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Kiyo departed the ‘VIP table’ feeling vexed. It was the second time in as many days that someone had approached the Detention Club in some form, offering to "help" them. Perhaps she was beginning to understand why Rei was so angry. Being the center of attention in the Japanese magical girl world was a situation that threatened to become complicated, in a way that wasn't fun. Two factions of Kurai girls were about to fight each other, the Gems were threatening the Detention Club to stay put in this doomed town, and another light girl was offering to help the Detention Club. Would they really help the club take down Ashbringer in an alliance of convenience? Or did they plan to watch the fight from a distance and mop up the winning side in their weakened state? Would they help the weaker side eke out a victory for the sake of a quick power boost and then backstab them later? It felt like getting caught in a war drama, and there were few things Kiyo hated more than politics and self-important magical girls.

But before that, there was the simpler matter of addressing the new face. This was a difficult time to trust an outsider, but they did need all the help they could get. Kiyo found herself wanting a second opinion, which was a rare occurrence, and one that always left a bad taste in her mouth, as if her own superior intellect were somehow inadequate on its own. No, she reminded herself; what she needed now was some more perspectives, and the opinions of the other club girls were never anything if not fresh—and, as if on cue, two of them were coming in now, a pairing that had been unusual until just recently and was becoming more common: Roche and Shuuko.

Her gaze raised to meet them. Kiyo often looked lost in thought, but rarely did she appear genuinely troubled. Today seemed to be one of those rare occasions.

Roche’s offer was met with what anyone else would have called an epileptic fit. Roche would have been horrified with worry that Shuuko would bite off her tongue, but there was little in the way of seizing. Shuuko’s gasp was like a bag squeezed empty of air, a single wheeze before crumpling lifeless to the floor.

[color=orange]”You could at least have tried to fall into my arms.”[/color] The Rule Keeper said, the attempt was very much lame with discomfort, and it was only her assurance that this was an earnest attempt at forcing distance that kept her from acting on her worry. It stung to have Shuuko treat her in such a way, but she was still competitive enough not to fumble at such an overt display so soon after giving her word. 

The odd pair came down from the room, Earthshaker casting her tribal aesthetic for the guise of a Track Captain once more, and they returned to the cafeteria. Its buzz seemed muted, and she was finding none of the sappy butterflies or radiant glow shows always spoke of after a confession of feelings. Much as with everything Dark Magical Girls did, there was a mess that would take sleepless nights and more anguish than one could bear before she’d make any sense of it.

Coming into the space felt odd. Like she’d missed something big going on. Eyes alight she found them locking upon Kiyo, the eye-themed Magical Girl already approaching. Giving Shuuko a nudge, she moved to meet Kiyo half way.

[color=orange]”You doing okay, Kiyo? You look like someone dropped something on your lap.”[/color]

[color=firebrick][b]"Do I?"[/b][/color] Kiyo stopped chewing on her thumb nail just long enough to form a response. [color=firebrick][b]"I might have a stray cat in my lap, but nobody dropped it there. It came on its own."[/b][/color] She grinned a little. Sometimes she referred to herself as a stray cat, but she also used it as a code word for a new magical girl in town. [color=firebrick][b]"I'm not sure if it's a stray, but anyway. I'm... undecided. Her positive attitude is a bit much, know what I mean?"[/b][/color] Her eyes darted around at all the students as she chose her words with care.

Shuuko’s body lead the way in complete silence as Sylvia thought about the rulekeeper and herself. Contemplation was writ on her face, the expression only disappearing as she saw the mass of students unfolding before her and Ember switched out with the protector so the schemer would get her time back. An observant person could notice the subtle change in posture along with gait, no doubt, however, they would hopefully write it off as putting on a public facade. Whether or not Roche decided it was worth investigating though… well, Ember could do her best, but she was no actor.

Which presented a problem for the identity of Shuuko. The schemer had started with the best of intentions, yet now she found herself trapped in a web of her own making if they wanted to keep up the appearance of being one person. They had to walk fine lines to avoid rousing suspicion, something that both Hotaru and Sylvia were ill-suited for. Herself? She could toe it to a degree. She could borrow some of their mannerisms, but the truth would come out sooner or later. Or maybe they could just move cities again.

Smiling as a way to both greet Kiyo and an attempt to get rid of her thoughts, Shuuko’s body raised an eyebrow at the mention of stray cats and positivity.

[color=red]”Kuroki-san, taking care of a cat is a major responsibility,”[/color] she spoke, choosing her words carefully. [color=red]”You have to feed them, care for them and play with them. Are you sure you can do that?”[/color] She sounded worried as she spoke, hiding her true questions behind the veiled metaphors Kiyo so liked to use. [color=red]”I mean, you say it might be a stray, but it might have an owner. It might only want to laze around in the sun, too, and that is no fun! Especially if its owner picks it up afterwards and you’re left only with bittersweet memories instead of a fuzzy friend.”[/color]

A tense exchange of code words was not what Roche was looking for with her lunch, but she wasn’t going to avert her eyes to a brewing mess. The allusions didn’t escape her notice, and neither did Shuuko turning back into the weirdly fluent automaton that now stood beside her. 

