Puella Magi Adfligo Systema - Story only

First things first, you think - get out of this particular, grungy little alleyway. You spread your wings, launching yourself up into the air to land on the roof, where you're out of sight of random passersby. You cross your wings over your head to form a simple shelter for your self, rain drumming off the impromptu roof, while you spin off a small plate of Grief to sit on.

You've got about half an hour before you can go to find Mami and the others, which is, really, an annoying amount of time. Not enough to really do anything, but long enough to be boring.

Still, you're not completely bereft. You reach into left pocket and withdraw Hildegard's Grief Seed, carefully kept seperate from Aurora's and now Gwen's Grief Seeds in your right pocket. You hold up the Grief Seed, now a ball of smoky dark gray crystal embraced in the same silvery filigree, balancing on your finger.

You look at it. It's... quiescent, is really the best word for it, doing nothing very much in particular, the levels of Grief unchanging. You try poking a little Grief at it, just a tiny amount. Nothing unusual happens - the Grief simply gets sucked in.

You still have no real idea how to channel magic, as opposed to simply exerting your will on Grief - that comes naturally to you, like moving another arm. Still, maybe if you try to tweak a little of the magic in your body...

You focus on your hand and twist with your will... and you yelp as your hand goes completely dead, all feeling leaving it. Your hand droops on the end of your arm as you flail it about wildly. You hastily let go, and feeling returns to your hand in a rush of pins and needles.

... well, you suspect that if you should one day need to play dead, you can probably accomplish that very easily.

You grimace. That was rather unpleasant, though. You raise Hildegarde's Seed to your eye level, inspecting it visually, as well as both of your magical senses - nothing very much seems to have changed about it. Perhaps it's a little darker grey from the Grief you put into it, but that's hardly noticeable.

Ah, well. Maybe when you have a better idea?

You hop nimbly off your seat, landing with a small splash in the pooling rain on this particular rooftop. Time to stop messing around with Grief Seeds, and time to go and find Mami. You drop Hildegard back into your pocket and take wing into the rain again.

Ugh. This rain is starting to get annoying. But sometimes it just rains, you suppose.

You spin a shield out of some Grief to ward off the rain as you soar in towards the school, dropping into a convenient alley and emerging, untransformed and with your collapsible umbrella deployed to keep you dry-ish. You merge into the crowds, umbrella bumping along with everyone else's.

"Mami?" you call as your approach the grand edifice wrought of glass and steel that is Mitakihara Middle School. Looking up, you can see the absurdly ornate crenellations that adorn the roof - veiled by a curtain of rain, you could pretend that it were part of some castle of a bygone age.

"Oh! Sabrina!" Mami replies. "Wonderful timing, I was just about to call you."

"Walking around near the school gates, actually," you tell her.

"Ah? Give us a moment, we'll be right out," Mami says.

You can feel two magical presences slowly making their way out, and you glance in past the school gates - a blob of pink, black and gold. You smile, and raise your hand to wave at them. Madoka and Mami wave back.

"Hey," you call cheerfully when they're closer to you.

"Sabrina!" Mami smiles broadly.

"Hi, Sabrina!" Madoka says.

Homura nods at you. "Hello."

"How was your day?" you ask, as the four of you meander off down the path, surrounded by sodden greenery. "Or how were your days?" you add with a smile.

Mami beams back at you. "Today was good! We have some homework for the weekend, but not too much... Of course, I need to study for my test, too," she hastily amends.

Madoka looks mournful. "Miss Saotome has a new boyfriend."

You raise a perplexed eyebrow at her, while Mami laughs, shaking her head. "She still does that?"

Madoka and, to your surprise, Homura nod.

Mami catches sight of your puzzled look. "When Miss Saotome is happy, she tends to give a lot of homework."

"... oh," you say. "I... see?" A moment later, you ask, rather belatedly, "By the way, where are we going?"

Mami blinks. "I was following you."

"... and I was following you," you say, halting in your tracks. The both of you stare sheepishly at each other, before looking at Madoka, who shakes her head sadly.

Homura just gives you a look.

"Sayaka's out of the hospital," Madoka offers after a long moment filled with the patter of falling rain. "I think she's probably busy moving? I'll send her a message," she says, trapping her umbrella against her shoulder and reaching for her phone.

"Yeah," you nod. "Um, how about Hitomi?"

"Hmm," Madoka hums thoughtfully. "Wasn't she going to be discharged today, too?"

You shrug.

"I'll send her a message too," Madoka says. "Though... maybe I should go home and start on my homework?" she says, drooping in place.

Mami purses her lips. "Maybe that would be for the best," she says.

"A-ah," the pinkette says. Her phone pings, and she perks up, looking at it. "Yes, Sayaka's busy moving in..." another ping of an incoming message. "... and Hitomi says that she's at home now."

"Ah, well," you say. "That's that, then."

Mami shakes her head. "I would suggest shopping -Sabrina can't keep wearing my old things forever-, but you should do your homework. Maybe we can meet up tomorrow?" she finishes.

Madoka bobs her head with a smile. "That sounds fun!"

"Well, I suppose we're going home, then?" you say.

"Y-yeah," Madoka says.

"Alright," you say. "Bus?"

Madoka nods, and the four of you walk over to the bus stop.

"By the way, Mami," you say telepathically.

"Yes, Sabrina?" the blonde replies.

"I ran into Masami and the Sendai girls earlier today," you tell her.

"Oh," Mami says, voice suddenly pensive.

"Everything turned out OK!" you say hastily. "I kinda need to talk to you about that later, though."

"Yes," Mami agrees. "Yes, we do."

...

Uh oh.

"Ah, my bus!" Madoka says catching sight of the afore-mentioned vehicle. "Homura, let's go! Bye Mami, bye Sabrina!" She runs for the bus, splashing through the puddles.

"Bye, Madoka, Homura!" you call, echoed by Mami.

Mami smiles after them. "Let's go home, Sabrina," she says.

[] What will you say to Mami?
[] Write-in


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Someone's in trooo~oouble!
 
The two of you proceed home in an uncomfortable silence, Mami lost in thought. You watch her expression of quiet worry out of the corner of your eye, her brows slightly furrowed and her lips twisted unhappily.

A uncomfortable pit opens in your stomach, the silence communicating far better than words could how... worried? disappointed? Mami is. You're not even sure what precisely is wrong.

When you get home, Mami leaves her bag on the usual shelf, and gestures for you to do the same. She then leads you over to the sofa and sits you down, in turn sitting beside you, turned slightly to face you.

"Sabrina," Mami says finally, face a stormy mix of emotion. "Why? You can't k-keep doing this."

Your confusion probably shows on your face.

"Y-you..." Mami stutters, and stops. "Sabrina, tell me about the Sendai group."

You blink at the non-sequitur. "There's three of them, and they have a healer for hir-" Mami's already shaking her head.

"There's five of them," she tells you. "And you didn't even know that they had a healer until you met them either, did you?"

You grimace, and shake your head reluctantly.

"Sabrina, you're powerful," Mami admits. "But you can't go barging into every situation like that. It's dangerous, and o-one day you're going t-to run into something you can't handle. I..."

She breaks off, squeezing her eyes shut in pain. "I know you're trying to help. You're a good person, Sabrina. But you can't- I can't-"

[] Write-in

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From an external point of view, Sabrina has the self-preservation instincts of a suicidal lemming.
 
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You put one arm around Mami, trying to pull her closer to you.

She resists, shaking her head.

"This... isn't something you can hug away," Mami says. " I-I'm... I'm terrified, Sabrina. For you... at the thought of l-losing y-you..."

Withdrawing your arm, you look down at your lap, searching for the right words. Finally, you look back at her, gaze steady. "Thank you, Mami."

A frown begins to form on Mami's face.

"Thank you for caring about me," you say, shaking your head with a smile. "It's... just not something I'm used to, you know?" Your smile disappears. "But I'm sorry. I just keep being... more and more trouble for you, and you don't deserve it, at all. It isn't fair to you... I keep having to say I'm sorry."

"Sabrina..." Mami trails off, looking stricken. "I- no, you're not a burden!"

"I... I don't mean that, Mami," you say. "I- I..." you swallow, hard. "I wouldn't have done that without a good reason. And I had one."

Mami winces, looking down. "I believe you, Sabrina. You're a good person. It's j-just-"

"Mami, I was warned that if I didn't do something, Masami would have died," you say. "But I was careful... I did my best to not to pick a fight, and it worked out in the end."

Mami gives out a choked laugh. "I believe you," she repeats. "And I wouldn't w-want you to s-stop. You w-wouldn't be y-you anymore. But I can't- I can't-"

You try to hug Mami again, and this time, she lets you, sagging against you and staring blindly at nothing in particular. It's not very comfortable, half twisted on the couch like this... but you don't care very much. You stroke her back soothingly, slow rhythmic circles.

"Mami," you say. "If I hadn't gone... Masami was... badly injured. Her magic was the only thing keeping her alive... and Oriko warned me that if I didn't do anything, the Sendai group would have refused to heal her, and... she'd have died soon after. I-I know we shouldn't trust Oriko so easily, but..."

Mami shakes her head, and begins speaking, muffled by your shoulder. "Y-you couldn't leave it. A-and t-that's something amazing, Sabrina. B-but-"

"Hush, Mami," you say. "You are a wonderful, wonderful person, and you're not going to lose me so easily. I know I'm taking risks that seem bad, but I'm here to stay. I promise, Mami."

You can feel Mami swallow hard.

"I-I'm not such a good person," she whispers.

"Yes, you are Mami," you say insistently.

"I-I," she hiccups. "I- earlier... h-hoped you w-wouldn't regain your m-memories, Sabrina. B-because. Y-you would l-leave me..."

"No," you say, still hugging her tightly. "No, I wouldn't, Mami. And no, I'm not leaving you now."

"I want to believe you," she whispers. "I want to believe you so badly."

"I promise, Mami," you repeat. It's the only thing you can really do. "I won't leave you."

"I-" she sniffles. "I hope so. I-I don't think I c-could t-take it i-if-" She finally starts crying, great wailing sobs into your shoulder and clutching you tightly like a lifeline.

You let her, holding her and rubbing her back gently.

Finally, she stops crying, sobs petering out into little sniffles. She sits back, and you give her a smile. She returns it, eyes reddened and watery, but nevertheless a smile.

"I s-should go and clean myself up," she murmurs. You experience a moment of deja vu - didn't she say exactly that the last time?

"Mami," it's your turn to swallow hard. "I need to tell you something... painful. But it's important, and you need... no, you deserve to know. But, um. Yes, clean up, first."

Mami blinks at you confusedly, distress beginning to show on her face again.

"No! It's nothing to do with..." you say hastily, waving your hands at her. "I... what I said is true, Mami. You won't lose me."

Mami remains seated on the sofa. "O-OK. Tell me."

You take a deep breath. "It's... Mami, when I woke up, I knew about the magical girl system, and one of the things... I didn't actually see this until our fight with Oriko and now with Masami..." You trail off.

You're stalling.

Mami looks increasingly distressed, worried lines forming around her eyes, still puffy and red from her crying. "What is it, Sabrina?"

"We- Magical girls can survive injuries that would normally kill people... Injuries that can kill instantly." You swallow again, but it doesn't really budge the lump in your throat. "Impossible injuries. You- we can survive them."

Mami blinks. "Y-yes, magic can do amazing things..."

You shake your head. "Mami, with healing, we can walk away from a severed head, or having your lungs, and heart, and half your torso gone. Oriko did. Masami did."

A cringe. "W-with m-magic, m-miracles can h-happen..."

You close your eyes, turning your head away, before looking back at her. That lump in your throat isn't going anywhere... "Yes, it is, but in this case... Mami," you take her left hand gently in both of hers. Her left hand, where her Soul Gem ring is. "Mami... our Soul Gems can keep us alive. Because," you swallow. "Because that's what we are now. This is where our soul is... now."

It takes a moment to sink in, her face going blank, and then switching to shock. "M-my soul... my soul... y-you're j-joking-"

You shake your head. "No. M-Mami, I-"

"K-Kyuubey woul-" She bolts midsentence, knocking the sofa over backwards and spilling you to the floor with a heavy thump. You hastily struggle to your feet and scramble after her, reaching the bathroom as she begins to empty her stomach into the toilet.

[] Write-in

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This one was tricky to write.
 
You rush to Mami's side, dropping to your knees beside her as she heaves into the toilet. Ugly, fat tears stream down her face, running together, white knuckled fists supporting her agaisnt the edge of the toilet bowl. Gently, you brush her hair back, and hold it with one hand, while you rub her back gently with your free hand.

"Shhh," you say. "I'm here, Mami."

"I-I-" she's interrupted by another bout of vomiting, the remains of her lunch splattering into the toilet bowl.

"Hush," you say. "It's OK. It'll be OK."

You hope that you're not lying.

A fraction of your attention is kept on watching Grief boil into existence in Mami's Soul Gem, a dark reflection of her actual emotional turmoil. It's nothing dangerous yet, though, since you've been scrupulously keeping everyone's Gems clean.

Mami laughs, a choked, gurgling noise. "H-how c-ca-" This time, nothing but bile comes up. "M-my soul is in a r-r-rock-"

You cringe.

"But you're still you, no matter what Kyuubey did," you say. Another fraction of your attention lets you grab a towel by pinching it between two marbles, and you drop it into the sink, smacking the tap on with a marble, and off again a few moments later when you judge the towel wet enough.

You hug her tightly, both arms around her waist. "No matter what. You're still you, Mami. Still a good person. One who has an amazingly kind heart, one who always means well... a prodigy, who's saved countless lives and always does what good she can. My friend, Mami, kind and good and caring."

