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[dereban]

Inaban

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[dereban]

Good. I'm glad you understand.

[ She lets out a little huff, before-- ]

...Hm? Why are you asking me? Do I look like a master of romance? And it's Christmas.

[spacialeyes]

Christmas... [He repeats quietly while forming a reply,] Mm, you do? You're the only person that I know of to ask, actually?

[dereban]

I don't know if I should worry that I'm the only person that you know to ask about this sort of thing.

[spacialeyes]

[He doesn't want to admit to being unsocial. Even now, Yuuto is terrified of vanishing and leaving people behind.]

Well... I don't know how common Christmas is in other worlds. You may be the only one who knows of it.

[dereban]

It honestly depends on the kind of world someone's from. I've seen a pretty mixed bag when it comes to people from other worlds.

. . . well. My biggest warning would be to be careful of mistletoe around strangers.

[spacialeyes]

Oh, do not be concerned. I do not have access to missiles.

[dereban]

[ ... ]

Mistletoe is a type of plant-- what's the stupid scientific term again... The viscum album. Or at least, that's one type, anyway.

[spacialeyes]

Oh.

Is it toxic?

[dereban]

Yes.

But what it's most known for is that around Christmas time, if two people stand under the mistletoe, they have to kiss.

[spacialeyes]

[Yuuto files this away as Fact and nods.]

I see… That sounds very troublesome when encountering a stranger, for sure. Thank goodness you’ve informed me before I made a fool of myself.

[Or got arrested for not kissing someone, he thinks.]

[dereban]

Well, it's not something that's enforced, but given that this world has magic... you never know what might happen. Which is why I am staying at home when I'm not working.

[spacialeyes]

Oh. [...] Where do you work, then? I'll come visit you!

[dereban]

I'm kind of... freelancing at the moment, actually.

[spacialeyes]

Oh, me as well. I've been doing quests and assisting my sister with her atelier. I collect potion ingredients!

[dereban]

Potions, huh. That sort of thing is pretty common in this world, isn't it.

[spacialeyes]

Yes! And they can be used to help anyone, regardless of any abilities that person possesses. There are a number of interesting ingredients that I must forge for.

[dereban]

"Help anyone", huh.

[ Inaba isn't sure about that. Then again, she's so very much anti-potions. Or well, anti-supernatural in general, and potions kind of fit in that category, even if some of it can go in the 'science' category. ]

[spacialeyes]

It's really amazing too! There have been potions that do all sorts of things.

[He beams with pride as he continues,] My dear friend is a doctor and I like to think that we are helping him to help others. Though, I can hardly compare my efforts to his. All I can do is gather ingredients for others to use...

[dereban]

Right.

[ Her answer is rather dismissive, as if she's just saying it automatically. ]

Well, not everyone will like using potions.

[ It's probably just her, though. ]

[spacialeyes]

Do you think so..? Hmm... I wonder what I can do instead to help them?

[They're arriving at the cafe now, with Yuuto slowing his walk and pointing towards the door,] Here it is. What do you think?

[dereban]

Isn't that something you should communicate with them about? But honestly, don't push yourself into helping others all the time...

[ If he hears any worry in her voice, it's just a figment of his imagination, clearly. ]

This isn't too bad. I mean, I'm not really all that picky as long as it's not like dangerous or run down.

[spacialeyes]

Surely, of course. But in the meantime, I can expand my skillset to be of more use to people... No one has much use for me as it is. Tau could hire anyone else to replace me, really...

[He signals to the server that they want a table for two and puzzles over his skills until they sit. Maybe a bit longer too.]

What about you? If you didn't want potions or a medicine, what kind of help would you accept?

[dereban]

Well, learning new things is never a bad thing. Plus, it might become a new hobby. But if she's your sister, if she did end up hiring other people, I doubt it'd be to replace you. Potion ingredients are something that are needed en masse, and you're just one person. You can't just be in every segment all at once, you know?

[ ... ]

Me? I don't need any help, generally speaking.

[spacialeyes]

Is that how it works..? I do agree that we can’t get everything. Some of the recently discovered ingredients are ones that I need to purchase from someone else…

And I suppose… that is a good thing, right? You stay safe, then?

cw............nsfw connotations lmao

[dereban]

You're talking about the sex vials, aren't you.

[ INABA???????? do you have to be so blatant about it?? ]

I don't take on too many dangerous missions unless it's absolutely necessary.

[ She does look at her hand for a moment, though, thoughtful. ]