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

[SVS]

[X] Kiss your girlfriend (with her permission)
[X] Suggest that the group head home
-[X] And do what once you're back home?
--[X] Practice Isa until Archer and Bazett are going to begin their operation
​

---

You sit beside Madoka inside the photo booth, silent while Sayaka receives a chewing-out from Hitomi just on the other side of the booth's privacy curtain. While your attentions are turned more closely to the scarlet-coloured Madoka seated beside you, you can still manage to catch snippets of the conversation outside. Sayaka, in typical fashion, has been trying to 'help' Madoka with something all afternoon, to which Hitomi is none too pleased at the forcefulness with which Sayaka is acting.

You look to Madoka again, face feverishly flushed, lips quivering, desperately trying to avoid eye contact with you. She's been red-faced the entire time that the two of you have been in the photo booth; is she sick? You reach a hand out to touch her forehead, but she recoils at your touch. "Don't be afraid, Madoka," you say, your voice a gentle low whisper. "I'm just checking your temperature, that's all."

The touch of your hand only causes the red cabbage Kaname to burn brighter, but she isn't hot; no warmer to the touch than usual. But, if she isn't sick, then what could it be?

She was like this earlier, too, when Sayaka and Hitomi left to go look at bras. She was the same flushed scarlet, fidgeting mess that she is now, and yet when the four of you were all together she was just fine. She's only been like this when it was you and she, alone.

Exactly as Sayaka has been planning for you and she to be.

"Madoka, before we had our pictures taken, you were trying to say something to me. What was it?" By the look in Madoka's eyes, the gig is up. She knows that you've figured out Sayaka's plan. "Was there a reason that Sayaka has been trying to engineer situations where it's just us, alone?"

"Were you hoping for us to kiss, perhaps?" A whimper escapes from Madoka's lips, and she wordlessly nods her head, never once making eye contact with you. "There's no need to be so embarrassed if you do; it's just a natural part of being in a relationship with someone." Still met with silence, you ask "Do you want to kiss?" As before, Madoka lets escape a soft whimper as she nods her head for you. Taking that as a sign of permission from Madoka, you lean in closer.

The moments leading up to the kiss serve to drive home just how much your repetitive looping has changed Madoka, and perhaps not always for the better. The first time that Madoka was your significant other, she had no problem with confidently asserting her desires; in fact, she had been the one to initiate your first kiss, and even for several timelines after it was still always Madoka that would initiate a kiss. But now, so, so many timelines removed from that Madoka, the Madoka before you is embarrassed to admit, even to herself, that she desires to move your relationship beyond hugging and hand-holding.

But, isn't this Madoka better, if it means she will remain who she is?

Your lips meet Madoka's flesh, but not the flesh of her lips. Instead, Madoka has brought her hand up over her mouth, intercepting your kiss. "No! We can't!"

"What's wrong? I thought this was what you wanted."

"It is, but..." Madoka still can't bring herself to look you in the eye, but at least now you've gotten her to speak up. "I really wanted to kiss you, Homura-chan, for a really long time, but I- I just think we're moving too fast! It hasn't even been a month since I met you, and we only started dating last week! And... This'll be my first kiss, too. For as much as I'd really like to kiss you, I don't want to feel like I have to force myself to just because Sayaka-chan put us in this position."

For the first time since the two of you entered the photo booth, Madoka manages to look you in the eye as she says "So if it's okay with you, Homura-chan, I'd rather wait until a special occasion before we kiss."

You smile, and the red cabbage seated beside you is gone, replaced by the smiling face of the girl you love. "That's just fine, Madoka. We don't have to do anything you aren't comfortable with."

Taking Madoka by the hand, you lead her back out into the arcade, where Sayaka and Hitomi are waiting. "So, did you two kiss while you were in there or what?" Three hands collectively meet their respective faces as Sayaka stares in shock. "What? What did I say?"
​

---

Following the events of the arcade, it was decided that your group would head back home, being able to depart calling the trip a success. Madoka, Sayaka, and Hitomi make a quick stop over at your apartment in order to grab their bags, and you remember to give back to Madoka the plush lizard you won for her earlier, which you had tucked away in the bag with your CDs for safekeeping. The CDs you purchased in Mikuni Oriko's stead are still there, leaving you to wonder how best to deliver them to her without arousing the suspicions of Kure Kirika.

Before handing the toy over, you gently press your lips to its tiny lizard snout, and as Madoka takes it from you you say "Take care of her, now."

Nodding furiously and promising "Of course I will! I won't forget!" Madoka repeats your action, pressing her own lips to the spot where you had placed yours. It's fine if Madoka wants to wait; there are plenty of other ways for you to show your affection for her that don't involve a direct kiss.

"Getting a little sentimental are we, master?"

"How long have you been home, Archer?"

"Long enough. Someone's got to stay behind and make sure your cat gets fed while you go running off with your friends."

"Right." Setting aside the CD bag, you flop down onto one of your couches, staring up at the ceiling as you form an Isa-enchanted arrow in your hand. "I forgot to ask, but how did things go at the hospital earlier? Were you able to convince at least one of the girls not to contract?"

"I wasn't able to find the other girl, and I'm not sure how successful I was at convincing the first one that I spoke to." Your eyes turn in Archer's direction, but you don't bother to expend the energy to sit up; that's vital energy that could be used for more practice. "She had her legs crushed by falling rubble during the fight with Mikuni and Kure, and she said that she'll be lucky if she ever walks again. Given how willing Sayaka likely would have been to take the contract for her little boyfriend had we not intervened, I'd still say the chance is high that she takes it, even in spite of my warning."

