When you call out, there’s a responding bark, and a tiny puffball of a dog flops out of a drawer and onto the desk. After a darting glance toward the bathroom, he seems to look at you as if you were interrupting something important, but he is willing to humor your inquiry. There is a half of a sausage in the dog’s mouth which he nibbles slowly as he considers you with a privileged gaze. The dog is wearing an ornate silk collar with a silver tag.
「You can see here where she’s tied it up and it’s slipping out. It’s like they’re trying to go incognito.」The office lady finally gets a good look at the two of you, 「You know, even if you aren’t magical, the two of you certainly look the part. That may just be what the talent scouts picked up on when you got famous, but you both have… that look.」The two of you are suddenly aware of the camera lens in the back of the office lady’s phone. You don’t think she’s taken any pictures yet, but it wouldn’t take much for her to decide she’d like a picture of a teen idol and her mysteriously beautiful friend.
Ignoring the woman the way he ignored the old lady, the bus driver responds to your inquiries. 「There was a girl who stepped off my bus- must have been my second or third time around the bay, she was wearing some old, baggy clothes that looked decades old- the kind of thing an older guy might offer a young girl who got wine on her dress. Well, she steps off the bus and the crowd parts. It was like an anime. There was even some kind of ripple in the air, and we all just knew she was part of the Dawn Watch- not even knowing what that is. Everyone who was there just suddenly knew. Then, she said she’d protect us from the darkness, and that we shouldn’t follow her, and she left for the Shirakawa house- or, I guess, down along Coral Coast street, where all the rich folk live.」
The woman has retreated back to her phone, having suffered the harsh realities of social interactions, but she speaks over its glow.「There are all kinds of theories now. People who weren’t even there are latching onto it. Most of it is trash, but they say if she’s part of something, like an organization, then there are more of them.」
「If it’s the truth they tell, even so, that means there’s a darkness settling over Obusa. You don’t need a dawn watch unless there’s something to fear in the dark.」The others glance in the direction of the old woman, but don’t respond.
Finally, the kid looks up from stowing away his prize. 「Where are you going today, Sora-chan?」
Kusaka-san thumps his friend in the back, chuckling as he searches for the right words. “All of the things are A-O-K, Paresh, we are both know Azu is a paper tiger. Beside, if Kurosawa falls for all that ganguro yuri game, we know you had a no horse in the race to begin with.”
Tsuchi pouts. “It’s not a game, guys, at least not if she doesn’t want to play.” She winks to you. “And if Paresh isn't included in our rainbow rumpus party, it won't be because I excluded him.[b]" She blows a mocking kiss his way. "[b]I just want to get her out of her shell, show her the night life. Look, she’s all balled up now, and I bet it’s your faults.” She turns to address you in a slightly more serious tone. She's still more devil-may-care than you'd ever act, but you doubt she could be more serious. “You won’t hurt my feelings if you don’t go, but any time you’d like me to kiss you into a princess, miss frog, you’ve got my number.” She sticks out her tongue, not to show she’s only teasing, but to soften the social impact of the offer. “I will probably be too plastered drunk to chaperon anyway, so you may want to cling to Paresh’s apron strings if you go.” With that, she crushes the empty energy drink can into the table and stands up from her chair. “Well, I’ve gotta take a wicked piss. I’ll see ya’ll on the b side.”
The other students who are eating in the cafeteria are suddenly staring at Tsuchi-san as she swaggers out of the room. Few if any seem to know what she just said.
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「Thank you very much.」 Tenshi says low, offering a small, gracious bow to the woman, as the other person speaks, and comes up smiling.
「I'd heard the same thing about the woman. On the bus earlier from a pair of women who said the same thing. That's so... strange.」 she finishes, and as she's about to continue, the woman speaks up from her phone, and then the old woman speaks.
「There's always something in the dark to be afraid of. That's what the dark is. Everyone is afraid of the things that they don't understand.」 she says, sounding like an anime character, and still not quite knowing why she's been saying things like that. 「We'll just have to see, I suppose.」
As the young man finishes, she nods to him. 「I was actually planning on chasing these ghosts. I don't have much spare time, but even if it's a dead end, I can at least show my room mate Coral Coast Street. Folk Lore is really fun. At worst, I'll likely get some inspiration for art or a song. I suppose I'm caught in the same net as you.」 she says, looking to the bus driver who had admitted to 'celebrity shock' being less than 'magic girl shock'.
