Horseshoe 19, afternoon

[magicurls]

Hello, everyone!

[ Mami's standing at the ICP in the kitchen, and behind her it's easy to see that she's laid out some items on the counter. ]

The month's more than halfway over, and I realized we haven't taken full advantage of one of our culinary options this month! We have all the ingredients needed to make pizza!

[ Jazz hands. As a lover of all Italian cuisine...the basics are up there too! She then opens her notebook, and holds up a drawing she's done of a basic cheese pizza. ]

The best things about pizza are that it's easy to make, easy to eat, and customizable! We don't have the ingredients for every type of pizza under the sun, but there are lots of options! I've made a toppings bar and laid out some crusts if anyone wants to try it with me, and there's both marinara sauce and white sauce.

[ She holds up some of the toppings she's sliced: ham, bacon, onions, peppers, diced tomato, shrimp, bamboo shoots, various shredded cheeses...and pineapple. ]

I hope to see you! And...there are a few dear friends I'd like to see afterward, too.

Comments

[magicurls]

Perfect!

And then we'll make a special dessert later, all right? If you can find Akemi-san, can you bring her too?

[happyends]

Oh..! Did you and Homura-chan already run into each other?

[ Madoka isn't.. too sure.. how to feel about that.

But. You know. Mami is actually trying to involve Homura in this, so maybe they don't have as much animosity going on anymore? ]

[magicurls]

Mm...yes. It's all right. We...don't have much of a reason to fight anymore.

So she's welcome to join us.

[happyends]

.. oh.

[ Less surprised and more resigned this time. There's a long road between "friends" or even "getting along with" and "having no reason to fight", after all.. ]

But.. it won't give trouble, right? Are you guys friendly? I.. I mean, maybe you've already noticed, but Homura-chan is actually a really good person, you know..

[magicurls]

...I know. She wants the best for you. It's a little awkward for us given the past, but I'm going to try, okay?

[ She smiles thinly. ]

It just might take time.

[happyends]

[ Time, huh. Talk about unintentional puns..

But Madoka gets it. It's not something that's easy to change so suddenly. Mami wanting to try - that's the best she can ask for from the other girl, right? It already feels like more than she could ask. ]

Of course.. Thank you, Mami-san. I'll make sure to ask Homura-chan to please get along with you too.. I think it's important to all stick together as long as we're here.

[magicurls]

I agree. Together, I hope we can fight off the worst of what the train throws at us.

[ Oh! Speaking of... ]

There's something else I wanted to ask you today, but please don't take it too personally! I want you to do whatever you're comfortable with.

[happyends]

.. Something else?

[ The remark about not taking it too personally worries her a little.. Is it something serious? ]

Um, of course you can ask me. Is it okay to ask it like this [ over the ICPs, she means, since so many people could be listening along ] or should I quickly come see you before everyone else shows up..?

[magicurls]

You should come by! I think it's a just-us thing.

Nothing serious! Please don't worry. But I don't want everyone overhearing.

do you want to action it up here?

[happyends]

[ Well, if Mami says it's nothing serious, she'll try not to worry..

But it's a little hard to not worry just a bit all the same. ]

Alright. I'll be right over then.

[ And true to her word, Madoka will show up a few moments later! ]

Sure!

[magicurls]

[ And Mami greets her with a smile, everything all laid out. She starts on kneading dough to keep it casual. ]

Hi! Just dive right in, it's easy I promise.

I just wanted to know...since we met Akemi-san, I've been wondering something.

[happyends]

Wondering?

[ She repeats the word. Mostly curious, but with a tad of concern as she picks up the sauce, studying it just to give herself something to look at while she thinks. ]

Um, about what? I'll answer anything I can...

[magicurls]

Mami looks thoughtful.

"I was wondering...how do you think I should approach Akemi-san? I don't want things to be cold between us anymore."

[happyends]

[ .. Well, that's thankfully less worrying than she thought. It's still a bit of a heavy subject, and there's always a lot to navigate around when it comes to Mami, but it's better than some alternatives.

Besides.. if she can really make things better between the two other girls, then it'd be better for all of them, right? Both Homura and Mami.. they need more friends. ]

Well.. Homura-chan really isn't as cold as she seems. But I don't think it's something she easily gives up.. [ So it may be harder for Mami to see the softer sides underneath. ] I think it's important for her to maybe first get used to the train a little. Realise that she doesn't have to fight all the time now.. Maybe then she'll open up a bit? Or maybe you can help her settle in a little.