...tiring, yes, of course. So there is a limit.

Well, before he gets too tired he tries—poking the vaguely parallel thing.

It can't do anything while his transformation is active.

And if he detransforms?

He could transform, or, if circumstances were different, he could do the other thing.

...can he make it happen now if he tries...?

If he tries he can transform.

No he doesn't want to transform he wants to do the other thing—

No, see, the transformation he is doing is what happens under this circumstance, and the other thing is what happens under this other circumstance. He can't go straight from this circumstance to other thing, he needs other circumstance first.

Is there something other than transforming magical girls can do while untransformed? he asks.

"Not really. Also, it's been hours, you should eat."

"...right. Food. I should eat."

"That is in fact how bodies typically work."

"Ugh," he says, eloquently enough. "Bodies."

"Oh, I dunno," she says, looking his up and down. "They have their advantages."

...he's usually the one who says these things.

He might want to marry this girl.

Yes, I suppose they do, he sends, neutrally. Though I'm having a hard time thinking what they could be.

"I'm sure you'll figure it out. I made cheesecake. Cheesecake will be a very elucidating experience on the value of food and bodies and such."

...I am very curious about this 'cheesecake' thing of which you speak.

Food?

Food! There are tasty spinach and mushroom sandwiches, and cheesecake for dessert. It is good cheesecake.

!!!!!!

"Told you so."

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How is this made oh my gods -

"Cream cheese, sugar, eggs and flavoring."

Sugar must come along much more cheaply here.

"Yeah, probably."

Oh, anyway, I found a new thing in the magic that apparently only works if you're not transformed and activates instead of transforming under some circumstances, no idea which.