I was wondering, if she was born mute, what about her telepathy? Does it sound as her voice would've had she been born not-mute, or maybe as a copy of other people's voices she's heard in her life?
If she lost her voice, I assume she telepathically sounds the same as before then.
If she was mute before she was an MG, then that confirms that it's possible to make a wish through telepathy rather than speaking it out loud. Not particularly surprising, but good to know.
I was wondering, if she was born mute, what about her telepathy? Does it sound as her voice would've had she been born not-mute, or maybe as a copy of other people's voices she's heard in her life?
If she lost her voice, I assume she telepathically sounds the same as before then.
I'm actually wondering more about how they perceive other people's thoughts and how other people perceive theirs. Telepathy doesn't normally have a translation function, or us talking to Nadia in her native tongue wouldn't have been a surprise to her.
I'd assume that since it's thoughts and not just spoken language, Telepathy would come with everything needed to make sense of what was said. For verbal thinkers it probably would show as translated dialogue or possibly the foreign phrase accompanied by the mash of thoughts that generated it, and for visual thinkers it wouldn't need translating in the first place.
For the deaf, I imagine it'd be signs and expressions if they're verbal thinkers.
Definitely something to research, but only after we have the time to spare on things that are unlikely to be of significant help, or if we honestly plan to try to kick coobie off-world and set up our own telepathy network, at which point we'd have to mimic his functions somehow.
Mami accepts her Soul Gem back with slightly trembling hands, usually half-lidded gaze wide in shock. "You... you did it, Sabrina. You- I-"
"O-of course I did! I'm going to be working with Mami Tomoe, so of course I'm going to succeed at these things!"
----------------------
The Barrier vanishes without fuss as Mami walks over to the fallen Grief Seed.
Where did that cup go?
"That was amazing, Mami, Sabrina!" Madoka exclaims.
"Yeah!" Sayaka pumps her fist in agreement.
You turn your nose up ever so slightly. "W-well course it was! It's Mami Tomoe and I, how could you expect anything less?"
----------------------
Mami is, at this point, slumped and cradling her face in her hands. "I see," she says at length, muffled by her hands. You move over, and gently rub her back soothingly, not sure of what else to do.
"Mami, I'm guessing there's history between the two of you," you say gently. "It's OK-"
"It's not just that, Sabrina," Mami whispers. "Sabrina... I can't lose you. I can't lose another one."
You flinch slightly. The implications are... Unhappy. "W-well what makes you think that you will!? It's not like I'm going to die, and I'd have to be stupid to leave you, you know!"
----------------------
"Of course," Mami says. "Um... I only have one guest room, though, and we're slee- using it, right now."
"I doubt she would mind sleeping on the sofa?" you suggest.
"No..." Mami disagrees. "That's hardly right. We could... move into my room?"
You pause for a moment. "W-well, only if you take the bed, okay? I'm not going to stand for you giving up your own bed!"
----------------------
"Some music?" she's frowning, having paused from where she's battering the prawns.
You bump up the volume into full audibility, and laugh when Mami's head jerks upwards to stare at the ceiling. You bring the instruments down to eye level, letting them fan out behind you as you grin at her.
"I said I wanted to show you something when we got back, right?" you grin as you weave in more instruments as the tune strikes its triumphant crescendo. "And... I thought you might like this tune."
Mami stares, jaw working wordlessly. "I... that's amazing, Sabrina," she says. "It's... you- it's perfect. How did you know?"
You shrug and your face flushes just a bit. "Well, I, I... I just thought it fit you! Geez..."
----------------------
You give her a smile, slightly relieved, mind working on deciding the best course ahead; to use timestop to extend the time you have available to you? "Of course," you tell her. "I would have asked if you hadn't volunteered... You're a powerful and experienced magical girl, Mami. I'd be stupid not to ask you come with me."
Mami's expression crumples even further, and her fingers slacken on yours. "Powerful... and experienced. Yes. Yes, I suppose I am..." Her Soul Gem, already slowly bubbling with Grief, suddenly spikes again.
A chill runs down your spine. "Mami, what's wrong?"
"N-no," Mami shakes her head. "It's n-nothing."
You stare at her for a moment, gears grinding in your head. And then horrible realization clicks into place. "W-what!? N-no, not -- it, it's not like I li--"
You choke off the phrase that tries to come naturally to you. It's against your nature to say something like this, but... But in the situation, you kind of need to... You'll compromise.
