- Location
- Earth
You must be misremembering. I veto'd exactly one write-in since the beginning; that was on the grounds of being out of character for Ai, I think. What I forbid was Approval Voting.
In the Name of Love and Hatred! [PMMM / LoR]
- Thread starter Naron
- Start date
- Crossover
- Location
- A Firelit Room | A Silent Forest
I think that they were remembering this
In combination with the unallowed vote to make that mistake
- Location
- Attached to a wall
- Pronouns
- She/Her
[X] Tell Kyoko about it first
-[
] ask Kyubey to if they would like to provide some a few therapy bodies.
I want to tell someone at least.
My preference would be Hitomi and Kyoko because they are growing to approach a BFF status and I would rather not keep secrets from them. Homaru because I think that she looks as if she has a handle on things IC.
Hitomi -> Kyoko -> Homaru
-[
] ask Kyubey to if they would like to provide some a few therapy bodies.I want to tell someone at least.
My preference would be Hitomi and Kyoko because they are growing to approach a BFF status and I would rather not keep secrets from them. Homaru because I think that she looks as if she has a handle on things IC.
Hitomi -> Kyoko -> Homaru
Nottheunmaker
Altman be praised
- Location
- USG Ishimura
That is completely the wrong lesson to take from this. I made that post because I felt there was a lack of communication.
Much as I try, this is the internet, and I don't know you. I don't know how you think, how you'll take a particular vote, or any of that stuff. So I'm trying to get information for future votes, or votes in the moment.
To be clear, I'm not mad at you for calling the vote bad. I have lots of bad ideas, and sometimes I don't know they're bad ideas, or good ideas in a different context, or anything like that. I try to vote with my best foot forward, even if it has disappointing results. Because I believe in a game like this, a bad vote is better then no vote. Because the hope is the vote inspires discussion and, a better vote comes from it.
I am mad that I got no feedback from you until after the vote, and aggravated that I only got like, a post or two contesting my vote. Communication is key for games like this, and I felt it was minimal. That's what's frustrating, at least to me.
- Location
- Earth
That is a fair point to make. But at the same time, I am not obligated to correct every mistake the players (are about to) make. I want you to succeed, but I also want it to be on your own merits; not me going 'wink wink nudge nudge' every time things are about to go bad.
Edit: to be more clear, excessive meddling in votes is an issue I had in the past. I try to stay hands-off as much as possible here because of that.
Regardless, votes are closed. Ai keeps quiet for the time being.
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Nottheunmaker
Altman be praised
- Location
- USG Ishimura
Even so, I would greatly appreciate a general pointing in the right direction, at least if asked. I understand trying to improve, but there is such a thing as over correction.
- Location
- Earth
That, I can do. I generally do it, actually. But to quote a certain bunnycat: you didn't ask
Nottheunmaker
Altman be praised
- Location
- USG Ishimura
To quote someone entirely unrelated to this: 'lright, fair enough.That, I can do. I generally do it, actually. But to quote a certain bunnycat: you didn't ask
[x] Keep it to yourself for now
Kind of rolling my eyes at the remorse over her killing adults, however remorse for children is okay but honestly i doubt there's a lot of girls making wish for revenge like Hana since most low to mid level gangsters don't have children or if they do have younger siblings cut them off from their crime life.
Only the rich crime boss would have some children but those would be rare like Hana apart from the ones Ai already killed.
Just checking does that mean Ai not longer killing assholes with her new insight in life?
Kind of rolling my eyes at the remorse over her killing adults, however remorse for children is okay but honestly i doubt there's a lot of girls making wish for revenge like Hana since most low to mid level gangsters don't have children or if they do have younger siblings cut them off from their crime life.
Only the rich crime boss would have some children but those would be rare like Hana apart from the ones Ai already killed.
Just checking does that mean Ai not longer killing assholes with her new insight in life?
- Location
- Earth
Ai's response to less reputable people is more measured now. Lethal force is no longer her first resort. It is still a response, but will be used more sparingly.
35. An Unforgettable Melody
- Location
- Earth
Keep it to yourself for now
Ai expells her breath with a deep sigh and sits up. "You're making this really hard on me, you know? What do I tell them?"
"Have you considered not telling them?" Kyubey leaps onto her shoulder as she stands. They meet Ai's gaze with their own, unblinking one. "Few Magical Girls ever learn this fact on their own. Only a small number of those take it well."
