[h1][color=778899]A[/color]maryllis, [color=F65772]H[/color]ilaria, and [color=FF1493]S[/color]ophia[/h1][sup]Onomnomnomnomnom[/sup]

Well, KFC was open and nearby, and Amaryllis really couldn’t care for anything high-class, not if it meant actually waiting for a good twenty minutes for the food to come. Sitting at a table in the corner of the relatively empty fast food joint, she sipped at ice water and waited for her order to come up. Hilaria, thankfully, had finally texted them back, and would be arriving soon; hopefully the food will be up by then as well.

In her untransformed state, the bespectacled woman kept to herself, scrolling absentmindedly through her phone as the minutes ticked by. Still had a lot to think about, after all, and more than that, she was still tired. Calories should fix that problem, with any luck. She sipped her drink again, not really saying anything to Sophia, not really sure what to say either, beyond banal chatter. The pirate lady may think her as a friend, but the fact of the matter was that they really only knew each other from a couple chance encounters, and they were only friends because Sophia was desperate for any sort of connection while Amaryllis didn’t have the heart in her to refuse.

Weird shit, really. Amaryllis let out a sigh; she wished Hilaria would come soon, though wasn’t sure if she’d prefer her purified or unpurified.

As if on cue, the door to the establishment opened and in walked a girl with long, silver hair reminiscent of Hilaria's. Her clothes consisted of torn Jean shorts and a likewise torn shirt that was cutting it close to being exposed enough for a claim of public indecency to be filed. But these tears didn't seem to be some expression of fashion -- they were battered, old clothes that were long overdue for replacement, made even clearer by the bandages wrapped around her upper arms and a leg. 

The girl looked around the joint before spotting Amaryllis. She focused on the swordbearer for a moment, before shooting her hand in the air. [color=F65772]"Hi~!"[/color] she called to her, and then to the girl sitting beside her. Approaching the table, she smiled at both. [color=F65772]"Hilaria is sorry for the wait~ She isn't normally bothered by people like that~"[/color]

Sophia gave a wide grin at seeing Hilaria, who seemed rather the same as before, raising her glass of coke in celebration towards her before taking a large swig of it. 

Ultimately she was...just glad for the company of anyone, at least. Not like she knew either of these two especially well, though the Goo Lass was ultimately the one person was at least giving her the time of day at this point. She didn’t know where to go or what to do otherwise, and Sophia herself had been basically born yesterday at that. It was all so troubling, at its core, but she did at least want to get to know the silver-sword-wielding Amaryllis better if she could. Was the least she could do her best at! 

Plus, from what little she knew, this armored girl had a nice appreciation for a bite to eat at least. 

[color=FF1493]“Welcome! And good ta’ see ya’ back in one piece!”[/color] Sophia said, gesturing heartily and kindly to an open spot at their table she had saved for the crusader-looking girl, [color=FF1493]“Already ordered mah’self a nice normal dinner anna’ large bunch o’ fried livers! When tha’ waitress comes by, just tell er’ what ya’ want an’ I’ll pay fer’ it just as promised!”[/color]

Hilaria nodded, saying [color=F65772]“Wonderful~!”[/color]

[color=778899]"It's, uh, nothing to worry about,"[/color] Amaryllis said with a weak smile. [color=778899]"Was everything alright with, like, whoever wanted to talk to you? They didn't do anything, did they?"[/color]

Taking her seat, Hilaria looked to Amaryllis. [color=F65772]"They gave Hel--, Mm, Hilaria some cake~ It was delicious~!"[/color] she told them, her expression temporarily dampening during her mistake, but returning immediately after. [color=F65772]"Mm, then they asked Hilaria to become pure again, but Hilaria didn't want that~"[/color]

Hilaria took a moment to take in the scent of freshly-made food, which made her only more eager. [color=F65772]"But since Hilaria got cake that doesn't matter~"[/color]

Sophia let out a small, almost quiet, sigh of relief. She had no idea about, ah, all of these things...but she could tell herself and the knight girl were at least similar in some fashion. In fact, that much her patron had told her about after Hilaria had disappeared with those other people. They were ‘corrupted’, as she had understood it, and not everyone took a liking to not...though not everyone who was corrupted was good either, really. Not that anyone who wasn’t corrupted was inherently good though too, right? If they were being themselves, and felt true, wasn’t that enough to suffice whether they were or were not corrupted? 

