-- 玲

He can’t promise he’ll play nice if anyone threatens her, though.

"Well. We’ll have to start thinking about money—"

"…Wait. How did you buy that takoyaki in the first place?"

…Is he missing something? Wouldn’t be the first time.

{ Tock. }

"Huh?" Rei looks at Zen in confusion with the last of the takoyaki in her mouth. Usually she didn't have money on her, especially when they were at Yasogami. Most of the time, the vendors didn't mind she got food from the booths without paying, well, mainly because they didn't pay attention to her in the first place. She was so used that that kind of treatment that she didn't think twice about taking the food from the vendor.

Zen stands mostly immobile as Rei gives him a great big hug, closing his eyes and sighing with relief. She seems to be okay, and she’s cramming food into her mouth like usual, which furthers emphasizes that her physical state is sound.

That grin implies the same for her mental state as well. Sound. That’s good.

He brings her closer with one arm and allows her to embrace him for a while longer.

"Of course I found you." Was there ever any doubt on that matter? Zen scans the crowds over Rei’s shoulder, his stance turning tenser by the moment. It’s just his protective nature speaking, maybe, but the city is doing nothing but stimulating this part of him into overdrive. Regardless, he answers her question.

"It’s a city, Rei. I’m certain there’s plenty of food around." He lets go now and offers her a small smile, before assuming his usual stoic stare. "This place…How much do you understand of the current situation?"

He folds his arms, watching her with apparent impassiveness. 

The city bustles with more noise and activity than he can nearly stand. It’s not as if he hasn’t been in a city before, it’s not as if he hates it, it’s just the fact that his patience and temper have both fled him in light of a single event.

He doesn’t know where Rei is.

This alarming fact, compounded with the entire situation, honestly puts him in a tailspin. Zen shakes his head to clear it, but his expression fails to relax—along with his heartbeat—until he skulks through the crowds and finds the one person he’s been searching for…by a food stand. Of course. His instincts regarding her are still on point, at least. 

"Rei," he says simply, the sound a sigh of relief as he stands by her side. "Are you all right?"

Hopefully the shock of his sudden appearance doesn’t cause her to choke on her food. It wouldn’t be the first time.

Slowly, Rei began to take small steps and began to swiftly walk through the streets. She ignores everyone around her as she pushes on, searching for the her companion. It wasn't until something familiar had caught her eye that put a halt on her progress. She looks over at the takoyaki stand set up a few feet away from where she stood and in the next moment, she runs towards it. Any evidence of doom and gloom that once plagued her disperses when she starts to place her order.

"Ah! What kinds do you have? Do you have any Ponzu or Goma-dare Taokoyaki? What about Vinegared Dashi?" The moment the vendor hands her the food, Rei grabs them and doesn't hesitate to start chowing down. "Mmm! Delicious!" She continues to eat until she hears a voice speak from behind her. "Eek!" She jumps back and her takoyaki fly off the plate, but manage to fall back inside perfectly.