Astra Myst
Do you want a wish?
- Location
- Milky Way Galaxy
- Pronouns
- Femhon/Boymoder
They're still origin bullets. Maybe Homura can reinforce them?
-
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Confringentur, a PMMM/Fate Quest and Communication
- Thread starter Astra Myst
- Start date
- Crossover
They're still origin bullets. Maybe Homura can reinforce them?
Day 3 Chapter 18
- Location
- Around here
[x] Stay up and talk to Archer about your projectile dysfunction (be specific)
-[x] Keep the explanation brief, and keep it in timestop. This entire conversation is predicated on information that springs from your loops; to discuss it, you need to be secure. But you don't want to burn through magic any more than necessary.
--[x] Mundane weapons used to work perfectly well on Witches in previous timelines. It appears this is no longer the case. You can no longer rely on them to appreciably damage Witches. You have no offensive weapon- your magical girl weapon is your shield, and it is all you've ever had. It's a powerful ability that it grants you, and it's always been enough, but it grants you no direct damaging capabilities. You believe that, given the increase in power of both Witches and magical girls, and the sudden appearance of Servants and associated Command Seals, that you may now be able to gain use of new skills and abilities, and possibly an offensively-useable weapon beyond your shield and its storage and timestop.
-[x] Exit timestop.
-[x] Therefore, you ask Archer if he might be able to teach you to create weapons, either in the same manner that he does, or possibly such that you could use the information to draw forth a secondary magical girl weapon of your own.
--[x] Also, to share any ideas he may have about helping you expand your magical abilities in general.
"I get the feeling that things aren't going so great for you." No, they are not. Currently, the only way things could be going worse for you is if Madoka were to contract. You don't think you could handle it this time if she did. "Want to talk about it?"
"I..." You don't want to talk about it. If you tell Archer that your weapons are useless, you're revealing to him that you are useless. He clearly has his own agenda in all of this, and revealing that you can't do anything without him may cause him to reevaluate your role in his mission, which in turn could jeopardize your own.
But you have to.
"I fought a witch earlier tonight, with Tomoe-san. ... My weapons were completely unable to harm it." Before he can respond, you grab him by the wrist and activate your timestop, and the world goes to grey. "Because of... This," you motion with your free hand to the world of grey. "I lack an offensive weapon, in exchange for the ability to control time. Thus far, I've been able to get by stealing mundane weapons from the Self-Defense Force, but... The witches of this timeline are significantly stronger than they have ever been, and my weapons are no longer able to harm them. Two nights ago, I saw you create weapons from nothing; a common ability for most puella magi, but one completely unknown to myself. It was an ability that I never needed before, but now... Something about this timeline has changed, in a way that makes it fundamentally different from any other I've seen. I..."
Colour returns to the world, and time resumes. You release your grasp on Archer's wrist, falling to the floor. "... I'm weak; I can't do this on my own. I need your help. Please, teach me how to perform your magic."
To your surprise, Archer doesn't abandon you as you admit to your own weakness. Instead, he sits down beside you, wrapping an arm around your shoulder and letting you lean into him, much the way your father used to when you felt down. You... Aren't sure how to respond to this. You're weak. You've had to ask for help so many times in this loop; from him, from Tomoe-san... Why haven't they abandoned you?
"I can help you. But you're going to have to really work at it if you want to be successful."
"I'll do anything." To save Madoka.
Archer gives you a smile, breaking away from his comforting position and moving himself to sit across from you. "We'll start with the basics. Can you please call up your Soul Gem?" You aren't sure what he needs your Soul Gem for, but you oblige, calling forth the amethyst egg, which Archer carefully takes in his hands. "Okay. Before someone can even think about using magecraft, they need to have magic circuits. Think 'nervous system, but for your soul'. Most people don't have any, and of the ones that do they usually don't have too many. My old master, Rin? She had about forty. I myself, only had about twenty-seven during my life as a human, if I'm remembering right." You wonder, if Archer can perform the feats you've already seen him accomplish, then what manner of magic could his master have performed? A part of you hopes to be able to meet his 'Rin' one day, to see how she differs in power from your servant. Archer holds up your Soul Gem. "This thing? It has thousands. It's a living ball of nothing but magic circuits. All you need to do is to access what's already inside."
"We'll start with an overview of the basics of Gradation Air, or as it's more commonly known, Projection. It's a type of magecraft that allows a mage to create an object from their imagination using nothing but magical energy. It's a rather simple process, and it does pretty much exactly what I've already said. Focus your mind on the image you wish to create, and channel your magical energy to give shape to that image. Now, projections normally don't last all that long, and for the amount of magical energy it takes to create a normal projection, most mages would find it more effective to reinforce an already existing object than to create a new one of equal strength."
Based on Archer's description, you suspect that most puella magi are already using some form of Projection to create their weapons, with some - like Sakura Kyouko - choosing to reinforce a single weapon rather than create multiples, as Tomoe Mami and Miki Sayaka do. When explained to you this way, you feel like you're finally beginning to understand something that most other puella magi probably know how to do instinctively. "There must be more to this Projection magecraft, if it's what you use in combat."
"You're very astute. In life, I developed a special kind of Projection, that allows me to not only project an image of what I'm trying to create, but to replicate its history, power, and purpose as well. Because of this, my projections are of a much higher grade than those of the average mage, and with a little reinforcement they can last almost indefinitely."
Archer holds out his hand, speaking to himself the words "Trace on". You heard these words once before, when he fixed the couch he broke. A bow made of black wood appears in his hands. "This is a reproduction of a popular style of bow from China's Ming Dynasty. They were usually made from horn and bamboo, but this one is made from ebony. I don't know why the person who made it didn't use more authentic materials, but that's not what we're here to discuss." He hands the bow over to you, and you give it a tentative heft as you take it. It's light, but sturdy, and you can tell that it's got enough power behind it to seriously injure the person on the receiving end of one of its arrows.
"I've broken down the process involved in my Tracing into seven steps. for now, we're just going to focus on the first four. 'Judging the concept of creation', 'Analyzing the basic structure', 'Duplicating the composition material', and 'Imitating the skill of its making'. If you can get those four steps down, you'll be able to create a bow that's close enough to this one that the average onlooker wouldn't be able to tell the difference."
"What happens in the last three steps?"
"The last three steps involve understanding the history behind the weapon and what it experienced in its use on the battlefield. They're more to do with making it stronger and as close to the projection's original self as possible. Since you'll be working with a reproduction made from inaccurate materials, you won't have to worry about those steps just yet. For now, just focus on being able to Trace that bow. Once you're able to hold a projection long enough that it doesn't come apart after repeated use, then we'll get to the last three steps."
You don't know if you can do this. Being able to create your own weapon - Projection, a skill that comes naturally to almost every other puella magi you've encountered - is something that you've never been able to do. You aren't confident in your ability to perform the task Archer has given you.
But you have to try.
You have to try for Madoka.
Archer exits the living room, leaving you and the bow you are to practice your Projection magecraft on. You're going to be here awhile. Closing your eyes, you focus your thoughts inward, trying to reverse the process by which Miki Sayaka famously shuts herself off from pain. You want to feel that pain. You want to understand how it feels to be intimately connected to the magic within your Soul Gem. You breathe in deeply, holding your hand out over the bow, preparing yourself both mentally and physically to take the plunge into the unknown.
"Trace on."
-[x] Keep the explanation brief, and keep it in timestop. This entire conversation is predicated on information that springs from your loops; to discuss it, you need to be secure. But you don't want to burn through magic any more than necessary.
--[x] Mundane weapons used to work perfectly well on Witches in previous timelines. It appears this is no longer the case. You can no longer rely on them to appreciably damage Witches. You have no offensive weapon- your magical girl weapon is your shield, and it is all you've ever had. It's a powerful ability that it grants you, and it's always been enough, but it grants you no direct damaging capabilities. You believe that, given the increase in power of both Witches and magical girls, and the sudden appearance of Servants and associated Command Seals, that you may now be able to gain use of new skills and abilities, and possibly an offensively-useable weapon beyond your shield and its storage and timestop.
-[x] Exit timestop.
-[x] Therefore, you ask Archer if he might be able to teach you to create weapons, either in the same manner that he does, or possibly such that you could use the information to draw forth a secondary magical girl weapon of your own.
--[x] Also, to share any ideas he may have about helping you expand your magical abilities in general.
"I get the feeling that things aren't going so great for you." No, they are not. Currently, the only way things could be going worse for you is if Madoka were to contract. You don't think you could handle it this time if she did. "Want to talk about it?"
"I..." You don't want to talk about it. If you tell Archer that your weapons are useless, you're revealing to him that you are useless. He clearly has his own agenda in all of this, and revealing that you can't do anything without him may cause him to reevaluate your role in his mission, which in turn could jeopardize your own.