At best, this girl taking the Incubator's contract means another possible master and servant to add to your side. At worst, it means an agent actively competing against you and your allies for resources. But most likely, it means one more witch to be divided up among the five of you. You sigh, your breath already visible from the cold as you practice, training yourself to draw Isa by freezing the water molecules in the air.

"You've picked that up rather quickly, haven't you?"

"Only just barely. I can't keep it for long enough to invoke it during my practice, so until I can it's just a neat party trick."

"Well, you're making good progress, so keep at it."

Another arrow forms in your outstretched hand, its blued steel tip glistening as frozen droplets of water catch the light. Staring at the arrow in your hand, you wonder, how are the other girls doing with their own practice?

Your phone buzzes in the pocket of your uniform. At first, the hope that it could be Madoka sends your hand reaching at record speeds, but the caller ID instead shows the unfamiliar number you've come to associate with the foreign magical inspector. "McRemitz-san, what can I do for you?"

"It's time." Of course; it's time. "Have Archer meet me in the same place as Monday."

[ ] Wat do?​

 

[SVS]

[X] Have Archer meet McRemitz-san in the same place as Monday
-[X] Continue Isa practice
[X] Switch perspectives to Archer
​

---

"McRemitz-san, what can I do for you? ... Right, I understand. I'll have him join you right away." As quickly as she picks it up, your master sets her phone down on the couch beside her. "Archer, McRemitz-san says that she's ready for you to join her. She said to meet her in the same place that you did on Monday."

"The same place as Monday?" That would be the foot bridge off Main Street that crosses into Kazamino. "I can do that. It'll take me about a half-hour to meet up with her, and then about another twenty minutes for us to reach the 'Church'. I'll contact you when we've arrived." Or if something goes wrong.

You're hoping that nothing goes wrong, but with what's in the cards for the 'Church', who's to say. It pays to be on your guard. "Let me know when McRemitz-san is done, too. I'll be looking forward to hearing how it all goes."

"Right. Until then, just keep practicing the way that you're doing," you say, getting in the last word over your master as you head out. You haven't felt the need to change what you're wearing since leaving the hospital, but that's just fine. With the next half-hour to be spent walking down the street in full view of the world, your civilian attire is what this mission calls for.

As you walk, you take the time to give consideration to the things you've received from your 'employer' today. With everything else that's happened, it feels like you haven't had the time to give them their proper consideration, but now that you have a half-hour where the only thing you need to do is walk in a straight line, you figure now would be the perfect time to properly consider them.

The sword of the first Hassan, and the spear used by the warrior-teacher Scáthach.

Both are useful, but you find yourself picking holes in both of them, namely in their shared ability to impose death upon their target. While having that would have been useful when fighting against Mikuni and Kure, you aren't sure whether the witches of this city experience 'life' in the same way that your master does, or if the concept of 'death' is the same to them as it is to a mortal. They're both useful if they work as intended, to be sure, but it's that lack of surety as to whether they would work that leaves you second-guessing.

Still, if the fancy struck you, you wouldn't be averse to at least giving it a try, just to see.

However, you will say this about your 'employer'; for whatever it may or may not care about your master, it's absolutely correct when it says that she could use a vacation when this is all over. You can't see into the future to know whether you'll be able to join her, or to even see her once this is all over, but on the topic of her deserving a vacation you're in complete agreement with your 'employer'.

Hey, we're a conglomerate of Human consciousness, not a hive mind. Some of us care about you and your Master, and it's us that care enough to try and make this be your last job, so cheer up a little!

Click to shrink...

Oh, so we're back to that now? For whatever reason, despite that being the line with which your 'employer' sent you out into the world on this mission, this is the first you're hearing of that part of the deal actually being upheld. Before, it had been wishful thinking at best, the carrot to get you to comply, but now...

With your mind giving its full attention to pressing matters, the half-hour of your walk has come to a close with the sighting of McRemitz-san, already in position and waiting for you by the foot bridge. "You're late," she says, pointing to her watch. "By a full minute. Did you know that?"

"Oh no, how will the world ever recover?"

"Keep it up; maybe the snakes over that way will eat you while you're perched on the roof."

'As if I'd let myself get eaten while I'm serving as the backup. What would you do, then?"

"Same thing I've always done- Punch my way out if things get rough."

The walk over the rest of the way is spent in silence, but all the while you can't help but wonder what the prying eyes of this city must be thinking- Your face is certainly Japanese enough, but your tanned skin and silver hair mark you as different. Walking beside you is a foreign woman, her clean-pressed suit and sharp features giving her an air of unapproachability that goes beyond the differentness inherent to her foreign face. Add that with the fact that this is your second such meeting, and that you're both heading in the same direction, and one can only wonder as to the thoughts of an onlooker.

And here you are, two days later. The warehouse looks to be in the same dilapidated state that it had been on Monday; you can only hope for the sake of the flock that the shepherd has at least finished making the inside hospitable. "Well, this is our stop. I imagine you'll be wanting me to get up on the roof again?"

"Correct. Keep watch for anything suspicious; and this time, if you spot my familiar about to get eaten, do something about it, will you? Shoot the damn snake if you have to. Saint Patrick didn't take shit from any snakes, and neither will I."

You hold yourself back from asking if McRemitz fills that canister over her shoulder with Guinness, and take up your post atop the nearest structurally-healthy roof in spitting distance of the 'Church'. In spirit form, no one can see the crazy man perched atop the roof of a warehouse. "Alright master, things are looking good so far. I'm in position overlooking the warehouse, and McRemitz has just thrown up her familiar and is heading inside."

"Good. Keep me informed if anything happens- And I do mean anything, this time, even if it's as innocuous as McRemitz-san's familiar being eaten by a snake."

"Right. I'll be sure to let you know the instant our scaly friend makes a meal out of her scrap bird. You've been practicing, I take it?"

