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

[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.

[croibhristeoir]

There are both good and bad times in one's life. It's impossible to have one without the other, so one should always keep in mind that things can change one way or the other in an instant.

[anothersoul]

[She smiles, even if at the current time it's probably forced.]

Of course. Mm, I don't think raking over coals is going to do us any good. My apartment isn't that far away now.

[croibhristeoir]

No, I don't think it will either.

[He fell silent at that, but not before giving a notably sad smile of his own.]

[anothersoul]

Oh, well. Life continues on.

[Her voice seems upbeat, casual, but maybe her hands grip the strap of her schoolbag a little tighter.]

[croibhristeoir]

...One way or another, yes.

[His own discomfort was a little more obvious--the smile faded and came with a faintly downcast look.]

[anothersoul]

[She simply kept looking ahead, walking towards her apartment. Eventually she stops in front of an apartment complex.]

Somehow I didn't realize that we were walking so fast. [What do you mean subject changing?]

[croibhristeoir]

Hm...so we were.