The blonde seems to have nothing left in her as she sobs against the toilet. You firmly tug her around to face you, and she collapses against you, throwing her arms around your shoulders, weeping into your chest. You stroke her hair, and continue to speak in a low, soothing tone, uncaring of the vomit and tears soaking into your blouse.

"There was no way you could have known," you say, and hesitate a little. "No with Kyuubey intentionally keeping it from everyone... and I am truly, truly sorry I had to break it to you like this. But you need... you deserve to know."

"K-Kyuubey- T-the girls I-I've-" Mami whimpers.

"It's not your fault, Mami," you say insistently. "It's not your fault."

"K-Kyuub-bey- M-m-my friend..."

"I'm sorry," you say. "More sorry than I could possibly say. But I'm here, Mami. I'm here for you, and that's not going to change no matter what."

"Why did you do that?" a familiar, unpleasantly sweet voice sounds in her head. "Tomoe Mami did not need to know."

You control your reaction, carefully craning your head around to look for the Incubator while still holding Mami tightly, letting her sob against you - though she doesn't seem to be about to stop. You finally spy Kyuubey, perching catlike on the sill of the bathroom window, red eyes staring down at the two of you huddled together.

[] Write-in

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Ho-hum.
 
"You." White hot anger seethes in your voice and courses in your veins, and Mami flinches in your embrace. "Mami deserves to know the truth, you emotionless, deceptive little abomination. You used Mami all this time. You pretended to be her friend, and you've strung her along for years."

You can feel Mami wilt, every word almost a physical blow hammering down on her... And the only thing you can do is hold her, reassuring her that you're still here. She struggles weakly in your hug, and you loosen it a little, allowing her to half turn to look at the Incubator.

"Y-you're n-n-not denying i-i-it," Mami says, in an alien, raspy croak so unlike her usual gentle tones you only realize it's her by the movement of her jaw.

"No," Kyuubey agrees, jumping down from the window sill and slinking along the floor, prowling around you. "I would not deny the truth."

"T-the truth-!" Mami chokes out, burying her face in your shoulder as her sobbing begins anew.

"And you were never in any danger, were you?" you ask quietly, following its motion along the floor. Your voice drips with vitriol. "You pretended you were hurt... that you were in danger. But you never were, were you? You wanted Mami to worry about your 'life'. For her and Homura to fight. And all for what? More contracts."

A fraction of your attention is spent gathering a few more marbles from your bag outside.

"You are remarkably well informed," Kyuubey observes, stopping in front of you -behind Mami's back- and fixing an unblinking red stare upon you.

"Y-you- I-I-" Mami's barely coherent any more.

"Hush, Mami," you soothe, but feel compelled to explain a little. "Kyuubey... isn't really alive. His body can be destroyed, but he just... comes back."

"I am alive," Kyuubey corrects, tail continuing to lash furiously behind it in a sinuous, hypnotic motion.

"Whatever," you say, exerting your will. "Go away."

A wave of marbles closes in on the Incubator, bracketing it. It barely has time to dodge before the marbles slam into... and through it, tearing their way through the soft body and pulping it with stacatto, sickening little crunches. It slumps over in a little pile of white and red gunk with the consistency of jelly.

Mami flinches violently in your arms, twisting to look. "W-what... K-kyuubey!"

"He's not dead," you say grimly, even as you scoop up the remains and drop them out the window. "I haven't even seriously inconvenienced him." You switch smoothly to telepathy. "Isn't that right, Kyuubey?"

"You are an excellent actress, Sabrina," Kyuubey replies, though it doesn't physically reappear.

Mami chokes, muffled by your shoulder.

"Mami," you say. "None of this is your fault. Just... there's no way you could have known, no way you could have found out, and no reason to even suspect him. It's what he does."

"S-Sabrina," Mami asks. "W-what d-did... w-what d-did he mean? Y-you..."

[] Write-in

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Fuck you too, coobie.
 
Mami struggles weakly in your hug, trying to pull back. You keep your arms around her, though, not letting her go, and she eventually sags against you, shuddering sobs shaking her body as you continue stroke her back gently.

"I..." you swallow. "I knew, Mami. I don't know how, but I knew, right from the start. I..." you laugh bitterly. "For all that I knew, Mami, I had no idea how to tell you the truth, about the Soul Gem... or Kyuubey."

Mami's sobbing quietens - she's listening, at least.

"I knew you thought of Kyuubey as a good friend-" her only friend, "-and I didn't want to hurt you like... this. So I... pretended. I know they're horrible... and I had no idea how to tell you."

You sigh, and continue. "I'm sorry for not telling you sooner, for hiding this from you... but I'm your friend, Mami, from the beginning. Because I wanted to help, and because you are you, good, and kind, and caring."

"I'm sorry," you say again. "But... no matter what, I still want to help you. I'm still your friend, Mami, if you can forgive me."

A long silence, as your heart plummets.

"Y-yo-" Mami croaks. "I-I... I w-want to b-believe you. A-and y-you're a good p-person and I-I- please, S-Sabrina, I, I-"

"Shh," you hug her tightly. "Always, Mami. I'll be here, if you let me."

"Y-yo-" She struggles weakly, pushing herself away from you, and, wincing, you let her. Her eyes are wild even as tears course down her face, pale and drawn. "B-but, bu- y-yo- knew a-and you k-knew me and y-you-"

Her Soul Gem is a poisonous abscess of corruption, Grief bubbling into the world.

[] Write-in

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mumi why
 
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You suck in a worried breath, and reach out, hand and powers moving in synchronization. Grief, viscous and ropy, streams from Mami's Soul Gem ring, whorls and eddies forming as the bilious mass accretes into your compressed spheres. Grief floods from your own Gem to join the billowing cloud, and you empty out both your Soul Gems.

Mami flinches with a quiet whimper, leaning backwards.

Away from you.

It's... it's the first time Mami ever looked at you like that.

Not even that very first time, when you and Mami found out, together, that you could do it.

And she sags, shock rippling across her face.

"M-mami," you whisper, your own voice cracking. "I was afraid. So-" you swallow again, "so scared. I didn't know how you'd take it. I didn't w-want to hurt you. I was scared, and I'm sorry. So, so sorry."

Mami's shrunken into a wretched, miserable huddle, hugging her legs to her chest as wild, frantic eyes stare at you.

"I'm sorry," you repeat. "I... wanted to find another way. A better way. B-but..." You make a helpless little gesture with your hands. "I-I- know it doesn't mean much, but I'm sorry."

You take a deep, shuddering breath. "B-but," you say. "I meant every word I said. About wanting to be your friend, about everything I wanted to do, to help you."

A keening noise from Mami, like an injured animal, as she sways slightly, tears still dripping in slow, fat droplets down her face. Her eyes, puffy and red, stay on your face, searching desperately for answers to questions unknown.

It hurts, seeing her like this.

"Mami," you say. "Mami, please... even if you can't forgive me... please stop hurting yourself like this. Please."

You fall silent, and try to meet Mami's eyes.

She's avoiding looking at you.

When she speaks, her voice is ragged and raw. "I-I... G-g-go a-awa-"

She doesn't even finish it, bursting out in loud, renewed wails as she hugs her knees even tighter, a small, wretched ball of misery.

Her Soul Gem is still darkening rapidly.

[] Leave
[] Stay
[] Write-in


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mumi

mumi no
 
Your heart plummets even further, and you feel tears prickling at your eyes.

Woodenly, you dip your hand into your pocket, pulling out two Grief Seeds - Aurora, and Gwen, and put them in front of her, two little clinks of metal on tile.

"Mami..." you catch her attention, and she raises her head a little to peek at you over her knees. "If..." you swallow. "If your Soul Gem gets too dark, p-please, use these."

You reach out a hand to her... and wince, shoulders sagging when Mami sways back. "Mami... I'm not going to leave you. But I'll give you some space. I'll be in the kitchen, OK?"

You push yourself to your feet, knees protesting from the time you've been kneeling on the bathroom floor.

On leaden feet, you walk out of the bathroom.

The sofa is still tilted on its back, from Mami's mad scramble earlier.

You sigh, and right it, easily hefting it back to its proper orientation, and replacing the cushions.

A tear drops to the cushions.

You lean on the sofa, head bowed and supporting yourself with both hands on the back of the sofa.

And you just breathe.

You want Mami to be alright.

You just want her to be alright and happy again.

There's a few more wet spots on the sofa.

Another sigh, and you stump into the kitchen, and put the kettle on to boil.

Mami would appreciate some tea, surely.

You lean against the counter, and then let yourself slide down to the floor, hugging your knees to yourself in a mirror of Mami's position. You can still feel her, a blaze of magic and Grief, sitting in the bathroom where you'd left her... two Grief Seeds untouched on the floor in front of her.

Well, she doesn't need them yet.

You stare blindly at the opposite wall as you wait for the kettle to boil.

You jerk upright as a thought strikes you - what if Mami tries to kill herself?

But you can watch her... you can see her motions, written in the delicate burning traceries of magic that make up her body. And she's just... sitting, and rocking back and forth, still in the same miserable huddled position.

The kettle boils, and you lever yourself to your feet, mechanically going through the motions of making a pot of tea. You leave it to steep on the countertop.

"Will you be going Witch hunting tonight?" Homura's voice intrudes on your solitude.

You groan and let your head thump backwards, closing your eyes. Worst timing ever.

"... Sabrina?" A hint of concern enters Homura's voice.

"No, probably not," you reply.

The time traveller hesitates before replying. "Very well."

An unpleasant thought strikes you. "You didn't ask Mami, did you?" you ask.

"No," she replies, sounding puzzled. "Why?"

"Good," you say. "And later."

... the tea's steeped enough by now, and you pour yourself a cup.

Sliding back to the floor again, you drink your tea slowly.

...

The cup's been empty for a while now.

One hand on the countertop, you drag yourself to your feet again. A hand on the side of the teapot tells you that the tea's cold now.

Very briefly, you debate on microwaving it, before grimacing in disgust and pouring it down the drain. You start the kettle again with a sigh.

When the fresh pot of tea is done, you pour out another cup, and look down at it. Maybe...

A few minutes later sees you shuffling back into the bathroom, where Mami's still hunched in a miserable ball. She's stopped crying, at least. The two Grief Seeds lie untouched in front of her.

"M-mami," you say softly, and she looks up at you, expression haunted. You gently put the cup down in front of her, away from the Grief Seeds. "H-here. I made you some tea."

Her eyelids flutter rapidly, as if she's about to cry again. You wince, closing your eyes. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have..."

You turn to go. There's a crash, a tinkling of metal skittering across tile, and you stumble when two arms wrap around your leg, holding on with desperate strength.

"D-don't go." It's a tiny whisper. "Don't l-leave m-me."

Mami's thrown herself across the floor to latch on to you, ignoring the tea and the Grief Seeds in the way.

[] Write-in

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Oh come on Mami, make up your mind already.
 
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Relief washes through you. Relief, and regret that you'd brought Mami to this.

"I'm not going anywhere, Mami," you say. Her desperate grip on your leg only intensifies as she silently hangs on.

Carefully, you turn in her grasp and kneel down, gently breaking her hold on her leg. She lets out an anguished wail, and then throws her arms around you, hanging on with the same desperate strength. You hug her back just as fiercely, crooning wordlessly in her ear.

The smell of vomit wafting from the toilet is starting to become unbearable. An idle thought sends a marble over to depress the button, and the toilet flushes noisily. Mami flinches at the sudden noise of rushing water.

"Shhh," you say to her. "It's alright. I'm here. I'm here, Mami."

She starts crying again, this time, slow, shuddering sobs.

You hold her for an interminable amount of time. You've been kneeling like this on the bathroom floor for long enough that the tiles are warming under you, your shirt is soaked with tears and mucus and traces of vomit, and your knees are aching.

It's fine, though.

You stay as Mami's tears finally ebb and she pulls back a little. This time, you let her, and she gives you a wobbly, fragile smile, arms still held loosely around her shoulders. Her eyes are red and puffy, and her face is blotchy from the crying, but she smiles.

You reach out a hand for the towel as you convey it over with a few Grief marbles. It's a little too wet, so you wring it out, and gently begin cleaning her face, wiping away the vomit stains and tear tracks.

"I'm not going to leave you, Mami," you say gently.

"I-I-" she begins, and licks her lips, dry and cracked. "I s-shouldn't have t-told you to g-go a-a-away."

You shake your head. "It's OK. I'm still here, aren't I?" You smile at her as you wipe the towel along her cheek. She closes her eyes and leans into your hand, rubbing up against the towel.

"Y-yes," she says at last. "Y-you... yes."

"So, um," you say, as you finish cleaning Mami's face. "Do you want some tea?"

Mami chuckles weakly. "Yes, that would be great."

You smile, and rise to your feet. Mami holds her hands up to you. "H-help me up?"

You toss the towel at the sink, and grab her by the hands, pulling her to her feet. Her hands are cold, but warm quickly in yours.

You turn, releasing her hands, and head back out into the living room proper. Mami follows closely behind you, almost tripping over you. "Ahh... you can sit on the sofa, I'll be right out with the tea, OK?" you tell Mami, waving at the righted sofa, and head in to the kitchen.

You check the tea - still warm, so that's fine. You reach for a new cup, and blink when Mami hands one to you with a smile.

"Uh," you say eloquently, but take the cup, and fill it before handing it to Mami.

"Thank you, S-sabrina," she replies, and takes a sip at the tea that quickly becomes an unrefined guzzle, and no wonder - she must be thirsty, by now.

"Easy," you soothe as you take the now empty cup and refill it for her. "Shall we move back to the living room?"

"O-OK," she agrees, taking the refilled cup and sipping from it more sedately. She makes no move back to the living room, though, eyeing you.