「Speaking of... it was a pleasure to meet all of you, but standing around talking about what I'd like to be doing is a terrible way to get things done.」 she says as she starts to move away from the group, but still leaves it open, should May decide to continue, or one of the people decided to hook them in the conversation once more.
Ar-arigato bird-san. W-what do yours mean?
Ayatori blinks up at the small girl. I was hatched from an egg, same as any other bird, so my magic doesn't give me that sort of sight. I have a different sort of sight that helps me keep track of you lot, and I can go off between things and show up somewhere where I'm needed. If I knew what you saw, I might be able to tell you what I think.
The bird's voice has changed the way other adults' voices change when they want something from you, but they don't want you to know that. You can see a subtle vibration, like a tiny little tug on the spider silk thread he has on you.
"Though, her face isn't covered like I would think it should be. Perhaps it's one of your American Styles?"
Chell shrugs."Not that I recognize but 'horror theater' isn't really my thing." Chell tilts her head slightly at the bus driver. "The Shirakawa house?" She asked with interest but when Sora mentions showing her around it she drops it, still a tourist in her own home.
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Sakura tries unobtrusively to tug on the string. There's a, web, of golden strings going that way. She points in the same direction they're going.
That's where the Pristine Princess Kaguya is now. The raven seems to duck uneasily and his wings press down flat against his back. The words are falling from his mouth like he's spitting them up. She's probably on her charter jet now. She'll be here any minute, and she'll be very disappointed when she gets here. I'm really just hoping she won't take it out on me if I've got a new team assembled.
The thread snaps in your fingers.
The raven eyes you intensely before hopping back onto the branch. You be careful how you handle those. They may be magic, but they do follow rules.
Sakura again hides behind Kiyomi. I'm sorry. She says in a tiny voice. How can I learn?
The bird still looks uncomfortable, but his tone is apologetic. Practice, just- not on friends. A doctor spends more time learning than a butcher before they do their job the first time.
The bus driver turns back toward the pair, he had assumed the two of you were leaving, but Chell's question brought something to mind. 「The woman who owns the gold tower, and had the shiny bridge built. She was elected the head of the municipal board? 'All that glitters is Shirakawa'? I swear, children these days do not follow politics like they should,」 says the city bus driver.
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"'Pristine Princess Kaguya' would be my mother, I suppose." Not merely involved then; a true blue magical girl, just like the rest of us. I have no idea how to respond to this.
It's incredible to think that her mother had access to magic, since possibly even before Kiyomi was born, and Kiyomi has had no clue the whole time. She strains her mind to come up with something that may be a clue in retrospect.
Tenshi inclines her head to the bus driver as he explains, 「Have a wonderful day, everyone!」 she calls, as she starts heading off.
Once they had a little space, she continued the earlier conversation, "Honestly, if it weren't for my sudden, deep-seated belief in magic, I'd think I was crazy. Probably a good reason to think I am, honestly. Sort of worried that my boss isn't a magical girl. Much more worried that she is. I guess that's what we are. It's what everyone's calling us. And it's a lot nicer than 'witch'. Do you watch much anime?"
After a brief pause, she finishes up at least a little of the talk, "Sorry about using you as an excuse back there. 'Foreign Friend' was the best excuse I had for being on this end of the city on the fly."
Twenty four hours earlier, Miyako was curled up in the corner of her bed trying to convince herself the walls of her room weren't closing in on her. For all intents and purposes, she was destined to be alone with her fears and anxieties up to and after her father would be forced to commit her to a psyche ward and a nice white room. Now she was sitting , eating lunch and practicing English with three other people while being hit on by two of them.
To say she wasn't prepared for the situation would be an understatement. Any nagging worries about her retro-conned friends simply humoring a fragile ego went out the window. She wasn't quite sure how to respond to either of them and simply watched, flushed red in the face as they stumbled over words or made bold offers. The sudden crunch of aluminum shocked her out of the stunned stupor and she quickly glanced between Tsuchi and Paresh frantically.
She hesitated as the other girl stood up and made for the exit, her anxieties rushing back into place, but now pushing in the opposite direction. She stood up suddenly, jostling the half empty bowl of noodles and broth as she blurts, "W-We'll come!" At which point her worry about missing that chance flew away to be replaced by the many stares of the cafeteria. She freezes for a longer moment than she would have liked before falling back into her seat and glancing at the other two. "T-To the p-party... T-Together... the th-three of us...?" She glances at Kusaka. "F-Four...? I d-don't..."
