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Confringentur, Mk.2; a Madoka Magica / Fate/Stay Night crossover

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Magia Record has come to the west. Are you perhaps interested included any of the girls in that game? I know you said you hadn't really played FGO in the last thread.
 
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Day 22 Chapter 7
  • Threadmarks
    • [X] Tell Archer to intervene; that's one fewer girl the Incubator has access to
    [X] Skip to lunch
    -[X] and talk to
    --[X] Kure Kirika
    ---[X] About using some of her and Oriko's many Command Seals to lower Berserker's rank in Mad Enhancement. It wouldn't do to have an asset like Lancelot to be mostly unusable while maiming his Master in exchange for a simple boost in statistics.
    -[X] and rejoin the others for lunch after you finish talking with Kirika
    ​

    "What do you want me to do?"

    "What do you mean, 'what do I want you to do?'"

    "I mean, do you want me to introduce myself and try to talk them out of taking the deal?"

    On the one hand, if you tell Archer to stand down, you stand to gain a possible new ally or two. Maybe more if one of them also manages to summon the missing Saber servant. However, doing so is a risky move- Assuming they choose not to ally with you, an enemy puella magi will be a drain on the already-dwindling pool of witches that you and your four allies are already drawing from. In addition, another enemy servant on top of Assassin will draw additional time and resources away from dealing with the mounting number of threats that you already have to deal with. Assassin, and the threat of both the 'black mountain' and Walpurgisnacht are already plenty for the five of you to be dealing with, especially with one of you in less-than-ideal circumstances. Not that you pity Kure Kirika for the position that her actions have put her in.

    To say nothing of how you'd be condemning an innocent young girl to a fate worse than death.

    On the other hand, you stand to lose nothing if this girl can be persuaded away from contracting, and in addition are keeping one more piece out of the Incubator's paws. The choice is clear. "You have my permission to intervene. If you can find the second girl, you may intervene for her as well; but the one you had visual confirmation of takes priority."

    "Understood. And... Thank you, master."

    "Right. As you were, Archer."
    ​

    This time, you change into your civilian attire before entering the children's ward in spirit form. It's just a hunch, a germ of a thought at the back of your head, but you're betting that your target will be more receptive to hearing you out if you don't look like you've come in to kill her. You don't at all look like a doctor, but you'll at least look like a normal enough human being that your chance of getting her to open up are higher.

    At least, that's what you hope.

    You're lucky enough that the room you want is currently unoccupied by any professional staff, or else what you're about to do would cause eyes to bulge and heads to roll. You take a quick look at the patient's information, posted on the door, before entering. Yashiro Asuka, age fifteen. She's the girl who was crushed by rubble during the fight with Mikuni and Kure last week. Carefully, you scan the hallway to make sure that no one is coming, before turning corporeal and opening the door.

    The door makes a soft 'click' as you return it to its closed position. The lights are dimmed, and the television mounted on the wall is turned off. As you close in, you hear a gentle voice call out "Nurse Tomosato, is that you?"

    "No," you say, coming into view of the girl you had previously only seen through the window at nearly twenty meters away. Short dark hair, somewhere between brown and burgundy in colour, frames a round face with a small nose, thin lips, and dark, sunken eyes. You'd recognize those eyes anywhere. "Actually, I came to talk to you about your previous guest, if you'd let me."

    Yashiro turns her head, looking at you with her sad, lifeless eyes. "You mean the white fairy that was just here a minute ago? Nurse Tomosato couldn't see him, even when he was standing right in front of her. But you can?"

    You sigh; this is where the fun really begins. "I'm sorry to burst your bubble, Yashiro, but that was no fairy. Can I assume he's already made you an offer to become a puella magi?" Yashiro nods. "Well, it's unfortunate, but it hasn't exactly told you the whole truth."

    Dainty hands clench into fists as Yashiro says "I... The doctors say I'll be lucky if I can ever walk again, but he said he could fix that if I made a contract with him. Are you saying he was lying? That he can't really fix me?"

