“Human Resources” Shouldn’t Be This Literal: A PMMM/ProjectMoon Quest
- Thread starter Lepidoptera
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- library of ruina lobotomy corporation project moon puella magi madoka magica eldritch horror magical girl crossover eldritch protagonist female protagonist fluffy gore non-human protagonist suffering violence discussion is always good civ good decisions identity crises nuclear moth detected parenting powers activate
Lepidoptera
Mother of Monsters, Unverified Impuritas Civitatis
- Location
- Indeterminate Unknown
Voting closes in ~1 hour, be sure to get your votes in before then.
Our very own Records meltdown. I can't wait for the inevitable 12-hour voting period, that sounds so fun.
[X] Ask Minou what's going on between her and her sisters
Lepidoptera
Mother of Monsters, Unverified Impuritas Civitatis
- Location
- Indeterminate Unknown
I think I might leave this one for another ~12 hours. No need to rush, and I can multitask. Not that the result seems all that in doubt.
Lepidoptera
Mother of Monsters, Unverified Impuritas Civitatis
- Location
- Indeterminate Unknown
So good news everybody: I'm sick!
…wait, that's bad news.
So yeah, the next chapter will be delayed for a while until I get better. I'll leave the vote open until then.
…wait, that's bad news.
So yeah, the next chapter will be delayed for a while until I get better. I'll leave the vote open until then.
Take care of yourself, hope you get better easily.
We'll wait patiently, don't worry.
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Well, I've just read through all of this in far too short a period of time. I must admit I'm mostly here for the Project Moon half of the crossover, but it's certainly been interesting learning more about PMMM as I read.
Also as I don't think anyone else has pointed this out, Schadenfreude's observation level increased after revealing the truth behind witches. Cruelty, I expect if anyone's keeping track of those.
Also as I don't think anyone else has pointed this out, Schadenfreude's observation level increased after revealing the truth behind witches. Cruelty, I expect if anyone's keeping track of those.
Lepidoptera
Mother of Monsters, Unverified Impuritas Civitatis
- Location
- Indeterminate Unknown
I'm still sick, but I feel bad not getting the next chapter out. It'll be done tomorrow, I believe.
2.4.14 - Long Live The Queen
Lepidoptera
Mother of Monsters, Unverified Impuritas Civitatis
- Location
- Indeterminate Unknown
Chapter 137 - Long Live The Queen
The room of the mysterious Isabeau de Bavière is far gloomier than you had expected. While the halls and rooms outside were lit by some strange glow emanating from the crystalline walls, this room is dark. The only source of light a pair of candles sat on dressers either side of the large bed occupying the center of the room. Semitransparent curtains are hung around the edges of the bed, giving an obscured view of the intricate carving and expensive-looking bedding.
The woman sitting up in the bed isn't what you expected. There is, without a doubt, an air of regality to her. Even with her lying in bed, wearing a thick gold-colored coat over a dull gold dress with a plain white bodice that matches the color and pattern of the sheets, and staring through the curtains with eyes underlined by heavy bags. Her straight blonde hair looks as though it's normally well-kept, reaching down just below her shoulders, but currently seems as though she's just woken up. She's rather small as well, a good deal shorter than you even if she were standing. It's not an appearance that one would expect to find intimidating, but the woman's bearing more than makes up for it. The absolute confidence in her half-lidded eyes is undeniable. There is no hesitation or fear in her gaze, no embarrassment at her disorganized state. You might consider the idea that she just doesn't know, were it not for the way her gaze carefully slides across your body, drinking in every detail. The careful yet effortless way she adjusts herself to better see you in the dim light. Isabeau smiles as you walk into the room, and you are constantly surprised at how innocuous and innocently pleased such an expression can look while still giving you a sense of dread. It's not even close to the malice you felt from the Adult's grin, but that's little comfort. You're getting strange enough signals from this woman as it is.