She huffs mirthlessly and flicks their forehead. "I'm not dumb, you know? If I don't tell them and they find out anyway, they'll feel betrayed. I will tell them. Just not right now." Magic shines around her as the teleportation begins. Destination: Sakura Church.
Kyubey 'speaks' through transit: "Our data corroborates that assumption. It is fortunate that you seem amenable to working with us and not against us." The words Kyubey does not say, Ai still hears: if she turns out to sabotage their goals later, Kyubey will use every edge they can get to take her down. Nudging Ai into a situation where her friends' faith in her can be shattered would have given them one such edge.
She arrives in her usual spot near the altar. No one is around, giving her the time for a final response: "I get it. But if I have to pick between your goals and my friends, I will always choose them."
"Noted."
A moment later, Yuma barges in with great cheer. A defaced Kyoko follows; the redhead misses an arm, at least for the moment it takes Ai to notice. "What happened?" she asks while hugging Yuma. Her friend sits down heavily.
"Got surprised by a Witch, is all. Thanks," she adds when a surge of magic restores the limb.
"I made a mistake," Yuma murmurs into her chest. "Big sis took the hit for me."
That makes it more clear. Ai holds her a little longer, absently trying not to think of the fate in store for her. And if the Witches turn from humans, then humans also make Abnormalities. Was Ai herself once human? Were any of the others? Can they remember where she can not?
Kyoko's voice shakes her out of those musings: "Anyway, it's not a big deal after Sunday. Kinda puts things into perspective to fight a Colour. So, what's up?"
Letting go of Yuma, Ai approaches her friend gingerly. She can not help but dodge the question: "You take this surprisingly well. Mami and Sayaka were more subdued the last few days." Even Homura's demeanor took a clear hit, confidence in her magic shaken. They thankfully recovered right quick. Sayaka stared into space from time to time, but soon returned to humming.
Meanwhile, Kyoko shrugs. "It's how it is. Not the first limbs I lost, but I got those back a lot quicker than in the past. You won't find a veteran who doesn't have a few of those. But damn, Roland fights like a man possessed." She stops herself there and frowns at Ai. "Also, you dodged the question. What's up?"
The other magical girl hesitates. Speaking of Roland makes her miss his presence in her head once again. Even if it was just his pain, she still feels a little lonely. As if a part of her is missing. Sighing, she produces Elsa Maria's Grief Seed. "Well, how to say it. I made another Witch friend? And she needs a place to stay?" When the redhead keeps looking at her, she fidgets slightly. "She's nice, probably won't hurt a fly. Can she stay here?"
Slowly, Kyoko starts rubbing her face. "Okay," she begins. "You're sure she's harmless?"
"Err, not harmless so much as that she doesn't hurt people on purpose? I asked her not to call anyone into her barrier and she agreed after hearing people die in there." Ai waits until Kyoko nods again before she animates the Grief Seed. It glimmers and shakes, oozing darkness.
Instead of the expected barrier forming however, the shadows coalesce. "Oh my," Elsa Maria says as she materialises. Her faceless head points right at the altar. "When you offered a place to stay, I did not expect one of worship." Dozens of shadowy tendrils coil out of her back, flicking this way and that as she takes a step that way. Upon spotting the other magical girls, she swerves to study Kyoko. "And good day to you." The redhead waves faintly once Ai translates. Elsa Maria inclines her head and moves to kneel before the altar, hands folded. Four pairs of eyes watch her, but she seems content with doing just that.
"Intriguing," Kyubey notes. "Witches generally prefer the inside of their barriers. Specimens lured outside generally returned inside in short order. Fear is their assumed reason to do so. Perhaps some can overcome this impulse when confronted with suitable accomodations?"
Ai hums in thought. "Abnormalities have their own preferences," she provides. "They are just very specific."
"May be the same for Witches," Kyoko reasons. Then she heaves a sigh. "Figures that there's more Witches here, too. There's been more all across Kazamino." It takes a moment for her words to register. Remembering Hana, Ai has a horrible suspicion where the overabundance comes from. Kyoko remains unaware of her thoughts: "If this becomes Witch central, we may have to start setting up elsewhere. Can't sleep all that well with the constant pings from my Soul Gem." A moment later, Yuma pokes the redhead's ring and beams up at her. Kyoko pauses. "What did you just do?"