"Yes."

"Good. I'll talk to you again if I see anything."
​

'Thank you, Archer."

---

"Ah, the inquisitive sister from a foreign land returns after all!" Father Zetsubou greeted Bazett as she entered, smiling as he directed her to join the rest of the congregation. "I'm so glad to see that you have decided to join us after all."

With her left eye, Bazett watched the world through the eyes of her familiar, that tiny stone bird fluttering about overhead, while with her right eye she studied those of the flock who had already joined. The crowd was decently-sized with members of all ages, and there seemed to be no indication that this was everyone who would be coming before the night was done. "The pleasure is mine, Father. Personally, I'm just glad you've allowed a curious outsider like myself to see what all the fuss is about."

"Oh, nonsense, all are welcome here. Come, come," he motioned, leading Bazett through the crowd towards the makeshift podium where his daughter stands waiting. "Sister Kibou has made you a present- Look." Wordlessly, Sister Kibou handed Bazett her present, a string of rosary beads with a handmade representation of the Church's symbol strung up with them. The little wooden cross and sunburst are painted an orange-red, with black filling in the engraved highlighted areas.

"Your daughter made this?" Bazett asked, as she took the string of beads and placed them in her pocket. "She has a skilled hand."

"Yes, well, my daughter always did have an eye for art. She was the one who painted the murals on the walls, too."

On Monday, the walls had been a bare white of newly-drying paint. Now, praying hands, sunbursts, and many twisting and turning decorations lined the walls, all painted using black as the primary colour, with white, orange-red, and greys of all shades serving as highlights. To make meaning out of every shape and design seemed impossible to Bazett, and the more carefully she looked, the more fiercely the designs seemed to twist and turn into unidentifiable nothingness. "It certainly looks rather striking."

"I was inspired by visions I saw in a dream." Ah, so Sister Kibou can speak, after all. "The Righteous Sister showed to me the images she wished to display to the world, and asked for the use of my hand to create them." A moment's glance down to the girl's hand revealed no silver ring on her left middle finger; but Bazett couldn't yet discount the possibility of this girl being a mage. She might have hidden her silver ring, or might still be a mage despite not belonging to Akemi's order.

But to hear the voice of the 'Righteous Sister', if what she says is true, would indicate to Bazett that her guess last night was correct; that she and her father have some ability to commune with whatever the 'Righteous Sister' is. There might still be something else at work here.

Another person entered, a young girl with wavy emerald locks; she couldn't have been older than Akemi, by Bazett's guess. She too must be a new initiate, as Father Zetsubou strode up to her, presenting her with the same welcome that he had to Bazett.
​

---

"Hey, master, just thought you should know that your friend Hitomi has decided to take her investigation to the next step."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means that I just saw her walking into the 'Church'. Do you want to do anything about it?"

The practice arrow falls from your hand as Archer informs you that Hitomi has just decided to stoop to Sayaka-levels of stupid by investigating the 'Church' on her own. Its frozen head shatters on impact with the floor, sending shards of ice scattering in all directions. You'll make Archer clean that up when he gets back, but right now...

[ ] Wat do?​

 

[SVS]

[X] Enetious
​

---

The practice arrow falls from your hand as Archer informs you that Hitomi has just decided to stoop to Sayaka-levels of stupid by investigating the 'Church' on her own. Its frozen head shatters on impact with the floor, sending shards of ice scattering in all directions. You'll make Archer clean that up when he gets back, but right now...

"Just keep standing watch for right now, but keep your eyes peeled for danger and if it looks like Hitomi or McRemitz-san need to be extracted you have my permission to do so."

"And you, master? What are you going to do about this?"

And here you thought Hitomi was the responsible one... "I'm going to talk with Hitomi and see what possessed her to do something this stupid." You hope that what possessed her is just a figure of speech; if whatever the 'Black Mountain' is supposed to be has gotten a hold on Hitomi's mind as well, that would be bad. Worst-case scenario would be her death acting as the impetus for either Madoka or Sayaka to contract in order to bring her back. "With any luck, that'll just be a figure of speech."

The warehouse being used as the 'Church' is almost an hour's walk away from your apartment. Were you to start walking right now, by the time you arrive you may already be too late. Fortunately, you don't have to make that entire walk in real time. As soon as your conversation with Archer is over, the light of your Soul Gem flares to life, melting your uniform away in a peal of amethyst flame as your puella magi battle costume materializes on your body.

From there, continuously activating and deactivating your timestop while in a full sprint allows you to reach the warehouse farm where the "Church' is located. You'll keep your distance, hiding in the shadows unless Archer gives the signal that something is wrong, and take up a position on the rooftop of one of the less-dilapidated warehouses. This whole warehouse farm is in repulsive condition; peeling and chemical-stained paint, bare rusting metal, warped sheet-metal roofs, and cracked asphalt as far as the eye can see.​

You had heard once that the warehouse farm hadn't bee in use for three years; but looking at it now, you can't say whether its dilapidated condition is due to the disuse, or if the dilapidation was what spurred its abandonment.

At first, you are tempted to change back into your regular clothes and use your phone to call Hitomi, but a thought stops you. While calling Hitomi would be more comfortable to her, it's also much more likely to draw attention to her being there, and if anyone overhears her conversation and learns that you know that something is amiss, that could be game over right then and there. While you've never intruded into her mind with a telepathic communication before, the situation calls for the breaching of that boundary line and the breaching of Hitomi's comfort level.

"Hitomi, this is Homura. Don't react. Act naturally."
​

---

"... Brothers and sisters, I wish to welcome you all, returning members of the flock and new faithful alike, to our humble place of worship. Our Righteous Sister has seen fit once again to bless us with a most beautiful night on which to host our blessed prayers to Her, and..."

