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"Maybe it shouldn't be, but ... it is," Erika said, shrugging. "I try not to think too hard about it." she offered Trinna a sympathetic expression, accompanied by a half-smile. "I mean... talking cats and monsters that turn into dust when you kick their butt... It does sound like it belongs on one of those, doesn't it?" She asked, waving a hand at a stack of DVDs.

"What I do know is that this fight is older than us. A lot older. And involved a lot more places than this little city - than this planet."

She paused and burst into a giggle, burying her face in her hands. "Oh man, I can not do this; I'm no wise instructor and trying to sound like one just... I sound silly."

"Well, some cats are more helpful than others," Erika said, blushing a little. "Did you catch the name of the one who awakened you?" She didn't think it was Tomlin - Tomlin would have known better than to leave a newly-awakened senshi so confused about absolutely everything.

He wouldn't have left one like that all alone, either.

"And I guess it kind of is? Except the bad guys in this situation are attacking humans pretty directly - those monster and the people leading them? They drain energy. They're not the only people to watch out for, but they're the worst."

She paused, and swallowed. "And... before I tell you anything else, before you get involved any further, you need to know this. They'll try to kill you. People have died. Every time you power up, every time you go out? You're risking your life. And it's okay not to want to - I know I didn't for a long time - I'm still not sure it's something I can bear doing... but you need to know that it is a real possibility."

"Pretty sure you can't get killed more than once," the brunette said, another giggle escaping her. Why did she keep laughing? There was nothing funny about this situation, and all she really wanted to do was to find somewhere to curl up and hide, away from all of the things that were frightening and dangerous and unfamiliar --- but.

But this girl - Trinna - needed help, and if there was nobody else to give it then it fell to Erika. And besides, she was being so nice to her, and nice was something Erika missed. Being treated kindly, feeling welcomed... she still wasn't entirely sure those offerings were sincere, but she was also beginning to realize that the only way she could ever test that sincerity was to accept it. And if it was as it seemed? Then the payoff was definitely worth it.

"Working together sounds good," she said, and took Ferris' hand in her own. "I know some people you'll want to meet eventually, but for now... for now, why don't we, um, watch one of your DVDs, and you can tell me about what happened at the charity ball? I wasn't there, but I know it was... kind of a mess."

To put it mildly.

"If you really want to repay me," Erika started to say softly, thinking it over - after all, she knew how it felt to be in debt, to want to make things even and right and not owe anything to anyone, "Then, um...."

She paused and glanced around the room until her eyes settled on Trinna's hair. Trinna's bright, multicolored hair.

"...You could... help me color my hair? I've never done it before, but I'd like to try sometime?"

Offer now on the table, she looked over the DVDs and grabbed one - Jem-something-or-other - and handed it to Trinna.

"Here. Pink and sparkly to counter the effects of ******** discussion."

Erika blinked, and smiled a little. "...Well," she said slowly, and lifted one space-shoe clad foot slightly. "I like space...? Can you work with that?"

Glancing at the T.V., she nodded and grinned more sincerely. "...You have no idea what you've just asked," Erika said, another timid giggle escaping her. "I have a small library's worth of books, and they're all good."

Some in very different way than others, but they were all very good.

"Well... as long as it's on a weekend," Erika conceded, though she wasn't going to put up much of a fight anyway. "I don't really want to push the dress code at St. Mag's."

But once her graduation was secured? Oh, then she'd have some fun.

"Listen to... what?"

"That'll work - I can teach you more of what I know, and we can do that while I talk so you're not all.... bored." Plus it would let her calm down a little more and get more used to being around this girl.

Erika knew her own limitations and it was going to take time to open up, especially with someone she had only just met.

At least Trinna seemed to be the open, friendly sort - she wasn't particularly intimidating, no more so than a My Little Pony would be.

"N-no. Only CDs - those are really cheap nowadays; you can find some good things in bargain bins and thrift stores."

"I'd.... need something to play them on, though?" Erika said, then turned to look at the DVD. Wow, that intro sure was... 80s.

"...And before we get too sidetracked, I think we really do need to discuss the ball. If you could describe some of the people you saw I might be able to get an idea of who was there and what happened..."