"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"