[X] Plan NMS
It's to be expected that your progress with the Inguz rune would be, paradoxically, both massive and yet no more than baby steps, and both at the same time. While you feel that the progress you have made is a monumental step forward compared to when you last practiced on Saturday, you are also able to recognize that it only feels like such a massive leap forward on account of how little your mastery of the rune really is.
Still, you would be lying if you said that tonight's efforts were wasted; on the contrary, tonight has been a good night for practice; though as you look around the room and see your allies, immersed in their own practice, you see that some have made greater progress than others.
"Why can't I figure this out?" Kure Kirika asks, chewing on her tongue as she frantically switches between her cluttered and erratic notes for Fehu and Gebo, and the blade upon which she is attempting to engrave the results of tonight's practice, to little success. She throws her head back, staring at the ceiling as she moans "Why was this so much to do easier when I didn't lave legs?"
"What's the matter, dearest?" asks Mikuni Oriko, as she leans over from her own practice of Uruz to take a look at her lover's progress. "Where do you need help?"
"Here, here, and especially here," Kure Kirika responds, stabbing her practice sheet with her finger as she points out the trouble spots for her lover. "Right up until tonight, I've been able to keep making steady progress merging these two together, like this-" Gently this time, Kure Kirika traces the course of her progress for Mikuni Oriko's observation. "-and I've gotten it to a point where, at least in theory, 'cause I haven't really had the chance to test it out for real, I should be able to use these together to siphon back about fifty per cent of whatever magical energy I drain from the enemy. Problem is, no matter how hard I've tried, I just can't push it past that fifty per cent mark."
"And trying to break that fifty per cent barrier is what's causing you stress?"
Kure Kirika nods, but Mikuni Oriko offers up an alternative for her lover. "Perhaps you've simply reached the limit of what you can do with those runes, in that case. I hit a similar wall in trying to push Othala past a seven-point barrier; I just couldn't make an eight-point barrier, no matter what I tried. Instead of getting frustrated, I took that as a sign that it was time for me to study another rune." Mikuni Oriko turns to you and asks "Did you hit a similar wall when you were studying Isa?"
You shake your head, responding with "I don't think so. Instead, I stopped when I discovered an attack that could kill me without the proper Grief dampening in place."
"Finitora Freccia, you mean?"
You nod. "I'm glad I was able to make it that far; minus our servants, we're incredibly lacking in hard-hitting offensive finishers; but after Finitora Freccia I don't think there's much more I could do with Isa even without having hit the 'wall' you're talking about." That Kure Kirika's progress with Fehu and Gebo is lacking doesn't surprise you; not only is she working with two runes at once compared to your Inguz, Tomoe-san's Berkano, and Mikuni Oriko's Uruz, but she was also farther along with those two runes than any of you are. It's entirely possible, you think, that she's simply reached the limit of what she can do, just as you've done with Isa and Mikuni Oriko has done with Othala.
"And what about your own progress with Uruz?" you ask Mikuni Oriko. "How are you doing there?"
"In theory? Quite well," Mikuni Oriko responds. "If I'm correct, I should be at the point where I can stitch together severed limbs... Not that I'd ever wish for the opportunity to test that on anyone." It's not the wholesale regeneration of limbs which you recall Sayaka was capable of, but stitching severed limbs is still a decent skill for your team's healer apparent to possess. But then reality sets in... "In practice, however, I haven't had the chance to test my progress on anything more than small cuts, so my best guesses are just that; guesses." Mikuni Oriko turns to Tomoe-san, who has been quietly working her magic while the rest of you have been chatting, and she asks "And what about you, Tomoe-san? How are you coming along?"
"Similar to you, I'm only working off of theory at the moment," Tomoe-san responds, looking up from her practice sheet. "However, similar to Kure-san, I think I've hit a wall of my own, in that I can't seem to get my Grief dampening to go above fifty per cent. So instead, I'm trying to increase the strength of Berkano's sealing ability. At least from what I've seen, I think that will be more useful to us than its tracking ability, now that we no longer have to go searching for the previous Assassin."
"And how far along are you in that?" you ask.
"I don't know, Akemi-san. I suppose the only way to know for sure would be to test it, as well as to test it against the strength of Lancer's own Berkano to see how much stronger mine could be."
You nod, lips pursed as you lose yourself in thought. Tonight has been good practice all around, but you'll need to give it some thought as to how best everyone can use their abilities in combination with everyone else.
[ ] What are your thoughts? (write-in)
However, this isn't the only practice you'd like to get in tonight. After all, there's a stack of books sitting back at your apartment courtesy of Archer's former master; and you've got some friends who could take advantage of their presence.
Unfortunately, upon giving the matter further consideration, you realize that perhaps tonight isn't the best night to try organising a practice session with your non-magical friends. Sayaka is probably still enjoying her date; Kyouko hasn't returned yet, so you're assuming that the pair are still out and enjoying themselves, and haven't parted ways in their usual hissy fit-throwing manner. You recall Madoka saying she had things to take care of with her family after her club got out, but that she would call you if she had the time to spare. A quick check of your phone reveals that you have no new messages from her, neither a text nor voicemail, so you're assuming that she isn't yet free tonight.
That just leaves Hitomi. Fortunately, Hitomi is the one most eager to learn, and most likely to benefit from a shared study session. "Excuse me for a moment," you say, heading into the kitchen; and you dial Hitomi's number, waiting for a response from the other end of the line.
*Ring*
*Ring*
*Ring*
"Moshi moshi, Shizuki Hitomi speaking."
So far, so good; she's picked up. Perhaps this means you'll be able to get something together after this, after all. "Good evening, Hitomi; it's Homura."
"Ah, Akemi-san, good evening! How are you?"
"I'm fine; yourself?"
"Fine as well; having the weekend off has really done wonders for my nerves. Now, was there something you needed from me?"
"Well, there's a stack of books sitting in my apartment, if you wanted to get together and have a joint study session tonight."
There's a pause on the other end of the line, before Hitomi says "Oh, I'm terribly sorry; I'd love to join you, but... Well, you actually caught me in the middle of spending time with Kamijou-kun." There's another pause on Hitomi's end of the line; and you hear her voice whispering something, likely to Kamijou Kyousuke, before she returns. "So I'm afraid I'll have to refuse your offer tonight, much as I would love to join you. Perhaps tomorrow night will be better, if you're free after your club gets out."
"Right, tomorrow it will have to be." Madoka; Sayaka; and Hitomi makes strike three. You're out. "I hope you and Kamijou Kyousuke enjoy yourselves; I'll see you tomorrow, then."
"I'll see you tomorrow. Good night, Akemi-san."
You place your phone back in your pocket, and return to the living room where your allies wait for you, still practicing their runes. You've gotten so used to having people listening to you for a change, that perhaps it's gone to your head; in that case, the reminder that your friends have lives outside of you will serve as a good lesson to carry with you in the future.
[ ] Wat do?