You shake your head with a smile, and walk to the living room. Mami follows closely behind you again, and when you sit on the sofa, she immediately sits next to you. She seems content to simply watch you.

[] Write-in

=====​

Mumi-limpet get! *fanfare*
 
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You let Mami finish her tea first. "C'mon, Mami," you say. "You should change into some clean clothes... so should I, really."

The blonde blinks at you, and then down at herself. "Y-yeah, you're right. U-um..." She begins to rise, and then casts a worried look back at you.

"I'll still be here, Mami," you reassure her, rising yourself.

"Um," she swallows. "Right."

You move to the room you've claimed as your own, and Mami to hers. She hesitates at the door and glances back at you to make sure you're still there, which you respond to with a smile. She returns a rather wobbly one, before pulling the door shut behind her.

You sigh.

Not healthy, to say the least, but hopefully it'll pass soon.

You close the door and change, into another old blouse of Mami's.

When you open the door, you find Mami, similarly changed into a clean blouse, standing outside, wringing her hands and looking anxiously at you. Her hair is rather dishevelled, the distinctive golden coils of her hair trapped in the blouse.

You hide your dismay, smiling at her instead. "See? I told you I'd still be here."

Mami nods rapidly, but otherwise simply stands there.

"Alright, back to the sofa, then?" you suggest.

"O-OK..." Mami agrees.

You move back to the sofa, reclaiming your earlier seat, and pat the cushions beside you, looking up at Mami. She sits beside you, immediately pressing up against you. She fidgets a little with her hair, carefully pulling the sadly squashed coils out of her blouse and patting them back into shape.

"Hey Mami," you say. "May I clean your Gem?"

Mami nods. "O-of course," she says, holding out her left hand, Soul Gem manifesting on her open palm. It looks, and feels, perfectly normal, still the same golden honey colour, if somewhat tarnished.

Candeloro is still coiled within, a slowly bubbling font of Grief.

You can fix the tarnishing, anyway, and proceed to do just that, siphoning off the Grief and into the usual marble forms.

Mami sags against you as the pent up Grief is drained away, watching it pour out if her Gem.

You sigh yet again. "Mami, how are you? How are you feeling?"

She stays silent for a moment, gathering her thoughts. "I-I'm a r-rock. And Kyuubey did this to me..." she whispers, without looking at you. "Kyuubey..."

"A rock?" you ask, sitting upright and gently nudging her upright, too. Mami looks hurt, but acquiesces when you grab her hand by the wrist. You press her hand to her chest, over her heart. "Feel that?"

"I-I-" Mami stutters. "D-do you mean my h-heartbeat?"

"Yeah," you say. "You're still you, Mami, no matter what. Not a rock. Still alive, still a good person, still my friend. Don't doubt any of that, Mami."

"Y-you mean it, right?" Mami says anxiously. "I-I t-thought... Kyuubey..."

You nod, even as your expression flattens out into a heavy frown. "It let you think that, Mami. Kyuubey... lies by omission, if not outright. It's been doing this for a long time."

Mami sways, dismay creeping across her face again.

"Don't blame yourself," you tell her. "None of this is your fault."

"I..." Mami swallows. "OK. I- OK."

You sit in silence for a bit, Mami leaning against you again. "Hey, Mami?"

"Mmm?"

"Do you want to cook dinner or something? It's getting late now..." you ask.

"Ummm," Mami mumbles. "OK."

You gently nudge Mami to sit upright, and then stand, stretching a little. Mami follows suit, and the two of you proceed off to the kitchen.

You pull open the fridge. "Hmm... what shall we cook? We're running a bit low on food, really."

Mami nods. "I... shop for myself," she says, before her expression shifts to sudden alarm. "But it's OK! W-we can go grocery shopping tomorrow."

You pat her on the arm. "It's OK, Mami," you say. "I understand."

Mami ducks her head. "Ah... Maybe just some katsu rice?"

"Hmm... pork?" you ask, closing the fridge and pulling open the freezer instead.

"I think so," Mami says.

With Mami presiding over the deep fryer while you handled the rest of the preparations, it doesn't take the two of you long to prepare a quick dinner of some rice, fried pork cutlets, and some miso soup to go with it. The two of you seat yourselves at the table, and dig in to the savoury, crispy cutlets, contrasted with the pleasantly bland rice.

As the two of you eat, you can see Mami darting worried little glances at you.

"This is really good," you tell Mami, holding up a piece of the cutlet.

"Thank you, Sabrina!" she says brightly, with a smile belying the worried looks she's been sending you the whole time.

[] Call Nagisa to tell her about coobie
[] Talk to Mami
- [] About...
[] Talk to Homura
[] Clean up the bathroom
[] Go to sleep
[] Write-in


=====​

Saturday school varies by school, in Japan. I'm ruling Mitakihara Middle as a no. (And Shirome a yes, but that's neither here nor there.)
 
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The two of you continue eating, while Mami sneaks little glances at you as she does.

"Hey, Mami?" you say, catching her attention.

She immediately swallows her mouthful and looks attentively at you. "Yes, Sabrina?"

"What shall we do tomorrow?" you ask, hiding a grimace at the way Mami's hanging on to your words.

"Oh..." She purses her lips, thinking. "Ah... well, we need groceries. And... we were going to go shopping for clothes for you, weren't we?" She suddenly looks anxious again. "I-if that's alright with you?"

You nod with a smile. "Sounds good, Mami. Are we going to bring Madoka and Sayaka along? And Homura?"

"Maybe not for the groceries?" Mami offers. "But if you want them along..."

"Nah, you're right," you agree. "Grocery shopping isn't terribly interesting. We can ask them tomorrow?"

"That sounds good," Mami says, a smile lighting up her face at your approval, chasing away her worried frown. "We can get groceries at the supermarket nearby, but for shopping... There's a big shopping center we can go to..." She directs an appraisingly look upon you. "You'd look good in... light colours. White, blue... hm... green?"

She blinks, and a frown sneaks its way onto her face again. "Of course, if you have any preferences..."

You shake your head. "Nah, I'm sure you can help me pick something nice," you smile. "It's OK, Mami, it really is."

Mami bobs her head. "If you say so."

You quickly finish up your dinner and clean up, Mami a warm presence at your side as the two of you wash the dishes at the sink. "Hmmm..." you mumble as your elbow bumps against Mami again.

"So-sorry!" the blonde says, instantly bouncing clear of you as if she'd touched a hot stove.

"No, not that, Mami," you reassure her. "It's fine! I was just thinking I should call Nagisa again."

"O-oh," Mami says, skittishly creeping closer to you again. Very deliberately, you nudge her in the ribs with your elbow, drawing a startled giggle from the blonde.

"I think... we should warn her about Kyuubey," you say.

"O-oh," she says, face immediately falling. "She... she's a potential?"

"Yeah," you reply. "I'm sorry, but..."

"I-I- understand," Mami nods, closing her eyes in pain.

You wipe your hands dry, and draw her into a hug. "Do you... want to help?"

She shakes her head wordlessly.

Before too long, Mami's sitting down to do her homework after a little coaxing from you. You grab the house phone, and dial Shin's phone number, and walk around the living room patiently while it rings - it's a cordless phone.

"BIG SIS!" A yell greets you the moment the call is picked up. You lean away from the receiver, laughing. Mami glances up at you with a wan smile.

"Hi, Nagisa," you say. "How are you?"

"Ah... good!" she says. "Uncle Shin says that I'll be staying with him from now on!"

That was remarkably fast, you muse. Then again, her uncle probably didn't tell her the full details. "Oh, that's good," you say. "Hey, listen," you add as you walk further away from Mami, hoping she doesn't hear you - wouldn't do to remind her, after all. "Do you remember what I said about a talking white cat?"

"Huh?" Nagisa says. You can imagine the little tilt of her head accompanying that questioning tone. "Cats can't talk, big sis."

Kids.

"Ah... well, this one can. If a white talking cat with pink eyes and these ribbony tassel things coming out of its ears talks to you," you tell her, "Be careful, OK? Tell me immediately, and don't agree to anything it says."

"O-OK?" Nagisa says, sounding confused. "If you say so."

"Alright," you nod. "Please remember, Nagisa, this is important," you stress, trying to impress the seriousness of the situation upon her.

You talk to Nagisa a little more before hanging up the phone call -apparently her uncle is busy with something?- and go over to Mami, who seems to have stalled on her homework and has been gazing aimlessly at the wall in between darting glances at you.

"What's wrong, Mami?" you ask.

"Kyuubey," she says simply.

You grimace, patting her arm. "You didn't know, Mami."

"It's just..." Mami shakes her head. "You won't... leave me, right?"

"Silly Mami," you smile. "I've said it before, you're a wonderful person, and I'm proud to be your friend."

Mami takes a shaky breath. "Thank you, Sabrina."

"Anyway, do your homework, OK? I'll go clean up the bathroom," you tell her.

"Ah... I should help," she says, half rising from her chair.

You gently push her down with your hands on her shoulders. "It's fine, Mami, I can handle this."

"O-OK," she says.

You head to the bathroom, golden eyes watching you anxiously as you move. You give Mami a smile and a wave before disappearing into the bathroom.

"Homura?" you call telepathically as you hunt for a mop to mop up the spilled tea. The Grief marbles scattered around float themselves back into your sling bag in the living room, and you pocket the two Grief Seeds.

"Busy," she snaps back. "One moment. OK, done."

"Uhhh... right," you respond. Timestop, you figure. You finally locate the mop and begin mopping up the bathroom. "I uh, told Mami about the nature of Soul Gems."

"You did what." Flat disbelief colours Homura's usually emotionless voice.

"I told Mami about Soul Gems... and Kyuubey," you say.

Telepathy conveys a weary sigh to you. "Understood. You... can stay over at my house."

"Uh, that won't be necessary," you reply. Where did you toss that towel earlier? You find it in the sink, and wring it out, before dropping it into the wash basket.

"... explain?" Homura asks, tone utterly befuddled.

"I'm still staying with Mami," you tell her. "She's fine. Ish. I'm still, uh, helping her deal with it."

"... OK...?"

"So... yeah. That's what I wanted to tell you," you say.

"... OK?" Homura replies.

"Yeah," you say. "Um, bye. See you tomorrow, maybe? We might be going shopping."

"... Right... Bye," the time traveller agrees.

You rinse off the mop in a bucket of water, as Mami appears in the doorway. "I'm done with my homework!" she says, looking around the bathroom, and at you, anxiously.

You smile at her. "That's good. I'm about done here too," you say as you tip the dirtied water away. "How about your test?"

Mami shakes her head. "Not tonight, I think, unless yo-"

"Mami, no," you say. "If you think it's fine, then it's fine. Anyway, do you want to shower, or may I have it first?"

"Ah, you should shower first, of course!" Mami says.

You smile. "Thanks."

She lingers in the bathroom, simply watching you as you put the mop and the bucket back, before reluctantly stepping out of the room for you to shower. When you finish said shower, you find her sitting on the sofa, watching the door fretfully. Her expression immediately clears when you open the door, though.

"Hey, your turn," you call.

Mami's shower is extraordinarily quick, and she bursts out of the bathroom in mere minutes, eyes hunting for you, and only relaxes when she sees you sitting on the sofa, idly watching the television. She moves over, and sits beside you, shoulder bumping yours while she combs out her damp hair with her fingers to help it dry.

"S-Sabrina?" she asks. "Is it OK if... you sleep in my room tonight? U-uh, not on the same bed! We never did move that mattress out..."

[] Agree
[] Disagree
[] Write-in next morning's activities
[] Write-in


=====​

Nope, got nothin'. Oh wait, yes, I do.

Here ends Chapter 5: Undue Alarm. Because seriously. Undue alarm. Over the Sendai girls.

Chapter 6, Apprehension, begins with the next post.
 
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"Sure," you agree carefully.

"A-ah. You're sure you're OK with it? I mean, if you'd rather sleep in your own room..." Mami asks anxiously.

"No, it's fine," you smile at her.

"Thank you, Sabrina." She returns the smile tentatively. "Umm... I need my hairbrush."

You shake your head. "Go ahead! I'll be right here," you say.

Mami pushes off the couch and moves to her bedroom. You can hear her yanking the drawer open, before she darts back out into the living room with her hairbrush in hand, eyes fretfully hunting for you again. You smile at her from the sofa, and she hurries over to sit beside you again.

You pat her on the shoulder as she shuffles forward a little bit on the sofa seat and begins brushing her hair, leaning forward to avoid the sofa back. Her eyes slide closed, and she hums a little in contentment over the familiar task.

Eventually, her hair is brushed to her satisfaction, and she looks at you.

"Time to sleep?" you ask.

"OK," Mami says.

The two of you move to her bedroom, and you find the mattress leaning against a wall. "I'll take the mattress, OK?" you say, before Mami can offer.

"No, you can take the bed," the blonde disagrees.

You hold up a hand. "Mami, it's your bed, and the mattress is perfectly comfortable," you say.

"O-oh," Mami says, looking like a kicked puppy. "If you're sure."

"I'm sure," you smile at Mami as you drag the mattress over beside the bed while Mami helps you bring over the pillow and blankets.

"Ah... well," Mami perches on the edge of her bed, watching you settle down for the night. "Good night, Sabrina."

"Good night, Mami," you say, burrowing under the blankets as she turns out the lights.

=====​

When you wake up -late, since it's a weekend and you didn't set an alarm clock-, there's a warm presence burrowed into your side.

Well.

Can't say you didn't expect that.

You look down at Mami's peacefully sleeping face, pressed against your shoulder.

"Mami," you say, gently shaking her. "Time to wake up."

"Mrh," the blonde mumbles, cuddling closer to you.

... can't say you didn't expect that, either.

"Mami!" you say a little louder, and shaking her a little more firmly.