"I turned it off." Yuma taps the ring again. "And now it's on. So we can stay around, right? Can I play with her?"
A small argument develops from there; Ai leaves the two to figure this out on their own.
After a short conversation with Elsa Maria, who is perfectly happy to stay there and pray, she goes to visit Izabel. Her painter friend waves idly where she works. Some quick questions reveal that no, Izabel does not remember ever having been anyone else. She does not much care about it, either. The prospect of having Elsa Maria nearby for company at least intrigues her.
With that out of the way, Ai spends a few hours painting with Izabel. It is good fun, although Ai starts to realise that Witches have quite the monotonous day. They take incredible enjoyment out of following their own pastimes, but to her it is... dull. She enjoys dipping her hands in rainbow colours before leaving prints over a white canvas, but only for a time. Izabel gives no sign of tiring from her activities; according to Yuma, who visits her from time to time, she does nothing beside painting and sculpting.
Regardless, by the time school lets out, she is in better spirits. Ai feels ready to tackle the next issue on her agenda. The last few graves to visit, she relays to the following day. But on her walk back to Mitakihara, Ai suddenly pauses. Her gaze travels to the nearby channel, to a specific spot up high. "Kyubey?" she asks faintly. "Is it doing something new?"
"Not that I can tell," the bunnycat responds. They tilt their head and scan the sky. "The energy readings increased with every passing day, but never in dangerous spectrums or amounts. So far it still seems like a folded space slowly unfolding. Do you actually feel it now?"
"Yeah. I just realised. It's like something crawls down my back. I know it's there, but I can not see it." Ai shudders and throws one last glance to the odd phenomenon. Somehow, it fills her with dread. An instinct she can not name shouts that calamity is near. But that must be paranoia, Kyubey knows a lot more about these things than her. But just to calm herself, she rather asks: "Are you sure it's harmless?"
"All natural occurences of this kind were found to be harmless. There is a miniscule chance that a Magical Girl's power or wish produce this space as a side effect. A Witch is also possible, but even less likely."
"Like Walpurgis?" Ai asks while thinking of what Homura told her. Kyubey nods.
"The readings for Walpurgis are different, but yes. A suitably powerful Witch could create such a distortion. On that note, can you sense anything from over there?" They point toward the bay, but Ai shakes her head. "Curious. The readings for Walpurgis' impending arrival indicate that area as her landing zone."
"Oh. I see."
A moment of silence passes, then Kyubey's head turns her way. "You already knew Walpurgis will arrive," they say. It is not a question, just a statement of fact. Ai nods absently, which is apparently all Kyubey needs. "I see. What are you planning to do next?"
"Paying Sayaka a visit," she responds after a moment. A faint breeze ruffles her clothes as she mulls over how to do that. "Can you lead me to where she lives?"
"I can do that. Or I can give you the coordinates to her room. Although she will not arrive for approximately ten more minutes. She lives closer to Mitakihara Middle, in that direction."
Something Kyubey just said plants a seed in Ai's mind. An idea that she just has to follow. She begins to grin and clutches Kyubey in her arms. "Give me the coordinates, there's something I want to do."
With no reason to refuse, they comply.
And so it is that when Sayaka Miki returns from a tiring school day, she feels the presence of a Witch. Yet her bookbag is dropped unceremoniously before her shoes are even off. The blunette traipses into the kitchen for a soda, then grabs her things with a sigh. Homework, homework. Always homework. Also Ai in her home, as if it is anyone else.
"I know you're there!" she calls ahead, but receives no response. Shrugging, the magical girl pushes open the door to her room. There she stops to stare: hair just a touch lighter than her own flows over her chair's backrest. Under Sayaka's confused eyes, it slowly begins to turn and reveal Ai. She lounges imperiously with Kyubey in her lap, slowly petting the bunnycat.
"Ah, Sayaka," she drawls playfully. "At last you return."
"...yeaaah. That would have been funnier if I hadn't known you're there."
The other girl shrugs daintily and rises in one fluid motion. Kyubey hops off her lap and makes to settle on Sayaka's keyboard instead. "Careful with that," she chides protectively. "I only just got it." She snatches the bunnycat and puts them on the bed, not that they mind. Sayaka sighs and sits next to them. "So what do you want? In case you didn't notice, I still don't like you much."