You don't even have to reach out with your emotion sense to feel the blatant contradiction in Isabeau's every sensation. Her thoughts are flooded with Grief, the same sickly stench of artificial suffering that pervades a Witch's existence. You had felt it through the rooms outside, but at this distance you have more clarity on the matter. Threaded through the Barrier is a second signature, subtly woven into the air out from the place the woman now sits. It's dug itself into her thoughts as well, shading every flicker of curiosity or judgement that jumps out as she assesses you. More than that, her feelings have… holes in them, is the best way you can describe it. Little sensations that cut off out of nowhere and then start up again as if they had been there all along. It takes active effort to school your expression against the sheer strangeness of it all.
"Minou dear, would you fetch us some refreshments? It would not do to greet a guest of such stature without the proper furnishings." Isabeau says without looking away from you, her voice syrupy and melodious in a way that reminds you immediately of Argalia. Minou bows politely and steps backward out of the room, letting the door close slowly behind her. You and Isabeau are left alone
"Good evening, your Majesty. My name is X, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." you begin, performing a small bow of your own. Not enough to appear deferential, but at least a polite one. While the "your Majesty" is partly a shot in the dark, the woman's presentation gives you confidence enough to go for it. Your risk is rewarded with a slight widening of her smile, pleased to be given the respect she deserves.
"The pleasure is all mine. I am Isabeau de Bavière, Queen of France. My darling children have been most insistent that I meet with you." she replies in kind, and again you have to calm your first reaction. Minou had given you the impression that Isabeau was the one to ask to see you. But apparently Isabeau claims it to be the opposite?
You'll press Minou for information later. She seems more likely to be receptive to your questioning than Isabeau.
"They have? I'll admit I don't know why, but I am glad for it. I would hope for us to have a cordial relationship." you say.
"I believe they claimed it was only right for us to meet one another. For me to allow my partner to negotiate with you alone without making an appearance myself would be terribly impolite, don't you agree?" Isabeau muses. You nod politely, further cementing your impression of the anomalous woman sitting before you. "As such, I have taken it upon myself to offer entrance into our alliance personally. While the good Wizard has many valuable talents, she simply lacks a certain affect when speaking with another on equal footing." Isabeau continues, concealed laughter woven through those last few words as though exchanging some embarrassing secret about a mutual friend. Her laughter continues to trail off as she goes on. "But that is simply a common problem for those such as us, isn't it? When you have so few equals, it can be difficult to remember how they're to be treated. We are rather fortunate to not have allowed that skill to escape us, really." she says, smiling with eyes closed. Meanwhile, your eyes narrow ever so slightly. Isabeau is hardly even being subtle. Even if framed as lighthearted teasing, her displeasure with however she's been treated couldn't be clearer. You silently thank yourself for having gone in as courteous and polite as possible. It's a gamble to play into delusions of grandeur like this, but trusting your judgement has paid off.
"So what exactly are we negotiating? I'm afraid your partner wasn't incredibly clear in what her aims are."
Isabeau laughs properly that time. It was hard to distinguish before, but she sounds oddly young, maybe the same age as her children or slightly older. That points to either stunted growth, which the woman's too-small frame supports, or having given birth at a very young age. They could also be adopted, but hair color aside you can see enough similarities between the three sisters and their mother to rule that out.
"Is that so? Well, I don't intend to be so unclear. Simply ask, and I would be more than happy to tell you whatever you desire to know."
"Thank you, that would be very convenient." you say politely. "I would like to know more about the Adult's designs for the future. She has set her sights rather high, attempting to war with the Incubators. How do you plan to go about a task like that?"
"Oh, that? It's actually rather simple." Isabeau says casually. "The Incubators are pitifully inclined to passivity. They fight through pawns and servants, without ever investing themselves. But there are no Magical Girls left on this planet who could hope to match me, and the influence of the creatures themselves can be curtailed easily enough. Left with no easy way to overturn us, they will deem it more efficient to move on than risk a confrontation."