"Mrrrm..." Golden eyes crack open, peering lazily at you, before they fly fully open in alarm. "Sabrina?" The blonde flinches back from you and pulls herself into a sitting position, cringing like she's touched a hot stove. "Ah! I'm sorry!"

You shake your head, likewise sitting up. "It's fine, Mami. Just... it's past eight now," you say, tilting your head at the clock.

"Oh," Mami says. "I'm sorr-"

"Don't," you say, but soften the rebuke with a smile. "You have nothing to apologize for, OK? And we're both awake now, so... breakfast?"

"I... yes, that would be nice," Mami says.

"Alright, then." You rise to your feet, yawning hugely and stretching. The sun streaming in through the window is a stark contrast from yesterday's enormous storm, and a glance at the twisted, tangled mess of bedsheets on Mami's bed - it's easy enough to guess at what happened last night, you think. Nightmares and then some.

You wash yourself up, going through the familiar routines of your morning ablutions, with rather more haste than usual - you suspect Mami is giving the door that lost puppy look again.

And indeed, she is, to which you can only respond with what you hope is a reassuring smile. Or...

An idea strikes you, and you direct a handful of Grief marbles to waft out of your bag, moulding themselves into your musical instruments. "Hey, Mami," you smile at her as you meander over to the sofa. "Do you have any requests?"

"Ah... maybe that tune again?" Mami asks, smiling tentatively. "If that's OK?"

"Sure," you agree, and begin playing. "I'll be in the kitchen, OK?"

Mami nods timidly as she walks into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her.

You leave the instruments playing in the living room as you move to the kitchen to begin preparing some simple breakfast. Hopefully the music should reassure her... though you're not entirely sold on it.

Mami hurries into the kitchen as you set the kettle to boil and turn to stare contemplatively at what you have left, which is not much. "... cereal?" you ask. "We could make pancakes, too, but we had that this week... And it's not like we need to prepare rice for lunch today."

"How about porridge?" Mami suggests.

You shrug. "Sure."

Breakfast, in the end, is a particularly thick porridge, with some pickled vegetables and the very last of the salmon left in the freezer. "Groceries the very first thing today, I guess?" you say as you spoon up some porridge, listening with half an ear to the weather program playing on television.

Mami nods, delicately grabbing some of the pickled vegetables.

"... Hyundai set to reveal their latest offering early next week..."

"Hm... do you think Madoka, Sayaka, and Homura will be awake yet?" you ask thoughtfully.

"... sunny today over Mitakihara City, with a possibility of light showers in Kasamino..."

Mami nods. "I guess so?"

"Well, let's try it," you say, and reach out, including Mami in the telepathic call. "Hello?"

Homura's the first the respond, with a simple. "Good morning."

"Ah! Sabrina, Homura?" Madoka responds. "Good morning!"

"Mnnnnugh," is Sayaka's only response.

"Sayaka!" Madoka says. "How are you?"

"Madoka?" Even Sayaka's mental voice is slurred from sleep.

"Oh, are you sleeping?" the pinkette asks. You glance across the table at Mami and roll your eyes with a grin, to which she responds with a smothered giggle.

"I was," Sayaka complains muzzily.

"Ahem." You inject yourself back into the conversation. "Good morning, everyone."

"This is the second time you woke me up too early," Sayaka grumbles at you.

"Sayaka!" Madoka scolds. "Good morning, Sabrina! Is Mami there?"

"Yes, I am. Good morning!" Mami says.

"Good morning," Homura repeats patiently.

"Oh, you're here too," Sayaka responds. "Yeah, 'morning, I guess. 's not a good one. Too early."

"Anyway!" you say. "Mami and I are going shopping later today at the big shopping center , maybe after lunch. Would you like to come along?"

"Mrrrrrm. Sure. Mum and dad don't need me around today," Sayaka says.

"Ah... I can go!" Madoka replies.

"I'll be there," Homura responds immediately after the pinkette. If you were the suspicious sort, you'd guess that she had been waiting to see whether Madoka was going before she made her own decision...

"Great! See you all later, then?" you say.

"Later," Sayaka replies. "I'm going back to sleep now."

"See you later!" Mami says brightly.

"See you!" Madoka says.

And finally... "Bye," from Homura.

You smile at Mami as the call ends. "Well, that's that, then!"

Mami smiles at you across the table. "I'm still amazed that you managed to... ah... make Homura human."

"Oh come on, she's not that bad," you tell her.

"I know that now," Mami says. "But I would never have seen it myself..."

"Ah, well," you say meaninglessly. "Groceries time?"

"Sure," Mami nods, pushing back the chair and picking up her dishes for washing.

=====​

Homura's telepathic voice intrudes on you as you contemplate some tomatoes. "Sabrina?"

"Yes, Homura?" you respond absently, selecting a tomato and checking its skin for flaws.

"You told Mami about the nature of Soul Gems."

"I did," you confirm, hefting the tomato in your hand before dropping it into a plastic bag to join another three of its companions.

"And we're going shopping later?" Homura continues.

"Yes?"

"... OK." Homura says.

"Is it that hard to believe?" you ask, a trace of annoyance leaking in to your mental voice.

"... yes," Homura admits.

"Well, it happened," you tell her, looking around for Mami. She's in the next row over, and you catch her peeking at you instead of choosing some vegetables as she's supposed to. You smile at her, and walk over to join her.

=====​

Laden with plastic bags full of groceries, you and Mami walk back home, and unload all the groceries. It's still early, though, about ten thirty.

[] Suggest training
[] Just hang around the apartment
[] Write-in


=====​

You have one thousand, four hundred and thirty seven Grief marbles, and three Grief Seeds in your pockets.

Also, unless you guys vote not to, you'll presumably be going shopping with the others after lunch.
 
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You're sitting on the sofa, Mami again leaning against your side. "Hmmm," you say, as she clicks through the channels on the television.

"Hmmm?" Mami asks, lifting her head to look at you.

"Hmmm," you affirm.

Mami pouts at you.

You grin. "Nah, just thinking, we have a little time to burn right now," you tell her.

"Mmmm," Mami agrees.

"Do you feel up to maybe giving me a little lesson in magic, Mami-sempai?" you ask, grinning at her.

She pouts again in response. "I think I preferred Mami-chan from you, Sabrina."

"... oh, OK, Mami-chan," you say, returning to your more usual mode of address.

She smiles at you. "And of course, Sabrina, if you want to. Mmmm... I don't want to get up, though," she says, nestling comfortably into your side. "Maybe I could just teach you some little tricks?"

"How about enchanting things? Like that thing you did with Sayaka's bat?" you suggest. "... say, what happened to that bat, anyway?"

"Hmmm... Good idea," Mami agrees. "And... I don't know. The enchantment would have gone away after a while, though."

The blonde makes no move to go anywhere, content to just lean her head against your shoulder.

"Uh, Mami?" you ask.

"Oh, um," Mami says. "I need a cup of water."

"Sure, let's go get one," you say, moving to rise. Mami leans insistently on you, though, shaking her head. She holds up a single hand, and you see a golden ribbon snaking away into the kitchen.

"Ooh, clever. You can't see what you're doing, though?" you ask.

Mami grins. "Are you sure?"

"... you can?"

The other end of the ribbon returns, a knot tied firmly around the handle of a teacup full of water, and another heavy knot of ribbon tied just beneath that. The teacup is borne steadily to Mami's waiting hand, and she dismisses the ribbon. "Here, watch this." She concentrates for a moment, a frown flitting across her face, and the cup morphs, golden filigree creeping across the white porcelain like living vines. You can see her magic twining around the cup and infusing it.

"OK," Mami says. "Enchanting things... took me a really long time to figure out on my own. I'm sure you won't take long, though!"

"Because I have a great teacher to help me," you fire back.

Mami blushes slightly. "Well, anyway, one of the first things I figured out was durability." She holds the cup lightly by two fingers, and then reaches up, inverting it over your head.

"Hey!" you begin to protest, jerking away before you realize that nothing's actually coming out of the cup, the water held back by a glowing barrier. Mami chuckles a little.

"Another thing is this barrier trick," she says. "I used it with Sayaka's bat."

"Cool," you say, poking at the barrier, which holds firm against your finger. "Is there by any chance a way of making something bigger on the inside?"

"There should be," Mami says thoughtfully. "I have no idea what happens if the enchantment runs out, though."

"Does it run out when it's out of magic or something?" you ask.

"Exactly," Mami confirms. "Watch, I only put a little bit of magic into the cup." She holds the cup upright, and as she said, the enchantment fades a minute or two later.

"Did you see how I did it earlier?" she asks.

You nod. "I think so."

"OK," she says. "Um." She raises the cup to her mouth and drains it of water before passing it to you. "I'm sure you'll do fine!" she says hastily. "Just... making sure, you know?"

"Heh, good thinking," you say, taking the cup. She lays her hand against yours, warm and soft.

"OK, try it now," she says.

You proceed to do just that, trying to twist your magic in the same way Mami did.

"No, Sabrina, not lik-"

The cup cracks in your hand, a deep split developing in its side.

"... whoops," you say sheepishly.

Mami laughs, before catching herself and choking back her giggles. "Uh, sorry, Sabrina, I didn't mean to laugh at you," she says, peering worriedly at you.

"It's alright, Mami," you say. "Really, you don't need to worry so much. And I'm glad you had to foresight to empty the cup first! So uh... what now?"

Mami shakes her head. "I practiced with rocks after my first, ah, accident, myself. You could keep trying with the cup? Since it's already broken?"

"Guess so," you agree.

You continue trying for half an hour, with Mami's gentle encouragement and corrections, the cup shattering into smaller and smaller pieces with each successive try, but to no real success so far.

"Don't give up, Sabrina!" Mami encourages. "You're getting closer."

"Mmmm," you mumble, sifting through the small pile of porcelain shards. "At least nothing's exploded yet?"

Mami nods in agreement. "I did that, the first time. The rock completely fragmented."

"Ugh," you say. An idea strikes you. "Eh... I'll leave this aside for now and come back another time? In the mean time, I have an idea - you have Tiro Finale, right?"

Mami nods, giving you a curious look.

"Maybe we should come up with a special attack for me?" you suggest.

Mami beams at you. "That's a good idea!" She immediately subsidesand glances around the living room. "Ah... you can't practice it in here, though."

"Heh, I know," you chuckle. "Just brainstorming, you know? We can try them out tomorrow or whenever we have time?"

"Well, what do you think you can do?" Mami says.

"Maybe a giant blade to stab something with? Or just... tearing apart a Witch like I did with that giant bird?" you suggest.

A pout. "That's not very special," Mami complains. "Um... disso... dissoluzione? Dissoluzione bianca?"

You blink. "Italian, right?"

"Yep!" Mami says. "Every special attack needs a name! Even if it's not a very special attack."

"Hey, I like to think it's pretty neat," you observe, and immediately regret it when Mami's face crumples.

"Oh. I'm sorry, I didn't mea-"

You reach over and press a finger to her lips. "Hey, I'm just teasing, Mami."

The blonde nods, eyes still slightly wild. You remove your finger, and she immediately nestles into your side again, looking up at you with anxious eyes.

You want to sigh, but hold it back - she'll probably take it the wrong way again. "Anyway, shall we make some lunch now, and then go shopping?"

"OK," Mami says.

"Oh, wait," you comment. "Cleansing?"

"OK," Mami repeats, smiling up at you and holding out her hand, golden Soul Gem forming on it. A patina of corruption swirls on it, the majority probably coming from her nightmares last night. You siphon it off, as well as the Grief from your own Gem, and crush the Grief down into marbles.

Mami beams at you. "Thank you, Sabrina!"

"No problem," you say, returning the smile.

[] Anything in particular to say/do during the shopping trip?
[] Write-in


=====​

You have one thousand, four hundred and eighty nine Grief marbles, and three Grief Seeds in your pockets.

Lunch and shopping next - anything special?
 
Lunch is simple, a quick bowl of rice topped with a tofu and minced meat sauce. "So, um, Mami?" you ask as the two of you work on the dishes.

"Yes, Sabrina?" Mami asks.

"So, we're going shopping later, for clothes," you say.

"For you, yes," Mami agrees cheerfully. "Can I have the tap?"

"Sure," you say, swinging it across and returning to soaping down the dishes. "Ah, so... I was thinking, clothes, maybe a mobile phone, and... a bigger bag?"

"Of course, Sabrina," Mami smiles. "Whatever you need. Do you want a touch screen phone, maybe?"

"Nah," you flap a hand at her. "No need, it's a just in case thing."

"Alright," Mami agrees with a smile.

The two of you are soon headed out, while you make a telepathic call to Madoka, Sayaka, and Homura, who affirm that they'll meet you at the shopping center.

You and Mami reach the shopping center first, a gigantic building, designed with smooth concrete curves and bright lights all over the place. The interior consists high ceilings, bright fluorescent lights hidden behind brightly coloured plastic panels, reflecting off the white ceiling to illuminate the building. You wait near the entrance, watching the immense swell of crowds pass by, Mami standing next to you perhaps a little closer than might be normal.

"Hey, Mami, Sabrina!" a cheery voice calls, and you and Mami turn to see Sayaka waving at you. Beside her is Madoka, also waving, and Homura, just a step behind the pinkette. The time traveller's eyes immediately go to the blonde beside you, inspecting her carefully.

"Hello!" Mami responds brightly.

"Hey, everyone!" you call.

"Hello," Homura says quietly as you approach.

"Jeeze," Sayaka mutters. "Why're you even along if you're going to be all gloomy and glare-y like that?"

Homura ignores the bluenette with aplomb.

"Anyway!" you say, catching Mami's eyes and rolling your own, to which she smiles. "Shall we go? I need clothes, and... you do too, don't you, Sayaka?"