But you have to.
"I fought a witch earlier tonight, with Tomoe-san. ... My weapons were completely unable to harm it." Before he can respond, you grab him by the wrist and activate your timestop, and the world goes to grey. "Because of... This," you motion with your free hand to the world of grey. "I lack an offensive weapon, in exchange for the ability to control time. Thus far, I've been able to get by stealing mundane weapons from the Self-Defense Force, but... The witches of this timeline are significantly stronger than they have ever been, and my weapons are no longer able to harm them. Two nights ago, I saw you create weapons from nothing; a common ability for most puella magi, but one completely unknown to myself. It was an ability that I never needed before, but now... Something about this timeline has changed, in a way that makes it fundamentally different from any other I've seen. I..."
Colour returns to the world, and time resumes. You release your grasp on Archer's wrist, falling to the floor. "... I'm weak; I can't do this on my own. I need your help. Please, teach me how to perform your magic."
To your surprise, Archer doesn't abandon you as you admit to your own weakness. Instead, he sits down beside you, wrapping an arm around your shoulder and letting you lean into him, much the way your father used to when you felt down. You... Aren't sure how to respond to this. You're weak. You've had to ask for help so many times in this loop; from him, from Tomoe-san... Why haven't they abandoned you?
"I can help you. But you're going to have to really work at it if you want to be successful."
"I'll do anything." To save Madoka.
Archer gives you a smile, breaking away from his comforting position and moving himself to sit across from you. "We'll start with the basics. Can you please call up your Soul Gem?" You aren't sure what he needs your Soul Gem for, but you oblige, calling forth the amethyst egg, which Archer carefully takes in his hands. "Okay. Before someone can even think about using magecraft, they need to have magic circuits. Think 'nervous system, but for your soul'. Most people don't have any, and of the ones that do they usually don't have too many. My old master, Rin? She had about forty. I myself, only had about twenty-seven during my life as a human, if I'm remembering right." You wonder, if Archer can perform the feats you've already seen him accomplish, then what manner of magic could his master have performed? A part of you hopes to be able to meet his 'Rin' one day, to see how she differs in power from your servant. Archer holds up your Soul Gem. "This thing? It has thousands. It's a living ball of nothing but magic circuits. All you need to do is to access what's already inside."
"We'll start with an overview of the basics of Gradation Air, or as it's more commonly known, Projection. It's a type of magecraft that allows a mage to create an object from their imagination using nothing but magical energy. It's a rather simple process, and it does pretty much exactly what I've already said. Focus your mind on the image you wish to create, and channel your magical energy to give shape to that image. Now, projections normally don't last all that long, and for the amount of magical energy it takes to create a normal projection, most mages would find it more effective to reinforce an already existing object than to create a new one of equal strength."
Based on Archer's description, you suspect that most puella magi are already using some form of Projection to create their weapons, with some - like Sakura Kyouko - choosing to reinforce a single weapon rather than create multiples, as Tomoe Mami and Miki Sayaka do. When explained to you this way, you feel like you're finally beginning to understand something that most other puella magi probably know how to do instinctively. "There must be more to this Projection magecraft, if it's what you use in combat."
"You're very astute. In life, I developed a special kind of Projection, that allows me to not only project an image of what I'm trying to create, but to replicate its history, power, and purpose as well. Because of this, my projections are of a much higher grade than those of the average mage, and with a little reinforcement they can last almost indefinitely."
Archer holds out his hand, speaking to himself the words "Trace on". You heard these words once before, when he fixed the couch he broke. A bow made of black wood appears in his hands. "This is a reproduction of a popular style of bow from China's Ming Dynasty. They were usually made from horn and bamboo, but this one is made from ebony. I don't know why the person who made it didn't use more authentic materials, but that's not what we're here to discuss." He hands the bow over to you, and you give it a tentative heft as you take it. It's light, but sturdy, and you can tell that it's got enough power behind it to seriously injure the person on the receiving end of one of its arrows.
"I've broken down the process involved in my Tracing into seven steps. for now, we're just going to focus on the first four. 'Judging the concept of creation', 'Analyzing the basic structure', 'Duplicating the composition material', and 'Imitating the skill of its making'. If you can get those four steps down, you'll be able to create a bow that's close enough to this one that the average onlooker wouldn't be able to tell the difference."
"What happens in the last three steps?"
"The last three steps involve understanding the history behind the weapon and what it experienced in its use on the battlefield. They're more to do with making it stronger and as close to the projection's original self as possible. Since you'll be working with a reproduction made from inaccurate materials, you won't have to worry about those steps just yet. For now, just focus on being able to Trace that bow. Once you're able to hold a projection long enough that it doesn't come apart after repeated use, then we'll get to the last three steps."
You don't know if you can do this. Being able to create your own weapon - Projection, a skill that comes naturally to almost every other puella magi you've encountered - is something that you've never been able to do. You aren't confident in your ability to perform the task Archer has given you.
But you have to try.
You have to try for Madoka.
Archer exits the living room, leaving you and the bow you are to practice your Projection magecraft on. You're going to be here awhile. Closing your eyes, you focus your thoughts inward, trying to reverse the process by which Miki Sayaka famously shuts herself off from pain. You want to feel that pain. You want to understand how it feels to be intimately connected to the magic within your Soul Gem. You breathe in deeply, holding your hand out over the bow, preparing yourself both mentally and physically to take the plunge into the unknown.
"Trace on."
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Day 4 Chapter 1
- Location
- Around here
You open your eyes, unsure of how long you've been asleep. You aren't even sure that you did sleep; you can't tell how long your eyes have been closed, whether you slept, or whether they were just closed. You aren't even sure what time it is. The bow Archer left for you sits beside you, and you aren't quite sure how close you've gotten to replicating it, or if you've even made any progress at all.
"Trace on," you mutter, feeling the flow of magic as it races across the bridge that connects your soul to your body. It takes a few seconds, but a faded image of the bow appears, flickering in and out of existence for but a few seconds. The image isn't clear, and it begins to fade only seconds after you've finished Tracing it. Progress, even if you've failed to create anything of substance.
Archer enters, carrying a plate with a western-style breakfast - sausages, pancakes drizzled with melted butter, hash browns, and a bowl of fruit. "Well, look at you," he says, setting your breakfast down at your side. "Staying up all night to practice magecraft, are we? You remind me of myself when I was your age."
"I'm sorry," you stare, gaze alternating between Archer, breakfast, and the fading image of your projections. "I can only get it to remain solid for a few seconds."
"That's plenty more than what I could accomplish at your age." Archer takes his seat beside you, admiring what little remains of your work. "Back then, I'd stay up all night trying my hardest just to get something to stay stronger for a few seconds. You've made more progress in one night than I made in five years." He claps you on the shoulder, giving you a massive smile. "I'm so very proud of you, miss Akemi."
Archer... He didn't abandon you despite seeing your weakness, and now he's proud of you for failing to project a solid image of that bow? Just who is this man? "Eat up," he nudges you towards breakfast. "You don't want to be late for school, do you? I know it's tempting, but you can't stay in here practicing magecraft all day. And besides, I bet Madoka would be sad if you skipped school to hang out with some old guy like me."
As much as you want to stay in practicing all day, you know that Archer is right. With how much this loop has been altered, you can't afford to leave Madoka alone. You eat breakfast, with just enough time to shower and change before heading off to school. Madoka is waiting for you at the intersection of the main road and the road going to her house. Just seeing her makes you smile, and when she greets you with a hug and an excited squeak of "Good morning, Homura-chan!" you feel as though you can do it today.
Do you
[ ] Talk to Madoka
-[ ] About (write-in)
[ ] Walk in silence until you meet with Sayaka and Hitomi
[ ] Other (write-in)
?
"Trace on," you mutter, feeling the flow of magic as it races across the bridge that connects your soul to your body. It takes a few seconds, but a faded image of the bow appears, flickering in and out of existence for but a few seconds. The image isn't clear, and it begins to fade only seconds after you've finished Tracing it. Progress, even if you've failed to create anything of substance.
Archer enters, carrying a plate with a western-style breakfast - sausages, pancakes drizzled with melted butter, hash browns, and a bowl of fruit. "Well, look at you," he says, setting your breakfast down at your side. "Staying up all night to practice magecraft, are we? You remind me of myself when I was your age."
"I'm sorry," you stare, gaze alternating between Archer, breakfast, and the fading image of your projections. "I can only get it to remain solid for a few seconds."
"That's plenty more than what I could accomplish at your age." Archer takes his seat beside you, admiring what little remains of your work. "Back then, I'd stay up all night trying my hardest just to get something to stay stronger for a few seconds. You've made more progress in one night than I made in five years." He claps you on the shoulder, giving you a massive smile. "I'm so very proud of you, miss Akemi."
