I doubt she'd mind nearly as much as randomly stopping time AFTER school. She doesn't mind interrupting class or whatnot.
Confringentur, Mk.2; a Madoka Magica / Fate/Stay Night crossover
- Thread starter SVS
- Start date
- Crossover
WanderingTwix
Posting something good once in a full moon
- Location
- United Kingdom
[X] imbue your arrows with a moderate freezing ability.
[X] Talk
-[X] to Madoka
--[X] Wait for Sayaka and Hitomi to join you before saying anything
---[X] About everyone's favorite foods
[X] Try not to look at Madoka's lips, but fail
-[X] But what if Madoka tries to talk to you?
--[X] Gaze into her eyes instead
[X] How do you plan to deliver yesterday's CDs to Mikuni Oriko without alerting Kure Kirika?
-[X] Telepathically communicate with Mikuni Oriko and ask her when and where she wants you to hand the CDs off to her
I think I would have archery club at 5 because... honestly, how many times has Homura interacted with them? They're barely a footnote, and are below the 'Homura cares' threshold. Otherwise, I agree with Enetious' values. It's all kind of superfluous anyway.
[X] Talk
-[X] to Madoka
--[X] Wait for Sayaka and Hitomi to join you before saying anything
---[X] About everyone's favorite foods
[X] Try not to look at Madoka's lips, but fail
-[X] But what if Madoka tries to talk to you?
--[X] Gaze into her eyes instead
[X] How do you plan to deliver yesterday's CDs to Mikuni Oriko without alerting Kure Kirika?
-[X] Telepathically communicate with Mikuni Oriko and ask her when and where she wants you to hand the CDs off to her
I think I would have archery club at 5 because... honestly, how many times has Homura interacted with them? They're barely a footnote, and are below the 'Homura cares' threshold. Otherwise, I agree with Enetious' values. It's all kind of superfluous anyway.
- Location
- Around here
It's useful for me to know how much "gives a shit" to put into Homura when writing her interactions with a given character.
WanderingTwix
Posting something good once in a full moon
- Location
- United Kingdom
Sorry, messed up the wording/meaning. I meant the difference between a 5 and 6 is a bit superfluous.
- Location
- Around here
Maybe if you're IGN and have never gone lower than a 7 in your life. To me, the difference is
5- "You've just gotten off my shit list. Don't mess up."
6- "I could maybe see us meeting in a casual setting."
WanderingTwix
Posting something good once in a full moon
- Location
- United Kingdom
IGN!? How scathing could you be?
(rip old modern emotes)But yeah, fair enough. It's weird, I feel like there's this 'barrier' between 5 (neutral) and 6 (liked/positive) for Homura in my mind, but that may be her stoic mask colouring my view.
- Location
- United States
@WanderingTwix pretty much what SVS said. I see a 5 as Neutral, 6 as Acquaintance/Friendly with one another, 7 as Friends, 8 as Great Friends, 9 as Best Friends, 10 as Exalted. 4 would be Disliked/Annoyance/Mixed-leaning-disliked, 3 as Hated/really not liked/Enemy, 2 as "Imma gonna kill you, get away from me"/Terrible Enemies, 1 as "Die, Die, Die"/Worst Enemy/"Hatred doesn't measure how much I hate you"/Reviled.
Also, yeesh, Homura is at least friendly with them, and this whole quest has been basically Homura being rehabilitated to a more non-wartime/normal state. They aren't that bad, and Homura's met with them a few times in the past week or so. You gotta remember that in-quest time passes a whole lot quicker than out-of-quest time, where it can take weeks out-of-quest to get through a single day in-quest.
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Day 23 Chapter 2
- Location
- Around here
[X] imbue your arrows with a moderate freezing ability.
[X] Talk
-[X] to Madoka
--[X] Wait for Sayaka and Hitomi to join you before saying anything
---[X] About everyone's favorite foods
[X] Try not to look at Madoka's lips, but fail
-[X] But what if Madoka tries to talk to you?
--[X] Gaze into her eyes instead
[X] How do you plan to deliver yesterday's CDs to Mikuni Oriko without alerting Kure Kirika?
-[X] Telepathically communicate with Mikuni Oriko and ask her when and where she wants you to hand the CDs off to her
[X] Talk
-[X] to Madoka
--[X] Wait for Sayaka and Hitomi to join you before saying anything
---[X] About everyone's favorite foods
[X] Try not to look at Madoka's lips, but fail
-[X] But what if Madoka tries to talk to you?
--[X] Gaze into her eyes instead
[X] How do you plan to deliver yesterday's CDs to Mikuni Oriko without alerting Kure Kirika?
-[X] Telepathically communicate with Mikuni Oriko and ask her when and where she wants you to hand the CDs off to her
Before you have a chance to say "Good morning, Madoka", her arms are wrapped tightly around your waist. She's so warm. Madoka is always so warm. And for the love of the gods don't look at her lips. Crap, you thought that and now you're looking at her lips. Quick, look somewhere else! Anywhere but her lips! Her eyes- Look at Madoka's eyes instead!
Her eyes are so beautiful; so full of hope and love and light. You couldn't bear to see those eyes lose their light again.
"How was your evening after you went home?" Thinking quickly, you add "What about your brother? Is he still in good health?"
Madoka breaks from your hug, and stares up at you with a smile on her face that's just as warm as her embrace. "Takkun's doing just fine. So are mama and papa; everyone's doing just fine, thanks to all the hard work that you and Tomoe-san put into keeping this city safe."
"You know, Sakura Kyouko is also working with us to keep this city safe." For as much as you get the feeling that she'd rather not be. "Don't you think she deserves some credit too?"
Madoka shakes her head and presents you with an exaggerated pout. "She made Sayaka-chan really upset the other day, I just know it. I'm not going to give her anything until she apologizes for whatever she did."