"Ah, yeah," the bluenette agrees. "We... mum and dad and I... went shopping a bit yesterday? But we didn't get that much."

"Right," you grin. "Mami? Lead on!"

Mami beams at you, and nudges your elbow. Taking the hint, you walk at her side, deeper into the building, Madoka and Sayaka chattering excitedly behind you and Homura simply ghosting along.

=====​

"Pale green, I think?" Mami says, busily sorting through a rack of blouses while you hover behind, a small stack of clothes to try out.

Madoka nods eagerly. "We can get something in the same colour for Sayaka, too, so that she can match her waifu."

What.

"What?" Sayaka complains. "Not you too!"

Mami's face twitches, a frission of fear crossing it.

"Nah," you say. "Sorry, Sayaka, but I can't live with you any more!" you say dramatically, juggling the clothes so that you can lay the back of your hand to your forehead. "Mainly because I'm not living with you," you add, and stick your tongue out at the girl.

"Well, I'm not complaining," Sayaka grumbles.

Mami presses a blouse into your hands, and slings an arm around your shoulders, gently guiding you in the direction of the changing rooms. "Alright, Sabrina, you should go try these on!" she says, smile slightly brittle. You bump your shoulder against hers, and when she looks up at you, you give her an encouraging smile, which she returns.

=====​

Something catches your eye as you walk past a shop selling plush toys - a gigantic plush toy of a brontosaurus. You pause midstep, giving it a long, considering look. Mami similarly stops, following your eyes to look at the plush toy. Behind you, Sayaka, Homura and Madoka continue for a few steps before noticing the two of you have stopped.

"... nah," you decide at last.

"Are you sure, Sabrina?" Mami asks. "I wouldn't mind buying it for you..."

"Yeah, I'm quite sure," you say. "Just caught my eye, you know? Besides, it'd probably be more trouble than it's worth."

"True," Mami agrees, looking at the bags of clothes you're already carrying. She chuckles a little. "Maybe Homura could put it in her shield?"

"Nah," you say, grinning at her.

"OK," Mami agrees.

=====​

"... ooh, look at this chair! It's so plush and soft!"

You glance at Sayaka's blank, faintly traumatized expression, and then at Mami, who shrugs at you. Homura has a tiny smile on her face as she watches Madoka squeal over, of all things, a chair. The proprietor of the shop looks frazzled, as if it's not the first time Madoka's been by.

... why are you here again?

=====​

"Sooo..." you draw out the syllable. Your hands and Mami's are full of bags; clothes galore, as are Madoka's, Sayaka's, and even Homura's hands - she's helping Madoka carry some bags, of course. The bags aren't heavy, not for you, but they're bulky. "Ice cream?"

"Umm, what's the time?" Madoka asks. "I can't see my watch..."

"Four thirty," Homura informs her.

"Ah, I should be going home, then!" Madoka says, looking disappointed. "Dad said he'd be baking today, I'm supposed to help!"

Sayaka shrugs. "Eh, I guess I'll go home too, then, since Madoka's holding half my stuff."

Homura, who's been trailing along and watching you and Mami like a hawk, seems to struggle with herself a bit. "I shall accompany Madoka home," she decides. "Mami, Sabrina, may I join you later?"

Madoka tugs timidly at the time traveller's elbow, shaking her head minutely before glancing between you and Mami.

Mami, meanwhile, beams at you. "That sounds good!"

[] Ask Homura to come along
[] Write-in


=====​

You know how Mitakihara City has random buildings from Dubai and whatnot? I'm basing the shopping center on Singapore's VivoCity, if you want pictures to imagine with.
 
You shrug. "Sure," you agree easily. "After you get Madoka and Sayaka home? Mami and I will be fine, I'm sure."

Homura nods in agreement. "Of course," she says.

"Right," you say. "You can join us for dinner, maybe?"

"'Of course'?" Sayaka asks sourly. "Why 'Of course', transfer student?"

"Witches, Miki Sayaka," Homura says tonelessly. "Potentials are attractive."

Is that true, you wonder? You don't really seem to remember anything of the sort...

"Psh," Sayaka snorts. "We've been fine for years, haven't we, Madoka?" She raises a hand to clap the pinkette on the shoulder, but gives up halfway, the weight of the bags dropping to her side again.

"It only takes one Witch," Homura points out.

"Sayaka, Homura just wants to help..." Madoka says.

"I think it's a good idea," Mami adds with a smile.

"Fine," Sayaka mutters. "Fine, fine. Let's go, then. Bye Mami, bye Sabrina."

"See you," you reply, Mami echoing you.

"Bye Mami, bye Sabrina!" Madoka says as the trio turn to walk to the bus stop.

Mami favours you with a smile as they walk away. "Shall we go and have that ice cream, then?"

"Yeah, let's," you agree.

"Did we get everything you needed, Sabrina?," Mami asks, as the two of you thread your way through the crowds thronging the shopping center.

"Hmmm... clothes, phone, a bigger bag... I'll need to transfer my stuff over later... Yeah, that's everything," you say, shifting your bags to avoid a toddler bumping along beside his parents.

"That's good," Mami smiles. "You're sure you don't want anything else? That plush, maybe?"

You chuckle. "Nah, it really was something that just caught my eye, Mami."

"OK, if you're sure," Mami says. "Down a floor," she adds, pointing at the escalator.

"I'm sure," you say firmly. "You've already spent so much on me..." you lift the bags you're holding for emphasis. "Thank you, Mami."

"You're welcome," Mami says easily, smiling at you.

You let the conversation lapse after that, and soon arrive at the ice cream parlour. You find a seat, Mami sliding in opposite to you, with the bags plonked down on the seat.

"What would you like, Mami?" you ask, sliding out of the seat again. "I'll go order?"

"Ah... whatever you're having," Mami says.

You can feel Mami's little glances at you on your back as you join the queue, but you quickly return with two glasses, layered with ice cream and strawberries. "Here we are!" you say cheerfully. "Two strawberry parfaits."

"It looks good!" Mami says.

As you begin to dig in to the ice cream, Mami speaks up, waving her spoon at you. "I think you're right, Sabrina."

"Hmm?" you mumble, mouth full of ice cream.

"Homura, and Madoka," she explains.

"I know!" You grin at her after swallowing your mouthful. "Honestly, I'm not sure she fully acknowledges it herself-" for more than one reason "-but yeah."

Mami hums. "Hmm... We should do something about that, shouldn't we?"

"Gotta be careful, though," you note. "She's, ah, a bit skittish about it." You think back to that incident on the roof.

"Mmm," Mami agrees. "Well, we're not in any rush. Plenty of time."

The conversation lapses into a comfortable silence after that as the two of you polish off the parfaits and head home, taking a bus.

You find Homura waiting patiently outside the apartment door. She looks up at the two of you, and very hesitantly, waves.

"Hello, Homura," Mami says warmly as she shuffles the bags between her hands to free one for the keys. "Were you waiting long?"

"Not too long," Homura replies, following the two of you in, removing her shoes.

Mami drops the shopping bags in a corner, and you follow suit. "We'll sort these out later? Or tomorrow? Homura, please make yourself at home."

"Yeah," you agree. It's about time to start preparing dinner, or you could order in?

[] Order in
[] Cook
[] Talk to Homura
- [] About?
[] Talk to Mami
- [] About?
[] What to do after dinner?


=====​

Busy few days ahead. I might have to slow down my updates a little. We'll see.
 
"Hey Mami," you say. "We'll cook something?"

"We should!" Mami beams at you, and then Homura. "Homura, again, make yourself at home. Feel free to watch the television, if you like?"

Homura nods, and quietly settles herself on the sofa.

"Maybe something Italian?" you suggest to Mami.

"Good idea," Mami agrees, her face darkening a little. "Homura definitely liked the pasta, back when... well."

"Hmm, yeah," you say. You reach for the cupboard, hunting for the pasta. "Spaghetti?"

"Well, it's not too late yet, so we have time for something a little more elaborate..." Mami notes. "Lasagne?"

"Ooh, sounds good," you agree. The blonde gives you a warm smile. "We should have some of the lasagne sheets somewhere."

"You know," you comment to Mami as rummage through the cupboards, hunting for the lasagne. "Homura is- Aha, found them. Homura's..." You sketch a figure in the air, and then hold up the box of lasagne noodle and your free palm, rather close together to demonstrate. "Too thin. Noodly, I might say."

Mami giggles as she starts the oven, for preheating. "She is, a little."

"We should do something about that," you grin at her, raising your eyebrows.

"That is... so, so... you." She gives you a soft smile.

You shrug. "So it's agreed then? By the way, garlic? Onions?"

"Agreed," Mami smiles. "And yes to both."

"Hear that, Homura?" you call into the living room. "You're too thin; we're going to fatten you up a bit."

"What?"

"Too thin! Fattening!" you repeat.

"What." Homura appears at the doorway, giving you and Mami unamused looks.

"You're too thin, and we're going to fatten you up," you repeat patiently. "Oh, right!" You reach into your pocket, glancing at Mami while she rinses the chopping board. Your questing fingers find first the bulbous spiked form of a Grief Seed, and then your mobile phone. You pull it out and wave it at Mami. "Hey Mami, what's your phone number? Homura, stay there for a moment."

"Hmm? Oh," Mami says, looking up from the sink. You thumb type her number into your phone, and spend a minute to fiddle with the settings, trying to see if you can set a custom ring tone. You can, it looks like, and you grin. You know what you're going to set for Mami, though you're going to have to remember to record it later...

"Right, Homura," you say, glancing at the time traveller. Amethyst eyes give you a curious look. "What's your phone number? And do you have Madoka's and Sayaka's?"

"Yes, I do," Homura says.

"Right, do you mind?" you lob your phone at her, and she reflexively snatches it out of the air. Meanwhile, you gently steal the chopping board from Mami, and begin chopping up some garlic and onions. She gives you a fondly exasperated look, and instead pulls open the freezer to locate some minced beef.

"Done," Homura says. "I'll leave the phone here?"

"Heh, sure," you nod. "And thanks! By the way, just curious, do you cook?"

"Yes, a little," Homura replies.

"Oh? What do you like to cook?" Mami asks curiously, perking up a little.

"Food," the time traveller says unhelpfully. You give her a Look. "Simple dishes. Noodles, and rice. Explosives."

"Ah, I see," Mami says, before her brain catches up to her mouth. "Wait, what?"

"No, wait," you inject into the converation. "Homura, there's no way you're that clueless. Are you... telling a joke?"

A blank face stares back at you, a tiny, tiny smile tugging at her lips.

... huh.

Behind you, Mami giggles at the sheer absurdity as she begins sauteeing the minced beef.

Homura nods regally, and sweeps back off into the living room.

Mami's giggle becomes a full blown laugh, and you join her.

"So anyway," you say telepathically to Mami as the two of you stand side by side, beginning to layer tomato, beef, cheese, and the lasagne noodle into a pan. "How're you holding up, Mami?"

"I'm fine," she replies, and bumps her shoulder against yours. "With you at my side, how could I not be?"

"Mmm," you say.

The lasagne takes half an hour to bake, the savoury smells of cheese and beef permeating the apartment as the three of you wait outside on the sofa, watching the news. Nothing much seems to be happening. Homura sends occasional, casual glances at the kitchen, and then at Mami and you.

When it's done, the three of you sit down to steaming golden slices of lasagne. Homura barely takes a moment to say the traditional thanks before digging in, her knife and fork moving with alacrity while you and Mami start in a little more sedately.

"This is delicious," Homura volunteers, out of the blue.

You give the girl a startled glance, mirrored by Mami. The blonde recovers first, and smiles. "Thank you, Homura!"

"Mmm." You savour your own lasagne. "This is good, Mami," you smile at her. "You could easily be a professional cook if you wanted to! Don't you think so, Homura?"

Homura nods, mouth full again.

Mami blushes a little. "I'm not that good," she disagrees.

"Yes you are," you say. "You really are."

"Mmmm," Homura mumbles around a mouthful of gooey cheese and beef.

"See?" you gesture at the time traveller. "Homura agrees with me."

"... thanks," Mami says.

[] Further conversation?
[] What next, after dinner?
[] Write-in


=====​

Soon.
 
Homura finishes her slice, and gives the remaining lasagne in the pan a casual look. You catch Mami's eye and grin at her.

"Would you like some more, Homura?" the blonde asks, already reaching for the serving knife.

"No, I've had enough," Homura says politely. You quietly grab her plate, and hand it to Mami. Amethyst eyes frown at you.

"There's plenty to go around," Mami reassures her, hands moving deftly to slice out another generous helping and transferring it over to her plate, before passing it to you. You ceremoniously return the plate to Homura.

The golden brown pasta sits invitingly in front of the time traveller, still gooey cheese dripping to mix with the savoury beef still wafting in the air.

"... thank you," she allows, picking up her fork again.

"You're welcome!" Mami smiles.

"Hmm," you mutter as you chew through another mouthful of lasagne, the cheese and beef contrasting perfectly with the tartness of the tomatoes. "Hey Mami," you say. "What kind of music do you like, anyway?"

"Hmm..." Mami says. "Well, I love that tune you played for me..." she says with a smile. "Pop music too, and, ah, some opera."

"Heh, I could see you as an idol," you say with a smile. "What do you think, Homura?"

The black haired girl's nose wrinkles minutely. "I don't like idols," she mutters, still hungrily shovelling down the lasagne.

Mami looks crestfallen.

"Homura!" you snap at her telepathically.

"... but I'm sure you'll be a good one if you wanted to," Homura adds.

Mami smiles weakly. "Thank you, Sabrina, Homura."

"You'll definitely do well if you want to," you say firmly. "Anyway, speaking of music..."

A few of your Grief marbles drift into the kitchen, melding into the musical instruments.

