Confringentur, Mk.2; a Madoka Magica / Fate/Stay Night crossover
- Thread starter SVS
- Start date
- Crossover
[x] enetious
Day 37 Chapter 2
- Location
- Around here
[X] Plan Nothing Threatening Is Going To Happen For The Next Two Weeks Until Walpurgis
True to your request, Archer obliges and makes you pancakes for breakfast. It's so very un-Japanese, and yet Archer just makes the best pancakes you've ever had, and you would be remiss to say that you wouldn't mind eating them every day for breakfast. So of course, you ask him "Could you show me how you make your pancakes?" on the chance that you ever have a craving for pancakes just the way dad used to make them and Archer isn't around.
Not so long afterwards, you, Archer, and Assassin sit down at the kitchen table together, three plates of pancakes among you, and you having gotten a front-row seat to the baking process. There's something magical about watching Archer cook; the amount of work he puts into making it seem like the finished product took him no work at all is simply astonishing. Breakfast is served for Amy as well, you put out fresh food and water for her; and the table is silent as the four of you all dig in.
Well, silent for long enough. "I should apologise for falling asleep in your lap like that," you say to Assassin. "I must have been too focused on what I was practicing that I lost track of time." Just how much progress were you able to make last night, anyway? At the moment, you can't quite recall how far along you had gotten. You don't remember successfully making a Mystic Code form your rune; perhaps you should ask Hitomi how far along she's gotten. That might give you a good baseline for how long it may take you before you have it down as well.
"Think nothing of it, master," Assassin says, flashing you a smile as she speaks. "It was nice to be close to you while you slept, and I wish it were feasible for us to be closer like that more often."
The rest of breakfast continues in much the same fashion; some light conversation, some quiet moments; during one of those quiet moments, you send a text to the members of your team, letting them know about your plans for the evening.
<Homura: I'd like to see us all get together for some team exercises tonight.>
<Homura: I know Kirika won't be with us tonight, but that's fine. Tonight should mostly be about getting Nagatsuki Miyuki and Saber started on integrating with us as teammates.>
You leave your phone alone and return to eating; a few moments later, and you have your responses.
<Tomoe-san: Let's go over our options when we're all together. While I'm sure you have some ideas of your own, Akemi-san, I'd like for Nagatsuki-san to have a say in tonight's exercises as well.>
<Mikuni Oriko: Is there a chance we could host tonight's meeting at another person's residence? I know Nagatsuki-san has her problems getting out of the house, but I've hosted us several times in a row now. I think it's fair that someone else takes a turn.>
<Nagatsuki Miyuki: I'm sorry to keep forcing my inability to leave on you, Mikuni, but unless someone else lives pretty close to you I don't think that's going to be possible.>
<Mikuni Oriko: Kirika only lives a few train stops from me. Perhaps her mother would let us use her apartment? Akemi-san?>
<Homura: I doubt it. Kure Minako would probably think we were a distraction to her daughter's studies. You especially.>
<Kyouko: Just suck it up and host us again, big white. S'not like anyone else has a lotta room ta host 6 girls and 7 servants. Not even mami's got that much space>
<Kyouko: Maybe Spooky, but she's over an hour away from where u r>
<Homura: I wouldn't be opposed to hosting us, if Nagatsuki Miyuki thought she could make it to my apartment.>
You'll let your teammates discuss hosting arrangements; all the while bemoaning how Nagatsuki Miyuki's house arrest makes things even harder for you than Kirika's new living arrangements. While you wait for the four of them to come to an agreement, you'll finish breakfast in peace, shower, change, and get ready for school.
Your school bag is packed and you're ready to head out for the day, but someone is blocking your path. Amy stands in the doorway as you slip your shoes on, slinking her way underneath your hand as she mews, waiting for what she's become accustomed to. "You're a real troublemaker, you know that?" you say to her, as you scratch her behind the ears. "One of these days, you're going to make me late to school." But when Amy's mews turn to contentment and she scampers off, you can't help but smile. It almost feels like you're just a normal girl again.
A normal girl, with a father, a cat, and a girlfriend who is waiting for you.
"Homura-chan!" Madoka greets you just as she does each day, calling out your name as the two of you catch sight of the other, followed by a warm embrace and a smile that could melt even the coldest heart. "How did your dinner go last night? Did you and Kirika-chan get along? Did Archer and Kirika-chan's mom have fun toghether? Was dinner tasty? Tell me everything!"
You smile as Madoka's earnest excitement fills your body with warmth. "Alright, alright, calm down," you say, letting Madoka down gently. "I'll tell you everything, I promise- But only once Sayaka and Hitomi join us. I know they'll want to hear how everything went as well."
A walk in silence with Madoka by your side, hands held tight, is a peaceful moment you're glad to share with her on this lovely April morning; but you know Madoka is anxious to hear all about dinner; and a part of you is anxious to talk about it. So when Sayaka and Hitomi come into view, and when Sayaka wastes no time accosting the two of you with an arm around each shoulder and a "Hey there, you two lovebirds; how's it going?" you see no reason to keep her waiting any longer.
"Well, as I'm sure you all know, yesterday Archer and I went over to the Kure apartment for dinner." Sayaka smirks, and she and Madoka form their hands into the outline of a heart as you speak. Hitomi rolls her eyes, but after a few playful jabs from her blue-haired friend is convinced to join in. "Mhm, maybe," you say. "I don't know if Archer and Kirika's mother are together, but after last night I think it's a good bet that they are both interested in a relationship." To Madoka in particular you have one more thing to say, "I know your mother was looking forward to playing matchmaker for the two of them at tomorrow's dinner, so please promise me that you won't tell her, okay?"
"Mhm, don't worry Homura-chan! I promise I won't let mama know!"