With no chairs in sight, the congregation of the 'Church' was standing-room only. That was fine with Bazett, but as she looked around the room, she spotted a few faces that didn't exactly look to be the picture of comfort at the idea of standing for the entire sermon. One young girl in particular, the one with wavy emerald locks who looked to be about Akemi's age, caught Bazett's eye, but not because she looked ill at ease at the thought of standing for God-only-knows how long these sermons lasted.

"... And so it was that Sister Kibou received a vision on Monday night, instructing her to paint for us the new murals you see here on the walls today. And blessed is she who in her heart and mind our Righteous Sister has already found purchase..."

No, Bazett noticed something else on that young girl's face; a sort of furtive look in her eyes, as though she was thinking of something she knew she ought not to be thinking about in church. 'Maybe she has a thing for Father Zetsubou?' Bazett thought, making a mental note to check the girl's hands for either Command Seals or a silver ring whenever the chance presented itself. Given her age, it wasn't hard for Bazett to at least consider the possibility of this girl being the missing fifth master.

".... Brothers and sisters, all are we in the grace of Our Righteous Sister who have come in attendance here tonight, for we are those who have accepted Our Righteous Sister in our hearts, and thus shall She reciprocate our love for Her..."
​

---

"... Akemi-san? What are you doing inside of my head"

"It's something that everyone like me is able to do. Now, listen, I need to know what you're doing by showing up at the Church by yourself."

"I was hoping that if I attended one of the Church's sermons I might be able to find out more information that could be of use to you."

"While I appreciate that you were willing to help, I already have Archer, as well as the foreign magic investigator I spoke of earlier, helping to gather information for me."

"I see. Do you want me to leave, then, if my being here is putting either myself or your investigation in jeopardy? There doesn't seem to be anything worth reporting on so far. Father Despair - that's the name of the man running the Church, if you didn't already know - is just... Going on and on about a bunch of nonsense. Maybe I just don't understand because I'm not religious, but it feels like he's trying to talk about, well, nothing, in the most roundabout and verbose way he can think of."

Hitomi's cadence and her choice of words is very much her own. From the sound of things, you're pretty sure that she isn't currently under the control of the 'Black Mountain'. That's a relief.

"I don't believe I would be able to help make things any clearer for you. My experiences with religion are minimal and probably unhelpful to you. At any rate, I would prefer it if you left sooner rather than later, but I can't force you to do anything. However, you should know that my investigation has turned up some rather... Disturbing information about what's to come from this 'Church', and if you stay, you should be prepared to ward off foreign mental interference."

"... You mean like yourself, Akemi-san? Not that I'm doubting that you are, well, you; but don't you think that if something were to try and invade my mind it would do so using the voice of one of my friends?"

Huh. That isn't even something you had considered, but Hitomi does have a point. From her perspective, what's the difference between what you're doing to her now and what the "Black Mountain' might do to her later tonight? Well for one, you're pretty sure that if you were the 'Black Mountain' you wouldn't be trying to warn Hitomi. And secondly... "Don't you think that if I were trying to take control of your mind, that I'd be using the voice of Madoka, Sayaka, or one of your parents? Comparatively speaking, I would imgine that one of them would have a higher chance of success than I would."

"Perhaps, but maybe because I'm more familiar with them, I would also have an easier time picking up on them not being real. On the other hand, having only known you a short while, it would be harder for me to tell if you weren't you."

"... I suppose I can't argue with that."

"Now, do you think you could call me? In light of what you've said I think I'd like to go home, and it would be easier to pretend that I've received an urgent call from home if I've actually been called."

"Yes, I can do that." Your mental link with Hitomi is severed, and you retreat from your rooftop position and return to the ground. Your battle costume burns away and your regular clothes are returned to you, with your phone still inside your pocket precisely where you had left it. You have a voicemail message from Mikuni Oriko, dated five minutes ago. Your hand hesitates as you dial Hitomi's number- It could be something important. But if it were something important, she could have messaged you telepathically.

Unless the one calling you was Kure Kirika.

Hitomi is in sight only two minutes after your 'call' to her goes through. She waves as she catches sight of you, saying "Well, I can't say I was expecting you to pick me up," as she joins you. "Not that I'll be the one to complain about your gentlemanly behaviour, mind you."

"I'm just glad to see that you're safe."

Regarding Mikuni Oriko's voicemail message, do you
[ ] Listen to Mikuni Oriko's voicemail message
-[ ] If it's something important, what do you do? (write-in)
-[ ] If it's not important, what do you do? (write-in)
[ ] Ping Mikuni Oriko and ask her what she needed
-[ ] If it's something important, what do you do? (write-in)
-[ ] If it's not important, what do you do? (write-in)
[ ] Ignore the voicemail message; if it's something important, she'll try contacting you again

Regarding Hitomi, do you
[ ] Walk her home
[ ] Invite her to spend the night
[ ] Let her walk home on her own; you'll stay here and investigate further

When everything else is taken care of,
If you left with Hitomi
-[ ] Stay home and continue practicing
-[ ] Come back and investigate further
-[ ] Head out into town and hunt a witch
--[ ] Ask one of your allies to join you (which one?)
--[ ] Where do you go to hunt?
If you stayed at the warehouse
-[ ] Investigate further
-[ ] Head out into town and hunt a witch
--[ ] Ask one of your allies to join you (which one?)
--[ ] Where do you go to hunt?

