The four of you eventually make your way on foot to a nearby diner. Sayaka keeps shooting glares at Kyouko, who keeps throwing looks at you. Meanwhile, you trying to engage Sayaka in conversation, with only modest success.
Her mother, meanwhile, is texting furiously.
Once you get settled in at a table, you quickly open conversation in the best way you know how, "It's on me."
That gets a smirk out of Kyouko, "Huh. I won't say no to that offer."
Sayaka sighs, "I do have money, you know? You don't need to..."
You give her a deadpan look, "Rich. Father. You're taking care of me, so I'm taking care of the money for this trip. Seems like a fair trade to me."
She hesitantly nods, "Um...about earlier. I, uh...can I please..." She glances at Kyouko, hesitates, and then continues, "Please let me be your bodyguard. I know it's traditional for you to have one, and I...that Wish had a price."
You almost choke at that, glancing at the elder Miki to see if she heard. She's still texting.
Satisfied, you look at Sayaka before giving a meaningful glance towards Kyouko. Sayaka pauses for a moment, before nodding in understanding. This isn't the time, not with a certain fiery redhead around.
Kyouko, however, lets out a loud *harumph* and suddenly opens up telepathy,
'Okay, you two. What the hell's going on? I appreciate dinner and all, but who are you and why are you in Mami's territory?!"
Your eyes slide over towards Sayaka. She doesn't appear to have heard, so you respond,
'Sayaka isn't a Magus. Her Wish...was something different. I still don't get it, really. As for me...I'm Akemi Homura, and I'm here to protect some friends who are very dear to me.' You carefully smother the bubbling emotions as they try to infect your mental voice, '...in two months, Walpurgisnacht will arrive in Mitakihara. I'm here to protect my loved ones who live here.'
She goes still, staring at you intently. You loosen your control a little, just enough to show her how much you care about protecting her, although you're careful not to imply who you want to protect. She nods after a moment, seemingly satisfied,
'Huh. Didn't see that coming. You sure you're up for it? That heart of yours is in pretty shit shape.'
You go to respond, when Sayaka suddenly interrupts the conversation, "So, who are you anyway, crazy? I can't just keep calling you that?"
Kyouko blinks, remembering the human in the room before smirking, "Sakura Kyouko. Toughest girl in Mitakihara."
Sayaka snorts, "Yeah, we'll see about that. I may not be able to beat you at DDR, but that's just a game. In a
real fight..."
The redhead just shakes her head, "You don't get it, do you? I'm stronger and faster than you, and I'm sure as hell more ruthless. You'd be crushed in no time."
Your best friend (for this loop) scoffs in return, but doesn't continue the argument. Even Sayaka's wise enough not to pick a fight over nothing.
After a few minutes of quiet, with neither verbal nor telepathic conversation, the food arrives.
Kyouko's plate is piled high with a variety of foods...make that
plates, as two more soon join it. She pauses for a moment, staring at it, before digging in almost violently.
Sayaka and her mother, on the other hand, take to their more modest meals with enthusiasm, but do maintain some level of decorum.
You take your time, making sure to finish every single bit of your modest meal. No point in pissing off Kyouko, after all.
Conversation eventually picks up as the elder Miki gets the other two talking about gaming. They get into a few arguments, but seem to forget the earlier implications of violence. You and Mrs. Miki simply watch, chipping in your respective bits of gaming knowledge when appropriate.
Finally, after a long, tasty meal (and desert), everyone's done, and Kyouko is looking at you in a way which implies a conversation needs to occur.
You're not looking forward to being alone with her. She won't understand why she's being hugged, if that happens, and you're not sure you'll be able to stop yourself.
[THE CENTER OF THE MIND]
Time: 8:30:41 PM
Grief: 355/1000
Sanity: 330/1000
Stability Multiplier: 1.15
Calendar
Active Effects:
[Enchantment: Increase Heart Performance. Cost: 5 Grief/Hour]
Usable Traits:
[Akemi Madness: Inactive]
Choices:
[]Talk to Kyouko in private.
[]Talk with Telepathy, but stay with Sayaka and Mikimom.
[]Do not talk to Kyouko.
[]What do tell her, if anything?