"That's a bit of a gamble, now isn't it? What makes you so sure things will play out like that?" you warn. There's a reason you've been content to play nice with Kyubey until now. Leaving aside the convenience they provide in exchange for you doing things you'll do anyways, fighting a star-spanning empire is an intimidating proposition. Just because they haven't demonstrated military capacity yet doesn't mean they don't have any.
Isabeau, however, appears unconcerned by this possibility. "I am quite certain that my predictions shall prove true. There is… precedent, shall we say, for such a course of actions. But before I answer any more of your questions, I would like to know a little more about you."
"About me?" you repeat, a bit taken aback. You really weren't expecting that.
"Of course!" Isabeau confirms cheerfully. "I have heard much about you, but you learn so much more talking to a person yourself, yes? So please, tell me about yourself. Satiate my curiosity."
———————————————
Describe yourself
[] As you are now
[] As you were in the Facility
[] As an Abnormality
[] Write-in
———————————————
Der Freischütz's Sapling - Observation Level 2/3
Porccubus' Sapling - Observation Level 2/3
Schadenfreude's Sapling - Observation Level 2/3
CENSORED's Sapling - Observation Level EXPUNGED/REDACTED
Isabeau is probably my pick for favorite Antagonist in PMMM, though admittedly that's a very short list to pick from. Outside of debatably Kyubey, there aren't many outright villains in the series. Sadly, she only shows up in Tart Magica and Magia Record, which at least expands on her characterization a lot via the existence of Teenager Isabeau.
The room of the mysterious Isabeau de Bavière is far gloomier than you had expected. While the halls and rooms outside were lit by some strange glow emanating from the crystalline walls, this room is dark. The only source of light a pair of candles sat on dressers either side of the large bed occupying the center of the room. Semitransparent curtains are hung around the edges of the bed, giving an obscured view of the intricate carving and expensive-looking bedding.
The woman sitting up in the bed isn't what you expected. There is, without a doubt, an air of regality to her. Even with her lying in bed, wearing a thick gold-colored coat over a dull gold dress with a plain white bodice that matches the color and pattern of the sheets, and staring through the curtains with eyes underlined by heavy bags. Her straight blonde hair looks as though it's normally well-kept, reaching down just below her shoulders, but currently seems as though she's just woken up. She's rather small as well, a good deal shorter than you even if she were standing. It's not an appearance that one would expect to find intimidating, but the woman's bearing more than makes up for it. The absolute confidence in her half-lidded eyes is undeniable. There is no hesitation or fear in her gaze, no embarrassment at her disorganized state. You might consider the idea that she just doesn't know, were it not for the way her gaze carefully slides across your body, drinking in every detail. The careful yet effortless way she adjusts herself to better see you in the dim light. Isabeau smiles as you walk into the room, and you are constantly surprised at how innocuous and innocently pleased such an expression can look while still giving you a sense of dread. It's not even close to the malice you felt from the Adult's grin, but that's little comfort. You're getting strange enough signals from this woman as it is.
You don't even have to reach out with your emotion sense to feel the blatant contradiction in Isabeau's every sensation. Her thoughts are flooded with Grief, the same sickly stench of artificial suffering that pervades a Witch's existence. You had felt it through the rooms outside, but at this distance you have more clarity on the matter. Threaded through the Barrier is a second signature, subtly woven into the air out from the place the woman now sits. It's dug itself into her thoughts as well, shading every flicker of curiosity or judgement that jumps out as she assesses you. More than that, her feelings have… holes in them, is the best way you can describe it. Little sensations that cut off out of nowhere and then start up again as if they had been there all along. It takes active effort to school your expression against the sheer strangeness of it all.