"You may be waiting a long time for that." If Sayaka would just come out and admit that something about her last interaction with Kyouko has made her upset, it would make dealing with the situation so much easier. She has no trouble voicing her displeasure with Mikuni Oriko and Kure Kirika, and yet when it comes to Kyouko she just can't seem to spit it out, whatever it was that Kyouko said or did to her. "Just as I imagine you'll be waiting a long time for Sayaka to admit to any of us that it was Kyouko who made her upset."
Madoka nods. "I really wish Sayaka-chan would just come out and tell us already what's bothering her. It's not good to keep her emotions bottled up like she is. What if something like what happened yesterday happens again? What if she runs into Kyouko-chan when we're all together at the mall, and they get into a fight over it?"
The results would not be pretty. You know that Sayaka has no chance in a fair fight against Sakura Kyouko, to say nothing of a fight between them in which only Kyouko is a puella magi. "I can only hope that your earlier words prove to be true, and Sayaka comes out to us with the truth before her emotions get the better of her in a public place."
Speak of
In an instant, both you and Madoka have become red cabbages, and you both do your best to avert your gaze in any direction but Sayaka's. Sayaka, for her part, feigns a look of shock, and places her hands on her hips as she says "Hey, come on; don't be like that. What, just because I tried to put you two into situations where you'd end up kissing, suddenly that means you can't look at me anymore?"
Now, it is Kamijou Kyousuke's turn to become the red cabbage. "I didn't know that Kaname-san and Akemi-san had already gotten that far in their relationship." Face still scarlet, he hobbles his way over to you. "Akemi-san, I'd like to thank you for coming to visit me the other day with your guardian. I know it probably doesn't mean much, coming from someone you've only spoken with twice now, but it really meant a lot to me, to get a visit from someone who knew what it was like to be stuck in a hospital room."
"I'm glad." Are you really? "I know how awful the long days of sitting around doing nothing but staring out the window or waiting for tests can be."
"Yes, they really are the worst. But we're both out now."
Nobody is saying anything, but you can sense a noticeable tension in the air between Sayaka, Hitomi, and Kamijou Kyousuke. Wisely, you decide against making comment. Instead, another topic of conversation comes to mind. "I was wondering, what is everyone's favourite food? I was thinking that, if Archer and I knew what everyone liked, then it might be nice to make something if anyone ever comes over."
You already know Madoka's favourite, so when she proudly proclaims "Papa's cream stew is my favourite" you already know what to expect." But, I'm sure I'd enjoy it just as much if it's made by Archer."
"You said it Madoka," Sayaka chimes in. "I'll take a burger and fries any day, but anything Mister Archer makes is at the top of my chart- Like that goat curry he made the other day. I'm sure he could even make-" You aren't sure if the gagging motion Sayaka makes is real or fake "-Brussel sprouts taste godly."
"Sayaka-san, I know for a fact that you've never eaten a Brussel sprout in your life. How do you know that you dislike them?"
"I read online that they taste awful." Yes, because when has the internet ever lied about anything?
"Well, I don't know if I'd say I have a favourite dish," Hitomi says, "But lately I… No, I can't say it."
"Aw, come on Hitomi," Sayaka wraps an arm around Hitomi's shoulder, pulling her in close as is her style. "You can tell us. There's no shame among friends, right?" You neglect to make any comment.
Hitomi hides her shame – and her face – with her hands as she whispers "… Mapo tofu. It's so wrong! A proper lady shouldn't enjoy something so masculine in its spiciness, but I just can't help it!" With exaggerated motions, Hitomi turns away from Kamijou Kyousuke, saying "Now even my boyfriend knows!"
"Actually, I don't mind at all. To be honest, I really like sweet things, and I know that's hardly considered masculine for a guy to like." At Kamijou Kyousuke's words, Hitomi's shame softens, and after a few seconds she is even able to look other people in the eye again. "So, I guess neither of us is perfect. But it's not like we have to be, right?"
At that, Hitomi even manages to smile, as she says "Well, I suppose I never thought of it like that."
"And, is that your favourite?" You ask Kamijou Kyousuke. "Something sweet?"
"No, actually my favourite is steamed pork buns. I know, it's really simple, but… Well, I kind of like the simplicity, you know?"
The rest of the walk to school continues on much like this, with small talk between the five of you, as you desperately try to focus your eyes on Madoka's own instead of on her lips. You can still remember the way your heart almost leaped from your chest the first time you felt them pressed against your cheek.
A pair of CDs bounce inside your school bag as you walk, and you remember that Mikuni Oriko still owes you for picking them up in her stead. "I have your CDs with me right now. Where, and when, would you like me to drop them off for you?"
"I can take the train down to pick Kirika up after school. If you could wait at the station for me, you can hand them to me then. Just make sure that they're wrapped up- She's been asking me to get those CDs for her for months, and I want to be able to surprise her."
You try to figure out if meeting Mikuni Oriko at the train station would be possible. You know it would take her a little over an hour by train coming from her mansion, but that isn't counting the time it would take her to walk from school. Even with your archery practice scheduled for today, you think that everything will fall into place more or less on everyone's schedule.
"If you don't mind me asking, why keep them secret from her in the first place? Is it a birthday present?" Do you even care if Kure Kirika's birthday is coming up?
"No, nothing of the sort. It's just that the last two times I tried to get them, the store was sold out, and before that I… Well, let's just say that I've had a lot on my plate since I made my contract. Too much to be able to go shopping."
"I see… So, today after class, at the train station; correct? I have archery club practice after class today, but given your own travel times I think everything should work out for us as intended. Can I assume that you'll be letting Kure Kirika know to wait for you, so that she doesn't get on the train to go home while you're on the train coming down to meet her?"
"Yes, of course I'd let her know. We speak on the phone every day at lunch time; I can tell her then."
"I suppose I'll be seeing you then." You'll be bringing the receipt for her then, as well.
The front gates of the school grounds come into view as you terminate your telepathic link to Mikuni Oriko. You can see Tomoe-san standing there waiting for you; accompanying her is Kure Kirika, who as always looks much less enthused to see you than Tomoe-san does. Seeing the girl in the wheelchair beside Tomoe-san, Sayaka gives a quick wave and a grunt of "Hey" to Tomoe-san before parting ways. Hitomi, while still quick to vacate herself from Kure Kirika's presence, at least stays long enough to say "A pleasant morning to you, Tomoe-san."