The pirate silently shook her head as Hilaria talked to Amaryllis. Bloody hell she had enough to drink about already, even more questions than anything, but at least she had some coke here. Taking another swig of the obviously large cup, Sophia set it down calmly, gestured for a waitress to come get Hilaria’s order, and then looked over to the other two as she sat up more in her seat.

[color=FF1493]“Well, lass, at last they gave yeh’ cake fer’ ya troubles, eh?”[/color] Sophia said, giving a small smile before continuing on, [color=FF1493]“Ah, but if yeh’ both don’t mind mah’ askin’, I’d like ta’ get ta’ know more about yeh’. Can’t say ah’ know anyone ere’ save for that maid lass I showed up with...and she’s kinda disappeared as it were.”[/color]

Sophia sheepishly scratched the back of her head through her hoodie, her smile genuinely somewhat awkward of all things. 

[color=778899]“The maid disappeared?”[/color] Amaryllis narrowed her eyes, a mixture of concern and suspicion flashing over her features as she felt for a Sword that wasn’t there. Not the time to be pursuing that thread though. She went to sip at her sweet drink instead, taking a moment to gather up some courage. Just a joke. She could totally do this. One, two, three!

[color=778899]“And, uh, yeesh Hilaria. They gave you cake, but you didn’t save any for us? R-rude, right?”[/color]

Hilaria frowned, taking Amaryllis' statement rather seriously. [color=F65772]"Hilaria would have brought you some, but..."[/color] She thought about the terrible thing that happened with Isabella. The very moment that all color had drained from this world and a piece of cake lie on the floor, wasted. A tragedy. She sniffled. [color=F65772]"...they didn't have enough. And some of what little there was got spoiled~!"[/color] She would have also mentioned she didn't exactly vacate the premises in a normal fashion, but that'd just evoke curiosity she didn't care to sate.

It was at this time the waitress came over. Hilaria's interest immediately shifted from the other two to her, and she went about ordering what she wanted, which happened to be enough food to feed three people. But even if Sophia had tried to get a word in protest, it was too late -- the order was made and the girl left. 

Hilaria turned to Sophia, hearing about her lack of companionship. [color=F65772]"Eh~? Are you new, Soapie~?"[/color] Hilaria asked, inspecting the pirate girl. She then listened to Sophia’s request. [color=F65772]"You want to learn more about Hilaria~?"[/color] She thought for a moment, unsure what to even say. But then she had a spark. [color=F65772]"Well, Hilaria really loves food~! It's wonderful~ Beyond that… well, Hilaria doesn’t think it matters~"[/color]

Sophia subtly noted the silver-bladed swordswoman’s expression and words, especially at the mention of the disappearance of the maid girl. A light but subtle grimace flashed over Sophia’s features for but a brief moment, though she didn’t blink an eye at Hilaria’s food order. Yet Hilaria the next moment had her looking back with the mispronounced name, eager-seeming response, and mentions of food. The pirate let out a hearty laugh as she listened, before giving a genuine a wholehearted nod in return. 

[color=FF1493]“Aye lass, food is a wonderful thing! So many flavors and types and kinds of it abound at’ ah’ can’t fathom it all! One little side conquest i hope ta’ undertake is ta’ taste all tha’ foods in Penrose, even...not gotta lotta memories otherwise, if any,”[/color] Sophia said, letting out a more restrained chuckle after before she went about taking another swig of her large coke, [color=FF1493]“Heh...from the look of yeh’, i also wonder what places an thin’ ya’ seen out ere’, Hilaria. But ya’ don’t hafta’ talk bout’ anything ya’ wouldn’t want ta’ talk bout’ round’ me. But if ya’ need an eatin’ buddy, ya’ can hit me up anytime!”[/color]

[color=F65772]“Hilaria would love that~!”[/color]

The pirate raised her cup to the words she said, before setting it back on the table in front of her and looking to Amaryllis with a look of friendly camaraderie on her face. Though something in the pirate’s eyes didn’t seem to be...‘entirely there’ either. Almost like her gaze was genuine, but something inside her head was a bit more distant than usual. 