Sayaka rolls her eyes, despite only moments earlier having been the one to start the hand-heart-outline thing, and she says "The mushy stuff's great and all, and I guess it's cool that your dad's got a girlfriend, but what about dinner? Come on, tell us; what did Mister Archer make, and how amazing was it?"
"The dinner itself went quite well. We had salmon and mushrooms baked in foil." You can see Sayaka salivating at the thought of Archer's cooking, but the joke's on her. "Actually, Archer wasn't the one who made dinner. He provided excellent instruction, to be sure, but Kure Minako was the one responsible for cooking. I couldn't tell the difference until he said so."
You spend the rest of the walk to school regaling your friends about the events of last night; getting to know Kirika better, the sort of things talked about over the dinner table, and of course, the adoring reactions of Kure Minako as you and Kirika acted like a pair of squabbling siblings for her amusement. "... And speaking of which," you say, greeting your sister-to-be with a wave as she stands vigil at the front gate beside Tomoe-san. "Why don't you tell them what your mom's nickname for you is?"
"Oh, don't you start with that," Kirika responds. Beside her, Tomoe-san stifles a laugh. "It's bad enough that mom refuses to stop calling me that; I don't need you calling me that either."
"Well, I think it's rather fitting," you say. "It matches your favourite colours so well; and when you smile, I can't help but see the resemblance. You both just have such wide smiles."
Kirika rolls her eyes, and Tomoe-san says "Kure-san was telling me about how dinner went last night. It sounds like everything went well for the four of you."
"Yes. I enjoyed dinner very much, and I think Archer did as well." Loud and clear, you hear the sounds of the school bell's chime. "It's time," you say. "We should get going." Today promises to be another long day. You hope it's as fulfilling a day as yesterday was.
[ ] What's your plan for the school day?
True to your request, Archer obliges and makes you pancakes for breakfast. It's so very un-Japanese, and yet Archer just makes the best pancakes you've ever had, and you would be remiss to say that you wouldn't mind eating them every day for breakfast. So of course, you ask him "Could you show me how you make your pancakes?" on the chance that you ever have a craving for pancakes just the way dad used to make them and Archer isn't around.
Not so long afterwards, you, Archer, and Assassin sit down at the kitchen table together, three plates of pancakes among you, and you having gotten a front-row seat to the baking process. There's something magical about watching Archer cook; the amount of work he puts into making it seem like the finished product took him no work at all is simply astonishing. Breakfast is served for Amy as well, you put out fresh food and water for her; and the table is silent as the four of you all dig in.
Well, silent for long enough. "I should apologise for falling asleep in your lap like that," you say to Assassin. "I must have been too focused on what I was practicing that I lost track of time." Just how much progress were you able to make last night, anyway? At the moment, you can't quite recall how far along you had gotten. You don't remember successfully making a Mystic Code form your rune; perhaps you should ask Hitomi how far along she's gotten. That might give you a good baseline for how long it may take you before you have it down as well.
"Think nothing of it, master," Assassin says, flashing you a smile as she speaks. "It was nice to be close to you while you slept, and I wish it were feasible for us to be closer like that more often."
The rest of breakfast continues in much the same fashion; some light conversation, some quiet moments; during one of those quiet moments, you send a text to the members of your team, letting them know about your plans for the evening.
<Homura: I'd like to see us all get together for some team exercises tonight.>
<Homura: I know Kirika won't be with us tonight, but that's fine. Tonight should mostly be about getting Nagatsuki Miyuki and Saber started on integrating with us as teammates.>
You leave your phone alone and return to eating; a few moments later, and you have your responses.
<Tomoe-san: Let's go over our options when we're all together. While I'm sure you have some ideas of your own, Akemi-san, I'd like for Nagatsuki-san to have a say in tonight's exercises as well.>
<Mikuni Oriko: Is there a chance we could host tonight's meeting at another person's residence? I know Nagatsuki-san has her problems getting out of the house, but I've hosted us several times in a row now. I think it's fair that someone else takes a turn.>
<Nagatsuki Miyuki: I'm sorry to keep forcing my inability to leave on you, Mikuni, but unless someone else lives pretty close to you I don't think that's going to be possible.>
<Mikuni Oriko: Kirika only lives a few train stops from me. Perhaps her mother would let us use her apartment? Akemi-san?>
<Homura: I doubt it. Kure Minako would probably think we were a distraction to her daughter's studies. You especially.>
<Kyouko: Just suck it up and host us again, big white. S'not like anyone else has a lotta room ta host 6 girls and 7 servants. Not even mami's got that much space>
<Kyouko: Maybe Spooky, but she's over an hour away from where u r>
<Homura: I wouldn't be opposed to hosting us, if Nagatsuki Miyuki thought she could make it to my apartment.>
You'll let your teammates discuss hosting arrangements; all the while bemoaning how Nagatsuki Miyuki's house arrest makes things even harder for you than Kirika's new living arrangements. While you wait for the four of them to come to an agreement, you'll finish breakfast in peace, shower, change, and get ready for school.
Your school bag is packed and you're ready to head out for the day, but someone is blocking your path. Amy stands in the doorway as you slip your shoes on, slinking her way underneath your hand as she mews, waiting for what she's become accustomed to. "You're a real troublemaker, you know that?" you say to her, as you scratch her behind the ears. "One of these days, you're going to make me late to school." But when Amy's mews turn to contentment and she scampers off, you can't help but smile. It almost feels like you're just a normal girl again.
A normal girl, with a father, a cat, and a girlfriend who is waiting for you.
"Homura-chan!" Madoka greets you just as she does each day, calling out your name as the two of you catch sight of the other, followed by a warm embrace and a smile that could melt even the coldest heart. "How did your dinner go last night? Did you and Kirika-chan get along? Did Archer and Kirika-chan's mom have fun toghether? Was dinner tasty? Tell me everything!"
