Torgamous
Aspiring Gynoid
- Pronouns
- She/Her
And a meguca other adults could relate to.
Puella Magi Adfligo Systema
- Thread starter Firnagzen
- Start date
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- Tags
- puella magi adfligo systema puella magi madoka magica be gay do crimes (gay) female protagonist bad decisions dating mami tomoe (tomoe mami) diabolical laughter friendship is the best ship handholding identity crises microwaving tea gets you put in the bad place names are important the body is the fursona of the soul this is not the baked goods thread we don't talk about rionna what could possibly go wrong? who in the world is azure sanfrancisco?
- Location
- Netherlands
- Pronouns
- She/Her
With all this worrying about telepathy privacy, maybe we should get started on trying to create a private alternative to telepathy. I don't think we ourselves are well equipped for that, though, with our range limit. I reckon we should ask Mami to try and come up with something: after all, she's got the most experience with enchantments, AND her power is 'connections'. So she's probably pretty much perfectly suited towards creating a telepathy alternative.
We don't need to do everything ourselves. Delegation is a thing that will become increasingly important as our group expands it's influence. And besides, sometimes other people are actually a better fit for a job than we are.
EDIT: Also, we don't need to have a perfect improvement on telepathy right away. Having even a somewhat inconvenient long distance private communication method would still be very useful.
We don't need to do everything ourselves. Delegation is a thing that will become increasingly important as our group expands it's influence. And besides, sometimes other people are actually a better fit for a job than we are.
EDIT: Also, we don't need to have a perfect improvement on telepathy right away. Having even a somewhat inconvenient long distance private communication method would still be very useful.
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Onmur
Archangel of Nutella.
I feel a need to explain something about my thoughts, what with so many annoying vote edits.
If we tell Oriko about relocaion right now, I fear that's something that would increase the chance she 'randomly' finds Hisaomi's diary, out of a need to reminisce, or whatever.
Let's say, to make up numbers, that if we tell Oriko about relocation right now, that in between right now and tomorrow when we hopefully visit, there's 1% chance she'll get Diarybombed.
To put things into perspective, let's change a couple of words and imagine a 1% chance of Mami getting Witchbombed for any reason.
Would we take those odds? Can we take those odds on Best Buddy's Ojou?
BTW, as a random note, I think Firn said the whole talk about Mami's apartment and weird geometries wasn't PMAS canon, but while this was obvious to me, perhaps it merits pointing out, just so people can be more sads about mumi and want to have Sabrina hug her more
.
There's a room in Mami's apartment that is completely blocked off by a book case. The obvious thing to me is that this is Mami's parents' room. Which Mami blocked off. With a book case. So she doesn't have to look at it.
If we tell Oriko about relocaion right now, I fear that's something that would increase the chance she 'randomly' finds Hisaomi's diary, out of a need to reminisce, or whatever.
Let's say, to make up numbers, that if we tell Oriko about relocation right now, that in between right now and tomorrow when we hopefully visit, there's 1% chance she'll get Diarybombed.
To put things into perspective, let's change a couple of words and imagine a 1% chance of Mami getting Witchbombed for any reason.
Would we take those odds? Can we take those odds on Best Buddy's Ojou?
BTW, as a random note, I think Firn said the whole talk about Mami's apartment and weird geometries wasn't PMAS canon, but while this was obvious to me, perhaps it merits pointing out, just so people can be more sads about mumi and want to have Sabrina hug her more
.There's a room in Mami's apartment that is completely blocked off by a book case. The obvious thing to me is that this is Mami's parents' room. Which Mami blocked off. With a book case. So she doesn't have to look at it.
mCooperative
meanderingCephalopod
- Location
- Back in Mitakihara after like 1000 years.
[X] Telepathy:
-[X] Kirika: You'll swing by with imporant news for them, and you'd like to talk with Kirika in private, too (hint).