Your quiet stutter, of course, betrays your real feelings on the matter. Why can't you control the damn thing, you wonder, speaking all the while, "M-mami, do you seriously think I don't c-care about you-- I MEAN, do you seriously think I only care about your skill at magic? You're my friend, you know!"
----------------------
You head home, wind in your hair and Mami in your arms. As you soar past the central business district, still gaining height, Mami stirs a little.
"Sabrina?" she murmurs into your mind.
"Mm?" you say.
"Let me go," she says.
Involuntarily, your arms tighten around her. "W-what!? I- I mean, it's not like I think you'll be injured or anything, but--"
"I won't be hurt," she says. She reaches up to cup your face, golden eyes glowing with utter trust. "And you'll catch me if I don't succeed."
Your breath hitches in your throat, but what can you say to that? "O-ok."
----------------------
And you're laughing as you back air and drift to a gentle halt on the rooftop, and so is Mami, bright and happy. You remember the uncertainty and the fear she had, and you know it'll never go away so easily, but you're here now, and so is she.
You smile at her. "You're the best, even if you don't think you are. A-and it's not like I just like you, you know?"
Arms still around her waist, you lean forward and brush your lips against her cheek.
Her face lights up, a bright, bright blush.
Mami's mouth works soundlessly, hand coming up to touch her cheek.
Ok that was pretty shitty imo. But... The topic is kind of difficult :/
Mami accepts her Soul Gem back with slightly trembling hands, usually half-lidded gaze wide in shock. "You... you did it, Sabrina. You- I-"
"O-of course I did! I'm going to be working with Mami Tomoe, so of course I'm going to succeed at these things!"
----------------------
The Barrier vanishes without fuss as Mami walks over to the fallen Grief Seed.
Where did that cup go?
"That was amazing, Mami, Sabrina!" Madoka exclaims.
"Yeah!" Sayaka pumps her fist in agreement.
You turn your nose up ever so slightly. "W-well course it was! It's Mami Tomoe and I, how could you expect anything less?"
----------------------
Mami is, at this point, slumped and cradling her face in her hands. "I see," she says at length, muffled by her hands. You move over, and gently rub her back soothingly, not sure of what else to do.
"Mami, I'm guessing there's history between the two of you," you say gently. "It's OK-"
"It's not just that, Sabrina," Mami whispers. "Sabrina... I can't lose you. I can't lose another one."
You flinch slightly. The implications are... Unhappy. "W-well what makes you think that you will!? It's not like I'm going to die, and I'd have to be stupid to leave you, you know!"
----------------------
"Of course," Mami says. "Um... I only have one guest room, though, and we're slee- using it, right now."
"I doubt she would mind sleeping on the sofa?" you suggest.
"No..." Mami disagrees. "That's hardly right. We could... move into my room?"
You pause for a moment. "W-well, only if you take the bed, okay? I'm not going to stand for you giving up your own bed!"
----------------------
"Some music?" she's frowning, having paused from where she's battering the prawns.
You bump up the volume into full audibility, and laugh when Mami's head jerks upwards to stare at the ceiling. You bring the instruments down to eye level, letting them fan out behind you as you grin at her.
"I said I wanted to show you something when we got back, right?" you grin as you weave in more instruments as the tune strikes its triumphant crescendo. "And... I thought you might like this tune."
Mami stares, jaw working wordlessly. "I... that's amazing, Sabrina," she says. "It's... you- it's perfect. How did you know?"
You shrug and your face flushes just a bit. "Well, I, I... I just thought it fit you! Geez..."
----------------------
You give her a smile, slightly relieved, mind working on deciding the best course ahead; to use timestop to extend the time you have available to you? "Of course," you tell her. "I would have asked if you hadn't volunteered... You're a powerful and experienced magical girl, Mami. I'd be stupid not to ask you come with me."
Mami's expression crumples even further, and her fingers slacken on yours. "Powerful... and experienced. Yes. Yes, I suppose I am..." Her Soul Gem, already slowly bubbling with Grief, suddenly spikes again.
A chill runs down your spine. "Mami, what's wrong?"
"N-no," Mami shakes her head. "It's n-nothing."
You stare at her for a moment, gears grinding in your head. And then horrible realization clicks into place. "W-what!? N-no, not -- it, it's not like I li--"
You choke off the phrase that tries to come naturally to you. It's against your nature to say something like this, but... But in the situation, you kind of need to... You'll compromise.