[ ] Other (write-in)
​

 

[SVS]

[X] Listen to Mikuni Oriko's voicemail message
-[X] If it's something important, what do you do?
--[X] Regardless of if it came from Mikini Oriko or Kure Kirika call her back
-[X] If it's not important, what do you do?
--[X] File it away for later and continue with the vote
[X] Walk her home
-[X] Go home and continue practicing Isa
​

---

"Not that I'll be the one to complain about your gentlemanly behaviour, mind you."

"I'm just glad to see that you're safe." With confirmation of Hitomi's safe departure from the 'Church', you feel the time has come to approach the next matter on your agenda. "If you'll excuse me, I need to check a message on my phone."

"Of course, Akemi-san; do whatever you have to." With Hitomi's permission, you tap the icon displaying your unheard voicemail message. Well, time to see what she has to say.

"Damnit Akemi, you can't just go and do something like that!"

You instantly wish that you hadn't the second you hear Kure Kirika's voice yelling at you about absolutely nothing. "Do you have any idea how annoying it is to have you constantly stopping and starting time when I'm trying to-"

There's a shuffling noise in the background as a second voice joins in. "Kirika, stop!" Oh, good, the sensible – did you just call Mikuni Oriko sensible? – one has come to put a stop to Kure Kirika's stupidity. "I'm sure Akemi-san had a good reason. Besides, there's no way she could have known! There's no reason for you to yell at her!"

"But Oriko~o, she-"

"No buts, dearest. Especially not yours with that attitude."

You hear a sudden gasp, accompanied moments later by the sound of the phone falling to the ground. Either the fall damaged the speakers, or it fell underneath one of the seats in their living room, because you hear a muffled "… I'm sorry," come from Kure Kirika. Unlike the fake apologies you've heard Kure Kirika give when forced, this one sounds genuine, no doubt a product of the person to whom she is apologizing.

"If you're really sorry, you can apologize to Akemi-san when you see her at school tomorrow." The rest of the message after that is muffled, thankfully, because what remains to be heard alternates between sugary-sweet lovers' talk and the sound of very loud kisses.

You doubt either of them is even aware that their message is still recording through all of this.

You close your phone, wishing you could go back in time and stop yourself from listening to that message in the first place. Beside you, Hitomi's face is scarlet and she's desperately trying to tear her eyes away from your phone, and failing hard. "Was that… ?"

"Yes." Only once you've put your phone away do Hitomi's eyes return to a position other than 'locked on your phone in complete and utter shock'. "That was the pair that Sayaka is upset with. Their relationship is… More visible than the people who have to view it would like it to be."

"You'll have to forgive me, Akemi-san. All my life I've believed that love should be between a man and a woman. I'm still getting used to the fact that one of my best friends is dating another girl; I never thought that I'd hear the sounds of two girls kissing so…" Hitomi brings a hand up, furiously fanning her face in a desperate attempt to dislodge the bright red painted on her flushed cheeks. "Passionately."

"It is my greatest hope that Madoka and I are never as embarrassing with our relationship as Mikuni Oriko and Kure Kirika are with theirs." That's a lie.

Your greatest hope is simply for Madoka to survive this month without contracting.

"… Still, I suppose I should at least be happy for them. I don't know enough to speak about them as people, but at least they sound as though they're satisfied with their relationship."

You don't care about Kamijou Kyousuke; having played his part in Sayaka's Fate, there is little else of value that his story can add to your own. But the boy matters to the person walking beside you – someone you claim to think of as a friend – and so you ask "Speaking of being satisfied with their relationship, how are things going with you and Kamijou Kyousuke? I see you helping him in the halls on occasion, but I rarely see or hear about the two of you being together as a couple."

Hitomi sighs, staring at you with a wistful expression. "I wish I could say that things were satisfactory between us, I really do. And, I completely understand how, between physical therapy, catching up on his schoolwork, and his violin lessons, he wouldn't have much time to spend with me. But that doesn't change the fact that I still wish we could spend more time together than we do. I don't want to believe that I've made a mistake in taking Kamijou-kun away from Sayaka-san, but… Given the same circumstances, do you think she would be any happier than I am?"

[ ] "Yes"
[ ] "No"
[ ] "I can't say"

"… I see. Thank you for being honest with me, Akemi-san."

The rest of your walk back to Hitomi's house is spent in silence, neither of you able to bring to words a topic on which the other can speak. You wave goodbye to Hitomi at the front door, parting ways with a "Thank you again, Akemi-san. I'll be sure to be more careful next time I go out to investigate on my own" from Hitomi, accompanied by the concerned stares of her mother and father as they watch you walk away. You can only imagine the thoughts going through their head as you return to your apartment.

Amy is waiting by the door for you as you let yourself in. You crouch down, scratching behind her ears until she's had her fill of your touch and runs off. "Have there been any changes to the situation at the 'Church'?" you ask Archer as you settle in to the living room.

"Fortunately, everything looks normal from the outside. I can't speak for what's going on inside, but the warehouse hasn't exploded or had anything else traumatic happen, so I'm going to assume that things are on the better side."

"Good. I'll be practicing for the rest of the night. Keep me informed if anything happens."

By now the hour has grown late; you wonder how much more practice you will be able to get in before your mind or your body decide that enough is enough. But no matter how much or how little you are able to get done, every bit counts towards your ultimate goal. And with outstretched hand you whisper "Trace on," Projecting the arrows onto which your practice will overlay the icy effects of Isa. You've made progress, but you still have a long way to go.

Hopefully you'll make it in time.
​

Day 22 Complete​

 

[SVS]

Day 23 Begin​

After just a few days of practice, you've finally grown accustomed to waking up to the frost and the cold that comes with practicing the rune of ice. You rise, trying to rub a bit of warmth into your cheeks as you attempt to forget the images you saw in your dream last night. This time, there was no redheaded boy, nor vision of Madoka from a previous timeline. This time, you saw Archer as he appears before you, terminating an endless procession of faceless men with a cold and ruthless efficiency you've never seen him display before. Their weapons, clothes, and surroundings varied with each passing kill, and as each one was struck down, you could see - not with your eyes, but with your heart - the image of a sword being planted into an endless hill of blades.