"How about some dinner music?" you ask, simultaneously slipping your phone out of your pocket. "I'm taking requests after the first song, which is, of course..."

Familiar music fills the apartment, and you hold a finger to your lips, smiling at Mami, while your other hand holds your phone up in the air to get a clearer recording.

Homura raises an eyebrow a fraction of a centimeter at you as you play, and then at Mami, who's swaying her head contentedly along to the tune. Eventually, Homura shrugs, and returns to her dinner.

Finally, the music ends, Mami gracing you with a brilliant smile. "I will never get tired of that song, Sabrina."

You shrug, not really sure how to respond.

Mami brightens. "Ah! Sabrina, how about Homura?"

"Uh?" you ask, looking down at your phone, fingers clicking across the buttons to set the tune as the ringtone for Mami.

"Do you have any music ideas for Homura?" she asks.

"Hmm," you say, thinking about it. "Well, Homura... what do you think of this?" You take a deep breath, thinking of the tune, and then start playing it, again holding up your phone to record it.

Homura straightens in her seat as the music plays. When it finishes, Mami claps her hands, beaming at you. "It's lovely, Sabrina! Did you come up with it yourself?"

You shrug again. "Homura, what do you think of it?"

"... I like it," the time traveller allows.

"Excellent," you say cheerfully. "I'll make this your ringtone, then."

"Oh, custom ringtones?" Mami leans across the table, trying to see your phone as you click through its menus.

"Yep," you confirm. "Yours is... your tune, of course! I call it Credens Justitiam, by the way. 'Believe in justice'. And yours-" you look at Homura, "-is Luminous."

"Credens justitiam..." Mami rolls the syllables around. "Thank you, Sabrina."

Homura just nods.

You soon finish dinner, taking a second helping, as does Mami, while Homura goes for a third. You also take the time to record the ringtones for everyone, though you don't have Hitomi's or Oriko's phone number - seems Homura doesn't have them.

"I will do the dishes," Homura announces, pushing back her plate, virtually polished clean.

You blink at her. "Uh?"

Mami shakes her head. "There's no need, Homura."

"It's the least I can do," Homura insists.

"... OK," Mami agrees. "Just call if you need help, OK?"

Homura nods, silently stacking up the dishes to move to the sink.

"Hmm, I should put away my new things," you muse out loud.

"I'll help," Mami offers immediately.

"Sure, thanks!" you say, walking over to grab the bags containing your purchases.

The next fifteen or so minutes are spent in a frenzy of shredding packaging and hanging up the clothes, and transferring your Grief marbles to the new, more spacious, bag. You return to the living room, finding Homura sitting on the corner of the sofa, looking contemplative.

You settle on the couch, and Mami immediately sits beside you, pressing up against you.

Homura gives the two of you a sidelong glance, but doesn't otherwise comment.

You click on the news, and listen with a fraction of your attention, simultaneously reaching out for Oriko. "Oriko?"

The seer replies immediately. "When I said 'it would be preferable for you to meet them', I meant that it would be preferable for you to meet them."

"Excuse me?"

"... minor tremors struck Ishinomaki earlier today. Experts say that a true earthquake is unlikely..."

"You only needed to meet them," Oriko says. "As I was expecting you to."

You snort. "And you expected me to not try and help?"

Oriko... doesn't groan, precisely. She's too refined for that. But you get the distinct impression of discontent. "I have a migraine right now and no interest in talking to you. What do you want."

"... rose by 0.21% today. Growth is expected to continue..."

"Anything important right now? Do you need cleansing?" you ask.

"No," the seer replies. "To both. Today or tomorrow doesn't matter much. Good bye."

... rude.

"... scandal, as famed pop star..."

Nothing much of note seems to have occurred, or at least nothing that made it to either form of news you're listening to, anyway.

Homura stretches languidly on the sofa. "Are we going Witch hunting tonight?"

Mami stiffens a little. "We should," she says, voice somewhat reluctant.

Homura nods.

"Ah, are you sure you want to go out so soon after we ate?" Mami asks. You glance over at the time traveller, and note that her belly's actually a little rounded from the dinner.

"I'll be fine," Homura demurs.

[] Head out
- [] By flight?
[] Stay in
[] Talk to them about Oriko
[] Write-in


=====​

You know, for Homura, Mami's cooking is probably tied to some of the best memories she has. Idyllic, long lost days.
 
You drape one arm around Mami and give her a quick squeeze. "We'll be fine, right Homura?"

Faded lilac eyes regard you for a moment, and Homura nods slowly.

"Yeah," Mami takes a deep breath. "We will."

"That's the spirit," you smile. "Anyway, I was thinking, I could try flying all of us around?"

"Flying?" Mami gives you a curious look.

"Well, yeah," you say. "I was thinking I could just fly, and then use Mami's ribbons to make, um, platforms or something? Like a big hang-glider?"

"Umm..." Mami blinks. "That sounds a bit uncomfortable?"

"Uh," you say. "But... flying."

"I'm sure it's fun, though!" Mami exclaims, immediately looking contrite. "We can try it, if you like?"

"Hmm, new idea. I make a big platform out of Grief, and then we can stand, or sit on it?" you suggest.

"That sounds good," Mami agrees.

"Homura?" you ask.

"I'm fine with the idea," she says.

"Alright, let's go, then?" you offer, pushing youself off the sofa.

"Let's," Mami agrees.

You grab your new bag, and the three of you head out to the rooftop of the apartment block. You gesture with your hands, and let a torrent of marbles flood into the air, spiralling around you in a vortex before coalescing into a solid disc wide enough for all three of you to on, hovering a few centimeters off the roof. A twist of will forms little hooks along the sides for Mami to bind ribbons to.

"Mami, could you make ribbons for us to hold on to?" you suggest.

"Of course, Sabrina," she says, manifesting golden ribbons as indicated.

Homura gives the contraption, and then you, a dubious look.

You shrug at her. "It's probably faster?"

"Not if we fall off," she says.

"That's what the ribbons are for," you answer, boldly stepping up onto the platform, one hand grabbing on to the ribbons like the reins of a horse. Mami steps up beside you with a smile, holding onto her own set of safety ribbons. The platform doesn't budge, remaining obdurately stable.

Homura sighs, and mounts the platform, standing just behind you.

"Alright, then!" you say cheerfully. "Inaugural flight of, um, Magical Girl Airlines! Here we go!"

You move the platform off, smoothly accelerating off into the rapidly darkening sky, city lights glimmering below you. "So, where to? Mami, Homura?"

"Left!" Mami calls over the rushing wind that sets her golden ringlets fluttering staight out. "Towards the city center!"

"Got it!" You smoothly curve the disc in the indicated direction so that no one slips off, and zoom off towards the central business district. Under Mami's direction, the three of you zip across the area, senses hunting for a Witch.

"Found one!" you call, already moving over.

The glowing tear in reality, it turns out, is on the roof of a skyscraper... and as you approach it, you see a few people, dressed in suits, shamble out of the stairway and onto the rooftop, one of them already headed for the edge of the building.

"Witch Kisses!" Mami shouts in alarm.

[] Write-in

=====​

Include your actions over the next few minutes, and going into the Barrier.
 
Last edited:
It's not even a choice.

"Homura, timestop!" you bark.

Homura's shield arm is already snapping up, opposite hand reaching across to crank it. And time-

-stops. Profound silence, opressive and absolute, falls like a guillotine. Shades of grey shroud the city, muting out the endless rivers of headlights and the glowing neon of advertising signs. The yellow of Mami's ribbons in your hands, and your own costumes, are the only bright colours remaining in the world.

Ahead of you, one of the Witched Kissed office workers have almost reached the edge of the roof, knees bent slightly to spring.

Mami, beside you, sways a little, one hand groping for yours while the other maintains a grip on the ribbons. You let her grasp your hand, and you squeeze it reassuringly, feeling her half glove and warm fingers against yours.

"Mami, maybe you could ribbon all of them together?" you say, as you guide the platform closer.

"Oh, um, of course," Mami says, her expression firming. She raises the hand not holding onto you, and forms a golden banded ball, in her hand. She flicks her wrist and tosses it at the rooftop, making the throw easily, a single ribbon trailing back to her hand. The ball lands in the midst of the people, and explodes in a lashing forest of golden ribbons, writhing like striking serpents to wind around the frozen workers on the roof.

The blonde frowns slightly, and the ribbons contract, pulling the office workers into a pile. They don't protest, lying motionlessly in the pile with their limbs flopping limply about. "That should hold them," Mami says.

You chuckle, and Mami gives you a questioning look, while Homura hops nimbly off the platform to land on the rooftop.

"I was going to make a wall around the roof, just in case," you answer her unspoken question. "Turns out we don't need it."

Mami gives you a warm smile. "It's a good idea, Sabrina," she says.

Homura, down on the roof, straightens from inspecting the pile of Kissed office workers, hand going to her shield again. With the clatter of gears, she ends the timestop. You can feel Mami relaxing as colour and noise floods back into the world again.

"Good work, everyone!" you say cheerfully, dissolving the platform back into marbles and dropping to the rooftop, Mami still holding your hand. "Well, I say everyone. I didn't do anything."

Homura shakes her head fractionally, disagreeing.

"You got us here in time," Mami says. "If you weren't here..." she waves at the edge of the roof.

"Fine, fine," you say. "Anyway, cleanses, everyone?"

"Sure," Mami agrees with a warm smile. Homura nods in agreement, lifting her arm to present her Soul Gem to you.

You crook your fingers, and siphon off the corruption clouding their gems, as well as your own. Homura's Gem contains a surprising amount, but then again, it's been a while since you'd cleansed her Soul Gem. The day before, you think?

"... thank you," Homura says, hand dropping back to her side.

"Nah, no need to thank me," you tell her. You squeeze Mami's hand again. "You too, Mami, no need to thank me."

Mami chuckles weakly. "Y-you're keeping us a-alive," she says. "And you don't think you should be thanked?"

"You didn't think twice about taking in a random stranger from the street, feeding her, and clothing her," you tell her. "Why would I do anything less for my friends?"

"... thanks, Sabrina," Mami says.

Homura's footsteps ring a little louder on the rooftop as she walks towards the glowing entrance to the Barrier, skirting carefully around the pile of weakly struggling Witch Kissed office workers. You glance at Mami, and she smiles back at you, before following Homura, lightly tugging you by the hand.

"Oh, um, give me a moment?" you say, heading instead to look at the office workers, Mami following you. Homura pauses at the Barrier, turning to observe you. You stretch out your senses, taking a look at the Witch Kisses.

What look like simple markings to your eyes are... almost like Familiars, to your Grief sense. Tendrils of Grief intertwine with their bearers - presumably how they can control people. You could probably disrupt these things, you suspect, in much the same way you can dissolve Familiars.

"I just wanted to take a look at the Witch Kisses," you explain. "Anyway, let's go?"

You follow Homura and Mami into the Barrier, biting back your instincts screaming at you, revulsion rising at the greasy, nauseating feel of the Barrier around you. You vaguely wonder why; it's not like the Grief cloud you're holding under your control feels like that... Then again, maybe that's precisely it - the Barrier around you isn't under your control.

You look around. This Barrier is... is...

"Stairs," you say out loud. Endless staircases stretch ever upwards, disappearing into the poorly lit depths of the Barrier. Wooden ones of fine mahogany, others of unvarnished plywood, cold, impersonal concrete, rickety metal fire escapes... stairs of all varieties suspended in midnight blackness, descending from the dizzying heights above and dip into the abyss below. The staircase you're standing on is carpeted in a rich red, fine marble bannisters on either side.

Sheets of paper, dense with inky scribblings, drift downwards from above.

Homura shrugs. "Witches," she says mildly.

Mami nods in agreement. "Witches."

You shake your head. "So, uh, up or down?" You focus on your Soul Gem, trying to divine a direction.

Mami frowns, similarly focusing.

"Up," Homura says.

"Ah!" Mami smiles. "Excellent work, Homura!"

"Mami is... still a little..." Homura observes telepathically to you as she looks around, a pair of pistols sliding into her hand from her shield as she starts up the stairs, one at a time.

You reply with a telepathic sigh. "She is terrified of being alone, Homura. Be her friend. It's all she needs."

The pistol in Homura's hand booms, thundering out a shot that punches through one of the drifting pieces of paper. The papers rustle, the whisper of paper sliding over paper magnified a thousand times over throughout the Barrier.

And the papers flood toward you, folding themselves into paper aeroplanes zooming down at you.

Homura's guns sound out a steady cadence of shots, slow and measured. Mami lets go of your hand and sweeps into a curtesy, muskets falling from her chest. The curtesy turns into a spin, one of her feet flicking out to kick a musket into the air. She catches it, and fires, the single shots lancing through one... two... three of the swooping aeroplanes at once. She casts you a wink over her shoulder, before twirling elegantly to grab another two rifles.

You smile, the cloud of Grief billowing forward, blades of Grief twisting out of them to join the dance of death, tearing through the paper Familiars with impunity.

The staircase groans under your feet, fine marble bannisters cracking and splintering.

Homura throws herself upwards, a burst of purple igniting beneath her feet and bouncing her upwards to land on a rickety fire escape.

Mami jumps onto the bannister, clearly aiming for the next staircase over.

The bannister shatters under her feet.

And Mami falls.

"MAMI!" the scream rips out of you, and you throw yourself after her, wings of corruption exploding into existence as you tear into the Barrier.

"SABR-"

The world is suddenly cast in lifeless greys, and Mami freezes midfall, hands reaching out.

A weight around your foot.

Timestop.

You dive, reaching out to grab Mami, her weight slamming into your arms. Golden ribbons explode from her hands, lashing around the staircases - her own method to arrest her fall.

