Renascence: A Homura Quest

Honorifics or Western-style Titles? I've used both before, which is bothersomely inconsistent

  • Japanese Honorifics (-san, -sama, -dono, -chan, -kun, -senpai, etcetera)

    Votes: 12 33.3%
  • Western Titles (Mister, Miss, job titles, Lord, Lady, etcetera)

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Use whichever works better for a given sentence.

    Votes: 24 66.7%

  • Total voters
    36
  • Poll closed .
Studying with Friends/Madoka Acts
There was little question, really. I wasn't going to miss the chance to spend time with Madoka, if it was there. "I'll join you, then. I was going to spend the morning studying anyway."

Sayaka turns to face you, throwing up her hands, "For what?! You're not even in school yet!"

"Medicine. I have a heart condition, remember?"

She goes still and stares for a moment, and you can practically see the gears turning over in her head as she recalls how you met--and, possibly, how that doesn't line up with your apparent experience.

It's unfortunate, but there was no way your secrets would keep forever. Not with the way you've played things this time. Hopefully, it won't end too badly.

For now, though, you leave it at that. Madoka waves you in, but looks at you quizzically, puzzled by Sayaka's sudden silence.

You shake your head, though. Now isn't the time. Not yet. Not when things feel so wonderful.

She nods, looking only faintly dissatisfied, and Madoka leads you to her room. Her father waves from the garden, but doesn't come to confront you for the moment; you don't see Junko.

Just as she reaches for the door knob, though, Madoka stops.

"Oh. Just…wait one moment, if you don't mind? I forgot to clean up! Umm…"

Sayaka sighs, "Again, Madoka? Sure, we'll go grab a drink or something."

Sayaka leads you downstairs, while Madoka gives a tight smile before slipping into her room.

As you make your way back down to the kitchen, Sayaka explains, "Madoka tends to do that. It's nothing bad--she just leaves her things laying around, sometimes. I don't see why it bothers her so much, letting someone see a bit of a mess, but it does."

You can guess why…a little bit, at least. Madoka's told you many things, over the years, but you know she still has some secrets. What she sees in those chairs, when she circles her bed with them, is one of those secrets; the fact that she does that, though, became known to you early on, when you were guarding her house at night. She would always tuck them back away in her closet, if friends came over. She'll pull one or two out if they need somewhere to sit, but she'd never let them see the full set sitting out.

Her parents have seen them, of course, but you don't know if they've ever asked her about them. You haven't been able to, either…those times you could have, you didn't want to tell her how you found out in the first place.

You hope you'll find out, some day, but you aren't certain.

You emerge from your musings to find Sayaka retrieving lemonade from the fridge. You're standing in Madoka's kitchen--a testament to Junko's business success, even considering the luxuries common in Mitakihara.

You accept a glass from Sayaka, briefly recalling the days when you could be as casual a guest with the Kaname's as she is, and take a sip.

It's perfect. When you first had it, you thought it was too sour, but now that seems like madness. You can't imagine better lemonade.

"Sayaka-chan! I hope your slumber party went well?"

Sayaka turns to look at the approaching Tomohisa; her smile has a bit of mischief to it as she responds, "HEY! It wasn't a slumber party! Your daughter just collapsed on my couch, is all!"

He chuckles, ruffling her hair and eliciting a squawk, "I'm sure. You definitely didn't keep her up playing video games until she reached that point, of course."

"Of course not!" Sayaka smiles as she says that, and he smiles back.

He then turns to you, and you begin to feel nervous.

"So, you're a new friend, then? I'm Tomohisa."

You keep your hands at your sides, nodding calmly, "Yes. My name's Homura. Sayaka introduced us; I think your daughter and I will become very good friends. She's…" You pause, trying to find a good word, "Bright."

He regards you for a moment longer than you'd like, "Bright, huh? I…" He nods, "Yeah, she can be. She's not been shining as much as she used to, though. I'm a bit worried, so help Sayaka watch out for my little girl, okay?"

You nod firmly, the weight of an old duty, reaffirmed, settling upon your shoulders, "Always, Mr. Kaname."

He stares at you for another moment, before kneeling to look you in the eye…and smiling, "I think you'll be good for her, Homura-chan."

