In the Name of Love and Hatred! [PMMM / LoR]
- Thread starter Naron
- Start date
- Crossover
13. Conversations and Revelations
- Location
- Earth
It was probably Homura who helped you out; give the Seed to her as a token of appreciation
Ai waits exactly as long as it takes Hitomi to leave line of sight. She weighs Char's Grief Seed and heaves a sigh. Now that Sayaka is gone and her own temper cooled, she feels strangely empty. But Ai only lets that stop her for a moment. She already knows what she wants to do; if her guess is wrong, she will look a little silly. But at the same time, no one will see.
"Homura."
With that single word, she lobs the Grief Seed over her shoulder. Counting to three in her head, she then turns around and finds the elusive magical girl right there. Homura holds the offering with the faintest smatter of curiousity. "Why?"
Ai smiles. "That was you inside, wasn't it? I recognised your voice." The other girl's eyes widen almost imperceptibly, but her surprise quickly washes away as Ai continues: "I don't have any use for Grief Seeds, so you can have this as a thank you."
A long moment of silence stretches between them; Homura stares at Ai, likely trying to discern something about her. In the end, she nods. The Grief Seed is dropped into her buckler and vanishes. "I see," Homura whispers. "Thank you." Her voice sheds all trace of emotion after these two words. The girl is all business again. "I was not sure if you would know how to use what I gave you."
"It's not like 'press button and throw' is hard," Ai responds with a faint shrug and a smile. "A friend of mine worked with explosives from time to time." Not that they are easy to get in the City, but Roland has experience with a lot of material. But turnabout is fair play. "Is it invisibility?"
The non-sequitur gives Homura pause. "How do you mean?"
"The way you vanish and appear whenever. If it's teleportation, it's very different from mine. So I figure, what with none of us seeing you in Char's barrier, you probably followed us while invisible, right?"
The other girl's expression turns more calculating before she averts her gaze. "Something like this," she agrees. "I normally would have intervened directly once that Witch went berserk, but you had it well enough in hand." Her bashful behaviour is shaken off there and she turns back to look Ai in the eyes. "Out of curiousity, though: did you actually face Mami Tomoe?"
Ai's smile drops in response. She can not bring up the same heat as before, but the reminder still annoys her. "Yes. I should have been more careful about your warning, she really came at me from the word go." Then, realising they still stand in a secluded spot near the hospital, she motions for the road. "Walk with me? I don't want to be here anymore."
Homura nods and the two start moving. Both of them switch out of their garbs, Ai into her previous casual attire and Homura into her school uniform.
"Did you injure her?"
The unexpected question draws her attention back to Homura, who pays more focus to the road ahead. Ai nods. "I guess the shot to her shoulder and chest will be healed by now, assuming she has some healing properties?" Homura nods, confirming Ai's suspicion. "Okay, good. But the leg I took off right at the thigh will take longer."
She immediately has her full attention once more. "You injured her that gravely?" Homura inquires, which confuses Ai. Until she recalls that lost limbs are a big deal in this world. In the City, one can just buy a new set. Once she confirms it, Homura frowns. "This could be troublesome. Mami Tomoe's healing powers are nothing special. She never has many Grief Seeds on hand due to her habit of hunting familiars as fervently as Witches."
"How do you mean?"
Homura frowns, studying Ai once more. "You should know." Then, seeing her genuine confusion, she becomes thoughtful. "Or perhaps not. A Witch's familiar sometimes leaves the lair and hunts humans on their own. They do not possess Grief Seeds and thus nothing of value to a Magical Girl, but devouring a handful of humans allows them to grow into a copy of the same Witch." Ai's eyes grow wide over the revelation while Homura finishes, unmoved: "The majority of Magical Girls make it a habit to ignore familiars until they matured. To maximise the efficiency between magic spent and Grief Seeds earned."
Ai is speechless. She actually stops dead in her tracks, forcing Homura to slow down also. The foreign magical girl stares at her current companion with utter shock. Only a single thought courses through her mind, eventually finding its way to her tongue: "But that's evil."
Homura's eyes unfocus for the shortest moment. Her brow knits itself in clear confusion. "Is that relevant to you?"
"Of course it is! Crushing evil is my purpose!" Just as she says that, Ai realises that Homura never excluded herself from that group. "Do you ignore familiars?"
Their gazes meet for one long moment. When Homura turns away, Ai bristles. Her cold voice cuts through the welling indignation, however: "I don't care. If it gets in my way, I destroy it regardless of what it is. But I don't go out of my way to hunt down wayward familiars. Is that satisfactory as an answer?"
Ai makes to speak, but realises that Homura's shoulders are tense. As if she expects a particular response. It is not a good stance she has, but not an evil one either. Why does this keep happening?
In the end, Ai walks past her with a sigh and takes the lead. "I don't like it, but it's okay. You have your own goals, I won't complain as long as you don't sacrifice others for selfish reasons." She fails to see the other girl twitch; by the time Ai turns around, Homura already regained her composure. "You know, I'd still like to be your friend."
The two stand in a small park, not too far from the hospital. There is no one around. Ai tries a gentle smile, but Homura's countenance remains stony. "It's okay if you don't want to, but please don't just leave again. I... don't like being left alone." It just hurts so much more than mere failure.
This time, the silence lasts for a while. The taciturn girl is at a loss for words while Ai waits patiently. When Homura finally speaks, the frigidity in her tone is once again gone. "I don't make a good friend, Ai. I am not going to live for much longer, only until my goal is achieved." She does not acknowledge the other girl's surprise. "I have no time or desire for friends. All I care about is to succeed in this one thing."
She makes to turn and walk away, but Ai lunges forward. Homura startles badly when she snatches her arm, holding the other girl back. "Then I'll help you," she declares with a bright smile. "I'll help you, we win, and when you're done you can be my friend. I won't let you die, either." Even she knows she may not keep that promise, but that does not matter right now. "How does that sound?"