"To be honest, I was never really much of a hero," You think back to the words he spoke, that night at Tomoe-san's apartment. "I did my best to stay true to a heroic ideal, but all I ever did was kill. I told myself that I was doing it to ensure that the lives of the many could be spared through the death of the few, but after awhile, I stopped believing even that."

This time, you don't wonder who your servant is. This time, you wonder how many people he has had to kill, if the image you saw in your heart means what you think it does.

With the scent of breakfast wafting in from the kitchen, you take a moment to survey the results of your practice before heading to the kitchen to eat.
[ ] imbue your arrows with a moderate freezing ability.
[ ] drain small amounts of energy from an object.
[ ] induce a ten-second stasis in small objects.

Sitting down to a full helping of -in a surprising turn of events, actual Japanese food this time - grilled fish and rice, you realize that, due to factors beyond your control, this will be the first of Archer's cooking that you will have eaten in several days. After having subsisted on the bare minimum you required to get by in previous timelines, the loss of such a small comfort as good food is suddenly made all the more striking to you. You had missed eating Archer's cooking.

"Everything went well last night, I take it?"

"Yeah. McRemitz is convinced that there's something really fishy about that Sister Hope, but based on the lack of a Soul Gem ring from her description, I'm confident that she's not a newly-emergent puella magi that you'll have to deal with. However, she could still be a run of the mill mage, controlled by the 'Black Mountain', or any number of other things that would make her give off that fishy aura McRemitz reported. I think we should definitely keep an eye on her in the future."

"I'll have to remember that." But when will you find the time to do that?

Conversation at the breakfast table is sparse after that exchange, and after you've eaten, showered, and dressed, it is once more time to face the world, your friends, and school.

And a Madoka who you know wants to kiss you. That's going to be hell on your ability to concentrate.

"Homura-chan!" And there she is, right as you were thinking about her. "Good morning!"

Before you have a chance to speak, Madoka's arms are wrapped tightly around your waist. She's so warm. Madoka is always so warm. "Good morning to you too, Madoka."

Do you
[ ] Talk
-[ ] to Madoka
--[ ] Wait for Sayaka and Hitomi to join you before saying anything
-[ ] to Sayaka
-[ ] to Hitomi
--[ ] About what? (write-in)
[ ] Don't talk
-[ ] unless someone else talks to you
[ ] Don't look at Madoka's lips
-[ ] But what if Madoka tries to talk to you?
[ ] Other (write-in)

BONUS
[ ] How do you plan to deliver yesterday's CDs to Mikuni Oriko without alerting Kure Kirika?

---

---

Thursday, 7 April 2011

Major objectives:
Homura
-Grow your social capital with Kaname Madoka, Miki Sayaka, Shizuki Hitomi, Tomoe Mami, and Sakura Kyouko
-Cultivate your alliance with Mikuni Oriko and Kure Kirika
-Track down and eliminate the servant Assassin before it can cause further harm
-Investigate the "Church of the Righteous Sister" and prevent the catastrophe of the "black mountain" from occurring
-Further your knowledge of rune magic and practice your chosen rune(s)
-Prevent Kaname Madoka and Miki Sayaka from contracting and becoming puella magi
-Defeat the witch known as Walpurgisnacht

Archer
-Investigate, identify, and prevent the occurrence of the event that caused a fundamental force of this universe to be twice overwritten
-Protect your master from harm in this unusually dangerous loop
-Further your master's skills in magecraft, now that she has mastered the fundamentals of Projection
-Aid your master in coordinating her allies so that they stand a better chance of defeating Assassin, as well as any other threats that may appear​

 

[SVS]

[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
​

---

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 the devil Miki Sayaka, and she shall appear. Waiting for you and Madoka at the intersection is Sayaka, Hitomi, and a rare sight- Kamijou Kyousuke. He stands on crutches, while beside him Hitomi helps by carrying his bag. "Lovebirds!" Sayaka calls out, pointing in your direction as you and Madoka draw near. "A mating pair, dead ahead!"

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)
​

 

[SVS]

[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)
​

---

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)​

 

[SVS]

[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?​

 

[SVS]

[X] Since everyone's here, might as well talk strategy like Kirika wanted
-[X] Inform everyone of the recent operation that Bazett and Archer took part in, and relay what little information you managed to gather from such an event (such as the rambling nature of Father Despair's sermon)
--[X] Tell them that Hitomi also happened to visit the sermon in question in hopes of aiding them, her subsequent exfiltration, and remark on the fact that those who can should keep an eye out for Hitomi in case whatever entity that's driving this Church got it's influence into Hitomi
-[X] Ask for suggestions on how to move forward in investigating the Church; if they should take a more subtle approach as they've been doing or if they should be more aggressive in their investigation
[X] Since they're here perhaps they should practice their Runes and showcase what each of them can do so far, as to better coordinate in an active combat scenario
​

---

You reach for your tea. In the time it has taken for this conversation to conclude, the tea has gone cold.

"If you'll all give me a minute, I can reheat the tea," Tomoe-san says, waiting for everyone else to affirm that cold tea will be unacceptable before collecting everyone's cups.

Everyone except for Kyouko, who watches Tomoe-san's movements like a hawk as she holds on to her own cup of tea. "If yer gunna throw'em all out, just put them in the microwave and let me have it all."

Tomoe-san smiles. There's no way she would have let that tea go to waste in Kyouko's presence, after all. "Of course, Sakura-san."