Archer... He didn't abandon you despite seeing your weakness, and now he's proud of you for failing to project a solid image of that bow? Just who is this man? "Eat up," he nudges you towards breakfast. "You don't want to be late for school, do you? I know it's tempting, but you can't stay in here practicing magecraft all day. And besides, I bet Madoka would be sad if you skipped school to hang out with some old guy like me."
As much as you want to stay in practicing all day, you know that Archer is right. With how much this loop has been altered, you can't afford to leave Madoka alone. You eat breakfast, with just enough time to shower and change before heading off to school. Madoka is waiting for you at the intersection of the main road and the road going to her house. Just seeing her makes you smile, and when she greets you with a hug and an excited squeak of "Good morning, Homura-chan!" you feel as though you can do it today.
Do you
[ ] Talk to Madoka
-[ ] About (write-in)
[ ] Walk in silence until you meet with Sayaka and Hitomi
[ ] Other (write-in)
?
Major objectives:
Homura
- Stop Mikuni Oriko and Kure Kirika and defeat their servant Lancer
- Grow your social capital with Kaname Madoka, Miki Sayaka, Shizuki Hitomi, and Tomoe Mami
- Master Projection magecraft so you have a way to harm witches
- Prevent Kaname Madoka from contracting and becoming a puella magi
- Defeat the witch known as Walpurgisnacht
Archer
- Investigate, identify, and prevent the occurrence of the event that caused a fundamental force of this universe to be twice overwritten
- Protect your master from harm in this unusually dangerous loop
- Be a good teacher to your master as she learns the ways of your magecraft
- Acquire allies so you and your master stand a better chance of defeating Lancer
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Astra Myst
Do you want a wish?
- Location
- Milky Way Galaxy
- Pronouns
- Femhon/Boymoder
Project... guns like a coilgun of some sort. Also what is Homura's element and origin? The dream of unlimited bullet works will happen
mCooperative
meanderingCephalopod
- Location
- Back in Mitakihara after like 1000 years.
Element and origin would be good things to know, yeah.
... pft, most immediate thoughts are esoterics related to time, love, guns, or Madoka. Or being the devil. Or determination. Because why have a normal element and origin when you could be Akemi Homura?
Jest and my limited understanding of the Nasuverse aside...
Good progress. Hm.
[x] Talk to Madoka
-[x] About tomorrow (Sunday). Ask what both your plans should look like, where you want to go, at what time, etc.
-[x] Ask for Makoda's cell phone number, give her your own... so there can be no mistakes in coordinating or planning... or if she ever... just wants... to message you?
--[x] You have no idea what you're saying, someone save you, please. But all the same, even though you have Makoda's number from loops past, proper form should be observed. Less suspicious that way. And if things go wrong and Madoka is ever in trouble, she'll be able to call you for help. She hasn't always been able to... But if things go wrong, she will this time. You can only hope she'll think to.
We do need to plan this. Hm, actually... **goes and adds** Phones. We haven't gotten her number this loop, right? Or given her ours? Contact information is important! I presume we do have a cell phone, @SVS?
Can't think of anything else at the moment.
... pft, most immediate thoughts are esoterics related to time, love, guns, or Madoka. Or being the devil. Or determination. Because why have a normal element and origin when you could be Akemi Homura?
Jest and my limited understanding of the Nasuverse aside...
Good progress. Hm.
[x] Talk to Madoka
-[x] About tomorrow (Sunday). Ask what both your plans should look like, where you want to go, at what time, etc.
-[x] Ask for Makoda's cell phone number, give her your own... so there can be no mistakes in coordinating or planning... or if she ever... just wants... to message you?
--[x] You have no idea what you're saying, someone save you, please. But all the same, even though you have Makoda's number from loops past, proper form should be observed. Less suspicious that way. And if things go wrong and Madoka is ever in trouble, she'll be able to call you for help. She hasn't always been able to... But if things go wrong, she will this time. You can only hope she'll think to.
We do need to plan this. Hm, actually... **goes and adds** Phones. We haven't gotten her number this loop, right? Or given her ours? Contact information is important! I presume we do have a cell phone, @SVS?
Can't think of anything else at the moment.
- Location
- U.S.
Hmmm... I'm thinking at some point we should we should introduce madoka and syaka to the magical girl system via a familiars labyrinth then inform them of all its downsides and the significant chance of wishes for the sake of other's to go wrong during a time stop so that the incubator can't put funny ideas in their heads.
mCooperative
meanderingCephalopod
- Location
- Back in Mitakihara after like 1000 years.
While I think that'd be a good way to go about it, I'm not sold on being able to convince Homura to go against her knee-jerk reaction of "Madoka anywhere near meguca things == NOPE". Also not sold on Madoka and Sayaka, but particularly Madoka, not coming up with some sorta wish like canon end or even like PMAS Sabrina that would lead her into trying to game the system and contract anyway because of wanting to help. Also kinda worried that we haven't seen Cubes wandering around lately, honestly, because that means he could be up to something...
- Location
- U.S.
True enough, but cube is going to contact madoka at one point or another, it's pretty much an inevitability, so doing it this way would ruin his credibility and make it much more likely for her to contract only under only the under most dire of threats, especially if we told her how QB tricked a "friend" (alt time line her) to basically sell her soul to save a cat.
Also, it is indeed troubling that we haven't seen the my little weasel out and about, if I had to guess it I would guess hover/stalking madoka and plotting to try and eliminate/exploit the false war or maybe bring in that magical girl soul gem collector to take us out.
Also, it is indeed troubling that we haven't seen the my little weasel out and about, if I had to guess it I would guess hover/stalking madoka and plotting to try and eliminate/exploit the false war or maybe bring in that magical girl soul gem collector to take us out.
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mCooperative
meanderingCephalopod
- Location
- Back in Mitakihara after like 1000 years.
Not enough intel to speculate about what Kyubey is doing, honestly, in this situation it could be altogether too many things.
As for telling Madoka, again, reckon we could tell it strong enough that she's dissuaded, but the biggest sticking point is convincing Homura to manage to communicate things properly. Because she wants Madoka well away from all this. I think probably the best starting point for getting her to be able to warn Madoka effectively is mostly... A hypothetical discussion of wish-granters, like genies or Monkey's Paw or stuff, and how a) they're dangerous even if they're not actively malicious, and b) they're sometimes actively malicious. Maybe throw in some real talk about anime, if we can find some good pre-existing deconstruction anime that we can discuss how fighting the good fight can kinda, well, suck, and it's not all being a hero of justice, sometimes it just... kills ya. If I thought Homura knew Buffy The Vampire Slayer, I'd say that's something to start with- One girl in all the world with a destiny to fight vampires, demons, the forces of darkness? But of course, there's more than just that surface, there are some real manipulative dicks behind the show, and you lose a lot to the fight, and it can kill the people you love, can kill innocent bystanders, just as readily as it can kill you, the warrior.
Eh. @SVS can you give us a thought about how hard a time we'd find convincing Homura to warn off Madoka, either indirectly like this, or explicitly with intel about the Incubator himself?
- Location
- Around here
And I'm back. Everybody, queue up one at a time so I can take your questions.
I'm only partway through determining the elements and origins of our main cast, but rest assured that it's something I will have down before it becomes relevant. Just like the revamped combat system.
We do not have a cell phone. That's definitely something we'll need to do. We do, however, have Madoka's cell and home numbers memorized from previous loops when we'd go phone shopping with Madoka.
I'm actually the of opposite opinion. While I do think there will come a time and place where we're forced to introduce Madoka to what it is to be meguca, I think doing so by bringing a civvie anywhere near any kind of labyrinth is just begging to invite all kinds of bad juju.
Kyubey is... Around. If I say any more it'll give away certain information, and we can't have that, now can we?
This is one that I can't give you a straight answer to. When the time comes that we're forced to approach Madoka about the meguca life, it'll depend entirely on too many factors- The situation under which we're forced to break the masquerade, the words we choose to use, how much Madoka trusts us, whether anyone else currently or potentially in the system has sway over her, etc... And because of that I can't really give a good answer to what you're asking.
I'm only partway through determining the elements and origins of our main cast, but rest assured that it's something I will have down before it becomes relevant. Just like the revamped combat system.
We do not have a cell phone. That's definitely something we'll need to do. We do, however, have Madoka's cell and home numbers memorized from previous loops when we'd go phone shopping with Madoka.
I'm actually the of opposite opinion. While I do think there will come a time and place where we're forced to introduce Madoka to what it is to be meguca, I think doing so by bringing a civvie anywhere near any kind of labyrinth is just begging to invite all kinds of bad juju.
Kyubey is... Around. If I say any more it'll give away certain information, and we can't have that, now can we?
