Scene #9661: Nebula House

Owner	Pose
Riku Asakura	Sarracenia is directed towards Riku's Earth, specifically in Tokyo, or a province of said city. The Gate places her in a busy part of the city, but the directions indicate that she needs to head towards a more scenic area. Whatever way she decides to travel, she will eventually come upon an observatory. It's quite a bit in the armpit of nowhere. It's very quiet here, no house or anything at all other than the observatory. Maybe Riku gave the wrong address? In a few moments, something happens. The ground shakes very slightly, and from beneath the surface, directly in front of Sarracenia, comes a metal cylinder. It ALMOST looks like an elevator, which is strange because there are definitely no buildings here. The front of it seems to open up, by what looks like lasers cutting out a door from the inside of the cylinder. Riku steps out with a big smile. "Hey Sarracenia! Sorry to make you come all the way out here, but it's the safest place for Nebula House to make a way down to it. So come on inside!" he says. Assuming she does come inside the elevator, she can feel the movement of going down as she would in a normal elevator, except perhaps a little faster. It takes some time, so Riku speaks up first. "Sorry again for being a bother and needing food..." he states, perhaps embarrassed that he needs the help. "I appreciate your kindness..." he states with a bow. He's very formal about it, definitely embarrassed about needing the nutritional assistance. Eventually, the elevator stops and opens up to... Well, what looks like a futuristic base. The floors are black marble with silver-metallic walls separated by glass panels where blue light pours through. The 'command' area slash living quarters of Nebula house also has a yellow orb connected to the ceiling on one side of the base, as well as seats and tables for people to sit at. From the back area, two occupants emerge. One is a short Japanese woman with dark brown hair tied behind her head, wearing a plaid shirt, a red top, and jean shorts that look ripped. The other is obviously an alien, a long head ending in two eyes on stalks. Near its neck is a yellow heart-shaped symbol, and it's wearing a windbreaker with jeans and tennis shoes. "These are my roommates, Laiha and Pega," he says, "And this is Princess Sarracenia! She's one of my comrades from the Multiverse." Laiha bows politely, "Nice to meet you," She says nonsensically. "I'm sorry my roommate had to ask for food from royalty. I keep telling him cup noodle is no way to live." Pega, on the other hand, is very nervous, but he always seems nervous. "U-uh, hi. You-you're a real princess, huh? I never met a princess..." he says, a bit bashful. The yellow ball glows for a moment before 'speaking'. "Welcome, I'm REM., I control this facility."
Sarracenia	Sarra's mode of transport today is...the Dyna! It's a wooden VTOL about the size of a larger moving truck. Four wings and propellers keep it aloft. Despite being wooden, it is of expert craftsmanship. The wood is properly polished and carefully shaped to form something akin to a proper aircraft, and the lacquer has been inlaid with gold designs like curling ivy vines along the body. Of course, Sarra's personal seal is what makes it most clearly Sarra's. It is a silver hammer behind a golden shield with a curling green frond on its front and white wings poking out from its sides. Beneath it, as promised, dangles a pallet of food as promised. It is a double-length pallet, but still only one pallet. Stacked nearly six feet high. As Sarra pilots the Dyna to the given location, then circles it a few times when it appears there is no actual house here. She lands after a few minutes, carefully placing the pallet down before setting the Dyna down beside it. As the hum of the engines dies down the entry stairs are lowered and Sarra steps out in one of her usual red royal gowns. She looks around with her one good eye, then huffs and puts her hands on her hips. Did Riku play a trick on her? "...Riku...I thought better of y-" The ground starts to shake. Sarra blinks and takes a step back. Then, that metal cylinder pops out! Sarra yelps and in half a second has her Silver hammer in hand. The cutting