"Minou dear, would you fetch us some refreshments? It would not do to greet a guest of such stature without the proper furnishings." Isabeau says without looking away from you, her voice syrupy and melodious in a way that reminds you immediately of Argalia. Minou bows politely and steps backward out of the room, letting the door close slowly behind her. You and Isabeau are left alone
"Good evening, your Majesty. My name is X, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." you begin, performing a small bow of your own. Not enough to appear deferential, but at least a polite one. While the "your Majesty" is partly a shot in the dark, the woman's presentation gives you confidence enough to go for it. Your risk is rewarded with a slight widening of her smile, pleased to be given the respect she deserves.
"The pleasure is all mine. I am Isabeau de Bavière, Queen of France. My darling children have been most insistent that I meet with you." she replies in kind, and again you have to calm your first reaction. Minou had given you the impression that Isabeau was the one to ask to see you. But apparently Isabeau claims it to be the opposite?
You'll press Minou for information later. She seems more likely to be receptive to your questioning than Isabeau.
"They have? I'll admit I don't know why, but I am glad for it. I would hope for us to have a cordial relationship." you say.
"I believe they claimed it was only right for us to meet one another. For me to allow my partner to negotiate with you alone without making an appearance myself would be terribly impolite, don't you agree?" Isabeau muses. You nod politely, further cementing your impression of the anomalous woman sitting before you. "As such, I have taken it upon myself to offer entrance into our alliance personally. While the good Wizard has many valuable talents, she simply lacks a certain affect when speaking with another on equal footing." Isabeau continues, concealed laughter woven through those last few words as though exchanging some embarrassing secret about a mutual friend. Her laughter continues to trail off as she goes on. "But that is simply a common problem for those such as us, isn't it? When you have so few equals, it can be difficult to remember how they're to be treated. We are rather fortunate to not have allowed that skill to escape us, really." she says, smiling with eyes closed. Meanwhile, your eyes narrow ever so slightly. Isabeau is hardly even being subtle. Even if framed as lighthearted teasing, her displeasure with however she's been treated couldn't be clearer. You silently thank yourself for having gone in as courteous and polite as possible. It's a gamble to play into delusions of grandeur like this, but trusting your judgement has paid off.
"So what exactly are we negotiating? I'm afraid your partner wasn't incredibly clear in what her aims are."
Isabeau laughs properly that time. It was hard to distinguish before, but she sounds oddly young, maybe the same age as her children or slightly older. That points to either stunted growth, which the woman's too-small frame supports, or having given birth at a very young age. They could also be adopted, but hair color aside you can see enough similarities between the three sisters and their mother to rule that out.
"Is that so? Well, I don't intend to be so unclear. Simply ask, and I would be more than happy to tell you whatever you desire to know."
"Thank you, that would be very convenient." you say politely. "I would like to know more about the Adult's designs for the future. She has set her sights rather high, attempting to war with the Incubators. How do you plan to go about a task like that?"
"Oh, that? It's actually rather simple." Isabeau says casually. "The Incubators are pitifully inclined to passivity. They fight through pawns and servants, without ever investing themselves. But there are no Magical Girls left on this planet who could hope to match me, and the influence of the creatures themselves can be curtailed easily enough. Left with no easy way to overturn us, they will deem it more efficient to move on than risk a confrontation."
"That's a bit of a gamble, now isn't it? What makes you so sure things will play out like that?" you warn. There's a reason you've been content to play nice with Kyubey until now. Leaving aside the convenience they provide in exchange for you doing things you'll do anyways, fighting a star-spanning empire is an intimidating proposition. Just because they haven't demonstrated military capacity yet doesn't mean they don't have any.
Isabeau, however, appears unconcerned by this possibility. "I am quite certain that my predictions shall prove true. There is… precedent, shall we say, for such a course of actions. But before I answer any more of your questions, I would like to know a little more about you."
"About me?" you repeat, a bit taken aback. You really weren't expecting that.
"Of course!" Isabeau confirms cheerfully. "I have heard much about you, but you learn so much more talking to a person yourself, yes? So please, tell me about yourself. Satiate my curiosity."