"A pleasant morning to you as well, Shizuki-san." Golden eyes migrate in the direction of Kamijou Kyousuke. "Is this your boyfriend?"
"Kamijou Kyousuke," he says, doing his best to bow for his senior despite his crutches. "Hitomi's told me about you, but I believe this is our first meeting." Now, it's the turn for grey eyes to migrate, this time in the direction of Kure Kirika. You don't know what to expect from this meeting. You hope it doesn't end in disaster. "She didn't say anything to me about your friend, though."
Kamijou Kyousuke does his best to lean down, until he's roughly at equal height with Kure Kirika. "Hey, I know it sucks right now, but it'll get better soon, I promise. I've heard a lot of good things about your friend, so just stick with her and you'll be on your feet again in no time."
This is it; the moment it all goes straight to hell. You brace yourself for the storm that is Kure Kirika.
"Thanks," Kure Kirika says, without a hint of sarcasm or insult in her voice. "It really does suck, doesn't it?"
"Yes, but it gets better." And with that, Hitomi and Kamijou Kyousuke make their own departure, leaving you and Madoka, and Tomoe-san and Kure Kirika.
[ ] Wat do, right now?
[ ] What's your plan to get through the school day? (write-in in detail)
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- Location
- Around here
Oh, and good news everyone! With the practice vote from the most recent update, we're now only one practice session away from full control over writing runes with ice.
After that comes level 4, when our arrows become able to splash freeze damage onto adjacent targets, and level 5, where... Well, I'm not going to spoil what we get for maxing out the freeze ability.
After that comes level 4, when our arrows become able to splash freeze damage onto adjacent targets, and level 5, where... Well, I'm not going to spoil what we get for maxing out the freeze ability.
- Location
- United States
Er, @SVS, since the day in-quest is Thursday, doesn't Homura have practice after school? I'd assume she'd know this and inform Mikuni about it when talking about giving her the CDs after school.
[X] Go to class
[X] What's your plan to get through the school day?
-[X] Try to pay attention to class, but fail
--[X] Daydream about your and Madoka's upcoming date tomorrow or Saturday, and about where you think she'd like for you to take her
-[X] Sit with your friends at Lunch and share some of Archer's cuisine with them in exchange for some of their own
[X] After school's over drop off the CDs with Mikuni and go to practice
-[X] Try and get to know your fellow club members some more and ask about their interests (and reciprocate)
EDIT: Post updated to include the entire day. Also Homura's trading in order to not go hungry herself and to relish in the thought that she has actual friends for a timeline, which must be a very nice change for her.
[X] Go to class
[X] What's your plan to get through the school day?
-[X] Try to pay attention to class, but fail
--[X] Daydream about your and Madoka's upcoming date tomorrow or Saturday, and about where you think she'd like for you to take her
-[X] Sit with your friends at Lunch and share some of Archer's cuisine with them in exchange for some of their own
[X] After school's over drop off the CDs with Mikuni and go to practice
-[X] Try and get to know your fellow club members some more and ask about their interests (and reciprocate)
EDIT: Post updated to include the entire day. Also Homura's trading in order to not go hungry herself and to relish in the thought that she has actual friends for a timeline, which must be a very nice change for her.
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- Location
- Around here
Yes, you're right. Adding that now.
And speaking of, do we have anything for lunch or for archery? I wanted the day's write-in to be more in detail so I don't have to try and split the school day up into multiple posts when it doesn't necessarily have to be. So, lunch conversations if we feel like it, or anything else you think we need to address during the school day, if you have anything to add there.
[X] Go to class
[X] What's your plan to get through the school day?
-[X] Try to pay attention to class, but fail
--[X] Daydream about your and Madoka's upcoming date tomorrow or Saturday, and about where you think she'd like for you to take her
-[X] Sit with your friends at Lunch and share some of Archer's cuisine with them in exchange for some of their own
[X] After school's over drop off the CDs with Mikuni and go to practice
-[X] Try and get to know your fellow club members some more and ask about their interests (and reciprocate)
[X] What's your plan to get through the school day?
-[X] Try to pay attention to class, but fail
--[X] Daydream about your and Madoka's upcoming date tomorrow or Saturday, and about where you think she'd like for you to take her
-[X] Sit with your friends at Lunch and share some of Archer's cuisine with them in exchange for some of their own
[X] After school's over drop off the CDs with Mikuni and go to practice
-[X] Try and get to know your fellow club members some more and ask about their interests (and reciprocate)
WanderingTwix
Posting something good once in a full moon
- Location
- United Kingdom
No clue.
I think the only times I had this were a handful of times over a year ago when dad was experimenting(?) with cooking them, but they were really good.
I must concur that these are pretty solid; always have them when you're at a dim-sum style restaurant.
EDIT: I don't have a favourite food because A: anything I've had that was so good I could consider it such was probably at some place I was only at once and I can't remember it and B: I'm pretty non-committal with my opinions.
[X] Go to class
[X] What's your plan to get through the school day?
-[X] Try to pay attention to class, but fail
--[X] Daydream about your and Madoka's upcoming date tomorrow or Saturday, and about where you think she'd like for you to take her
-[X] Sit with your friends at Lunch and share some of Archer's cuisine with them in exchange for some of their own
[X] After school's over drop off the CDs with Mikuni and go to practice
-[X] Try and get to know your fellow club members some more and ask about their interests (and reciprocate)
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- Location
- Around here
Just a heads-up so everyone gets the memo- I think from now on, I'll be handling our school day in this manner. That is, unless something comes up, we want to switch to Archer, or we feel like doing something else besides school, I'll try as best as possible to cover the entire school day in a single post. Now, my hope is that this makes a longer overall post and that we also get through each school day a little bit faster, but it does mean that it'll likely take me longer per school day.
So give me until tomorrow afternoon, probably, before expecting to see the next post go live.