"-INA!" You get a glimpse of wide-eyed fear crossing into confusion before her ribbons tauten, pulling her out of your grasp and into the frozen greys of timestop again, just out of your arms.

You pull out of the dive, and hover.

Tied to your foot is a long rope, dangling slack beneath you before looping upwards in a 'J' shape to its anchor point on a bannister above. Hanging from the rope with one arm is Homura, violet eyes wide as she looks down at you. Before you is Mami, frozen in timestop with ribbons tethering her to the various staircases forming the Barrier.

Your heart thunders in your chest. Even if Mami would have probably made it with her ribbons...

Your wings lift you a little higher, and you grab Mami firmly around the wiast, not letting the ribbons pull her out of your grasp this time. Colour blooms on her body, and she blinks in confusion, adrenaline slowly bleeding off as she clings to you.

"Sabrina?"

"Are you OK?" you ask anxiously, heavy wingbeats carrying the two of you up to Homura, who's begun climbing back up the rope to the staircase.

"I... yes," Mami says, swallowing.

You let Mami down on the staircase, just as Homura reaches the bannister and flips over it.

The three of you look at each other in silence.

[] Say something?
[] Just continue
[] Anything special to do to the Witch?
[] Write-in


=====​

In the end, nothing actually life threatening. But still a scare.
 
You take a shuddering breath. "Witches," you mutter. "Just... Witches."

Homura shakes her head. "It happens. We're... all safe."

Mami gives you two a wan smile. "Thank you... thank you for caring."

"You would have been fine," Homura says drily, regarding the blonde with faded lilac eyes.

"Still... Thank you, Homura. Thank you, Sabrina," Mami says, squeezing your hand lightly.

You smile encouragingly at her. "Well, we've come this far. We'll finish this together, right?"

Homura snorts softly. "Not even a question."

You glance at her in surprise, and give her a little nod.

"Yes," Mami agrees, also looking at Homura with faint surprise. "Yes, we will."

You twist your leg up, and undo the rope around your ankle with one hand, passing it back to Homura. A hand on her shoulder keeps you and Mami from being frozen out of the timestop.

Homura nods sharply, turns her shield, and ends the timestop, immediately sidestepping away, pistols dropping into her hands. Mami squeezes your hand one more time, before stepping aside, hand waving through a half circle in front of her. Muskets materialize in the wake of her motion, and boom as she snatches them out of the air, firing sequentially.

You smile, and your wings of Grief beat once, pulling you upward. Razor shards of Grief hunt through the storm of projectiles rippling outward from Mami and Homura, shredding the few Familiars that survive.

You'd try to take control of a Familiar, but that presupposes that one survives for longer than a second or two, with both Mami and Homura on the hunt.

The three of you ascend, the thunder of Homura and Mami's guns heralding your arrival as they bound ever upwards, you winging vigilantly beside them. The staircases creak and fall underfoot, but with you in flight, and Mami far more cautious now, it's not so much a concern... not that it ever really was.

"Almost there!" Mami calls from just ahead.

And you're-

-there.

With a blast of chilly wind, you find yourself on the top of a massive wooden platform, the edges falling off into the abyss. On the wooden platform is a titanic pile of papers, inert ones, thankfully.

A heavy scritching noise echoes, and you look up to see an enormous, monolithic cylindrical shape tapered towards either end bearing down on the three of you, skating atop a gleaming brassy metal point that leaves behind a trail of blackness - a fountain pen worthy of a giant.

The Witch.

You immediately launch into the air, Mami and Homura darting to the sides in a dodge. The Witch halts in its tracks, and spins to point its nib at you. Ink launches at you lightning fast, a pressurized jet like an industrial steel cutter.

Too fast to dodge properly.

You spin, presenting the flat of a wing to it, and the ink splashes, the Grief of your wing shudderingly slightly as they absorb the blow, pushing you back slightly.

The world judders with concussive blasts, and the punishing stream cuts off. Homura, from the way the Witch is skating away from a smouldering crater in the wooden table beneath. Deep cracking noises from far to your right - you look over, and see Mami slamming shot after shot into the looming bulk of the Witch.

She gestures, and ribbons lash out, winding around the Witch and holding it still for a moment. Homura takes advantage, as do you, a hail of bullets and cutting Grief blades slamming into it, cleaving with impunity into plastic-like flesh and sending the Witch reeling in place.

"Tiro-" A familiar clarion call rings out. "-Finale~!"

The oversized cannon booms, the titanic projectile punching the Witch backwards, almost snapped in two. Ink splatters like blood, a fine spray suffusing the air.

The Witch dies, the ruined cylinder collapsing on itself.

As Mami lands with an elegant flip, you can feel the Barrier begin to waver and dissolve.

You release the Grief making up the wings back into the Barrier with a small sigh, settling to the ground as the Barrier collapses. A ping nearby as the three of you are dumped unceremoniously back into reality - the Grief Seed, settling onto a protrusion on the rooftop you find yourself on.

Not the same rooftop you were on, earlier - you find yourself on the next one over. Squinting, you can make out the pile of office workers, still tied down by Mami's golden ribbons, which dissolve into motes of golden light even as you look.

You turn to smile at Mami, to congratulate her on a good hunt, only to find her frowning unhappily. "Normally, Kyuubey would help with the Witch Kissed people, but..."

[] Write-in

=====​

Guess the little rat's good for something?
 
You shake your head. "You don't need him, Mami. We don't need him." Peripherally, you note Homura walking quickly away, headed to pick up the fallen Grief Seed.

"But they-" Mami waves helplessly at the dazed looking people over on the far roof.

You stretch out your senses, looking for those parasitic Familiars on the people, and find nothing. "The Witch Kisses are gone," you say. "I can't sense them anymore. Let's go, Mami. If Kyuubey wants to keep magic a secret, then he'll show up soon. I'd rather not see his ugly face tonight."

Mami looks stricken. "I- yes, but..."

You walk over to her, putting your hand on her shoulder. "Mami, we did good here, today. No one died, and the Witch's influence is gone."

Mami swallows, her eyes sliding aside. "Y-yes," she says. "You're right."

"Homura?" you call, looking around for her while a portion of your attention is directed towards reforming your collection of Grief marbles into a flat, rectangular platform. You find her where the Grief Seed had fallen, just stooping to pick it up. She looks up at your call, and jogs back over.

"Time to go," you say, sitting yourself cross legged on the platform - you're going to call it a carpet. You could make it ripple like a piece of cloth, but that would probably make it uncomfortable. Mami sits down beside you, immediately leaning anxiously against you. Homura seats herself just behind the two of you.

"Off we go," you mutter, and lift your carpet into the air.

You glance back as the three of you zoom away from the rooftops.

Perhaps it's a trick of your imagination, and then again, perhaps not. But you'd swear that two crimson eyes glowing amidst a familiar form silhouetted against the skyline watch you leave.

"May I take this Grief Seed?" Homura asks, as you direct the carpet back home.

You shrug. "Mami?"

"I don't mind," she says.

"There we go, then," you say.

Homura nods, and puts the Grief Seed away. "Thank you."

You shrug again "Eh, it was a group hunt."

When you reach home, Mami silently unlocks the door and steps in, shucking her shoes. You're just a step behind her, while Homura lingers at the doorway, seemingly undecided.

[] Invite Homura to sleepover
[] Talk to Homura
- [] About?
[] Talk to Mami
- [] About?
[] Write-in


=====​

Unless you strike up a long conversation, the next vote will probably carry you to sleep.
 
You glance at Homura, still dithering at the door - or at least, she's standing there, looking impassive, which would probably count as nervous fidgeting from anyone else. "Hey, Mami, can we get Homura to stay for the night?" you ask telepathically.

"Oh, um... That would be fine," Mami says.

You glance at Homura. "Hey, would you like to come in?"

Homura nods, taking her shoes off and stepping in after you.

You wave her at the sofa. "Make yourself at home, OK?" Mami's not in the living room, but you can sense her in her bedroom.

Amethyst eyes flicker from you to the bedroom door, hanging slightly ajar, and Homura just nods.

Just as you're about to head over to see what Mami's doing, though, she pushes the door open, smiling at the two of you. Her smile is a little brittle, though.

"Ah, welcome again, Homura!" Mami says cheerfully.

"So anyway, Homura," you say, plonking yourself down on the sofa, and patting the space beside you while giving Mami a smile. The blonde shuffles over and cuddles up against you, leaning her head on your shoulder. You smile down at her, and she returns it, faintly.

"Ahem," you say, glancing past the blonde head in your way. "Would you like to stay the night again, Homura?"

Homura hesitates. "I..."

"C'mon, Homura," you say. "It's better than going home alone, surely? And I'm not slee-" You break off, cough, and continue, "and tomorrow's a Sunday, and everything."

The time traveller nods, slowly, her lips quirked minutely. "I will be headed out one more time tonight."

You shrug. "Hm? What for? But in any case... not really a problem," you say. "Right, Mami?"

"Yes, it's fine," she agrees.

The time traveller dips her head in a motion that's half a nod, half an abbreviated bow. "Thank you, then. I just need to go acquire more... materiel."

"Ah, that makes sense. And no need to thank me, Homura," you say. "No need at all."

The three of you sit in silence for a few minutes, before you decide to try striking up conversation again. "Hey Mami?"

"Mmm?" Golden eyes blink lazily up at you.

"Do you want to play something, maybe?" you suggest.

Mami looks pensieve. "N-no, if it's alright with you? I... I don't really feel like it. M-maybe we could take an early night?"

You shrug. "I don't mind."

"I won't get in the way," Homura murmurs, rising smoothly to her feet. "Good night, Sabrina, Mami. I... will be back later."

"G'night, Homura," you call. "Do you need a key?"

"That won't be necessary," she says, as she heads for the door.

You and Mami prepare for bed, taking showers, and Mami brushing out her hair as she usually does, before turning in. As you settle down on the mattress for the night, you can hear the door unlock, and Homura returning. She hesitates at the bedroom door, before proceeding past to head to the bathroom.

=====​

You blink awake.

A body, warm and soft, clinging on to you. Shuddering, silent sobs wracking her body, your shoulder, soaked, testament enough.

You silently pull Mami into a hug.

"I-I keep telling myself h-he was n-never- m-my-" Mami's whispered admission is choked. "I-it d-doesn't h-help..."

[] Write-in

=====​

Your next vote will probably carry you through to the next morning, so include that, too.
 
You hug her tightly, letting her cling and shiver and sob under the silvery moonlight shining in through the window.

"It's going to be OK, Mami," you whisper, one hand brushing aside her golden hair, released from its curls for the night, to rub her back in slow, rhythmic circles.

"I-I-" Mami hiccups. "H-he-"

"Shh," you soothe. "I know, Mami. But... you have people who really care about you, people who want to be your friends. Me. Homura, even if she doesn't show it much. Madoka and Sayaka look up to you, and they're your friends too." You pause, letting it sink in. "None of that's a trick, or a lie, Mami. We care about you. I care about you."

You fall silent, letting Mami clutch at you with strength born of desperate fear never truly conquered. Your presence attests to itself; your willingness to stay with Mami and support her, to be her friend. Or so you hope.

"D-di-" Mami mumbles. "M-my- last b-birthday. H-he was t-there. T-the only o-one-"

Renewed tears soak your shoulder.

"Mami, I'm here," you say. Your hand is still rubbing her back gently, soothingly. "And I'll be here for you."

Or so you hope, anyway. You desperately hope you can make good on that promise...

Mami nods weakly, the motion smearing her tears over the rest of your arm.

You suppress a sigh, for fear that she'd take it the wrong way. Had Kyuubey done this deliberately? You can believe it. How hard would it have been to drive the more ruthless girls to Mami, ensuring that they'd contract, and eventually, leave her, chipping her away bit by bit and leaving her psyche a fragile, brittle thing?

Mami's sobs slowly peter out, and her breathing evens into the slow, steady rhythm of sleep. Her left hand, with her Soul Gem ring, is splayed across you, so you take the opportunity to wipe free the corruption clouding her Gem. Her sleeping face relaxes slightly, and you direct the stream of Grief out the door, coalescing into marbles to join the rest in your bag.

=====​

The rest of your night is uninterrupted, and you wake up later than usual, with your right arm completely numb from the weight of a head of blonde haired using it as a pillow.

You cautiously try to ease your arm out from underneath her without waking her, but her eyes fly open as you shift about. "Sabrina!"

You snake that arm around her shoulders, preventing her from pulling away as she did yesterday morning. "Good morning, Mami," you greet her.

Wide open golden eyes meet yours, and you give her a quick smile. Point made, that you don't mind, you squeeze her gently, before letting your right arm drop.

She stays. "... good morning, Sabrina."

You smile warmly at her. "Shall we get up, then?"

"Ah, yes," she says, looking flustered, and pushes herself upright. Pins and needles flood you arm, and you discretely shake it out as you lever yourself to your feet, too. The shirt's crusty against your arm, but you don't comment.

"I'll go and wash up, OK, Mami?" you ask her.

She smiles wanly. "OK."

After your morning ablutions, the two of you wander into the kitchen to begin preparing breakfast, gentle music filling the apartment from your Grief instruments, played with a bare fraction of your attention.

You have fresh blueberries and other fruits from yesterday's shopping, so... why not? Pancakes, a little cereal, some toast for variety... cream and butter and syrup... Mami turned her nose up at the notion of bacon, yesterday. Not quite a fan of savoury breakfasts.

Homura wanders into the kitchen, while the two of you are bustling about, sleepily rubbing at her eyes with the back of her hand, before realizing where she was and snapping back to her usual rigid mask, which she ruins with a wide, jaw-cracking yawn that makes your own ache in sympathy.