[color=FF1493]“Whatta’ bout’ you, Amaryllis?”[/color] Sophia said, audibly doing her best to pronounce others’ names as best as she could in this instance, [color=FF1493]“Ah...know ah’ ain’t much thanna’ straggler...frankly ya’ the only other one ta’ show me a kind face in alla’ this since ah’ woke up fer’ tha’ first time. That ahn’ at’ chain-y arm ah’ got pushing me towards ya’ fer some reason...heh. 

But what’s something ya like? Ah’ suppose at’s a place ta’ start in tryin’ to get to know someone else, eh?”[/color]

[color=778899]“Eh, are we really just going to, uh, do this?”[/color] Amaryllis laughed awkwardly, before shutting herself up with the straw of her drink. Pressing herself against the back of the seat, the bespectacled woman toyed with a strand of hair briefly, a difficult expression on her face. Something she liked…

The Sword prodded her ribs. Somehow, it tickled more than it hurt. Right, no need to think too much about it, she supposed.

[color=778899]“Guess, I’d like world peace.”[/color]

…

Wow, did she really just say that?

[color=778899]“Ahahaha, I mean, like, food is good too! Could really go for some food right now!”[/color] And just like that, Amaryllis went at the food like she was a vacuum cleaner going through a dusty wooden floor.

[color=F65772]“Mmm, do you? Hilaria doesn’t think your heart is into it, if that’s the case~!”[/color] She eyed Amaryllis almost as if offended by her actions. [color=F65772]“Because any true connoisseur of foods would understand that chipmunking is in bad taste, as well as means for disqualification~!”[/color] she pointed at Amaryllis’ cheeks, which had become big as she shoveled a large amount of food into them. [color=F65772]“Hilaria calls your bluff~!”[/color] But just as quickly as she jumped on Amaryllis, she soon seemed to have lost interest in putting Amaryllis on the spot any longer. She turned to Sophia. 

[color=F65772]“Hilaria knows the ins and outs of Penrose cuisine~! If you want, Hilaria will help you taste all of the food Penrose has to offer~”[/color] She elected not to mention that she had essentially done so already, minus home-cooked meals. [color=F65772]“And…”[/color] Hilaria paused rather abruptly, as if she was second-guessing something. [color=F65772]“...Hel--laria is a bit too old to remember much. Mmm, but she does know she likes Rome, too~!”[/color] 

Sophia gave a small chuckle at the flustered swordswoman. It was almost like night and day when the ‘Goo Lass’ was on or off the battlefield, at least from what the pirate had seen so far. Yet she couldn’t judge, really, or at least that was how she felt about the matter. At least the food had arrived though. The pirate munched on a couple of fresh, hot livers in the meantime, savoring the spices and slight bitterness as she listened to Hilaria speak once more. Yet as she listened, the pirate couldn’t hold back the grin then came to her face. 

[color=FF1493]“I’d be happeh’ ta’ take ya’ up on that offer, lass!”[/color] the dark magical girl said after swallowing a bite, her eyes locked on Hilaria for a moment and beaming with an excited energy, [color=FF1493]“Though don’t fret over tha’ old memories too much now…if yer’ unable ta’ remember tha’ past, then, then move forward an’ make new one’s! I’d be glad ta’ help ya’ with that, an’ maybe we could go see Rome someday ta’ boot if mah’ dusty ol’ patron would take us on ah’ ride, haha!”[/color]

She then put a gentle hand on Hilaria’s own, before leaning back once more. Something about memory issues seemed to resonate with her somewhat, though it wasn’t like she wasn’t curious about the past. The armored girl’s near-mistakes in saying her own name, which had happened a couple of times now, seemed to be a clue of something perhaps. It was nothing she’d press the lass for, though she on the other hand wished she could press herself for more answers for her own past. Still hadn’t found that girl who’d tried to kill her either, much less get a chance to talk...