So give me until tomorrow afternoon, probably, before expecting to see the next post go live.
Day 23 Chapter 3
- Location
- Around here
[X] Go to class
[X] What's your plan to get through the school day?
-[X] Try to pay attention to class, but fail
--[X] Daydream about your and Madoka's upcoming date tomorrow or Saturday, and about where you think she'd like for you to take her
-[X] Sit with your friends at Lunch and share some of Archer's cuisine with them in exchange for some of their own
[X] After school's over drop off the CDs with Mikuni and go to practice
-[X] Try and get to know your fellow club members some more and ask about their interests (and reciprocate)
[X] What's your plan to get through the school day?
-[X] Try to pay attention to class, but fail
--[X] Daydream about your and Madoka's upcoming date tomorrow or Saturday, and about where you think she'd like for you to take her
-[X] Sit with your friends at Lunch and share some of Archer's cuisine with them in exchange for some of their own
[X] After school's over drop off the CDs with Mikuni and go to practice
-[X] Try and get to know your fellow club members some more and ask about their interests (and reciprocate)
Hitomi and Kamijou Kyousuke make their own departure, leaving you and Madoka, and Tomoe-san and Kure Kirika. Even though she can't harm Madoka anymore, you still have to withhold a shudder at the thought of Madoka being anywhere near Kure Kirika. It's bad enough they both attend the same school.
"Well, that's enough awkwardly standing around for me." Kure Kirika is the one to break the silence. "I'll see you in class, Tomoe." Without waiting for Tomoe-san to respond, Kure Kirika wheels herself around and takes off for class as best as she can.
Tomoe-san shrugs. "She is making progress; isn't she, Homura-chan?" Madoka asks, staring at you.
The answer you came to yesterday when asked that question comes to mind readily. "I really don't know."
"I think she is, in her own way," says Tomoe-san. "Change doesn't come overnight. Even if we can't see it right away, I'd like to believe that Kure-san is changing for the better, no matter how it may seem to us now." Casting her gaze in the direction that Kure Kirika had wheeled off in, she adds "Though, I do wish she would try a little harder to curb her abrasive tendencies. Really; I think I should speak with Mikuni-san about her some time."
She might get her chance later today.
You hear the bells ringing, and Madoka almost jumps out of her skin at the sound. "Homura-chan, come on!" she exclaims, grabbing your hand, dragging you away from Tomoe-san before you barely have the time to say "See you later". "We've got to get to class! Come on, we can't be late!"
While you wish that Madoka would have at least given you enough time to give a proper goodbye to Tomoe-san, you are grateful all the same for her expedience in dragging you to class. Even Sayaka made it to class before you- Would you want to be the person who was late when even Sayaka wasn't? Not that you have any particular care in your schooling, but to be later than even Sayaka would be a shame from which you could never escape.
Fortunately, thanks to Madoka's haste, you arrive to class just in time. Just in time to be bored out of your mind sitting through another day of lessons that you've already heard a hundred times.
You can't turn your head around and spend the day staring wistfully at Madoka, thinking of your date on Saturday while knowing that she's thinking the same thing by the look in her eyes. But you can still think about your date on Saturday.
Madoka really liked it when you took her to the culture festival, but that ended at the start of the month. In theory, you could try to replicate the events of that day; start off by going clothes shopping with her, letting her see you in a number of cute or cool outfits, then take her out for a nice meal, go to the arcade to simulate the culture festival, and cap the night off with a movie. Yeah, Madoka would like that.
Except, no, she wouldn't. You already went shopping and to the arcade when you went to the mall yesterday; you're sure she would get bored if you just did the same thing as before. And the idea of 'dinner and a movie' doesn't make a lick of sense to you- If you did it the other way around, you wouldn't have to worry about eating quickly so you wouldn't miss your movie, and watching the movie first would give you something to talk about over dinner. That might work… Except you have no idea what movies are currently playing.
It's been so long since you were able to think about enjoying a date with Madoka, that you've completely forgotten what sort of date-like activities are happening in Mitakihara at the moment. Shopping, unless you can think of something better than a mall that you know will be open after school ends, is currently – unfortunately – your best bet at the moment.
Wait! That isn't true! That isn't true at all! You do remember a movie that's currently playing, and you know that it's one that Madoka will enjoy. Assuming she hasn't already seen it. You have to prevent yourself from slamming your head against the desk- For as much as you claim to know and remember everything about Madoka, you still somehow forgot that there was a Pretty Cure movie currently playing in theaters.
[ ] Take Madoka to see the Pretty Cure movie, and go out to dinner somewhere fancy afterwards.
[ ] Keep thinking of ideas; something better will come along.
[ ] Give up, admit you can't think of anything, and let Madoka choose.
The teacher calls you up to the board during – class. You give the problem just enough hesitation to where your ability to solve it doesn't seem suspect. As soon as you hear the teacher say to you "That's correct. Good job, Akemi" you turn around and head back to your seat.
That time when you're turned towards the rest of the class lasts only for a few seconds, but those few seconds are enough to give you a glimpse of Madoka. You smile at her, and she smiles back, and nothing else matters in this world.
"Alright class, we're going to be doing something a little different today."
Those words serve to snap you out of the haze with which you had been going through the day. Something is different. Which class is this? "Starting today, you're going to be paired up into teams of three. At the end of the month, I want the three of you to have researched an important piece of written English literature, and present your findings to the class." English. Okay, that's good. You can do English. Just take control of the project and write something about Shakespeare; that should work, right?
"Remember, this is a group project, which means that you're going to be responsible for the grades of your partners as well." That's fine. You, Madoka, Sayaka, and Hitomi can-
No, you can't. The teacher said groups of three, not four. One of you will have to find a different group. "Now, I know there are some of you-" You can almost feel the teacher's eyes staring at you, while like a chameleon also staring at Madoka at the same time "-who would prefer to work together, but in the real world you won't always get to work with people you like. That's why I'm going to be randomly assigning teams."
