423/Probably-Not Friends in Definitely High Places

Probably-Not Friends in Definitely High Places
Date of Scene:	14 September 2023
Location:	Radiant Heart Academy
Synopsis:	As promised, Kureha meets Rashmi on the roof of Radiant Heart Academy for lunch, and both girls learn a lot about each other. Could the Medical Miracle's shell be cracking, just a bit?
Cast of Characters:	Rashmi Terios, Kureha Senkenzan

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Rashmi Terios has posed:
Lunch on the rooftops! A grand old tradition, which Radiant Heart Academy manages to make extra -- as it does in all other areas of school life -- by the rooftop balcony of the school building being flanked on four sides by *actual turrets.*

Sometimes going to school in a literal castle complex is just the *best.*

With her long red hair tucked under her legs to keep from catching the wind, and possibly dragging her along with it, Rashmi sits happily against an HVAC unit, her bento box yet untouched, a book in her hands, as she waits for her promise to be fulfilled.

And why does she even assume it will be? Why, because the promise-giver took it *so seriously,* and the request *so small,* that curiosity *has* to at least play a factor.

Kureha Senkenzan has posed:
    There is at least one area in which Rashmi is off the mark; Kureha Senkenzan still sits deep within a well of distance and distrust, to the point where 'curiosity' is not something she tends to indulge. However, for the past several years - the entire time she's understood the concept of debts, favors owed, and quid-pro-quo - she's made a specific point of repaying any debts she owes completely, fully and to the letter. She doesn't even realize how sad it is that she's an 8th-grater who has internalized that concept for years. To her, it's just how things are.

    But regardless, Kureha pays her debts. Quite fastidiously. So, even to anyone who knows her, it's not surprising at all when the door to the roof opens, and an ebon-haired girl comes striding out, walking with confident and steadfast steps. She stops about three steps onto the roof; far enough for the door to swing shut behind her, and far enough for her to turn and look around. As soon as there's a glimpse of that crimson hair, Kureha turns and walks, brisk strides that take her to a cautious-but-conversational distance. And there, she folds her hands in front of herself, bowing and speaking in a formal tone. "Once again, I offer my thanks for your assistance in protecting Chisa. As you requested, I have come."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"Hi!" Rashmi says brightly, looking up from her book and patting the space next to her. "C'mon, have a sit, clouds're just right and the view's *great.*"

Seems Rashmi's Osaka side is creeping through in her voice. "Anyway you're welcome, but last night was *worrying.* I would have just taken the fight away entirely, but I didn't want her to maybe wake up and just *nobody* was there. To me... that probably would have been worse, y'know?"

Kureha Senkenzan has posed:
    Kureha regards the offered spot with a raised eyebrow, seeming to consider it for a moment; but as asked, she seats herself, though there ends up being a bit of space between her and the taller girl. "You aren't wrong. My only goal was driving it away from Chisa; if it had fled on its own, I would have stayed with her rather than pursue. At this point, it would be silly of me to deny she's important to me. You've seen plenty of evidence." She smooths out her skirt a bit, then sets her own bento on her lap... wow, that's... that's a really big bento.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
Rashmi nods, setting out her own bento. While smaller than Kureha's, it *does* feature a wide array of things one does not ordinarily find in a bento... or, regular things, given an Indian twist. The sandwiches are a variety of curry pan, for one, and the salad is a red chutney speckled with raisins. Pausing to put her hands together over the meal and murmur a cheerful "Itadakimasu!" she picks up one of the halved breads, to offer.

"The thing is though, I was in the air when it attacked, Kureha-san. I don't think you were *going* to be able to drive it away."

Kureha Senkenzan has posed:
    Kureha's is much more traditional... very traditional, really. Chicken kara-age, rice, pickled vegetables; the most notable trait is just how much food is packed in there. And Kureha starts eating away at it as if the volume of food isn't intimidating in the least. She does manage a brief glance at Rashmi between bites, and somehow finds the time for a calm, "Because it seemed to be aiming for us specifically? I had noticed. Few people around, so it was a poor place for a general attack. There was at least one person there alone, so they would have made an easier target."