For her part, Ai nods. "I noticed." She understands it too; Sayaka is troubled by Ai's sins. So is she. But at the same time, she wants to at least try to get along. "But I figured we should spend some time together. I got Mami to reconsider, I'll do it with you, too!" She makes a V-sign that earns an amused huff and shake of Sayaka's head. "See, you aren't anywhere near as aggressive as... wait." The last time she was so mellow was on Sunday. Ai's eyes narrow. "Show me your Soul Gem."
This time Sayaka is clearly exasperated. She rolls her eyes and scoffs, but does as asked. Her ring turns into a murky but still aquamarine gem. About one third filed, Ai reckons. "I'm not that stupid," Sayaka tells her. "I wanna hear the song, but I'm not going to kill myself for it. Can't play it if I do, right?" She giggles, but the humour fails to reach Ai.
"Well, I'm glad you're so reasonable. That song is actually something I'm curious about."
She does not get any further, seeing how Sayaka brightens. "For real?" she asks while leaning forward. Her enthusiasm gives Ai pause. The other magical girl surges back to her feet, her bag forgotten. "I can play a little bit for you if you want! I'm not all that good yet, but I'm getting better!"
Kyubey and Ai watch curiously how Sayaka plugs in her keyboard and fiddles with the settings for a moment. She lowers the volume and sits down in a separate chair, then turns back to grin at them. "Here goes!" She plays the first note, cringes, and shakes her head. "Nope, wrong start. Gotta put the finger... here. But this time!"
What follows are seven notes, played repeatedly. Ai needs a few repetitions to realise that is all, but even then she recognises it. Dissonant, yet somehow harmonious at the same time. "That's it?" she can not help but ask anyway. The noise cuts off and Sayaka sighs.
"I only have a tiny piece in mind, so I'm using that to practice. I need to put the rest together around it when I'm better." She then flips open a booklet of sheet music and starts to go through some other song. Even Ai can tell it is a basic one, made for beginners. Sayaka plays it without errors. "So yeah. I don't know much about it, but I can try answering your questions?"
Her enthusiasm makes Ai feel bad. She knows exactly what this song is, even from just a few notes. But Sayaka seems happy in her attempt to play it. Passionate, even. "I know that song," she finally says. "Do you remember what I said about Distortions, back in the City?"
"Yeah. Something like Abnormalities, but not immortal. Right?"
"Something like that, yes. I do not know much more about them. But this song was played by one." The music stops and Sayaka turns back to her, attentive. Ai grimaces. "I only heard about The Pianist from others, but he killed hundreds of thousands of people with that melody."
"He what?! How?" An ugly noise sounds as Sayaka's hand slams into the keys. She flinches and strokes her keyboard. "Oh no, no. I didn't mean it, don't be broken!" She carefully taps each key and heaves a sigh of relief when all work fine.
Ai gives her time to do so before clearing her throat. "The song turned people into parts of it and just kept going. I don't know how, but it did." She fidgets awkwardly before leaning forward. "Sayaka, this is important. Cults were born by that song, and not the good kind. The sort that kills people to turn their bones into instruments in an attempt to recreate it."
The other blunette grimaces and makes a gagging noise. "Yuck, that sounds awful. Are these guys still around?" All she gets is a shrug, though the gravity seems to elude her also. "But what's that got to do with me? It's not like I'm going to do stuff like that."
Ai is not so certain about that. "Even if you end up unable to play it?" she probes.
"Of course not!" Sayaka retorts. Her agitation quickly swings into anger. "What kind of person do you think I am? I'm not going to hurt others just because I'm not good enough! I'll just keep practicing until I can do it!"
That is a relief. But at the same time, Ai is not sure if Sayaka really knows herself as well as she thinks. "I'm glad to hear it," she says anyway. "I just had to make sure you know. This song has a legacy."
"Makes sense, I guess." Sayaka absently starts pressing random keys. She produces short melodies that quickly morph back into those seven notes. "But it's also stuck in my head. I don't mind it there. Honestly, it's the first time in a while I really, really wanted something. So I'm going to practice a lot. I even got my parents to buy me this." She motions for the keyboard with a winning grin. "So don't you worry."
