703/Ramen Support Group

Ramen Support Group
Date of Scene:	04 November 2023
Location:	Okujoo Ramen
Synopsis:	Chrono meets up with Rashmi and Molly to discuss the most recent encounter with Sunbreaker! And also dating advice.
Cast of Characters:	Molly Skyline, Rashmi Terios, Chrono Harlaown

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Molly Skyline has posed:
It's late at night, and Okujoo Ramen is open! And it's going to be open late, owing to this being opening night, which means it's time to celebrate, and feed large amounts of Ramen to a large number of people. Which, naturally, means the place is packed.

Molly has brought Rashmi into the place via... well, the elevator, naturally, but that was reached by the pair flying in through Molly's bedroom window in the apartment she shares with her Moms a few floors down. Luckily, when your Moms own the place, you get the odd perk here and there; in the corner is a table big enough for four people (or three teenagers) with a 'reserved' sign sitting on it, thanks to a text sent ahead asking for somewhere to have dinner after -- ahem -- studying.

"Over here," Molly points, going to the table and plucking the reserved sign off it. "I hope Chrono gets here soon."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
Rashmi is still digging the sleepies out of one eye as they step out of the elevators. She was *asleep* when the call came in, and adrenalin can only stave off the tired for so long. The smell of ramen, however, is a wonderful way to rouse the senses, and she perks up the moment the aromas of hot broth and sizzling pork belly hit her nose.

Which point she actually *looks* around for a bit, and Molly hears a wonder-struck, please gasp. "Whaaaa... Molly-chan this place is *beautiful! And *what a view!*"

Slipping into the chair, Rashmi folds her hands in the manner of a very very patient restaurant guest, mentally taking care of the necessary business. << We're here, Chrono, so home in on our location if you're lost. This place is... actually pretty incredible, honestly, we're gonna wanna come here often. >>

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown was not sure what to expect. Fortunately, he really only had one style. 'Way too serious'. < See you soon, Molly-chan, Rashmi. I'm expecting detailed reports, Starcrash. > Amazing how even over the telepathy talk thing... he could go from so upbeat and chipper to 'You are one bad screwup to being jammed into a belkan toaster' enforcer tone.

So he had taken the elevator up and when he came out... he was in his buttoned up overshirt, with the other shirt under it, pants and he looked like the most respectable young man most of them had likely ever seen.

When he saw them, however, his face lit up. "Rashmi," he called out, making his way towards them. And...

He didn't get it. It was a nice place, the posters were okay. But admittedly, the themes went entirely over his head. The food smelt amazing, though. But he was a little worried the place would be freezing during the chilly time of year. He slid into the seat besides Rashmi, reaching out to take her hands and... Then paused.

Because he suddenly imagined her in cute little mittens and when it was cold and the two having to snuggle a bit to keep warm and--

< His heart rate just rose again, > Fenyx called over the telepathy, just to Rashmi though. Not even Chrono.

"You look fabulous. So, this is your parent's shop, Molly-chan?" he asked, glancing over to her. "Any recommendations on what to order?"

Molly Skyline has posed:
"Thank you!" Molly grins, "My Moms were lucky to find a building where they could both have their businesses in the same place; Ramen shop up top, Tuner shop on the ground floor." She shrugs her shoulders lightly. "But next time, we've gotta meet at your parents' place, I still haven't seen it."

The purple-haired girl takes her seat just as Chrono is arriving, and waves him over -- not that it turns out to be necessary, as he finds them just fine. (Starcrash has been silent the entire time since Chrono announced that he was coming.)

"Yeah, this is my Mom's place, just opened tonight," she replies. "Reccomendations? Sapporo Ramen. Mom made that for me last night so I could taste-test it for her and it was awesome."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
<< Yeah, it did. >> Rashmi answers back, and there's a pleased, almost *smug* tone to her thoughts when she answers Fenyx. Like, she's proud of the fact that *she did that,* because he just had an out of the blue thought about her. Scooting her chair closer to Chrono, she chuckles. "I look like I rolled out of bed and threw some clothes on, because I did. And oh *yeah,* if your Mom can do a good sapporo-style, no wonder it's packed. Definitely having that."