The flabbergasted girl stares at Ai. For a moment she thinks she can see her eyes glisten. Homura searches her gaze. "You would do it, without even knowing what is at stake?"
"You will tell me in time, won't you?"
"..."
Homura nods, and Ai smiles. The raven-haired girl's composure breaks some more as her tension fades. "Thank you," she murmurs. "I will... consider it. The task is daunting, though. Tell no one, the way I acquired this information could tip off my enemies."
"Of course."
"And let go, please. I need to get going now. There is still business I need to attend."
"Sure. See you." Ai waves as the other girl transforms and vanishes without a trace. She can not help but smile. Progress!
The remainder of her afternoon is spent pondering recent events. The revelation of Madoka's unnatural potential confuses Ai. She has no one to discuss it with and no idea what could have brought on such a matter. Kyubey does entertain her question what potential is, though; according to them, the karmic weight of a person's life determines their potential. The influence they have on others, and the number of people their actions can or will affect. Madoka is an aberration in the fact she is the daughter of a regular businesswoman and house husband. In Kyubey's words: "Not a single extrapolation of her life put her in a position to govern the entire world's future."
They are left with a mystery that bothers Ai for over an hour. The only reason she has to put it aside is Hitomi's return to the Shizuki home. Her friend's expression is firm and bad news follow her like a loyal hound.
"Why did you not tell us about being attacked?" she opens the conversation over dinner. With Reiji still at work, only Saki's gaze immediately homes in on Ai. She sullenly chews her rice, which fails to impress Hitomi. "You know you can trust us with this? And going by miss Tomoe's state, you clearly won."
When Ai refuses to answer, Saki speaks up instead: "How do you mean, dear?"
"Miss Tomoe lost a leg." Hitomi frowns, then backtracks a bit for her mother's sake. "As it turns out, she scouted Sayaka and Madoka two weeks ago. Both of them are prospective Magical Girls." Saki nods in understanding while Hitomi summarises the day's events for her. "When we arrived at her residence," she finishes, "miss Tomoe attempted to hide her injury. Her clear limp made it quite apparent, however. Her magic slowly reconnected the bones, veins, and tissue, but she still had to substitute some of her ribbons to actually use the leg. How she was not in excruciating pain, I do not know."
She shakes her head and focusses on Ai again. "She also claimed that you were not a Magical Girl, but a Witch."
"...am not. And I told her that, too."
Hitomi is pleased after having coaxed words out of Ai. Her stern front melts away to reveal a more troubled expression. "Be that as it may, she also claimed that your gift was dangerous. And confiscated it."
She absently brushes her hair aside, drawing attention to the distinct lack of hairclip. Ai's eyes widen in surprise, then narrow as anger takes over. "She did what?" the magical girl asks quietly. Her eye twitches, just once, and the chopsticks between her fingers splinter as she clenches them. "She took my gift from you?" There are many ways to insult a person, but to steal a piece of themselves, freely given to another?
"To my great displeasure, yes," Hitomi agrees frostily. "I am no longer on speaking terms with Sayaka, at that. She fully believed and backed miss Tomoe's claims and actions. It was to my shame that I had to realise how little I truly knew of her."
Her words are like a bucket of cold water. Ai's anger flickers out like a candle's flame; Saki is even more surprised. Her daughter just put a year-long friendship at risk for someone she knows for a mere two weeks. Ai blinks at Hitomi with new adoration, who awkwardly glances away. "I may have been a bit more emotional than was prudent, however. Our argument grew heated, and I revealed your involvement in the hospital affair."
"It's okay," Ai brushes that off without much thought. She can not help but smile. "Thank you for defending me. I doubt they believed you to begin with."
"They did not, as a matter of fact. I do believe Madoka was swayed to keep an open mind, though." Hitomi thoughtfully chews another bite of chicken before she continues: "I do have a few questions, but there is one other matter you ought to know first. Sayaka formed a contract to heal miss Tomoe. She is completely recovered."
"Oh. And Madoka?"
The other girl shakes her head. "She considered it, but Sayaka beat her to the punch. Miss Tomoe was at risk of running out of magic otherwise. Just be careful starting tomorrow. I do not know what Sayaka may do. You will be fine during school hours, but the afternoons and evenings may become dangerous." Ai nods sadly and sighs when Hitomi firms up once more. "Now, my questions?"
"After dinner, dear," Saki interjects curtly. "Eat up first."
"Yes, mother."
Both girls finish their meal quickly and settle in Hitomi's bedroom. It is a spacious place and tastefully decorated; Ai seats herself on her friend's black office chair while Hitomi sits on her queen-sized bed. Saki is leaning in the doorway, just as curious what this is about.
"First off: you are not Japanese, correct? You do not even speak the language." When she sees Ai's confusion, Hitomi elaborates: "You spoke something different that one morning, before applying magic of some sort. Add to it your foreign features and I already had my suspicions. I only remembered earlier, when you spoke with that Witch. Her language was completely alien, I could not understand a word. You, however, I understood perfectly even while talking to her. It's all magic, is it not?"
That is news even to Ai. She had no idea that Witches talk in different tongues. In retrospect, it makes sense why the local magical girls never tried talking. Regardless of that, she nods. "You're right. I'm sorry I didn't say anything, but it is... complicated." She says it to both mother and daughter, but neither of them seems upset. "I just found myself here in Mitakihara, shortly before we met."
"You do not seem in a hurry to get home," Saki ventures, prompting Ai to grimace.
"There is a lot of good I can do here, is all. I do want to see everyone again, but... I just wonder. Why am I here, now?" She does not want to say it, but the prospect of being abandoned still hurts. Ai sighs heavily and shakes herself. "But that is neither here nor there. The road back... home, it's long. For now I want to see where this all goes. What else did you want to know?"
Hitomi's head tilts the slightest bit as she chews on Ai's answer. She idly brushes where the hairclip was once again. "Miss Tomoe was absolutely certain you were not a Magical Girl. Sayaka said your gift felt like a Witch right after her Soul Gem formed. Once I would take as coincidence, but I know Sayaka is not a liar. Could you explain?"