Five minutes later, and everyone save for Kyouko has been served new, hot tea. Kyouko, though, seems perfectly content with drinking the microwaved tea that had been meant for everyone else. "Well, now that all of us are here, I suppose it would be as good a time as any to go along with Kure Kirika's wishes and talk strategy." A chorus of nodding heads goes around the table.

"Last night, McRemitz-san attended the sermon held by Father Despair, with Archer serving as her overwatch and backup. While I have not heard anything from her, Archer has relayed to me much of her findings last night- Unfortunately, it isn't much to go by. We know that Father Despair's sermon is… Rambling and nonsensical, to put it politely; and that Sister Hope is good with her hands. She painted a rather… According to Archer, McRemitz-san described it as, and I quote, 'weirdo black-and-white shit with no rhyme or reason'; and is also the one responsible for making the rosary beads given to new members of the 'Church'."

Hitomi had shown you hers on the walk back to her house last night. While basic in their design, the craftsmanship and attention to detail was still rather impressive for the work of one person, who according to Hitomi is probably only a year or two older than yourself. And speaking of Hitomi... "In addition, a friend of mine by the name of Shizuki Hitomi took it upon herself to attend last night's sermon."

Tomoe-san turns to you as you speak Hitomi's name, asking "Shizuki-san was there last night?"

"Yes. She's been providing me with helpful information since Sunday. If you'll recall it was her information that led to Archer getting tipped off to the presence of Assassin's familiar in the area around the bar. In fact, she told me last night that she was attending in order to find out more for our investigation. She asked for me to extract her once I told her what we had found out so far, and thankfully she appears to be safe. However, I'm still worried that she might have been in there just long enough for whatever dark powers are at work at the 'Church' to have taken root in her, and I would ask those of us who can to keep an eye on her until we can be sure that she's safe." You look around the table, eyes settling on two figures in particular- Your two schoolmates among the group. "That means you, Tomoe-san, and Kure Kirika. The three of us all attend the same school as Hitomi, so keeping an eye on her would be easiest among the three of us."

"Which one's Hitomi?" Your ears catch Kure Kirika's voice asking you a question in a tone that surprises you in its nonaggression.

"The tall one with the long green hair. You thanked her boyfriend this morning when he wished you well, remember?" You take no small pleasure in reminding Kure Kirika that it is possible for her to be kind to people other than Mikuni Oriko.

"Oh, yeah, sure; I can keep my eyes open for her." Mikuni Oriko smiles when she hears Kure Kirika say those words. You don't smile; preferring to keep your pleasant surprise to yourself. "It'd suck if something happened to the girl that's been giving us such good intel about stuff." Perhaps there is hope for her to improve, after all.

"That's good to hear. Now, in light of this recent information, what does everyone think should be the next phase of our plan for dealing with the 'Church'? Do you think it would be better to continue with our current approach, or do you think we should be more aggressive in our investigation?"

"I think our current approach is working just fine, Akemi-san," Tomoe-san says, pouring herself a new cup of tea once her previous share has been depleted. "We still have more than a week before anything is set to occur, so I think we can afford to continue our investigation less openly." Mikuni Oriko nods in agreement; and so does Kure Kirika, to your surprise. Only Kyouko has anything different to say.

"We should barge in there as soon as possible, and knock as much sense inta Father Despair an' Sister Hope as it takes fer them ta cut it out." Kyouko puffs out her cheeks until her face turns red, turning away from the group to exhale before saying "I just don't wanna see them make th' same mistakes as I've already seen, an' if we gotta do it by knocking some sense into'em then that's fine by me as long as they stop."

"I agree with Tomoe-san, for the most part," you say, after giving careful consideration to both her idea and Kyouko's. "However, I think that one of us, preferably one of us with whom neither Father Despair nor Sister Hope are familiar, should go and confront them."

Tomoe-san's gaze turns to you, her eyes fraught with confusion over your corruption of her idea. "Nothing violent, I assure you. But I think we should at least be able to question them in person once, as a way of figuring out what it is that they know. According to Archer, McRemitz-san does not believe Sister Hope to be a puella magi, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they're unaware of the world around them. We could benefit from asking them how much they know about us or about our servants. In addition, McRemitz-san reports that Sister Hope has had at least one prophetic vision, and I would like for us to be able to find out more if we can."

Now, understanding washes away the confusion on Tomoe-san's face. "Yes, I think I see your point now, Akemi-san. I don't believe they know of any of us, Archer not withstanding given all the reconnaissance that you say he's done in the area."

"Then, if nobody has any new business they'd like us to address, perhaps we should spend some time practicing our runes? I'm interested to see how everyone is progressing with their practice, and I think now would be a good time for us to figure out how we can better coordinate the use of our runes in our battle strategies to work in conjunction with our fighting styles." This time, everyone is unanimous in their agreement.

[ ] Wat do?​

 

[SVS]

[X] You agree with Tomoe-san for the most part, however they should probably have someone confront Father Despair and Sister Hope under the guise of a Puella Magi or a Servant to discover what exactly they're aware of and if they're aware of the Black Mountain itself and it's influence over them
-[X] Sister Hope's "prophetic dreams" are something to figure out in particular
[X] Practice Runes
​

---

This time, in regards to everyone practicing their runes and sharing the results of their practice, everyone is unanimous in their agreement.

Well, no, not really. As soon as it looks as though everyone is in agreement, Kure Kirika raises her hand. "I, uh, I can't really show you what improvements I've been making."

You try to think back to the rune that Kure Kirika had chosen- Runes, you correct yourself, remembering how she had added a second rune to her practice sheet a few nights ago, much to your surprise at the time. Fehu and Gebo, you remember, both have visible applications, so "Why can't you show us?"