-[X] Nadia, Tsubaki (include Mami, Homura?): Introductions; offer Grief cleansing services; share details of your 'mission'; explain you're hoping she could help, being an adult other meguca could relate to.
[X] Help Homura with testing.
-[X] Try and get her to pick up and hold you properly.
-[X] Ask about her protecting all our Soul Gems.
[X] Try willing the enchanted soft rock to
-[X] Become something else
-[X] Attract Grief
[x] Ask Mami: Private telepathy alternative creation?
[X] Test enchanted Grief.
-[X] Use the same enchanted Grief to make different things.
-[X] Do you need to decide what you want to build before enchanting Grief, or not?
-[X] While testing, with enchantment...
--[X] Put Kuroki's phone in a privacy field; repair it. Check it afterwards.
--[X] Make a full-sized Brina clone.
---[X] Give Mami double hugs.
---[X] Let Mami examine clone for her own research?
-[X] Chibi Brina: Try...
--[X] Moving in four dimensions. Observe.
--[X] Mapping the 4d shape of your soul gem.
--[X] Leaving your range.
--[X] Enchanting things hands-free or using Chibi Brina's hands
[X] Call Hijiri.
-[X] Ask how she's doing.
--[X] Grief levels?
--[X] Anything she wants to talk?
-[X] Offer an update on Anri. She's safe, is detained humanely, and we did speak with her and hear what she had to say.
[X] Don't timeskip to tomorrow just yet.
Because while we're SCIENCE, we might as well cover it thoroughly.
Also:
Thank you for all of my feelings right there.
... the size of that apartment makes even more sense, if it was originally the home of three people, instead of one.
...
-[X] Kirika: You'll swing by with imporant news for them, and you'd like to talk with Kirika in private, too (hint).
-[X] Nadia, Tsubaki (include Mami, Homura?): Introductions; offer Grief cleansing services; share details of your 'mission'; explain you're hoping she could help, being an adult other meguca could relate to.
[X] Help Homura with testing.
-[X] Try and get her to pick up and hold you properly.
-[X] Ask about her protecting all our Soul Gems.
[X] Try willing the enchanted soft rock to
-[X] Become something else
-[X] Attract Grief
[x] Ask Mami: Private telepathy alternative creation?
[X] Test enchanted Grief.
-[X] Use the same enchanted Grief to make different things.
-[X] Do you need to decide what you want to build before enchanting Grief, or not?
-[X] While testing, with enchantment...
--[X] Put Kuroki's phone in a privacy field; repair it. Check it afterwards.
--[X] Make a full-sized Brina clone.
---[X] Give Mami double hugs.
---[X] Let Mami examine clone for her own research?
-[X] Chibi Brina: Try...
--[X] Moving in four dimensions. Observe.
--[X] Mapping the 4d shape of your soul gem.
--[X] Leaving your range.
--[X] Enchanting things hands-free or using Chibi Brina's hands
[X] Call Hijiri.
-[X] Ask how she's doing.
--[X] Grief levels?
--[X] Anything she wants to talk?
-[X] Offer an update on Anri. She's safe, is detained humanely, and we did speak with her and hear what she had to say.
[X] Don't timeskip to tomorrow just yet.
Because while we're SCIENCE, we might as well cover it thoroughly.
Also:
Thank you for all of my feelings right there.
... the size of that apartment makes even more sense, if it was originally the home of three people, instead of one.
...
I wonder if we can give that room some use. We've already pressed for sleeping space when Homura comes for sleepovers and it may be good for Mami to get another emotional weight off herself.
Subrosian_Smithy
endless
- Location
- Washington
- Pronouns
- She/Her/Hers
Mikiel: [audibly disgusted sighing]
The Phoenixian
The Glacier Witch
- Location
- My own little world
Okay, this rings of panic and paranoia to me. More than that, it gets in the way of talking to Oriko and Kirika about a discussion that is extremely important to do promptly.
We've made the mistake of taking a paranoid interpretation as cause for inaction too many times before and it has done major damage. (And I know I have my fair share of blame in that.) I think we should at least try to see how much of a threat that diary actually is to her.