———————————————
Describe yourself
[] As you are now
[] As you were in the Facility
[] As an Abnormality
[] Write-in
———————————————
Der Freischütz's Sapling - Observation Level 2/3
Porccubus' Sapling - Observation Level 2/3
Schadenfreude's Sapling - Observation Level 2/3
CENSORED's Sapling - Observation Level EXPUNGED/REDACTED
Isabeau is probably my pick for favorite Antagonist in PMMM, though admittedly that's a very short list to pick from. Outside of debatably Kyubey, there aren't many outright villains in the series. Sadly, she only shows up in Tart Magica and Magia Record, which at least expands on her characterization a lot via the existence of Teenager Isabeau.
Last edited:
- Location
- Miami
Huh, when did we fulfill another part of Schadenfreude? And which part was it?
As a part of Chapter 133 when we revealed that Magical Girls become Witches.
kaillll
Judgment Upon You
We fulfilled cruelty or something when we told the girls about witches
WilyMachineKing1
Executive Manager of Limbus Company
- Location
- Reno Nevada
[X] As you are now
-[X] Make sure to nor give away anything that Isabeu can use against you and use half-truths and misdirection
-[X] Make sure to nor give away anything that Isabeu can use against you and use half-truths and misdirection
questioningmeme
Just be yourself
- Location
- River of Light
[X] As an Abnormality
I have very little idea of what Isabeau is like as a person, so maybe we shouldn't be too friendly just yet.
I have very little idea of what Isabeau is like as a person, so maybe we shouldn't be too friendly just yet.
I'll take one for the team and make this joke, so that no one else has to:
[𝕏] As a social networking site
...Ahem.
[X] As you were in the Facility
This strikes me as an important choice, not so much for Isabeau's sake as for X's. I feel like the other two imply a sort of discontinuity between facility-X and current/abnormality-X, which is bad for her internal coherence if nothing else.
[𝕏] As a social networking site
...Ahem.
[X] As you were in the Facility
This strikes me as an important choice, not so much for Isabeau's sake as for X's. I feel like the other two imply a sort of discontinuity between facility-X and current/abnormality-X, which is bad for her internal coherence if nothing else.
I mean, that body is a puppet for her real one, so....
Because she is one.
Hmmm... her original mindset partially restored by Lapin's wish? Something else?
Former, it's been centuries, come on Isabeau, live with the times.
Funnily enough? Probably all three.
The sisters are adopted from implications in the manga. They may be her actual daughters, but it's not sure at all.*
Isabeau contracted and witched out not that old, leading to her not growing anymore. (She contracted at 14, there are no real signs of her growing past that, she is 60 by the time of Tart, she still looks 14.)
She did have children, and she did have them young, as was *normal* for the time.
*Actually, I rechecked the wiki about Isabeau for a quick reminder about if Charle was her son, and it contains a remark that while the english translation implies adoption, the original text clearly doesn't, as such, I am going to classify the girls being adopted as a translation error, and consider the girls as her actual daughters from now on. Meaning it's only two of X's hypothesis.
Ok, for information this is this insatiable curiosity that led to the problems of Tart magica, you see, Isabeau asked to know everything about Kyubey before wishing, asking questions after questions to know more about him, when she finished? She wished to have everything he has, leading to her abilities to make magical girls like him, amongst other things.
Then she became a witch, and while she wasn't a good person before, she was improperly restored after, and her madness led to Kyubey working to stop her via Magical girls.
By the way, while she is right that Kyubey will not act himself to stop anything given the precedence of her own case, she is wrong about one very important thing:
Even discounting Madoka and her incredible potential, there wasn't any magical girl able to stop her when she began her plan, Kyubey just searched and contracted girls until he found one that would, basically, there being none now doesn't mean there won't be one later.
In one word? Ambitious.