This is one that I can't give you a straight answer to. When the time comes that we're forced to approach Madoka about the meguca life, it'll depend entirely on too many factors- The situation under which we're forced to break the masquerade, the words we choose to use, how much Madoka trusts us, whether anyone else currently or potentially in the system has sway over her, etc... And because of that I can't really give a good answer to what you're asking.
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- Location
- U.S.
[x] Talk to Madoka
-[x] About tomorrow (Sunday). Ask what both your plans should look like, where you want to go, at what time, etc.
-[x] Ask for Makoda's cell phone number, give her your own... so there can be no mistakes in coordinating or planning... or if she ever... just wants... to message you?
--[x] You have no idea what you're saying, someone save you, please. But all the same, even though you have Makoda's number from loops past, proper form should be observed. Less suspicious that way. And if things go wrong and Madoka is ever in trouble, she'll be able to call you for help. She hasn't always been able to... But if things go wrong, she will this time. You can only hope she'll think to.
-[x] About tomorrow (Sunday). Ask what both your plans should look like, where you want to go, at what time, etc.
-[x] Ask for Makoda's cell phone number, give her your own... so there can be no mistakes in coordinating or planning... or if she ever... just wants... to message you?
--[x] You have no idea what you're saying, someone save you, please. But all the same, even though you have Makoda's number from loops past, proper form should be observed. Less suspicious that way. And if things go wrong and Madoka is ever in trouble, she'll be able to call you for help. She hasn't always been able to... But if things go wrong, she will this time. You can only hope she'll think to.
Astra Myst
Do you want a wish?
- Location
- Milky Way Galaxy
- Pronouns
- Femhon/Boymoder
[x] Talk to Madoka
-[x] About tomorrow (Sunday). Ask what both your plans should look like, where you want to go, at what time, etc.
-[x] Ask for Makoda's cell phone number, give her your own... so there can be no mistakes in coordinating or planning... or if she ever... just wants... to message you?
--[x] You have no idea what you're saying, someone save you, please. But all the same, even though you have Makoda's number from loops past, proper form should be observed. Less suspicious that way. And if things go wrong and Madoka is ever in trouble, she'll be able to call you for help. She hasn't always been able to... But if things go wrong, she will this time. You can only hope she'll think to.
-[x] About tomorrow (Sunday). Ask what both your plans should look like, where you want to go, at what time, etc.
-[x] Ask for Makoda's cell phone number, give her your own... so there can be no mistakes in coordinating or planning... or if she ever... just wants... to message you?
--[x] You have no idea what you're saying, someone save you, please. But all the same, even though you have Makoda's number from loops past, proper form should be observed. Less suspicious that way. And if things go wrong and Madoka is ever in trouble, she'll be able to call you for help. She hasn't always been able to... But if things go wrong, she will this time. You can only hope she'll think to.
mCooperative
meanderingCephalopod
- Location
- Back in Mitakihara after like 1000 years.
Hm. *nods* Well, we do need to ask, at any rate, observe proper form. Give our land line if we don't got a cell phone yet. Then, yeah, we need a cell phone, sooner than later. Got to be able to receive those messages from Madoka, be in contact in case something happens. Or in case of random text conversations.
Day 4 Chapter 2
- Location
- Around here
[x] Talk to Madoka
-[x] About tomorrow (Sunday). Ask what both your plans should look like, where you want to go, at what time, etc.
-[x] Ask for Makoda's cell phone number, give her your own... so there can be no mistakes in coordinating or planning... or if she ever... just wants... to message you?
--[x] You have no idea what you're saying, someone save you, please. But all the same, even though you have Makoda's number from loops past, proper form should be observed. Less suspicious that way. And if things go wrong and Madoka is ever in trouble, she'll be able to call you for help. She hasn't always been able to... But if things go wrong, she will this time. You can only hope she'll think to.
Madoka greets you with a hug and an excited squeak of "Good morning, Homura-chan!" and for the first time in this loop you feel as though you can do it today.
You initiated the hug last night, but you aren't sure if you should chance an intrusion of Madoka's physical space a second time. She may not like you that way. Instead, you merely smile and respond "Good morning, Madoka."
You'll have a few minutes to yourselves before Miki Sayaka and Shizuki Hitomi join you on the way to school, and part of you is tempted to just enjoy the scenery in silence as the two of you walk to school together. You haven't been able to do that in a long time. But you shouldn't. You don't know if you and Tomoe-san will need to speak again at some time today, so anything important you need to say to Madoka has to be said now.
"About tomorrow..." You begin, unsure how to initiate the conversation after so many loops apart. "What... I mean, what were your plans for the day? Ahh, what time should we meet, I mean, and, did you have anywhere in particular you wanted to go? I've... Never been to a culture festival before, so I don't know what to expect."
"Well... I was hoping that we could start early, maybe. There'll be lots of fun things we can do at the festival; there'll be lots of vendors with food, games with prizes, last year there was a guy doing open-air screenings of old movies... Oh! We can get our fortunes told, Homura-chan! Wouldn't that be fun?"
No, that does not sound like fun. Madoka doesn't need to know your fortune.
Or her own.
"And then afterwards, I was thinking we could go to the mall and we can go shopping. Is there anything you want to get while we're out tomorrow, Homura-chan? Anything you need?"
"Well, I... I don't have a cell phone." How long has it been since you had need of a cell phone? Not since the last time you were close to Madoka. Not since then.
"Homura-chan, that's not good! What if something happens to you, like there's a emergency?"
"I have the number of my cardiologist taped to my home phone in case I need to contact him, and the nurse at school has his number as well."
"But what if you aren't at home or at school? What happens then, Homura-chan?" Madoka... She shouldn't be crying for someone like you. You don't deserve her tears. She's suffered enough for your mistakes, she shouldn't have to suffer more. "What if you get lost, or hurt, or scared, and you aren't in a place where you can call for help?"
You can't deny the validity of Madoka's worries, but you're no longer a human that has to worry about things like danger or calling for help. You are a puella magi, and danger will come to you no matter what you do. Still, if it's to appease Madoka... "If you'd like, you can help me pick out a phone tomorrow," you say, as you unzip your school bag and remove a pen and a piece of paper, writing numbers down before handing the slip to Madoka. "However, in the meantime, here is my home phone. You can call if you're worried about me, or you need to change your plans tomorrow before we meet or... Maybe... If you ever want to... Just, talk, with me?"
Kami above, Izanagi-no-Mikoto, please send help. You don't have the slightest idea what you're saying anymore. Even Sayaka's nonsense would be welcome aid at this point.
Madoka gleefully accepts your home phone. Her face lights up as she takes the slip of paper from you, and she holds it like it's the most precious treasure in the world. The brief moments in which her hands touched yours came dangerously close to sending you into cardiac arrest.
Madoka reciprocates your gesture, handing you a slip of paper with her own numbers written on it. "Here," she says, holding her paper out. You take it without hesitation. You have her cell number, home number, as well as the cell and work numbers of Kaname Junko, memorized from previous timelines, but you follow proper form and accept this gift anyway. "It's my cell and home numbers. Please, Homura-chan, don't hesitate to call if you ever need someone to talk to. Even if I can't, mama and papa can help you with anything. I promise."
Madoka... What did I do to deserve to fall in love with you?
Fortunately, your earlier prayers are answered before your heart can explode from acute exposure to Madoka. Sayaka and Hitomi have made their entrance, and for once you are rather relieved to see the pair. You overhear them talking about Kamijou Kyousuke - please, stop , both of you, you have no idea what your conversation will do to one another, please stop - but upon seeing you and Madoka they do indeed stop, joining you. Miki Sayaka's animated antics do indeed relieve the stress of conversation from your shoulders as the four of you finish the walk to school, and you find it easier to breathe again.
If only every day could be like this. If only it weren't fated to end in disaster.
Do you
[ ] Care enough about today's lesson to bother listening in
[ ] Skip to lunch - with Madoka and friends
[ ] Skip to lunch - with Tomoe-san
[ ] Change perspectives to Archer
[ ] Other (write-in)
?
-[x] About tomorrow (Sunday). Ask what both your plans should look like, where you want to go, at what time, etc.
-[x] Ask for Makoda's cell phone number, give her your own... so there can be no mistakes in coordinating or planning... or if she ever... just wants... to message you?
--[x] You have no idea what you're saying, someone save you, please. But all the same, even though you have Makoda's number from loops past, proper form should be observed. Less suspicious that way. And if things go wrong and Madoka is ever in trouble, she'll be able to call you for help. She hasn't always been able to... But if things go wrong, she will this time. You can only hope she'll think to.
Madoka greets you with a hug and an excited squeak of "Good morning, Homura-chan!" and for the first time in this loop you feel as though you can do it today.
You initiated the hug last night, but you aren't sure if you should chance an intrusion of Madoka's physical space a second time. She may not like you that way. Instead, you merely smile and respond "Good morning, Madoka."