Ai's brow creases. This information may break their budding friendship after all. But how could she not answer, after Hitomi stood up for her like this? She deserves the truth. Ai sighs. "It is true and false at the same time. I am a Magical Girl, but not like these two. I'm what people at home call an Abnormality. Witches are also Abnormalities, but not the same as I am."
"You look fairly human to me," Saki tries, but Ai just huffs in response.
"So do my seniors and my junior. So does Laetitia. It's not what we look like that defines what we are. Most Abnormalities are nowhere close, we are just outliers." She smiles faintly and stands. "An Abnormality is a being made of pure E.G.O., or soul. An Abnormality can not die, in that it comes back to life no matter how often you kill it." Both humans hang on Ai's lips, she notices. "We are all different. I saw several of the same Abnormality before, but that's an outlier, too. Witches are special in that they turn to Grief Seeds when they die. It requires some outside component to reawaken them. I'm not a Witch because I have no Grief Seed. If you took a knife and slit my throat, I would just wake up again in a minute or two."
At that point Ai hesitates. She does not like the pain, but if it helps them understand? "If you want to, I can-"
A twofold, panicked "No" cuts her off. Hitomi stumbles forward and grabs Ai's shoulders while Saki enters the room fully. The older woman levels her hardest glare. "Do not dare to even make the suggestion. I will not have you hurt yourself to deliver proof. You already proved magic to us, any more is unnecessary."
"...okay. Thank you." Ai's voice is softer than she wants it to be. Their acceptance means a great deal. She absently wipes off a tear while Hitomi breathes a sigh of relief. "What's weird is that Mami should know, too. She caught me in the head on Saturday, she knows I didn't turn into a Grief Seed."
"What of the one you were staring at the last few days?" Hitomi inquires.
"That's still Izabel. She's the reason I even got that hit on Mami to begin with. By the time I woke up, she distracted her and died for it." Ai slowly turns said Grief Seed in her hands; it throbs ever so faintly with life. Then she puts it away with a sigh. "She really didn't deserve this. What else did you want to know?"
"Just one more thing," Hitomi says. She settles back on her chair, eyes closed in recollection. "From what was explained to me, Witches possess a generic power called a 'Witch's Kiss'. It allows them to suppress the minds of humans under their thrall. Miss Tomoe's rhetoric was that your gifts are a more sophisticated form of that technique, that we are under your control." Saki frowns and Ai glowers. Hitomi's chuckle is curt, but amused. "She was quite surprised when I told her off after she removed it from my person. Alas, her suspicion merely grew. But that is neither here nor there. Ai, tell me: do your gifts have such a function in any way, shape, or form?"
"No." Of that, Ai is absolutely certain. Hitomi nods.
"Can you control our thoughts in any other way?"
"No." That too, she knows. Then however, Ai pauses. "Well, mostly no?" Seeing Hitomi's arched eyebrow, she indulges the silent request and elaborates: "I already told you what my E.G.O. does if you don't resist it. That's kind of what you asked. And I guess If we synchronised, I could suppress your mind to control your body."
"What would that be, exactly?"
"Synchronisation? It's, er, a type of fusion. Abnormalities can fuse with each other or a human... no, a person to join their powers together. It's very strong, and very straining." Ai shudders in remembrance, an echo of unending anguish reverberating through her entire body. "I only did it twice. Theoretically, the stronger mind can suppress the weaker one if it wants to."
She completely misses her friend's contemplative look. Hitomi studies Ai for a long moment, allowing her to regain her bearings. "Hypothetically," she ventures, "what would happen if you and I did this?"
Ai tilts her head. "You die." Hitomi blinks at her in surprise and Ai starts playing with her hair. "You're still so young. Your body and mind still grow. It takes a strong body and force of will to withstand this. People years and decades older than you would shatter." Roland did not because he was special. And the librarian Ai aided against the Jester of Nihil did not have a human body. Yet if it already took someone strong to carry Ai's E.G.O., what is needed of a human to withstand her?
This is when Saki injects herself again. She wears a knowing look as she comes to stand next to them. "I take it you do not plan to ever make use of this power?"
Ai simply nods, and that is that. Hitomi's contemplation slowly warps into a mirthful grin. "Very well. Now that these matters are taken care of, I do wish to have my hairclip back. That is, assuming you can not make another one?"
"I can, but I won't. Having too many lie around won't end well." Ai scowls, but then she has an idea: "Where does Mami live? I can go steal it back when she is at school."
For a moment, both Shizuki women give her bewildered looks. Then they start giggling.
Right the next day, Wednesday, Ai puts deeds to her words. After work, just a bit shy of noon, she takes a trip downtown to the address they showed her on the map. A simple look through the large windows tells her it is a large space. Ai teleports inside and starts to poke around, but finding Hitomi's belongings is simple. The hairclip lies on Mami's desk, covered in some kind of yellow seal. Ai can tell it is some sort of safety measure and simply breaks it.
Her task complete, Ai makes to leave. Before her magic can even gather however, she stops herself and looks around. An evil grin emerges as an idea takes hold. Mami was awful to her, so a little bit of payback should be fine.
And so it is that Ai spends half an hour combing through the flat. Every picture is tilted by a few degrees, objects are moved several centimetres each. Ai pulls the plush carpet in Mami's living room until it lies uneven. And for her most dastardly trick, she steals a single chocolate chip cookie from the pile in the kitchen. Then proceeds to leave crumbs all over the biggest couch in the living room.
Her ghastly deed committed, the cackling girl teleports away. She spends noon and afternoon training with Kyoko. The redhead seems to be in the process of cleaning up that church, so Ai lends a hand with magic.
Hitomi is pleased to receive her accessory back. The girls get a quick scolding from Saki and Reiji over Ai's exploits, but both parents are clearly amused and not angry or disappointed.
