[x] Talk with Evelyn.
-[x] Tell an abridged version of what happened. Mention running into another magical girl, Mariko Fuyousawa, taking her home since she was injured, and going hunting this morning with Kishi and her. Mention that until this morning Mariko and Kishi weren't on good terms, but omit the bullying part. That requires Kishi's and Mariko's consent.
-[x] Tell Evelyn you're working to help those two get along. While things are still awkward, they've already come a long way.
--[x] Actually, I was wondering if maybe you could help me?
-[x] Anyway, sorry for not being there. How are things on your end?
[x] End the call
-[x] Head back inside and talk with Kishi and Mariko over lunch. Just small talk.
--[x] After lunch, suggest continuing the hunt.
You rub your forehead and groan quietly under your breath. As much as you'd like to be honest with Evelyn and tell her everything that has happened this morning, it's not up to you. This is ultimately something between Kishi and Mariko, and even if you may have helped them along a bit.
It feels somewhat wrong to do this after reassuring Evelyn that she is as much part of the group and your friend as everyone else. You're pretty much excluding her from this after all… But it's not like you have better options available at the moment.
"You remember that I walked with you last night, right?" you slowly ask the girl and receive a curious hum of agreement from her, "Well, I took a stroll around the city after that and ended up running into a witch barrier on the way..."
You think you can hear Evelyn gasp under her breath on the other end, "Are you sure you're really alright there?"
"Don't worry, I didn't get hurt or anything," you hastily assure the girl before continuing, "But I did meet an injured Magical Girl in the barrier. D-do you remember Fuyousawa Mariko from last Monday's P.E. class?"
"Hmm… Yeah, I think?" Evelyn drawls out thoughtfully, "That black-haired girl with way too much makeup on her face? This would also explain her ease at defending during the game, actually."
"...Yeah, that's her," you admit after a moment. It is honestly getting pretty difficult to imagine Mariko with the heavy cover of makeup after dealing with the very stressed out and harried-looking girl for an entire day. "Anyhow, she was pretty badly injured by the witch, so I brought her home with me."
There is a small pause of silence on Evelyn's end before a desperately muffled snort escapes her. You incline your head quizzically. You don't really understand why she'd find that so funny.
You decide to ignore this for now, and instead continue your explanation, "The problem was this morning. I-I don't know the exact details, but Kishi and Mariko were on very bad terms with each other… Well, until this morning at least."
"...'Until this morning'? Tamiko, what happened?"
"Um… I've been kind of trying to help them get along all this morning," you admit with some embarrassment, "We've been on a couple of witch hunts by now. They're still really awkward with each other, but they've come a long way!"
Well, it's a long way from nowhere, but progress is still progress!
"Anyways, that's about it, really… Actually, I was wondering if you could maybe help me? I don't want to have this end badly," you finish your summary of the morning.
"Well… I don't really know how much I can really help," Evelyn admits to you with some reluctance, "I don't know of the history between Kishi and this Mariko… But if they've made clear progress in the span of one morning, then I think you're doing it right."
"Huh? What do you mean?" you ask her, fighting down the small spark of pride at being told you're doing well.
"If they're making progress, then don't change the tactics too much," Evelyn attempts to explain to you with some exasperation, "You can't create an opening in a wall if you try every spot only once instead of constantly trying to strike through one spot where you know it can work. Don't fix what is not broken, I suppose? Hard to say anything since I'm not there personally."
So keep having Kishi and Mariko near each other, bonding over fighting horrible monstrosities? You can work with that!
"Don't worry, it understand what you're getting at," you tell Evelyn reassuringly before turning more apologetic, "But um… I'm sorry for not being there today. How are things on your end?"
"...I suppose they're pretty normal, all things considered," Evelyn says, "Granted, it feels pretty strange to spend your lunch break talking to your friends over a phone. But school is school, a familiar and boring routine that doesn't change much. By the way, do we have any plans for the afternoon?"
"I don't think so? I probably need to contact Ariane at some point about that… I'll call you or send a message should there be some kind of agreement coming up, if it's okay with you?" you suggest.
"That works, I guess," Evelyn agrees, "But I'm glad to hear you're doing well! And um… Tell Kishi I said hi! And I don't know, maybe hug her, headpat her or something? If things have been awkward with her and this Mariko before, she might appreciate the support?"
...Well, you can always get behind more Kishi-hugs. But given how awkward she became once she realized Mariko could see her doing that, you can't really do that out of the blue. It's still an idea, though, if you get the chance.
"Will do! But I suppose I should get going now. Don't let the lessons weighing down on you too much, I'll be in contact soon enough!"
"Heh, likewise! Good luck there too, Tamiko! Just keep things calm and don't forget, okay?"
"Roger that, bye!"
"Bye!"
You close the call with a good-natured sigh and lip the phone into your pocket in one smooth movement. A small gust of cold air blows against your face and you take a small moment to enjoy the feeling before heading back inside to the warmed shop..
Inside, you find Kishi and Mariko still eating through their lunches in perfect silence. Their progress is slow, though. Mariko keeps stirring her noodles around in the bowl, while Kishi is slowly consuming hers in small bites. You suppose they're either waiting for you or they find it difficult to enjoy the meals with each other of all people for company.
It's probably the latter option if you had to guess. Progress is progress, but there's still a lot to do...
Vote in abeyance:
-[x] Head back inside and talk with Kishi and Mariko over lunch. Just small talk.
--[x] After lunch, suggest continuing the hunt.
What do you do?
[] Talk with Kishi and Mariko as you eat your lunch.
[] Cleanse.
[] Telepathy Ariane.
[] Go hunt another witch.
-[] Charge your shield before going in.
[] Actually, go hang out somewhere?
[] Write-in.
===
And we're back on track!