    "No, that much is at least true. If you make a contract with that entity, your ability to walk will be restored. Unfortunately, that's about where the benefits end for you. You'll have to fight- Hideous, nightmarish abominations called 'witches.' Did it tell you that too?" Yashiro nods again. "Well, I'm betting that it didn't tell you what a witch actually is."

    "What do you mean? What are you trying to say?"

    "A witch is nothing more than a puella magi that has allowed their worst emotions take control of their mind. And once they've transformed, there's no going back. The creatures you will be forced to fight are girls, just like you, who made a terrible decision and paid the ultimate price for it. You can choose to believe me or not; but I've seen witches firsthand, and I've fought alongside someone who's lost many friends because of the system that you've been offered to join."

    There is an awkward silence in the room as Yashiro stares at you, that after what feels like an eternity is broken by the 'click' of the door and the return of light to the room. "Asuka, sweetie, I brought lunch." That would be the nurse. She comes into view of you too quickly for you to return to spirit form, and she stops upon seeing you, saying "Excuse me, sir, but this is a private room. I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

    "Sorry," you say, running a hand through your hair. "I was actually visiting a friend of mine elsewhere in the hospital, when I got lost. There was no one else around, so I thought if I popped in and asked for directions I might get somewhere."

    "And did you?" The nurse asks, just as much to Yashiro as to you.

    "Yes." Thankfully, Yashiro is willing to put enough faith in your words to cover for you. "I told him how to get out, and then we just got to talking. I'm sorry, Nurse Tomosato."

    "Anyways, now that I've been found out, I suppose I should be going." You turn to leave, saying only "And Yashiro- Think about what I told you, okay?" You don't see the reactions of either Yashiro or the nurse, but you do manage to hear a few words from them before you close the door on your way out.

    "So tell me, Asuka, what did you two talk about?"

    "Oh, just some life advice, I guess you'd say."
    ​

    The bell for lunch rings, but instead of joining your friends in the cafeteria, you head to the third floor. There's something you've been wondering about that you feel the need to bring to the attention of a certain member of class 3-A.

    By the time you arrive, most of the class has already left. Tomoe-san remains, trying her best to talk to Kure Kirika. "You know, it's really easy to see what you're trying to do." By her tone and her choice of words, Tomoe-san is failing. "You're trying to get in good with me so that it'll be easier to get to Oriko. Don't think I'm not wise to your tricks."

    "Kure-san, I don't understand what you mean at all. I'm trying to be nice to you because Mikuni-san is- Well, I think there's too much that has happened to say that we're friends yet, but I would like to be, and I know how important you are to her."

    "Exactly! You're doing exactly what I'd be doing in your place."

    "I beg your pardon?"

    "Look- If our positions were reversed, and you were the one dating Oriko instead of me-" it's almost painful to you, the seething noise made by Kure Kirika at even the hypothetical of someone else being with Mikuni Oriko instead of her. "-What I'd do is get in real good with you, and use that as my in to get in good with Oriko. Then, when you least expect it, BAM!" She slams her hand against her desk for emphasis. "That's when I'd off you; and since I'd already be in good with Oriko, I'd be perfectly positioned to move in and comfort her in your absence."

    Tomoe-san sighs, shaking her head as she says "That's preposterous, Kure-san. I'd never do that, to you or to Mikuni-san."

    You clear your throat, diverting attention away from Kure Kirika's inane ramblings and onto yourself. "I had needed to say something to Kure Kirika, but if the two of you are busy, I can come back later."

    Kure Kirika rolls her eyes, saying with an exaggerated wave of her hand "No, if you've got something to say, you might as well spit it out now."

    "It's about Berserker. Tomoe-san and I are worried about the toll he is taking on your-"

    "I can handle it," Kure Kirika says, cutting you off. "It's a bitch to deal with right now, but once my legs come back it won't be nearly as bad."