beams don't ease her worry! Riku steps out and finds Sarra ready to whack him with a hammer. He greets her with that big smile and...Sarra blinks a few times before lowering her hammer. She finally lets out a little growl and sends her Silver back into her lotus hairpin. She takes a deep breath and lets it out, then returns Riku's smile (if a bit forced). "Hello Riku." she says, then huffs and crosses her arms and in a more playful tone says, "Yes, you should be sorry for inconveniencing a princess with such a trivial matter." It's only half-joking. He apologizes as they head down and offers that formal bow. Sarra blinks again, then huffs and blushes a bit. "It is...no bother, really. I wish those I call..." She pauses as she considers what they are. Friends? They haven't really hung out and Riku has disapproved of her actions on several occasions. But then...he did help with the Gregory situation. Her eyes tear up as she realizes even now she does not know if they are actually friends or if he is just being polite and considerate. She coughs lightly into a hand and turns her head so that the mistiness in her eye isn't as visible. "...well, anyway, it is no bother. One who has the means to do so should help those one can." Her foot is tapping by the time they stop, but when the doors open the princess lets out an impressed 'ooooh' before stepping off the elevator. As she is introduced to the roommates Sarra curtseys in a proper way, lifting the sides of her dress slightly and crossing one leg behind the other. Riku gives her name, so she forgoes her usual introduction. "Nice to meet you as well." she says to Laiha, then giggles a bit at the apology. "Yes, it is a terrible habit. But, since he has a preference toward noodles I took that into account when selecting what foods to bring." Sarra smiles at the bashful Pega as he speaks up. "Well, now you have~" she says cheerfully. "It is nice to meet you as well, Pega." she says. She blinks in surprise when the ball glows and speaks. "Oh! A talking magical device? Or...technological device?" It is so hard to tell sometimes. "It is good to meet you as well, REM." she says, then looks around. "And just what is this facility? A secret super-hero headquarters?"
Riku Asakura	The spectacle of the wooden VTOL gets passersby to record the event with their phones, as many people take out their smartphones to take pictures or record video. It's an event that interrupts the normal life of those downtown, not in a bad way. They're used to worse events, like Kaiju, so this is a welcome surprise! At the meeting spot, Riku notes the hammer out. He looks at it before it is put away and cocks his head to one side. "Oh, did the shaking concern you? Sorry about that... It's why I wanted to do it out here instead of somewhere in the city. Also, I figured you might bring your airship!" he says, pointing at the airship. Inside the base, Riku pushes the pallet out like it's nothing, again showing he's stronger than normal humans even when he's not an Ultraman. Laiha nods to Sarracenia, "It's a terrible habit, now we just gotta cleanse him of his other ones, and he'll be an upstanding young man!" she says, with a smile on her face, obviously giving Riku a hard time. "It's nice to finally meet some of Riku's friends outside of the city. He's gone through some rough things out there, so we're glad that people are watching out for him." Pega, on the other hand, nods along with Laiha. "Yeah. It's really nice to meet you," he says a bit more confidently. He walks over to Sarracenia, offering her a red carnation. If she takes it, it's obvious that it's not a real carnation, but one made out of fake plant stems and paper. REM, on the other hand, answers Sarra's question. "This is an underground research facility and 'secret' base of my master, Riku Asakura." "Something like that, it has elevators that can go almost anywhere in the city," Riku says, having pushed the pallet near his side of the staging area. You can tell it's his because he has toku-style posters up. There is a couch-like seat that has a stuffed octopus on it. "Pega and I found it when we were homeless after a monster attacked our old apartment. It's also when I became Ultraman Geed," he says with a smile.