You smile as Madoka's earnest excitement fills your body with warmth. "Alright, alright, calm down," you say, letting Madoka down gently. "I'll tell you everything, I promise- But only once Sayaka and Hitomi join us. I know they'll want to hear how everything went as well."
A walk in silence with Madoka by your side, hands held tight, is a peaceful moment you're glad to share with her on this lovely April morning; but you know Madoka is anxious to hear all about dinner; and a part of you is anxious to talk about it. So when Sayaka and Hitomi come into view, and when Sayaka wastes no time accosting the two of you with an arm around each shoulder and a "Hey there, you two lovebirds; how's it going?" you see no reason to keep her waiting any longer.
"Well, as I'm sure you all know, yesterday Archer and I went over to the Kure apartment for dinner." Sayaka smirks, and she and Madoka form their hands into the outline of a heart as you speak. Hitomi rolls her eyes, but after a few playful jabs from her blue-haired friend is convinced to join in. "Mhm, maybe," you say. "I don't know if Archer and Kirika's mother are together, but after last night I think it's a good bet that they are both interested in a relationship." To Madoka in particular you have one more thing to say, "I know your mother was looking forward to playing matchmaker for the two of them at tomorrow's dinner, so please promise me that you won't tell her, okay?"
"Mhm, don't worry Homura-chan! I promise I won't let mama know!"
Sayaka rolls her eyes, despite only moments earlier having been the one to start the hand-heart-outline thing, and she says "The mushy stuff's great and all, and I guess it's cool that your dad's got a girlfriend, but what about dinner? Come on, tell us; what did Mister Archer make, and how amazing was it?"
"The dinner itself went quite well. We had salmon and mushrooms baked in foil." You can see Sayaka salivating at the thought of Archer's cooking, but the joke's on her. "Actually, Archer wasn't the one who made dinner. He provided excellent instruction, to be sure, but Kure Minako was the one responsible for cooking. I couldn't tell the difference until he said so."
You spend the rest of the walk to school regaling your friends about the events of last night; getting to know Kirika better, the sort of things talked about over the dinner table, and of course, the adoring reactions of Kure Minako as you and Kirika acted like a pair of squabbling siblings for her amusement. "... And speaking of which," you say, greeting your sister-to-be with a wave as she stands vigil at the front gate beside Tomoe-san. "Why don't you tell them what your mom's nickname for you is?"
"Oh, don't you start with that," Kirika responds. Beside her, Tomoe-san stifles a laugh. "It's bad enough that mom refuses to stop calling me that; I don't need you calling me that either."
"Well, I think it's rather fitting," you say. "It matches your favourite colours so well; and when you smile, I can't help but see the resemblance. You both just have such wide smiles."
Kirika rolls her eyes, and Tomoe-san says "Kure-san was telling me about how dinner went last night. It sounds like everything went well for the four of you."
"Yes. I enjoyed dinner very much, and I think Archer did as well." Loud and clear, you hear the sounds of the school bell's chime. "It's time," you say. "We should get going." Today promises to be another long day. You hope it's as fulfilling a day as yesterday was.
[ ] What's your plan for the school day?
- Location
- United States
[x] Get as much work as you can done on your group project.
- Location
- United States
[X] Plan Yet Another Day At School
-[X] What's your plan for the school day?
--[X] Pay attention in class
--[X] Work on your school project with your teammates in the library
--[X] Go to Lunch and talk to
---[X] Madoka
----[X] asking her if Kyuubey's been giving her any trouble recently; hopefully you should have something to ward it off soon once it's completed
---[X] Sayaka
----[X] asking her if she knows what this game about wolves is that Kirika wants to show you; what was it, Wolfysty or something? You were concerned with the look on her face when you asked her about it last night.
---[X] Hitomi
----[X] about Mystic Code crafting
--[X] Go to your club after school
---[X] Inform your clubmates that you'll be able to go out with them all later this week
---[X] Try and see if you can't improve your Archery skills while you're here
----[X] Maybe you might be able to pull off one of Archer's more tamer moves now that you've become somewhat acclimatize to the art? It's not like you haven't shown yourself to be athletic earlier on in the timeline (as per usual) anyways.
-[X] What's your plan for the school day?
--[X] Pay attention in class
--[X] Work on your school project with your teammates in the library
--[X] Go to Lunch and talk to
---[X] Madoka
----[X] asking her if Kyuubey's been giving her any trouble recently; hopefully you should have something to ward it off soon once it's completed
---[X] Sayaka
----[X] asking her if she knows what this game about wolves is that Kirika wants to show you; what was it, Wolfysty or something? You were concerned with the look on her face when you asked her about it last night.
---[X] Hitomi
----[X] about Mystic Code crafting
--[X] Go to your club after school
---[X] Inform your clubmates that you'll be able to go out with them all later this week
---[X] Try and see if you can't improve your Archery skills while you're here
----[X] Maybe you might be able to pull off one of Archer's more tamer moves now that you've become somewhat acclimatize to the art? It's not like you haven't shown yourself to be athletic earlier on in the timeline (as per usual) anyways.
[X] Plan Yet Another Day At School
- Location
- Florida
[X] Plan Yet Another Day At School
Day 37 Chapter 3
- Location
- Around here
[X] Plan Yet Another Day At School
You see neither Tomoe-san nor Kirika as you enter the cafeteria; tradition by this point, to be sure, as ever since inviting Kirika to join you at the lunch table Tomoe-san has been late to join you. However, you do see Madoka, Sayaka, and Hitomi. Upon spotting you, Madoka and Sayaka wave you down, and you make your way over to the lunch table to take a seat among your friends.
"How's your group doing with your project?" Sayaka asks. "Hopefully better than mine's doing." She leans over, groaning as she places her head into her hands. "Ugh, why did I have to pick Beowulf? I thought it'd just be about a dude beating the crap out of monsters, but even after Mister Archer helped me out Saturday night I can still barely understand a word of it; and my teammates aren't doing much better."
