a chance to go back... it doesn't matter whether or not they even *are* from space? Your mom's here, she's never not been your mom, this is just... An extra-weird version of 'So I spent a month in prison for setting fire to my office's coffeemaker in protest.'"

Shrugging, she starts to bite into a new samosa, but pauses before teeth meet food. "...Chrono-kun there's *food on your nose.*"

Koji Silvia has posed:
"Printer..." Koji almost quips in the correction, "Setting the printer on fire. The coffee maker is sacred ground in any office."

Digging in for a little bit between thoughts, he swallows and then inhales the rest of the tea, "I hear what you're both saying, alright? And a lot makes sense, but also... I know a lot of this is on me. So I'll think about it, at least."

To which he finally adds, "And... maybe... it helps knowing someone was worried. Maybe it sounds weird, but even when I had my old friends in middle school, we weren't ever really friend-friends. They were just the guys who I could hang out with who bugged me the least."

And that makes him just plant his forehead on the table, just barely missing his plate, "God, when I say it out loud, I totally sound like a jerk."

"Also, she's right... you have food on your face."

And he holds up his napkin for the younger magical boy.

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
The door to the shop goes off in it's usual greeting of newcomers as Chiyo enters pausing only to let her gaze sweep around the room clearly looking for someone. Someone who was currently reaching out with a napkin toward another boy who was. Uh. Kind of cute to be honest. The soft spoken purple haired teen stands watching with wide eyes a moment while clutching a little white paper bag in hand.

Thankfully she's snapped out of her BL/Shoujo thoughts by ne of Rashmi's parents asking if she was eating here or to go. "Oh, I'm meeting... Them," she states gesturing toward Koji, Rashmi, and Chrono. Admittedlys he hadn't expected others to be here, but she's glad to see there *are* some friends around Koji given his down-in-the-dumps mentality as of late.

Without wasting further time she crosses the room to step up beside the table with a quiet greeting of, "Koji-kun, it's good to see you out again." A pause as she looks to Rashmi, and then Chrono, to apologetically offer, "Sorry to intrude. Um..."

The white bag is thrust toward Koji.

"Ojiisan sent some treats, and hopes you're feeling better too."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown nodded along with Rashmi's words. "Exactly. Besides, it changes very little. Well... I suppose unless she's already arranged for you to marry someone back in midchilda. But I'd assume not, if she never expected to leave this world. It's not where we come from who determines our future, but what we become from it," he said.

And then he hears what Rashmi says about his nose. His cheeks turn scarlet and he gives a little squeak. "O-oh. Err, m-my apologies," he said sheepishly. "I thought I, well, uhhhh... oops," he said nervously before reaching up to wipe his face with the second generously supplied napkin, this time by Koji.

Speaking of arranged marriages, Chiyo! He glanced up at the girl before giving a small smile. "Oh? A friend of yours, Silvia-san?" he asked before getting to his feet and bowing politely. "Hello. I am Chrono Harlaown, ti-- err. Grade 9, age 14 of Radiant Heart Academy." Ah, yes. Both were, technically, true. "A pleasure to meet you, miss."

He uhhhh... was very short for that age. But also, VERY smartly dressed and maintained. Especially now that his nose was clean. He then sat down, cheeks still rosy, before beginning to put some of the cheesy goodness onto a plate. Mmmmmm. Tasty indian good.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"Chiyo-san!" Rashmi chirps, brightening visibly, and gesturing toward all the food still on the table. "Sit down, sit down, there's plenty left if you want some!"

And of course there is only space for one person left int he Student Booth, and it is next to Koji, and she is gesturing toward it in much the same way as ground-crew at an airport. It is equally possible that Rashmi knows exactly what she's doing, or has no idea and is just excited to see a friend.

Koji Silvia has posed:
Looking up, he sees Chiyo, and immediately stands up out of his seat to accept the white bag and the treats within it, "Hey Chiyo! HE made me snacks again? Please tell your grandfather I owe him greatly, and I will pay him back for his kindness."

Pulling out the chair that is available for the purple-haired girl, he moves to sit back in place, and then just says, "So... both of you... if you want to tell her, go ahead. She knows about me."

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
The friendly greetings were well and fine. Chiyo knew Koji and Rashmi already. It's when Chrono rises to bow and introduce himself formally that she, too, falls into that habit. The bow is returned politely as she offers, "Chiyo Sakai, age 15, grade 10 at Radiant Heart Academy." Here she was, older than him. Perhaps a bit bolder than she used to be as well as she adds off-handed, "And I don't mind younger men. It's a pleasure to meet you, Chrono-san."

Rashmi's urging for her to sit as well as Koji's gesture allow her to relax enough to do just that. She scoots in a bit closer to Koji just getting properly situated with a quick swish of her hands over her skirt to ensure nothing untoward was flashed as she does so. It's habit. Yet... there's some bandages on her hands just past the length of her shirt sleeves that might come into sight at this point. There was no bag of goodies to hide them behind now.