Your quiet stutter, of course, betrays your real feelings on the matter. Why can't you control the damn thing, you wonder, speaking all the while, "M-mami, do you seriously think I don't c-care about you-- I MEAN, do you seriously think I only care about your skill at magic? You're my friend, you know!"
----------------------
You head home, wind in your hair and Mami in your arms. As you soar past the central business district, still gaining height, Mami stirs a little.
"Sabrina?" she murmurs into your mind.
"Mm?" you say.
"Let me go," she says.
Involuntarily, your arms tighten around her. "W-what!? I- I mean, it's not like I think you'll be injured or anything, but--"
"I won't be hurt," she says. She reaches up to cup your face, golden eyes glowing with utter trust. "And you'll catch me if I don't succeed."
Your breath hitches in your throat, but what can you say to that? "O-ok."
----------------------
And you're laughing as you back air and drift to a gentle halt on the rooftop, and so is Mami, bright and happy. You remember the uncertainty and the fear she had, and you know it'll never go away so easily, but you're here now, and so is she.
You smile at her. "You're the best, even if you don't think you are. A-and it's not like I just like you, you know?"
Arms still around her waist, you lean forward and brush your lips against her cheek.
Her face lights up, a bright, bright blush.
Mami's mouth works soundlessly, hand coming up to touch her cheek.
Ok that was pretty shitty imo. But... The topic is kind of difficult :/
Mami accepts her Soul Gem back with slightly trembling hands, usually half-lidded gaze wide in shock. "You... you did it, Sabrina. You- I-"
"O-of course I did! I'm going to be working with Mami Tomoe, so of course I'm going to succeed at these things!"
----------------------
The Barrier vanishes without fuss as Mami walks over to the fallen Grief Seed.
Where did that cup go?
"That was amazing, Mami, Sabrina!" Madoka exclaims.
"Yeah!" Sayaka pumps her fist in agreement.
You turn your nose up ever so slightly. "W-well course it was! It's Mami Tomoe and I, how could you expect anything less?"
----------------------
Mami is, at this point, slumped and cradling her face in her hands. "I see," she says at length, muffled by her hands. You move over, and gently rub her back soothingly, not sure of what else to do.
"Mami, I'm guessing there's history between the two of you," you say gently. "It's OK-"
"It's not just that, Sabrina," Mami whispers. "Sabrina... I can't lose you. I can't lose another one."
You flinch slightly. The implications are... Unhappy. "W-well what makes you think that you will!? It's not like I'm going to die, and I'd have to be stupid to leave you, you know!"
----------------------
"Of course," Mami says. "Um... I only have one guest room, though, and we're slee- using it, right now."
"I doubt she would mind sleeping on the sofa?" you suggest.
"No..." Mami disagrees. "That's hardly right. We could... move into my room?"
You pause for a moment. "W-well, only if you take the bed, okay? I'm not going to stand for you giving up your own bed!"
----------------------
"Some music?" she's frowning, having paused from where she's battering the prawns.
You bump up the volume into full audibility, and laugh when Mami's head jerks upwards to stare at the ceiling. You bring the instruments down to eye level, letting them fan out behind you as you grin at her.
"I said I wanted to show you something when we got back, right?" you grin as you weave in more instruments as the tune strikes its triumphant crescendo. "And... I thought you might like this tune."
Mami stares, jaw working wordlessly. "I... that's amazing, Sabrina," she says. "It's... you- it's perfect. How did you know?"
You shrug and your face flushes just a bit. "Well, I, I... I just thought it fit you! Geez..."
----------------------
You give her a smile, slightly relieved, mind working on deciding the best course ahead; to use timestop to extend the time you have available to you? "Of course," you tell her. "I would have asked if you hadn't volunteered... You're a powerful and experienced magical girl, Mami. I'd be stupid not to ask you come with me."
Mami's expression crumples even further, and her fingers slacken on yours. "Powerful... and experienced. Yes. Yes, I suppose I am..." Her Soul Gem, already slowly bubbling with Grief, suddenly spikes again.
A chill runs down your spine. "Mami, what's wrong?"
"N-no," Mami shakes her head. "It's n-nothing."
You stare at her for a moment, gears grinding in your head. And then horrible realization clicks into place. "W-what!? N-no, not -- it, it's not like I li--"
You choke off the phrase that tries to come naturally to you. It's against your nature to say something like this, but... But in the situation, you kind of need to... You'll compromise.