In more? She is known as *the woman who sold France* and is quite hated for that in universe (and partially out, she's not that well known, we talk more about Joan of arc in France), she learned as much as she could about Kyubey because she wanted to take his place, she wants to rule the world, she was changed by her becoming a witch and is now slightly (or more) insane. She is perfectly willing to sacrifice lots of innocent girls for her ambitions.
However, how much of these problems are due to her becoming a witch is not certain. She wasn't a good person before, but witching out and *coming back* warped her.
Given Ayin's talk to Minou, I do wonder if we can reverse or mitigate her witch part, and make her more stable as a result.
I am still going to introduce ourself as an abnormality just because I want X to acknowledge what she is.
[x] As an Abnormality
*Sees that*
Still going to vote for abno, we are not as we were, we are as we are right now, we are no longer the manager that was, we are the Daughter of the sun and moon, our past isn't our future, it only guides it.
I find hiding from what we are more dangerous in terms of dissociation than introducing ourself as and Abnormality. In fact, that option that I see more likely to lead to discontinuity is the one you chose, because it is staying in the past like Hokma was, not acknowledging that things change and us with it.
[X] As an Abnormality
[X] As you were in the Facility
-[X] As an Abnormality
-[X] As an Abnormality
[X] As you were in the Facility
-[X] As an Abnormality
-[X] As an Abnormality
Redsoff
[DETACHMENT]
- Location
- By [your] side
So Isabeau sees us as someone on her level, something of an equal, and is also miffed at how the Wizard has been treating her.
...Okay maybe it's mostly her being miffed instead of genuine praise. But that's something. Could use that divide to our advantage.
Uh. If we tell her about all the cool stuff we can do, will she want that too? I don't think she can force us to give her our knowledge a la Kyubey. But she might want that in exchange for her support.
In a way we are kind of a bizarre mirror to Isabeau. A woman placed in charge of her territory, managing and caring for both her subjects and her children, and tasked to guide them to victory and success, eventually transforming into a monster hiding in a human shell whose territory was renowned for suffering and torment under their reign.
The main difference is that while X is altruistic and had little choice in her occupation or her transformation, Isabeau seems mostly selfish, making a deal with Kyubey for self-gain and choosing this out of her own free will, even if the subsequent witchdom was unplanned.
As we are now resonates with Isabeau as a mother, and her relationship with her children. Ironically, while we first became a monster and only then picked up kids, Isabeau started as a mother and her choices led to her becoming a monster and dragging her children with her, committing atrocities in her name.
As we were in the facility resonates with Isabeau the Queen, the aspect of leaders. X was forced to become a leader without her say-so and her territory was a hell on earth filled with monsters and human suffering, a deliberate design that she was forced to surmount. Eventually she succeeds, guiding her agents to victory while attaining enlightenment, and sacrifices herself to spread her knowledge to all of humanity. Isabeau was renowned as "The Woman Who Sold France" and dreamed of ruling the world, willing to sacrifice any of her people for the sake of her ambitions. She makes a deal with an inhuman creature to attain its otherworldly knowledge for herself, and transformed what was a peaceful country into a hazardous hellscape filled with monsters and human suffering.
As an Abnormality resonates with Isabeau the Witch, the monster born from a human being. X was involuntary transformed after what she believed was her death, sacrificing her self to spread the Light of enlightenment to humanity. She rejects her inhuman aspect and clings to her humanity, even knowing this is only delays her full transformation. Her suppressed self is of the benevolent tyrant, the one who will take control because it is for your own good.
Isabeau did not seek to become a Witch, but did seek to become a magical girl for her own ambitions and was corrupted was a direct consequence of that choice. She fully became a witch, and even when she was returned her human body and some semblance of her mind, she was more monster than human. Her corrupted self is of endless domination, to eternally seek to extend her dominion and absorb power and influence for its own sake as long as she exists. In her wake she spreads darkness and despair which is akin to purification to her, an act that brings her unrelenting joy.
I'm not sure which one is best, it sounds like all of them might set something off.