The pirate then looked over to Amaryllis once more. 

[color=FF1493]“Well, world peace seems like ah’ good thin’ ta’ like, ah’ reckon. Ah’ world where ah’ ain’t getting threatened er’ shot at every other day would be nice, haha! But...ah reckon tha’ people ere’ would do better with it ahs’ well,”[/color] the pirate said, wistfully staring into her coke before looking back once more with a goofy but happy grin, [color=FF1493]“Sorry fer’, ah, if any o’ this is awkward ere’, lass. Perhaps next time ya’ can decide on tha’ place an’ activity, eh? Specially’ if it made yeh’ more comfortable, ah’d be glad ta’ come along and see what ya’ like!”[/color] 

[color=778899]“Eh? But I really do like eating…”[/color]

[color=F65772]“Well, since you eat Lichs, Hilaria supposes she can take your word for it…”[/color]

Amaryllis shook her head at Sophia’s concern.

[color=778899]“It’s like, basically fine. I wanted to eat food anyways, so, like, yeah. Just that, y’know, talking to people is weirder than just stabbing monsters. There’s way more wrong ways to do things than right ways, and you can’t, uh, mend someone’s heart with your fists, right?”[/color]

[color=F65772]“Mm~? Do you really think so~?”[/color] Hilaria’s food finally arrived, and the waitress spread it along the table, after taking any trash leftover from the others. [color=F65772]“Hilaria would say that talking to people is the norm in this respect~! And it’s a lot easier to get food that way~”[/color]

Before her now was essentially a feast. More drumsticks and thighs than one could count on a hand, and sides, such as potatoes and mac&cheese were plenty. Multiple sodas, as well. She set upon them with a strange mix of grace and gluttony, devouring things in a very efficient way. Every so often, she would stop and take a glug. [color=F65772]“~! Oh, but Hilaria stopped caring about any of that difficult stuff and talking became so much easier, so maybe that’s why~ But then again, Hilaria finds fighting monsters more enjoyable anyway, because it makes the food so much better~”[/color]

[color=FF1493]“Well, ya’ speak true ah’ suppose....not like ah’ve had too much experience in this save fer’ almost bein’ killed an’ threatened a few times,”[/color] Sophia said, letting out a small sigh and glancing up at the ceiling a minute with a grimace on her face and a distant light in her eyes, ignoring Hilaria’s eating almost altogether as vivid memories of the wind-using girl trying to kill her in cold blood right after she awoke bubbled up, [color=FF1493]“...Bah. Can’t say really on my fer’ sure part, tho’, at’ fists might not work fer’ someone out ere’ in the world. Punchin’ and fighting till’ tha’ feelin’s get through somehow... and ya’ have ta’ talk cause yer’ both too tired. 

But...well, mostly knowin’ battle ah’n mah’ part, ah’d wanna’ suppose ah’t like battle talkin’ requires work at it tah’ get better, eh? Ya’ get hurt, others gettin’ hurt, ahn’ just keep on tryin’ till ya’ work ya’ way out and help em’ others along with ya’ as best ya’ can?”[/color]

The pirate lightly shook her head side to side. This was perhaps a bit ‘too’ profound to talk of over a meal, and getting all sappy when she was supposed to be enjoying time with comrades (at least in that last battle) somewhat put a bad taste in her mouth. Such talk could come later, but for now-

[color=FF1493]“Heh. Well, lass, sorreh’ fer’ gettin’ a bit out oh’ things there! Gotta get tyin’ on tha’ feedbag befer’ its get cold, haha!”[/color] 

The dark magical girl seemed to return to her jovial and more food-loving self a moment later, before going ham on her remaining fresh-cooked livers. Hunger seemed to rumble in her stomach a bit more, somehow, and she was happy to sate it and feel more ‘normal’ again. At least as far ‘normal’ as something like herself was in all of this. Sophia then motioned for a waitress as she finished blitzing through the rest of her own meal at a rapid pace.