Your ears carefully listen for the sound of Madoka's name, but when "Kaname" is called, it isn't you she gets paired with. "… Mochizumi, Akemi, and Satomi…" There's your name. At least you somewhat know Mochizumi-san from archery club, but you haven't the slightest idea who 'Satomi' is.
"Man, this sucks!"
Sayaka is the most vociferous with her complaints out of any of the friends you have in class. "I can't believe not one of us is in a group together- Especially Madoka and Homura. That's totally unfair to them!"
"It's okay, Sayaka-chan." the tone in Madoka's voice makes it very clear that she isn't okay with it, no matter what she might say. "I'm sure we'll be okay in our groups."
"Yeah, I guess you're right. Just, man; imagine if we'd had Homura on our group- We'd ace this project easy-peasy." Sayaka leans over the table, cupping her hand to your ear as she whispers "Hey, Madoka's really upset that Kaede got paired with you. Just be careful around her, okay? She's been giving you funny looks ever since your team was announced."
You have only a vague idea of the person to whom Sayaka is referring; the girl that sits behind and to the left of you, that has a crush on you. Out of the corner of your eye, you can see her, staring at you from across the cafeteria. "Well, at least you've got someone on your team that's cool enough to handle you. Mochi'll keep her off yer back for ya, promise."
"Somebody say my name?" You look up; it's Mochizumi-san. She's got a smile on her face, and a tray that's practically overflowing with food items. How does she plan to fit it all in her stomach? "You girls mind it I sit here?"
There's a free seat beside you and across the table from Hitomi that, after a few seconds of "Sure" "Yeah, that's fine" "Help yourself" and the like, Mochizumi-san takes advantage of it and sits down. "Hey, Akemi, sorry about the bad luck. I know you were probably hoping to be teamed up with Kaname. But I promise; I'm not all dumb, bow-drawing muscle. I won't hold our group back." Much the way that Sayaka did before her arrival, Mochizumi-san leans in close, cupping her hand to your ear as she whispers "Just... be careful around Satomi, okay? She was giving you this weird bedroom-eyes look earlier, and it doesn't take an idiot to figure out that she's got it as bad for you as you do for Kaname."
Once everyone is settled into their seats, you open up your lunch box; it's time to see what Archer has made for you today. Instantly, all noses are on you, and all eyes soon follow, as the smell of spices fills the air around the table. Today, fried strips of chicken slathered in a spicy sauce sit on a bed of rice mixed with what appears to be finely chopped red and green peppers. "Oh, man-" despite her own overwhelming portions, Mochizumi-san is practically salivating at the sight and smell of your lunch. "That looks amazing. Did you prepare that yourself?"
"Nah, Homura's got the best chef in all of Mitakihara working for her, full-time!"
Mochizumi-san stares incredulously at Sayaka. "Really? Because I'm really doubtful that Morimoto from the yakiniku bar uptown works for Akemi, no matter how awesome that would be."
Sayaka shrugs her off, responding with "Nah, his stuff is great, but it doesn't hold a candle to Mister Archer- That's Homura's guardian, by the way. His stuff is seriously the best in the entire world." Hitomi and Tomoe-san nod in agreement with Sayaka, while beside you Madoka must be having an internal debate over whether Archer or her father is the better chef. Bright blue eyes stare into your soul, and Sayaka says to you "Seriously Homura, you have got to let Mochi try some of that. She needs to know."
Well, it is your lunch, but you don't mind trading a little bit, here or there, in exchange for something from everyone who wants some. In the end, for four of your eight strips of chicken and whatever amount of rice they could fit on their chopsticks, you are able to get almost a complete burger from Sayaka and Mochizumi-san combined. Neither Madoka nor Tomoe-san wish to try any, but a Hitomi that you have recently learned harbours a soft spot for spicy food deigns to trade you a little bit of her salad for one strip and no rice. The expression on Sayaka's face is one of pure ecstasy, while "Holy crap, Miki, you weren't kidding." Mochizumi-san is very much the same. "This is like, when Morimoto does his Thursday night spiced wagyu specials, only way better."
Unlike Sayaka or Mochizumi-san, Hitomi manages to enjoy her share in silence. It would be unladylike of her to do any different.
"And that's why, if the girl you like has another girl that she likes, you've just got to" *thunk* "and kill the competition. That's what I'd do, and that's what you've got to do too if you really want to win her heart."
"Hey, Akemi, who are these two?" Kasuga-san asks, eyeing the pair that have followed you onto the practice range. "I mean, if they want to join, that's great; but, registration's already closed, remember? We were lucky enough to squeeze you in on the last day, but-"
"They aren't looking to join," you say to Kasuga-san. "A friend of mine is friends with her girlfriend-" You motion to Kure Kirika "and they asked me to look after her until her girlfriend can come down from Shirome to pick her up."
"I don't need 'looking after', Akemi," Kure Kirika says, drawing several sets of eyes onto her. "I'm just here because there's nowhere else for me to go while I'm waiting for Oriko. Don't think I need 'looking after' just because I'm in a wheelchair."
You hear Kure Kirika mumble somethign under her breath that sounds suspiciously like "You prick" but you pay her no attention and keep going with your introductions. "The other one-"
"That's Satomi Kaede," Mochizumi-san says in your stead. "She's in our class, and the teacher stuck us together in a group project. Not actually sure what she's doing here, though."
"I followed them here because I wanted to see Akemi-san practicing. I won't get in the way, I promise."
Kasuga-san sighs, taking another few seconds to stare at Kure Kirika and Satomi Kaede, before saying "Well, I guess you both can stick around. But this is just for today, got it? Especially you, Satomi- You can't be coming around here every club session just because Mochi and Akemi are here."
"I think I understand, Kure-san. But, don't you think that's a little extreme, killing the other person?"
You set your bow down without drawing another arrow, and make your way over to where Kure Kirika and Satomi Kaede are sitting. You've heard enough of their conversation to have a pretty good idea of what Kure Kirika is trying to get Satomi Kaede to do. "It very much is extreme, Satomi Kaede," you say, doing your best to loom over the seated pair. "And you, Kure Kirika, should know better than to encourage someone else like that."