Her face falls a bit, and she puts an arm around Chrono's waist. "But like... Just so you don't spend the whole time wondering, may as well just say it now. ...We had a run-in with Sunbreaker-san, Chrono. We're okay," she says hurriedly. "She wasn't looking for a fight. But... yeah. That happened."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown gave a small nod to Molly. "You'll like it," he told her. "Her parent's place is incredible. Well, the food is. Well, the rest of it is. But I might be biased."

After all, he had family there now.

"I mean, I've done that before. But even if you just left bed, you always have an energy about you, Rashmi," he said affectionately.

The talk about Sunbreaker, however, made his smile flicker. "I... see. Sapporo ramen sounds fine. What happened? Did she threaten you? Try to do anything to you? Please tell me there wasn't another prank." Pleeeeease no death curses.

Molly Skyline has posed:
"No, no... pranks," Molly confirms, as she pulls out her phone and sends her Mom a quick text, veyr politely asking for three Sapporo Ramens. "Don't worry, I don't usually text food orders to my Mom," she adds, "She told me to tonight 'cause she was expecting to be busy. ...I'm really glad she was right, too, I think she'd've been crushed if the place hadn't been packed."

She sets her phone down, and ahems softly. "She... Okay, so, she was sitting up on a rooftop thinking, and Starcrash detected her dark energy and totally warned me I should call for backup, except I wanted to see what was up there first, and then I thought she was going to... uhm." she blushes, "Basically beat me up, so I called Rashmi-chan for help and she was basically incredible and talked Sunbreaker down from hurting us." She gulps softly. "So Sunbreaker just threw me around on the roof and then threatened us before calling us monkeys and letting us go."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"Monkeys," Rashmi repeats, shaking her head. "That was what stood out the most, but that whole time was just... *surreal.* And I was *not* incredible, I was *managing* to keep it together because I had a friend to protect, but that's it. There was a *lot* of complaining and a lot to unpack in what she said, but... I think the practical upshot is... I don't think Setsuna-chan really *needs* to worry about her going on a rampage and killing people. That seemed to be, like... the *biggest* thing that stuck in her craw, like a point of pride that she's too in control to be a killer."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown nodded. "Ahhhh. Gotta love being friends with the owner's daughter, lots of perks like being able to text the order in."

However, he was back in full swing a moment later, a serious look on his face. A hand raised to his chin. "I see. Monkeys? That's... weird. I mean, I... can see... no. Hm. Maybe she's not human? I haven't seen her, though. Monkeys is weird. Perhaps she's a mermaid or something? I think we have some of those."

He then leaned back. "But... as long as she's not trying to kill anyone, we should be fine. It seems that Obsidian has begun to... taper back, as it were. Maybe they're worried about drawing too much anger. Or they're preparing for something big. Either or, I suppose."

He reached up a hand to rub his forehead. "I guess for now, we prepare. Continue our training sessions, develop, build our bonds with our allies. And Rashmi?"

"I bet you looked incredible coming to stand against Sunbreaker. That was very couragous of you. Aways remember, courage isn't the absence of fear, it's a willingness to face it."

Molly Skyline has posed:
"You absolutely *were* incredible," Molly declares, backing up Chrono's opinion on the matter. "I mean, there was I, an artillery mage, on my arse as we'd say in England, too afraid to do *anything*, and... and all she did was prank me, she literally set you *on fire*, Rashmi-chan. And you were still the one standing up to her and talking her down."