Your nervousness recedes at little at his words, but you still glance pleadingly at Sayaka--

Who is sitting at the bar, hand clutched over her mouth as she stifles laughter.

You look back to Tomohisa, "I'll do my best."

With that, he ruffles your hair--it falls back into place perfectly, of course--and walks off, waving goodbye as he returns to his garden.

Now that he's gone, you turn your gaze upon Sayaka, who is sipping her lemonade, and glare.

She chokes, coughing violently for a moment, before taking a deep, clear breath, "D-dammit, Homura!" She sputters, "Don't do that! You scared me to--"

You raise an eyebrow, and she stops protesting, "Oh come on! Mr. Kaname's not a half as scary as any of the stuff we've fought lately, much less you." Her tone is teasing, but you choose to take that as a complement, smirking. The irritation that passes over her face has nothing to do with your choice, of course.

You finally get to enjoy your lemonade as Sayaka huffs and turns away, playing at anger, even as she slips a smile your way.

Only a few moments pass in companionable silence before Madoka arrives. She's not out of breath, as you would have expected after moving all of her chairs.

"Alright, room's clean! Sorry about that!" Her smile warms you as the two of you follow her upstairs and take seats--she's already set out two chairs for you.

"Huh...that's a new one, Madoka."

The first chair is Sayaka's--a small one, bright blue, balanced on a central column, rather than legs.

The second is a high-backed chair with purple upholstery on the seat and back. The wooden arms, legs, alongside the wooden portions of the body, are all carved with a gear motif.

"Yeah, I just picked it up yesterday! It just seemed like one I needed."

Sayaka glances from the chair, to you, and back. Her expression…you'd like to call it nervousness, but you can see her fear for what it is. A realization that there is something strange happening. The expression of someone watching the ground vanish beneath them.

You smile gently, but you immediately realize that the expression is a tired one.

She takes a deep breath, and sits down.

Madoka started buying that chair a long time ago. She buys it every loop, and it's always the one she offers you.

You sit down, resting your head against the back. It is soft, supporting you gently, but does not allow you to sink into it; rather, it holds you upright, preventing you from truly relaxing.

You will confess that you love this chair, even if you sometimes would like something more forgiving.

Madoka, carefully commenting on Sayaka's expression, smiles a bit weakly, "So...this is my room. What do you think, Homura-chan?"

You smile warmly, "It's beautiful. Just beautiful." You shouldn't have said that.

She glances around at her room, which is much like any normal girl's, then back at you.

"It's...warm. Alive. That's a beautiful thing, to me."

She looks sad at that, and you feel a bit guilty for misleading her, but you can't exactly tell her the real reason you said that.

"So! Homework! Now!"

With those words, the mood shatters utterly, and relief washes over you.

'Thank God for Sayaka.'

.…

You had originally planned to only study for an hour or two, but present company drives you to linger, as you take out the first book of "Home Biochemistry" and set to work studying it.

It's a strange book. Well written, extremely informative, and very clear on…pretty much everything.

Everything.

It becomes rapidly clear that the title is not just for show--the author goes into extreme detail to describe not only how various conditions alter the body's chemistry and how medicines can be used to counteract these, but also how to synthesize very basic medicines, ranging from herbal remedies to drug cocktails created from over the counter medications.

Doctor Takemi also goes into great detail about the possible consequences of errors, and repeatedly emphasizes that one should read the rest of her series and supplemental resources before trying anything practical.

You learn a tremendous amount from it, as it fills in numerous gaps that had been left by your prior studies. You also get the strong feeling that this book is not something you should mention to anyone that legitimately practices medicine.

As you set the book down, a tremendous pile of notes stacked on the side of Madoka's desk, you find yourself actually looking forward to the next one.

Fieldset:
Gained Trait: Back Alley Amateur - You've studied the works of Takemi Tae, and have found yourself with a unsafe amount of practical knowledge about medicine and biochemistry. +5 to Medical checks involving drug-based medicine, both modern and traditional.

+5 to Medical! Medical = 26! Journeyman Tier Achieved!


It's been well over five hours, you notice…between the actual studying, occasional chats with your friends, and a brief trip downstairs for a snack, you've burned away a large chunk of the day.

You don't find yourself regretting that, though, as you look over to Sayaka, who dozed off a while ago, and Madoka, who is…watching you work, her homework laying finished beside her.