"Well, sor~ry, Akemi." She isn't really sorry, not for anything. Not even for the message she sent you last night. "I was just trying to help out my good friend Kaede here with her little love problem." Thinking quickly and moving just as slyly, Kure Kirika snakes an arm around Satomi Kaede's shoulder, pulling her in as close as the wheelchair will allow. "Isn't that right, Kaede?"
"She really was trying to help me, Akemi-san. But, I think her advised methods are all a little extreme."
You don't have time to put up with this. You leave them both with a final "I'll be watching you" and head back to the range to pick up your bow once more. "Everything alright, Akemi?" Mochizumi-san asks, coming up beside you. She releases, and *thunk* you try your best to imitate her form as you line up your own shot.
"I think Kure Kirika might be a" *thunk* "bad influence on Satomi Kaede."
"Well, fortunately it's just" *thunk* "for today, right?"
"I hope so." *thunk* You really, really hope so.
You received the text from Mikuni Oriko about fifteen minutes ago, saying that her train would be arriving shortly. That gives you and Kure Kirika just enough time to get to the train station. You aren't feeling particularly amicable towards the wheelchair-bound girl since you overheard her conversation with the third member of your group project, but for as much as Kure Kirika irritates you, you did say that you would meet Mikuni Oriko at the train station after school today. You've already made her come down this way, even when she could have just as easily been less accommodating and insisted that you come up to her mansion to deliver them.
"Come on, where is she?" Kure Kirika asks, the impatience dripping from her words like venom, as she loudly drums her fingers against the armrest of her wheelchair. "I thought you said she'd be here by now."
"My name is not Benito Mussolini," you say, your words met with a look of confusion. Did she never once pay attention in history class? "I cannot make the trains run on time. Mikuni Oriko will get here whenever-" And there it is now, the southbound train from Shirome. "-her train gets here."
Kure Kirika is off before the train has even come to a complete stop, and eagerly crowds the people trying to exit the train car as she hovers by the door waiting for "Oriko!" Mikuni Oriko wears the crimson uniform of the Shirome school, but carries the same dark blue school bag as yourself. Seeing her smaller counterpart, Mikuni Oriko smiles, and at their meeting she bends down to kiss the top of Kure Kirika's head. "How was your day, dearest?"
"Better, now that you're here."
"I'm glad to hear that." Reluctantly, Mikuni Oriko tears herself away from Kure Kirika, and faces you. You do have business with her, after all. "Akemi-san, thank you for looking after Kirika for me. I understand that it probably wasn't your favourite thing to do, but I want you to know that I appreciate what you've done all the same."
Do you
[ ] Hand over the CDs without saying anything to Mikuni Oriko
[ ] Hand over the CDs, but
-[ ] say "You owe me 4880¥"
-[ ] tell her that Kure Kirika has been a bad girl and doesn't deserve her CDs
-[ ] tell her that Tomoe-san wishes to speak with her
--[ ] With Tomoe-san's permission, invite her over to Tomoe-san's apartment
[ ] Other (write-in)
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- Location
- United States
[X] Take Madoka to see the Pretty Cure movie, and go out to dinner somewhere fancy afterwards.
[X] Hand over the CDs out of Kure Kirika's sight, but
-[X] tell her that Tomoe-san wishes to speak with her
--[X] With Tomoe-san's permission, invite her over to Tomoe-san's apartment
-[X] ask her to look into Kure Kirika's personality, and how her wish to become a Puella Magi may have drastically and irreparably altered it. Share the information that Tomoe-san informed you of about Kure Kirika's prior personality nine months ago, right before she became a Puella Magi.
[X] Hand over the CDs out of Kure Kirika's sight, but
-[X] tell her that Tomoe-san wishes to speak with her
--[X] With Tomoe-san's permission, invite her over to Tomoe-san's apartment
-[X] ask her to look into Kure Kirika's personality, and how her wish to become a Puella Magi may have drastically and irreparably altered it. Share the information that Tomoe-san informed you of about Kure Kirika's prior personality nine months ago, right before she became a Puella Magi.
- Location
- Around here
If we're only going off of Tomoe-san's guess that Kirika's wish changed her personality, without knowing the how or the why behind it, what are we hoping to accomplish by having Oriko look into Kirika's past? What's the plan at that point? Or are we just hoping that Oriko will be able to do something about it at that point?
- Location
- United States
Oriko's the only one that can reasonably get any information out of Kirika and it's to enlighten the cast of why Kirika is the way she is and why her views are concrete, very intense, and unshakable (case-in-point the scene in this update where she's informing Kaede that the way to go eliminating romantic competition is through bloodshed).
- Location
- Around here
See, I had meant my question in more of a meta sense- Are we having Homura ask just for the sake of her knowing, without having any plans for her to do something with that information; or do you think there's something we could do with the tools available to us that could help Kirika once we have that information? Assuming she even wants or feels that she needs our 'help'.
Also- Does what I did for the school day work for you guys? I'd like to be able to get through our school days in fewer posts from now on, but if you guys would prefer to keep school using the older model then just let me know. You guys are the ones that have to do the voting, so when it comes to matters regarding Homura's level of autonomy I figure I should at least ask what you'd prefer.
- Location
- United States
Actually like this format better since we don't waste time over multiple votes, and though it takes longer for you to write in this format we ultimately save time overall and progress through the story quicker irl.
This is Homura investigating something she had no knowledge of despite so many prior timelines and doing so for the sake of her friends who are trying to change Kirika when so far she hasn't really changed at all. She's trying to find answers (with not too much effort mind you), and asking a few questions here and there doesn't really hurt Homura. This'll also reveal better insight as to how Kirika works, and how Homura can exploit her nature in the future and steer her away from killing Madoka in this or future timelines (and perhaps a way to manipulate Mikuni/Kirika in future timelines as well if she contracts).
WanderingTwix
Posting something good once in a full moon
- Location
- United Kingdom
If she doesn't become a magical girl at some point, I'll eat my eyepatches.