Thursday evening however, Ai is confronted with a once again annoyed Hitomi. "They noticed right quick," she explains over dinner. "At this point, it seems three separate blocks formed in this matter. You and I, Sayaka and miss Tomoe, as well as Madoka and miss Akemi. Yes," she confirms upon seeing the surprised looks all around. "It seems Sayaka's unfounded aggression, coupled with our outing on Tuesday, alienated Madoka as well. She seems to take a neutral stance right now. Miss Akemi is reluctant to speak with her, but willing to answer questions. As you can imagine, Sayaka was not amused. Regardless, it seems they decided to push the issue. I was told to deliver a message."
Not asked, told. Hitomi is rightfully unhappy. Ai simply nods while her parents watch the two. "What do they want?"
"A meeting. I do not think their intentions are positive in any way."
Ai chews slowly as she mulls that over. Seeing these two magical girls on their terms sounds like a recipe for disaster. But at the same time, avoiding them will not make the problem go away. "Okay," she says. "Tell them I will meet. The central bridge connecting Mitakihara and Kazamino should be a good spot. And no, they do not get to pick the place."
Hitomi snorts in the most undignified manner, after which she apologises to her parents for it without prompting. "I will tell them tomorrow, at school. Do you have a specific time in mind?"
Ai does not, but a suggestion from Reiji sees her meeting the two right after school let out on Friday. Hitomi has additional lectures to attend and can not join, but he probably wanted for that; if a fight breaks out, she will be in danger otherwise. Ai, meanwhile, can flee into Kyoko's territory if need be.
To her surprise, there are four people. A glowering Sayaka and cold Mami lead the way, but Madoka and Homura follow several dozen metres after them. The taciturn magical girl is a pillar of calm next to the anxious pinkette.
"I hope you're happy," Sayaka greets you. "You're ruining everything!"
She transforms immediately, but Mami holds her back with a gesture. The blunette resembles a lady knight, dressed in navy blue. A cutlass is held at the ready; Ai expected that much and takes her staff in hand as well. Mami transforms last, but without any weapon. Their two observers stay distant. Ai takes notice of Mami's gleaming Soul Gem; it is pristine, meaning her and Sayaka already went hunting for a Grief Seed within the last few days.
"I heard of your... exploits," Mami begins with a barely visible frown. "And I will have you know that I do not stand for them. Witches like you are our enemies. They hurt innocent people and need to be brought down." She leaves a momentary pause, still not drawing a weapon. "But you have made your point. I want you to leave Mitakihara, and not return."
Madoka gasps in the background. Homura remains unmoved while Ai feels like laughing. That is what Mami came up with, in the end? 'Go away, I don't want to deal with you?' It bothers her greatly.
But at the same time, Mami is talking to her right now. That is progress. Perhaps she can be swayed after all, and Sayaka will follow suit. One final chance for peace. It requires a bit of luck in meeting an amenable Witch, but the possible result is worth a risk. It is definitely preferable to fighting them, at least in Ai's opinion. The bridge will collapse at the very least. This time Ai does not have Izabel's barrier to take the abuse; her friend is still one cleansing away from revival. Not to mention, fighting both of them at once will not be easy. Homura may help, but Ai can not know for certain.
Alternately... she can do as Mami asks and leave, or pretend to. It will make acting in Mitakihara difficult, but both her and Sayaka are still schoolgirls. They are just two people. Ai can evade them with some careful planning.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K18v7pjnk7A
[] Try proving Mami wrong one last time
weight: x1.5
[] Fight them over it
-[] Start blasting before they know it's on
-[] They want a villain? They can have one! Call upon the Queen!
-[] write-in another strategy
weight: x1
[] Pretend to leave
weight: x0.5
Note: All "Fight" votes are counted as one; only if it makes the race do the subvotes become relevant, and only the highest voted subvote will be picked.
Updated Sayaka's Character Sheet
Tomoe Mami
Threat Rating: WAW
Threat Assessment: Highly skilled, experienced, efficient, and cautious; her greatest weakpoint is her limited magic.
Miki Sayaka
Threat Rating: HE
Threat Assessment: Motivated rookie. What she lacks in experience, she makes up with enthusiasm and recklessness. Her healing powers are far more potent than those of most magical girls.
Ai waits exactly as long as it takes Hitomi to leave line of sight. She weighs Char's Grief Seed and heaves a sigh. Now that Sayaka is gone and her own temper cooled, she feels strangely empty. But Ai only lets that stop her for a moment. She already knows what she wants to do; if her guess is wrong, she will look a little silly. But at the same time, no one will see.
"Homura."
With that single word, she lobs the Grief Seed over her shoulder. Counting to three in her head, she then turns around and finds the elusive magical girl right there. Homura holds the offering with the faintest smatter of curiousity. "Why?"
Ai smiles. "That was you inside, wasn't it? I recognised your voice." The other girl's eyes widen almost imperceptibly, but her surprise quickly washes away as Ai continues: "I don't have any use for Grief Seeds, so you can have this as a thank you."
A long moment of silence stretches between them; Homura stares at Ai, likely trying to discern something about her. In the end, she nods. The Grief Seed is dropped into her buckler and vanishes. "I see," Homura whispers. "Thank you." Her voice sheds all trace of emotion after these two words. The girl is all business again. "I was not sure if you would know how to use what I gave you."
"It's not like 'press button and throw' is hard," Ai responds with a faint shrug and a smile. "A friend of mine worked with explosives from time to time." Not that they are easy to get in the City, but Roland has experience with a lot of material. But turnabout is fair play. "Is it invisibility?"
The non-sequitur gives Homura pause. "How do you mean?"
"The way you vanish and appear whenever. If it's teleportation, it's very different from mine. So I figure, what with none of us seeing you in Char's barrier, you probably followed us while invisible, right?"
The other girl's expression turns more calculating before she averts her gaze. "Something like this," she agrees. "I normally would have intervened directly once that Witch went berserk, but you had it well enough in hand." Her bashful behaviour is shaken off there and she turns back to look Ai in the eyes. "Out of curiousity, though: did you actually face Mami Tomoe?"