In general, my big problem with taking action on the diary right now is that we do not know for certain what is written in it. I don't want to end up taking action based off of incomplete information and speculation.
As a result I'm looking at the raws for Sadness Prayer, volume four. Looking at the art itself, it's not the book itself that breaks her, it just sends her raring off to either kill Diet Member Kenzaburo Yaegashi or threaten him for answers. It's what he says during their conversation that breaks her. I'm still translating what exactly is spoken (Hampered, but not stopped by not knowing a lick of Japanese) but right now it looks like the Diet member is the threat here.
Beyond that, I'll note that the housing switch isn't something we're forcing on them, it's something we're offering them. Acting like its a done deal, rather than an offer, because we think they would want it strikes me as a really shitty thing to do.
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Retsof
I will keep you safe.
Despite the circumstances, that music is still of the most badass pieces I've heard. Would also work as music for a sufficiently angered Homu, though hopefully we'll have no reason to see that.
Onmur
Archangel of Nutella.
While it might ring of paranoia, I think waiting until tomorrow so we can tell them in person should work fine, too.
(It was what I was going for to start with >_> )
On the diary, Kirika's reaction is that Oriko Must Not Find Out, so until we know what it contains, I'd rather let Kirika know about it, so she can decide what to do.
That's pretty abrupt. Have you guys told Nadia that you want to be introduced to Tsubaki earlier?
Onmur
Archangel of Nutella.
On the Nadia side of things, it's just asking her to put us in contact with Tsubaki. Does that require more lines?
EDIT: I'm wondering whether there's a better way to word everything. >_>
Also, I think we're planning to have two updates (more if Hijiri's annoying) before having Sabrina to do sleep, so maybe some of the stuff in this vote should be shoved to the next vote?
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DB_Explorer
Purveyor of alternate realities.
- Location
- San Diego, California
- Pronouns
- He/Him
uhhhh
.... [X] Onmur
.... [X] Onmur
- Location
- USA, Midworld world line
Had a moment where I was comparing some stuff, and this thought happened: Fermi's Paradox is the concept that we don't observe other cultures at astronomical scales, despite theorizing that such life should be more common. Roughly.
One attempt to answer this academically is Hanson's essay proposing the Great Filter.
One attempt to answer this academically is Hanson's essay proposing the Great Filter.
This would give us a simple motivation for Kyuubey implying it had 'met it's quota' by contracting Madoka. The energy harvest from Earth was always a time limited event for them. Parasites generally do not extend the life of their host.
As they grant Wishes, the 'development' rate of the host species accelerates. This creates many more endemic hazards. One is visible to Sabrina: higher population density. It also seems that the general progress of technology is faster by a small amount in PMMM, as well as GDP rising over our world's expectation. Risk, at the SciFi civilization level, is being accumulated quickly..
Host species are going to encounter their Great Filter much sooner if Kyuubey intervenes. And it knows this.
That could be happing in PMAS right now?
Is there a military research project underway in Hokkaido at this very moment? Would the results of that lab lead to a final antagonist that would fit Sabrina's theme very well? Who feels like averting a nanomachine apocalypse?
Saishuu Heiki Kanojo delivers this possibility.
Is Feathers our mid-boss, not the final challenge?
As they grant Wishes, the 'development' rate of the host species accelerates. This creates many more endemic hazards. One is visible to Sabrina: higher population density. It also seems that the general progress of technology is faster by a small amount in PMMM, as well as GDP rising over our world's expectation. Risk, at the SciFi civilization level, is being accumulated quickly..
Host species are going to encounter their Great Filter much sooner if Kyuubey intervenes. And it knows this.
That could be happing in PMAS right now?
Is there a military research project underway in Hokkaido at this very moment? Would the results of that lab lead to a final antagonist that would fit Sabrina's theme very well? Who feels like averting a nanomachine apocalypse?
