View source for After the Dance (Rashmi Terios)

{{Cutscene Header
|Date of Scene=2023/10/21
|Location=Korma Chameleon, Apartment living room.
|Synopsis=Rashmi comes home from the dance, and her parents want to know how it went!
|Thanks=Usagi, Catra, Chrono
|Cast of Characters=41
}}
"And how was the dance?"

Rashmi had *just* closed the door to the upstairs apartment when her mother's voice floated over from the living room. She supposed it was only to be expected, given that she'd announced her intention to sneak into a Big Deal Masquerade Ball. Perhaps they were waiting to see if they needed to bail their daughter out; Goro *had* said something to that effect, when they talked about her plans.

At this, Rashmi laughed nervously, taking off her mask. "So uh... when I said we were sneaking in? Turns out... not so much. Chrono-kun's roommate apparently got him tickets, and we just... walked in the front."

And her parents were silent for a moment, sharing a look with each other as Rashmi fidgeted nervously. "...So he was the one who asked you... to a dance? You didn't mention that before, Sunshine."

Rashmi circled around the table, leaving her mask and clutch atop it, to sit down between her parents, tulle skirt rustling. "That's because it was kinda my fault, Papi. I'd just... figured if a group of us were going to a party we had no earthly business being at, we were gonna be doing it by sneaking in! I... kinda forgot that Chrono-kun's roommate was an international high-fashion model."

The look the two parents shared above their daughter's head, at that, was a fond mix of '...seriously?' and 'no, that makes sense.' It was Ananda, who spoke up next. "Well... you seem to have enjoyed yourself, at least! I hear there was supposed to be a Princess showing off a prized jewel at the dance. Was it as beautiful as you imagined?" She smiled broadly, expecting her daughter to launch into a breathless diatribe about how magical the whole evening was, and could only tilt her head, puzzled, when Rashmi was silent, for a bit.

"...So uh... I didn't... actually see it? Chrono-kun and I left early."

Another look traded over Rashmi's head. "...Did something go wrong, Sunshine?" Ananda pressed. The worry was only natural, given not three weeks ago their daughter had gotten caught in a random explosion, and hospitalized.

"No-o-o-o," Rashmi hedged, fidgeting in place... Then took in a deep breath, and words came out in a rush. "...So we were talking, and watching out for a friend of ours, and the friend went dancing with her maybe-maybe-not-girlfriend and Chrono-kun asked me to dance too, and we *danced in a Princess' masquerade ball* and both of us kinda forgot about our friend because he tripped and I caught him and next thing I know he was confessing to me and I kissed him and yeah okay we *are* dating now I guess so we left early to get ice cream!"

Silence reigned in the Terios household.

"...Back it up, darlin'," Goro said slowly. "You left a once-in-a-lifetime event early. Skippin' out on seein' a priceless jewel, an *actual princess,* an' a canape table that probably cost more than our yearly take. ...Because you kissed a boy and wanted ice cream." The scruffy Osakan wiped a hand down over his mouth, as if to physically push away the grin that keeps threatening to form.

Rashmi hunched her shoulders, and looked at her lap. "...Gold leaf on food is stupid," she muttered, playing with the ends of her belt. "It doesn't even have a taste, there's no point putting it on food. And there was a couples sundae special at Nishiki Glace."

At that, Goro launched a bray of laughter. "...Yeah okay I can't argue that," he said, when words were something he could form. "I'm guessin' that's the reason you were home late? Ice cream an' canoodlin'?"

"PAPI--"

"Now now, Sunshine, you said your bit, an' all I'm askin' is that you let us say ours," Goro said, taking Rashmi's hands. "You're gettin' on to bein' a grown woman, an' a parent worries about their girl growin' up. But we ain't gonna tell ya how to do that, cos we all know you ain't got it in you to grow up t'be the kind of girl you wouldn't like t'be."

"And you know very well," Ananda added, looping an arm around her daughter's shoulders, "that we will always love you, and be proud of the person you become. It is simply... Growing up hurts. Learning to love, carries with it the risk of hurt. And no good parent *wants* to see their baby hurt, in ways they cannot fix. But it is not *for* us to keep this risk from you. Only to tell to you that if this is what you wish, go after it. Be smart, but do not be afraid. And if young Chrono makes you happy, then he will make us all happy *with* you."

Rashmi sat with these words for a bit, then nodded decisively. "All right. Thank you, for, y'know... not freaking out." Leaning to one side, she hugged her mother, then to the other to kiss her father's scruffy cheek. "..I'm gonna go get changed, d'you want me to leave the belt on--"

"It's yours now, Sunshine," Ananda said around a grin, eyes sparkling. "Perhaps it will adorn your child's waist, on *their* first dance."

"Mo-o-o-om..." Rashmi levered herself up off the couch, then went down the short hall to her bedroom door, as Goro and Ananda shared another, meaningful look.

"Kid practically falls out of the sky, an' she catches him," Goro said, shaking his head in disbelief. "An' now it sounds like he done it again. Iunno whether that boy is dumb, brilliant, or luckier than fifty cats."

"Why does it have to be the one?" Ananda chuckled. "But if he is half as diligent with her heart as he was in the kitchen? We could ask for little better, for our girl."