She taps her earing, "And before anyone points out that Starcrash was trying to get me to fight her, I should point out that he *did* tell me to call for backup first, and I ignored that advice, so that's on me." She sighs softly, and pinches the bridge of her nose. "So, yeah, that's... patrolling alone for you. Why was I doing it? I don't know. Because I'm an idiot. But at least I have friends."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"...I mean, I patrol alone all the time," Rashmi says with a shrug. "And like I said before; if it wasn't you that stumbled over her, it'd probably have been me, and I'd've called you *both* and it probably *would* have been a fight. So no, Molly-chan, you're not an idiot. Just... There's a saying here in Japan... I'm not sure if you were there when I talked about it? 'Fall down seven times, get up eight.' As long as you keep going forward, it doesn't matter how often you fall down."

She does, however, give Chrono a silly little smile as he talks up how amazing she must've looked. "...Oh yeah, and uh... Because you're probably *going* to hear this wonderful goober be adorably cheesy at me a lot... We're dating. Have been for a bit, now."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown gave a small chuckle before glancing to Molly. "No, patrolling alone is fine. Just be careful to stay alert and don't go looking for a fight. In the end, unless you're expecting trouble, light patrolling is fine. I do it quite often. But be willing and able to call for help if you need it. Or even if you don't. Better safe than sorry. In the end, you're irreplaceable and getting hurt when you could have had backup is something you'll struggle to forget."

Then he gasped, a hand over his heart and giving a definitely look of mock alarm. "What?! You and Molly? Since when? I never would have-- ohhhhh. Yes. You mean you and I. Indeed, Rashmi and I have become a, as they say on this world, couple. I have begun to attempt to woo this splended, beautiful and radiating treasure," he said. With all the aplomb of a nobleman.

Molly Skyline has posed:
"...I kinda worked that out," Molly replies. "About you two dating, I mean. People don't normally talk to each other the way you two have been, like, since ou got here, unless they're dating." She pauses while Chrono heaps his praises upon Rashmi, "Well, I also think you're awesome, both of you, so, uhm, congrats!"

Way to go Molly, you sound like a dork. Well, probably you fit right in.

"Sometime I'll have to ask you what the dating rules in Japan are, just in case I find a girl I like enough to ask--"

Not... generally something you admit to in England quite so readily, so Molly more or less immediately clams up for a second.

Mecifully, this is about when the Ramen arrives, which the waitress takes a moment to distribute (which isn't hard, since everyone ordered the same thing).

"So uhm, anyway, I'll definitely be calling for backup *before* checking things out, next time Starcrash warns me it'll be a good idea."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
Rashmi actually makes a pleased noise, when it turns out 'Sapporo-style ramen' in this restaurant means buttered corn and chili oil as well as the usual accoutrements. Apparently, some places take the '-style' as license to be lazy!

When the server leaves, Rashmi tilts her head at Molly. "There's really not any *rules* on dating, to be honest... but there's lots of little traditions. And if you *do* find a girl you like enough to ask, there's at least one tradition that'll probably have to change to fit; Valentine's Day. There's this whole thing about girls giving people they like chocolate, and the *boys* get to follow up the month after on White Day. But anyway; just please don't tell me you'll wrap yourself up in knots about it like Adora-san and *her* girlfriend, and I think you'll be okay."

With *that* interesting infodump out of the way for the two non-natives, she leans against Chrono and chuckles. "You are *super* silly by the way, thanks for that. And... Oh yeah, Molly-chan! You *definitely* need to bring your moms to the Korma sometime, the butter-chicken tsukemen got so popular it's on the regular menu now. So we can treat them to curry ramen!"

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown nodded to Molly. "Hmmmm. Then if the magic warrior thing doesn't work out, perhaps you could become a detective. After all, I am quite subtle with my talents as a wooer. Barely anyone can tell," he said, actually managing a playful tone.

"As for dating rules... uhhhh... yeah. I guess... that. To be honest, I just kind of blurted it out when I was dancing with Rashmi. So... In most situations I'd say follow the rules. But... in fits of romance? Eh. Just... do what you have to."

"... Though what day is valentines day? Because I think I may need to be prepared now..." he said, in an oddly ominous tone. "Maybe see about blocking off my locker slats then..."