She falls silent again, staring at her lunch.
Tiresias looks at Ayatori confused for a while. True names? Shell foam? The things we used as scrying mirrors? Shell foam? Why shell foam?... Shell foam, cell phones! Of course! Scrying mirrors as in the things we used to communicate long distances, at least that’s one of the things Tiresias figures scrying mirrors should do. For a moment she looks around proud of having discovered what both Ayatori and Naiad meant in their own ways. She then realizes the conversation had surpassed her long ago and so takes out her phone. A message blinks on the screen from Miyako.
She quickly taps it and reads the few words. She found someone else and that someone is coming to the mansion.
Someone else? Surely not Kiyomi’s mother, she isn’t here yet. It could literally be any of them, still that’s great that she warned them.
Tiresias quickly types back. Thanks for the heads up. You did more than what you had to do. Our helpful avian friend will be making you a visit to explain everything. In case you need it though simply call the Dread Witch Chrysanth. That should restore you.
When her attention returns to the conversation she hears Kiyomi mention that her mother is a magical girl herself.
That would explain her wealth, I suppose. If she is a magical girl for longer than us then she most likely knew the previous Dawn Guard, maybe she was even part of it. If I could speak to her then she could probably tell me what exactily is behind all this. At the same time, our familiar seems fearful of her and her wrath, maybe she isn’t the best option for such a conversation.
Tiresias smiles and slowly rises up from her seat.
Well, without meaning to sound rude, I believe I have already overstayed my welcome. Also, I’m sure you’ll have much to talk with your mother and you won’t want us around for that. She says to Kiyomi, she then turns to Ayatori. I can’t speak for Chrysanth, so I believe you should meet her anyway and answer her questions. I’ll be expecting you later.
She offers the bird a smile and with the smallest pirouette turns to Sakura, a wide smile on her face as she tries to be friendly towards the little girl.
I guess now the biggest question is how will we get you home. The sentence, although directed at Sakura, is more of a question to Kiyomi and Ayatori.
"Sorry about using you as an excuse back there. 'Foreign Friend' was the best excuse I had for being on this end of the city on the fly."
Chell shrugs as she follows in Sora's footsteps. "I don't think it 'Foreign Friend' will work very well when I'm like this but you're welcome to try."
Sakura nods hesitantly. S-should I turn back?
Sakura hugs you tightly from behind as she says her name. Exquisite Doll Sakura. Juno feels a distinctly alien sensation as the girl behind her grows while a pair of arms materializes around her, both girls surrounding her and pressing into her as they concentrate on maintaining the clothes the maid had helped them with.
"Maybe. You definitely act Gaijin. So it's easier. Would you like to watch some anime tonight, so we can do some degree of research? We can do it in your room, so you're comfortable." The question and the suggestion was unusual for Tenshi; she'd never offered to come into May's room since she'd moved in, unless explicitly invited, and often outright avoided it, making it seem... somehow suspicious that she would have a sudden change of heart.
"I suppose?" Chell raises an eyebrow at Sora's request but doesn't mention anything about the oddity. "I'll have to move some things around to make room, not the craziest thing that's worked lately I guess."
Tenshi smiles and nods, before picking up the pace, she pulls up her cell phone and begins to tap-a-tap away. "Please don't let me get hit by a bus." she requests as she does so. "We'll just follow this road, then turn onto the Coastal road. It'll be the third Complex on the left."
As they talk, she also begins working on those emails. To Obusa, she sends a
Afterwards, she huffs as she clicks the send button, then sends another, looking at her markered hand, she titles it 'Feathered Friend'.
'I'm currently heading to Shirakawa to confront Shirakawa Aratani, to find out what she knows of all of this. From my understanding several of the girls have already headed that way. If you don't hear from me again, stay away from Shirakawa. If none of this makes sense, just assume I'm crazy'
She huffs again, "There. Not so bad. And sorry for being bad company, it was just really important that I sent the first and the second messages, for very different reasons. We can go get something to eat after this if it works out. My treat." she offers, as usual, overcompensating for perceived slights.