Jesus, the yandere's are teaming up (No, Satomi hasn't shown that yet, but it's totally gonna happen)
Are you trying to make a running gag here? "You owe me two grief seeds" "You owe me 4880¥" "You owe me a waifu"
[X] Take Madoka to see the Pretty Cure movie, and go out to dinner somewhere fancy afterwards.
[X] Hand over the CDs out of Kure Kirika's sight, but
-[X] tell her that Tomoe-san wishes to speak with her
--[X] With Tomoe-san's permission, invite her over to Tomoe-san's apartment
-[X] ask her to look into Kure Kirika's personality, and how her wish to become a Puella Magi may have drastically and irreparably altered it. Share the information that Tomoe-san informed you of about Kure Kirika's prior personality nine months ago, right before she became a Puella Magi.
I've thought about it, and I've decided that this (kirika) is barely below the threshold of being too heavy-handed. Barely.
Day 23 Chapter 4
- Location
- Around here
[X] Take Madoka to see the Pretty Cure movie, and go out to dinner somewhere fancy afterwards.
[X] Hand over the CDs out of Kure Kirika's sight, but
-[X] tell her that Tomoe-san wishes to speak with her
--[X] With Tomoe-san's permission, invite her over to Tomoe-san's apartment
-[X] ask her to look into Kure Kirika's personality, and how her wish to become a Puella Magi may have drastically and irreparably altered it. Share the information that Tomoe-san informed you of about Kure Kirika's prior personality nine months ago, right before she became a Puella Magi.
"Kirika, you should go to the bathroom before we get on the northbound train," Mikuni Oriko says, turning away from you to once more address her lover. "I heard that delays might be expected, and I don't want you to be uncomfortable on the way home if it takes longer than usual."
"Sure," she says, wheeling herself towards you. Looking you in the eye, she lifts her school bag up out of her lap, and drops it at your feet. Eyes still locked on yours, she says - not asks, but says, as if giving you an order - "Watch that for me" before wheeling herself off in the direction of the bathrooms.
Mikuni Oriko watches as Kure Kirika departs, only to turn her gaze back on you when she makes it to the bathroom. "Akemi-san, it's really inexcusable how much I have to keep apologizing for her. I know she has her reasons for disliking you, but I really wish she would stop being so abrasive towards you, Tomoe-san, and Sakura-san. There's such a sweet person underneath those rough edges, and I just wish she'd be willing to show you the same side of her that she shows to me."
Tomoe-san had told you yesterday about the 'different' Kure Kirika she had known before this one, and the cheerful mask that hides the person you've come to be familiar with during the loops that involve her. But now, you have to ask yourself another question- Is the Kure Kirika that she shows to the world the 'real' Kure Kirika; is it the Kure Kirika that she shows to you and to Tomoe-san; or is it the Kure Kirika that she shows to Mikuni Oriko? Which one is the 'real' Kure Kirika?
"We can talk about this later," you say, working quickly to retrieve yesterday's CDs from your school bag. They're still bundled together inside the plastic bag from the music store, and the receipt is inside. "Actually, Tomoe-san would also like to speak with you regarding Kure Kirika's behaviour."
"Oh, no, that's perfectly alright. I wouldn't want to impose on her." Mikuni Oriko twists and turns the handles of the plastic bag around in her hands as you speak. "Oh- How much do I owe you for the CDs?"
"The receipt is in the bag. And, I can ask Tomoe-san now whether she would be willing to host us, if you think your presence would be an imposition."
Actually, you had been planning on asking Tomoe-san as soon as the topic of conversation came up. "Did you still wish to speak with Mikuni Oriko regarding Kure Kirika's behaviour?"
"Yes, thank you for asking. Is she there with you now?"
"She is. We're at the train station near your apartment, and if you would be willing to host us I can bring them over."
"Please do, Akemi-san."
You exit your talk with Tomoe-san to a 5000¥ note in Mikuni Oriko's outstretched hand. "Please, keep the change," she says. "A little extra for your trouble." Seeing Kure Kirika exiting the bathroom from the corner of your vision, you quickly pocket the note. This conversation is over. "Dearest, we're actually going to be going to Tomoe-san's place for a little while," she says, as Kure Kirika pulls up beside her. "Is that acceptable?"
Kure Kirika wears a disheartened expression as she says "What? But, I thought we were going home after this." But for Mikuni Oriko, she forces past her disappointment, bearing with her lover's decision as she says "Sure, I guess that's fine. I guess with this 'Church' shit creeping up on us we'll all need to talk strategy whenever we can."
Smiling, Mikuni Oriko leans over, giving Kure Kirika another kiss for her cooperation. Righting herself, she turns to you and asks "Her apartment isn't very far from here, is it? I believe she said it's only a few minutes' walk, correct?"
"Correct. If we hurry, we can make it in under ten minutes."
Five minutes, you think, checking the time on your phone as you knock on the door or the Tomoe apartment. Not bad time, all things considered. As you wait for Tomoe-san to get the door, you watch for the reactions of the pair that have joined you. Kure Kirika looks bored and uninterested; an expression which you've come to expect from her whenever she isn't doing Mikuni Oriko-related things; but it is Mikuni Oriko that leaves you wondering.
She looks nervous, almost, standing here in the empty hallway. Is she worried about the impression she thinks she will make on Tomoe-san, now that the venue has changed from her own mansion to Tomoe-san's apartment? Or is it something else?
The door opens, and you hear Mikuni Oriko say "Ah, good afternoon, Sakura-san," before the person opening the door has had the chance to invite you in. It is indeed Kyouko, just as Mikuni Oriko said.
"'Sup Spooky?" Kyouko asks, waving to you as you enter, taking your shoes off in the foyer. Noticeably, she gives no wave to Mikuni Oriko or Kure Kirika, merely ushering them in with a "Mami's already got tea all set up at the table."