You'll have a few minutes to yourselves before Miki Sayaka and Shizuki Hitomi join you on the way to school, and part of you is tempted to just enjoy the scenery in silence as the two of you walk to school together. You haven't been able to do that in a long time. But you shouldn't. You don't know if you and Tomoe-san will need to speak again at some time today, so anything important you need to say to Madoka has to be said now.
"About tomorrow..." You begin, unsure how to initiate the conversation after so many loops apart. "What... I mean, what were your plans for the day? Ahh, what time should we meet, I mean, and, did you have anywhere in particular you wanted to go? I've... Never been to a culture festival before, so I don't know what to expect."
"Well... I was hoping that we could start early, maybe. There'll be lots of fun things we can do at the festival; there'll be lots of vendors with food, games with prizes, last year there was a guy doing open-air screenings of old movies... Oh! We can get our fortunes told, Homura-chan! Wouldn't that be fun?"
No, that does not sound like fun. Madoka doesn't need to know your fortune.
Or her own.
"And then afterwards, I was thinking we could go to the mall and we can go shopping. Is there anything you want to get while we're out tomorrow, Homura-chan? Anything you need?"
"Well, I... I don't have a cell phone." How long has it been since you had need of a cell phone? Not since the last time you were close to Madoka. Not since then.
"Homura-chan, that's not good! What if something happens to you, like there's a emergency?"
"I have the number of my cardiologist taped to my home phone in case I need to contact him, and the nurse at school has his number as well."
"But what if you aren't at home or at school? What happens then, Homura-chan?" Madoka... She shouldn't be crying for someone like you. You don't deserve her tears. She's suffered enough for your mistakes, she shouldn't have to suffer more. "What if you get lost, or hurt, or scared, and you aren't in a place where you can call for help?"
You can't deny the validity of Madoka's worries, but you're no longer a human that has to worry about things like danger or calling for help. You are a puella magi, and danger will come to you no matter what you do. Still, if it's to appease Madoka... "If you'd like, you can help me pick out a phone tomorrow," you say, as you unzip your school bag and remove a pen and a piece of paper, writing numbers down before handing the slip to Madoka. "However, in the meantime, here is my home phone. You can call if you're worried about me, or you need to change your plans tomorrow before we meet or... Maybe... If you ever want to... Just, talk, with me?"
Kami above, Izanagi-no-Mikoto, please send help. You don't have the slightest idea what you're saying anymore. Even Sayaka's nonsense would be welcome aid at this point.
Madoka gleefully accepts your home phone. Her face lights up as she takes the slip of paper from you, and she holds it like it's the most precious treasure in the world. The brief moments in which her hands touched yours came dangerously close to sending you into cardiac arrest.
Madoka reciprocates your gesture, handing you a slip of paper with her own numbers written on it. "Here," she says, holding her paper out. You take it without hesitation. You have her cell number, home number, as well as the cell and work numbers of Kaname Junko, memorized from previous timelines, but you follow proper form and accept this gift anyway. "It's my cell and home numbers. Please, Homura-chan, don't hesitate to call if you ever need someone to talk to. Even if I can't, mama and papa can help you with anything. I promise."
Madoka... What did I do to deserve to fall in love with you?
Fortunately, your earlier prayers are answered before your heart can explode from acute exposure to Madoka. Sayaka and Hitomi have made their entrance, and for once you are rather relieved to see the pair. You overhear them talking about Kamijou Kyousuke - please, stop , both of you, you have no idea what your conversation will do to one another, please stop - but upon seeing you and Madoka they do indeed stop, joining you. Miki Sayaka's animated antics do indeed relieve the stress of conversation from your shoulders as the four of you finish the walk to school, and you find it easier to breathe again.
If only every day could be like this. If only it weren't fated to end in disaster.
Do you
[ ] Care enough about today's lesson to bother listening in
[ ] Skip to lunch - with Madoka and friends
[ ] Skip to lunch - with Tomoe-san
[ ] Change perspectives to Archer
[ ] Other (write-in)
?
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mCooperative
meanderingCephalopod
- Location
- Back in Mitakihara after like 1000 years.
Adorable heartbreaking Homu... And thus leaving me with the vague feeling that something will be shaking this up sooner than later.
Pft, and yeah, Hitomi and Sayaka need to please, stahp, with their talking there. Ugh, I have no idea how even to begin damage control on that.
Well we're late enough that if O&K going after Nagisa wasn't interrupted by something incidental, then we can't do much about it. Hm.
I think I'd like to see what Archer is up to, and what he thinks about the present state of affairs.
[x] Change perspectives to Archer
Don't have particular thoughts that would make me want to elaborate much at the moment, though.
Pft, and yeah, Hitomi and Sayaka need to please, stahp, with their talking there. Ugh, I have no idea how even to begin damage control on that.
Well we're late enough that if O&K going after Nagisa wasn't interrupted by something incidental, then we can't do much about it. Hm.
I think I'd like to see what Archer is up to, and what he thinks about the present state of affairs.
[x] Change perspectives to Archer
Don't have particular thoughts that would make me want to elaborate much at the moment, though.
Ultramandalore
Errant Quester
- Location
- just south of Parts Unknown
[x] Change perspectives to Archer
Day 4 Chapter 3
- Location
- Around here
[x] Change perspectives to Archer
Your name is Emiya Shirou, and it's been that way, in a linear sense, for almost twenty years. You don't quite remember who you were before the city-spanning conflagration that heralded the end of the 4th Holy Grail War, and something tells you that your master doesn't quite remember the person that she was prior to her great traumas, either. But you're beginning to see glimpses of the person you think she might have been, and despite everything else she seems to be making progress. She's got friends, one of whom you're pretty sure she has a major crush on, and despite the difficulties that have been presented to her she's soldiering on as best as she can, even trying to learn a new skill to overcome her disadvantages.
Speaking of which, it's surprising how quickly she's taken to Projection magecraft despite her claims to the contrary. Maybe she doesn't think that her efforts have yielded any progress, but she's vastly better at it than you were at her age. Hopefully, once she's mastered the ability to direct her magical energy into an offensive form, her ability to fight back against the challenges presented by these 'witches' will increase dramatically.
You follow behind your master and her friends in spirit form as they make their way to school, taking your place on the rooftop alongside Caster as the morning bell rings.
"Archer, a most pleasant morning to you," Gilgamesh greets you. "Our masters have made allies of one another." Good. You suspected as much, but it's good to hear it from another party all the same.
"That's wonderful to hear. I look forward to working alongside you, King of Heroes."
"Indeed, the joining of our alliance is cause for celebration. Yet, I can still sense some hesitation in your voice, Archer. Tell me, what has you concerned?"
[ ] Your master. Even if it seems like she's making progress, you're worried that her underlying traumas will still make problems for her later on
[ ] Lancer and her master. Even if our block has allied, we're missing critical information about their plans that could make dealing with them tricky
[ ] The master of Rider. A girl her age shouldn't be holed up in a burnt-out church eating junk food, and it bothers you that she seems okay with it
[ ] Other (write-in)
Your name is Emiya Shirou, and it's been that way, in a linear sense, for almost twenty years. You don't quite remember who you were before the city-spanning conflagration that heralded the end of the 4th Holy Grail War, and something tells you that your master doesn't quite remember the person that she was prior to her great traumas, either. But you're beginning to see glimpses of the person you think she might have been, and despite everything else she seems to be making progress. She's got friends, one of whom you're pretty sure she has a major crush on, and despite the difficulties that have been presented to her she's soldiering on as best as she can, even trying to learn a new skill to overcome her disadvantages.
Speaking of which, it's surprising how quickly she's taken to Projection magecraft despite her claims to the contrary. Maybe she doesn't think that her efforts have yielded any progress, but she's vastly better at it than you were at her age. Hopefully, once she's mastered the ability to direct her magical energy into an offensive form, her ability to fight back against the challenges presented by these 'witches' will increase dramatically.
You follow behind your master and her friends in spirit form as they make their way to school, taking your place on the rooftop alongside Caster as the morning bell rings.
"Archer, a most pleasant morning to you," Gilgamesh greets you. "Our masters have made allies of one another." Good. You suspected as much, but it's good to hear it from another party all the same.
"That's wonderful to hear. I look forward to working alongside you, King of Heroes."
"Indeed, the joining of our alliance is cause for celebration. Yet, I can still sense some hesitation in your voice, Archer. Tell me, what has you concerned?"
[ ] Your master. Even if it seems like she's making progress, you're worried that her underlying traumas will still make problems for her later on
[ ] Lancer and her master. Even if our block has allied, we're missing critical information about their plans that could make dealing with them tricky
[ ] The master of Rider. A girl her age shouldn't be holed up in a burnt-out church eating junk food, and it bothers you that she seems okay with it
[ ] Other (write-in)
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mCooperative
meanderingCephalopod
- Location
- Back in Mitakihara after like 1000 years.