"You know how I have shit for mana?" Yes, that's one way of putting it, but you're confident that her choice of servant isn't helping her any with that problem. "Well, I picked those runes because they have applications that can help mitigate that problem. When I use them together, I can take mana from just about anywhere and transfer it over to myself." Huh. Kure Kirika slides up beside Mikuni Oriko, cuddling her like an oversized stuffed toy. "Oriko's my favourite to suck mana from since she's got so much of it, and the transfer's easiest when the other person is willing to give, but uh, it's kind of... You know, something you do in private."

"But, if you can take mana from sources other than Mikuni-san, then there must be a way for you to demonstrate that outside of your..." Tomoe-san struggles to find an apt descriptor for Kure Kirika's self-admitted activities. "...Private, methods with Mikuni-san; right?"

"Well, I do have another method, I've been practicing ways to do it where I can suck mana from enemies too, but-" Kure Kirika stares at you. You don't like that look in her eyes as she stares at you. "-someone had to go and curse me to where I can't hurt any of you without it killing me, and what I came up with would definitely fall in line with 'hurting' you." Kure Kirika calls up her Soul Gem; for once, it's shining a bright orange, with only minimal corruption dancing at the fringes. "... I guess though, if you really wanted to see, I could do something small and just top myself off."

Kure Kirika places her Soul Gem atop the sandstone table so everyone can see it, and Mikuni Oriko does the same, placing her emerald Soul Gem beside the orange gem of her lover. A marker appears in Kure Kirika's hand, seemingly from nowhere, and she turns to Mikuni Oriko asking "How do you want it; hand, or tongue?"

"Hand," Mikuni Oriko says, her emerald eyes darting out to stare at you, Tomoe-san, and Kyouko. "We don't need then watching us while we're making out."

Kure Kirika draws each of her runes one her palms, one each on each palm, and takes Mikuni Oriko's hands into her own. "You know I'm still going to kiss you, right?" before Mikuni Oriko can protest, their lips are locked. As thin trailing lines of violet flow from Mikuni Oriko's hands into Kure Kirika's, you watch as the tiniest sliver of emerald is stolen from Mikuni Oriko's Soul Gem, while the dancing corruption of Kure Kirika's is replaced with brilliant orange. When her Soul Gem is shining its brightest, the pair break their kiss, and Kure Kirika turns to you, saying "There. I hope you were watching, because as much as I'd love to do that again it won't really work again now that I'm at full."

Mikuni Oriko dabs at the corner of her mouth with a napkin, wiping her lips clean of the thin trail of saliva left behind by Kure Kirika's kiss. "Yes, well-" judging by her tone, she's trying to quickly put it behind her that you all were made to watch her and Kure Kirika kissing for at least a solid minute. "-I've had decent success expanding on the mobile barrier concept I was working on on Sunday." Three of her drones appear at her side, hovering with the noise of dragonflies. One of them passes close to your face, giving you a good look at the Othala rune that has been carved into its metallic facet. Golden light shines around the drones, and the three are linked by thin golden lines. In-between them, when the light hits just right you can make out a pane like golden glass; that must be the barrier.

"I started out only being able to make a three-point barrier, but with a little effort I can push it to a seven-point barrier." As Mikuni Oriko speaks, more drones join her side, linking up with the three already circling around her. Four, five, six, seven, just as she said. Their formation has grown large enough to shield her entire body. "Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get a good feel for its effectiveness in real combat, and I have a feeling that Kirika is always going easy on me when I ask her to test its strength."

Kyouko grins, leaning towards Mikuni Oriko and her golden barrier with a predatory grin. "Ya want me to stick ya with my spear, see how well it holds up?"

"That's quite alright, Sakura-san." Mikuni Oriko snaps her fingers, and the seven-drone barrier formation breaks apart. "I do appreciate the willingness to help me, but I think I'll be able to continue testing on my own." Unsaid by words, but evident in both tone and facial expression, is the challenge so what can you do, Sakura-san?

"I... Can't really do much of anything, ta be honest." Kyouko's response comes as a surprise to you; she seemed to be making at least some progress in earlier session, so what's changed now? "I dunno what it is, but, what's it called, Berkano, just ain't working out th' way I'd been hoping. Maybe I need ta find a different rune, I dunno." Kyouko turns to Tomoe-san, and by the look on her face a thought has just struck. "Maybe Mami'd be a good fit fer Berkano, now that I' think about it. See, if ya put it all over yer ribbons, you could lay'em out all over th' place, an' rig it up like a spider web so that yer rune goes off whenever something trips a ribbon, an' lets ya know where they are."

Tomoe-san sits on Kyouko's words for a moment, sipping her tea as her eyes dart back and forth between Kyouko and something off in the distance. She sets her tea down, and says "You know, that's actually a very good idea, Sakura-san; thank you. I think I'll definitely take up Berkano, now that you mention it. But what about you? What will you take up instead?"

"I dunno. I'll give it sum thought. Maybe Sowilo, like Lancer suggested. That way I'd at least have sumthin I can use ta hit people with if my spear can't reach'em."

And now, it seems, that all eyes are on you.

Do you
[ ] Wait until after practicing to give a demonstration
[ ] Give a demonstration now, and practice later

What do you practice?
[ ] Freeze 3/2 ->3/3 (next level)
[ ] Stasis 1/0 ->1/1
[ ] Drain 1/0 ->1/1

What do you do after practice is over?
[ ] Go out hunting for a witch
-[ ] In a group
-[ ] In pairs
-[ ] Every girl for herself
--[ ] With or without servants?
[ ] Go home and
-[ ] Practice more
-[ ] See if Madoka is free for the evening
[ ] Other (write-in)
​