Saishuu Heiki Kanojo delivers this possibility.
Is Feathers our mid-boss, not the final challenge?
To the White Forest pt. 24
"We should," you agree with a warm smile at Mami. You link arms with her and head to the kitchen, waving at Homura as you pass the living room. She doesn't seem to notice you, though, or maybe she's just ignoring you in favour of staring at you inside the shield.
"Well, this is my life now," you inform her gravely from inside said shield. "Hamster-balled forever."
You eye the rock above your head, floating suspended in the middle of the shield, and start walking. You trundle across the floor until you bump into Homura's feet, giving her an accusing stare.
"I was thinking we could make some dan-dan noodles," Mami tells you, motioning towards the packet of defrosting minced pork. "I know Homura loves cream stew, but she can't have it for every meal."
"Well, we are trying to fatten her up," you muse. "And it's not like we'd actually get fat-fat as magical girls."
Mami gives this a moment's consideration. "It's still not healthy," she decides.
"Probably," you agree, and laugh. "Sichuan style, right? Do we have crushed peanuts? Ah, wait, no, we have whole ones. I'll grind them up."
"Chinese style," Mami agrees with a smile. "We don't have the time to do the Japanese style ramen. I'll start on the sauce."
And at the same time, you're whizzing about the living room at a dead sprint, ricocheting off the walls like a crazed pinball. "So what testing did you have in mind, Homura? Also, we've decided you can't have cream stew for every meal, so we're making something else for dinner."
"Durability with use," Homura says drily, watching you carom off the coffee table leg. "Is the enchantment weakening?"
You pause, skidding to a halt and extending your magical senses to check. "No, it doesn't seem to be," you say, and flick your hand out. A miniature hammer flashes into existence, and you swing it overhead to slam into the shield from the inside.
There's a bright flash of light, and you're knocked on your ass. "Ow."
"Sabrina?" Mami asks, giving you a concerned look over the heating pan.
"Nah, it's fine, just messing with Homura's shield," you say, shaking your head. You give her a reassuring smile, and return to grinding up the peanuts in the mortar and pestle while giving Homura an accusing look.
Homura shrugs.
"In better news, that doesn't really seem to have weakened the shield enchantment at all," you announce, deciding to be the better person. "Also, have you considered protecting Soul Gems with this? And, y'know, giving them to our non-magical girl friends."
"Yes," Homura murmurs. "Your... chibi is controlled from your Soul Gem, correct?"
"Yeah," you say, and blink. "Yeah, that's a good point. It clearly doesn't block magic. Can you make it less obvious, though? It's protection, yeah, but it would be best not to paint a glowing target on our Soul Gems even if they're protected." You knock your fist against the side of the shield wall meaningfully, watching the ripples of light race out from the touch.
"I don't know," Homura admits. "I will need to experiment."
"We have time." You grin up at her, warm and encouraging.
You stifle a giggle as you start whisking the peanuts into a sauce. Mami gives you an inquisitive look. "I just told Homura she has time," you say, grinning.
"Oh, Sabrina," Mami says, shaking her head and bumping her hip against yours as she heads over to the fridge.
You inspect the anchor stone for the shield, tugging lightly on it. There's a certain amount of give to it, yielding under your hands, which means that it's somewhat elastic. Which means you can bounce.
By the time dinner's ready, you've managed to bounce the shield off the floor and onto Homura's lap. She seems faintly exasperated, but hasn't removed you. Homura flicks the shield with a finger when she sees Mami emerging from the kitchen with bowls of steaming noodles, picking you up by the back of your shirt and wordlessly depositing you on Mami's shoulder.
You promptly burrow yourself under Mami's hair and hug her neck, making a pleased little noise.
"How did the testing go, Homura?" Mami asks, setting the bowls out. You follow up with utensils, little saucers of seaweed salad, and bowls of soup balanced on discs of Grief.
"It went well," Homura murmurs. "It would be good to test it fully."
