I'll Make A Meguca Out of You [RL with Lancer]

[anothersoul]

[They had, briefly, mentioned the idea of a training session. As Lancer already knew of her status as a magical girl, Mami had accepted it on the grounds that he'd come back to the city to train. There were numerous places suitable for it there and--most importantly--if a witch showed up she'd be able to make good time to defeat it.

In the park, she waits with a drink (surprisingly it's a soft drink and not tea), waiting for him to show up.]

Comments

[anothersoul]

I think it would be prudent to call the training short. [She's used too much magic in that rapid-fire shooting. But she'll purify her Soul Gem later.]

Would you like dinner?

[croibhristeoir]

I would not wish to trouble you at all, but the idea does sound like a pleasant one.

[Didn't need to eat anything, sure. But hey, he still enjoyed it. His lance disappeared, armor reforming to regular clothes just as easily.]

[anothersoul]

It's no trouble at all.

[Her school uniform reforms just as easily as she picks up her schoolbag.] Besides, I don't often have the opportunity to cook for other people; I like the change of pace.

[croibhristeoir]

Then I'll accept your offer gratefully.

[Diarmuid took his glasses out of his pocket and calmly put them back on; they didn't do anything, but after all that had happened it was a faint reassurance to have something distracting people from looking directly at his face.]

Shall we?

[anothersoul]

Mm. It would be best.

[She's glad that her offer is accepted. Maybe she holds herself a little taller at that even if her response is noncommittal as she starts to walk back towards the path to the more open area of the park.]

I'm thinking of pasta.

[croibhristeoir]

I can't say I've ever had it.

[There was a noticeably light tone to Lancer's own voice as he responded. He'd been somewhat lost for where to go in a metaphorical sense ever since leaving Fuyuki. Something like this left him with a clear sense of accomplishment, and it felt like that was what he'd been missing all along.]

But I've enjoyed everything I've tried so far, so I don't think I'm very picky.

[anothersoul]

You didn't seem to mind my sweets any.

[Mami laughs gently to herself. The whole affair had reminded her of those care free dream-like days when it was just her and Sakura. Sakura was...elsewhere and that optimism was buried but, well. Having someone to train with and to talk so freely with again. That was something that Mami could never have thought would happen.]

You sounded like Sakura-san for a moment.

[croibhristeoir]

Oh, they were excellent. [He smiled, honestly complimenting her skill. Irish food wasn't always fantastic, so his standards were a little low.]

Sakura-san?

[anothersoul]

[Her smile falters just for a second.] She and I hunted witches together for a while. Culinary things always were of interest to her.

[croibhristeoir]

...I'm sorry. Did something happen to her?

[anothersoul]

She's moved on, that's all. Her territory is the next city over.

[croibhristeoir]

Oh-...sorry, I misunderstood.

[Past tense usually only meant one thing with magi, in his experience.]

[anothersoul]

It's alright. I admit I've only recently talked to her since she left to claim a territory for her own.

[Her words may seem calm but she knows that meeting Sakura again wasn't exactly the best thing. She knows that most like Sakura nad herself don't last long for various reasons.] She really hasn't changed much over the months.

[croibhristeoir]

Some people don't, magical or otherwise.

[Diarmuid sighed, hands in his pockets.]

I've known many in the past far too stubborn to change.

[anothersoul]

Somehow I'm glad she hasn't.

[croibhristeoir]

I imagine some would benefit from remaining as they are, perhaps.

[anothersoul]

At least there's that. [Just continuing on to lead the way back to her apartment.] Her way of doing things isn't something I can agree with but I'm glad she hasn't changed to someone unrecognizable.

[croibhristeoir]

...I think I sympathize with that. [He walked with her, speaking s bit hesitantly.]

I had a good friend once--more like family, actually. We drifted apart due to something of a misunderstanding, and he ended up hating me. But he only hated me because his sense of right and wrong clashed with my own.

He didn't change, and even if he despised me I admired him for holding to his ideals of justice and honor.

[anothersoul]

[She nods, focusing on the road ahead.]

Those were good days; she eventually surpassed me in skill but I never minded that. Then something terrible happened. She decided that we should fight more for ourselves and said she was leaving. [It's more or less the truth. It would be rude to say exactly why that happened, Sakura deserved that much privacy. Her next words are hesitant.] I...admit that I didn't take it too well. We fought and then she left for good.

[croibhristeoir]

I'm somewhat ashamed to admit I was the one to leave, in my case.

[Lancer sighed, shaking his head.]

Sorry. Talking about things that don't matter...it's foolish of me.

[anothersoul]

I won't judge you for that; I was the one who, shamefully, struck the first blow.

[She sighed herself but turned and smiled at him.]

It's alright. I recently found Sakura-san back on the community... It had me thinking.

[croibhristeoir]

Thinking about what, if you do not mind my asking?

[anothersoul]

Well. About the time we had spent together, I suppose.

[croibhristeoir]

I find it's easy to catch oneself reminiscing.

[anothersoul]

As do I. It was a good time.