"Just stick with it, Sayaka-san," Hitomi says, gently rubbing Sayaka's back as she continues to make pained groaning sounds. "I'm sure it'll click with you eventually."
"That's easy for you to say; you're smart. You could choose any book in the library and do the entire project yourself. Me? I could read this stupid thing cover-to-cover and still be no closer to understanding it than a monkey could understand Buddhism."
Hitomi chuckles into her hands. "Well, Sun Wukong did convert, so I suppose a monkey can understand Buddhism." Her words only serve to make Sayaka groan more as she rolls her eyes.
You'll let those two continue with their back-and-forth for a little while longer, while you speak to Madoka. "Hey," you say, scooting closer to your girlfriend. "I need to ask you something important." Madoka's attention is drawn to you, and you move ahead withou asking her "It's about the Incubator; has it been bothering you lately?"
"Well..." Madoka pivots her hand in a back-and-forth motion, and she says "I've seen it around the house; and sometimes it's even watching me in my room. But, it hasn't asked me to make a contract with it; in fact, it hasn't said anything to me in probably a week. I don't know why, or what's going on, but it's actually a lot scarier when it's just watching me and not saying anything, than when it was trying to get me to contract."
"I see." You know the Incubator wants Madoka to contract with it; but based on her description you aren't sure what sort of game the Incubator is playing it that it thinks will achieve that goal. "Well, you shouldn't have to worry for much longer. If you'll recall, I asked Mikuni Oriko and Lancer to work on making a ward that will keep the Incubator away; and if all goes well they should be done soon." You can't recall whether Mikuni Oriko told you that the ward would be done Friday, or Saturday, but either way it won't be much longer now.
"... And so, Kyouko just about invited herself over to my apartment on Saturday, and I know she'll just want to hog the TV to herself, even though I know Mami-san's got a perfectly good TV at her apartment she could use if she's that desperate."
"Sayaka-san, perhaps you just misunderstood Sakura-san's intentions. She is your... Girlfriend, as I recall; perhaps she just wants to spend time with you, but didn't know how to put her request into more polite words? I know she has problems expressing herself without being crude."
"Maybe, but it's the way she said it that makes me feel like she's taking advantage of me. Like, she didn't even ask if she could come over; she just called me this morning to say that she would be coming over."
The conversation between Sayaka and Hitomi has taken a turn you didn't expect it to in the absence of you paying attention; from the sound of things, Sayaka isn't enjoying life as Kyouko's girlfriend as much as she seemed to be when you last spoke with her about her relationship. But then, a thought strikes you; and you ask her "You know a lot about videogames, right?" Sayaka nods. "Then, maybe you can help me figure something out."
"Sure, what's up?"
"So, there's this game Kirika keeps talking about; something to do with wolves; Wolfysty or something, maybe? She said she there was 'a lot I had to learn' and 'a lot she had to show me', but I don't really understand what she was talking about." And truth be told, the expression on her face when she said that to you is not one that fills you with confidence.
"Game about wolves, eh?" Sayaka adopts a "Thinker' pose and makes an exaggerated "hm" sound as she gives your words her consideration, eventually coming to the conclusion "Honestly? I'm stumped. I'd guess she was talking about Wolfenstein, except there's no Wolfenstein game for the Wii, so you've got me beat. Maybe she was talking about something else, and you misheard her?"
"It's possible," you say, although you're confident that you didn't mishear her. "There's a lot I don't know about videogames." Perhaps it's something you can ask Kirika about, the next time you see her. And speaking of which, don't she and Tomoe-san usually show up around this time? You look around the cafeteria, hoping to spot the pair, but can see no sign of either of them. "Were the two of you not coming to lunch?"
"I had planned on bringing Kure-san with me as usual, yes," Tomoe-san responds. "However, she decided that she would rather stay behind and spend her lunch talking on the phone with Mikuni-san. I suppose the new arrangement with her mother you told us about has her feeling lonely, so in addition to her calling Mikuni-san I decided to stay behind and keep her company."
"I see. Your presences will be missed, but I'm glad everything is okay." You come out of your mental conversation with Tomoe-san, to find Madoka and Sayaka engaged in some light conversation; Madoka more so than Sayaka, as the latter spends the greater part of her effort eyeballing your lunch. Beside her, Hitomi quietly watches on. "Hitomi," you say, drawing her attention. "I'm doing some of my own work on Mystic Code creation, and I was hoping I could get some input from you regarding how quickly things are coming along for you."
"Well, to be honest I haven't actually made much progress at all, I'm afraid. What the average mage considers a 'beginner' text is still rather difficult for me to understand, so much of my time has just been trying to make sense of what I'm reading, and to connect that to what Archer has taught me. I haven't actually succeeded in making any concrete progress. But I shall let you know when I do."
"Thank you." Hitomi's response is disappointing, but you do have a solution; a very good one, actually. You'll get advice from the one who knows best. No, not Lancer; "Archer, when you return from delivering Kure Minako her lunch, can you ask McRemitz-san if she could help me gauge my progress on using runes to create Mystic Codes?"
"If she's around, yes." That's right, aside from the past few days when McRemitz-san has been hiding from Tohsaka Rin, she's usually busy attempting to gather information. Fruitlessly, as you're doubtful that the Incubator would reveal itself to an outsider like her, not when things are already out of its control.
"Thank you. Maybe you could bring some of last night's dessert over to her as a goodwill present."
"Maybe I will. Oh, and before I forget, I'm probably not going to be at any team meeting you've set up tonight. I'm going over to the Kure's to help Kirika with her homework again."
"Maybe if you catch her off-guard, you can get her to call you 'dad'."
"I'm sure Minako would love that."
Your arrow looses, soaring *thwip* as far off the mark as it's ever been. Beside you, Mochizumi-san shakes her head, and with her arms folded over her chest she chides you, saying "Akemi, I know we've been over this before, but what the heck are you trying to do?"