Koji gets a grin in response as she assures him, "Of course. You're the first boy I've brought home so I'm sure he's very fond of you. Though I have told him we're just friends," she hastens to add. There was no need for the fake dating situation to come up again.

Then Koji mentions 'telling her' and her eyes sharpen a bit fixing on Rashmi and Chrono once more with eyebrows lifting.

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown was pretty relaxed, at least. And good, this girl was in the know. He just had to... Take a bite of his food.

And then choke on it. "W-w-w-w-what?!" he asked, his voice going high pitched and actually *squeaked* and cracked and oh gosh he looked like he wanted to hide under the table. He pounded on his chest a few times before, finally, getting it clear. Deep breath. "T-time space a-administrative b-bureau e-enforcer C-Chrono Harlaown," he managed to squeak out. His eyes down. Actually SLOUCHING a bit to make himself look smaller. Cheeks BURNING red.

He looked NOTHING like the super serious agent he was a moment ago.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
Rashmi also hurriedly clears a spot off the table in front of her to put her forehead on it, but from the way her shoulders are shaking, she's less embarrassed and more trying not to further the emotional damage with hoots of laughter. And, in fact, it's a good few moments before she can control herself enough to gasp in air, and return to the conversation. "Heeee... basically he's space military-slash-police... I'm not special, but if you're part of the magic thing you might have seen a flying girl with a big ol' book, that'd be me. So... okay, Chrono-kun, I guess we just... started a tradition! That's twice a gravely wounded magical boy healed up on a magical girl's couch!"

Koji Silvia has posed:
As he continues to sit as if his back is sensitive from the nasty cut that Chiyo saw first-hand, Koji cannot help it a bit, "Chiyo's special thing is she creates magic food. It actually saved my life. She can make you a treat that'll make you remember a time when everything was... happy. There's also Bonito. Second most polite cat I've ever met, even if he's not a cat..."

The grin is wan, but turned on Chiyo for a moment as he grabs the fried paneer and starts to munch down several pieces of fried cheese, licking his fingers clean of the sauce after, "Couches are comfortable and multipurpose. Perfect for resting on to heal up."

Moving on, he looks at Chrono, and just shakes his head, "Anyways... they were just saying I should just... tell my roommate Darien what I am. Stop keeping secrets, since it's what got me where I was when you saved me. What do you think?"

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Chiyo Sakai bites on her lower lip to repress a bit of a guilty grin. That was perhaps mean of her to say. It had just been blurted out, really! Maybe she shouldn't have spent the afternoon re-reading manga since she couldn't work at the moment. Lifting a bandaged hand she reaches for one of the samosas with a silent nod of thanks to the offer of sharing.

"Ah... Yes, I'm Culinary Guardian Daifuku. What I cook when I'm transformed can restore and rejuivenate, and remind who eats it that there's more to food than just eating for the sake of eating. I guess you'd call it 'the heart of cooking'?" She wasn't entirely sure herself, she just knew how it felt. Warm, and filling, and of times when there was far less uncertainty in her world. "My specialty are sweets. Bonito is my spirit guide."

Since introductions are being made she reaches down to pull out her rather old flip phone to show off. Not the phone itself as a device mage might think, but the little Bao charm that dangles off the side. "He's a shape shifter."

Talk of telling though? She regards Koji a moment considering long and hard. "I think that's something you're going to have to decide for yourself. Every situation is different and should be approached with care. I think... While it's good to have allies and friends... Sometimes you have to also consider that knowing too much may be a bad thing. What if someone catches you and tries to make you tell them what you know?"

Here she pauses clearing her throat awkwardly. "Though, again, that's up to you. I've been very hesitant to tell people myself. My case isn't the same as yours, though. I'm the only Culinary Guardian I know of."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown gave a small nod, letting Rashmi explain. "Y-y-yeah. Military s-slash police is... c-close enough," he mumbled. "But it's more akin to an elite unit of... nevermind. L-let's just u-use that," he said, cheeks burning. Oh yeah, he was flustered. And still flustered.

But... but Koji's words managed to pierce even though that and made his eyes light up. "Magic... food? I knew it!" he said defiantly, proudly, as if some great truth had just been unveiled. "I KNEW the food on this world was magic. I've been to over thirty different planets and experienced food from cultures across the universe and yet I'd never tasted anything quite like the food in this shop," he said.

If anything, this was the first magical system he'd come across that he actually SUSPECTED was real.

"And what Silvia-san says is true. Couches are good, far better than most bunks and when wounded, rest is very important. There's nothing wrong with resting on a pretty girl's cou-- a magical girl's couch after you're wounded," he said, before just... stuffing a big bite of the cheesy foody in his mouthy so he could shutty uppy. Oh yeah. He was... gonna die.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
*blink*

*blink blink*

Did he just... include Rashmi under the 'pretty girl' umbrella?