Ai's smile drops in response. She can not bring up the same heat as before, but the reminder still annoys her. "Yes. I should have been more careful about your warning, she really came at me from the word go." Then, realising they still stand in a secluded spot near the hospital, she motions for the road. "Walk with me? I don't want to be here anymore."
Homura nods and the two start moving. Both of them switch out of their garbs, Ai into her previous casual attire and Homura into her school uniform.
"Did you injure her?"
The unexpected question draws her attention back to Homura, who pays more focus to the road ahead. Ai nods. "I guess the shot to her shoulder and chest will be healed by now, assuming she has some healing properties?" Homura nods, confirming Ai's suspicion. "Okay, good. But the leg I took off right at the thigh will take longer."
She immediately has her full attention once more. "You injured her that gravely?" Homura inquires, which confuses Ai. Until she recalls that lost limbs are a big deal in this world. In the City, one can just buy a new set. Once she confirms it, Homura frowns. "This could be troublesome. Mami Tomoe's healing powers are nothing special. She never has many Grief Seeds on hand due to her habit of hunting familiars as fervently as Witches."
"How do you mean?"
Homura frowns, studying Ai once more. "You should know." Then, seeing her genuine confusion, she becomes thoughtful. "Or perhaps not. A Witch's familiar sometimes leaves the lair and hunts humans on their own. They do not possess Grief Seeds and thus nothing of value to a Magical Girl, but devouring a handful of humans allows them to grow into a copy of the same Witch." Ai's eyes grow wide over the revelation while Homura finishes, unmoved: "The majority of Magical Girls make it a habit to ignore familiars until they matured. To maximise the efficiency between magic spent and Grief Seeds earned."
Ai is speechless. She actually stops dead in her tracks, forcing Homura to slow down also. The foreign magical girl stares at her current companion with utter shock. Only a single thought courses through her mind, eventually finding its way to her tongue: "But that's evil."
Homura's eyes unfocus for the shortest moment. Her brow knits itself in clear confusion. "Is that relevant to you?"
"Of course it is! Crushing evil is my purpose!" Just as she says that, Ai realises that Homura never excluded herself from that group. "Do you ignore familiars?"
Their gazes meet for one long moment. When Homura turns away, Ai bristles. Her cold voice cuts through the welling indignation, however: "I don't care. If it gets in my way, I destroy it regardless of what it is. But I don't go out of my way to hunt down wayward familiars. Is that satisfactory as an answer?"
Ai makes to speak, but realises that Homura's shoulders are tense. As if she expects a particular response. It is not a good stance she has, but not an evil one either. Why does this keep happening?
In the end, Ai walks past her with a sigh and takes the lead. "I don't like it, but it's okay. You have your own goals, I won't complain as long as you don't sacrifice others for selfish reasons." She fails to see the other girl twitch; by the time Ai turns around, Homura already regained her composure. "You know, I'd still like to be your friend."
The two stand in a small park, not too far from the hospital. There is no one around. Ai tries a gentle smile, but Homura's countenance remains stony. "It's okay if you don't want to, but please don't just leave again. I... don't like being left alone." It just hurts so much more than mere failure.
This time, the silence lasts for a while. The taciturn girl is at a loss for words while Ai waits patiently. When Homura finally speaks, the frigidity in her tone is once again gone. "I don't make a good friend, Ai. I am not going to live for much longer, only until my goal is achieved." She does not acknowledge the other girl's surprise. "I have no time or desire for friends. All I care about is to succeed in this one thing."
She makes to turn and walk away, but Ai lunges forward. Homura startles badly when she snatches her arm, holding the other girl back. "Then I'll help you," she declares with a bright smile. "I'll help you, we win, and when you're done you can be my friend. I won't let you die, either." Even she knows she may not keep that promise, but that does not matter right now. "How does that sound?"
The flabbergasted girl stares at Ai. For a moment she thinks she can see her eyes glisten. Homura searches her gaze. "You would do it, without even knowing what is at stake?"
"You will tell me in time, won't you?"
"..."
Homura nods, and Ai smiles. The raven-haired girl's composure breaks some more as her tension fades. "Thank you," she murmurs. "I will... consider it. The task is daunting, though. Tell no one, the way I acquired this information could tip off my enemies."
"Of course."
"And let go, please. I need to get going now. There is still business I need to attend."
"Sure. See you." Ai waves as the other girl transforms and vanishes without a trace. She can not help but smile. Progress!
The remainder of her afternoon is spent pondering recent events. The revelation of Madoka's unnatural potential confuses Ai. She has no one to discuss it with and no idea what could have brought on such a matter. Kyubey does entertain her question what potential is, though; according to them, the karmic weight of a person's life determines their potential. The influence they have on others, and the number of people their actions can or will affect. Madoka is an aberration in the fact she is the daughter of a regular businesswoman and house husband. In Kyubey's words: "Not a single extrapolation of her life put her in a position to govern the entire world's future."
They are left with a mystery that bothers Ai for over an hour. The only reason she has to put it aside is Hitomi's return to the Shizuki home. Her friend's expression is firm and bad news follow her like a loyal hound.
"Why did you not tell us about being attacked?" she opens the conversation over dinner. With Reiji still at work, only Saki's gaze immediately homes in on Ai. She sullenly chews her rice, which fails to impress Hitomi. "You know you can trust us with this? And going by miss Tomoe's state, you clearly won."
When Ai refuses to answer, Saki speaks up instead: "How do you mean, dear?"
"Miss Tomoe lost a leg." Hitomi frowns, then backtracks a bit for her mother's sake. "As it turns out, she scouted Sayaka and Madoka two weeks ago. Both of them are prospective Magical Girls." Saki nods in understanding while Hitomi summarises the day's events for her. "When we arrived at her residence," she finishes, "miss Tomoe attempted to hide her injury. Her clear limp made it quite apparent, however. Her magic slowly reconnected the bones, veins, and tissue, but she still had to substitute some of her ribbons to actually use the leg. How she was not in excruciating pain, I do not know."