Your quiet stutter, of course, betrays your real feelings on the matter. Why can't you control the damn thing, you wonder, speaking all the while, "M-mami, do you seriously think I don't c-care about you-- I MEAN, do you seriously think I only care about your skill at magic? You're my friend, you know!"
----------------------
You head home, wind in your hair and Mami in your arms. As you soar past the central business district, still gaining height, Mami stirs a little.
"Sabrina?" she murmurs into your mind.
"Mm?" you say.
"Let me go," she says.
Involuntarily, your arms tighten around her. "W-what!? I- I mean, it's not like I think you'll be injured or anything, but--"
"I won't be hurt," she says. She reaches up to cup your face, golden eyes glowing with utter trust. "And you'll catch me if I don't succeed."
Your breath hitches in your throat, but what can you say to that? "O-ok."
----------------------
And you're laughing as you back air and drift to a gentle halt on the rooftop, and so is Mami, bright and happy. You remember the uncertainty and the fear she had, and you know it'll never go away so easily, but you're here now, and so is she.
You smile at her. "You're the best, even if you don't think you are. A-and it's not like I just like you, you know?"
Arms still around her waist, you lean forward and brush your lips against her cheek.
Her face lights up, a bright, bright blush.
Mami's mouth works soundlessly, hand coming up to touch her cheek.
Ok that was pretty shitty imo. But... The topic is kind of difficult :/
"So you better face Madoka, and be completely honest with her," you insist for the last time, "got that, Homura?"
Under the light of the moon, you barely catch Homura's very slight shrug.
You cross your arms. You do it because it's chilly up here on the roof, not because you're bothered she's not appreciating the time and effort you're putting on trying to help her... You could be doing anything else right now, really!
You then notice you've been frowning down at Homura for the past few seconds. Damn it! Were you too forward right now? She's not even looking at you anymore!
"H-hey..." you stutter, damn it, why do you stutter? "I'm just trying to help, you know? I'm sure Madoka will understand everything if you explain..."
The small, dark haired girl you call a friend shifts, if anything looking more uncomfortable... and huggable.
"J-just as I did!" You exclaim, dimly aware of your flailing arms. "Remember that, Homura? I..." you take back control of your arms to bring both hands to your chest, "I forgave you for everything."
You're not proud at all of the small smile tugging at Homura's lips. Maybe a bit.
"And Madoka is even nicer than I am, you know that, right?" you smile to yourself, content with your reasoning, and not with the fact Homura's shoulders relax a bit, as if dropping a burden.
Said girl's mouth opens slightly, but she pauses, searching for words. You wait patiently, as is your virtue.
"Maybe you're right," Homura's voice barely carries in the night wind.
Then she finally meets your eyes, still giving that damnably small smile of hers, and it strikes you again how small she looks, despite everything, despite how big and strong she's in your mind...
"A... A hug, H-Homura?" You blurt out, opening your arms before you can regret it.
And do you regret it, seeing that hard earned smile melt into wary confusion...
You're about to chicken out when Homura nods, so slightly you're not sure whether you imagined it.
You bite down a 'you better appreciate this' knowing it won't go well, and try to look as nice and inviting as you can as the girl steps into your hug. You immediately wrap up your arms around her, holding her close -but not too close!- as she burrows her head on your shoulder.
A few seconds pass and you feel the tension seep away from Homura's frame, as if a great weight had left her... and it feels nice, knowing you're letting her relax, girl really needs it...
"I-I'm not hugging you just to be nice, you know!" you absolutely ruin the moment, you can feel Homura startle. "It's just that you're so thin," you insist, not knowing how to stop, "I just... I just worry that- that Mami will worry, and I won't hear the end of it," you continue digging your own grave, "you know this way I can tell her you're not that thin anymore, so her feeding you is getting results."
You accentuate your point by poking her in the ribs, and regretting it immediately as Homura flinches at your touch.
You know you're flushing like mad as she pushes slightly off your shoulders, regaining her distance. You clench your teeth, illogically frustrated. You didn't do anything wrong!
"Thank you."
The soft whisper startles you.
You smile, you can't help it, really, you shouldn't be feeling so well just hearing two words...
You'll let it pass this time. "You're welcome!" you answer proudly, hands on your hips. It's good to get some appreciation now and then, right?
Then, Homura's smile morphs into a grin.
"You're really nice, Sabrina," she says.
"W-well, of course I am!" you wave her off.