You had been hoping to replicate one of Archer's tamer techniques, but in the execution you seem to have forgotten one critical component to Archer's success that you just don't have down yet. "Sorry," you say, offering a polite bow for the club's vice-captain. "I know I should be focusing on my fundamentals, but sometimes I can't help myself. My foster father was the one who inspired me to pick up a bow in the first place, and I'd really like to be able to impress him by showing that I'm able to replicate some of his moves."
Mochizumi-san smiles, placing a hand on your shoulder as she says "And I'm sure your dad appreciates the effort you're putting in on his behalf. But I'm sure he also spent a lot of time getting good, if he's really as good as you say he is. I know you're working your hardest to catch up to the rest of us, but trust me on this one, Akemi- It'll take a lot more than just a few afternoons before you're able to pull off the really snazzy stuff."
Deep down, you know Mochizumi-san is right. Just as you've had countless lifetimes to master your firearms, how many lifetimes did Archer have in his role as a guardian of humanity to get good with a bow and arrow? How much did he practice in life, and unlife, to attain the skills needed to immortalize him in the Archer class? "I'm not trying to discourage you from trying, Akemi. I think it's really cool that you're as dedicated to impressing your dad as you are. But I'm sure even he had to spend awhile on his fundamentals before he was any good." Mochizumi-san claps you on the shoulder a second time, and with her smile still shining brightly she says "You'll get there one day too; I believe you will. But first, we've gotta beat Shirome, capice?"
"Right, I understand." That's right; you still need to inform the team that you'll be available on Saturday. "Oh, while I have you," you say, just as Mochizumi-san is about to turn and head back to her place in the line. "I will be free to join the club on their outing Saturday. I'll probably be taking off as soon as we're done today, so if I forget or am unable to say anything before I leave, could you inform the others for me?"
"Sure thing," Mochizumi-san says. "But if you do decide to stick around for a bit after we're done today, I'm sure the boys would all love to hear you say it yourself." As soon as the words leave her mouth, Mochizumi-san tries to take them back, hastily adding "Uh, not like that, I mean. Haruo can be kind of a louse sometimes, but you shouldn't worry about any of them trying to put the moves on you or anything. They all know you've got a girl." Mochizumi-san shoots a dirty glare at Kasuga-san, and mutters something that sounds suspiciously like "You're really lucky, you know that? You know what I'd give for that idiot to look at me the way Kaname looks at you?"
With a third clap of your shoulder, Mochizumi-san takes off, still muttering to herself about her love problems and Kasuga-san as returns to her position on the line, only stopping - or at least, falling out of earshot - once she picks her bow back up. You do the same, and with renewed focus you nock your next arrow, drawing a bead on the target with eyesight enhanced through magic. Is it cheating, to compete in a sport where your eyes and body have been artificially bettered through the use of an aid to which no other participant has access?
Your grip on the arrow slackens, and you loose. *Thunk* Well, maybe just a little, you think, admiring the bright red rings of your target, and the freshly-scored hole which your arrow pierced through its center.
[ ] Wat do?
You see neither Tomoe-san nor Kirika as you enter the cafeteria; tradition by this point, to be sure, as ever since inviting Kirika to join you at the lunch table Tomoe-san has been late to join you. However, you do see Madoka, Sayaka, and Hitomi. Upon spotting you, Madoka and Sayaka wave you down, and you make your way over to the lunch table to take a seat among your friends.
"How's your group doing with your project?" Sayaka asks. "Hopefully better than mine's doing." She leans over, groaning as she places her head into her hands. "Ugh, why did I have to pick Beowulf? I thought it'd just be about a dude beating the crap out of monsters, but even after Mister Archer helped me out Saturday night I can still barely understand a word of it; and my teammates aren't doing much better."
"Just stick with it, Sayaka-san," Hitomi says, gently rubbing Sayaka's back as she continues to make pained groaning sounds. "I'm sure it'll click with you eventually."
"That's easy for you to say; you're smart. You could choose any book in the library and do the entire project yourself. Me? I could read this stupid thing cover-to-cover and still be no closer to understanding it than a monkey could understand Buddhism."
Hitomi chuckles into her hands. "Well, Sun Wukong did convert, so I suppose a monkey can understand Buddhism." Her words only serve to make Sayaka groan more as she rolls her eyes.
You'll let those two continue with their back-and-forth for a little while longer, while you speak to Madoka. "Hey," you say, scooting closer to your girlfriend. "I need to ask you something important." Madoka's attention is drawn to you, and you move ahead withou asking her "It's about the Incubator; has it been bothering you lately?"
"Well..." Madoka pivots her hand in a back-and-forth motion, and she says "I've seen it around the house; and sometimes it's even watching me in my room. But, it hasn't asked me to make a contract with it; in fact, it hasn't said anything to me in probably a week. I don't know why, or what's going on, but it's actually a lot scarier when it's just watching me and not saying anything, than when it was trying to get me to contract."
"I see." You know the Incubator wants Madoka to contract with it; but based on her description you aren't sure what sort of game the Incubator is playing it that it thinks will achieve that goal. "Well, you shouldn't have to worry for much longer. If you'll recall, I asked Mikuni Oriko and Lancer to work on making a ward that will keep the Incubator away; and if all goes well they should be done soon." You can't recall whether Mikuni Oriko told you that the ward would be done Friday, or Saturday, but either way it won't be much longer now.
"... And so, Kyouko just about invited herself over to my apartment on Saturday, and I know she'll just want to hog the TV to herself, even though I know Mami-san's got a perfectly good TV at her apartment she could use if she's that desperate."
"Sayaka-san, perhaps you just misunderstood Sakura-san's intentions. She is your... Girlfriend, as I recall; perhaps she just wants to spend time with you, but didn't know how to put her request into more polite words? I know she has problems expressing herself without being crude."
