And so you arrived back home, had a leisurely supper, did your home work and went to bed. The next day it was raining pretty hard.

"Ugggh rain" Eliza complained as she got ready for school "This is going to suck, hopefully the trolley is on time"

You can see the trolly slowly coming as lightning lit up the sky, followed by a massive crap of thunder.

Eliza grumbled to herself as she glanced up at the dark sky, dashing for the trolly as it approached the stop, and sighed with relief as got inside.

"Hi!" Mary said.

"Hey, how are you?" Eliza said brightening a bit at a friendly face.

"I'm okay, it's really coming down today, huh?" Mary asked.

"Yeah it is" Eliza agreed "I was glad the Trolly was on time, really hope the alarm doesn't go off today... That would suck wouldn't it?"

"Yeah, it'd be hard looking like an awesome magical girl in the rain. My ribbon'd be drooping!" Mary said.

"Yeah that's true as well" Eliza said laughing "I'm a bit luckier, a quite bit of mine is metal... Although the lightning might be a concern" she added glancing up.

"I've never heard  of it happening," Mary said.

"I'm in no hurry to be the first then" Eliza replied "How'd you do yesterday? That alarm was a bit of surprise. Ruined a nice day out"

"I was doing homework," Mary said.

"Ah, yeah homework.." she replied guiltily "Totally didn't forget mine"

"Well, I guess you could copy mine," Mary said, digging through her backpack and handing it over.

"Really, thanks I owe you" Eliza said scribbling notes quickly "I usually remember, but was distracted.." she added "These are really good"

"Ah, thanks," Mary said, looking a bit embarrassed.

Eliza nods as she finishes copying the homework "Just don't let Candice know okay?"

'Why?" Mary asked.

"She'll get annoyed I forgot homework again.. Not that I make a habit of it" Eliza explained hurriedly "I just forget sometimes"

"Okay, I won't," Mary said.

"Cool" Eliza replied glancing around quickly.

Candice insisted on walking you to the door.

"Thanks, you didn't have to walk me all the way home you know" Eliza said "But thanks anyway, do you want to come in? I can probably fix up something to say thanks"

"Sure, if it's not too much trouble," Candice said.

"No trouble" Eliza said as she opened the door "Come in"

Candice did so,

"It's been a while since I've been in here,"

Eliza led her through to the kitchen "It's been pretty hectic hadn't it? With school and the whole magic girl thing" she said as brought out two glasses and a bottle of soda.

"Yeah, it's been crazy," Candice said.

Eliza poured the drinks and sat down "So guess we're going to have to talk to the press soon" she said "Heroic newbies stop Dark Magic Girl" she added with a distant look "Sort of story that makes headlines"

"Yeah, not how I wanted to do it," Candice said and sighed.

"You going to be Okay?" Eliza asked her worriedly.

"Hey, I'll be fine, I'm more worried about you!" Candice said.

Eliza waved the comment away "I'll be fine. I just need time to process it all" she said and closed her eyes for a moment "It's the first time I ever saw someone die in front of me" she explained bringing her knees up to her chest and hugging them.

When she opened her eyes again Candice could see tears in the corners "I fell guilty I know its stupid, but still.."

"It was my first time too, though I wasn't there for most of it...," Candice said.

"Sorry" Eliza said "Would.. Would you mind staying till dad gets home? I don't wanna be alone. We can call your folks to pick you up. Then you don't have to walk home alone either"

"Don't worry, I'll stay," Candice said.

"Thanks" Eliza replied "Do you think it gets easier?" she asked eventually "Dealing with Dark Magic Girls I mean? Some of the older girls must of fought a few"

"I think they never experienced anything like we did," Candice said.

"Guess we'd both better see about talking to the counsellers" Eliza said and managed a faint smile "Guess you were right about today being the day, maybe not for pinball. But everyone is going to know our names soon enough"

"Yeah," Candice said with a sigh. "Sorry."

Eliza got up and hugged Candice "You've got nothing to be sorry for" she said "Life throws things at us, we just gotta deal with it as best we can"

"Sorry...I mean, I'll stop," Candice said.

"Better..." Eliza said managing to keep the wan smile "Have I said thanks for stopping me earlier, I'm glad you're my partner. You keep me from doing anything too dumb" she managed a laugh "and I keep you from being too serious"

"Do you really?" Candice said, before sticking out her tongue and laughing.

Eliza laughed at Candice's response and then moved over to cupboards and dug out a variety of unhealthy looking snack food "Delicious snack food check, best friend check.." she gestured towards the lounge "Sofa check, guess we just need a corny movie"

"How corny are we talking about?" Candice asked as she moved to the couch.

"Pretty Corny I reckon" Eliza said "Enough we can forget everything for 90 minutes or so"

"Sounds good," Candice said, opening the bag of chips.

Eliza pulled the remote out and looked for a movie choosing a suitably Corny looking b-movie.

