[ Closed ] Don't look back in anger, I heard you say

[of_the_highest_caliber]

Characters: Subaru of_the_highest_caliber and Sayaka tookupthesword
Date: 8/23
Summary: Clearing the air over lunch dinner THERE IS FOOD, OKAY?
Warnings: None I can think of. Do either canons even need spoiler warnings anymore?
Notes: Don't ask me how this fits in chronologically anywhere.


For someone who had invited another over to clear up the constant awkward misunderstandings between them, Subaru was not at all nervous about Sayaka's visit. In the time leading up to her arrival she busied herself first with a quick shower, then a bit of sweeping, and finally preparing the dinner she had planned since yesterday. The scent of steaming stir-fry vegetables and baked chicken fill the kitchen and adjacent room. Though Subaru has only set out two places on the low table, it looks as if her preparations could easily feed five or more. Chopsticks and other utensils are both available, tea, soda, and water are all ready in their pitchers or bottles, and she's just waiting near an open wall for the few minutes before the hour was up.

Comments

[tookupthesword]

... It's... a hard thing to talk about. [Sayaka is idly eating, herself.]

[of_the_highest_caliber]

[ Hopefully it's tasty. Subaru is experimenting a bit with spices because otherwise her food tends to be simple. ] That's why it's good your friends are here. [ Just to put that out there. ] It's always easier to carry heavy things when you have more hands to lift with.

[tookupthesword]

It's not always easier when they go and talk about things you'd rather not talk about...

[of_the_highest_caliber]

Maybe they do it because they want you to work through whatever is bothering you.

[tookupthesword]

If I told you what was bothering me, you would never look at me the same way.

[of_the_highest_caliber]

[ Subaru set down her fork and met Sayaka's gaze. It's a questioning look; a look that says "you really shouldn't have said that". ] ...I think it's a little unfair, to assume what others will feel. If you want find out firsthand that I wouldn't judge you for anything, you can do that, but you can't make me curious like that, Sayaka.

[tookupthesword]

... Give me a moment. [She really needs a bit of time to think about this.]

[of_the_highest_caliber]

[ Subaru nods. ] Of course. [ She'll just... resume eating because it was a shame to just let all this sit here. ]

[tookupthesword]

[At least it looks like she won't have to act in place of koko puffs about food.]

[And after a bit of time...] Okay... nothing I say leaves your mind, got it? No one else will know I said this.

[of_the_highest_caliber]

[ Again, she nods. ] I got it. You have my word. [ She doesn't think of adding a line about Mach Caliber listening in but that's because it isn't a problem, either. ]

[tookupthesword]

... Well... [She pauses for a bit, trying to think of what to say.] ... Do you have anything I could draw on?

[of_the_highest_caliber]

Sure! Gimme a sec. [ Subaru gets up and heads into an adjacent room. She'll presto up a notepad and pen and then hand them over. Then she returns to her side of the table to wait. ]

[tookupthesword]

[Sayaka takes her time on the drawing, just to make sure she doesn't screw up. When done with it, she shows it, revealing... well, whatever the hell Kyubey can be described as.]

You ever seen something like this? Colored white, and some red?

[of_the_highest_caliber]

Hmmm, I can't say I have. Is it someone's pet or... A familiar?

[tookupthesword]

It's a horrible monster that you should destroy if you even see a glance of it.

[of_the_highest_caliber]

... Um, all right. [ The drawing is rough, but kind of cute. ] I'll be careful, but have you see it here before?

[tookupthesword]

If I did, I don't think I'd be able to control myself. [There's a very, very harsh and angry tone coming from her.]

[of_the_highest_caliber]

What are the dangers? Is it a threat to just you and your friends, or everyone here? [ She won't tell Sayaka to calm down. She knows that sort of tone and the feelings that come with it. ]

[tookupthesword]

Everyone, probably.

... Seems innocent enough, says that it can grant you any wish, in exchange that you fight horrible monsters that are a terror to everyone around.

[of_the_highest_caliber]

Wait, wait a moment... [ Subaru had a hand up which she then put to the back of her head. ] It has that kind of power?

[tookupthesword]

[And... Sayaka does not respond well to that reaction.] Do not tell me you would consider it!

[of_the_highest_caliber]

Wishing... that's all it is. A wish. It doesn't guarantee anything. I'm just surprised that you know something that has that kind of power. [ She frowns a bit; this is probably the most serious Sayaka's seen her. ] ...I knew of a case where someone tried to use a lot of great power to make their wish come true, and it turned out to be impossible even though they had gained that power after all.

I wouldn't let anyone try something like that.

[tookupthesword]

Make no mistake here, these wishes came true, like a miracle. And the other part was true as well, fighting nightmarish creatures made up of despair, anger and all sorts of horrible stuff. Controlling their own familiars to attack people, manipulating emotions to get them to off themselves.

Having a miracle happen and becoming an unsung hero, protecting everyone... there's just some people who would dive into that.

[of_the_highest_caliber]

It sounds fantastical, even for me and coming from a world where magic is really common. [ Subaru sighs and then thinks back on her conversation with Homura. ] ...is that what happened to you? Did you make a wish, or just know someone who did? [ Without that answer there are just too many assumptions left to make. ]

[tookupthesword]

... I did. There was this... guy I knew. Ended up in an accident, had trouble using his legs and one of his hands was beyond recovery. He played the violin, and with his hand like that, he'd never be able to again, even if he got out.

And there I was, coming by every day, bringing him music that he would never play again... I was just torturing the guy... [And she hit a tangent.]