Suzu doesn’t give the group a second look, but the driver looks the three of you over, scratching his shaved chin. He looks over the three too-perfect high school girls, probably trying to picture what the four of you might have gotten up to, alone and unsupervised, last night. With a flat, lip-less smile, the man asks, 「where exactly am I taking you girls on this fine Saturday afternoon?」
The Shirakawas have a low, three-foot marble wall around their property with a hedgerow of red barberry bushes. Rather than the traditional Torii gate, the matron of the estate has opted for a gate of brass brambles. The family crest of two crossed arrow fletchings can be seen in the large bronze plaque beside the gate. It would not be a great ordeal to jump the wall and hedgerow, but there is a buzzer at the gate. As you approach, the gate opens, and you can see a car coming down the long driveway. What do you do?
Dhital-san isn’t finished with his food, but it looks like he’s done eating. “It will be safer for all of us if you do come, Miss Kurosawa. You know how much trouble kids can get into at night. A few more clear heads would not be such a bad idea. If you know anyone else who might be interested, go ahead and invite them.” Before he continues, Paresh pushes up from the table and picks up his crutch and lunch tray. 「I, uh… I have to get my other textbooks from my locker, if you wouldn’t mind helping me with that Ke- Kurosawa-san, I would appreciate it.」
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A moment of bravery overtakes the Sakuras as they kiss Kiyomi on both cheeks. T-thank you N-nee San.
When the driver asks the girls their destinations Sakura looks at him. T-the h-hospital please.
Tenshi calmly steps out of the way of the vehicle, and then presses the buzzer next to the gate.
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Before Tiresias is taken to the car she turns to Kiyomi.
Another friend of ours should get here in a moment, if you can try to get her contact. We really need to build a network soon. You have my number if anything happens.
She then gave Kiyomi a shallow bow and left for the car.
Tiresias stared at the driver while allowing the twins to enter the car before her. There was this uncomfortable feeling on her gut now that she knew the twins were nothing but young children.
We can’t possibly ask her to keep doing something this dangerous. I have to get her to her mother first of all. I’ll talk to Ayatori when I get home.
Tiresias then heard Sakura ask to be lead to the hospital as she sat down next to the twins in the car.
The hospital? Why the hospital? Should she be at the hospital? Is she sick?
She smiled back at the driver, trying to keep her worries away from both the health of Sakura and the creepy driver as she answered.
Yes, the hospital is fine.
She then turned to the closest Sakura and asked softly.
You’re going to meet your mother at the hospital?
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"Oh, r-right," She mumbles as Kusaka declines attending the party with them. She quickly imbibes the rest of the broth to finish her own lunch as she considers Dhital's suggestion. The only people she could really get into contact for such a thing was Tiresias. With the party happening at the mall, however, it was probably a good idea to inform as many of the other train spotters and have at least a few of them monitor the event with her.
As Dhital stands up and asks for her help, she quickly moves to do the same, almost tripping over her seat, but managing to catch herself before falling. 「R-Right, okay, s-sure.」 She responds as she stabilizes and stacks his lunch tray on her own, silently offering to carry them to the drop off point. As soon as she drops them off, she jumps as her phone lets out another alarm of a cheerful pop idol song as she receives a text from Tiresias.
The twins look uncomfortable. Okaasan is sick. She says simply.
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Kiyomi does not externally react to Sakura's kiss and comment, with the exception of turning a vibrant shade of pink. Internally, of course, her mind runs in a dozen different directions at once.
Trying to think of literally anything other than Sakura's soft lips on her skin, Kiyomi turns her attention to Tiresias. "Another? I hope you didn't invite the entire group here, I certainly did not plan for a party, oohohohoh." Her laugh sounds more like a nervous tick than anything genuine. "Now, you three be on your way then! We'll meet again soon, I'm sure."
With the other girls gone, Kiyomi sinks herself onto the sofa in the waiting room, giving herself a moment's reprieve before another of her new companions (or worse, her mother) shows up. She hugs a pillow and whispers to herself, "Nee-san..." All other extraneous thoughts aside, that at least had been genuine and real.
Tenshi: You see the passengers in the car, the twins and the girl with the book, but the driver doesn't seem willing to stop and let you chat as he turns onto the street. Chell may be able to do something about the car with magic, but what and how you can't be sure.
The notification is some kind of rave that Yuki has RSVP'ed to. She's always going to stuff like that, even after she tore her pants jumping the fence out of a party. She'd come dangerously close to getting arrested that night, and she'd showed up on the porch drenched and giggling like a madwoman. It's only on second glance at the event details that you notice it's being held at the mall.