"Maybe, but it's the way she said it that makes me feel like she's taking advantage of me. Like, she didn't even ask if she could come over; she just called me this morning to say that she would be coming over."
The conversation between Sayaka and Hitomi has taken a turn you didn't expect it to in the absence of you paying attention; from the sound of things, Sayaka isn't enjoying life as Kyouko's girlfriend as much as she seemed to be when you last spoke with her about her relationship. But then, a thought strikes you; and you ask her "You know a lot about videogames, right?" Sayaka nods. "Then, maybe you can help me figure something out."
"Sure, what's up?"
"So, there's this game Kirika keeps talking about; something to do with wolves; Wolfysty or something, maybe? She said she there was 'a lot I had to learn' and 'a lot she had to show me', but I don't really understand what she was talking about." And truth be told, the expression on her face when she said that to you is not one that fills you with confidence.
"Game about wolves, eh?" Sayaka adopts a "Thinker' pose and makes an exaggerated "hm" sound as she gives your words her consideration, eventually coming to the conclusion "Honestly? I'm stumped. I'd guess she was talking about Wolfenstein, except there's no Wolfenstein game for the Wii, so you've got me beat. Maybe she was talking about something else, and you misheard her?"
"It's possible," you say, although you're confident that you didn't mishear her. "There's a lot I don't know about videogames." Perhaps it's something you can ask Kirika about, the next time you see her. And speaking of which, don't she and Tomoe-san usually show up around this time? You look around the cafeteria, hoping to spot the pair, but can see no sign of either of them. "Were the two of you not coming to lunch?"
"I had planned on bringing Kure-san with me as usual, yes," Tomoe-san responds. "However, she decided that she would rather stay behind and spend her lunch talking on the phone with Mikuni-san. I suppose the new arrangement with her mother you told us about has her feeling lonely, so in addition to her calling Mikuni-san I decided to stay behind and keep her company."
"I see. Your presences will be missed, but I'm glad everything is okay." You come out of your mental conversation with Tomoe-san, to find Madoka and Sayaka engaged in some light conversation; Madoka more so than Sayaka, as the latter spends the greater part of her effort eyeballing your lunch. Beside her, Hitomi quietly watches on. "Hitomi," you say, drawing her attention. "I'm doing some of my own work on Mystic Code creation, and I was hoping I could get some input from you regarding how quickly things are coming along for you."
"Well, to be honest I haven't actually made much progress at all, I'm afraid. What the average mage considers a 'beginner' text is still rather difficult for me to understand, so much of my time has just been trying to make sense of what I'm reading, and to connect that to what Archer has taught me. I haven't actually succeeded in making any concrete progress. But I shall let you know when I do."
"Thank you." Hitomi's response is disappointing, but you do have a solution; a very good one, actually. You'll get advice from the one who knows best. No, not Lancer; "Archer, when you return from delivering Kure Minako her lunch, can you ask McRemitz-san if she could help me gauge my progress on using runes to create Mystic Codes?"
"If she's around, yes." That's right, aside from the past few days when McRemitz-san has been hiding from Tohsaka Rin, she's usually busy attempting to gather information. Fruitlessly, as you're doubtful that the Incubator would reveal itself to an outsider like her, not when things are already out of its control.
"Thank you. Maybe you could bring some of last night's dessert over to her as a goodwill present."
"Maybe I will. Oh, and before I forget, I'm probably not going to be at any team meeting you've set up tonight. I'm going over to the Kure's to help Kirika with her homework again."
"Maybe if you catch her off-guard, you can get her to call you 'dad'."
"I'm sure Minako would love that."
Your arrow looses, soaring *thwip* as far off the mark as it's ever been. Beside you, Mochizumi-san shakes her head, and with her arms folded over her chest she chides you, saying "Akemi, I know we've been over this before, but what the heck are you trying to do?"
You had been hoping to replicate one of Archer's tamer techniques, but in the execution you seem to have forgotten one critical component to Archer's success that you just don't have down yet. "Sorry," you say, offering a polite bow for the club's vice-captain. "I know I should be focusing on my fundamentals, but sometimes I can't help myself. My foster father was the one who inspired me to pick up a bow in the first place, and I'd really like to be able to impress him by showing that I'm able to replicate some of his moves."
Mochizumi-san smiles, placing a hand on your shoulder as she says "And I'm sure your dad appreciates the effort you're putting in on his behalf. But I'm sure he also spent a lot of time getting good, if he's really as good as you say he is. I know you're working your hardest to catch up to the rest of us, but trust me on this one, Akemi- It'll take a lot more than just a few afternoons before you're able to pull off the really snazzy stuff."
Deep down, you know Mochizumi-san is right. Just as you've had countless lifetimes to master your firearms, how many lifetimes did Archer have in his role as a guardian of humanity to get good with a bow and arrow? How much did he practice in life, and unlife, to attain the skills needed to immortalize him in the Archer class? "I'm not trying to discourage you from trying, Akemi. I think it's really cool that you're as dedicated to impressing your dad as you are. But I'm sure even he had to spend awhile on his fundamentals before he was any good." Mochizumi-san claps you on the shoulder a second time, and with her smile still shining brightly she says "You'll get there one day too; I believe you will. But first, we've gotta beat Shirome, capice?"
"Right, I understand." That's right; you still need to inform the team that you'll be available on Saturday. "Oh, while I have you," you say, just as Mochizumi-san is about to turn and head back to her place in the line. "I will be free to join the club on their outing Saturday. I'll probably be taking off as soon as we're done today, so if I forget or am unable to say anything before I leave, could you inform the others for me?"