Ai is... uncertain what to do here. Being driven is good. Killing people in pursuit of one's art is very bad. Is this something Sayaka would end up doing? Would her Witch?
Sayaka trait identified:
Unforgettable Melody
[] Encourage her
weight: x1
[] Discourage her
weight: x1
Ai expells her breath with a deep sigh and sits up. "You're making this really hard on me, you know? What do I tell them?"
"Have you considered not telling them?" Kyubey leaps onto her shoulder as she stands. They meet Ai's gaze with their own, unblinking one. "Few Magical Girls ever learn this fact on their own. Only a small number of those take it well."
She huffs mirthlessly and flicks their forehead. "I'm not dumb, you know? If I don't tell them and they find out anyway, they'll feel betrayed. I will tell them. Just not right now." Magic shines around her as the teleportation begins. Destination: Sakura Church.
Kyubey 'speaks' through transit: "Our data corroborates that assumption. It is fortunate that you seem amenable to working with us and not against us." The words Kyubey does not say, Ai still hears: if she turns out to sabotage their goals later, Kyubey will use every edge they can get to take her down. Nudging Ai into a situation where her friends' faith in her can be shattered would have given them one such edge.
She arrives in her usual spot near the altar. No one is around, giving her the time for a final response: "I get it. But if I have to pick between your goals and my friends, I will always choose them."
"Noted."
A moment later, Yuma barges in with great cheer. A defaced Kyoko follows; the redhead misses an arm, at least for the moment it takes Ai to notice. "What happened?" she asks while hugging Yuma. Her friend sits down heavily.
"Got surprised by a Witch, is all. Thanks," she adds when a surge of magic restores the limb.
"I made a mistake," Yuma murmurs into her chest. "Big sis took the hit for me."
That makes it more clear. Ai holds her a little longer, absently trying not to think of the fate in store for her. And if the Witches turn from humans, then humans also make Abnormalities. Was Ai herself once human? Were any of the others? Can they remember where she can not?
Kyoko's voice shakes her out of those musings: "Anyway, it's not a big deal after Sunday. Kinda puts things into perspective to fight a Colour. So, what's up?"
Letting go of Yuma, Ai approaches her friend gingerly. She can not help but dodge the question: "You take this surprisingly well. Mami and Sayaka were more subdued the last few days." Even Homura's demeanor took a clear hit, confidence in her magic shaken. They thankfully recovered right quick. Sayaka stared into space from time to time, but soon returned to humming.
Meanwhile, Kyoko shrugs. "It's how it is. Not the first limbs I lost, but I got those back a lot quicker than in the past. You won't find a veteran who doesn't have a few of those. But damn, Roland fights like a man possessed." She stops herself there and frowns at Ai. "Also, you dodged the question. What's up?"
The other magical girl hesitates. Speaking of Roland makes her miss his presence in her head once again. Even if it was just his pain, she still feels a little lonely. As if a part of her is missing. Sighing, she produces Elsa Maria's Grief Seed. "Well, how to say it. I made another Witch friend? And she needs a place to stay?" When the redhead keeps looking at her, she fidgets slightly. "She's nice, probably won't hurt a fly. Can she stay here?"
Slowly, Kyoko starts rubbing her face. "Okay," she begins. "You're sure she's harmless?"
"Err, not harmless so much as that she doesn't hurt people on purpose? I asked her not to call anyone into her barrier and she agreed after hearing people die in there." Ai waits until Kyoko nods again before she animates the Grief Seed. It glimmers and shakes, oozing darkness.
Instead of the expected barrier forming however, the shadows coalesce. "Oh my," Elsa Maria says as she materialises. Her faceless head points right at the altar. "When you offered a place to stay, I did not expect one of worship." Dozens of shadowy tendrils coil out of her back, flicking this way and that as she takes a step that way. Upon spotting the other magical girls, she swerves to study Kyoko. "And good day to you." The redhead waves faintly once Ai translates. Elsa Maria inclines her head and moves to kneel before the altar, hands folded. Four pairs of eyes watch her, but she seems content with doing just that.
"Intriguing," Kyubey notes. "Witches generally prefer the inside of their barriers. Specimens lured outside generally returned inside in short order. Fear is their assumed reason to do so. Perhaps some can overcome this impulse when confronted with suitable accomodations?"
Ai hums in thought. "Abnormalities have their own preferences," she provides. "They are just very specific."