    "Well, I'm willing to offer you a solution, if you'd like." Silence. Kure Kirika cocks an eye at your statement, but says nothing. "Unless Archer has incorrectly represented their abilities to me, I believe you should be able to use a Command Seal to forcibly lower Berserker's rank in Mad Enhancement." Right now, you're very grateful for that mental dossier Archer gave you on Berserker. You doubt you'd have come up with this otherwise. "Doing this will result in his parameters dropping, unfortunately, but it should also make commanding him much less stressful on your body. In addition, by removing Mad Enhancement you will be restoring Berserker's cognitive functions, which should make him a much more useful asset despite his lowered parameters."

    For a moment, it looks like Kure Kirika is seriously considering your proposal, until "You don't know a damn thing about Berserker, do you?" Huh? "The Mad Enhancement isn't what makes commanding him tear me apart from the inside; it's the fact that his mana consumption is through the fucking roof. And it's worse now, with my body diverting as much mana as it can to regenerating my legs- Fuck you very much for that one, master of Archer. Once they're back, I'll be fine as long as Oriko keeps giving me regular supplements."

    "Now, the nightmares, on the other hand; dropping Berserker's Mad Enhancement might actually do me some good there."

    "You've been having nightmares, Kure-san?"

    "Oh yeah, they're just the worst," she says, as though it's nothing. "My own fucking servant screams obscene nonsense in my face while he strangles me and worms eat me alive from the inside. Real fucking great time, I'm so glad you asked."

    "I see." You hadn't known that Kure Kirika was having nightmares about her servant, and Tomoe-san looks positively sickened by the revelation. True, you probably should have expected that she might see something of her servant in her dreams, but "... It appears that I've underestimated just how much your servant's derangement has been impacting you."

    Do you
    [ ] Try to calm Kure Kirika down, or comfort her
    -[ ] By telling her what? (write-in)
    [ ] Restate your suggestion to her
    [ ] Say nothing; you hadn't been expecting this.

    Regardless of your decision, do you
    [ ] Go to lunch, and talk to
    -[ ] Madoka
    -[ ] Sayaka
    -[ ] Hitomi
    -[ ] Tomoe-san
    --[ ] About what? (write-in)
    ---[ ] Extend an invitation to Kure Kirika
    [ ] Skip to the end of the day
    -[ ] And do what? (write-in)
    [ ] Other (write-in)​
     
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  • Threadmarks
    • ImmaXehanort said:
    Hello, I was in the original thread long ago. I need to catch up.
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    Ah, yes, welcome back.

    ImmaXehanort said:
    Magia Record had come to the west. Are you perhaps interested included any of the girls in that game? I know you said you hadn't really played FGO in the last thread.
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    I haven't played Magia Record for the same reason that I haven't played FGO- My phone is a potato from 2009. A damn good potato that's probably made of Nintendium for how much I put it through, but a potato none the less. There's no mobile games for me, but if it means not having to put up with the gacha that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make.

    Anyway, I've never had any plans to include the original Magia Record characters in this quest. A few names were thrown around as casualties of Oriko's and Kirika's murderhobo'ing, and I may toss out the occasional reference to one of the characters that aren't dead yet in this continuity, but as far as appearing as their own independent agents is concerned that's a big negative.
     
    [X] Restate your suggestion to her
    -[X] Explain that lowering Mad Enhancement will allow Kirika to more easily control Berserker and will at the very least lessen the mana cost it takes to use him in battle, as Kirika would no longer have to power the skill to it's current rank.
    [X] Go to lunch, and talk to
    -[X] Madoka

    It should at least lessen the mana cost for Kirika by suppressing the skill that's actively boosting Berserker's overall power. What I don't quite get is why Kirika is taking such a toll in the first place, if not from Mad Enhancement's effects. As a Puella Magi she should be the equivalent of a nuclear mana reactor, and the only reason it took it's cost so harshly on Kariya is due to the fact that he only recently starting imbibing crest worms into himself and the fact that crest worms consume his flesh in order to convert into mana to fuel Berserker, as Kariya never became a proper Magus and unlocked his (then atrophied) Magic Circuits.
     