"Next training session," Mami says with a broad smile. "We definitely want Sayaka to help, too, since she has such a vast array of powers at her disposal. Come, eat up!"
Dinner is delicious, as is right and proper. It's Mami's cooking - of course it's delicious. Sure, you helped, but it's Mami's cooking. Savoury pork, a bit spicy and just a touch sweet with the rich creaminess from added chunks of peanuts. Judging from the way Homura vacuums down the noodles, you think she agrees about the deliciousness.
Mami offers you a single noodle, but you turn it down. You'd rather not find out what happens when you remove the enchantment after eating something.
"Oh, hey - Homura, do you have anywhere to be after dinner?" you ask. "Or rather, I was thinking we could put in the order for the trackers after dinner- ah, damn." You make a face as a thought strikes you. "I... don't have a credit card."
"I do," Homura murmurs. "I can pay for it."
"Ah, uh, if you're OK with that," you say.
Homura nods.
"I have one too," Mami volunteers, nudging you gently.
"I'll pay for it," Homura repeats patiently.
"Ah- I didn't mean to undercut you, Homura," Mami says, shaking her head. "I, um..."
You snicker, patting Mami's shoulder. "I get it. Homura, do you want me to pay a part of it? I mean, I've still got some yakuza cash and stuff."
"That won't be necessary," Homura says, and for a wonder, doesn't flip her hair. Which is just as well, because non-magically magical hair or not, flipping her hair at the dinner table would probably end up with said hair in the sauce, and that's just no good.
Mami stifles a giggle.
By unspoken consensus, you all keep the rest of dinner light, savouring the noodles. Homura helps with the dishes, and finally, the three of you crowd around Mami's computer to make the order. And you clamber onto Mami's head, flopping comfortably amidst a thatch of soft, blonde hair.
"Overnight delivery," Homura declares, pointing over Mami's shoulder.
"Are you sure?" Mami asks, eyeing the delivery costs doubtfully.
"Yes," Homura responds. She pays for it without complaint, but then again, she has more than enough paranoia to drive this particular purchase and the money to back it up. You vaguely wonder if she's ever had to actually contend with paying credit card fees, what with the time loops.
Hm.
... well, that's something to deal with in the future.
"Alright," Mami says, smiling and clicking a few times. "That's the order placed, then. It should be here... in two days from now."
"Huh, quick," you say.
Mami shrugs and smiles as she stands to fuss with the scanner beside her computer. "Overnight delivery."
She pulls a piece of paper from her bag -the defense pact with Yuki- and tucks it into the scanner. "I said I'd send her a copy," she offers by way of explanation.
"Ah, right," you say, smiling. "Good thinking, I'd completely forgotten."
Mami ducks her head, pleased, and sends off the email.
"Homura, you're welcome to stay as long as you like," you say, beaming at her. "But I'm guessing you have plans, right?"
Plans involving stalking Madoka, of course.
"Yes," Homura says, hesitating for a long moment before adding, "Thank you. You and Mami."
"You're very welcome," Mami says. She beams at Homura. "You're always welcome here, Homura."
"Definitely," you agree.
Maybe you're imagining it, but Homura looks rather touched as she nods, and looks away. Nevertheless, you all exchange farewells, seeing Homura off. As the door shuts, you turn to Mami, and hug her.
"Well, just us left," you say, smiling softly.
"You're here," Mami says simply.
"So what's to do tonight?" you ask. "You have homework, right?"
Mami nods in agreement, her hair bobbing. "I do," she says, but rather than step away from you, simply burrows into your hug instead.
You savour the warmth, but disengage a few minutes later so you can actually settle into making sure Mami doesn't fail her classes. You wind up sitting side by side at the coffee table, leaning against each other and perched comfortably on her lap as Mami does her English homework. An essay.
Of course, you've got your own homework, of sorts.
It seems like your control enchantment let you shape your chibi body without going fully into a trance, which could be extremely valuable if it means you can pre-form enchantments. Vancian casting, as it were, with prepared materials. Though speaking of your chibi-body...