"A really good friend," she insists. You try to interject, but she goes on. "You've helped me a lot, and Mami, and Madoka, you're always kind and nice, even thought you hide it... badly. Very badly."
You're aware of a small noise like a boiling tea kettle escaping your lips. Still, Homura doesn't let up!
"I don't think I could've gone on this far if I hadn't met you," she cruelly tugs at your heart, "it's almost a miracle how you seem to make everything work, when I..."
"Stop..." you beg, falling down on your knees and hands, head down, "please, no more..."
A light huff is the end of your torment.
You look up. "You've been saving all that for a while, haven't you?"
Homura flips her hair, turns around, and walks away. She stops at the edge of the rooftop to nod at you, before jumping down.
And damn it, that wasn't an aswer, but you can't help but feel you lost this one.
"So you better face Madoka, and be completely honest with her," you insist for the last time, "got that, Homura?"
Under the light of the moon, you barely catch Homura's very slight shrug.
You cross your arms. You do it because it's chilly up here on the roof, not because you're bothered she's not appreciating the time and effort you're putting on trying to help her... You could be doing anything else right now, really!
You then notice you've been frowning down at Homura for the past few seconds. Damn it! Were you too forward right now? She's not even looking at you anymore!
"H-hey..." you stutter, damn it, why do you stutter? "I'm just trying to help, you know? I'm sure Madoka will understand everything if you explain..."
The small, dark haired girl you call a friend shifts, if anything looking more uncomfortable... and huggable.
"J-just as I did!" You exclaim, dimly aware of your flailing arms. "Remember that, Homura? I..." you take back control of your arms to bring both hands to your chest, "I forgave you for everything."
You're not proud at all of the small smile tugging at Homura's lips. Maybe a bit.
"And Madoka is even nicer than I am, you know that, right?" you smile to yourself, content with your reasoning, and not with the fact Homura's shoulders relax a bit, as if dropping a burden.
Said girl's mouth opens slightly, but she pauses, searching for words. You wait patiently, as is your virtue.
"Maybe you're right," Homura's voice barely carries in the night wind.
Then she finally meets your eyes, still giving that damnably small smile of hers, and it strikes you again how small she looks, despite everything, despite how big and strong she's in your mind...
"A... A hug, H-Homura?" You blurt out, opening your arms before you can regret it.
And do you regret it, seeing that hard earned smile melt into wary confusion...
You're about to chicken out when Homura nods, so slightly you're not sure whether you imagined it.
You bite down a 'you better appreciate this' knowing it won't go well, and try to look as nice and inviting as you can as the girl steps into your hug. You immediately wrap up your arms around her, holding her close -but not too close!- as she burrows her head on your shoulder.
A few seconds pass and you feel the tension seep away from Homura's frame, as if a great weight had left her... and it feels nice, knowing you're letting her relax, girl really needs it...
"I-I'm not hugging you just to be nice, you know!" you absolutely ruin the moment, you can feel Homura startle. "It's just that you're so thin," you insist, not knowing how to stop, "I just... I just worry that- that Mami will worry, and I won't hear the end of it," you continue digging your own grave, "you know this way I can tell her you're not that thin anymore, so her feeding you is getting results."
You accentuate your point by poking her in the ribs, and regretting it immediately as Homura flinches at your touch.
You know you're flushing like mad as she pushes slightly off your shoulders, regaining her distance. You clench your teeth, illogically frustrated. You didn't do anything wrong!
"Thank you."
The soft whisper startles you.
You smile, you can't help it, really, you shouldn't be feeling so well just hearing two words...
You'll let it pass this time. "You're welcome!" you answer proudly, hands on your hips. It's good to get some appreciation now and then, right?
Then, Homura's smile morphs into a grin.
"You're really nice, Sabrina," she says.
"W-well, of course I am!" you wave her off.
"A really good friend," she insists. You try to interject, but she goes on. "You've helped me a lot, and Mami, and Madoka, you're always kind and nice, even thought you hide it... badly. Very badly."
You're aware of a small noise like a boiling tea kettle escaping your lips. Still, Homura doesn't let up!
"I don't think I could've gone on this far if I hadn't met you," she cruelly tugs at your heart, "it's almost a miracle how you seem to make everything work, when I..."
"Stop..." you beg, falling down on your knees and hands, head down, "please, no more..."
A light huff is the end of your torment.
You look up. "You've been saving all that for a while, haven't you?"