She shakes her head and focusses on Ai again. "She also claimed that you were not a Magical Girl, but a Witch."
"...am not. And I told her that, too."
Hitomi is pleased after having coaxed words out of Ai. Her stern front melts away to reveal a more troubled expression. "Be that as it may, she also claimed that your gift was dangerous. And confiscated it."
She absently brushes her hair aside, drawing attention to the distinct lack of hairclip. Ai's eyes widen in surprise, then narrow as anger takes over. "She did what?" the magical girl asks quietly. Her eye twitches, just once, and the chopsticks between her fingers splinter as she clenches them. "She took my gift from you?" There are many ways to insult a person, but to steal a piece of themselves, freely given to another?
"To my great displeasure, yes," Hitomi agrees frostily. "I am no longer on speaking terms with Sayaka, at that. She fully believed and backed miss Tomoe's claims and actions. It was to my shame that I had to realise how little I truly knew of her."
Her words are like a bucket of cold water. Ai's anger flickers out like a candle's flame; Saki is even more surprised. Her daughter just put a year-long friendship at risk for someone she knows for a mere two weeks. Ai blinks at Hitomi with new adoration, who awkwardly glances away. "I may have been a bit more emotional than was prudent, however. Our argument grew heated, and I revealed your involvement in the hospital affair."
"It's okay," Ai brushes that off without much thought. She can not help but smile. "Thank you for defending me. I doubt they believed you to begin with."
"They did not, as a matter of fact. I do believe Madoka was swayed to keep an open mind, though." Hitomi thoughtfully chews another bite of chicken before she continues: "I do have a few questions, but there is one other matter you ought to know first. Sayaka formed a contract to heal miss Tomoe. She is completely recovered."
"Oh. And Madoka?"
The other girl shakes her head. "She considered it, but Sayaka beat her to the punch. Miss Tomoe was at risk of running out of magic otherwise. Just be careful starting tomorrow. I do not know what Sayaka may do. You will be fine during school hours, but the afternoons and evenings may become dangerous." Ai nods sadly and sighs when Hitomi firms up once more. "Now, my questions?"
"After dinner, dear," Saki interjects curtly. "Eat up first."
"Yes, mother."
Both girls finish their meal quickly and settle in Hitomi's bedroom. It is a spacious place and tastefully decorated; Ai seats herself on her friend's black office chair while Hitomi sits on her queen-sized bed. Saki is leaning in the doorway, just as curious what this is about.
"First off: you are not Japanese, correct? You do not even speak the language." When she sees Ai's confusion, Hitomi elaborates: "You spoke something different that one morning, before applying magic of some sort. Add to it your foreign features and I already had my suspicions. I only remembered earlier, when you spoke with that Witch. Her language was completely alien, I could not understand a word. You, however, I understood perfectly even while talking to her. It's all magic, is it not?"
That is news even to Ai. She had no idea that Witches talk in different tongues. In retrospect, it makes sense why the local magical girls never tried talking. Regardless of that, she nods. "You're right. I'm sorry I didn't say anything, but it is... complicated." She says it to both mother and daughter, but neither of them seems upset. "I just found myself here in Mitakihara, shortly before we met."
"You do not seem in a hurry to get home," Saki ventures, prompting Ai to grimace.
"There is a lot of good I can do here, is all. I do want to see everyone again, but... I just wonder. Why am I here, now?" She does not want to say it, but the prospect of being abandoned still hurts. Ai sighs heavily and shakes herself. "But that is neither here nor there. The road back... home, it's long. For now I want to see where this all goes. What else did you want to know?"
Hitomi's head tilts the slightest bit as she chews on Ai's answer. She idly brushes where the hairclip was once again. "Miss Tomoe was absolutely certain you were not a Magical Girl. Sayaka said your gift felt like a Witch right after her Soul Gem formed. Once I would take as coincidence, but I know Sayaka is not a liar. Could you explain?"
Ai's brow creases. This information may break their budding friendship after all. But how could she not answer, after Hitomi stood up for her like this? She deserves the truth. Ai sighs. "It is true and false at the same time. I am a Magical Girl, but not like these two. I'm what people at home call an Abnormality. Witches are also Abnormalities, but not the same as I am."
"You look fairly human to me," Saki tries, but Ai just huffs in response.
"So do my seniors and my junior. So does Laetitia. It's not what we look like that defines what we are. Most Abnormalities are nowhere close, we are just outliers." She smiles faintly and stands. "An Abnormality is a being made of pure E.G.O., or soul. An Abnormality can not die, in that it comes back to life no matter how often you kill it." Both humans hang on Ai's lips, she notices. "We are all different. I saw several of the same Abnormality before, but that's an outlier, too. Witches are special in that they turn to Grief Seeds when they die. It requires some outside component to reawaken them. I'm not a Witch because I have no Grief Seed. If you took a knife and slit my throat, I would just wake up again in a minute or two."
At that point Ai hesitates. She does not like the pain, but if it helps them understand? "If you want to, I can-"
A twofold, panicked "No" cuts her off. Hitomi stumbles forward and grabs Ai's shoulders while Saki enters the room fully. The older woman levels her hardest glare. "Do not dare to even make the suggestion. I will not have you hurt yourself to deliver proof. You already proved magic to us, any more is unnecessary."
"...okay. Thank you." Ai's voice is softer than she wants it to be. Their acceptance means a great deal. She absently wipes off a tear while Hitomi breathes a sigh of relief. "What's weird is that Mami should know, too. She caught me in the head on Saturday, she knows I didn't turn into a Grief Seed."
"What of the one you were staring at the last few days?" Hitomi inquires.
"That's still Izabel. She's the reason I even got that hit on Mami to begin with. By the time I woke up, she distracted her and died for it." Ai slowly turns said Grief Seed in her hands; it throbs ever so faintly with life. Then she puts it away with a sigh. "She really didn't deserve this. What else did you want to know?"
