[center]
[color=red]”Good morning!”[/color]

[img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/de4a1430-1dc7-44d4-8ff7-24367e7020eb.png[/img]

[color=tomato][i]”Nothin’ good about it…”[/i][/color]
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How would this incident affect them?

Evil Eye would likely be angry. They had discussed the new light magical girl and yet Hotaru attacked her using Shuuko’s body, which reflected poorly on all of them. A lot of the club would not care or would even understand, of course, however, her… err… their partner remained a worrisome consideration. She liked to be mysterious and even Ember could hardly predict what she would do, so it was difficult to prepare. But if nothing else, she had a flimsy excuse along with a bit of background that might make it more understandable.

Then there was the light girl. She wished to talk with them for some reason, despite the injuries Hotaru caused and that could also cause trouble. With how the mental space of Takae Shuuko had shifted, they could not see Chiaki anymore. Only her presence remained to assure them she did not die a gruesome death, that their mission had not failed yet. Perhaps the light girl could help reach out towards her again? Perhaps they also made a mistake in shielding her from the truth of the outside world in an attempt to be merciful.

Too many questions. Too few answers. So she put one foot in front of another as she advanced through the streets, the mechanical motion made possible only via Sylvia’s ever-vigilant watch, the subtle interface moving Shuuko’s limbs to avoid any hazard nearby. Fortunately, at this hour there weren't many people walking around. There would be no repeat of what happened at the school with Misoka. Then again, they had barely gotten away from their dorm. There was plenty of time for things to change. Which was why Ember was left to focus on what truly mattered. Such as one of her fellow Detention Club members approaching.

[color=red]”Good morning, Oyama-san,”[/color] she waved with a smile.

But Oyama-san did not smile back. Her brow was pinched together and she was power walking straight for her. She nearly tripped on the curb, but stumbled right back into a stride. She did not wave, she did not speak. When she was [i]just[/i] inside Shuuko’s personal space, she stopped.

[color=tomato]”...”[/color] Suki folded her arms. [color=tomato]”You don’t have to be so formal with me, ya know?”[/color] Shuuko and Suki were in a weird spot in the club. They were too new to be considered seniors, yet too old to be considered fresh meat. They had even been in the club for around the same amount of time. Though they both filled the niche role of super-fast-melee-specialist and were seldom paired together. That, and it was hard enough for Oros to keep her focus with one partner. [color=tomato]”A-anyway! I’m running a few errands, but I wanted to ask you something. Tsubomi hasn’t been acting like herself lately. She’s been a little weird ever since the beach thing, but it felt like it really ramped up a few weeks ago.”[/color] She wiped her nose on her arm. [color=tomato]”You uh, the two of you got ambushed, right? Did anything weird happen to her?”[/color] 

[color=red]”Why, Oyama-san, I’m only being polite,”[/color] deflected Ember. She did not react when the other girl moved slightly too close to her, nor did she make a move to get away from her when Suki asked the question and… it was a good one. The last battle, Acid Drop seemed to be completely out of it, so it made sense to question what happened.

[color=red]”I don’t think I can recall anything strange happening to Kana-san. She did act a little strange, but I don’t know too much about her, so it could be normal.”[/color] They had not gotten much in the way of conversation before the light girls showed up, after all. [color=red]”I do think what happened during the fight is a cause for concern, however, the best thing I can come up with right now is to try and talk to her.”[/color] 

[color=tomato]”Yea, I’m working on it…”[/color] Suki kept her arms crossed. [color=tomato]”Anyway, that was just something I was wondering about. But uh, you and Roach are an item now, huh? You seem like you’ve really warmed up to each other. If you don’t mind me asking: Why?”[/color] 

Ah. Right. Sylvia’s relationship with Roche. While the protector would have been more suited to answer the question, Ember did not want to give up her time right now and besides, she already knew what to say.

[color=red]”Do I really need a reason to get to know someone better?”[/color] The schemer’s question sounded sincere, like she thought it needed no explanation. [color=red]”I do enjoy her company, yes. But quantifying or qualifying why would be difficult.”[/color] No, it really was not. Roche seemed to show genuine concern for Sylvia’s well-being, which in turn served Ember’s purposes well. Sylvia’s purposes, too, even if she did not know about it.

[color=tomato]”Riiiiiight…”[/color] Suki’s eyes squinted just enough to let her know that Suki thought she was a pretty shitty liar. [color=tomato]”I don’t think you’ve made much of an attempt to get to know anyone else, but whatever. If you see Roach, mind telling her something for me during your next cuddle session? Tell her I’ll give her another chance if she can get Nyxia to spend some time with me.”[/color] Suki didn’t wait for a reply. She immediately turned on her heel to leave. The familiar click of a zippo lighter filled the air, and so did the smell of cigarette smoke.

[color=red]”Now, please hold on for a moment, Oyama-san,”[/color] Ember stepped forward to catch up with Suki, who looked a little surprised that she would bother. [color=red]”For one, that is an accusation I wish to defend myself against, for it wounded me to my very soul,”[/color] a wink to let her know that the schemer understood the message behind Suki’s response, as well as to indicate being playful.

The delinquent blinked. [color=tomato]”O-okay?”[/color]

[color=red]”For two, may I know what is this exactly about? I am aware that you two were not on the best of terms, however, it sounds like something serious happened.”[/color] And if so, she needed to know about it.

Suki placed a hand over her face and sighed. The smoke rolled out between her fingers. [color=tomato]”I guess that was unfair.”[/color] She tucked her hands into her pockets. [color=tomato]”I’m just a little on edge because of how Tsubomi’s been. You don’t have to hear my life story. Roach beat me up and I decided I couldn’t be her partner anymore. It happened forever ago and I don’t like talking about it.”[/color] 

[color=red]”I’m sorry to hear about that,”[/color] Shuuko bowed her head slightly towards Suki. [color=red]”I’ll have a conversation with Roche about it, and I hope you have fortune in your endeavours with Kana-san. If you need a third perspective on that, I would be more than willing to help.”[/color] SHe meant it, too. She needed to have a conversation with the rulekeeper about what exactly went down, because it seemed that Suki did not wish to talk about it. That did not surprise her at all.

[color=tomato]”I’ll uh, be sure to talk to you about it later.”[/color] She reached for her lips and pointed past Shuuko with her cigarette. [color=tomato]”Speaking of, I’ll see if I can get anywhere with her.”[/color] 

[color=red]”Good day to you then, Oyama-san.”[/color] she said to close off the conversation, then went on to continue her contemplations. Suki’s hands slid back into her pockets, but she watched Shuuko for a moment before departing herself.