[color=FF1493]“Ah’ll get ah’nother large order of those livers, please! Ah’n two dozen cookies fer’ tha’ three of us fer’ dessert!”[/color]  she said, before looking to Hilaria and Amaryllis with a wide and beaming but still so very goofy grin. 

[color=778899]“Yeah, feel like I’m basically done talking too.”[/color] Well, Amaryllis always sorta was. Especially when they were just talking. [color=778899]“Let’s all eat and head out before we end up ordering more than what the restaurant has stocked up?”[/color]

Hilaria was watching the other two patiently, having somehow finished her huge meal sometime before they'd even stopped talking. Her plates were stacked and ready to be taken as if this were routine. So, she simply nodded when Amaryllis suggested leaving. [color=F65772]"It would be rude to deprive others of food, so Hilaria thinks that's a good idea, Arma---Amaryllis~!"[/color] She caught herself slipping yet again. But ignoring that, wasn't it her doing the 'depriving'? [color=F65772]"Hilaria enjoyed the food. And some company makes every bite that much sweeter, even if it's just a few strangers who have just met~!"[/color] she smiled. [color=F65772]"So, thank you two, for a wonderful meal~"[/color]

It was about this time the cookies were brought over. Probably surprising to all involved, Hilaria only took one and stood up. [color=F65772]"See you la-..."[/color] Hilaria briefly paused, a troubled look momentarily washing over her features. She replaced it with a weak smile afterward. [color=F65772]"Bye-bye~!"[/color] and as if that strange moment had never occurred, she munched on the one cookie as she departed the KFC.

[color=FF1493]“Aye,”[/color] the pirate said in agreement with the sword wielding girl, before giving a polite wave and a thankful smile as Hilaria left, before looking back to Amaryllis once more, [color=FF1493]“Ah...well, feel free ta’ take any of tha’ cookies ya’ want on tha’ way out at least. Haha….but if not ah’ll be eatin’ these back on mah’ ship!”[/color]

The pirate let out a small laugh, before finishing the last bits of her coke with a chug and a flourish as she set the cup back down on the table. She then pushed back on her seat, standing up and stretching her arms. 

[color=FF1493]“An’...thank yeh’ fer’ coming, Amaryllis. Ah’ hope ta’ get ta’ know ya’ better, at least fir’ tha’ kindess ya’ve shown ah’ wobbly landlubber like mah’self. Might not beh’ much, but fer’ someone who’s just woken up inta’ ah’ totally new world...it means a lot ta’ not be shot at by everythin’ at’ moves.”[/color] 

With that Sophia gave a small wink and a thankful smile to the rose knight, before moving over to the front counter to pay up and leave. Her patron had sent her prepared for this, even for Hilaria’s portion sizes surprisingly enough. All that remained was fresh order of hot, fried livers...and the box of now just-under two dozen fresh cookies sat upon the table. 

[color=778899]“I’ll finish them with you,”[/color] Amaryllis said, after a brief pause. [color=778899]“Pretty sure you’ll get more friends and stuff soon anyways, Sophia. Just, like, keep talking to people and not shooting at them first, yeah?”[/color]

Taking one of the cookies and breaking it in half, she offered one half to Sophia and bit into the other half herself.

[color=778899]“Horrors are Horrors, but everyone deserves one chance, anyways.”[/color]

The pirate took a visible pause, stopping before really walking away from the table. Turning back around, however, it was easy to see Sophia’s face in look of genuine but slight surprise. Yet...it only took a moment after before that beaming, goofy smile once again came to her face as she took the offered half of the cookie and took a solid bite out of it. 

[color=FF1493]“Aye! I can agree with at’!”[/color]