"Just one more thing," Hitomi says. She settles back on her chair, eyes closed in recollection. "From what was explained to me, Witches possess a generic power called a 'Witch's Kiss'. It allows them to suppress the minds of humans under their thrall. Miss Tomoe's rhetoric was that your gifts are a more sophisticated form of that technique, that we are under your control." Saki frowns and Ai glowers. Hitomi's chuckle is curt, but amused. "She was quite surprised when I told her off after she removed it from my person. Alas, her suspicion merely grew. But that is neither here nor there. Ai, tell me: do your gifts have such a function in any way, shape, or form?"
"No." Of that, Ai is absolutely certain. Hitomi nods.
"Can you control our thoughts in any other way?"
"No." That too, she knows. Then however, Ai pauses. "Well, mostly no?" Seeing Hitomi's arched eyebrow, she indulges the silent request and elaborates: "I already told you what my E.G.O. does if you don't resist it. That's kind of what you asked. And I guess If we synchronised, I could suppress your mind to control your body."
"What would that be, exactly?"
"Synchronisation? It's, er, a type of fusion. Abnormalities can fuse with each other or a human... no, a person to join their powers together. It's very strong, and very straining." Ai shudders in remembrance, an echo of unending anguish reverberating through her entire body. "I only did it twice. Theoretically, the stronger mind can suppress the weaker one if it wants to."
She completely misses her friend's contemplative look. Hitomi studies Ai for a long moment, allowing her to regain her bearings. "Hypothetically," she ventures, "what would happen if you and I did this?"
Ai tilts her head. "You die." Hitomi blinks at her in surprise and Ai starts playing with her hair. "You're still so young. Your body and mind still grow. It takes a strong body and force of will to withstand this. People years and decades older than you would shatter." Roland did not because he was special. And the librarian Ai aided against the Jester of Nihil did not have a human body. Yet if it already took someone strong to carry Ai's E.G.O., what is needed of a human to withstand her?
This is when Saki injects herself again. She wears a knowing look as she comes to stand next to them. "I take it you do not plan to ever make use of this power?"
Ai simply nods, and that is that. Hitomi's contemplation slowly warps into a mirthful grin. "Very well. Now that these matters are taken care of, I do wish to have my hairclip back. That is, assuming you can not make another one?"
"I can, but I won't. Having too many lie around won't end well." Ai scowls, but then she has an idea: "Where does Mami live? I can go steal it back when she is at school."
For a moment, both Shizuki women give her bewildered looks. Then they start giggling.
Right the next day, Wednesday, Ai puts deeds to her words. After work, just a bit shy of noon, she takes a trip downtown to the address they showed her on the map. A simple look through the large windows tells her it is a large space. Ai teleports inside and starts to poke around, but finding Hitomi's belongings is simple. The hairclip lies on Mami's desk, covered in some kind of yellow seal. Ai can tell it is some sort of safety measure and simply breaks it.
Her task complete, Ai makes to leave. Before her magic can even gather however, she stops herself and looks around. An evil grin emerges as an idea takes hold. Mami was awful to her, so a little bit of payback should be fine.
And so it is that Ai spends half an hour combing through the flat. Every picture is tilted by a few degrees, objects are moved several centimetres each. Ai pulls the plush carpet in Mami's living room until it lies uneven. And for her most dastardly trick, she steals a single chocolate chip cookie from the pile in the kitchen. Then proceeds to leave crumbs all over the biggest couch in the living room.
Her ghastly deed committed, the cackling girl teleports away. She spends noon and afternoon training with Kyoko. The redhead seems to be in the process of cleaning up that church, so Ai lends a hand with magic.
Hitomi is pleased to receive her accessory back. The girls get a quick scolding from Saki and Reiji over Ai's exploits, but both parents are clearly amused and not angry or disappointed.
Thursday evening however, Ai is confronted with a once again annoyed Hitomi. "They noticed right quick," she explains over dinner. "At this point, it seems three separate blocks formed in this matter. You and I, Sayaka and miss Tomoe, as well as Madoka and miss Akemi. Yes," she confirms upon seeing the surprised looks all around. "It seems Sayaka's unfounded aggression, coupled with our outing on Tuesday, alienated Madoka as well. She seems to take a neutral stance right now. Miss Akemi is reluctant to speak with her, but willing to answer questions. As you can imagine, Sayaka was not amused. Regardless, it seems they decided to push the issue. I was told to deliver a message."
Not asked, told. Hitomi is rightfully unhappy. Ai simply nods while her parents watch the two. "What do they want?"
"A meeting. I do not think their intentions are positive in any way."
Ai chews slowly as she mulls that over. Seeing these two magical girls on their terms sounds like a recipe for disaster. But at the same time, avoiding them will not make the problem go away. "Okay," she says. "Tell them I will meet. The central bridge connecting Mitakihara and Kazamino should be a good spot. And no, they do not get to pick the place."
Hitomi snorts in the most undignified manner, after which she apologises to her parents for it without prompting. "I will tell them tomorrow, at school. Do you have a specific time in mind?"
Ai does not, but a suggestion from Reiji sees her meeting the two right after school let out on Friday. Hitomi has additional lectures to attend and can not join, but he probably wanted for that; if a fight breaks out, she will be in danger otherwise. Ai, meanwhile, can flee into Kyoko's territory if need be.
To her surprise, there are four people. A glowering Sayaka and cold Mami lead the way, but Madoka and Homura follow several dozen metres after them. The taciturn magical girl is a pillar of calm next to the anxious pinkette.
"I hope you're happy," Sayaka greets you. "You're ruining everything!"
She transforms immediately, but Mami holds her back with a gesture. The blunette resembles a lady knight, dressed in navy blue. A cutlass is held at the ready; Ai expected that much and takes her staff in hand as well. Mami transforms last, but without any weapon. Their two observers stay distant. Ai takes notice of Mami's gleaming Soul Gem; it is pristine, meaning her and Sayaka already went hunting for a Grief Seed within the last few days.