    She glances at the halved bread being offered, arches an eyebrow, then shakes her head and returns to her meal. "No thank you."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
Nodding at the refusal, Rashmi applies herself to her meal for a moment, thinking about this. "Probably... But if she hadn't gotten in the way, it was going after *you.* I don't know if that means anything, but... It worries me. And thinking about it... I don't think I've actually *seen* actual yokai since the museum, y'know?"

Shaking her head, Rashmi sighs through her nose. "Maybe it's nothing. But just in case it's not... Iunno. Be careful, okay?"

Kureha Senkenzan has posed:
    "If it were me..." Kureha frowns, then shakes her head. "I think I'd have been better off than her. Ever since my first transformation, I'm not just healthy, I'm weirdly healthy. The track team tried to scout me." She continues to eat, somehow managing to get a word in here or there. "I'm probably being targeted. I'm capable of realizing that much. But I'll be able to handle it. If I need help..." She pauses, there's a faint frown. "...I think you've seen enough to know how I feel about it. But even being in someone's debt would be preferable to losing Chisa, so if she's in danger, I'll do what I have to. And I'm not worried about my own ability to survive."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"I know," Rashmi says gently. "And I *think* I understand it... But I haven't lived the way you have, Kureha-san. So just... remember that, okay? That's why I asked for this; because I *respect* that you feel you owe me, but it's a small enough ask that it wouldn't really be onerous, y'know? But I would have helped regardless, because someone was in trouble."

Lifting her shoulder in a faint shrug, she picks up her bento and works on the chutney for a bit. "Anyway... I just wanted to try and help you understand; after today? You won't owe me anything, ever again. No matter how often I help."

Kureha Senkenzan has posed:
    Kureha regards Rashmi sidelong for several seconds, before going back to her meal, staring down at the food as she shovels it into her face. But her speed is slower, the way she chews more thoughtful. She's measuring her response, putting her thoughts in order. It takes her a bit longer before she replies, and her tone is cool and neutral; the tone she uses when she's masking whatever emotions she might feel underneath. "I can't decide whether you're being truthful, or if you're just fishing for more information and more favors. So I'll provide an answer that satisfies both." She lowers her chopsticks, looking out across the roof absently.

    "Every time I've ever trusted an offered hand, it's taken something in return. I've either been discarded as useless, or been tricked and deceived, by every member of my family I've ever met, even the ones acting as if they're on my side. Especially the ones acting as if they're on my side. And most of the students here at school would avert their eyes from me when I was gaunt, weak and walked with a cane for support. But then I suddenly get healthy, and out of nowhere, everyone's interested. Everyone wants to be my friend. I'm beautiful, I'm mysterious, I'm athletic. They all want something from me. None of them cared before I could offer something. And my family has gotten even worse, my father included."

    She picks up her chopsticks again; even after all that, there's no bitterness or heat in her tone. Just cold, matter-of-fact frankness. "There have only been two people in my life I've ever been able to trust. One of them died years ago. The other is Chisa. She was my mother's childhood friend, and she's been with me my entire life. And that," she adds, with one more side-glance, "Is valuable enough information about me that it should satisfy any outstanding imbalance."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
Rashmi listens carefully through Kureha's explanation, nodding slowly and paying as much attention as she might a professorial lecture. Which, in her case, is complete attention. "Okay," she says, after a long moment's thought. "I can understand that pretty well. Not... well *completely,* but like... Let's make this an even trade."

"Coming here was the first time I ever actually had friends," is what she opens with. Which itself might be startling, as cheerful and outgoing as she seems to be, but she continues. "Ever since I was a kid, I *loved* reading. Always had my nose in a book at every spare moment. Which doesn't really teach you how to talk to people, so... freshman year, I joined Debate Club. Because I mean, learning how to think like other people well enough to argue from their point of view, that's gotta help, right?"

Chuckling quietly, Rashmi shakes her head. "It did some... But I get really stuck in my own head, and I don't notice a lot of things. So I didn't notice that my friends were more like... acquaintances? People you'd nod at in the hall, but not like... *friends.* People you can just talk to, hang out with, do stuff with. That... was a pretty bad day when I found that out. Anyway," she says, plucking at the starburst charm securing her bow. "Then I found Nicomachea. And then I found out, thanks to him, I can do *magic.* Protect people, save lives, all that kind of thing. And not only that, like... There's *so many of us!* That's *terrifying!* But it's also the best news I could have gotten; I've got something in common with *so many people.*"

Pausing to monch on her food, when she comes up for air she uses her wrist to dab away a stray bit of sauce. "I haven't been doing this much longer than you have, Kureha-san. Most of this, I'm just making up as I go along... But I'm also trying to make up for lost time, and you just kinda got swept up in that. So... I am sorry about that."