You scramble onto the table, plopping down right where Mami can see you, and give her a sunny smile. It'd be interesting to confirm that you can enchant with your miniature self, though you don't anticipate any problems there, considering you can summon your hammer without any problems. Nevertheless, testing and repeatability are at the core of good science, and so you summon a small blob of Grief to your hands, and a larger one to your other set of hands.
"Hey, Kirika?" you murmur as you start channeling magic. "Got a moment?"
"Eh? 'brina?" Kirika says. "Did you want Oriko?"
"No, no - just real quick, let her know I'll swing by to share some important news with you either tonight or tomorrow," you say. "Also, I'd like to talk to you privately at that point."
"Uhhhh sure," she responds, sounding confused. "Yeah, gotcha. Was that all?"
"Yeah," you say. "Catch up later!"
Grief moulds gently under your hands, all four of them. You can feel the faint shimmer of enchantment winding through the Grief. You stare thoughtfully at the Grief, rolling it between your palms as you think.
The thing is, this is an enchantment. Which is not the same thing as your Witch constructs. You don't will this into being what you want it to do, you simply sink magic into it and shape it physically like clay. You still had to will the chibi into animate life, but it took no time at all.
You frown thoughtfully, and toss the small blob of Grief at yourself before smushing everything all together and pinching off a small chunk to lob back at yourself. So if you start with the same batch of enchanted Grief, can you shape different Witch constructs from it?
Mami giggles, and you look up to find her looking at you.
"It's cute," she says, motioning at both of your yous.
You shrug, and grin at her. She smiles back, and returns to her essay, pen skating busily across the page.
One of your anti-pain rings, and a privacy construct. You start shaping the Grief, simple touches snapping the Grief into shape, and before long, you have both a pedestal with a mounted circlet, and a ring. Neither of which actually work, but that only takes a moment of will, and-
The privacy sphere blooms into existence, the world around you hazing as the field spreads.
"Is something wrong, Sabrina?" Mami asks, blinking at you.
"No, not at all," you say. "I was just testing my enchantment. It seems like I can enchant Grief to... more easily accept being turned into a construct?"
Mami purses her lips in consideration. "Your enchantment does seem more closely bound with your power than is usual," she agrees. "But that does seem reasonable."
"And it doesn't seem like I have to decide what I want to do with the Grief before enchanting it, either," you say, fiddling with the ring. It's practically dinner-plate sized, for you. "I just need to shape it physically, which is very interesting."
"Does the shape matter?" Mami asks.
"Good question!" you say. "I'll find out."
And you proceed to do just that, dissolving the privacy pedestal down to Grief. The enchantment dissipates harmlessly, falling apart with the physical form, and you swap in a fresh blob of Grief just to be sure of starting with a clean slate. This time, you first smush it into a rough lump, and take a moment to infuse your will into it.
It doesn't take. You frown, trying to push your will at it, but you can feel the edge of the precipice right there, that would have you impress your will upon the world. That's not what you're after, not the trance method of making a Witch construct.
You turn your attention to shaping the Grief a little more, moulding it into a nice, smooth sphere. And once more, you try to will it into doing what you would.
The privacy field blossoms once more, the steady sensation of Witch a constant accompaniment as you set the sphere down.
"So shape doesn't matter," you conclude. "Not that it ever did for the constructs, of course. But I need to have put... effort into shaping it before it actually works."
"Maybe it's like dough," Mami says, setting her pen down for a moment. "You have to knead it a bit first so it can support the magic?"
"Something like that," you agree, frowning thoughtfully. "Well, it's a good technique to have, anyway. Do you mind if I keep the field up for a bit? I want to do something."
"Ah? Go ahead," Mami says. She gives you a curious look as you pull Kuroki's phone out of your bag, before making a quiet noise of understanding.