Utterly distracted, she turns her head just far enough to see her father trying to catch her eye, and hiking a thumb in the general direction of her bedroom. "...O-oh! Right! Um... sorry everybody, I promised Papi I'd finish my homework before bed. I should get to that..." Attention still turned inward, she slides out of the booth, shaking her head to turn her focus back to reality, then smiles and bows at Chiyo. "It's good to meet you again again, Chiyo-san. Hope to see you out there sometime soon!"

And toward the residential stair she drifts, still trying to reconcile 'Rashmi' and 'pretty girl' used in the same sentence...

Koji Silvia has posed:
It is amazing how drama can help one forget about their own mood. So Chrono's comments cascade the effect into Rashmi, and then comes her scooting off under the auspices of Conveniently Placed Excuses, which just causes him to look back at Chrono, and blink himself.

"So... uhh... Chrono. If you're willing... I'd like you to well... vet my abilities and then maybe help me shore up some of my weaknesses. Since you're the most experienced magic Device User on our side of things. We could invite Chiyo along and she could demonstrate her magic for you too... According to Hanzo, her magic refreshes our Linker Cores."

Leaving that little distracting nugget out there, he re-addresses Chiyo, "I'll add that to my things to consider with Darien-san. And... thanks for checking up on me. Again."

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Chiyo Sakai glances at Rashmi leaving only to glance toward the parents ushering her upstairs. For just a moment her gaze is left lingering on the interaction between daughter and parents. Then it's torn away to bring her back to the conversation at hand to flash Chrono a bit of a smile. "Some of it is, yes. There's a good many people who put their heart and soul into what they make. Maybe some small bit of magic has managed to rub off over the years." As for her, and her apparent 'goals', she just knew it was to help remind people and fight off general ennui in regards to enjoying such parts of life.

Whatever that ultimately meant.

The suggestion of showing off her magic earns a nod as well. "I could do that, but I may not be able to for a bit. I ah..." She lifts her hands again to frown at them slightly. They were both bandaged up as if she'd planned to go boxing, or was just trying her best to keep them clean. "I got burnt during a fight not long ago. I kind of need my hands to do most of what I do."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown glanced towards Rashmi, giving her a small nod. "O-oh. Uhhh, right. School is important and uhhh, s-stuff," she said sheepishly, his cheeks BURNING. Yeah, he hadn't expected to be so... that. And was still a bit flustered by all of it.

However, Koji's words brought him more into focus of reality. He gave the other boy a firm nod. "I... would like that, actually. I've tested Terios-san's capabilities and have been training with her regularly now. As there are other device wielders in this world, without the benefits of TSAB training, I feel it would be in all of our best interests if I was to meet with, and aid, you all in training your abilities." He then glanced to Chiya and... well... "I... don't know of how much benefit I would be for you, however. I know a lot about device magic, but... the magic of this world is new and foreign to me in many ways. I am not sure I could aid you in much aside from discussing tactics and the like, and being an opposing force. However, I would be happy to face both of you and aid in what manner I can."

His eyes then went to her hands. "Yes, if you're wounded, then training on such injuries would be a bad idea. While I have healing magic, it can only truly accelerate the healing of your injuries in particular. I would advise having a medical professional, say the nurse at Radiant Heart academy, look at them. Once they've been properly treated, I can possibly accelerate the healing process. Once you have recovered, the three of us could go outside the city and I could take measure of both your abilities," Chrono offered. Ahhhh. The soldier was back. For now.

Koji Silvia has posed:
Putting a hand on Chiyo's shoulder to stop her from saying anything else for the moment, Koji stands up and says, "I'm going to get some to-go boxes and pay for the meal. There's enough here that you can take some home for you and your grandfather."

He slips away and back in moments, settling back in place with three boxes to fish up and portion out the MOST of that was put together for them all by Rashmi.

"Thanks Chrono-kun. I'm sure your experience will help both of us."

"Also, let me know where you're dormed at school. I'll come by and help you get orientated. School store for gym uniform and a school laptop, shopping for some civilian clothes, whatever you need. Chiyo-chan can take you by her Ojiisan's place... they make some of the best sweets in the city. As good as the stuff you get here."

Said as he protectively moves the bag to one side, "if you've gotten a smartphone, you can get Chiyo-chan's contact number too. Unfortunately, without a Device, she can't communicate like we can. Either way... we'll get you settled in."

As he finishes packing things up, he looks to his friend, "So, did you want to walk back to the rail station with me? This time I promise not to get any blood on you."

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Chiyo Sakai opens her mouth intending to respond when Koji touches her shoulder. A single blink is cast toward him before she gives a nod of understanding. "We can decide on things later," she offers with a small smile as Koji starts to get the to-go boxes together.

"Yes, you're welcome to stop by the shop. Nounamu Sweets. My Ojiisan owns it, and I work there as well. I don't live on campus though--But that makes it a bit quicker for me to get somewhere in the city if I need to as well," she reasons. It was half the reason she was able to get to Koji as quickly as she had.

When the last is packed she flashes a smile at the suggestion. "That would be nice. Thank you, Koji." She's already rising to her feet with a nod. "It was nice meeting you Chrono."