"Sure thing," Mochizumi-san says. "But if you do decide to stick around for a bit after we're done today, I'm sure the boys would all love to hear you say it yourself." As soon as the words leave her mouth, Mochizumi-san tries to take them back, hastily adding "Uh, not like that, I mean. Haruo can be kind of a louse sometimes, but you shouldn't worry about any of them trying to put the moves on you or anything. They all know you've got a girl." Mochizumi-san shoots a dirty glare at Kasuga-san, and mutters something that sounds suspiciously like "You're really lucky, you know that? You know what I'd give for that idiot to look at me the way Kaname looks at you?"
With a third clap of your shoulder, Mochizumi-san takes off, still muttering to herself about her love problems and Kasuga-san as returns to her position on the line, only stopping - or at least, falling out of earshot - once she picks her bow back up. You do the same, and with renewed focus you nock your next arrow, drawing a bead on the target with eyesight enhanced through magic. Is it cheating, to compete in a sport where your eyes and body have been artificially bettered through the use of an aid to which no other participant has access?
Your grip on the arrow slackens, and you loose. *Thunk* Well, maybe just a little, you think, admiring the bright red rings of your target, and the freshly-scored hole which your arrow pierced through its center.
[ ] Wat do?
Last edited:
- Location
- United States
[X] Telepathically call Archer and ask him if he could ask McRemitz-san if she could help gauge your progress on Runic Mystic Code creation when he gets home, maybe during your next study session later this evening if she's amiable
-[X] It'll help get her away from Rin's attention for a while, and she is conveniently living just upstairs from you, and she's far more experienced with Runes than you are
--[X] (Archer) Do as your Master says, but bring up some of yesterday's leftover dessert that you departed with from your dinner date(?) (since you made both the chocolate covered oranges and a cake) as tribute
-[X] It'll help get her away from Rin's attention for a while, and she is conveniently living just upstairs from you, and she's far more experienced with Runes than you are
--[X] (Archer) Do as your Master says, but bring up some of yesterday's leftover dessert that you departed with from your dinner date(?) (since you made both the chocolate covered oranges and a cake) as tribute
[x] [Homura] You must be seeing things. For a second you thought you saw Assassin's head peaking through the cafeteria door.
[X] Telepathically call Archer and ask him if he could ask McRemitz-san if she could help gauge your progress on Runic Mystic Code creation when he gets home, maybe during your next study session later this evening if she's amiable
-[X] It'll help get her away from Rin's attention for a while, and she is conveniently living just upstairs from you, and she's far more experienced with Runes than you are
--[X] (Archer) Do as your Master says, but bring up some of yesterday's leftover dessert that you departed with from your dinner date(?) (since you made both the chocolate covered oranges and a cake) as tribute
[X] Telepathically call Archer and ask him if he could ask McRemitz-san if she could help gauge your progress on Runic Mystic Code creation when he gets home, maybe during your next study session later this evening if she's amiable
-[X] It'll help get her away from Rin's attention for a while, and she is conveniently living just upstairs from you, and she's far more experienced with Runes than you are
--[X] (Archer) Do as your Master says, but bring up some of yesterday's leftover dessert that you departed with from your dinner date(?) (since you made both the chocolate covered oranges and a cake) as tribute
WanderingTwix
Posting something good once in a full moon
- Location
- United Kingdom
[x] [Homura] You must be seeing things. For a second you thought you saw Assassin's head peaking through the cafeteria door.
[X] Telepathically call Archer and ask him if he could ask McRemitz-san if she could help gauge your progress on Runic Mystic Code creation when he gets home, maybe during your next study session later this evening if she's amiable
-[X] It'll help get her away from Rin's attention for a while, and she is conveniently living just upstairs from you, and she's far more experienced with Runes than you are
--[X] (Archer) Do as your Master says, but bring up some of yesterday's leftover dessert that you departed with from your dinner date(?) (since you made both the chocolate covered oranges and a cake) as tribute
[X] Telepathically call Archer and ask him if he could ask McRemitz-san if she could help gauge your progress on Runic Mystic Code creation when he gets home, maybe during your next study session later this evening if she's amiable
-[X] It'll help get her away from Rin's attention for a while, and she is conveniently living just upstairs from you, and she's far more experienced with Runes than you are
--[X] (Archer) Do as your Master says, but bring up some of yesterday's leftover dessert that you departed with from your dinner date(?) (since you made both the chocolate covered oranges and a cake) as tribute
[X] Telepathically call Archer and ask him if he could ask McRemitz-san if she could help gauge your progress on Runic Mystic Code creation when he gets home, maybe during your next study session later this evening if she's amiable
-[X] It'll help get her away from Rin's attention for a while, and she is conveniently living just upstairs from you, and she's far more experienced with Runes than you are
--[X] (Archer) Do as your Master says, but bring up some of yesterday's leftover dessert that you departed with from your dinner date(?) (since you made both the chocolate covered oranges and a cake) as tribute
-[X] It'll help get her away from Rin's attention for a while, and she is conveniently living just upstairs from you, and she's far more experienced with Runes than you are
--[X] (Archer) Do as your Master says, but bring up some of yesterday's leftover dessert that you departed with from your dinner date(?) (since you made both the chocolate covered oranges and a cake) as tribute
- Location
- Around here
Two with
And two without
So, while the four of you debate the merits of us hallucinating Assassin or not, or we get a fifth vote to break this tie, I need to get your answer regarding another important Archer question- After school, does Archer go with Homura to the team meeting, or does he go with Kirika to make sure she's able to do her homework?
Kirika. The faster her grades come up, the faster she can be with Oriko (and the rest of the team) again.
[X] Telepathically call Archer and ask him if he could ask McRemitz-san if she could help gauge your progress on Runic Mystic Code creation when he gets home, maybe during your next study session later this evening if she's amiable
-[X] It'll help get her away from Rin's attention for a while, and she is conveniently living just upstairs from you, and she's far more experienced with Runes than you are
--[X] (Archer) Do as your Master says, but bring up some of yesterday's leftover dessert that you departed with from your dinner date(?) (since you made both the chocolate covered oranges and a cake) as tribute
-[X] It'll help get her away from Rin's attention for a while, and she is conveniently living just upstairs from you, and she's far more experienced with Runes than you are
--[X] (Archer) Do as your Master says, but bring up some of yesterday's leftover dessert that you departed with from your dinner date(?) (since you made both the chocolate covered oranges and a cake) as tribute
- Location
- United States
I second this.