[x] Lancer and her master. Even if our block has allied, we're missing critical information about their plans that could make dealing with them tricky
Stuff about Homura is kinda personal and weird to discuss with Gigglemoo, stuff with Kyouko feels equally weird, and more like something to discuss with Homura than Gigglemoo.
Stuff about Homura is kinda personal and weird to discuss with Gigglemoo, stuff with Kyouko feels equally weird, and more like something to discuss with Homura than Gigglemoo.
Day 4 Chapter 4
- Location
- Around here
[x] Lancer and her master. Even if our block has allied, we're missing critical information about their plans that could make dealing with them tricky
"Indeed, the joining of our alliance is cause for celebration. Yet, I can still sense some hesitation in your voice, Archer. Tell me, what has you concerned?"
Truth be told, Gilgamesh is right. There is still something on your mind despite the progress that yesterday had earned you and your master. "It's about Lancer and her master," you say. "We only know so much about what they can do, and we're missing too much to be able to successfully plan against them." You know that Lancer's master has precognition, and that her accomplice can alter her and her enemies perception of time, but... " On top of that, we don't have the slightest idea about what the Lancer servant herself is capable of. My master described her as being nimble and unnaturally strong despite her frail appearance, and said that she fought as though her own life had no meaning."
"Do any of our lives truly have meaning, Archer? We have already died once; what does it matter if our physical bodies are destroyed, so long as our core essence resides unharmed within the Throne of Heroes?"
"Perhaps, but I haven't yet encountered a servant who wanted to rejoin their essence so badly that they would throw any sense of self-preservation out the window. Furthermore, we don't know what Lancer's master is planning, or how her servant fits into those plans. There's just too many unknown variables involved in all of this for me to feel comfortable."
"My master wishes to speak with them before resorting to open war against their faction. Perhaps in the course of negotiations we may discern their motives, or catch a glimpse of what their plans entail."
"But I'm going to assume that you've already seen how those negotiations turn out, am I right?"
"Such trivial matters are not beyond the sight of I, the King. You are correct, Archer. I have already seen the outcomes of the negotiations, and their motives are as clear as day to me."
This is good news. If Gilgamesh already knows every possible outcome, it should be easy enough for him to pick through them and find the one that gives us the best chance of removing them from the equation, potentially without further loss of life."Well, what are we looking at, then?"
"Unfortunately, I cannot tell you." Well, that's a bummer. "Under normal circumstances, I would have no hesitations in giving you the answers that you seek. But by doing so, I would run the risk of violating the trust your master has placed in you, and in my own master as well. You must be the one to approach your master regarding our enemies, for I cannot presume to speak on her behalf."
"Well, that's a bummer. Understandable, but still a bummer." You haven't gotten anything new or useful out of Gilgamesh today... Or have you? You've learned that there's something about Lancer's master and her accomplice that could violate the trust your master has placed in you if you were to learn it from someone other than herself. It seems that their relationship is more interconnected than the mere 'rivals' your master had told you they were at first. You wonder what it could be. Well, you'll just have to file that away under 'things to talk to your master about', just the same as Gilgamesh's cryptic advice about the 'witch under the Brocken' or the fate of her blue-haired friend. Speaking of which, you should really find the time to speak with her about those things, but regrettably fate has had other plans lately.
Do you
[ ] Continue talking to Gilgamesh
-[ ] About (write-in)
[ ] Attempt to locate
-[ ] Your master, to set a time in which you can discuss what you've learned
-[ ] Gilgamesh's master, to oversee her meeting with Kure Kirika
--[ ] Invite Gilgamesh along to oversee the meeting
[ ] Other (write-in)
?
"Indeed, the joining of our alliance is cause for celebration. Yet, I can still sense some hesitation in your voice, Archer. Tell me, what has you concerned?"
Truth be told, Gilgamesh is right. There is still something on your mind despite the progress that yesterday had earned you and your master. "It's about Lancer and her master," you say. "We only know so much about what they can do, and we're missing too much to be able to successfully plan against them." You know that Lancer's master has precognition, and that her accomplice can alter her and her enemies perception of time, but... " On top of that, we don't have the slightest idea about what the Lancer servant herself is capable of. My master described her as being nimble and unnaturally strong despite her frail appearance, and said that she fought as though her own life had no meaning."
"Do any of our lives truly have meaning, Archer? We have already died once; what does it matter if our physical bodies are destroyed, so long as our core essence resides unharmed within the Throne of Heroes?"
"Perhaps, but I haven't yet encountered a servant who wanted to rejoin their essence so badly that they would throw any sense of self-preservation out the window. Furthermore, we don't know what Lancer's master is planning, or how her servant fits into those plans. There's just too many unknown variables involved in all of this for me to feel comfortable."
"My master wishes to speak with them before resorting to open war against their faction. Perhaps in the course of negotiations we may discern their motives, or catch a glimpse of what their plans entail."
"But I'm going to assume that you've already seen how those negotiations turn out, am I right?"
"Such trivial matters are not beyond the sight of I, the King. You are correct, Archer. I have already seen the outcomes of the negotiations, and their motives are as clear as day to me."
This is good news. If Gilgamesh already knows every possible outcome, it should be easy enough for him to pick through them and find the one that gives us the best chance of removing them from the equation, potentially without further loss of life."Well, what are we looking at, then?"
"Unfortunately, I cannot tell you." Well, that's a bummer. "Under normal circumstances, I would have no hesitations in giving you the answers that you seek. But by doing so, I would run the risk of violating the trust your master has placed in you, and in my own master as well. You must be the one to approach your master regarding our enemies, for I cannot presume to speak on her behalf."
"Well, that's a bummer. Understandable, but still a bummer." You haven't gotten anything new or useful out of Gilgamesh today... Or have you? You've learned that there's something about Lancer's master and her accomplice that could violate the trust your master has placed in you if you were to learn it from someone other than herself. It seems that their relationship is more interconnected than the mere 'rivals' your master had told you they were at first. You wonder what it could be. Well, you'll just have to file that away under 'things to talk to your master about', just the same as Gilgamesh's cryptic advice about the 'witch under the Brocken' or the fate of her blue-haired friend. Speaking of which, you should really find the time to speak with her about those things, but regrettably fate has had other plans lately.
Do you
[ ] Continue talking to Gilgamesh
-[ ] About (write-in)
[ ] Attempt to locate
-[ ] Your master, to set a time in which you can discuss what you've learned
-[ ] Gilgamesh's master, to oversee her meeting with Kure Kirika
--[ ] Invite Gilgamesh along to oversee the meeting
[ ] Other (write-in)
?
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Ultramandalore
Errant Quester
- Location
- just south of Parts Unknown
-[X] Gilgamesh's master, to oversee her meeting with Kure Kirika
--[X] Invite Gilgamesh along to oversee the meeting
--[X] Invite Gilgamesh along to oversee the meeting
Day 4 Chapter 5
- Location
- Around here
[X] Attempt to locate
-[X] Gilgamesh's master, to oversee her meeting with Kure Kirika
--[X] Invite Gilgamesh along to oversee the meeting
You should really find the time to speak with your master about the things you've learned from Gilgamesh, but perhaps that can be saved for later in the day. Maybe something to bring up after school before she resumes her Projection practice. For now though, you get the feeling that it would be a good idea to locate Gilgamesh's master, and covertly sit in on her meeting with Kure Kirika, the accomplice of Lancer's master.
"Gilgamesh, I'm going to see if I can find your master." You know he probably won't object, but it never hurts to be courteous and announce your intentions. "I'd like to sit in on her meeting with the accomplice of Lancer's master. Would you care to join me?"
Gilgamesh pauses, pondering; no doubt trying to weigh the best outcome of the possible futures he's currently viewing. Or perhaps he's got something else on his mind; this one always seems to be deep in thought, even when he's lounging about doing nothing but drinking expensive wine. Actually, that's probably when he does his best thinking. "Yes, I think I shall join you," he responds, after seconds that feel like eternity. "The sight of I, the King, reveals a great many things, but being able to see an opponent in person often gives a more complete picture of their character than my Sight alone can provide."
Well, this could be fun. Neither you nor Gilgamesh have met this Kure Kirika before. You wonder what she's like, to have thrown her lot in with Lancer's master. Is she a willing or unwilling participant in all this? Are they, as your master suspects, lovers? Close friends? A pair of random puella magi just working together to achieve their goals? No matter what, you're about to find out.
Through the clear walls that divide hallway and classroom, it's easy enough to spot Tomoe-san, with her golden-blonde hair done up in those distinct drill-shaped curls - Tomoe-san's hair almost makes you think of a younger, Japanese Luvia - but you aren't sure which one is Kirika. You smirk, positive that Gilgamesh already knows which of Tomoe-san's classmates is the target. You and Gilgamesh wait patiently in spirit form, waiting for the bell to ring, for the chance to see which girl Tomoe-san approaches in the time between classes.
You don't have to wait very long.
The bell rings, and students in classrooms all up and down the hall pack their things and shuffle out of class, heading to lunch. Your eyes are fixed on Tomoe-san as she makes her approach towards a girl in the back row, with chocolate-brown hair that falls just a little below her chin. She's got her phone out and is staring intently at it as her fingers fly across the keypad, paying little attention to Tomoe-san. However, it seems that Tomoe-san has convinced her to put the phone down long enough to hold a conversation, and after kissing her phone - you aren't sure why she did that, but you know for a fact you saw Kure Kirika kissing her phone - she puts the device away and redirects her attentions towards the conversation.
You can't hear their words through the walls of the classroom, but from where you stand things appear to be going... Adequately. Neither one has made any overtly threatening gestures towards the other, but even without hearing their conversation you can tell that it's a tense one. Their body language speaks louder than anything they might be saying to one another.
When their conversation ends and the two part ways, you can almost feel the tension in the air dissipating. Tomoe-san grabs her bag and heads out the door, while Kirika takes a boxed lunch out from hers, unpacks it at her desk, and eats alone in class as she resumes whatever activity she had been doing on her phone. It's strange, but she looks noticeably happier now than she did before or during her conversation with Tomoe-san. Could something have gone well? Or does she just love her phone that much that she's happier dealing with it than with other people?
Or maybe, it isn't the phone itself that makes her happy, but rather the person on the other end.
Tomoe-san stops as she exits the class, turning to you and Gilgamesh. You had almost forgotten that puella magi possess the ability to sense servants. "That was very foolish of the two of you," she says, clearly not pleased with your, or Gilgamesh's, eavesdropping. "If I could sense the two of you, then Kure-san almost certainly could as well."
"Anyway, since I assume you two came here to see how things were going, everything went... Adequately. Not particularly well, but acceptably enough. Kure-san has agreed to relay my desire to speak with Mikuni-san, so for now all we can do is wait." You hope there's nobody around to overhear Tomoe-san. Anyone eavesdropping might wonder if she's gone crazy, talking to people only she can see. "Now, if you'll both excuse me, I'm heading to lunch."
As soon as Tomoe-san is out of sight, Gilgamesh says to you "I do so enjoy my master. She is such fun to be around when she is flustered."
Well, that's left you at a loss for words.
What next?
[ ] Write-in
Alternatively,
[ ] What's your master been up to (write-in)
?
-[X] Gilgamesh's master, to oversee her meeting with Kure Kirika
--[X] Invite Gilgamesh along to oversee the meeting
You should really find the time to speak with your master about the things you've learned from Gilgamesh, but perhaps that can be saved for later in the day. Maybe something to bring up after school before she resumes her Projection practice. For now though, you get the feeling that it would be a good idea to locate Gilgamesh's master, and covertly sit in on her meeting with Kure Kirika, the accomplice of Lancer's master.
"Gilgamesh, I'm going to see if I can find your master." You know he probably won't object, but it never hurts to be courteous and announce your intentions. "I'd like to sit in on her meeting with the accomplice of Lancer's master. Would you care to join me?"
Gilgamesh pauses, pondering; no doubt trying to weigh the best outcome of the possible futures he's currently viewing. Or perhaps he's got something else on his mind; this one always seems to be deep in thought, even when he's lounging about doing nothing but drinking expensive wine. Actually, that's probably when he does his best thinking. "Yes, I think I shall join you," he responds, after seconds that feel like eternity. "The sight of I, the King, reveals a great many things, but being able to see an opponent in person often gives a more complete picture of their character than my Sight alone can provide."
Well, this could be fun. Neither you nor Gilgamesh have met this Kure Kirika before. You wonder what she's like, to have thrown her lot in with Lancer's master. Is she a willing or unwilling participant in all this? Are they, as your master suspects, lovers? Close friends? A pair of random puella magi just working together to achieve their goals? No matter what, you're about to find out.
Through the clear walls that divide hallway and classroom, it's easy enough to spot Tomoe-san, with her golden-blonde hair done up in those distinct drill-shaped curls - Tomoe-san's hair almost makes you think of a younger, Japanese Luvia - but you aren't sure which one is Kirika. You smirk, positive that Gilgamesh already knows which of Tomoe-san's classmates is the target. You and Gilgamesh wait patiently in spirit form, waiting for the bell to ring, for the chance to see which girl Tomoe-san approaches in the time between classes.
You don't have to wait very long.
The bell rings, and students in classrooms all up and down the hall pack their things and shuffle out of class, heading to lunch. Your eyes are fixed on Tomoe-san as she makes her approach towards a girl in the back row, with chocolate-brown hair that falls just a little below her chin. She's got her phone out and is staring intently at it as her fingers fly across the keypad, paying little attention to Tomoe-san. However, it seems that Tomoe-san has convinced her to put the phone down long enough to hold a conversation, and after kissing her phone - you aren't sure why she did that, but you know for a fact you saw Kure Kirika kissing her phone - she puts the device away and redirects her attentions towards the conversation.
You can't hear their words through the walls of the classroom, but from where you stand things appear to be going... Adequately. Neither one has made any overtly threatening gestures towards the other, but even without hearing their conversation you can tell that it's a tense one. Their body language speaks louder than anything they might be saying to one another.
When their conversation ends and the two part ways, you can almost feel the tension in the air dissipating. Tomoe-san grabs her bag and heads out the door, while Kirika takes a boxed lunch out from hers, unpacks it at her desk, and eats alone in class as she resumes whatever activity she had been doing on her phone. It's strange, but she looks noticeably happier now than she did before or during her conversation with Tomoe-san. Could something have gone well? Or does she just love her phone that much that she's happier dealing with it than with other people?
Or maybe, it isn't the phone itself that makes her happy, but rather the person on the other end.
Tomoe-san stops as she exits the class, turning to you and Gilgamesh. You had almost forgotten that puella magi possess the ability to sense servants. "That was very foolish of the two of you," she says, clearly not pleased with your, or Gilgamesh's, eavesdropping. "If I could sense the two of you, then Kure-san almost certainly could as well."
"Anyway, since I assume you two came here to see how things were going, everything went... Adequately. Not particularly well, but acceptably enough. Kure-san has agreed to relay my desire to speak with Mikuni-san, so for now all we can do is wait." You hope there's nobody around to overhear Tomoe-san. Anyone eavesdropping might wonder if she's gone crazy, talking to people only she can see. "Now, if you'll both excuse me, I'm heading to lunch."
As soon as Tomoe-san is out of sight, Gilgamesh says to you "I do so enjoy my master. She is such fun to be around when she is flustered."
Well, that's left you at a loss for words.
What next?
[ ] Write-in
Alternatively,
[ ] What's your master been up to (write-in)
?
Last edited:
- Location
- U.S.
[X] insidious plotting for tomorrow's date
Or maybe even something practical if you guys have an idea, cause I got none.
Or maybe even something practical if you guys have an idea, cause I got none.
mCooperative
meanderingCephalopod
- Location
- Back in Mitakihara after like 1000 years.
[x] Asking about all the questions Gilgamesh has left you with.
-[x] Then lifting any tension that conversation causes with insidious plotting for tomorrow's date.
--[x] You're fairly sure that your master is the sort of person who would quickly become paranoid if you were plotting insidiously enough you were actually trying to hide anything from her. Best not go quite that far. But light teasing and helpful suggestions and advice, in private, should serve you both well enough.
-[x] Then lifting any tension that conversation causes with insidious plotting for tomorrow's date.
--[x] You're fairly sure that your master is the sort of person who would quickly become paranoid if you were plotting insidiously enough you were actually trying to hide anything from her. Best not go quite that far. But light teasing and helpful suggestions and advice, in private, should serve you both well enough.
Ultramandalore
Errant Quester
- Location
- just south of Parts Unknown
[x] Asking about all the questions Gilgamesh has left you with.
-[x] Then lifting any tension that conversation causes with insidious plotting for tomorrow's date.
--[x] You're fairly sure that your master is the sort of person who would quickly become paranoid if you were plotting insidiously enough you were actually trying to hide anything from her. Best not go quite that far. But light teasing and helpful suggestions and advice, in private, should serve you both well enough.
-[x] Then lifting any tension that conversation causes with insidious plotting for tomorrow's date.
--[x] You're fairly sure that your master is the sort of person who would quickly become paranoid if you were plotting insidiously enough you were actually trying to hide anything from her. Best not go quite that far. But light teasing and helpful suggestions and advice, in private, should serve you both well enough.
