[accidental video]

[anothersoul]

[The video camera shows Mami's apartment--richly furnished but empty. Nothing but a few dishes on a glass table and the light coming from a sliding glass door are seen. Nobody's home. That is, until the noise of an opening door. Lights flicker on as someone flips a light switch.]

Mother, Father... I'm sorry I was out later than usual.

[Mami walks into the view of the camera. She doesn't look around and instead just puts her schoolbag near the table with a heavy sigh, looking a bit more ragged than usual.] I understand that I could probably have returned sooner but not tonight. It was busy.

[As Mami talks, she picks up the dirty dishes and moves out of sight of the camera. There's noises of someone putting water into a pot.] I believe I've made a couple of new friends. I'm sure you would have gotten along well with them.

I hope you weren't too mad at having a strange man in the apartment. He was very cordial, as you remember. I used your recipe, Mother. [Mami re-appears as she sets the table again: for one person.] Don't worry about me, I promise I've been taking care of myself.

[Mami sits down at the glass table, pouring herself a cup of tea. She continues talking to herself but the video cuts out.]

Comments

[croibhristeoir]

[Hey, hugs are just as good.]

[anothersoul]

...what's your world like?

[Tentative, curious.]

[croibhristeoir]

Hm, well...it's something like it is here. I live in a quiet and peaceful city in Japan, and by all appearances it's quite normal. There aren't any witches, but magic does exist--those who practice it keep it secret from the world at large.

[anothersoul]

I see...it sounds nice.

[croibhristeoir]

...honestly, it's a world I hesitate to say I belong in. But it's home to me now all the same.

You should come over sometime. I could have a chance to repay how kind and welcoming you've been to me.

[anothersoul]

Your kindness already has been greater than what I've given you.

[Because having someone to hug is more important than pasta and cake and tea.]

[croibhristeoir]

If you say so, but I would like it if you allowed me to extend the offer regardless.

[anothersoul]

Thank you. [And ending the hug to wipe her tears on the back of her sleeve. Her voice is calm again, the mask back on.]

How embarrassing... What would my juniors think?

[croibhristeoir]

It's alright. I am hardly going to tell anyone.

[anothersoul]

Mm, you don't seem the type. [She stands up, wiping off her school uniform.] Would it be presumptuous of me to ask you to stay the night?

[croibhristeoir]

No, I think I can do that easily. My Master can just contact me through our spirit link if anything happens, and I have no other prior engagements.

[anothersoul]

There's a guest room upstairs, so that shouldn't be an issue.

[croibhristeoir]

Very well. But please don't go to any trouble on my account--I should probably take this particular opportunity to admit I don't actually need to sleep or eat anything.

[A slightly embarrassed smile twitched across Lancer's face as he said that. He felt a little guilty about not mentioning it earlier, but...well, that had been some excellent cake.]

N-not that I don't enjoy it, to be sure.

[anothersoul]

[Neither does Kyubey but that never stopped Mami from getting him cat food. She smiles a bit wryly.]

I probably fix more food than could feed myself, at any rate. Even if you don't need it--that you eat some makes me very grateful.

[croibhristeoir]

I'm glad you aren't upset, at least--I'd have hated to have you go to any trouble for no substantial reason.

[anothersoul]

No, no, I wouldn't be upset.

[croibhristeoir]

That's good to hear. I didn't think you would have minded terribly, at least.

[anothersoul]

Things like that don't bother me.

[croibhristeoir]

Excellent.

...hm, I wonder if it would be acceptable for me to cook something for breakfast in the morning. I've actually had a great deal of practice, but I doubt I'm nearly as good with these things as you seem to be.

[anothersoul]

You can certainly do that. I'd be honored.

[croibhristeoir]

Thank you for giving me a chance. I'll do the best that I can not to disappoint you.

[anothersoul]

I don't think I could be disappointed.