And so, It Came From Beneath the City started playing a cheesy early monster movie.

Eliza watched fascinated as she ate some chips, the movie was old and cheesy but fun to watch.

"No, don't go that way" she said as the protagonists took a wrong turn.

"They always do," Candice said as she took a sip of her pop.

Eliza nods "Yeah, it's tradition I guess" she said between mouthfuls of chips.

"If they did the smart thing, there'd be no movie," Candice said.

Eliza nods and makes a grab for the soda "Guess that's true, but making jokes about that stuff is part of the fun of watching these old movies right?"

"True, you have much wisdom," Candice said.

Eliza shook her fist in mock anger "I warn you I have good aim with this.." she dug among the snacks for a moment "Popcorn"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 19:06, Mon 07 Sept 2020.

"I surrender," Candice said,

Eliza laughed "I win" she looked thoughtful "I suppose I should ransom you know" she said with a laugh.

"You won't get much," Candice said.

Eliza nodded in understanding "Guess that means I get to keep you then" she said jokingly.

"Fate is cruel," Candice said.

Eliza sniffed "I promise to be a fair mistress" she said all the bleakness that had consumed her earlier gone for a while, as the warmth of friendship replaced it.

Soon enough, the movie had ended and Candice had to head home. After she left, your father came home and the two of you ate a late supper, you did your home work and it was time for bed.
******************************
You were awakened by the smell of eggs and sausages cooking.

Eliza quickly washed and dressed and headed to the kitchen "That smells really good" she said as she sat down.

"Fresh eggs'll do that," your Dad said as he served you a nice plate.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:27, Tue 08 Sept 2020.

"Thanks" She said as she dug in "How was work yesterday?" she asked carefully.

"It was exhausting," your dad said. "I went to bed soon after you did."

"That sounds rough" Eliza replied "Guess you were too busy to see much of the news yesterday?"

"No, why?" your dad asked.

Eliza fidgited and looked down at her plate "No real reason" she said "Just saw a Dark Magic Girl had attacked some people"

"That's not good. I always worry about you when I hear about that. They're really powerful," your dad said.

"Yeah, but it's okay. Some Magic Girls stopped her from hurting anyone" Eliza still not looking at her father "The Dark Magic Girl though, she died..."

"It's for the best. There's not a way to save them. I remember when the former dark ones were freed...most of the older ones feel into comas and never woke up again," your dad said.

Eliza looked up in surprise "But they are still people, they still deserve something better than just dying" she stood up abruptly "When it happens in front.." she stopped and looked at him "I refuse to believe there is no way to save them. I'm not going to let it happen again"

"I'm glad you feel that so strongly about it, but the best doctor's haven't been able to do anything," your dad said.

"I know dad..Its just.. " Eliza said clutching her fists "I.. Didn't tell you yesterday. . But the girls who stopped the Dark Magic Girl.." she looked away "It was me and Candice.. We just happened to be there.. And we couldn't let her hurt people.. "

Your dad pulled you into a hug.

"It must have been difficult for you."

Eliza hugged him back "It was, but I'm dealing with it, really. Just don't be surprised if we're in the news later. We avoided them yesterday but that won't last"

"Hey, that means I can brag about you at work," your dad said.

Eliza managed a slight laugh at her dad's comment "I guess you will" she pulled away from the hug "I'd better get going to school, ill tell you about it after"

"Are you sure? I'd be willing to let you have the day off," your dad said.

"I'm sure" Eliza reassured him "I'd rather be at school than on my own. Too much time to think, besides I want to check on Candice and make sure she's okay"

"Okay," your dad said before slipping you some money. "How about you and here buy yourselves some fast food for supper?"

Eliza smiled broadly "Thanks Dad" she said hugging him again "Gotta run or I'll be late, love you" she added as she grab her things and headed for school.

You awaken to the sound and smell of bacon cooking.

Eliza quickly gets up, washed and dressed and heads down stairs "Morning Dad" she said as she walked into the kitchen.

"Morning," your dad said as he put a plate of scrambled eggs and turkey bacon down in front of you.

Eliza smiled as she began to eat "That tastes great" she said.

"Good. How are things going?" your dad asked.

"Things are good" Eliza said casually "Managed to have a nice evening out with Candice and relax"

"That's good," your dad said. "I'm glad to hear things are going well."

Eliza nods "Yeah, it is" she said "Although I wouldn't mind if things were a bit less eventful for a little while" she added with a small laugh.

"Not much we can do about that," your dad said. "Except maybe prayer."

Eliza nods "Yeah, guess that's so" she said as she got ready for school. She gives her dad a hug and adds "Remember to pick up a paper, you'll want to keep a copy of the interview to embarrass me with when I'm older" she grinned and headed for the trolly.

"i'm planning to," your dad said.

Eliza grinned cheerfully and left her house and boarded the trolley for school.