high_seas | (no subject)

Entry tags:

(no subject)

Who: Mana and Alice
Where: Alice's quarters, the Shepherd
When: Nov 23
What: Catching up
Warnings: None
Style: Action
Status: Closed

[Mana hummed to herself as she headed towards Alice's quarters. The Shepherd was finally at sea, and everything was relatively stable for now. So, Mana had figured that it was time for her and Alice to just... hang out for now, and talk about things that weren't related to Rikka turning into a vampire or islands being destroyed or stuff like that. Just... take stock of everything and enjoy each other's company like two good friends should.

Tucked under Mana's arm was a box of tea leaves - in fact, it was Alice's favorite variety. Mana had picked it up from the shop on Isla Impieza as a "welcome to the crew" gift before they'd been forced to leave port.

She reached Alice's door and knocked. Once that was done, she rocked back on her heels, humming to herself... wondering, to her own amusement, if Alice had gotten used to answering the door on her own]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[She was quite capable of answering the door, in fact. In fact, her quarters - though sparse due to the rush they had left in - had been tidied up quite nice in her time there. Though these were tasks typically handled for her at home, she'd always taken effort to make certain she could fend for herself if need be.

As she answered the door, her face brightened, in spite of there only possibly being a few who could even be knocking at this point.]

Oh! Hello there, Mana-chan. How are you doing today?

Hello, Alice! I'm doing just fine!

[she smiled brightly and held up her present for Alice to see]

I got you something!

[Alice missed a beat, not having been expecting this. She then gives a happy laugh, clasping her hands together.]

Oh, what a surprise! You didn't have to do that!

[Mana just smiled wider]

I'm just lucky I was able to get it before the port closed. It's your favorite kind of tea... consider it a "welcome to the crew" present!

[Alice ushered her inside. Tiny snores indicated Lance was off sleeping soundly in the corner of her bed.]

Thank you so much, Mana-chan. That was very thoughtful of you!

Heh, well, if you want to thank me, how about you let me stick around and chat for a while?

[she turned around as she walked in, and then smiled as she saw Lance sleeping]

Awww! Lance is so cute when he's asleep!

[Alice smiled brightly, nodding to her.]

Of course! I suppose it has been awhile for you, hasn't it?

Yep... especially since we used to meet like this once a week, you know?

[she sighed, and moved to sit down]

Those were the days, weren't they? Before we became Precure... of course, we all became even closer after all that happened, didn't we?

Yes, indeed.

[She sets the tea box down on a nearby table, giving a wistful sigh.]

Though it's for a greater purpose, I will always be thankful it gave me more consistent excuses to spend time with you and Rikka-chan. And Makoto-san, too, after a time...

[She turns around to Mana, smiling lightly.]

If nothing else, at least that carries through here, as well. I'm very thankful I was able to find and join you two on this ship.

And I'm glad you were able to come as well!

[she laughed a bit]

You know Alice... when we first got here, Rikka and I joked a little about you being here too. We said you'd be running the place in a week and collecting a kracken...

[Alice gave a slight giggle.]

Oh, I don't know about that. It's not as if I have the resources I do back home. If anything, it's sort of refreshing to have less separating us in that regard here. Not that I ever let it stop me before, but... There is a lot of responsibility with those resources, and if my focus here is to just help you two, then so be it.

[She paused then, for a slight moment.]

Oh my, wait.

Do they have giant squid?

Well, yes... but you've always had a good head on your shoulders. Remember when I was starting out with the student council? You have me a lot of good advice...

[blink blink]

... I... don't know. We just assumed they did because... well, it seems like something that would be in a place like this, you?

[Alice's eyelashes fluttered as she blinked a few times.]

That one boy did mention dragons... hm...

[She shook her head a tad, and looked back to Mana.]

But thank you, I'm happy you at least think so. That sort of thing does go both ways, though. I like to think all of us have influenced what we do in at least some small way. I'd like to hope so, anyhow...

Oh, yeah! Definitely!

[Mana giggled a bit]

Rikka and me... we owe a lot to you, Alice. If I can give anything back, I want to do whatever I can!

[Alice leaned up against the table she was at for a moment, giving her friend a thoughtful, appreciative smile.]

As things stand, all I can ask for back from either of you is to keep being yourselves. And it's clear that certainly hasn't changed.

I suppose not...

[she sighed a little bit...]

... Though... even having said that... I think I have to be a little bit selfish and ask you for your advice on something, Alice...

[Alice tilted her head to one side a tad.]

Oh? And what's that, exactly?

I've been talking to Maribelle-san, and... she asked me to be first mate for the ship...

[she sighed]

I... I don't really know why, but... I'm a bit worried about the job I'd be doing, you know? I mean, it's a lot different from being student council president... or even a Precure...

[She titled her head just a little further to the same side.]

And why would you say that, Mana-chan?

...

[Mana opened her mouth to reply, then... frowned again]

Well, what if we ever get into a fight? It won't be like fighting Selfish monsters. It'll be like fighting Bel and the other agents... and while we've beaten them before, it's always been close... and I don't even know if we can apply what we experienced there to fighting pirates!

Maribelle-san will be relying on my advice a lot more... this was always going to be something we had to face, but... being first mate makes it seem bigger somehow...

Mana-chan...

It will certainly be difficult, I won't deny that. It likely WILL happen. And I was worried about you, seeing how some recent events weighed on you.

But you are you. You've always come through for us before, ever since we were little girls. I don't doubt you'll keep doing that. And you'll have Rikka-chan and myself here to lean on for anything. All we can really do is take things as they come, rather than worry about them.

You were also chosen for that all the same. You are you. I can't think of anyone else I'd rather have doing that.

[Mana sighed... and nodded]

Thank you, Alice... I... I'm not going to let my doubts get ahold of me again. Not like what happened after Regina...

... it's just... really comforting to talk about it, at least. So, thank you for doing that for me.

[she laughed a little]

... and now I just realized... I haven't told Rikka about this yet. She's gonna lecture me, isn't she?

Quite possibly.

But then it says something if you're already expecting that.

[She gave a small laugh as well.]

It isn't a problem, though. You know that can always tell me anything, right?

Well... I really rely on Rikka lecturing me, so I guess you're right.

... and of course I do. That's why I came to you! And again, the same goes for you too, Alice!

Precisely. Each one of us has our own role in things, yes?

...but, of course, I know this as well. Like I was saying, I have no doubt you'll come through wherever you need to, and that includes being the best friend you can be.

Mmmhm!

... you know, we really should all be thinking about everyone's role in all this. With the crew so small as it is, we're all going to have to step up...

Yes, I had been wondering about that...

What would you need of me, then? Since you know better than I do of who is doing what.

... Well, we haven't laid anything out for sure, but...

... you would be a good choice for managing the ship's finances. And what's more, I think you would do well at helping Maribelle-san and Smoker-san in situations where... um...

... where we have to be more diplomatic, I think.

I do believe I can handle that! Though as things currently stand with our crew numbers, that shouldn't be too terribly difficult...

And I can help with diplomacy as well. Whatever you all need me to do, Mana-chan.

Alright! It's decided then! I'll make my recommendation to them both later.

[Mana grinned wide]

Now... how about we make some of that tea? Unless you want to save it...

[Alice clasped her hands together.]

That would be a splendid idea! I realize you purchased it for me, but such things should be enjoyed with friends.

I guess we're in agreement, then! [laughs] I'll help you, then!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only