bravenewworld | (no subject)

[ The days prior to Kyurem's attack on the city left Sanae out of sorts. While she was no stranger to fending off gods by this point--a thought that was still strange and a bit chilling to her--this was different.

Heatran never made it to Citadel. These attacks never struck so close to home before, figuratively and literally.

There was so much that went wrong during that short amount of time. The theater was in shambles, and there were injured among the staff; innocent people who knew nothing about battle, caught up in the shuffle and hurt due to the Divine Defense Force's oversight. Takuto was hurt, badly, and while he seemed to be healing up just fine, the fact that he sustained his injuries defending her... stung, to say the least.

More than that, she had actions to answer to. Mercy killing was not something that was looked down upon in the Citadel, especially on the battlefield. It was seen as a sign of respect, an act of charity for one suffering to end their life. But Union was different, and yet...

And yet...

During her work restoring the theater, or helping those who were unfortunate enough to be caught in the crossfire, the young priestess seemed distracted at best. She didn't speak much, and many of her actions were executed purely from muscle memory. She made few mistakes, but even in her daze, she was likely to miss something.

Even around town, fetching supplies, shopping for food--even just getting away--she was almost like a ghost of her usual, chipper self. She paid her respects at the Hikawa shrine often, praying for those lost that day. It still stung. From time to time, she would seek out familiar faces, be they people from Citadel, or those familiar faces from the city that welcomed her and called her one of them. Could she still say she was?

She felt like she could do nothing; and what she did do cast her as an outsider, someone who was not welcome here. She wasn't sure what to do... ]

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You forgot--?!

[But Sanae's already off to gather up her scattered supplies, leaving Ryuko to watch the mad dash. At least some things were salvaged but the ones that weren't.... Ugh, she'll have to find some way to pay this girl back for that, and the lunch. Just as soon as she found a way to get on her feet and make some money. She needs a job....

When Sanae comes back, she rubs the back of her neck with a sigh.]

Anything, long as it's not steamed vegetables or rice.

[Seriously, Union, fix your food.]

[ She's friendly, and making friends tends to cause her to forget things. Like what she was doing. Or the fact that all her stuff is in shambles. Or, on the plus side, the bit of a funk she was in. Sanae has a friendship problem, forgive her. ]

What's wrong with steamed vegetables and rice?

[ She asks this genuinely, looking over her shoulder as she gathers her things. ]

[There are no promises that Sanae is in a judgement free zone here, but Ryuko'll at least let it slide this time.

Besides, there are much more important things to worry about.]

What. [Oh, hell no, Sanae, this needs to be fixed right now. In a flash, Ryuko's on the move.] Alright, I know where we're goin'. I think I saw some guy from back home settin' up around those food carts.

[So not only Calderan food but Ryuko Matoi's brand of Calderan food. Prepare yourself, Sanae.]

E-eh?

[ W-whoa, wait a second! Hey! Sanae jogs a few steps to catch up with Ryuko, holding her parcels close to her chest. ]

Hey, wait up!

[Nope. Sorry, Sanae, but Ryuko's on a mission at the moment which means keep up or go home! That mission takes her right to the food carts setup around town when she finally stops and looks around until she finally lays eyes on her target.]

Heheh. [With a grin, she points to one of the Calderan carts. The one with the banner stretched over it depicting a crimson-faced cartoon human clutching his throat with his eyes bugging out of his head and a massive gout of flame erupts from his screaming mouth. Just beside that, a Magmar is drawn happily bathing in what seems to be a huge pot of chili.] That one.

[ That was

Ohhhh gosh. Sanae stared, wide-eyed, at the cautionary sign hanging above the food cart in abject horror. True, she wasn't a born and bred Unionite, but Citadel didn't exactly specialize in melt-the-inside-of-your-mouth-off brand of flavor that Caldera had been known for. She mimicked the sign with one hand, looking squeamish. ]

.....Oh.

[ Good bye taste buds, good bye feeling in her mouth. RIP stomach. Think of her fondly, DDF, she probably won't be coming back alive after this. ]

[For most Calderans, that sign is at least promising and for Ryuko it's downright mouthwatering. She'd only been in Union for a little while now, but she'd already had enough of Union food that a taste of the wickedest of what home had to offer was just what the doctor ordered.

She does notice Sanae's sudden fear though and she's quick to wave it off.]

Relax, it's just a sign. [And then she marches up to the cart.] Hey, gimme a couple of Screaming Face-Melters.

[Reassuring!]

[ Please remember her, Takuto, DDF, and people of Citadel and Union, as the woman she once was. Remember her before the burning, the spice, the pain. For she could fight bravely against rampaging gods, but at the might of a ghost-type pepper, she knew that she would fall. It was inevitable. ]

Screa—

[ WHY WOULD YOU NAME A DISH THAT? WHY WOULD YOU EAT A DISH NAMED THE SCREAMING FACE-MELTER?

Slowly turning her head toward Ryuko, she looked like she might cry.

Well, it was a good nearly 18 years. ]

[What else would you call a dish that was known for its beautifully scalding heat? If this thing had been invented anywhere other than Caldera, it would probably come with a waver.

Ryuko remains oblivious to the terror gripping Sanae as she looks forward to her inevitable fiery demise. Two bowls of something red and meaty are placed in front of them. Wooden bowls with wooden spoons. The contents bubble and steam and hiss with what is likely its unbridled hatred for everything in the entire world. Naturally, Ryuko doesn't waste any time grabbing her spoon and digging right in. Fearless, she takes a big bite of the stuff and--]

Aw, yeah. Just as good as I remember it.

[Well... she sure seems fine. Maybe it won't be that bad?]