"May be the same for Witches," Kyoko reasons. Then she heaves a sigh. "Figures that there's more Witches here, too. There's been more all across Kazamino." It takes a moment for her words to register. Remembering Hana, Ai has a horrible suspicion where the overabundance comes from. Kyoko remains unaware of her thoughts: "If this becomes Witch central, we may have to start setting up elsewhere. Can't sleep all that well with the constant pings from my Soul Gem." A moment later, Yuma pokes the redhead's ring and beams up at her. Kyoko pauses. "What did you just do?"
"I turned it off." Yuma taps the ring again. "And now it's on. So we can stay around, right? Can I play with her?"
A small argument develops from there; Ai leaves the two to figure this out on their own.
After a short conversation with Elsa Maria, who is perfectly happy to stay there and pray, she goes to visit Izabel. Her painter friend waves idly where she works. Some quick questions reveal that no, Izabel does not remember ever having been anyone else. She does not much care about it, either. The prospect of having Elsa Maria nearby for company at least intrigues her.
With that out of the way, Ai spends a few hours painting with Izabel. It is good fun, although Ai starts to realise that Witches have quite the monotonous day. They take incredible enjoyment out of following their own pastimes, but to her it is... dull. She enjoys dipping her hands in rainbow colours before leaving prints over a white canvas, but only for a time. Izabel gives no sign of tiring from her activities; according to Yuma, who visits her from time to time, she does nothing beside painting and sculpting.
Regardless, by the time school lets out, she is in better spirits. Ai feels ready to tackle the next issue on her agenda. The last few graves to visit, she relays to the following day. But on her walk back to Mitakihara, Ai suddenly pauses. Her gaze travels to the nearby channel, to a specific spot up high. "Kyubey?" she asks faintly. "Is it doing something new?"
"Not that I can tell," the bunnycat responds. They tilt their head and scan the sky. "The energy readings increased with every passing day, but never in dangerous spectrums or amounts. So far it still seems like a folded space slowly unfolding. Do you actually feel it now?"
"Yeah. I just realised. It's like something crawls down my back. I know it's there, but I can not see it." Ai shudders and throws one last glance to the odd phenomenon. Somehow, it fills her with dread. An instinct she can not name shouts that calamity is near. But that must be paranoia, Kyubey knows a lot more about these things than her. But just to calm herself, she rather asks: "Are you sure it's harmless?"
"All natural occurences of this kind were found to be harmless. There is a miniscule chance that a Magical Girl's power or wish produce this space as a side effect. A Witch is also possible, but even less likely."
"Like Walpurgis?" Ai asks while thinking of what Homura told her. Kyubey nods.
"The readings for Walpurgis are different, but yes. A suitably powerful Witch could create such a distortion. On that note, can you sense anything from over there?" They point toward the bay, but Ai shakes her head. "Curious. The readings for Walpurgis' impending arrival indicate that area as her landing zone."
"Oh. I see."
A moment of silence passes, then Kyubey's head turns her way. "You already knew Walpurgis will arrive," they say. It is not a question, just a statement of fact. Ai nods absently, which is apparently all Kyubey needs. "I see. What are you planning to do next?"
"Paying Sayaka a visit," she responds after a moment. A faint breeze ruffles her clothes as she mulls over how to do that. "Can you lead me to where she lives?"
"I can do that. Or I can give you the coordinates to her room. Although she will not arrive for approximately ten more minutes. She lives closer to Mitakihara Middle, in that direction."
Something Kyubey just said plants a seed in Ai's mind. An idea that she just has to follow. She begins to grin and clutches Kyubey in her arms. "Give me the coordinates, there's something I want to do."
With no reason to refuse, they comply.
And so it is that when Sayaka Miki returns from a tiring school day, she feels the presence of a Witch. Yet her bookbag is dropped unceremoniously before her shoes are even off. The blunette traipses into the kitchen for a soda, then grabs her things with a sigh. Homework, homework. Always homework. Also Ai in her home, as if it is anyone else.
"I know you're there!" she calls ahead, but receives no response. Shrugging, the magical girl pushes open the door to her room. There she stops to stare: hair just a touch lighter than her own flows over her chair's backrest. Under Sayaka's confused eyes, it slowly begins to turn and reveal Ai. She lounges imperiously with Kyubey in her lap, slowly petting the bunnycat.