There was pulling herself together, and there was not showing a single sign that a breakdown had even occurred. It was akin to standing next to a stranger, and it was only the severity of the topic at hand that kept Roche from taking Shuuko by the wrist and pulling away. 

[color=orange]”I know some of us have allergies to cats, but with many strays we’ve seen around the city, I don’t think a bad kitten would just fall into our lap. Those ones are more dangerous than that.”[/color]

It didn’t strike her as something the girls from the City of Light would bother with after such overt displays. Subtlety was not their way. 

[color=orange]”I think I’d need to see this cat before I decide either way.”[/color]

[color=firebrick][b]"Cats laze in the sun seeking warmth, but a lap is better, if she trusts the hand that feeds,"[/b][/color] Kiyo mused. As far as she was concerned, the light was but an illusion with no substance, and all magical girls who lived long enough would embrace the darkness inevitably. The sooner they accepted the Truth, the better off they were. If Haruna was not a magical girl, it would be better if she didn't join the club, but if she was one, she should bring her into the fold regardless of if she leaned on the darkness or clung to the light, especially since Haruna seemed like the type to put others... first. Kiyo blinked. She looked at Roche and nodded soberly in agreement of something left unspoken. A moment of silence passed.

[color=firebrick][b]"I can handle the responsibility. In fact, I've made up my mind. I [i]will[/i] handle it,"[/b][/color] she decided. [color=firebrick][b]"Are you opposed, Shuuko? It would only be for a while."[/b][/color]

Ember winced as she heard Kiyo’s proclamation.

[color=#D8CD9F][i]”You know my stance on those idiots, Ember,”[/i][/color] proclaimed the warrior as she spat into the distance. [color=#D8CD9F]”They better stay away from Sylvia, Chiaki, or you, or I’ll fuck up their spines. [b]If[/b] they even have anything to fuck up.”[/color] She all but growled her words, already sharpening the claws on Shuuko’s gauntlet just in case she met a light girl. How Ember or Sylvia would be able to talk her down, the schemer had no idea and the protector seemed to have withdrawn from such matters ever since that encounter with Tsubomi.

[color=red]”Unfortunately, I’m allergic to cats.”[/color] She let out a sigh. A light girl would be a major asset to the Detention Club, but now they would be forced to go without or walk on eggshells because she did not know if she could hold the warrior back by herself. [color=red]”If I’m anywhere in the same room, I’ll break out in hives.”[/color]


On one side Kiyo was determined to own the issue before them, and it seemed to Roche that conversing with them had only galvanized her to her course. 
The benefits were great, and the presence of a light girl among them might even dissuade the invaders from being too aggressive when engaging them as they’re forced to confront their own flimsy, untested morals. 

She held no illusions that Morganite would be anything less than a total bitch about it, however.

[color=orange]”I’ll take you at your word, Kiyo. Just be mindful of others with their allergies.”[/color] Roche’s expression colored with concern at Shuuko’s behavior, her words as flat a rejection as could be expected in the circumstances. [color=orange]”I’ll be there to make sure no one has a reaction, okay, Shuuko?”[/color]

Kiyo bit her nail again. She expected opposition, though it was much less than she imagined it would be. [color=firebrick][b]"Sorry for being pushy. It's just that I've dealt with her type before, and I can do it again without complaints. It's only until our numbers even out again, Shuuko,"[/b][/color] she reminded her apologetically. Then a thought occurred to her. [color=firebrick][b]"Actually, why not pair up with Roche for a bit? You two seem to get along lately, and Nyxia still seems to hate all of our guts."[/b][/color]

Shuuko’s body frowned. [color=red]”I don’t know if either is ideal. I enjoy spending time with you, Kuroki-san, and I would be hurt if you preferred a cat’s company to mine.”[/color] She knew that was likely not Kiyo’s intention, but Hotaru… well, hell hath no fury like a teenage girl scorned, apparently.

[color=firebrick][b]"Huh..? No, of course not,"[/b][/color] Kiyo replied, a bit bewildered.

[color=#D8CD9F][i]”Bullshit! So she’s picking a light girl over me? That’s just such bullshit!”[/i][/color]

[color=red][i]”No, she isn’t, Hotaru. She is worried about something - probably about how our group performed against Ashbringer. And then there’s-[/i][/color]

[color=#D8CD9F][i]”Oh screw yourself with your fanciful explanations, Ember! She’s trying to blow us off! We won’t even be at half strength if we team up with Roche. Girl’s a good sport, but…”[/i][/color]

[color=red]”Is there a way to work out a compromise, Kuroki-san? Perhaps if you cleaned up well after the cat, I could still sleep over from time to time.”[/color] Ember grit her teeth as she tried to withstand Hotaru’s barrage. How could Sylvia ever hold this back? That girl had more strength than she realised.