Sarracenia	'Oh, did the shaking concern you?' "Well, that and the ominous silver cylinder that burst randomly out of the ground and something cut its way out from it." she says, shaking her head a bit. "Would you like a ride on the Dyna before I leave?" Riku just pushing that pallet into and out of the elevator leaves Sarra a bit stunned. She knew he was strong but holy moly! She tries not to stare though. She doesn't want him to feel self-conscious. 'It's a terrible habit, now we just gotta cleanse him of his other ones, and he'll be an upstanding young man!' Sarra giggles at that and smiles. "He is quite upstanding already." Sarra says, looking toward Riku with a warm smile. "But, there are a few habits left, it is true." Like worshipping Lilian, but Sarra isn't going to start that argument right now. 'Yeah. It's really nice to meet you,' Sarra is given a carnation! She blinks in surprise. "Oh! Well..." She pauses as she finds it is fake. She looks it over, then smiles and slips it into her hair opposite the rusty red metal lotus. "Thank you!" she says to Pega. 'This is an underground research facility and 'secret' base of my master, Riku Asakura.' 'Something like that, it has elevators that can go almost anywhere in the city,' "Oh! Anywhere in the city? That is almost like the hidden warp pipes in Pipeland!" They might not realize why that is significant, but it is a hero point since Mario is the hero who uses those most. She lets out an impressed 'oooh' as Riku recounts a bit of his origins. "I see. How did you become Ultraman Geed? I am assuming it was inherited in some way? That must be quite a heroic story!"
Riku Asakura	"Oh well... I guess I can see how that's a little concerning...haha.." Riku says. When Sarra makes her offer to give him a ride on the Dyna, Riku excitedly nods. "Of course, that'd be so cool!" he says, almost like a little kid, by how excited he gets over such things. Down in the base, Riku claps his hands together after moving the pallet. If he noticed Sarracenia staring at him, he didn't mention it. He's all smiles as he turns around to speak. Pega sounds happy when Sarra accepts the carnation. "You're welcome! I make them and sell them. It's one of my best works!" he says, almost as if smiling, even though he doesn't have a mouth that moves as a human does. Laiha nods to Sarracenia. "It's true, he is pretty upstanding. He protects this world and even goes out into the Multiverse to help there. He's at least diligent in his training with me," she says. Riku, on the other hand, looks embarrassed by this talk about him, as he rubs the back of his head and laughs uncomfortably. "Oh, Pipeland has places like this base?" Riku asks. "Wow, I never knew..." he says as Laiha looks pretty impressed too. "Well...you can say that," Riku says a little LESS enthusiastically. "You see, I'm actually the son of Ultraman Belial. I inherited my ability to become an Ultraman from him, but unlike my father, I fight monsters and protect people. You see the Red Horned monster attacked my town, searching for something called a Little Star..." "A Little Star is a power of an Ultraman that sometimes manifests in people. When a Little Star bearer wishes on an Ultraman, then that power can be transferred to them and absorbed by an Ultracapsule. That's how I can transform into other forms besides Primitive." During this, Laiha looks far away, remembering the Red Horned monster. She breaks her silence, "That's when I met Riku, I knew about the Little Stars but not what exactly they were. He invited me to stay here with him, and I've been working with him ever since." REM chimes in, "I invited Riku here to claim his birthright, the Ultracapsules and the Fusion Riser. This was the mission entrusted to me by my former master."
Sarracenia	Sarra can't help a bit of a giggle at the cuteness of Riku getting excited at the prospect of riding in the Dyna. "Excellent! I do so enjoy shaving the Dyna's amazingness with others~" Pega explains a bit about his flowers and Sarra smiles brightly. "They seem to be made with care! I applaud you for using your talents to make such lovely items to brighten people's days." 'Oh, Pipeland has places like this base?' 'Wow, I never knew...' "Er...well I am not sure any of them lead to advanced technological hideouts like this one, but...some can pop up in random places similar to the elevator. Although, some do lead to underground dungeons full of danger and rare power-ups!" Sarra listens with the interest of a child being told a story as Riku explains about his powers and how he got them. "Did your father...use his powers for evil?" It would be another hero point in Riku's favor to refuse to follow in his father's footsteps if such is the case. She looks to Laiha as she joins in the story. "Oh? Did he save you? Or you him?" she asks before REM chimes in. "Aah. So, you are the faithful bearer of the birthright. Quite important to any such hero story."