Homura flips her hair, turns around, and walks away. She stops at the edge of the rooftop to nod at you, before jumping down.
And damn it, that wasn't an aswer, but you can't help but feel you lost this one.
"So," you say, idly knotting the string tying you to Homura around your wrist. "Mami's power is based around connections, right?"
Homura glances questioningly at you.
"Well..." you say, taking the lack of contradiction as agreement, or at least acknowledgement of your point. "I've noticed that I coordinate really well with her, despite having little to no practice together."
Homura's questioning gaze intensifies somehow. Not exactly a gaze, but you can all but hear the unspoken 'go on'.
Heh.
You're getting better at understanding Homura-ese.
"I reckon team and coordination practice could help our group improve very quickly, especially with Mami's help," you continue. "What do you think?"
Homura's brow furrows. "There's a... magical element to you and Mami working well together?"
"I don't really know," you clarify as you come to a halt over the park. It's not a large one, and you've already made a full circuit. "I'm just thinking that it might be. Uh. No magical girls at this park, by the way."
"You think that magic is the reason you and Mami work so well together?" Maybe you're imagining it, but there's the slightest trace of amusement in Homura's voice as she answers you. "The shopping center, then the library."
"The Clear Seed is free," you say, shaking your head. "Replaceable, even. You just saw me make one, all it takes is a Grief Seed, and-" You tap a finger against the Soul Gem on your longcoat, drawing forth a wispy streamer of billowing, fractal purple which you banish to join the rest of the Grief. "-just a bit of time."
"I- I see," Rin says. "Then thank you, Sabrina. You have our gratitude."
"You're welcome," you say, shaking your head with a smile. "Can you tell... can you tell Akiko I'm sorry? If you think she's ready for it. And that... I'd like to talk to her sometime?"
You'd debated with yourself whether to tell them about what forming a Clear Seed does to the Witch within it. You have a guess that Akiko saw Setsuko Witch out, contributing to her obsession with Grief Seeds. And if she has Setsuko's Grief Seed... would she want it calmed down?
It's a bit of a long shot. And ultimately, there was no way to gracefully insert it into the conversation except as a rather odd tangent. Which you of all people could probably get away with, in retrospect, but you weren't sure.
"I will find a time to do so," Rin promises.
"Also... have you heard from the Fukushima group?" you ask.
"No," Rin says, shaking her head. "Not after they went home. Are you thinking of extending your aid to them, too?"
"I want to extend help to every single magical girl, eventually," you say. "Hm... Well, if you haven't heard from them, I guess I'll go drop by at some point, maybe. Not very sure about that."
"I understand," Rin says. "If you need our help to mediate a meeting, feel free to ask?"
"Thanks," you say, flashing her a smile. "Now, my turn to ask - is there anything left? Rin? Mami, Sayaka, Nadia?"
"If you're sure there's nothing else we can offer in return for the Clear Seed?" Rin says, and continues when you shake your head. "Then no."
Sayaka shakes her head, tucking away the power gems into her pockets. "Nope," she says. Nadia shakes her head, too.
"Then for now, farewell," you say, standing. Mami rises smoothly at your side, followed belatedly by Nadia and Sayaka. "I'm not entirely sure when I'll drop by again, but hopefully soon? And... honestly? I hope we can be friends, in the future. I know I've caused you all a lot of trouble, but... yeah."
"I'd like that too," Rin says with a smile as she stands and bows to you. "I think we all would."
Yumi rolls her eyes, pushing herself to her feet. "Better than having you as an enemy, I'd say."
Tamiko swats her on the arm, and bows to you, too.
"See you all!" you say, bowing in return. Exchanging your goodbyes, you head out, Mami taking your arm.
Nadia ambles over to your other side. "Can I ask for a ride?"
"Of course," you say, quirking an eyebrow at her. "I was going to offer you one, actually. Where do you need to go?"
"Northeast Sendai," Nadia says. "It is not too far out of the way, and I can make it to Shiogama easily."
"Ah," Sayaka says, grimacing. "The group that was... broken?"
"Yes," Nadia says, with a nod. "I will tell them to travel to Mitakihara."
"I could fly you all the way there?" you suggest, bobbing to the side to allow a passerby to walk between you and Nadia. "And then wait to pick them up?"
Nadia shakes her head. "Unless you are willing to wait for a few days, I do not think they can drop everything to move so quickly?"