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    Enetious said:
    [X] Restate your suggestion to her
    -[X] Explain that lowering Mad Enhancement will allow Kirika to more easily control Berserker and will at the very least lessen the mana cost it takes to use him in battle, as Kirika would no longer have to power the skill to it's current rank.
    [X] Go to lunch, and talk to
    -[X] Madoka

    It should at least lessen the mana cost for Kirika by suppressing the skill that's actively boosting Berserker's overall power. What I don't quite get is why Kirika is taking such a toll in the first place, if not from Mad Enhancement's effects. As a Puella Magi she should be the equivalent of a nuclear mana reactor, and the only reason it took it's cost so harshly on Kariya is due to the fact that he only recently starting imbibing crest worms into himself and the fact that crest worms consume his flesh in order to convert into mana to fuel Berserker, as Kariya never became a proper Magus and unlocked his (then atrophied) Magic Circuits.
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    Berserkers, by design, are not an efficient class mana wise.


    It's been years since I've read Fate/Zero, but I seem to recall Lancelot had full control over his Mad Enhancement. He just always had it going full blast because, other wise, he would just be constantly thinking about how he royally screwed everything up.
     
    NMS said:
    Berserkers, by design, are not an efficient class mana wise.


    It's been years since I've read Fate/Zero, but I seem to recall Lancelot had full control over his Mad Enhancement. He just always had it going full blast because, other wise, he would just be constantly thinking about how he royally screwed everything up.
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    Can't say I've read Fate/Zero, only watched it, so I'll take your word on that. Regardless, forcibly preventing Berserker from cranking that Mad Enhancement up should help either way. Plus I'm mostly confused as to how Kirika can be "injured" by fielding Berserker as so, as the only reason Kariya was injured by the act was due to the Crest Worms consuming his body from the inside-out to fuel Berserker's rampages.
     
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    Enetious said:
    What I don't quite get is why Kirika is taking such a toll in the first place, if not from Mad Enhancement's effects. As a Puella Magi she should be the equivalent of a nuclear mana reactor, and the only reason it took it's cost so harshly on Kariya is due to the fact that he only recently starting imbibing crest worms into himself and the fact that crest worms consume his flesh in order to convert into mana to fuel Berserker, as Kariya never became a proper Magus and unlocked his (then atrophied) Magic Circuits.
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    Enetious said:
    Can't say I've read Fate/Zero, only watched it, so I'll take your word on that. Regardless, forcibly prevented Berserker from cranking that Mad Enhancement up should help either way. Plus I'm mostly confused as to how Kirika can be "injured" by fielding Berserker as so, as the only reason Kariya was injured by the act was due to the Crest Worms consuming his body from the inside-out to fuel Berserker's rampages.
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    Kirika has the lowest natural pool of mana out of any of our five girls, capping out at under 3000 units when an average puella magi would have somewhere in the 5000-6000 units range. This isn't a particularly 'new' development either, as Kirika acknowledges her low stock of mana even as far back as the previous thread's omake when she summons Berserker. In addition, as she herself said, her body is currently routing as much mana as possible towards regenerating her legs, which itself is a costly and inefficient expenditure of mana given that her magic isn't spec'ed for healing. Now, combine those three factors, along with-
    He has an extremely high rate of mana consumption as a Berserker, so it places great strain on Kariya to provide upkeep.
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    He uses a great deal of magical energy every time he acts, and combined with Kariya's fragile state of health, he brings his Master closer to death with each battle.
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    We know that a puella magi's bodily functions don't cease once they've contracted - See Homura using magic to fix her heart, something she wouldn't have needed to do if her heart no longer needed to function; Sayaka being able to shut off the neural pathways responsible for pain; or Kyouko spilling massive amounts of blood trying to fight Octavia - but as Madoka Portable shows in the scene where Sayaka tries to confess to Kyousuke with half her face sloughing off, they still need enough mana to pay for the upkeep of those functions so that their bodies don't fall apart, something that Sayaka had not been doing in that instance.

    Because Kirika's body is not currently routing mana in the "correct" way, every time she needs to draw from her reserves to field Berserker, she's having to draw from reserves that are already stretched thin and being used inefficiently, which means that even less mana is being spent on the upkeep of vital bodily functions. And then the problem is only compounded when her body routes mana to heal those injuries, meaning that even less is available for bodily upkeep, etc...