Riku Asakura	Pega is smiling; you can hear it in their voice. "Hee! I think so too. I like creating these flowers for people to give to their mothers, significant others, and so forth..." Pega looks pleased with himself, laughing a little and coming a bit more out of his nervous shell. Laiha and Riku listen to her description of Pipeland. "That sounds exciting," Riku says. Laiha, more practically minded of the two nods, "It sounds convenient to find those dungeons full of rare power-ups, it'd make your job easier, Riku." Riku nods to Sarra's question about Belial. "Yeah, he...nearly destroyed the universe once, during Crisis Impact. We're not sure exactly how he was stopped, other than someone named Ultraman King fusing himself with the Universe to heal it." Laiha shakes her head, "No, nothing like that. We ran into each other saving a Little Star from an alien, and I saw him transform into Ultraman Geed. We decided to share information on what we know about them." Riku scratches the back of his head about the birthright. "Something like that, it's a little strange to call it that, as my father would rather destroy the world than save it. We're still trying to figure things out about the Little Stars and what causes them to manifest and why they have to wish on Ultramen..."
Sarracenia	This might be one of the best days for Sarra! People are talking to her like she's a person, are appreciating what she's done, and her appreciation of them is being appreciated, too! She giggles a bit happily as Pega talks about his flowers some more. "May I purchase...say...3 dozen? I think my parents and the castle staff would appreciate them as well!" 'That sounds exciting,' 'It sounds convenient to find those dungeons full of rare power-ups, it'd make your job easier, Riku.' "They are quite exciting!" Sarra says with a cheerful smile. "Those within the Sundew Kingdom's reach are usually being mined by our teams for the power-ups, but if you wanted to join an expedition as an adventurer you would be entitled to a share of the profits. With your abilities those dungeons would be quite easy, I think. But, it can be tricky to find all the hidden paths that hold the rare power-ups." Sarra continues to listen to the story, nodding every now and then as a detail is explained. She gasps as she hears that Riku's father tried to destroy the universe, then her eyes widen when she hears that someone fused with the universe. "He fused with the very -universe-?! How...how does that work?!" she exclaims. She smiles as she hears how Laiha and Riku met. "Quite the 'meet-cute'." she says, apparently thinking such a meeting could be the start of a romance. Riku seeming unsure about the use of birthright leads Sarra to nod in understanding. "But, it seems to have been destiny for you to receive it, turning it to a tool for justice and honor and protection. You should be quite proud of yourself. Though, I suppose if you were that would tarnish your hero status." Sarra approaches the pallet after that. "Now, before I hear more of you two...three?" She looks toward Pega questioningly. "...or even four?" she says, remembering REM. She giggles. "All of your heroics. Before that, let me show you what I have brought." She pulls a small tanto from her purse. Why does this princess who is not from Japan and uses a hammer have a tanto? Whatever the reason, she uses it to cut the plastic off of the pallet. "As I said, I took your preference for noodles into account, Sir Riku! So, I have brought you the finest dried rice noodles, as well as the highest quality canned and freeze-dried ramen ingredients I could. I did not want you to have to worry about them spoiling." She grabs something and holds it out. It appears to be...a roll of freeze-dried fish cake! The kind that looks like a red and white swirl when cut! There are also sliced eggs, many different canned oriental vegetables, cans of various broths, and other such things vital for ramen. She has also brought a complete set of high quality wooden bowls and other utensils as well as a set of very expensive looking copper-coated cooking pans...and even an electric stove! The princess is not one to hold back in anything, and providing the best for her friends is no exception. She can think of them as friends now that Laiha has said the word. "I apologize, as I am aware that canned and freeze-dried ingredients are not the most tasty, but they should last until such time as you three have eaten them all and it is time to resupply you~" Sarra seems to be intent on Riku never having to eat cup noodles again.