"You seemed to really enjoy it. Are you thinking about becoming a doctor?" She's smiling, but a dead thing. Stiff and forced.

You shake your head, "No…I appreciate what they've done for me, but I've spent too many years in the hospital. Besides, I have other things to deal with. This is more practical; I'm wanting to fix my heart, but healing is complex."

She seems to relax, "I can't imagine. I'm still having a hard time believing, but I'm so, so glad."

You look at her warily. Madoka is…odd, sometimes. Always kind, always compassionate, but sometimes she catches even you off guard.

"You know what we become, Madoka…and you know how dangerous it is. Wouldn't it be better if everything were normal?"

Even as you say that, you realize that she won't agree…that you're not even sure you agree. After all this time, you can still see her, standing over you with her bow, smiling happily.

She shakes her head firmly, "No! Definitely not! If everything was normal, we wouldn't be able to fix anything! It'd just keep being wrong! The heat death would keep coming, your heart wouldn't get better, and I…"

She trails off, and you hurt, because you know. You don't like to think about it, you don't bring it up, but you know.

Madoka takes a deep breath, "…and I wouldn't be able to fix anything. Everything's broken, and with magic…with magic, we can change that. Without it, though…"

A black figure towers over the world, hands outstretched to the heavens, as if begging God to grant her his burden.

She's staring at her hands now, where they rest in her lap, unwilling to look you in the eye.

That's for the best, since you can feel tears on your face.

You wipe them off, and force your body to stop. You need to be strong for her.

'If there were no magic in this world, you would find a way to create it anew.' You think.

"There would still be hope." You say.

She shakes her head, "No, not for me, not for my friends. Maybe someday, they would get things right, but…I wouldn't live to see it. I'd break."

'The world would break before you did.' "You could still make things better."

She finally looks up, smiling weakly, "I--maybe. It didn't look good, though. Mom's tried. So have a lot of people. Things are still broken." Her smile brightens, shining as her eyes meet yours, "Now, though, I know I can change it! Even if I still can't fix everything, I can definitely fix one thing, and other girls can do even more!"

"...and what about the people who just want to be with you, Madoka? Your family? Sayaka?" 'Me?'

Her smile breaks, and she lowers her eyes again, "I…"

She says nothing, unwilling or unable to answer.

"Why are you telling me this, Madoka? We only met yesterday."

She looks up at you, blinking in confusion for a moment, before nodding hesitantly, "We did, didn't we? I…don't know. Somehow, I feel like I've known you forever."

Your heart beats faster as she looks at you, reading something in your expression, "You too, Homura-chan?"

You nod, "...me too, Madoka."

The two of you go quiet, regarding each other. Her gaze questions…


[ ] Tell Madoka you're a time traveler, and that you've met before. You don't have time to tell her any details, with Sayaka asleep in the room.
-[ ] Ask her not to tell anyone else, for now. You know you can trust her to keep your secret.
(Telling Madoka makes Homura nervous. She trusts Madoka not to share the truth without good reason but it will make any manipulation of the girl far more difficult. On the other hand, she will gain an ally in your machinations, within reason, and she doesn't need to share all of the details about Madoka's own significance if she doesn't want to.)

[ ] Don't answer.
(Maintains the status quo. This will be a bit painful for Homura, as usual, but it will limit Madoka's ability to interfere with your work. More problematically, Madoka is now suspicious of your situation, and will likely begin investigating. Homura knows that, while this will sadden Madoka somewhat, it will not risk alienating her--Madoka is Madoka, you see.)

[X] Once you get tired of reading see if youcant check up on Mami and Kyoko.
 
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Technically, this is still an update segment, but...

Well, Madoka said that we were going to have a vote, and she wasn't going to change her mind.
 
Hmmm. I'm leaning toward telling her, but I'd be curious to know what you guys think.
 
[X]Tell Madoka you're a time traveler, and that you've met before. You don't have time to tell her any details, with Sayaka asleep in the room.
-[X] Ask her not to tell anyone else, for now. You know you can trust her to keep your secret.

Honestly we've been told from the start that we can't plah things safe. To take chances, and thematically one of the big details with Homura here is that she needs to trust the others. She can't do this solo.