You look at the phone, scowling thoughtfully. You fixed Mami's table, using Grief. Kuroki's phone, on the other hand, was hurled with puella magi strength into a wall hard enough to dent steel. The case and screen are shattered, and the internal circuit boards aren't in good shape. You're not... really sure you can recover it, what with oxidation damage and microscopic chips that you must have left behind.
Still, you won't know if you don't try.
A thought envelops the phone in Grief, seeping into every crack and split. And...
The flash memory is cracked. The chip is simply shattered along with the board underneath it, the pins torn out by the force of the impact. And you're... just not sure how to fix this, not when there are bits simply missing.
Damn.
"Hmm?" Mami says.
"... I said that out loud, didn't I?" you ask. "No, it's just that I don't think I can repair Kuroki's phone."
"Ah," Mami says, grimacing.
"Yeah," you say with a sigh. "Damn."
With a thought, you dissolve the privacy sphere, letting the curtain fall, and you lean back, closing your eyes. You can feel Mami's worried gaze, so you peek open one eye and grin at her. "I'm fine, just annoyed," you say.
"If you're sure," Mami says with a smile.
"I am," you say.
Mami nods, and returns to her essay.
"Er... Mami? Do you mind if I call someone by telepathy?" you say. "And if you want to, you can listen in? A magical girl who Nadia mentioned before."
"Ah... go ahead, Sabrina," Mami says. "I'd love to listen in."
"Alright," you say, and lean back again. "Nadia? Do you have a moment?"
"Sabrina, Miss Tomoe, hello," Nadia's accented tones respond after a few moments. "Is there news?"
"Ah... not really," you say. "We did go to Asunaro, though." You give Nadia a quick rundown without the specifics.
"Yes, I see," Nadia says. "What did you need?"
"Could you connect me to Tsubaki Mikoto?" you ask. "You know her, right?"
"Yes, it will be no problem," Nadia says. "One moment, fimti?"
You hum, and give Mami a warm smile as you wait.
[] Tsubaki Mikoto
- [x] General introductions
- [] How do you approach conversation with her?
-- [] Specific topics?
[] Rest of the night (choose experimentation or other things)
- [] Call Hijiri
-- [] Per vote in abeyance
-- [] Something else
- [] More science
-- [] Per vote in abeyance
-- [] Something else
[] Write-in (word count limit: 150 words)
OK, so... first, breaking as requested. Seocnd, just note that Science posts tend to take a lot of words. I'm happy enough to write 'em, just note that they tend to crowd out other things happening. Like here.
Basically, what I'm saying is you have to choose between doing science and other things, in most cases. Also, granted, you can keep requesting more posts, but I would actually like to wrap up the day.
"Well, this is my life now," you inform her gravely from inside said shield. "Hamster-balled forever."
You eye the rock above your head, floating suspended in the middle of the shield, and start walking. You trundle across the floor until you bump into Homura's feet, giving her an accusing stare.
"I was thinking we could make some dan-dan noodles," Mami tells you, motioning towards the packet of defrosting minced pork. "I know Homura loves cream stew, but she can't have it for every meal."
"Well, we are trying to fatten her up," you muse. "And it's not like we'd actually get fat-fat as magical girls."
Mami gives this a moment's consideration. "It's still not healthy," she decides.
"Probably," you agree, and laugh. "Sichuan style, right? Do we have crushed peanuts? Ah, wait, no, we have whole ones. I'll grind them up."
"Chinese style," Mami agrees with a smile. "We don't have the time to do the Japanese style ramen. I'll start on the sauce."
And at the same time, you're whizzing about the living room at a dead sprint, ricocheting off the walls like a crazed pinball. "So what testing did you have in mind, Homura? Also, we've decided you can't have cream stew for every meal, so we're making something else for dinner."
"Durability with use," Homura says drily, watching you carom off the coffee table leg. "Is the enchantment weakening?"
You pause, skidding to a halt and extending your magical senses to check. "No, it doesn't seem to be," you say, and flick your hand out. A miniature hammer flashes into existence, and you swing it overhead to slam into the shield from the inside.