"Ah, Sayaka," she drawls playfully. "At last you return."
"...yeaaah. That would have been funnier if I hadn't known you're there."
The other girl shrugs daintily and rises in one fluid motion. Kyubey hops off her lap and makes to settle on Sayaka's keyboard instead. "Careful with that," she chides protectively. "I only just got it." She snatches the bunnycat and puts them on the bed, not that they mind. Sayaka sighs and sits next to them. "So what do you want? In case you didn't notice, I still don't like you much."
For her part, Ai nods. "I noticed." She understands it too; Sayaka is troubled by Ai's sins. So is she. But at the same time, she wants to at least try to get along. "But I figured we should spend some time together. I got Mami to reconsider, I'll do it with you, too!" She makes a V-sign that earns an amused huff and shake of Sayaka's head. "See, you aren't anywhere near as aggressive as... wait." The last time she was so mellow was on Sunday. Ai's eyes narrow. "Show me your Soul Gem."
This time Sayaka is clearly exasperated. She rolls her eyes and scoffs, but does as asked. Her ring turns into a murky but still aquamarine gem. About one third filed, Ai reckons. "I'm not that stupid," Sayaka tells her. "I wanna hear the song, but I'm not going to kill myself for it. Can't play it if I do, right?" She giggles, but the humour fails to reach Ai.
"Well, I'm glad you're so reasonable. That song is actually something I'm curious about."
She does not get any further, seeing how Sayaka brightens. "For real?" she asks while leaning forward. Her enthusiasm gives Ai pause. The other magical girl surges back to her feet, her bag forgotten. "I can play a little bit for you if you want! I'm not all that good yet, but I'm getting better!"
Kyubey and Ai watch curiously how Sayaka plugs in her keyboard and fiddles with the settings for a moment. She lowers the volume and sits down in a separate chair, then turns back to grin at them. "Here goes!" She plays the first note, cringes, and shakes her head. "Nope, wrong start. Gotta put the finger... here. But this time!"
What follows are seven notes, played repeatedly. Ai needs a few repetitions to realise that is all, but even then she recognises it. Dissonant, yet somehow harmonious at the same time. "That's it?" she can not help but ask anyway. The noise cuts off and Sayaka sighs.
"I only have a tiny piece in mind, so I'm using that to practice. I need to put the rest together around it when I'm better." She then flips open a booklet of sheet music and starts to go through some other song. Even Ai can tell it is a basic one, made for beginners. Sayaka plays it without errors. "So yeah. I don't know much about it, but I can try answering your questions?"
Her enthusiasm makes Ai feel bad. She knows exactly what this song is, even from just a few notes. But Sayaka seems happy in her attempt to play it. Passionate, even. "I know that song," she finally says. "Do you remember what I said about Distortions, back in the City?"
"Yeah. Something like Abnormalities, but not immortal. Right?"
"Something like that, yes. I do not know much more about them. But this song was played by one." The music stops and Sayaka turns back to her, attentive. Ai grimaces. "I only heard about The Pianist from others, but he killed hundreds of thousands of people with that melody."
"He what?! How?" An ugly noise sounds as Sayaka's hand slams into the keys. She flinches and strokes her keyboard. "Oh no, no. I didn't mean it, don't be broken!" She carefully taps each key and heaves a sigh of relief when all work fine.
Ai gives her time to do so before clearing her throat. "The song turned people into parts of it and just kept going. I don't know how, but it did." She fidgets awkwardly before leaning forward. "Sayaka, this is important. Cults were born by that song, and not the good kind. The sort that kills people to turn their bones into instruments in an attempt to recreate it."
The other blunette grimaces and makes a gagging noise. "Yuck, that sounds awful. Are these guys still around?" All she gets is a shrug, though the gravity seems to elude her also. "But what's that got to do with me? It's not like I'm going to do stuff like that."
Ai is not so certain about that. "Even if you end up unable to play it?" she probes.
"Of course not!" Sayaka retorts. Her agitation quickly swings into anger. "What kind of person do you think I am? I'm not going to hurt others just because I'm not good enough! I'll just keep practicing until I can do it!"
That is a relief. But at the same time, Ai is not sure if Sayaka really knows herself as well as she thinks. "I'm glad to hear it," she says anyway. "I just had to make sure you know. This song has a legacy."