Kyouko is going to figure it out-, we don't know what's happening with Sayaka, Mami is a wreck that we're betting on Kyouko with. Who we did take a club to her supports. we need someone who is good at stabilizing the others as Homura only works us by sheer experience and even then is a hammer. Ring used for fine surgery work.
 
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[X] Don't answer.
(Maintains the status quo. This will be a bit painful for Homura, as usual, but it will limit Madoka's ability to interfere with your work. More problematically, Madoka is now suspicious of your situation, and will likely begin investigating. Homura knows that, while this will sadden Madoka somewhat, it will not risk alienating her--Madoka is Madoka, you see.)

Maybe someday. Possibly even someday soon, she can know.
Just not yet.
 
[X] Tell Madoka you're a time traveler, and that you've met before. You don't have time to tell her any details, with Sayaka asleep in the room.
-[X] Ask her not to tell anyone else, for now. You know you can trust her to keep your secret.

Have you ever heard the definition of insanity?
 
I'm supposed to put an X in my vote like Spectral, right?

[X] Tell Madoka you're a time traveler, and that you've met before. You don't have time to tell her any details, with Sayaka asleep in the room.
-[X] Ask her not to tell anyone else, for now. You know you can trust her to keep your secret.

Because why not, because feels, because potential, because everything
 
[X]Tell Madoka you're a time traveler, and that you've met before. You don't have time to tell her any details, with Sayaka asleep in the room.
-[X] Ask her not to tell anyone else, for now. You know you can trust her to keep your secret.
 
[X]Tell Madoka you're a time traveler, and that you've met before. You don't have time to tell her any details, with Sayaka asleep in the room.
-[X] Ask her not to tell anyone else, for now. You know you can trust her to keep your secret.

Homura learning about the chair thing is going to be Important, isn't it.
 
In the words of wisdom of the greatest heroes in all known universes

GO BIG OR GO HOME

[X]Tell Madoka you're a time traveler, and that you've met before. You don't have time to tell her any details, with Sayaka asleep in the room.
-[X] Ask her not to tell anyone else, for now. You know you can trust her to keep your secret.

Though I cant shake the feeling of wariness if Sayaka is playing asleep or overhears our confession.
 
Well, we're doing this then.

[X]Tell Madoka you're a time traveler, and that you've met before. You don't have time to tell her any details, with Sayaka asleep in the room.
-[X] Ask her not to tell anyone else, for now. You know you can trust her to keep your secret.
 
[X] Tell Madoka you're a time traveler, and that you've met before. You don't have time to tell her any details, with Sayaka asleep in the room.
-[X] Ask her not to tell anyone else, for now. You know you can trust her to keep your secret.
 
[X] Tell Madoka you're a time traveler, and that you've met before. You don't have time to tell her any details, with Sayaka asleep in the room.
-[X] Ask her not to tell anyone else, for now. You know you can trust her to keep your secret.
 
[X] Tell Madoka you're a time traveler, and that you've met before. You don't have time to tell her any details, with Sayaka asleep in the room.
-[X] Ask her not to tell anyone else, for now. You know you can trust her to keep your secret.
 
[X] Tell Madoka you're a time traveler, and that you've met before. You don't have time to tell her any details, with Sayaka asleep in the room.
-[X] Ask her not to tell anyone else, for now. You know you can trust her to keep your secret.
 
[X] Tell Madoka you're a time traveller, and that you've met before. You don't have time to tell her any details, with Sayaka asleep in the room.
-[X] Ask her not to tell anyone else, for now. You know you can trust her to keep your secret.
 
[X]Tell Madoka you're a time traveler, and that you've met before. You don't have time to tell her any details, with Sayaka asleep in the room.
-[X] Ask her not to tell anyone else, for now. You know you can trust her to keep your secret.
 
Doesn't Sayaka already know? Back here, when she used her EMIYA powers to analyze Homura's history?

Well, she saw something, but stated she couldn't really make sense of the details. My guess is that she rather got general feelings from Homura rather than a detailed anime neatly showing off her story. So basically, she knows she went through - and is still going through - an incredibly painful ordeal, but might not necessary know what this ordeal is.
 
[x] Tell Madoka you're a time traveler, and that you've met before. You don't have time to tell her any details, with Sayaka asleep in the room.
-[x] Activate Akemi Madness.
--[x] Have her wake Sayaka up so you can explain everything at once.
 
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