    She's correct enough when she says that it won't be killing her to field Berserker once her legs are back and her body is routing mana in the normal way. She'll still need transfers from Oriko if she wants to keep him afield for prolonged periods, but she'll no longer be coughing up blood if she doesn't get that little extra beforehand.


    Oh, and as an aside to everyone that's voting- Do we have anything in particular that we want to talk to Madoka about?
     
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    [X] Restate your suggestion to her
    -[X] Explain that lowering Mad Enhancement will allow Kirika to more easily control Berserker and will at the very least lessen the mana cost it takes to use him in battle, as Kirika would no longer have to power the skill to it's current rank.
    [X] Go to lunch, and talk to
    -[X] Madoka
     
    [X] Restate your suggestion to her
    -[X] Explain that lowering Mad Enhancement will allow Kirika to more easily control Berserker and will at the very least lessen the mana cost it takes to use him in battle, as Kirika would no longer have to power the skill to it's current rank.
    [X] Go to lunch, and talk to
    -[X] Madoka

    Maybe Homura will be able to help Lancelot cope with his failings- if for no other reason, because he wouldn't want to be shown up by a teenage girl who failed over and over and over again, and never gave up trying.
     
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    Day 22 Chapter 8
  • Threadmarks
    • [X] Restate your suggestion to her
    -[X] Explain that lowering Mad Enhancement will allow Kirika to more easily control Berserker and will at the very least lessen the mana cost it takes to use him in battle, as Kirika would no longer have to power the skill to it's current rank.
    [X] Go to lunch, and talk to
    -[X] Madoka
    ​

    "It appears that I've underestimated just how much your servant's derangement has been impacting you. Still, if you believe that it might benefit you, allow me to restate my suggestion to use a Command Seal to forcibly lower Berserker's rank in Mad Enhancement. If nothing else, ridding yourself of your recurring nightmares would benefit your mental state, and it might lessen the mana cost it takes to field Berserker by not having to power his skill at its current level, even if just by a little bit."

    "Yeah, yeah," Kure Kirika waves you off with an uninterested tone. "Sure, whatever, I'll get right on that." Grumbling under her breath, you can hear her add to that, saying "Not like you really care what happens to me, anyway."

    "Kure-san, there's no need to be so dismissive of Akemi-san." Tomoe-san's words only serve to make Kure Kirika roll her eyes. "She's only trying to help."

    Kure Kirika shoots an antagonistic glare at Tomoe-san, saying "Well, if she really wanted to help me, she'd find a way to speed this up," as she gestures to her legs. "Or better yet, maybe she can use her fancy magic time powers to go back in time and, I don't know, maybe not have her servant shoot my legs off. Because as it is, I'm having a really hard time accepting that the person responsible for my current condition gives anywhere in the realm of one single fuck about me."

    "I can't help someone if they don't want to be helped, so I suppose that will be all to this conversation." You cast your eyes in the direction of the cafeteria, before returning your gaze to the girls in front of you. "Tomoe-san, will you be joining me, or are you staying here with her?"

    Tomoe-san hesitates, her eyes darting between you, and the wretched sight of her newest almost-a-friend's girlfriend, who stands to once again spend lunch alone in class if Tomoe-san doesn't join her. After a few moments, a hand pushing against her backside makes the decision for her. "I don't need you watching over me just because I'm in a wheelchair; just go to lunch already." Her decision made, Tomoe-san shrugs, and joins you as she is suggested to. "Besides, I really doubt you want to sit around and listen to me getting all mushy when I call up Oriko."

    "Well, as long as you're content, I won't complain." With nothing more for either of you to say to Kure Kirika, you and Tomoe-san depart for lunch.

    It only takes a minute or so of walking before Tomoe-san says "I'm sorry, Akemi-san. I wish I knew how to get through to her, but even when it seems like she's trying she still can't help but be abrasive. And, the strangest thing is that she wasn't even always like this."