Riku Asakura	Pega's eyes brighten at the Princess requesting so many flowers. "O-oh my goodness. I'll start on them right away," he says and immediately flees into the back. He's likely going to be up all night working on flowers to complete his first huge order. Riku and Laiha look amused at this, but are smiling despite it. '...but if you wanted to join an expedition as an adventurer you would be entitled to a share of the profits.' Laiha nudges Riku, "We should get in on this sometime. It'll be useful to you when you fight monsters we haven't seen before." Riku nods, "That might be interesting and fun. So sure, I'd be down for it!" Riku says, upbeat and ready for some adventure. Riku nods, "Yeah, he did. So... Ultramen can fuse with injured and dying creatures. It gives the creature a second chance at life and heals them of their injuries, and gives the Ultramen a place to rest. Ultramen tend not to fare as well on other stars because the suns are dimmer than back home. At least, that's how Zero explained it to me; he calls it a 'win-win'." "From what I understand, Ultraman King is a very old Ultraman, so he can do things other Ultramen can't do. So he fused with the Universe to heal it, but his consciousness and power were infused with it, so nobody can talk with him anymore..." Riku nods humbly at Sarra's words about using his powers for justice and honor. He looks a LITTLE embarrased by it, because he's humble, but he eventually smiles at her. "Thanks, I try very hard to do the right thing and make people happy." Laiha and Riku look over at the pallet and stand up, aiming to help Sarracenia strip off the plastic and go over the supplies she brought. They're both surprised at just how much there is. Canned food, dried food, stuff for noodles, and it just goes on. Even wooden tools, copper-coated pans, and an electric stove! Laila looks like she died and gone to heaven, "This will make groceries so much easier, and the cooking supplies... we needed a new batch for a while now..." she says and laughs, giving Sarracenia a deep bow in appreciation, and dragging Riku with her. "Ah, yes, thank you, Princess! This really is so much... I'd appreciate it if you stayed for dinner. I'll even make it! It's the least I can do..." Riku says, deeply moved by Sarra's gift.
Sarracenia	Sarra is more than happy to commission Pega. His enthusiasm and obvious kindness deserve to be returned in kind! She giggles a bit as he brightens like that and smiles along with Riku and Laiha. She smiles more as Riku agrees to join the dungeon expeditions for finding power-ups. "Excellent! I am sure the piranha plant workers will be happy to have the help!" Riku explains about Ultramen and their ability to fuse with things, and Sarra's eyes widen a bit. "I suppose this Ultraman King might be able to do things others cannot, but does that mean that...this entire universe is alive?" Laila and Riku bow in thanks, and for some reason...Sarra tears up. How long has it been since she made a big gesture like this and it went well? Probably not as long as it seems to her, but the two that stick in her mind are Petra and Ishirou. Both of whom now hate her and perhaps want her dead. She ends up sniffling and trying very hard not to cry. It only partially works. "...I am just...glad I can help..." she says with a teary smile, her eye practically sparkling and her hands clasped in front of her and a hiccup escaping her every now and then. "I would be...happy to stay for dinner...!" she says a bit shakily but still smiling. She has literally NEVER been invited to someone's home for dinner.
Riku Asakura	'...but does that mean that...this entire universe is alive?' "Um, I dunno, maybe?" Riku says, not really sure about whether that makes the Universe alive or not, it's definitely not dead! Ultramen make things more difficult to think about, especially when they do things like 'fuse with the universe'. Riku thinks back to when Natsuki questioned him about doing something impossible at the last minute. "We'd have to ask Zero about it, I think Leido is at work or going home from work. That's who Zero is fused with right now, by the way." Riku explains. Laiha and Riku are taken aback by Sarracenia being so overwhelmed by their offer that she's tearing up. Laiha takes her by the arm and walks her to a seat to get a hold of herself, while Riku works on gathering things for dinner. This includes carrying the stove by himself to the kitchen area. Laiha, on the other hand, stayed with the Princess. Offering her a tissue, "Here, this'll help clean up those tears. Is everything alright?"