Kureha Senkenzan has posed:
    At the very least, Kureha Senkenzan is a dutiful listener. She even keeps the speed of her eating slow; it doesn't stop entirely, but it's slower. She seems to be mulling over Rashmi's words, though it's a coin toss whether she's taking them at face value or poring over them for hidden meaning. Ultimately, if she senses anything ulterior in those words, she doesn't comment either way. Her approach has shifted slightly at this point, from a more brazen 'get away from me' to a low-key sort of aloofness. At least it's more polite, though. "...no apology is necessary," she finally says, setting her chopsticks down. "You're simply doing as you think is best for yourself."

    Sitting up a little straighter, the shorter girl adds, "As for the others... that's how people are. Feigning closeness until it suddenly no longer suits them. I don't think you should trust all these other strange girls, either. They could be just as bad as anyone else." It's the closest thing to concern she's shown anyone (other than Chisa) thus far.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"Maybe," Rashmi admits, lifting a shoulder. "And maybe some of the boys are, too. But... I've only got, tops... five years of this life, Kureha-san. We all do. After that, we're out. It'll fade from our minds, and we'll go about our lives never realizing that magic is real, or that monsters exist. I... don't think I can *afford* to stay closed off. Because there really is benefit to having people who care about you, who you can trust. And I'd rather put my hand out ten times and have it bit twice, than never do and never get bit."

Turning, the bookworm smiles at Kureha, and it's a *genuine* smile. No politeness, decorum, or false cheer. "But I do appreciate the warning, Kureha-san. Seriously, thank you."

Kureha Senkenzan has posed:
    This time, there's actual emotion in the look Kureha gives Rashmi. Even if it's only 'mild incredulity'. "I spent the first thirteen years of my life constantly sickly and barely able go outside for anything. And then one day, I suddenly transform into an oni, and now I could probably join any sports club in the school. That's not something I'll forget easily." She moves to finish her bento; granted, it doesn't take long, given how little is left already. She's dabbing at her mouth with a napkin around the time Rashmi smiles, and the expression brings her to a complete and total halt. She doesn't seem to know how to handle it in the least.

    It's possibly a blessing that the shorter girl's phone chooses that moment to chirp a text notification. Frowning, Kureha fishes the device out of her purse... and a few seconds after she looks at it, her eyes go wide. "...eh?!"

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"Based on what I've learned?" Rashmi answers the incredulity, "it's true. You just... forget, everything in your life that has to do with magic. Probably make up a story in your head to explain it, like '...and then an actual medical miracle happened, and I don't know how but I got better.'"

She falls silent at the universal sound of 'people calling' and elects to stay that way, until the surprised noice. "...What's up, Kureha-san?"

Kureha Senkenzan has posed:
    Kureha's surprised expression is quickly brought under control, and there's perhaps even a touch of embarrassment at showing her surprise so openly. "...nothing. A family matter." She slides her phone back into her purse, and begins closing up her bento to take with her. "I've been summoned by the head of my mother's family. I'll be taking a trip to Kyoto over the weekend. It's simply... unexpected."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"...Wait, like *right now?*"

It's a fairly reasonable assumption, given that Rashmi is a poor, and 'I have been summoned' is, when it ever *is* heard, one of those things that usually involves raised voices, full names, and immediate consequences for ignoring. "Or, I mean... um. Anyway, have... fun...? I guess...?"

Kureha Senkenzan has posed:
    "We'll see," Kureha says neutrally, finally moving to stand up. There's a pause, and then another side glance, before she adds, "...I'm not bringing back any omiyage, though." Huff.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"I wasn't going to ask," Rashmi chuckles, slowly putting the remains of her bento away, then just... touching the box to the jewel on her charm, and it disappears. "Seriously though... I hope you can have *some* fun on your trip. ...Oh, and let me know when you get back, and when you want to come back to the Korma again? I'll have Papi make up a sampler platter, nothing less than three stars."