"I heard of your... exploits," Mami begins with a barely visible frown. "And I will have you know that I do not stand for them. Witches like you are our enemies. They hurt innocent people and need to be brought down." She leaves a momentary pause, still not drawing a weapon. "But you have made your point. I want you to leave Mitakihara, and not return."
Madoka gasps in the background. Homura remains unmoved while Ai feels like laughing. That is what Mami came up with, in the end? 'Go away, I don't want to deal with you?' It bothers her greatly.
But at the same time, Mami is talking to her right now. That is progress. Perhaps she can be swayed after all, and Sayaka will follow suit. One final chance for peace. It requires a bit of luck in meeting an amenable Witch, but the possible result is worth a risk. It is definitely preferable to fighting them, at least in Ai's opinion. The bridge will collapse at the very least. This time Ai does not have Izabel's barrier to take the abuse; her friend is still one cleansing away from revival. Not to mention, fighting both of them at once will not be easy. Homura may help, but Ai can not know for certain.
Alternately... she can do as Mami asks and leave, or pretend to. It will make acting in Mitakihara difficult, but both her and Sayaka are still schoolgirls. They are just two people. Ai can evade them with some careful planning.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K18v7pjnk7A
[] Try proving Mami wrong one last time
weight: x1.5
[] Fight them over it
-[] Start blasting before they know it's on
-[] They want a villain? They can have one! Call upon the Queen!
-[] write-in another strategy
weight: x1
[] Pretend to leave
weight: x0.5
Note: All "Fight" votes are counted as one; only if it makes the race do the subvotes become relevant, and only the highest voted subvote will be picked.
Updated Sayaka's Character Sheet
Tomoe Mami
Threat Rating: WAW
Threat Assessment: Highly skilled, experienced, efficient, and cautious; her greatest weakpoint is her limited magic.
Miki Sayaka
Threat Rating: HE
Threat Assessment: Motivated rookie. What she lacks in experience, she makes up with enthusiasm and recklessness. Her healing powers are far more potent than those of most magical girls.
Surprise Card?
Call Kyubey?
Call Kyubey?
- Location
- Canada
[X] Try proving Mami wrong one last time
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Ooooooh Boy...
I think there is a strong possibility of us befriending Homulily if she happens, which would technically keep that promise.
Well, the fact that she's a rock puppeting a body helps a lot.
I doubt that there actually was a change in what Madoka would've thought, she's too pure for this world.
Sayaka is a fucking moron, as always, guess the timer before octavia begins her concert has begun, I give it.... Let's say two days, quite optimistic IMO given the circumstances.
I want to show them the queen of hatred now.
Yeah, I have no idea how Mami thought it would work, Hitomi made it clear she was going to stay close to Ai; Ai cannot be killed, Mami won't kill Hitomi so Mami cannot do anything that would *help*.
Witness! Our revenge!
...
Quick! Everyone check if she's not a false one!
*Panic!*
On the one hand, we would probably be rid of them, on the other, it would certainly alienate us to Madoka and Hitomi, unless there is a way to control ourself enough to not kill them? @Naron does Ai think it's possible? Would it need a write-in? Because a demonstration of *this is how much outclassed you are* would really help.
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DvulikiuGolod
You are gold, I am gold... Are we all gold?
[X] Try proving Mami wrong one last time
- Location
- Earth
This is the first time someone actually thought to ask. Yes, Ai has a modicum of control over the Queen. Definitely enough not to go on a mindless rampage. That is, if she willingly hands over the reins. If her mental state deteriorates to the point the Queen wrests herself into control, all bets are off.
Not killing Mami and Sayaka... hm. She does not want them dead just yet, but depending how a fight goes her mind might change. An addendum is not strictly necessary, but it would help to be on the safe side.
DvulikiuGolod
You are gold, I am gold... Are we all gold?
If such a question has already gone, then I will also ask. When we give control to the queen, will there be a barrier? Like from the library? Or from a book?
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- Location
- The Land of Many Bregrets
- Pronouns
- They/Them
[X] Try proving Mami wrong one last time
Worth a shot.
Quite literally if Mami's still being aggressive about it.
Worth a shot.
Quite literally if Mami's still being aggressive about it.
- Location
- Earth
Ai does not know. There never was a barrier before and we have not seen the Queen since her arrival in Mitakihara.
(I could answer the other one clearly because it is something Ai does know)
Edit: so just for clarity: assume that the answer is "no"
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- Location
- Earth
That depends on your definition of 'lose'.
I have outlines for several different endings that can be achieved, some of which are better than others. You can 'lose' insofar that you may not get the best one. And before shadowrunning starts: no, the mere act of unshackling the Queen of Hatred will not necessarily lock out/in a specific ending.
If you meant it in the sense of "sudden game over, Quest is done", then no. You can not.
[X] Try proving Mami wrong one last time
-[X] Call Kyuubey
-[X] Call Kyuubey
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I mean only real way to stop Abnormalities is to trap/seal them
Though consequences are real
Takareer
Words and feathers
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
Yes, I understand? I mean that we have options that amount to
a) Attempt diplomacy
b) Perfidy (open fire at negotiations)
c) Lying
Sometimes picking the "good" option is hard, but in this case it's really not... especially since we're not risking as much as others might.
- Location
- Earth
This would be once again offering trust.
Trust that if denied might just result in the Queen coming out to play whether we want to or not.
Well, there is the fact that if our negotiations keep going south to the point of dying, maybe even multiple times and/or losing the Grief Seed due to it, then we may see involuntary, unshackled Queen due to mental state stuff. Instead of being able to somewhat direct her.
- Location
- Attached to a wall
- Pronouns
- She/Her
[X] Try proving Mami wrong one last time
- Location
- Earth
I would disagree with the read on b); only one particular subvote is perfidy. Anything that does not specifically tell Ai to get in a cheap shot will not have her do so; both sides know that if Ai simply refuses to leave, there will be a fight.
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