burningblossoms | Recolle Inbox

It was. But not the weirdest thing.

[Hands drop to El's shoulders.]

Explain?

[Eleanor hesitated, and then suddenly hugged Yukiko lightly, just for a moment, before stepping past her into the house. Not quite settled enough to explain yet, maybe.]

Your parents home?

Yeah. They are. If this is something that you don't want them hearing.

[A beat.]

We could go to our place? The couch got delivered yesterday.

[Eleanor hesitated, standing in the doorway.]

...Yeah, that's fine.

Kay.

[Stepping out, she locks up behind her and immediately kicked it into high gear, right to the van. Unless Eleanor felt like talking on the road, Yukiko kept silent the short drive and led the way into their mostly empty apartment.]

[Eleanor was also mostly quiet on the way there, her eyes mostly out the passenger side window, fidgeting with her sunglasses in her lap. She finally spoke when they arrived.]

Thanks, by the way.

Any time.

[Locking up behind them, she sits on a huge couch, one they'd picked out together on that ill fated Ikea trip.]

What's going on?

[Eleanor stayed standing, looking around the apartment. She'd seen it lots of times, but it hadn't really sunk in that they'd be leaving here in a few months.]

Uh.

[She hesitated again before turning to face her.]

So you know that girl Chloe? The one I told you about? I went by the flower shop today on my lunch break to talk to her, it's been really awkward since...uh. The thing happened. And I was hoping to fix it.

[There's a long beat, her lips pursed.]

But she forgot. About retrospec, about...almost everything, really. I mean, she knew me, thought we were friends, but everything else...

[Yukiko listened, rather intently leaning forward, hanging off of every word. It'd been like that with a couple of people she'd met, like Honoka. It'd bothered her, but it was entirely something different to have a really close friend (or at least someone that thought they were close) suddenly break off like that.]

And you wanted me to see if her account was gone. I didn't see anyone named Chloe on that list. [So you don't think you're going crazy anymore.]

I'm sorry, Eleanor. Honoka Kousaka ended up the same way, I just...wasn't as close to her so I guess I didn't think too hard on it. But if she's back to being one of the Sleepers...

[Eleanor made a noise somewhere between 'right' and 'eh.']

No I mostly wanted to make sure you still saw it at all. [She groaned, reaching up to press her hand into her forehead.] I know it was irrational I just...

Chloe was so intent on figuring all this stuff out, more than anybody maybe and then she just...she just forgot.

[Eleanor turned and sank down onto the couch next to Yukiko, flopping down into the back cushion.]

I just had to be sure you didn't either. [A beat.] Hey this thing is pretty nice.

[Thanks, Couch.]

You are subscribed to Souji Tips. A texting service where all the tips are true, not just the last one.

Oh. Yes. I remember all of it.

[And by way of proof she waves a hand and makes a little flicker of flame.]

No worries there. I'm fine.

[Shifting on the couch, she grins and slides an arm around El. Hug? Yes, you get one.]

It is a good couch but...that's not why we're here. Is it just that she stopped remembering?

No?

1) 10 chilis is way too many to have a flavor.
2) Candy doesn't work in curry. And only some fruits. It creates a flavor mishmash.
3) If you like charcoal. Also what oven gets that hot aside from a volcanic caldera?
4) The sparking means you're going to have a house fire
5) There is no tip 5
6) Boiling water is boiling water.
7) That works for grilling small things, not frying.
8) Cat bentos are the best. Because you're eating a cat.

1) Of course there's a flavor. It's called intense heat.
2) Only if you don't know what you're doing. If your curry is too bitter or sour then candy and fruits are the best way to balance it all out.
3) A volcanic caldera type of oven, of course.
4) No, the sparkling means you're having a good time
5) Tip 5 is in your heart
6) And boiling water is called cooking
7) If you put some oil on it then it should be good enough to fry
8) Why are you say such a mean thing? (°︿° )

You are just wrong, Souji. I love you dearly but you are wrong.

And why would I say such a thing? Because you are wrong.

[Eleanor settled against Yukiko's arm, her expression uncertain, her eyes distantly looking at a spot on the wall opposite them.]

I don't know. It's just...

[She trailed off, trying to sort out what she wanted to say, or even she even know what she wanted to say.]

Everything is so...uncertain. Everything is changing, and I don't even mean the sky, just...everything. I thought worrying about graduation and college would be intense and now we have to worry that our friends might forget huge chunks of our lives or we might forget it. And who knows what insane thing will happen to the world tomorrow.

[Her voice got a bit faster as she spoke, a bit louder, but when she stopped, she just sighed.]

It's just a lot.

[Yukiko was quiet, listening, letting Eleanor get it all out. It wasn't easy not to say something, but she just held her tongue and listened. This was important, and in a way it helped her solidify some of her own thoughts and fears. And more than a few.]

It is a lot. It really is.

[She leans back, puffing her chest up and then exhaled slowly...]

But you know what? I can't let myself focus on that. It's not...I can't. I know it sounds flippant, but I cannot give up hope that we will remember all of this, and unravel all the threads. It's a tangle, but if I let myself trap myself in my own head? Nothing's going to get done.

I guess...I feel like we have to hope that nothing like that happens. Have faith that it won't.

I'm not wrong. You just have to try these tips to see how true they are. Don't knock it till you try it, as they say.

If you're really concerned though, I will gladly partake in trying out one tip with you. Whichever one you like.

Fine. I'll take you up on that.

I'll bring you a special batch of something cooked with ten hot chili peppers to Yosuke's birthday party. I assume you'll be there?

[Fire resistance won't help your stomach from spice. Bring something for an upset stomach, Sooj.]

Of course. I wouldn't miss it and I definitely wouldn't miss up the chance to prove how correct my tip is.

However, I'll only do this on the condition that if I manage to survive one single bite from your hot chilli pepper dish, then you must take a bite as well.

Agreed. I can do that.

[Souji, she's going to coat her tongue in Pepto first you know.]

[ why are you cheating, yukiko ]

Then bring it on.

I'll prepare the curry then. If you have any special requests to put in then now is the time to tell me.

Onions, Potatoes, Carrots, and a little cheese on top.

[Eleanor was quiet for a bit after that, perhaps a whole minute, before she suddenly laughed softly.]

You are way better at this than I am.

[Yukiko's brow furrows at the laugh, looking at her best friend in confusion.]

What...are you talking about?

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