- Location
- Around here
No new update today, just an edit to Thursday's post. Votes are appreciated, as well as a thread question for everyone to ponder- What, in your opinion, do you think would be the best end for each of our main girls? Doesn't have to be a lifelong best end, just the best end for them in the time immediately post-Walpurgisnacht?
WanderingTwix
Posting something good once in a full moon
- Location
- United Kingdom
that wasn't an alert, boss.
- Location
- Around here
If I'm the boss, can I fire myself? I don't mean "Can I quit?" I actually mean "Can I fire myself?"
- Location
- Around here
Isn't it obvious by now? Ask
- Location
- United States
[X] Group text everyone about what they're doing today, where to go, etc. Presumably Mami should have thought of something suitable to ease Miyuki and Saber into the group, at least a bit.
-[X] (Mami) Set up a group exercise in Shirome in some empty industrial district or forested land or something of the sort, and have Oriko and Lancer erect a Bounded Field to make sure they don't cause too much noise and they aren't bothered. They will first have Miyuki and Saber display their skills against some of your ribbon clones that are buffed by Caster so that you know what you're working with, and you and the rest of the Holy Sextet (and available Servants) will give brief examples and descriptions of their own capabilities as well. After that, the real exercise begins. You and Caster will simulate some mock battles against Miyuki and a couple of other random Puella Magi against an old run of the mill Witch you've encountered in your time, cycling to get her used to working with them. After that (or in tandem in another closeby area) Saber will work alongside one or two random Servants against another exercise of the faux Elsa Maria's familiars, cycling accordingly.
It'll probably be mock battles, overseen by Mami and Caster, if not necessarily the battles against the faux Elsa Maria familiars. Maybe mimicking a past Witch or and their familiars via ribbon clones and Caster shenanigans? Either way they'll probably set aside a bit of time to have Miyuki and Saber demonstrate their skills against lone ribbon clones before actually starting up the real exercise, as well as doing the same for them.
Main Girls Good Ends
Homura: Seeing things go past Walpurgisnacht, with Madoka alive and well. There's literally nothing else Homura would want to see more than that, considering her time-looping shenanigans. Having everyone survive - Servants included - would be a nice plus, for the absolute Best End.
Madoka: Everyone is safe, okay and just fine. Homura reveals everything she's been hiding. Her and Homura kiss, finally.
Sayaka: Nobody important to her dies. She doesn't feel powerless and contributes. She becomes Bat-Sayaka.
Hitomi: Study Magecraft, and all of her friends are safe and prosperous.
Mami: Cake and tea with all of her friends in a completely intact Mitakihara, assuming that's even possible.
Kyoko: Cake and tea because it's food and Mami gives it to her for free. Putting the moves on Sayaka past what they've already done and her not rejecting her. Getting a place of her own, with blackjack and hookers.
Oriko: Would be overjoyed if Walpurgis is killed without any major casualties, and would feel much better if she made an attempt at making something with Lancer that could help make sure Madoka could never contract.
Kirika: Oriko and her Mom lives. Maybe Homura and Archer too.
EDIT: Put in the first Mami vote of the quest, thanks to SVS' request. Neat.
-[X] (Mami) Set up a group exercise in Shirome in some empty industrial district or forested land or something of the sort, and have Oriko and Lancer erect a Bounded Field to make sure they don't cause too much noise and they aren't bothered. They will first have Miyuki and Saber display their skills against some of your ribbon clones that are buffed by Caster so that you know what you're working with, and you and the rest of the Holy Sextet (and available Servants) will give brief examples and descriptions of their own capabilities as well. After that, the real exercise begins. You and Caster will simulate some mock battles against Miyuki and a couple of other random Puella Magi against an old run of the mill Witch you've encountered in your time, cycling to get her used to working with them. After that (or in tandem in another closeby area) Saber will work alongside one or two random Servants against another exercise of the faux Elsa Maria's familiars, cycling accordingly.
It'll probably be mock battles, overseen by Mami and Caster, if not necessarily the battles against the faux Elsa Maria familiars. Maybe mimicking a past Witch or and their familiars via ribbon clones and Caster shenanigans? Either way they'll probably set aside a bit of time to have Miyuki and Saber demonstrate their skills against lone ribbon clones before actually starting up the real exercise, as well as doing the same for them.
Main Girls Good Ends
Homura: Seeing things go past Walpurgisnacht, with Madoka alive and well. There's literally nothing else Homura would want to see more than that, considering her time-looping shenanigans. Having everyone survive - Servants included - would be a nice plus, for the absolute Best End.
Madoka: Everyone is safe, okay and just fine. Homura reveals everything she's been hiding. Her and Homura kiss, finally.
Sayaka: Nobody important to her dies. She doesn't feel powerless and contributes. She becomes Bat-Sayaka.
Hitomi: Study Magecraft, and all of her friends are safe and prosperous.
Mami: Cake and tea with all of her friends in a completely intact Mitakihara, assuming that's even possible.
Kyoko: Cake and tea because it's food and Mami gives it to her for free. Putting the moves on Sayaka past what they've already done and her not rejecting her. Getting a place of her own
Oriko: Would be overjoyed if Walpurgis is killed without any major casualties, and would feel much better if she made an attempt at making something with Lancer that could help make sure Madoka could never contract.
Kirika: Oriko and her Mom lives. Maybe Homura and Archer too.
EDIT: Put in the first Mami vote of the quest, thanks to SVS' request. Neat.
Last edited: