[x] Yes, but only after you've caught up with Archer
"Oh, well that's easy! Why don't you sit with me at lunch? We can talk and get to know each other better. I'm sure Sayaka-chan and Hitomi-chan would love to be your friends, too."
You contemplate your response as the nurse gives you your medicine. You take it, knowing full well that it won't do anything. Madoka fidgets as she waits for your reply. She's so cute. You wish this were an earlier timeline, one in which the two of you were close enough that you could feel comfortable giving voice to your love for her.
How could she ever love you?
"... I would appreciate that," you say, heart soaring at the smile on her face. You can sense that Archer has been around the campus. You need a status update from him in case he has learned anything of the servant you sensed earlier. "However, there is something else I need to take care of first. I'll only be a moment; could you save a seat for me?"
"Sure, that's not a problem, Akemi-san."
"I... Homura is fine."
"Oh, okay. Homura-chan, let's do our best to become friends!"
You aren't sure where else you can go to commune with Archer in private, so you head to one of the bathrooms on the upper level of the main building, one which you know will be unoccupied at this hour. You close the door behind you, and you can barely restrain yourself from choking on your pathetic tears.
"Madoka... Why? Why can't I ever keep you safe? It's... It's all my fault... It's always been my fault... If you and Tomoe-san hadn't been focused on keeping me safe, then... Then..." The rest of your words make no sense, and you can barely hear them escaping your mouth.
"I take it your day hasn't been going so well, miss Akemi. Care to talk about it?"
How long has Archer been there? For how long has he been privy to the sight of just how weak and pathetic and worthless you are? You take a deep breath inward and turn on the faucet, splashing cold water on your face in an attempt to hide your tears from your servant. "Archer, status report, now."
"All right, all right, I can take a hint." As helpful as he may be in battle, you can't help but find his sharp tongue to be quite grating. "I made contact earlier with the servant on the roof. It's Caster; he's an incredibly strong servant, possibly the strongest. And he's willing to lend his assistance, as long as we can secure the alliance of his master. Additionally, I've informed him of Lancer's movements, and he doesn't think that his master will get in the way us of eliminating their block."
"That's good to hear. Is there anything else?"
"A couple things, yes. I've been thinking about the girls Lancer murdered last night, and I have reason to believe they were all targeted because they possessed the capacity to become another master. Assuming your guesses about the masters of Caster and the unknown fourth servant are correct, then I believe it would be smart to keep an especially close eye on girls who might be potential puella magi candidates."
Madoka... This is what you expected to happen when you were unable to terminate Mikuni Oriko and Kure Kirika. Last time, you remember, it was to draw the Incubator's attentions away from Madoka, in order to kill her before she could become a puellla magi. This time, now that servants have been thrown into the mix, her intentions might be more destructive than before. Or perhaps not; perhaps the elimination of potential masters - and thus, potential threats to the realization of her goal - may just be a welcome bonus to her, with her original objective remaining unchanged.
"Furthermore, Caster was kind enough to give me some intel on what the future may hold. He said, 'the witch sleeping under the Brocken will awaken and turn the world to ash. And, if that girl is allowed to wish on her soul, there will be salvation, but only for a day, before it's snuffed out by darkness.' If there's anything beyond that, he was unable to say. Do you have any idea what that could mean?"
So... Tomoe Mami - and you are almost positive that it is Tomoe Mami - has summoned a servant who is also gifted with the power of precognition. They will make a useful ally in the fight against Mikuni Oriko and Lancer. Tomoe Mami less so, if Archer's own offensive power is anything to go by.
"I know exactly what Caster is referring to, but this is neither the time nor the place to have that discussion."
"You're right, you should get going. I heard you've got a lunch date with the pink-haired girl in your class. You probably shouldn't keep her waiting."
Archer... He's got some nerve, talking about Madoka like that. You say nothing, exiting the bathroom and leaving Archer to vanish in thin motes of gold.
True to her word, Madoka has saved you a seat at the table with Miki Sayaka and Shizuki Hitomi. You don't deserve this, but if it will further the goal of keeping Madoka safe, then that doesn't matter.
Only Madoka matters.
"Oh, Homura-chan!" "Hey, transfer student!" "Good afternoon, Akemi-san" They all interrupt their previous conversation to greet you in their own way, clearly not bothered in the slightest at having to share their seats with someone like you. To be polite, you fake a smile as you take the empty seat next to Shizuki Hitomi. You wonder if they realize just how hollow that smile is.
Just how hollow you are.
Be sociable!
[ ] Talk to
-[ ] Madoka
-[ ] Sayaka
-[ ] Hitomi
[ ] About (write-in)
?
NEW
Major characters unlocked!
Kaname Madoka - Where can I begin? To Homura, Madoka is the alpha, the omega, her sole reason to exist, and her only love. Madoka unfortunately thinks little of herself, and though she will always want to, she cannot be allowed to contract under any circumstance.
Miki Sayaka - The tomboyish and energetic best friend of Madoka. Sayaka is brash and headstrong, but with a heart as large as the greater Tokyo metropolitan area. Be careful though- Sayaka desperately wants to be a hero of justice, a desire which brings with it its own set of risks.
Minor character unlocked!
Shizuki Hitomi - A close friend of Madoka's and potential love rival to Sayaka over the heart of a certain violinist.