    That's right; Tomoe-san would have known Kure Kirika before she was a puella magi. "What was she like before?"

    "Well, we've been in class together for- Gosh, this is the third year we'll have been in the same class. She was... Quiet, mostly. Soft-spoken, but kind enough if you could get her to talk. Then, one day last August, she- It was like she was a different person. She seemed a lot happier than she had been, and she was much more irreverent and saccharine than she had been before." Last August... On Sunday, Kure Kirika said she had been a puella magi for the past nine months, so...

    Could making her contract have prompted such a drastic change in personality?

    "Granted, this came with her almost completely losing interest in school; and while she might have come across as a nicer, sweeter person, it's become increasingly clear to me that, with everything that's happened between us, that must have just been an act."

    "Do you think she ever was happy, after that day? Or was it all an act even back then?"

    "I think being with Mikuni-san makes her very happy. Unfortunately, I think Mikuni-san might be the only thing that makes her happy."

    You make a slight detour back to your classroom so that you can grab your lunch, before heading at last to the cafeteria. Madoka is waiting for you, as are Sayaka and Hitomi. Madoka has saved you a seat beside her, and you join her with a smile, while Tomoe-san takes the empty seat next to Hitomi. Sayaka tries to speak, but the over-large bite of burger in her mouth prevents her from being understood. Forcing the food down her throat, she says again "So, what took you guys so long?"

    "Akemi-san had something she needed to discuss with Kure-san, and that took a few minutes."

    Sayaka's face turns sour at Tomoe-san's naming of Kure Kirika. "Next time, Homura should just punch her in the mouth, instead of trying to talk with her."

    "Sayaka-san, don't say things like that!"

    "You weren't there, Hitomi! You... You don't know what those two girls are really like."

    "Sayaka-chan! Hitomi-chan! Please, don't yell at each other. There's no need for you two to be fighting, especially while we're at school." Madoka shoots a clearly-exaggerated pout towards her blue- and green-haired friends, before turning to you and asking "Maybe she was bad before, but she's making progress now, isn't she?" Before you can answer the question, Madoka smiles for you, adding "I know you're doing your best, Homura-chan."

    You never do give Madoka an answer to her question. Instead, you find that you're asking it of yourself. Is Kure Kirika making progress?
    [ ] Yes
    [ ] No
    [ ] Maybe
    [ ] You don't know

    Thankfully, your table quiets down in short order, and the five of you settle into your usual routine. You make smalltalk with Madoka, occasionally interspersed with important things such as "Have you thought of where you're going to take me for our date on Saturday?" while Sayaka, Hitomi, and Tomoe-san do the same, with each of you never afraid to enter the other's conversation when asked. Mostly, your words lie solely with Madoka; though while you pay little attention to the bulk of Sayaka's conversation with Hitomi, you can hear in her voice that she's still very much upset by something, either your comment this morning about her and Kyouko, or about Tomoe-san's mention of Kure Kirika.

    Do you
    [ ] Ask Sayaka about what's bothering her
    [ ] Let Sayaka be; she'll come to you if she feels like it

    Regardless of your decision, [ ] Wat do?​
     
  • Threadmarks
    • [X] Yes

    Being willing to consider our suggestions is progress, right?

    [X] Ask Sayaka about what's bothering her

    If this is about her inability to help Violin Boy and/or the magical girl squad, maybe we'll be able to use this to segue into getting Archer to test her for magical potential with his magical system rather than the system that the Puella Magi use.
     
    [x] You don't know

    [x] Ask Sayaka about what's bothering her

    [x] Cuddle Madoka
    -[x] until lunch ends, then head back to class and try to pay attention.
     
