[X] Plan Where's That Gosh Darn Anti-Incubator Charm
"Madoka~" You coo the name of your beloved as you allow the warmth of her body to envelop you as she greets you with her usual morning hug. "I've missed you so much."
"I missed you too, Homura-chan, but it's only been one day."
"I know~" You feel like you're about to melt, and the longer you stay here in Madoka's embrace, the less you find yourself caring. If you're to melt, let it be in Madoka's arms. "But yesterday felt like it was a month long." You aren't exaggerating for effect, either; even at its busiest, yesterday felt as though each hour took an entire day.
Madoka smiles, and the two of you only loosen your grip on one another when she says "I've been thinking, about what you told me the other night." You brace yourself for the worst; that this will be the moment when Madoka says she doesn't love you anymore. "I've been wondering for a really long time now, why you felt so familiar to me back when we first met; and I thought, is it because you've always known me for a really long time? Are the dreams I've been having of you... Are they... Memories, of a me that only you knew?"
You nod, reaching for Madoka's hands as you say "From the moment you first mentioned your dreams, back then, I've always been afraid that you might have been... Contaminated, probably isn't the best word for what I'm trying to say; but, contaminated by the memories of those other times." You breathe in, and you feel your hands trembling, but the warmth of Madoka's hands steadies you. "I think... I think it's a valid answer; but ultimately, it's up to you to decide whether you believe in that answer or not."
Madoka's smile never wavers, as she lets go of one of your hands, leading you along the path to school with the other. "I want to believe that Homura-chan is telling me the truth," she says. "Even if I don't believe it, I want to believe in you."
You nod, saying to Madoka "I promised I'd keep no secrets from you, from now on. If there's ever anything you want to know, just ask, and I'll answer you truthfully."
"Then, what were you doing yesterday that was so important?" Madoka asks, directing your attention to her for-effect pouting face. "I was really hoping to spend yesterday with you."
"In the morning and into the afternoon, I was doing combat training with Tomoe-san and the others. Then at night, we split into teams and went out hunting for witches."
"Did you find any?"
"We found three," you say. "One of them employed a rather nasty illusion on Kirika and messed her up pretty bad, but there are still three fewer witches in Mitakihara today than there were last night."
"I hope Kirika-chan is alright."
"I hope so too."
"Akemi-san, I'm sorry to bother you, but I have good news." Good news from Mikuni Oriko? She could have better timing, what with her precognition and all, but good news from one of your allies is always appreciated. "Those talismans you asked me to come up with to ward off the Incubator are ready. Well, they've been ready since yesterday, actually, but with everything else going on it kept slipping my mind to bring it up to you. I'm trusting Kirika to deliver them to you."
"Thank you. I'm sure you can count on her."
"So, what are you two lovebirds up to today?"
And right on schedule... "Sayaka-chan! Hitomi-chan!" Madoka, still grasping your hand in hers, races over to greet her friends as soon as she spots them, dragging you with her. Not that you mind a little excitement in your morning if it's her that's the source. The three old friends exchange morning pleasantries, and for a moment you feel as though you don't belong in this circle when there's still so much you're keeping from the people you call 'your friends,' but a push from Madoka and a "Right, Homura-chan?" prompts your attention.
"Er, what am I agreeing to, again?"
"Sayaka-chan was saying that she thinks she and Kyouko-chan make the cuter couple; I said no, it's you and me who are cuter."
You smile, always willing to rise to the challenge as you say "Yes, of course. Madoka is a pure and innocent cinnamon role, while I'm the Yamato Nadeshiko ideal. There's no way we could be beat by the likes of you and Kyouko."
"Oh, you think long, luscious black hair makes you better than us, huh?" Sayaka retorts. "I mean, sure, you'd probably beat us both in a beauty contest, but so what?"
"I believe you just proved her point, Sayaka-san." A chorus of laughter echoes at Hitomi's words. "Though, if I can offer my own perspective, I personally think Mikuni-san and Kure-san should be the winners of this debate. As... Strange, as it was seeing them willing to be so affectionate to one another, I cannot deny that the sum of their relationship makes them, at least in my opinion, the cutest couple of anyone I know." There's a silent pause, where no one dares to speak between Hitomi's words as everyone waits for her to add "At least, that's just my opinion. But you're all entitled to your own opinions."
"You know, I'm real surprised you didn't say yourself and Kyousuke," Sayaka says. "I thought for sure, if you were gonna say anyone it'd be, you know, you and your boyfriend."
"I suppose, but our schedules are so different that we hardly have time to see one another, so I guess I don't know what we 'look like' as a couple. Certainly, we're nowhere near as affectionate for each other as Mikuni-san and Kure-san are."
Sayaka shrugs, saying "Yeah, I guess you've got a point there," before turning to you and asking in hushed tones "So, like, on the train ride to their beach house, were they seriously making out for like, an entire hour? Because it sure seemed like it."
"I wasn't paying that close attention to them," you whisper back. "But knowing how affectionate they can be, I wouldn't put it past them to have been." You raise your closed hand to your mouth, coughing into it as you say "Moving on, there's... Something important, and I need to tell you two." Well, mostly just Sayaka and Hitomi at this point. "I was hoping we could meet on the rooftop at lunch today. What I have to say is... Something personal, and I'd rather not let the wrong people overhear it if I can."
"Yeah, sure. We can do lunch on the roof today."
"That shouldn't be a problem, Akemi-san."
You smile; but on the inside you're desperately clawing your throat out. What are you thinking? Are you sure telling them is the right thing to do? Madoka... Madoka needed to know; but do Sayaka or Hitomi need to? Sayaka especially, never believed you before... But she believes you now. Might this time be different?
The four of you continue on your way, until the front gates of the school come into view; and with them, the last two figures of your circle in attendance at Mitakihara Junior High. You wave good morning to and exchange pleasantries with Tomoe-san, but your interests lie elsewhere today. "How are you doing?" you ask Kirika. "I... I know last night was hard on you, so I'm hoping that my big sis is feeling better today."
"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't still a little shaken up by it all," Kirika responds. "I... I've always kinda worried that I'm not good enough, so all of... That, was hitting a bunch of stuff I've always been afraid of. But, I'll be okay as long as Oriko really does still love me." You're glad to hear that; and to show that you're glad to hear that, you and your big sis hug it out. "Oh! Before I forget!" The two of you break, and Kirika produces four small white markers from her pocket, each one inscribed with an Othala rune along with various other markings you can't quite make out. "So, Oriko said that you've got to plant these at the most cardinal points on Pinkie's residence - you know, the most north point, most east, and so on - and that'll keep Kyubey away from her house for as long as they're undisturbed."
"Thank you," you say as you pocket the white markers. "Hopefully I'll be able to get that taken care of before the end of the day."
[ ] Wat do?