Day 4 Chapter 6
- Location
- Around here
[x] Asking about all the questions Gilgamesh has left you with.
-[x] Then lifting any tension that conversation causes with insidious plotting for tomorrow's date.
--[x] You're fairly sure that your master is the sort of person who would quickly become paranoid if you were plotting insidiously enough you were actually trying to hide anything from her. Best not go quite that far. But light teasing and helpful suggestions and advice, in private, should serve you both well enough.
Well, that's left you at a loss for words. Fortunately, the state of your ally and his master isn't really your concern at the moment. They can joke however they want with each other. You, on the other hand, should probably locate your master, to see if you can't get some answers for the questions Gilgamesh's words have given you. Still in spirit form, you follow Tomoe-san into the cafeteria, breaking off once it's become obvious that she's still rather annoyed by your presence. You can't really blame her. Actually, despite the small tactical advantage you've gained from your glimpse at the enemy, it wasn't really worth the risk that she almost certainly would have sensed you, and is reporting back to Lancer's master that there's an enemy servant at the school.
Your master isn't sitting with her friends today, and while the blue- and green-haired ones seem to be carrying on well enough without her, her absence has the pink one looking rather down. You're starting to suspect that she might like your master back.
"Hey, cheer up Madoka," the blue one says, patting her friend on the back. "Homura's probably just really busy."
"You think so?"
"I'm sure she's just trying to finish something up for next class. I mean, she did miss a lot on Thursday, maybe she just hasn't had enough time to finish it all yet."
Her words seem to cheer the pinkette up, but you aren't entirely convinced that she's buying it. Still, if your master isn't here, then where could she be? You have one idea, so you make for the bathroom on the upper floor that you met in on Thursday... God, that just sounded so wrong. You're glad that you're thinking this and not saying it, or someone might have taken that the wrong way.
As you suspected, your master has holed herself up in the abandoned bathroom, and is currently in the midst of practicing her Projection. She's not made much progress from this morning, you're sad to say, and she stops the instant you make your entrance. "What are you doing here, Archer?"
"I saw that you weren't at lunch with your friends. I got worried, so I went looking for you."
"You didn't need to worry. Kure Kirika may be a violent sadist, but even she's not stupid enough to break the masquerade by attacking another puella magi in broad daylight in a public place."
"Actually, it's your mental health I'm worried about." You know you shouldn't try to intentionally poke at your master's traumas, but right now you don't know how else to get your point across without it, even if it's just in passing. "Listen, I already told you that you've made more than enough progress. You shouldn't be holing yourself up in an abandoned bathroom while your friends are wondering where you've run off to. There will be time to practice your magecraft later, but when you're in school, I want you to let yourself be a normal girl and have fun with your friends."
"You don't understand. I need to master this as soon as possible. Otherwise... Otherwise I won't be able to do this... I won't be able to..."
"You're right; I don't understand. But I'm right here, and I'm willing to listen any time you feel like letting me in."
Contentment spreads across your master's face. Not happiness, not by a long shot; but contentment. You suppose that's the best you can hope for, for now. "Thank you for worrying about me, Archer, but I'll be fine. Now, I sense there's a bit more to this visit than just you worrying about me on behalf of my friends."
"I said it last night, and I'll say it again; you're very astute. Yes, there is more to my visit. The past few days that I've spoken with Tomoe-san's servant have given me a number of questions, and I have a feeling that you might have some answers."
"You are referring to the witch sleeping under the Brocken, correct?"
"Yes, but that's not all. He also warned of an impending doom on your blue-haired friend, and said that I should ask you if I wanted to understand our enemies."
"Yes, but that's not all. He also warned of an impending doom on your blue-haired friend, and said that I should ask you if I wanted to understand our enemies."
Your name is Akemi Homura, and right now you may be forced to reveal some of your secrets if Archer is to stay useful and in the know. He has questions about Walpurgisnacht, about the ultimate fate of Miki Sayaka, and about your animosity towards Mikuni Oriko and Kure Kirika. But you aren't sure how much information you can trust him with; how much you can say without giving yourself or your mission away.
You aren't even sure if it's safe to give him the answers he's looking for.
Do you
[ ] Tell him about
-[ ] Walpurgisnacht
-[ ] Miki Sayaka
-[ ] Mikuni Oriko and Kure Kirika
(you may choose up to two options) (specify how much you're willing to tell him)
[ ] Tell him later once you're home
[ ] Don't tell him
[ ] Other (write-in)
?
-[x] Then lifting any tension that conversation causes with insidious plotting for tomorrow's date.
--[x] You're fairly sure that your master is the sort of person who would quickly become paranoid if you were plotting insidiously enough you were actually trying to hide anything from her. Best not go quite that far. But light teasing and helpful suggestions and advice, in private, should serve you both well enough.
Well, that's left you at a loss for words. Fortunately, the state of your ally and his master isn't really your concern at the moment. They can joke however they want with each other. You, on the other hand, should probably locate your master, to see if you can't get some answers for the questions Gilgamesh's words have given you. Still in spirit form, you follow Tomoe-san into the cafeteria, breaking off once it's become obvious that she's still rather annoyed by your presence. You can't really blame her. Actually, despite the small tactical advantage you've gained from your glimpse at the enemy, it wasn't really worth the risk that she almost certainly would have sensed you, and is reporting back to Lancer's master that there's an enemy servant at the school.
Your master isn't sitting with her friends today, and while the blue- and green-haired ones seem to be carrying on well enough without her, her absence has the pink one looking rather down. You're starting to suspect that she might like your master back.
"Hey, cheer up Madoka," the blue one says, patting her friend on the back. "Homura's probably just really busy."
"You think so?"
"I'm sure she's just trying to finish something up for next class. I mean, she did miss a lot on Thursday, maybe she just hasn't had enough time to finish it all yet."
Her words seem to cheer the pinkette up, but you aren't entirely convinced that she's buying it. Still, if your master isn't here, then where could she be? You have one idea, so you make for the bathroom on the upper floor that you met in on Thursday... God, that just sounded so wrong. You're glad that you're thinking this and not saying it, or someone might have taken that the wrong way.
As you suspected, your master has holed herself up in the abandoned bathroom, and is currently in the midst of practicing her Projection. She's not made much progress from this morning, you're sad to say, and she stops the instant you make your entrance. "What are you doing here, Archer?"
"I saw that you weren't at lunch with your friends. I got worried, so I went looking for you."
"You didn't need to worry. Kure Kirika may be a violent sadist, but even she's not stupid enough to break the masquerade by attacking another puella magi in broad daylight in a public place."
"Actually, it's your mental health I'm worried about." You know you shouldn't try to intentionally poke at your master's traumas, but right now you don't know how else to get your point across without it, even if it's just in passing. "Listen, I already told you that you've made more than enough progress. You shouldn't be holing yourself up in an abandoned bathroom while your friends are wondering where you've run off to. There will be time to practice your magecraft later, but when you're in school, I want you to let yourself be a normal girl and have fun with your friends."
"You don't understand. I need to master this as soon as possible. Otherwise... Otherwise I won't be able to do this... I won't be able to..."
"You're right; I don't understand. But I'm right here, and I'm willing to listen any time you feel like letting me in."
Contentment spreads across your master's face. Not happiness, not by a long shot; but contentment. You suppose that's the best you can hope for, for now. "Thank you for worrying about me, Archer, but I'll be fine. Now, I sense there's a bit more to this visit than just you worrying about me on behalf of my friends."
"I said it last night, and I'll say it again; you're very astute. Yes, there is more to my visit. The past few days that I've spoken with Tomoe-san's servant have given me a number of questions, and I have a feeling that you might have some answers."
"You are referring to the witch sleeping under the Brocken, correct?"
"Yes, but that's not all. He also warned of an impending doom on your blue-haired friend, and said that I should ask you if I wanted to understand our enemies."
"Yes, but that's not all. He also warned of an impending doom on your blue-haired friend, and said that I should ask you if I wanted to understand our enemies."
Your name is Akemi Homura, and right now you may be forced to reveal some of your secrets if Archer is to stay useful and in the know. He has questions about Walpurgisnacht, about the ultimate fate of Miki Sayaka, and about your animosity towards Mikuni Oriko and Kure Kirika. But you aren't sure how much information you can trust him with; how much you can say without giving yourself or your mission away.
You aren't even sure if it's safe to give him the answers he's looking for.
Do you
[ ] Tell him about
-[ ] Walpurgisnacht
-[ ] Miki Sayaka
-[ ] Mikuni Oriko and Kure Kirika
(you may choose up to two options) (specify how much you're willing to tell him)
[ ] Tell him later once you're home
[ ] Don't tell him
[ ] Other (write-in)
?