"Well, I don't really know anything about them," you say, ambling down an alleyway. You bound up the rough brick wall, Mami, Nadia, and Sayaka following. "Watanabe Noriko and Saito Akemi, right? I presume they're good people, since you're sending them my way."
"That is true," Nadia says, ruminating for a moment. "They were both pleasant people. Their teammate's loss hit them hard, they are mourning, fimti? They do not live as peacefully, they have become harsher."
"Right, thanks," you say, guiding in Grief with a wave of your hands and starting to form your Grief platform.
"So be extra-nice to them?" Sayaka asks. You loop a ball of Grief around her head, and she gives you a scowl, to which you respond with an unrepentant grin.
"I do not know," Nadia says with a shrug. "They were prickly. But they will be glad for the help, I think."
"We'll give them a nice welcome," you say, finishing the flight platform. "And then figure out what they want. Now, all aboard!"
"Mm," Nadia agrees, stepping up.
Mami cuddles against your side as soon as you sit down. You smile at her, wrapping an arm around her waist. "Are you alright?" you ask. "You've been a bit quiet."
She takes a shaky breath. "I'm alright," she says. "Just... I realise how much of your time I take up. You do so much good, Sabrina."
"And one of the best things I've done was helping you," you say, smiling at her as you lift off the platform. "So no, there aren't better things I could do with my time than spending it with you, Mami."
That earns you a smile. "Thank you, Sabrina," she says. "I- I'll try and keep it in mind."
You bank the platform, and head northeast as Nadia requested. Sayaka seems preoccupied, sorting through the pocketful of power gems she'd collected with a thoughtful frown. Nadia relaxes, taking full advantage of the back end of your mobile oppression fortress to sprawl out comfortably, looking up at the sky whizzing by.
You keep an eye on the city rolling past, the skyscrapers giving way to the many, many apartment buildings and smaller shopping centers. You glance back at Nadia. "You're sure I can't take you further?"
She cracks one eye open from her half-doze. "You can," she says amiably. "But I like to go alone. It is... relaxing to travel alone, fimti? I might drop by after!"
Nadia pauses, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "I might bring the Shiogama girls over," she says, frowning as she stands and leans over the side of the platform. "Maybe. I will see. Here is fine."
"Alrighty, then. Don't be a stranger, alright? And yeah, feel free to come back any time, I think we'd all love to hang out," you say, standing. You eye her, trying to decide whether to give her a hug or not.
Hm, maybe not. You switch to Darija and telepathy. "Goodbye for now, Nadia. Good luck, and safe travels!" Into her mind, you breathe the words, "Do you know any good restaurants in Italy?"
"Goodbye, Sabrina. I'd wish you good luck, but I think you make your own," she responds in the same language before turning to Mami and Sayaka. "Farewell, Tomoe Mami, Miki Sayaka. I wish you all the best."
She responds to you as your friends exchange farewells with her. "I ate at Da Vittorio once," she says. "It would be perfect for a date."
... somehow, she manages to convey the impression of winking at you without so much as glancing in your direction.
She bows one last time to you, then Mami, then Sayaka before putting a hand on the edge of the platform and vaulting over and shifting to a smooth stride away. With absolutely nothing supporting her. Without looking back, Nadia lifts her hand in a careless wave as she marches away on thin air, faint shimmers around her feet.
Mami waves, an amused smile on her face at Sayaka's gobsmacked expression.
Said expression morphs into thoughtful interest a few seconds later. "I can do that," Sayaka says thoughtfully, thumbing through the gems in her pocket.
"Didn't you copy Chouko's powers too?" you ask. "She can fly, you know."
"Yeah, but that is cool," Sayaka says, pointing at Nadia's receding form.
"Yeah, fine, it is," you concede. "Well. Shall we go home?"
"Home," Mami says with a smile, sitting and tugging hopefully at your arm. Of course, you take that invitation to sit down and give her a side-long hug.
"Home!" Sayaka says, grinning. "Man, I've got ideas for these powers. Actually, Mami, Sabrina, lemme run them past you?"
"Of course," Mami says, nestling against your side, but tilting her head far enough to peer at Sayaka. You bank your flying fortress around, sparing a glance to check that you're headed in the right direction.
"So..." Sayaka holds up a few gems in her hand, each one supported between two fingers. "I want to make a kind of... I dunno, selector? Basically, a wheel with powers stacked on it. If Mami can teach me how to do that trick where she hides the teacup, I could have the exact power I want on demand."