[color=firebrick][b]"Our apartment is for two. She'll be an outdoor cat. And I won't bring any dandruff home, promise."[/b][/color]

[color=orange]”I don’t believe now is a good time for a change in partnerships.”[/color] Roche intruded upon the tension festering between Kiyo and Shuuko. While far from an expert she could plainly see the fear of rejection was tearing up in the latter girl’s heart.

[color=orange]”You two are great together, and I want you both to be happy even if it involves a cat in our orbit. We can make this work without any dandruff getting between us.”[/color]

Roche’s hand slowly rose to clap Shuuko on the shoulder, only the faint widening of pupils betraying her reaction to the whipcord tension she felt upon the other girl’s frame. [color=orange]”If you need some space to air out the apartment, mine is open to the both of you. But we need to come together or we…won’t afford rent.”[/color]

If only Ashbringer was as easy to fend off as a landlord..

Kiyo averted her eyes. [color=firebrick][b]"Right. I can't... afford rent on my own."[/b][/color] Her gaze lowered. [color=firebrick][b]"It'd be nice if we could be flexible, but I guess that's hard when I'm broke. I'll keep that in mind."[/b][/color] It wasn't as if she didn't know. In fact, she'd expected Shuuko to make a fuss about how dangerous it would be to leave her alone with a light girl. The fact that she didn't must mean that the other Shuuko was taking point right now. It was convenient in the moment to make her case heard, but it raised a lot of questions, like how Roche managed to interact with this side of Shuuko that Kiyo had rarely seen.

[color=red]”I… believe that may be acceptable.”[/color] Shuuko’s body reached for Roche’s hand, lingering there for a second to acknowledge her intentions, then she lowered it before it could be misunderstood. [color=red]”If I can call you and come home to a clean house, then it is all good. I apologise if I caused any confusion.”[/color] Not that it was good enough for the warrior, of course.

[color=#D8CD9F][i]”She’s got some real explainin’ to do when it’s my turn.”[/i][/color]


[color=teal][i]”Umm… Hotaru? Why are you so angry? I know it’s a light girl, but…”[/i][/color] Sylvia stepped forward again, daring to thread murky waters.

[color=#D8CD9F][i]”I don’t know! And that pisses me off even more!”[/i][/color] Hotaru smashed her fists together as she spoke, pulling and pushing against her own muscles as she struggled against something she could not name.

[color=red]”I do hope it’s the only stray we are planning to adopt, though,”[/color] added Ember in an effort to alleviate the tension inside Shuuko’s body. [color=red]”Would it be all right if we discussed the matter at great length later and in private, Kuroki-san? I believe I may have missed something important and I can barely hear over the noise here.”[/color]

[color=firebrick][b]"Sure. Roche needs to meet her, and it's not like we'll get the paperwork filed before tonight anyway. But right now, I need a shower. My hair is wretched."[/b][/color] It really wasn't, but it was an excuse to get away and gather her thoughts.

[color=orange]”See? This is why we’re a good club.””[/color] The lack of privacy was putting a damper on her energy but her smile still conveyed her relief that the two hadn’t come to verbal blows. 

[color=orange]”Nothing is going to get between us. Unless it’s another one of us, but that’s just a group hug.”[/color] Roche wondered how far she could stretch the metaphor, but she hoped Shuuko understood her. A light girl could always fall, and with that fall would go the greatest boundaries dividing them. 

Kiyo made her excuses and Roche stepped aside, opening a way past while tilting her head to the lunch line. As late as they were there wasn’t much of a line to speak of. [color=orange]”Enjoy the shower. We’ll talk more later. Still want to eat together, Shuuko?””[/color]

[color=red]”Yeah. I would really appreciate that H- Roche,”[/color] Shuuko’s body sighed again, this time much more explosive. The rulekeeper could practically see the tension unwind as Hotaru quieted down, which in turn had Ember draw out her shoulders along with her spine. She looked in her element, as though her being in the school was natural, wearing a genuine smile on her face despite what happened not too long ago. [color=red]”Please allow me treat you to something for staining your clothes.”[/color]

Kiyo raised an eyebrow at Roche's display of sentimentality. Roche was acting weird, but Kiyo wasn't sure she disliked this side of her or not. Of all the pairings that could have a falling out, though, was she worried about her and Shuuko? Then again, they did have something like an argument before, and Shuuko had been acting weird since. She heard something curious about Shuuko staining Roche's clothes, but she'd already been excused and she wasn't that curious, given she'd just had her own strange accident with Suki. [color=firebrick][b]"Don't overthink it, you two. It's just a cat."[/b][/color] Those two could never be anything more than casual friends, anyway, she decided as she took her leave. If those two were sharing a secret, it had to be something she already knew about.