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[It's not too unusual these days for Mikado to find himself cornered by someone who doesn't like him in the church. Finding himself caught alone by five people though... It's not like he can even take on one. Though his magic ability is advancing extremely rapidly--far above average, though he finds himself often frustrated with the perception of his own slowness--it doesn't help much when one man has his arms caught behind him and the other three are taking turns hitting him.]

[The last man is just watching. Somehow that is far more humiliating than helplessly taking the beating. To be watched like he's not even worth the time to hit...]

[His fists clench, and above the pain is a sudden, unusual surge of anger and disgust. These people are boring, he could take the beating and not care, absolutely. His apathy to the situation is a side-effect of the resurrection ritual, and while he knows that now, the apathy assists in his lack of concern over it.]

[But for whatever reason, being simply watched like he's not worth the time hits a deep note of pride and anger, enough to overcome the cold detachment to his predicament and fill him with an emotion he can only describe as black and ugly. And for the first time the thought consciously crosses his mind that he wants to hurt them.]

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I hadn't thought of using magic to do this. But... Now that you've said it. I think... [He pauses, thinking.] Modifying it would be a little tricky, but I could probably even simulate something close to what we had back home. To the point where we could use these for real with a lot of people.

These two are pretty limited though.

[He looks at the phone in his hand. The only 'number' is Erika, and he's pretty sure, with the magic he used, he couldn't really network to anyone else, even if he created more. But all he has to do is make a more complex form of the spell, something that allows for an unlimited number of new 'numbers' to be added. It's like programming, he just has to use the language to create what he wants.]

For now, this'll work for just us though.

[She smiles as she watches him think. It truly is impressive. What can she say? Since that dream, Erika has enjoyed catching moments in his eyes as he works out a solution. There is nothing sweeter than thinking.

And she really is happy about the phone, turning it over and playing with it.]

...I never did tell you, did I? [She holds up the cell phone.] My theory back then would have been broken by a very simple premise. Even if the Dollars website went down, it wouldn't leave the people who gathered there. If this phone is destroyed, the connection won't be broken. It can always be repaired. A place that only existed because of the people there can exist again and again. You see?

[He stops in his tracks, thoughts completely sidetracked. More complex? No, what he needs is a simpler form of the spell with a provision for endless revisions. That itself will be a bit hard to figure out, but it should be at it's core very basic and simple, that way building on it will be easiest.]

[Like coding, make it elegant and basic.]

[Erika's words bring him back to the present and he blinks, trying to switch tracks from how to make the magic internet to why he was killed in a dream.]

...That's actually a really beautiful solution.

[The way she says it is sweet.]

Isn't it? Your goal should always be an elegant solution worthy of being written in the stars. That is the sort of story you should create. It goes for this current issue as well. That illusion was, in truth, nearly flawless. So apply the idea here and perfect it.

What is beautiful about the constellations? They can be changed and drawn differently but they'll be there far longer than any of us. I may put it as a story that will last but you can change that thought and make your magic something lasting, elegant and flexible like a constellation.

[She really can be poetic sometimes.]

[She does talk poetically. He can appreciate it in a distant way.]

I'll keep that in mind, Erika-chan.

[Sincere. He stops again, placing a hand on her head, fond and gentle.]

I'll try to apply that principle to this. I think I can work out a way to duplicate the effect, if not the technology. For now, we can use these. [He holds his cell phone thoughtfully.] They'll only work more like a two-way than any real communication network, as the are now, though.

[Erika stops as well and smiles, just appreciating the gentle touch and sincere gratitude. Mikado is on par with Will when it comes to handling her and probably even better at keeping her calm. She craves earning these little moments.]

There isn't any harm in testing them for now. [She's still holding her cell phone in both hands, lightly pressed to her chest.] To get a network up and running so fast would be an impractical expectation. It would be best to perfect these first and test a small network. ...And it will be nice to be able to talk with you at any time.

[That last part is a little unrelated. But she really is happy about it.]

You're right. Working it out first and then expanding it is the best way.

[He nods.] That should last as long as you want it. Just break it if you don't need it any more.

[A glance back, the way they came, and he lets his hand fall.] You can call me whenever you like. It's... Probably a politer way of contacting you than yanking you from nowhere, as well. I should probably get back.

[They never found anything for his bruises, but to be truthful he was mainly just trying to escort her to the exit.]

[She isn't really surprised. She recognised the way they were going. And if she's being dismissed, then she's dismissed. If she wanted to disobey - not that he's really given an implicit order - she could but really, Erika doesn't see a reason for it.]

I cannot foresee a reason to ever break it. [Maybe a little sentimental of her but she'd like to keep this as a memento, even if he creates a better one. And she leans in and kisses his cheek.] You should summon me whenever you need me. But if it's just for a chat, I think I'll enjoy this method.

[She shakes the cell phone with a grin.]

Have your bruises looked at anyway. Do well with your work, Mikado. [Erika dips into a curtsey, still holding the phone, and smiles at him again before turning to leave. It's worth noting she keeps playing with the phone even as she walks, quite happy about it.]

Thanks for giving me the idea.

[It's dismissal, but not because he dislikes her company. And what he does next he can't really explain, it's not adrenaline from the fight earlier, and it's not really planned. It's an impulsive whim that he couldn't really place. Maybe she just looks really cute like that? In any event, he catches her arm and pulls her back, kissing her cheek lightly.]

[As soon as he does, he blushes a bit, flustered, and lets her go, backing up a step.]

Um... Don't get in trouble or anything.

[And now he is going to flee because what was that anyway. He might have meant to see what her expression was if he did that, a cute whim, but it ended up back firing and making him blush instead.]

[It definitely caught her off guard, just childishly playing with her phone. And it is very much too bad he misses the stunned expression that follows. That was different than their kiss before when she'd just been teasing. Mikado did it because...he felt like it.

And aside from a blush, it causes Erika to smile in an almost unrecognisable way. Almost a ghost of someone else who died a long way from here. It isn't exactly the same by a long shot and never would be again but it's close enough.]

...You too, Mikado. Thank you. [Too late and too quiet for him to hear. But that's all right with her.]