    [X] You don't know
    [X] Ask Sayaka about what's bothering her
    [X] Cuddle Madoka
    -[X] until lunch ends, then head back to class and try to pay attention.
    --[X] Before Lunch ends and when you think no one else is actively listening in, ask Madoka how she feels about their whole dynamic, and if she's fine with being left out of things that endanger others. Try to let across your sincerity and worry for Madoka, and try to coax Madoka into giving her honest opinion to you in return.
    [X] Skip to the end of the day
    -[X] and if one or more of your friends asks to hang out, do so, otherwise go home and practice Isa until it's time for Archer to accompany Bazett to the Church's congregation later tonight

    You know, aside from the Command Seal/Servant issue, having Rule Breaker around would be really useful to have around such as in the case of Kirika and the possibility of dispelling/reverting this false personality given to her by her wish. Shame it's banned though. Also a little heart-to-heart with Madoka and allowing her to voice any honest concerns she may have with their relationship without letting it bottle up enough for her to contract with the Incubator. What Homura will have to try and do in response depends on what kind of answer Madoka gives her.

    EDIT: For the sake of not having a bunch of 1-1-1-1 ties
     
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    [x] You don't know

    I'd say she was making progress, if not for the fact that she's just as abrasive and dismissive as before, and could be only relenting since she doesn't have her legs and the fact that Oriko is mostly working with us.

    [x] Ask Sayaka about what's bothering her

    [x] Cuddle Madoka
    -[x] until lunch ends, then head back to class and try to pay attention.
    --[X] Before Lunch ends and when you think no one else is actively listening in, ask Madoka how she feels about their whole dynamic, and if she's fine with being left out of things that endanger others. Try to let across your sincerity and worry for Madoka, and try to coax Madoka into giving her honest opinion to you in return.
    [X] Skip to the end of the day
    -[X] and if one or more of your friends asks to hang out, do so, otherwise go home and practice Isa until it's time for Archer to accompany Bazett to the Church's congregation later tonight

    I like both the votes, so I merged both.
     
    Day 22 Chapter 9
  • Threadmarks
    • [x] You don't know
    [X] Ask Sayaka about what's bothering her
    [x] Cuddle Madoka
    -[x] until lunch ends, then head back to class and try to pay attention.
    --[X] Before Lunch ends and when you think no one else is actively listening in, ask Madoka how she feels about their whole dynamic, and if she's fine with being left out of things that endanger others. Try to let across your sincerity and worry for Madoka, and try to coax Madoka into giving her honest opinion to you in return.
    [X] Skip to the end of the day
    -[X] and if one or more of your friends asks to hang out, do so, otherwise go home and practice Isa until it's time for Archer to accompany Bazett to the Church's congregation later tonight.
    ​

    As your ears catch snippets of Sayaka's conversation with Hitomi, you can hear in her voice that she's still very much upset by something, either your comment this morning about her and Kyouko, or about Tomoe-san's mention of Kure Kirika. You chat idly with Madoka for a few minutes longer, hoping that with time you might realize that you're only mishearing her.

    Unfortunately, the passage of time brings no such revelation to you. It's the truth, then; Sayaka is upset about something. "Sayaka, is everything alright?" you ask, prompting a stare from both Sayaka and Hitomi, whom you only realize too late had been interrupted by your question. "You sound like you're upset, and it's got me worried."

    "I'm fine; so don't worry about me, okay?" Sayaka's tone betrays her words as she snaps back at you. Dismissing you with a wave of her hand, she returns her attention to Hitomi. "So anyways, like I was saying..."

    Your gaze lingers over Sayaka. She's trying to hard to avoid showing her pain, but you've had to see her melt down far too many times to be able to just shrug off the signs that something is wrong. That's just like her, though... "Don't worry about her, Homura-chan." A warm hand rests atop your own as Madoka slides in just a little bit closer to you. "Sayaka-chan knows she can come to you if she needs to. Just give her a little time, okay?" Seeing Mdoka smile, you can't help but smile back. As Madoka slid on closer, so do you, until the only thing separating the two of you is the fabric of your uniforms.

    The leftovers from last night's dinner go by quickly, and lunch is over before you know it. You and Madoka are slower than the others, hanging back on the return journey back to class. for your part, at least, this is intentional; you've got something you need to say to Madoka. For Madoka, with her smile at full blast and the warmth of her hand holding yours as you walk, it's enough just to spend time with you.