"Makes sense, I guess." Sayaka absently starts pressing random keys. She produces short melodies that quickly morph back into those seven notes. "But it's also stuck in my head. I don't mind it there. Honestly, it's the first time in a while I really, really wanted something. So I'm going to practice a lot. I even got my parents to buy me this." She motions for the keyboard with a winning grin. "So don't you worry."
Ai is... uncertain what to do here. Being driven is good. Killing people in pursuit of one's art is very bad. Is this something Sayaka would end up doing? Would her Witch?
Sayaka trait identified:
Passion has been roused within Sayaka. Where once she simply enjoyed listening to music, she now desires to write the song in full and perform it.
[] Encourage her
weight: x1
[] Discourage her
weight: x1
Actually, probably yea. Like pre-Ai Izabel, but with music
[x] Encourage her
As much as I'd like to encourage her, music-related stuff in ProjectMoon always means death. If only Silent Orchestra were here. Sayaka would be a perfect fit for Da Capo.
Edit:
[X] Warn her
-[X] It's up to her if she wants to continue... but while there is something to be gained, there's also much to be lost. She should proceed with caution, preferably with occasionally check-ups by Ai.
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- Location
- Germany
[X] Encourage her
-[JK] Tell her to include as many Da Capos as possible. The best performance should be a never ending one.
Hm, the thing is that having something to distract her from her hand boy obsession (Actually, it's not like I care much about him, but what did happen to that plotline? Did Hitomi just get too preoccupied by everything happeening with Ai to make a move?) and instead giving her a drive to survive is actually really good for Sayaka. The something in question is pretty dubious, but well, Sayaka doesn't have a good track record otherwise, so how high are the chances we actually make things worse?
It's also not like Sayaka is prone to listening to Ai, if she tells her to stop. Chances are we'll be able to do more to keep her in check by bonding over this.
-[JK] Tell her to include as many Da Capos as possible. The best performance should be a never ending one.
Hm, the thing is that having something to distract her from her hand boy obsession (Actually, it's not like I care much about him, but what did happen to that plotline? Did Hitomi just get too preoccupied by everything happeening with Ai to make a move?) and instead giving her a drive to survive is actually really good for Sayaka. The something in question is pretty dubious, but well, Sayaka doesn't have a good track record otherwise, so how high are the chances we actually make things worse?
It's also not like Sayaka is prone to listening to Ai, if she tells her to stop. Chances are we'll be able to do more to keep her in check by bonding over this.
You know, given that she just agreed to kinda sorta cooperate with him, having them do a supervillain impersonation together is actually rather ominous. Still funny, but also ominous.
- Location
- Earth
It fell into the far background because Ai is not involved in their school business, and often busy elsewhere. I am still trying to find a good place to bring up some notion about it.
- Location
- earth
[x] Encourage her
...Well, let's hope Apocalypse bird won't get out of the portal or something like it...
Sniff, I am so proud right now, Love would have never done something like this, nevermind Hatred, she has grown so much.
Oh god, she would have let herself witch out instantly if we had told her about the witchbomb....
Oktavia, or whatever she ends up being named, it can change in some circumstances, would 200% do it.
Idea: bring it up when Ai find Sayaka using his tendons as cords for her violin and the rest as the case, since, obviously, the best ones are made of violinist.
Also:
[
] Try to introduce her to the Silent Orchestra, ought to blow this two bit melody right out of her head! Aleph versus WAW is no contest, after all.More seriously, I fear that discouraging her will only make her try harder out of spite, this is very much how she works.
So, unless someone get a good write-in or a good argument against:
[X] Encourage her
Am probably prone to flipflopping on this.
On one hand, she won't be truly heartbroken by love anymore! On the other hand, she might as well be a pseudo-Pianist or a Musician of Bremen!
Honestly feels like a 'pick your poison and work around it' kind of option, but that's just me.
We might need to start practicing the Synchronization for whatever calamity (hopefully not Blue Star or WN) comes next. Probably not required, but it IS an option to consider!
Btw, is Write-in still allowed for this?
EDIT:
[X] Warn her
-[X] It's up to her if she wants to continue... but while there is something to be gained, there's also much to be lost. She should proceed with caution, preferably with occasionally check-ups by Ai.
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