Sarracenia	Sarra is taken by the arm to have a seat. She isn't breaking down or anything, but is definitely crying. She smiles at the offer of a tissue and dries her eyes before blowing her nose and sniffling. "W-well...it is just...I feel like every time I have offered help or tried to help...it has gone so horribly wrong. I...I tried to help get the Light spread to the City and...so many people got hurt. I tried to help with handling the problems after, and...even more people got hurt. I just...do not understand what happened. I am just so incredibly relieved for an effort to turn out like this instead of someone I wanted to help deciding they wish me dead or...or..." The princess goes quiet there, and looks over at Riku. She decides against continuing for fear that Riku might turn out like Ishirou when it comes to her. "...a-anyway...I am sorry to cause you such trouble. A princess...really should not cry like this..." she says, breath still hitching every now and then and a hand drifting to her eyepatch. "...have you ever felt like that? Like every effort you made to improve things merely made things worse and got yourself and others hurt in the process?"
Riku Asakura	'W-well...it is just...I feel like every time I have offered help or tried to help...it has gone so horribly wrong.' Laiha listens to the Princess and smiles at her, letting her get those feelings out. "The City? I think Riku mentioned that... I heard it was a real mess, and nobody got what they wanted. Riku was... still is affected by that time. He tried to smile it off, but I could tell he was hurt by it. I guess that's why he's in Trideag." "Well, it was a very selfless effort, Princess. I am sure if you keep doing them, eventually people will reach out to you and smile as Riku did. Not everyone is going to be so grateful all the time, but the important thing is to keep trying. Letting your heart grow cold is truly awful." 'A princess...really should not cry like this...' "Nonsense, Princesses are people too, and crying is natural to anyone," she says, before being asked a different question. She lowers her voice, "Something like that... when I was younger, a red-horned monster was after me, and my parents. I tried to save them but..." she turns her head. "I was only able to see that the monster turned into a man afterwards. So I hunt monsters now, trying to find the one who did it." "Please don't tell Riku, I'm not ready to go over that with him yet."
Sarracenia	'The City? I think Riku mentioned that... I heard it was a real mess, and nobody got what they wanted. Riku was... still is affected by that time. He tried to smile it off, but I could tell he was hurt by it. I guess that's why he's in Trideag.' "...it is true...no one got what they wanted..." Sarra says sadly. "But, Riku was steadfast and reliable through it all. It was when I first identified him as a true hero. I am afraid it is too late, but it is good to find a true hero after all of this time instead of heroes who do and say such distasteful things and claim they only do those things because people are not worth saving." 'Well, it was a very selfless effort, Princess.' Although it doesn't seem to help her mood, Sarra does nod to Laiha's words. "I will never give up. It is the one thing I refuse to do and refuse to let others do. It is only when you give up that you truly lose, and those around you lose hope at the same time. And it is my purpose now to become a heroine who inspires hope and brings light wherever she goes." Sarra then listens to Laiha, her eyes widening a bit as she hears the story. She looks over at Riku at the implications, then looks back to Laiha. "You have my word as an aspiring heroine and a princess." she says, placing a hand over her heart in the process. "I wish you luck in your search. And if you ever need backup that can keep your secret, do let me know. Though I warn you, I do not kill people. Not even monsters that are people."
Riku Asakura	Laiha listens to Sarracenia, nodding about the City and the fall of L-corp. "It's like him to be like that, he's always trying to help others, even if he hasn't gotten all of the details. I think that's what happened with The City stuff. It's good that he was like that to you..." Though she wonders, "Say distasteful things? You mean on that channel that he listens to sometimes?" 'I will never give up.' "Good, I'm glad to hear that. It's something Riku's taught me: no matter how many times you get knocked down, you just gotta get right back up," she smiles, "Well, I hope you can become that heroine. Heaven knows we need more of them about, you know?" "I'll keep your aid in mind..." she says, but her gaze gets hard, "I'd prefer to fight him myself, and slay him myself. I won't ask anyone else to get involved on my account."