He, at least... had no idea the proper way to eat the soup. Or why it was special. He could, at least, eat it and enjoy the subtle flavors and delightful sensations of the noodles. "Ahhhh, I love this planet. The food is magical and the people are gorgeous..."

Molly Skyline has posed:
Molly is basically just keen to eat food, for a moment, and let Rashmi and Chrono talk. "...Sorry if I got, like, weird," she says at last, "I just kinda blurted that out, and it's really... not... something you wanna be open about in England 'cause people are not cool about it. ...Seems like people are way better about it here, though."

The purple-haired girl perks up, and bobs her head at the advice given. "Okay, if I see anyone I like sufficiently before Valentines day, I'll buy a buncha chocolate. ...Or get Mom to make me some, either or. And, Rashmi-chan, I'll *definitely* have to be bringing my Moms to your place. Two of us are British, and we *love* Curry like I cannot overstate."

"How about I be both a magic warrior and a detective," she adds. "But uhm... I dunno who Adora-san is, we haven't met. What's she in knots about? Something weird about her girlfriend?"

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"It is," Rashmi sighs, "a *whole story.* And not really mine to tell, but the short form is her and her girlfriend are from a *different* kind of other world, and the girlfriend's fallen onto the people-who-shoot-the-souls-out-of-passersby side. There's a *ton* more nuance and drama behind and around it, but... That's as much as I can say without feeling like a gossip."

And for a moment, she applies herself to her noodles, because a good ramen *demands* attention. "...Oh, and Valentine's day is February 14th, Chrono. So about four months from now, so you have time to get a *good* plug. ...And come to think of it, I think giving you your chocolate in the lobby of the school's probably smart for a bunch of reasons. Maybe it'll help cut down on the confessions?" Ah Rashmi, always willing to defend your loved ones in *any way possible.*

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown blinked a few more times. "Not... cool about it? Oh. Like... that. Yes. I suppose some places are backwards like that," he said with a soft sigh. "Alas, there are always some people who take offense to others... existing in a way they dislike," he said with a roll of his eyes.

"But... yeah. Those two are... a thing. Apparently Catra will be fine, but in the mean time she's... very much not. And there's likely more than a few 'Catras' on their side. Knowing my luck, Precia and Fate will end up being a pair of them to someone." Oh, he was going to be delighted when he found out who.

"Perhaps, here's hoping. Or maybe I should flip traditions and make a big display for you on the fourteenth. Now, this might come as a bit of a surprise, but I have been told I have a flare for the theatrical, when I desire it. After all..."

"I could show you the world..." Oh, he WOULDN'T.

< Oh please not again... > Fenyx said, a bird squawking off in the distance.

Molly Skyline has posed:
"That..." Molly scratches the back of her head, "Sounds like a lot, and it sounds complicated, and uhm, I question Adora's choice of loved one 'cause it sounds like she's trying to date a villain?" She shrugs her shoulders lightly. "But I'll withhold judgement in case I ever meet them myself."

"Catra? If I ever meet anyone named Catra, I'll be careful. And, yeah, there are people who take offense. They're gross and I don't want anything to do with them." She sighs, "I keep reminding myself I can't use Starcrash to blow them up, as much as I'd like to."

Molly burries herself in her food for a moment, because it really *is* good. And it's not just her being biased, either. "Well, I'll just keep my eyes open for, like, unatached girls who pine for other girls," she muses. "Should... maybe... go well. Ish. We'll see."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"You'd probably be surprised," Rashmi says. "I'd bet you lunch that there's at least as many girls paired off, as there are girls and guys. It's a *big* school after all."

And then Chrono starts... singing, and Rashmi can't help but laugh. "Shining, shimmering, splendid!" Oh the poor dear, she may have virtues aplenty, but a trained voice is *not among them.*"

    << I'm sorry, Fenyx, but he's just like this. XD This is your life now. >>