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Tiresias observed the road ahead of them and sighed.
Great going, now you made her... them remember something painful. Maybe I should just leave, after all no one would hurt a child in a hospital, right? I can't, I have to ask if they need help anyway. Should I really tell this driver where I live anyway, maybe I can find a place to turn back in the hospital and then walk all the home. I shouldn't take too long and our familiar said he could know where I was at any time.
Without looking at the Sakuras she spoke again.
Do you know where she is? Do you need any help? Do you want me to take you there?
She twisted her hands on her lap reflexively as she awaited a response.
Sorry for being bad company, it was just really important that I sent the first and the second messages, for very different reasons. We can go get something to eat after this if it works out. My treat."[/b] she offers, as usual, overcompensating for perceived slights.
Chell shrugs not really sure what to make of how Sora is acting but she didn't really have a choice but to trust her so she stayed in her normal position as a silent shadow guided by the pop-star until she rings the buzzer. "Who exactly are we visiting may I ask?"
Tenshi purses her lips as three of the magical girls drive by in the car. They'd definitely come to the right place.
"Honestly.. my boss. Which is scary in and of itself. I'm pretty sure we've come to the right place, though. Given that everyone appears to have been here... and if the twins are leaving here, then this must be where she took them." she seems a little less fidgety than she had a moment before, "I guess that means they made it out mostly intact. Hopefully, we'll get some answers before we leave."
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The Sakuras heads shake in unison. We know the way.
Tiresias gulped audibly.
So I guess she doesn't need my help then... I think. She does seem responsible and she did get to the mall that night alone and got out. She'll be fine. Yeah, she will. Will she?
She smiled nervously again however the expression she did would be closer to an uncomfortable grin than to a smile. She spoke then avoiding eye contact with any of the Sakuras.
Well in that case I won't be bothering you after we get to the hospital. I'll probably walk with you inside if that's okay with you.
Yes, this way I can get the driver away from any of us and maybe I'll find a place to turn back all while keeping a close eye on them for as long as possible! Perfect.
Sakura nods and watches out the window.
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"Ah... I suppose that is tonight, isn't it." Yuki had been dragging Kiyomi along to these sorts of events more and more recently. It was certainly far out of the refined young lady's comfort zone, but she was never going to admit that, so she found herself coming along regardless.
Typically these events were conveniently aligned with when her parents were out of town (not a very impressive feat, since they are almost always out of town), but now knowing that her mother could be coming back at any moment puts Kiyomi in something of a pickle. Her mother would disapprove of her going to a rave of all things, to be sure, and if she cared enough to do so she would certainly find out.
So, logically, the choice would be for Kiyomi to stay home and do nothing. Unfortunately, logic has very little to do with Yuki's decisions and so telling her no could potentially be utterly disastrous; not because she would be upset, but because she would likely sneak into the mansion and try to drag Kiyomi along anyways. If that were to happen under her mother's watch... well, Yuki may not survive the confrontation.
"I suppose I better find something to wear." She says this, of course, knowing that everything in her wardrobe is far too expensive to consider. She decides to put on long pants, at least, the idea of some ecstasy-raddled dudebro getting his hand on her skin utterly revolting.
You’ve never had an opportunity to notice, but now that you have something you need to hide, you notice that the hospital is an excellent place for it. You both get the creeping suspicion that, were you to summon a demon in the center of the lobby, no one would pay much attention. Everyone in the hospital, from the staff to the patients, all have their eyes on the square foot of tile in front of them and making a concentrated effort not to be distracted by other people’s problems. After a quick trip to the restroom, Sakura is back in her own skin.
Once back in the lobby, little Sakura is recognized by one of the nurses and ushered into the inner cloister of the ICU. Tiresias, if she sticks around, is not allowed to follow, and will have to decide if she’s waiting for the driver to catch up.
This scene has a single, off-center camera angle into the hospital room from the hallway. The style of this scene is markedly more subdued and grounded, painted in soft washes of earthy colors rather than the bold cell shading of the rest of the anime. With the contrast between the low light of the interior and the brilliant sunset outside the window, it’s hard to see Sakura’s father pacing up and down the hallway. The angle is too low to see his face, but we can see a small card from a floral arrangement crushed and twisted in his hand.