Mikuni Oriko takes her shoes off, and the three of you leave your school bags by your shoes as you make your way in. "Whoa…" Kure Kirika marvels at the various gold decorations that adorn the Tomoe apartment. "Oriko, are you seeing this? It's amazing! We've got to get some for our place!"
"Yes dearest, it is lovely." Mikuni Oriko smiles, wheeling Kure Kirika up to Caster's sandstone table where Tomoe-san is already seated. "I'm not sure that she would be willing to part with any of them on our accounts, though."
Five places are lain out, and Tomoe-san is in the process of pouring out enough tea for everybody. She even appears to have remembered Kure Kirika's preference for jam in her tea, as evidenced by the presence of a jar that you recognize as the homemade peach jam gifted to her by Mikuni Oriko last Sunday. You hope, for her sake, that Kure Kirika doesn't mind the taste of peach jam, or you doubt you'll hear the end of her complaining tonight.
Then again, if she could foresee the possibility of either you or Tomoe-san hosting a team meeting, it's doubtful that she would have gifted you with jam flavours that Kure Kirika doesn't like. Mikuni Oriko isn't stupid enough to not hedge her bets like that.
"I'm glad you like it," Tomoe-san says, scooting over to make space for you and Kyouko to sit beside her. "Caster was actually the one that set everything up. If he shows himself tonight, you can let him know that you appreciate his style."
"This was Caster's doing?" Mikuni Oriko asks, helping Kure Kirika into a comfortable seating position before sitting down beside her. "I was unaware that your servant could create anything more than weaponry with those golden portals he uses."
"At least according to him, he has just about everything one could imagine stored inside them, tawdry decorations included. He also has an ability called 'Territory Creation', which he says is what allowed him to turn my apartment into a replica of the temple he called his home in life."
"Now," Tomoe-san's voice takes on a much more serious tone than it had held just moments earlier. "Mikuni-san, if we could get right to the matter at hand."
"Of course. Akemi-san already told me that you wished to speak with me about this."
"The truth is, Mikuni-san, I'm very worried about Kure-san."
"Huh?" Kure Kirika looks from Mikuni Oriko to Tomoe-san, and then back to her girlfriend, all with a confused expression on her face. "Oriko? Weren't we going to talk strategy? What's Tomoe worried about me for?"
"I want to believe that Kure-san is trying her hardest to improve her conduct with Akemi-san and I, as you asked her to do, but thus far I can't really say that I've seen much improvement in her attitude since returning to school."
You refrain from making any one of the multiple comments you could make regarding Kure Kirika's recent behavior, instead choosing to merely nod your head along with Tomoe-san's words.
"… I know she has, Tomoe-san, and I apologize on her behalf for any disrespect that Kirika may have shown to you." Mikuni Oriko looks at Kure Kirika with disappointment written on her face. "Kirika, you said that you'd try your best to get along with everyone and to not cause trouble."
"I am trying," Kure Kirika responds. "I'm trying as hard as I can to not make trouble for you. I just can't stand that I have to play nice with the people that hurt you before."
"I already told you, Kirika, several times- Akemi-san and Tomoe-san were perfectly justified in the actions they took to stop me. I…" Mikuni Oriko's hand finds its way atop Kure Kirika's thigh, and from the underside of the table you can just barely make out the sight of her feeling her way down to the place where Kure Kirika's leg stops. "… I want to believe, though, that there was another way of stopping you without causing you such a horrific injury. But the point is, there is no reason for you to remain angry at them, when I have already forgiven them for their treatment of me."
"But Oriko, I-"
"No buts, Kirika." Mikuni Oriko looks Kure Kirika in the eyes. "I want you to promise me, from now on, that you will not hold it against Akemi-san and Tomoe-san for their earlier treatment of me. Can you promise me that?"
Kure Kirika averts her gaze from Mikuni Oriko's own and mumbles a half-hearted "I promise."
"What do you promise?"
"… I promise that I won't hold it against Akemi or Tomoe for trying to kill you."
The hardened gaze with which Mikuni Oriko had been staring down Kure Kirika vanishes, and she smiles, bringing her into a hug. "I'm very glad to hear that, dearest."
Kyouko, who is seated to your left, rolls her eyes. "Ga~ay,."
While Tomoe-san stares at Kyouko in displeasure, you choose to ignore her comment, and address Mikuni Oriko. "Tomoe-san mentioned something to me yesterday, when we were talking about Kure Kirika's attitude problem. She said that Kure Kirika used to have a much more quiet and reserved personality, but that she abruptly changed last August into, well, into what we see here now." You turn towards Kure Kirika, asking "Last August would have been around the time you made your contract, based on what you said last Sunday. Is that correct?"
Kure Kirika nods. "I made my contract in August." A massive smile, bigger and warmer than the ones you see on Madoka's face whenever she's near you, spreads across Kure Kirika's face. She leans into Mikuni Orik's chest, and says "And I'll never forget it, because exactly one week later, I asked Oriko to be my girlfriend."
"I see." So, there is some connection between Kure Kirika making her contract, and her relationship with Mikuni Oriko; but what? Did she outright wish that Mikuni Oriko would love her unconditionally? If she did, would that have changed her personality so severely? "Do you remember anything about what you were like before that?"
"Nope!" That may just have been the single proudest-sounding 'nope' you have ever heard. "It's really strange, though. Like, I can remember a lot of stuff about my childhood, and I remember when mom kicked dad out and got a divorce; things like that. I can remember a lot of stuff about stuff. But, I can't remember anything about what I used to be like before I met Oriko."
"That's… Actually rather peculiar, Kure-san. I don't think I've ever heard of selective amnesia before."
You stare at Kure Kirika, considering her as though she were a difficult homework problem- Not that you can recall any homework problems that have been difficult for you in any recent timeline. Then, you turn to Mikuni Oriko and say to her "If possible, I would like to ask that you look into this matter. I'm curious to know what could have caused this, and I want to know more if at all possible."
"I can try, Akemi-san."
"That's all I ask."
You reach for your tea. In the time it has taken for this conversation to conclude, the tea has gone cold.
[ ] Wat do?