Ninth [Action]

[thunder_ace]

[Fate is a very family-oriented person. It didn't take much for her to think of her friends as family, but there are those - the people she's been with for years or people she's formed extremely close bonds with - who she considers real family, on the same level as Lindy, Chrono, Amy, and their kids. Hayate and the Wolkenritter are such people

Comments

B

[headedforhope]

[Mami wanders into the kitchen for a drink, the smile on her face even brighter than usual- warmer, more real. Madoka forgave her, and it's like a great black cloud has been lifted from her heart; the times she's felt this happy can be counted on one hand.

So please, Fate, don't think too badly of her for not noticing your drop in spirits just yet. Seeing the world in a rose-tinted haze obscures faults and flaws and cracks in armor.]

-Oh, hello miss Harlaown!

[thunder_ace]

[Fate jumps a little, narrowly avoiding slicing her finger with the knife she was using to prepare the fish. She was so caught up in other things that she didn't notice the younger girl walk in.

She quickly shook her head, a smile plastered on her face as she turned to face the newcomer.]

Hello, Mami! [The smile is at least a little genuine; as absorbed as she is in her own thoughts, it's easy to notice the change in the other blonde's demeanor.] You seem quite cheerful today.

[headedforhope]

Haha, do I? [No shit, Mami. Calm yo'self.] Mm, well, I'm glad to have a reason to be. And how are you?

[thunder_ace]

I'm... fine. [It's kind of funny how their situation is kind of reversed, isn't it? Now Fate's the one dodging talking about her feelings!] If you don't mind me asking, what's the reason?

A

[loly_poison]

[Loly's not particularly adept at fishing, but what she lacks in fishing skill she makes up for in speed. When a fish comes close enough to the surface that she can grab it, Loly does so.]

[thunder_ace]

[Picking up on the sounds of another person nearby, Fate finally snaps out of her thoughts. She watches the other girl for a few moments before a small smile crosses her face and she speaks up.]

Impressive.

[loly_poison]

[Loly holds up her successfully captured fish in one hand, looking rather smug about it. It wiggles until she punches it in the head with her other fist.]

Being an arrancar has its advantages.

[thunder_ace]

[W-Well, that was... yeah Fate won't comment at all on that.]

'Arrancar'? I'm afraid I don't know what that is.

B

[orderlybento]

[Hikari was going into the kitchen to grab a snack while she worked on writing down ideas for the cooking class, when she spots Fate cooking. She pauses, frozen, because you can't really forget seeing someone dead. And that someone being your sister-like friend's mother. It takes her a while to bring up the courage to say something, and not look as if she's going to lose her lunch.]

... H-Hello.

[thunder_ace]

[Fate is a very perceptive person. Even in her current mood, she can tell something is off with this girl, and she frowns a little, setting the knife in her hand aside.]

Hello. Is... something wrong?

[orderlybento]

[She doesn't feel like being truthful at all, because no way. It's an awful conversation starter, and it's bringing up things she'd rather forget from her world already.]

Um... sorry. I guess I'm kind of nervous.

Vivio-san is one of my friends. You're her mother, right?

[thunder_ace]

One of them, yes. I'm Fate. [Her frown deepens a little.] Why are you nervous?

[urbanwonderland]

[Reeve does like a spa day now and again. Having washed, she appears-- having spotted you, she gives you a smile and a nod before laying aside her things and taking to the water. She gives you space, but seems friendly.]

Hello there-- I hope I'm not intruding, but I thought this would be just the thing, today. I don't think we've met, Reeve's the name-- and you are?

[thunder_ace]

[Fate looks a bit startled at first; she didn't even notice the other woman was there before she spoke up. She tries not to let it show too much, though.]

Oh, you're not intruding. This is a public hot spring, after all.

And my name is Fate. It's nice to meet you, Reeve.

[urbanwonderland]

Fate-- lovely name. [Reeve relaxes into the water. She knows reverie when she sees it, but she's a very social animal, so she takes Fate at her word.]

It's nice to meet you as well! Ah, that's better. At home I don't have access to a public hot spring-- I'd have to pay pretty dearly for something like this in the city. Even then it wouldn't be nearly as nice. Still, don't get me wrong. No matter how luxurious the amenities, I'd rather be home. Not that I need to tell you that-- I'm sure you feel the same.

C

[restlessdevil]

[There is an overly excited woman nearby, testing the water with a toe, and then a foot, before slowly easing herself into the water. The strange wing on her left shoulder twitches a bit as she gets used to the temperature.]

Oh, wow. So this is a hot springs. Ah... I should have come here sooner. This is great!

[thunder_ace]

[Fate turns her gaze to the newcomer, temporarily pulling herself out of her thoughts. Smiling, she raises her head fully out of the water.]

You've never been to a hot spring before?

[restlessdevil]

[Zenobia turns to Fate, smiling.] Oh, hello! I'm kinda new to the gardens. My name's Zenobia.

Yeah, this is my first time in one. It's so relaxing. I will definitely be visiting here a lot.