Inside the room, Sakura’s mother is unconscious in a medical bed with an IV and respirator, surrounded by flowers. The framing of the shot gives the doorway the appearance of a stained-glass window. Where her father has a number of healthy metaphysical threads, ropes, and chains leading to and from his person, Sakura’s mother only has physical tubes and hoses holding her to the bed. A strong rope of emotional connection connects Sakura to her father, but it seems a bit frayed.
The doctor describes the condition of the patient off-screen, in a muffled voice, over a high pitched whine. Sakura doesn’t understand anything the man is trying to say. It’s nothing new. This is the same specialist that her mother has been going to since she was born, and he has always felt the need to try to explain things to the little girl so she wouldn’t feel afraid or confused. When the scene cuts to the doctor, he is standing inside the room, facing away from Sakura’s mother, and looking expectantly to the girl for a reaction. His eyes dart to her father through a window offscreen, but return to her, waiting to see if any of his explanation sank in.
In walking through the hospital, Sakura has seen a number of doctors and nurses with their patients, and most, if not all, have a unique string between them. It’s something like a parent’s love, but not nearly as complex or thick. Having all her strings severed, Sakura’s mother has no such connection to her doctor, to say nothing of the absence of a connection to her husband. Overall, the room is heavy with lost hope and confused indifference.
Without your big sister to hold, you’re feeling the cold, bitter emptiness welling up inside again. It had begun in the car, but now it can’t be ignored. You should be weeping, but there are no tears to shed. Sadness, anger, defiance... you can summon none of these on your own.
Then you see your picture on the TV.
The sound is off, but the ticker across the bottom of the screen reads “real witch? Tweet @NHKlive with your comments and we’ll read them on the air!” No one else in the lobby is paying any attention to the broadcast, but this can’t be the only TV in Obusa tuned on to that channel.
May put herself in an interesting position by moving back to Japan. Something deep and genetic was satisfied when she made her return, but in some ways she is still an American, and still a visitor.
A vertical slash rotates open in one wall and a dark shape explodes into the room from the left, snatching Paresh and dragging him into another opening slash of darkness in the opposite wall. The opening resolves into a circular doorway, and you can see a dim alleyway beyond, where Paresh has been thrown against a large blue dumpster. Standing just on the other side of this doorway is a tall, ominous figure with avian features and a blood-red mask. His armor appears solid, but his body is composed mostly of smoke and black feathers.
As you’re on your way back to the building, you hear the distinct, cacophonous thud of meat against metal. Behind you, a young, fairly attractive west-Asian college student is laying on the ground, reaching for an elbow crutch. You follow his terrified gaze to find yourself standing across from a tall, ominous figure with avian features and a blood-red mask. Their armor appears solid, but their body is composed mostly of smoke and black feathers.
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Sakura walks to her mother taking her hand, the tears running down her cheeks as the momentousness of her mother having no connections settles in her head. She tries to will threads to form from herself to her mother, a tie to this world.
Miyako lets out a shriek of terror as the blur appears from nowhere and drags Paresh through the portal. She turns to stare at the ominous figure, frozen in fear as the supernatural threat gives her an ultimatum. 「R-Return what? I d-don't understand!」 She reaches into her pocket to clutch the can of mace, needing its reassurance. As her eyes dash from the monster to her friend laying against the dumpster, she remembers the message she had just received and takes a deep breath, hoping she can recite the title quickly if things go south.
Tenshi begins to accept the embrace, then as the maid awkwardly stops the movement, Tenshi does the same... equally awkwardly, as she realizes that the new, firm additions to her under-arms and hips would cause some degree of... surprise?
She hadn't expected to see someone come straight to the gate, even if she hadn't expressly seen a speaker. 'bitte langsam bitte langsam bitte sprechen sie doch langsam' plays in her head, with absolutely no punctuation, as the usual fan-girling begins... and ends, and goes into a new form of crazy.
She slowly raises her index finger, 「Ano...」 before looking to Chell, she opted to slip past the woman's barrage of explanations by offering her an answer. Best to take the shovel away from the woman who was trying to dig her way out of a hole. 「I was actually trying to lose weight... it's terribly difficult to meet the studio's needs while drinking the fizzy drinks. I hadn't ever tried cucumber water, it was good, but I prefer lemons or limes, they blanch the palate and make healthy foods taste somewhat sweeter. Speaking of Mistress... I would like to speak with her, please. And I would positively love to try any sort of water you might have. No caffeine, though.」