"Good thinking, Sayaka" Mami says, frowning in thought. "Certainly, I can teach you that enchantment, but it may take time to learn. Have you been giving thought to which powers would make good combinations?"
"Yeah," Sayaka agrees. "I think I need to train in how many I can manage at once, too. I did alright with your ribbons and Miss Bennouna's magic, but I don't really know if I can handle three or four or five at once. I'll need to test it out."
"Good," Mami says, humming quietly. "If you can handle three, there are so many amazing combinations."
"Invisibility, lightning, and flight," you offer with a smirk. "Or the super-eyesight you mentioned? But if I recall correctly, Miss Sato's lightning had some serious power behind it. If you could do it invisibly..."
"Or invisibility and ribbons," Sayaka says with a grin. "I could sneak up on anyone and trap them."
"And if you could use, ah, Miss Koizumi's cloning with that..." Mami says, beaming. "You could tie down the entire battlefield."
"Like you can't do that already, Mami," you say, smiling at her.
"Well... true, but now Sayaka can, too," Mami says, blushing a little.
"Bet you'd do it more stylishly, though," you say. "No offense, Sayaka."
"None taken," Sayaka says, rolling her eyes.
"Also, hey," you say, squeezing Mami a little. "Maybe we could figure out how to stabilise your ribbon-clone, Mami? I bet that'd be a nasty surprise for anyone -or anything- you might fight."
"It depends on how Miss Koizumi's clones work," Mami says. "But maybe!"
You chat happily with Mami and Sayaka as you soar home. You track along the railway lines, overtaking the snaking trains as you zip past. All too soon, the countryside and farmer's fields give way once more to the suburban sprawl, the skyscrapers of Mitakihara spiking up into the sky ahead of you.
"Hey Homura, hey Madoka!" you call, hooking Mami and Sayaka into the loop. "We're back!"
"Ah! Hello, Sabrina!" Madoka says.
"Oi, we're here too!" Sayaka pipes up.
"Oh, Sayaka, Mami!" Madoka responds. "How was the trip?"
"Good, good," Sayaka says. "I copied a whole bunch of cool powers!"
"Ah, that's good!" Madoka says.
"Welcome back," Homura says, toneless as ever.
"Hey, Homura," you say as you zip over the apartment buildings of Mitakihara. "We're back, safe and sound as promised."
"Good," she says quietly.
"It's good to hear from you two," Mami says. "How have you been?"
"We're doing alright," Madoka says. "Homura's helping me with homework!"
"Uuuugh," Sayaka groans, putting a dramatically aggrieved hand to her forehead. "I've gotta do that too. Don't leave me out! Wait- what homework are you doing?"
"Oh!" Madoka says. "Um, Homura suggested that we could work on next week's classes as preparation? You can come over, if you like? She's really helpful!"
"Yeah, sounds good to me," Sayaka says. "Sabrina?"
"One drop off at Madoka's place, coming right up," you say. "Want me to just drop you off?"
Sayaka considers this for a moment. "Nah. Madoka's father might kill me if I damaged the tomato plants."
"Sayaka!" Madoka squeaks.
"What? I'm just saying!" Sayaka says.
Mami buries her face against your side, muffling her giggles. "They are very nice tomato plants," she whispers to you.
"True." You snicker as you guide your flying platform in for a low pass over a convenient copse of trees near the Kaname's. You offer her a high-five. "Sayaka? Here's your stop~"
"Oh?" Sayaka says, absently slapping her hand against yours and holding it up for Mami as she peers around. "Oh, yeah. Hard to recognise from up here. Yup, see you later!"
She vaults over the side, cape billowing like a white banner as she lets herself drop towards the patch of greenery. You pull up, reassured by the burst of cerulean blue light of Sayaka's detransformation a few minutes later - and you're not so far away that you can't see the bleunette emerge from the trees and wave to you.
Mami sighs happily, and nestles a little closer into your side. "You did good today," she murmurs to you.
"Thanks, Mami," you say. "Means a lot, coming from you."
Voting opens
[] Go with Mami to buy the things Kirika wanted.
[] Head home
- [] What to do at home?
[] Talk with Mami about Kyouko training Sayaka once you're alone.
- [] Specify topics
[] Visit the Mikunis
[] Broach the subject of Asunaro
[] Timeskip
- [] Where to?
[] Write-in (word count limit: 150 words)
=====
And here we are, back in familiar stomping grounds.
