Crick Crack (Natasha/Anis)

"But what if improvement comes at the cost of satisfaction? Which do you chose when it is a choice between the two?" Anis would state. Not really a question, she was just staring at her plate and pondering the ramifications of the universe and the ever-present quest to be satisfied while also in a position that lets you stay satisfied.

She'd then perk back up and give Natasha a smile at her comment.

"That is why I am anxious to buy anything" she exclaimed, her chirpy tone and confidentially stated words rather at odds with the subject matter.

"I reckon you probably choose what makes ya happiest. Some like livin' their lives at a hundred miles per hour, others like to sail smoothly through life, without a care in the world. Again, I don't think there is no wrong or right way to go about it."

Natasha would flash a warm smile as she shook her head, reassuring the woman with a smile as she leaned against her chair, quietly flipping through her phone. In the meantime, she'd gesture to the menu. A full belly equals happiness. If she's still hungry, Natasha hardly minded ordering something more worthwhile than a salad.

"So, now that yer in the Vandenreich, Ani... got any long-term goals In mind?"

Well, that didn't help. Satisfaction was satisfying. But what happened when improvement became too much of a chore, and you stopped getting satisfaction from it? Would you continue to grind through and hope to reignite the spark, or would you change your entire life to accommodate the fact that you aren't getting the same kick out of it anymore?

If she was more socially aware, she might take the flicking through Nat's phone to be rather dismissive. But she was not, so she just breezed through it with the same obliviousness she had in the rest of her life. Which also means she completely missed the clues about Nat allowing her to order more.

"I've been in the Vandenreich for a while now. But the goal, now we are recovered, is to do Quincy Stuff! It's going to be great, probably! I can finally start working on being a Quincy!"

"Good answer. I like it."

Natasha would spin her phone around and toss it in Anis's hands. In reality, part of why she browsed through her phone was to compartmentalize her contacts. She wasn't sure the bubbly lass would follow through, but if she did, she hardly minded assisting her in her training. Sure, she was certainly an odd cookie, but she was energetic and optimistic about improvement.

That sort of spirit was commendable. Since Anis remained oblivious about ordering something, she simply did it for her. It wasn't lunch, though. She preferred dessert now, and so that's what was brought out. A piece of chocolate cake and ice cream for both of them. Digging into her own, she'd slowly ponder her next words.

"From what I saw, it seemed like you had a fancy for Blut. Is that the only skill you're accustomed to?"

Ohh, dessert! She hadn't had something sweet like this in a while! She wasn't sure why the older woman was throwing her phone at Anis, but she assumed it would be explained later. Probably. Or maybe it wouldn't, people were like that after all.

So, with vigor, Anis would take a large bite out of the ice cream and swallow it with frumptuous contafibulations!

"Blut is the only one that switches on" Anis would explain. "It used to be that once I turned it on, it didn't turn off until I passed out from exhaustion. But it's better now, we can drag it into obedience after a while. The others require a lot more focus, and a lot more work. Even with my Konrei Gloves, the energy is hard to get hold of and make it behave. So work is going slow"

"Your number sweetheart. I'm offerin' to keep in contact."

Natasha couldn't help but chuckle with exasperation. Anis was certainly something. Each interaction only confirmed that she wasn't exactly there in the head, and while she didn't particularly mind that, it made for awkward interactions so far. Even so, that was plenty fine by her. She was a patient woman, after all. In the meantime, she busied herself with listening to the woman's explanation regarding her ability.

"A blut that couldn't turn off? Christ, that must've sounded like torture. Must've been hell tryin' to get somethin' like that to work. Good to know it's improvin', though. And what about that cool little cannon trick? What was that all about?"

"It was! I also developed a modified Ransōtengai that kept my skeleton from disintegrating from the constant fractures and breaks that never got to heal properly"

Anis would then dutifully put in her number into Nashida's phone after that. It was one thing to hear that a hysterical breakdown could change a person and make certain emotions impossible to feel, but it was another thing entirely to see it in action.

"The cannon thing is my Spiritual Weapon. Gathering Reishi into an actual form that doesn't explode is difficult because you gotta fight against the storm every second. The Konrei gloves help, but I'm still working on being able to maintain cohesion"

"Huh, no wonder you couldn't summon enough juice for another shot."

Natasha nodded in understanding as she listened to the woman explain the mechanics behind her spirit weapon. That she so could easily admit she endured a form of hellish torture left her with momentary pause, but she played it off relatively well. Much of what she heard wasn't particularly the easiest to digest, but then, there was something commendable about a dedicated attempt to adapt herself and learn on the fly. Perhaps all she needed moving forward was a push in the right direction and guidance from a mature soul. Fortunately, for Anis, Natasha felt well-equipped for the job.

"Lucky we crossed paths, then, huh, sweetheart? Controlling and manipulating reishi is one of my strong suits."

"I have all the juice. It's keeping it in the cup that I struggle with" Anis would reply, finishing up what she had been given like a good girl and resisting the urge to lick the inside of the glass like a greebo.

She'd then look up at Natasha, and cock her head softly.

"Isn't...Controlling and manipulating reishi the strong suit of every proper Quincy?" Anis would ask. The idea that some Quincy can't do spiritual power as well was more comforting.

"Sure is, but not every Quincy comes out startin' proper. In fact, I've met a few who struggle with controlling and maintaining their reiryoku. In fact, I'd even argue that it's somethin' of an art form you can't just take lightly, but that's just me."

Natasha would chortle softly as she observed the woman enjoying her ice cream until she wiped the cup clean. Placing her hands forward, she'd allow reishi to form into a ball, freely manipulating its shape as she allowed it to hover in the air before drawing it back again.

"Some struggle with maintaining their spirit weapon form, others hardly know how to launch an attack that can do much damage. I can't say I know yer exact issue, but... if there's a way I can help, I'm willin' to lend my best hand."