    Once Tomoe-san had bid your group farewell, and Sayaka and Hitomi have already taken their seats ahead of you, you stop. "Homura-chan?" Madoka's smile falters, and concern takes over her face. "I know that look on your face. Something's the matter, isn't it?"

    "I need to ask you an important question, and I need you to give me your most sincere answer."

    "Of course. What do you need, Homura-chan?"

    "The way that things are now- This entire dynamic that we have; are you okay with it?" Madoka stares at you, and you press onwards, unbidden. "I know that I'm trying to keep you informed about the things that happen to me, on the job, because I don't want to lie to you or try to hide the truth from you. But, are you really fine with just that; being left out while Tomoe-san and I put ourselves in danger."

    Madoka's eyes go wide as your hands clutch at her shoulders, like the eyes of a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming vehicle. "I know you're the kind of person who doesn't like to stand back and let others get hurt if there's something you can do to help them." Your hands- Your arms- Your whole body is trembling as you press onwards, forcing the words to leave your mouth. "But all the same, I couldn't stand the thought of seeing you put yourself in danger just for my sake. So I... I wanted to make sure that you were okay with things the way they are now, and you staying uninvolved in all of this."

    Madoka is silent, staring at you as the two of you stand in the hallway. Her hand reaches up to your face, cupping your cheek as a melancholy smile forms on her lips. "It's fine, Homura-chan, really. While it's true that I can't stand sitting by while you and Tomoe-san have to get hurt, I... I know that I'd only be hurting you even more if I were to try to help."

    Madoka's hand leaves your cheek, grabbing your hand as it trembles on her shoulder, letting the warmth of her touch calm your shaking. Her other hand does the same, and both of your hands are held in hers, she lifts them from her shoulders, bringing them around to the space in between where you both are standing. "I can't imagine what you've had to go through, because of your job; the things you've seen, or the people you've had to lose because of it. But I promise you, Homura-chan, if seeing me follow in your footsteps is what would make you hurt the most, then that's something I'll never do."

    "Madoka... I-"

    Your words are silenced as Madoka releases her hold on your hands, replacing the gentle warmth of her fingers with the all-encompassing warmth of a strong hug. "It's alright, Homura-chan. It's alright."

    A throat clears itself as you and Madoka embrace, followed shortly by a voice saying "Akemi, Kaname; I hope I'm not interrupting anything important, but I hope you both know that class is starting." It's the teacher.

    "Ah!" Your hug has come to an end; in its absence, a pair of lovestruck teenage girls furiously bowing to their instructor. "We're sorry sensei!" Madoka squeaks as she apologizes. "Terrible sorry; we won't let it happen again!"

    The teacher walks past you, casting an downward eye as he says "See to it that you don't."
    ​

    The bell rings, signalling the end of the day. Today is Wednesday; there is no archery practice today, leaving you free to spend the afternoon as you wish. You are in the process of packing your things for the day when you hear a voice calling "Hey Homura, you wanna come to the mall with us?" The voice is Sayaka's, and joining her are Madoka and Hitomi. Madoka looks on you with expectant eyes.

    Do you
    [ ] Join Madoka, Sayaka, and Hitomi in going to the mall
    -[ ] What are you doing once you get there? (write-in)
    -[ ] But first, ask if it's okay to invite
    --[ ] Tomoe-san
    --[ ] Kyouko
    --[ ] Mikuni Oriko
    --[ ] Kure Kirika
    [ ] Don't join them at the mall; go home and practice Isa
    [ ] Timeskip to tonight and change perspectives to Archer
    [ ] Other (write-in)​
     
  • Threadmarks
    • [X] Join Madoka, Sayaka, and Hitomi in going to the mall
    -[X] What are you doing once you get there?
    --[X] Buy everyone a pretty new dress
    --[X] Visit a music shop

    Like the idea NMS, though if Homura gets just Sayaka one, Madoka will be envious, and if Homura gets only Madoka and Sayaka one, then Hitomi will feel left out. This way they can do an activity together as well, picking one out for one another.
     
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