<Snipped quote by Extra>

*Nods*

Of course. One moment.

*I turn around, cracking one knuckle, and you hear someone say something softly*

Kindly grab a courier bag and bring it here.

*After a few moments, I turn back around with a black over the shoulder bag*

Here you go. I'll have someone dispose of the old clothes while you eat.

<Snipped quote by Yatagarasu>

*takes the bag*
I know I say it a lot and you may hear me say it more, but thank you.

<Snipped quote by Extra>

Not a problem at all.

*Leads the way to a small kitchen where there's twelve steaming hot bowls of various ramen noodles on a table in the center of the room*

Like I said before, if you want to stay a few days, that's fine, but whenever you want to get started, let me know and I'll introduce you.

<Snipped quote by Yatagarasu>

*leaves the bag on the bed and follows, taking a deep sniff as the aromas of the ramen hit me*
I think one more day will suffice.

<Snipped quote by Extra>

Alright then, feel free to wander if you feel like it. I'm sure the others will enjoy having you around for the extra day.

*Puts a small cellphone on the table*

If you need anything, and I'm not around anyway, just press two on that and I'll pick up. You can keep it when you head out, too, just so you have a way to contact anyone you need to.

<Snipped quote by Yatagarasu>

*takes the phone*
I will keep that in mind.
*looks at the table then at you*
Will you not be joining me to eat?

<Snipped quote by Extra>

I already had a bit of food while you were getting cleaned up, but I'll stick around. Especially if you don't like any of these, it'd be rude to have a guest cook for themselves.

<Snipped quote by Yatagarasu>

Oh, well it will be nice to have company. These bowls smell amazing.
*looks at all of the bowls and eventually chooses one with lots of green onion and chicken that has a red shade to the soup. I then sit down with the bowl and a pair of chopsticks*

<Snipped quote by Extra>

Glad you think so.

*Sits across from you*

Wasn't sure if you'd want the chopsticks or other utensils, so I put out both.

*Pauses a moment*

Honestly, I'd normally be spending this time preparing you for meeting the person you'll meet when you feel like you're ready, but... if she found out that you'd been prepped beforehand, she'd probably refuse to help just because of that. So we'll have to play it by ear when you eventually meet up.

*Stays silent a moment longer*

How's the food?

<Snipped quote by Armed Forces>

I've never seen anybody go poking around, so probably not if we stick to the normal spots. But hey, with all this disaster stuff around, all bets are off I say.

<Snipped quote by Webmaster>

I'm going to say it's better to be safe than sorry, then, and be careful here.
*Unholsters a sleek, bulky silver handgun and checks the chamber at the door*

<Snipped quote by Armed Forces>

*Ogles at the gun*
Woooooow... Say, you don't happen to have a spare cowboy hat, do you?

<Snipped quote by Webmaster>

*Looks at you and raises an eyebrow*
Spare? Let me know when you find one at all.

<Snipped quote by Armed Forces>

*Sighs*
I knew better than to leave without my handy dandy cowgirl hat. How do I even get out of bed without basic necessities?
*Eeks along the walls, shifting my eyes up and looking for security cameras*
Let me know if you find one. Could be the difference between life and death.

<Snipped quote by Webmaster>

*The base seems devoid of cameras on our current path*
Knowing you lot, and especially the people who own this place, I wouldn't be surprised to find many around here.

<Snipped quote by Armed Forces>

*Cracks open and peers through a door, which leads to an electrical closet*
I'm really holding out for it then.

<Snipped quote by Webmaster>

*Walks past you while you look into the dusty room*
Were you doing anything important before I showed up.

<Snipped quote by Armed Forces>

I never do anything important. Not unless ratings start to drop.
*Closes the door in a small coughing fit*
What about you?

<Snipped quote by Yatagarasu>

Are you close with this individual?
*takes a bite of the chicken*
It…is really good. It’s been awhile since I’ve had a legitimate meal.

<Snipped quote by Extra>

*Leans my chin on my hand, my elbow on the table*

I'm glad it's good. That one in particular was made by someone else, so I'll pass on your approval.

As for your question, she's... well, let me preface the answer with some qualifications. I consider myself friends with my wife, of course, and I try to be a friend to my children. I also try to be friends with others outside my family. However, due to certain factors with them, it's not right to consider us 'friends' in the real sense.

So in terms of non-family members, and both parties being on the same footing without a power imbalance of some kind, she would be one of maybe five people I would consider a real friend of mine, meeting that criteria. In fact, I'd say she's probably a closer friend to me than the rest of that handful.

Not that there's anything wrong with them, of course.