"Good morning, Homura!" you say cheerfully, heading past her with handfuls of cutlery to set the table. Mami echoes the greeting, leaning back from the frying pan she's tending to give the time traveller a quick smile.

"Good morning," Homura replies.

"Sleep well?" you ask, returning for the bowls of cut fruit.

"Yes," she replies.

"Excellent," you say. "Breakfast'll be done soon."

And indeed it is, the three of you sitting down in front of an extravagant breakfast spread. Homura immediately goes for the pancakes, as does Mami, if more sedately, while let your music die away and turn on the television for the news, before acquiring some toast for yourself.

You wink at Mami, and reach out telepathically, linking up everyone - Mami, Homura, yourself, Madoka, Sayaka.

"Good morning, everyone!" you call cheerfully.

"Good morning, Sabrina!" Madoka replies.

"Good morning," Homura says quietly.

"Good morning, Madoka," Mami says.

"Mnnaaaa," Sayaka complains a moment later, sounding half asleep. "It's Sunday! Who gets up at eight on a Sunday?"

You laugh, sending amused chortles back to her. "Everyone apart from you, apparently! Good morning."

"No it's not," Sayaka fires back.

"Good morning, Sayaka!" Madoka says cheerfully.

"Agh, fine. Good morning," Sayaka gives in. "I suppose everyone's in here?"

"Good morning, Sayaka," Mami adds.

"... good morning, Miki," Homura allows, busily engulfing another pancake.

"Figures," Sayaka grumbles. "So, what's up this morning?"

"Nothing, really," you say. "Just... morning, you know? Time to check in with all my friends and stuff."

"... ugh, why do I even bother," Sayaka grumbles.

Mami chuckles.

"Anyway, yeah, I guess that's it?" you say. "Unless anyone has anything?"

After a chorus of negatives and goodbyes, you end the call with a smile. Mami's smiling, too, which you'll take as a good sign.

You decide against more toast, and instead reach for the cereal.

"... further tremors. Experts urge calm, noting that the aftershocks..."

"Hmm," you mutter, glancing at the television. "Earthquake."

Mami follows your glance, twisting in her seat to look at the television. "In Ishinomaki?"

"Yeah," you say, mixing some fruit in with the cereal, still eyeing the television, which has switched over to talking about the finanical news.

Mami sighs. "After the big earthquake... last month... we're lucky, Mitakihara wasn't affected much."

"Mmm," you agree.

The three of you have a heavy breakfast, and lounge around in sated contentment.

"So..." you begin. "Mami, two things."

"Yes, Sabrina?" Mami asks, looking inquisitively at you.

"Could I invite Nagisa over today?" you ask. "Some time in the afternoon, maybe?"

"Of course!" Mami smiles.

You nod, returning the smile. "Alright, then. Um, well, the other thing. Oriko and Kirika are still under house arrest... I should bring them the rest of their stuff today, I think, and they'll probably be wanting cleanses, too."

Mami's face darkens, and out of the corner of your eye, you can see Homura frown minutely. Eventually, though, Mami nods. "I-" she pauses, and then starts again. "I would feel better if I could come with you."

"Of course," you echo Mami's earlier statement.

"Alright, then," Mami nods slowly. "I don- it's necessary."

"I should be going," Homura interjects suddenly, rising gracefully to her feet. She pauses, and adds, "Thank you for letting me stay over, and the breakfast."

"You're welcome!" Mami says, smiling at her, though the expression is slightly edged, presumably at the thought of Oriko. You echo Mami.

"... before I go, may I have a cleanse?" Homura asks, raising her hand.

"Sure," you agree, and proceed to do just that.

Homura nods at you in silent thanks, before leaving quietly.

You chuff out a sigh, and push yourself to your feet. "I suppose we should start cleaning up, too."

After the cleanup, you grab your new phone, and seat yourself on the sofa, Mami sitting close beside you again, and dial Momoe Shin's number. The phone rings for a minute, before, to your surprise, he cancels it. A message comes in a moment later, from a mobile number: Who is this?

Your fingers click across the keys. Sabrina.

My apologies, we will be busy today. My sister's funeral. Apologies for not inviting you, family affair.

... oh.

This would be about the right time, wouldn't it.

You sigh gustily, blowing a stray strand of white hair out of your face. Well, that's your afternoon plans sunk, but it's still early. What to do, what to do...

[] Write-in

=====​

Sorry for the late update. Had a very busy day.
 
"Looks like I won't be inviting Nagisa over today," you frown unhappily.

"Huh?" Mami asks.

You tilt your phone to let her see the message exchange.

"Oh..." Mami says, looking down. "Tomorrow, then."

"If possible," you agree. You exhale slowly. "Well. Shall we head out, then?" you ask Mami, putting your phone away.

"To see to... Mikuni?" Mami asks.

You nod. "If that's OK, Mami?"

Mami sighs. "I guess we have to."

The two of you head up to the rooftop, and you transform in the usual blaze of light, the comforting weight of your mantled coat settling over your shoulders.

You build a simple platform out of Grief, a deep, nearly black, purple of unsettling patterns to contrast with the cheerfully blue sky today. Clear skies for the rest of the day, if you recall the news correctly. You sit on it, dangling your legs over the side, and glance over at Mami, now resplendent in her own puella magi costume.

She hurries over, and sits beside you.

"OK, so," you tell her as you lift the platform, accelerating smoothly into the sky. "We're going to this warehouse Oriko had set up as, well, a bolthole, so that I can bring the rest of her stuff to her."

"OK," Mami agrees easily.

The flight is actually quite pleasant, you muse as you cut across the city well above skyscraper height. Just cool wind rushing past your face, the warm presence of Mami at your side. The Grief platform is a little uncomfortable to sit on, since it's wholy rigid, but... your instruments. You could change their properties, so it stands to reason that a little mental focus... the platform softens, feeling more like sitting on a well supported mattress than anything.

Mami gives a soft, "Oh!" at the curious sensation, and you grin at her. She smiles back.

You soon find yourself cruising in over the industrial area, skirting carefully around the plumes of flue gas.

"Well, this is it," you say, landing carefully in the little open space of the courtyard, inside the surrounding fence. A quick push opens the door of the warehouse, revealing it to Mami in all its carpeted, well furnished glory.

Mami stares.

"Yeah," you agree.

The blonde shakes herself. "She intended to hide here?"

"Yep," you agree, pushing Mami lightly. She obligingly steps into the warehouse, still looking around in mixed wonderment tinged with unhappy annoyance, presumably directed at a certain seer of your mutual acquaintance. You pad about, locating another duffel bag that you begin loading up with the spare clothes and dry, tinned foods. When that's full, you take a step back, and look at the refrigerator thoughtfully.

"Hey, Mami?"

"Hmm?"

...

Of course she would notice the single mattress.

She's giving the mattress a considering look, and when she turns to glance at you, there's the slightest blush on her face.

"Do you think I should just bring the whole refrigerator?" you ask, pretending you didn't notice.

"Uh," Mami blinks at you. "... if you want?"

"Right, then," you say. A disc of Grief slides under the refrigerator, and you carefully raise it into the air, disconnecting the plug. Golden ribbons suddenly burst into existence, lashing themselves around the refrigerator and binding it to the disc. You give Mami a smile of thanks.

"I think that's everything I'm willing to bring, then," you call to Mami, giving the carpets and plush chairs and computer a long look. You hold the duffel bag out into the air, and a band of Grief winds around the handle of the bag to form a carrier. When you withdraw your hand, the band easily supports the weight of the bag, hanging in mid air.

Mami nods, casting another look around the warehouse, before joining you over at the door. You push and latch it shut, before resuming your seat on your carpet and heading off to Oriko's mansion, refrigerator and densely packed duffel bag bobbing after you like demented balloons.

You land in the rose garden behind her house, and dismount to see Oriko already at the glass door, sliding it open to let you in.

"Mikuni." Mami's eyes narrow.

"Sabrina. Tomoe."

You sigh. "Hello." You can faintly hear the distant thumping of crutches on the wooden floor as you move into the house, the bag and refrigerator drifting after you as if carried by unseen porters.

Oriko gives the floating refrigerator a look, which she then transfers to you. You give her a blank, indifferent look in response.

You float both the bag and the refrigerator in the kitchen, and follow the seer to her living room, Mami's eyes warily watching her back.

"Please, take a seat," Oriko says with a regal wave at the sofas. "I will return momentarily with refreshment."

You settle on the extraordinarily comfortable sofa, Mami sitting a little more uneasily at your side, muscles tense.

Kirika stumps into the room a moment later. "Hi Sabrina!" she says cheerfully. "And... Mami? I think?"

"Hi, Kirika," you greet her awkwardly.

"Tomoe Mami," Mami says, voice chilly, and with a slight emphasis on her surname.

Kirika's smile dims, as she carefully lowers herself into the far end of the sofa. Oriko returns a moment later with a carefully balanced tray bearing a teapot and cups, which she distributes silently.

Oriko sits beside Kirika, and the black haired girl's hand snakes behind the seer's back. Her fingers twine through Oriko's hair, teasing and playing with the wavy grey strands. Oriko, by contrast, sits rigidly upright, posture prim and perfect, both hands folded demurely on her lap.

Mami straightens imperceptibly, posture equally proper, smoothing her already immaculate skirt.

Half lidded golden eyes unblinkingly stare down sea green ones.

...

You bite back an aggrieved sigh. You really should have expected this.

Mami brings her cup up to her face, enjoying the aroma, before taking a gentle sip.

Oriko mirrors the action, equally slowly, every motion graceful and measured.

They resume their staring match.

Your gaze meets Kirika's, and for a moment, the two of you understand each other perfectly.

In eerie synchronization, you and Kirika lean forward, reach for your teacups and slurp a loud mouthful.

"Sabrina!" "Kirika!"

You chuckle, setting the teacup down.

Oriko sighs. "Your actions two days ago caused... a significant degree of flux in the future," she says slowly. She holds up her hand, glancing at Mami. "Peace, Tomoe. I... did not... forsee that Sabrina would interfere to such a degree."

Mami blinks, and seems to swallow an angry outburst, choosing instead to frown at the seer. "But you told her about the Sendai group," she states.

"I did," Oriko agrees. "It was... necessary." Her lips tighten. "You are aware of the state Miss Gaikotsu was in?"

You can see where the conversation is going - skirting rather close to the nature of Witches, and decide to interrupt. "Mami, I saw how bad it was. Oriko said she wouldn't have made it had she not gotten healing... And I think she's right," you say, touching a hand to Mami's, and nodding at Oriko. The seer returns the nod, eyes glinting slightly.

Mami hides a grimace, not entirely successfully. Not from you, anyway, you're not sure if Oriko can tell.

[] Write-in conversation
[] Write-in next move (if applicable)
[] Write-in


=====​

You have one thousand, seven hundred and thirty seven Grief marbles, and three Grief Seeds in your pockets.
 
Last edited:
"Ah!" you say loudly. "I'm sorry, I haven't cleaned your Soul Gems yet." You can already sense their Soul Gems on Kirika's person, both pulsing with an unhealthy amount of Grief, Oriko's more so than Kirika's. Nothing dangerous, but a surprising amount nevertheless.

Both Oriko gives you a look that says as well as any words could that she can see the transparent change of topic for what it is. Nevertheless, she glances at Kirika. "Kirika?"

The black haired girl nods, and reaches into her pocket to pull out their two Soul Gems, setting them on the table. Mami gasps softly as they come into view - both are visibly pulsing with darkness.

You frown at Oriko. How did she accumul-

Oriko preempts your question, probably expecting it. It doesn't take a seer to figure out the obvious question to ask, after all. "Your actions caused a significant degree of flux in the future," she says tonelessly, looking at the darkness dancing within her Soul Gem, expression disturbed at the sight. That sea green gaze turns to glance at you, one aristocratic eyebrow raised.

You snort. "Well, without specific direction," you say, "I did what I could." You reach out one hand, pulling at the Grief clouding their Gems.

Mami puts her hand on your shoulder, directing a worried frown on you. "Sabrina..."

"I know," you say, giving her a quick, rueful smile.

"She wasn't in any danger," Oriko states.

You give her a sharp look - didn't she say that she couldn't predict you? She returns to you an imperturbable, unruffled look, and a telepathic message. "I'm lying."

Mami shakes her head, frowning. "That's not enough."

You huff out a sigh as the last of the Grief drifts free, and you look at Mami. "Misunderstandings all around. Oriko... was trying her best, I think, and using less... extreme ways to save people." You turn slightly to glance at the seer, giving her a nod. You... won't thank her, but you'll acknowledge that she seems to be trying.

She gives you a slow nod.

Mami sighs. One of her hand creeps into your lap and grabs your hand. You let her, squeezing back lightly.

"So, Oriko," you say, catching the seer's attention. "What do you know about the earthquakes in Ishinomaki? Could be a coincidence, but the Sendai group was headed there next..."

Oriko closes her eyes, wincing and bringing her hand up to place her thumb and fingers to her temples. "That is... part of the results of what you did." Kirika makes a little squeaking noise, and tugs lightly on Oriko's shoulders, trying to pull her around. "Not now, Kirika," she sighs.

"What do you mean?" you ask carefully.

"What... seems to have happened... is that the Sendai group, in part because of the... interactions with you... have accidentally ignited a... conflict in Ishinomaki," the seer says haltingly, eyes still closed. On the table, her Gem slowly tarnishes, and you spare a bit of attention to cleanse that, a slow trickle of Grief wisping into the air. "The situation is rapidly spiralling into a larger conflict."

"You can't possibly say that that's Sabrina's fault!" Mami defends you.

Oriko shakes her head. "It would have happened eventually," she says with an air of finality. "Sabrina's actions... brought it forward."

Mami doesn't seem quite appeased, frowning at the seer.

[] Write-in

=====​

Heh.
 
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