Sarracenia	'It's good that he was like that to you...' Sarra smiles a bittersweet. "It was also a point in his favor when he continued treating me well even when it was clear he did not think me the most...heroic of people." 'Say distasteful things? You mean on that channel that he listens to sometimes?' Sarra's slight smile turns to a slight frown. "I suppose that is the most obvious place, but not just there. I have heard -certain- 'heroes' call people scum not worth saving right after saving them." she says, then takes a deep breath and lets it out in a long sigh. "But, I do not wish to speak more on that in Riku's presence. He sees good everywhere, even when those he thinks are good tell him right to his face they are not. Perhaps that is another heroic quality, albeit one that can easily lead to hurt. Redemptions stories have started in such ways." 'I'd prefer to fight him myself...' "If there is anything I have learned from heroes, anti-heroes, and their stories, it is that the path of solo vengeance leads only to one's own destruction." Sarra says. "I do not blame you at all for wanting to avenge your parents, but remember..." She looks to Riku, then to Pega and REM, and then back to Laiha. "...there are those that would be hurt if you disappeared."
Riku Asakura	Laiha nods, listening to the Princess when she explains herself. To her, it doesn't matter if Sarracenia is heroic or not; she's a friend of Riku's who just brought over a lot of food for no reason other than she was worried about Riku's eating habits. Right now, she thinks pretty highly of her. Thought it's obvious to her that she has some sort of rival out in the multiverse. Though neither would admit to it, she imagines. "Well, Riku treats everyone the same; it's quite an admirable trait of his. Things seem to have changed, though? Well, anyway, it doesn't matter if you're heroic or not, but if you want to be one, you've got to keep on the path, and someday you'll get there." '...there are those that would be hurt if you disappeared.' Laihal looks away for a moment, taking a breath. "I know, I promise I won't leave them and throw myself off to oblivion. Who would be there to train Riku if I disappeared?" She says, with a bittersweet smile. "Thank you for your discretion in this, though," She says, with a smile. Riku comes back in with some bowls and is balancing a large pot of ramen. He sets it down on the table, "Alright, I hope everyone is hungry!" The bowls have chopsticks in them, so hopefully Sarracennia knows how to eat with them! "Pega, come on and get some!" He calls Pega. He looks between the two of them, wondering if something had passed between them. "Did something happen?"
Sarracenia	'Well, Riku treats everyone the same; it's quite an admirable trait of his. Things seem to have changed, though? Well, anyway, it doesn't matter if you're heroic or not, but if you want to be one, you've got to keep on the path, and someday you'll get there.' "Indeed. It does seem things changed somewhere along the way. Though...I cannot identify when." Sarra says, her smile returning. "Thank you for your kind words, Laiha. I truly appreciate it." She pauses a moment. "...does this mean we are friends, as well?" she asks, sounding cautiously hopeful. Then, soup! Sarra is plenty hungry by now, and doesn't seem to mind chopsticks at all. She loves sushi and such, after all! She blinks as Riku asks if something happened, then smiles. "I think Laiha and I might be friends now?" she says as she takes her bowl and chopsticks. She holds them with proper technique and clicks them together a couple of times. "It has always baffled me why anyone would choose to use these for eating things like rice and soup." she says even as she starts using them to eat soup. Or at least the more solid things within the soup, with care taken not to splash on her dress. "Thank you for cooking, Riku!"
Riku Asakura	'...does this mean we are friends, as well?' Laiha looks a little surprised by this, but she smiles. "I think it does," she admits, nodding to Sarracenia. This was something she had never seen coming, actually becoming friends with royalty. When Sarra announces her friendship with Laiha, Riku beams, "That's good!" Though Laiha seems a tad embarrassed. But she doesn't deny it, instead giving a sheepish smile. To the question, Riku and Laiha both don't have an answer, "Not sure, it's just something we do here. Never thought to question it, ya know?" Riku answers with his usual tone. "You're welcome, I hope it's good!"