There's a bright flash of light, and you're knocked on your ass. "Ow."
"Sabrina?" Mami asks, giving you a concerned look over the heating pan.
"Nah, it's fine, just messing with Homura's shield," you say, shaking your head. You give her a reassuring smile, and return to grinding up the peanuts in the mortar and pestle while giving Homura an accusing look.
Homura shrugs.
"In better news, that doesn't really seem to have weakened the shield enchantment at all," you announce, deciding to be the better person. "Also, have you considered protecting Soul Gems with this? And, y'know, giving them to our non-magical girl friends."
"Yes," Homura murmurs. "Your... chibi is controlled from your Soul Gem, correct?"
"Yeah," you say, and blink. "Yeah, that's a good point. It clearly doesn't block magic. Can you make it less obvious, though? It's protection, yeah, but it would be best not to paint a glowing target on our Soul Gems even if they're protected." You knock your fist against the side of the shield wall meaningfully, watching the ripples of light race out from the touch.
"I don't know," Homura admits. "I will need to experiment."
"We have time." You grin up at her, warm and encouraging.
You stifle a giggle as you start whisking the peanuts into a sauce. Mami gives you an inquisitive look. "I just told Homura she has time," you say, grinning.
"Oh, Sabrina," Mami says, shaking her head and bumping her hip against yours as she heads over to the fridge.
You inspect the anchor stone for the shield, tugging lightly on it. There's a certain amount of give to it, yielding under your hands, which means that it's somewhat elastic. Which means you can bounce.
By the time dinner's ready, you've managed to bounce the shield off the floor and onto Homura's lap. She seems faintly exasperated, but hasn't removed you. Homura flicks the shield with a finger when she sees Mami emerging from the kitchen with bowls of steaming noodles, picking you up by the back of your shirt and wordlessly depositing you on Mami's shoulder.
You promptly burrow yourself under Mami's hair and hug her neck, making a pleased little noise.
"How did the testing go, Homura?" Mami asks, setting the bowls out. You follow up with utensils, little saucers of seaweed salad, and bowls of soup balanced on discs of Grief.
"It went well," Homura murmurs. "It would be good to test it fully."
"Next training session," Mami says with a broad smile. "We definitely want Sayaka to help, too, since she has such a vast array of powers at her disposal. Come, eat up!"
Dinner is delicious, as is right and proper. It's Mami's cooking - of course it's delicious. Sure, you helped, but it's Mami's cooking. Savoury pork, a bit spicy and just a touch sweet with the rich creaminess from added chunks of peanuts. Judging from the way Homura vacuums down the noodles, you think she agrees about the deliciousness.
Mami offers you a single noodle, but you turn it down. You'd rather not find out what happens when you remove the enchantment after eating something.
"Oh, hey - Homura, do you have anywhere to be after dinner?" you ask. "Or rather, I was thinking we could put in the order for the trackers after dinner- ah, damn." You make a face as a thought strikes you. "I... don't have a credit card."
"I do," Homura murmurs. "I can pay for it."
"Ah, uh, if you're OK with that," you say.
Homura nods.
"I have one too," Mami volunteers, nudging you gently.
"I'll pay for it," Homura repeats patiently.
"Ah- I didn't mean to undercut you, Homura," Mami says, shaking her head. "I, um..."
You snicker, patting Mami's shoulder. "I get it. Homura, do you want me to pay a part of it? I mean, I've still got some yakuza cash and stuff."
"That won't be necessary," Homura says, and for a wonder, doesn't flip her hair. Which is just as well, because non-magically magical hair or not, flipping her hair at the dinner table would probably end up with said hair in the sauce, and that's just no good.
Mami stifles a giggle.
By unspoken consensus, you all keep the rest of dinner light, savouring the noodles. Homura helps with the dishes, and finally, the three of you crowd around Mami's computer to make the order. And you clamber onto Mami's head, flopping comfortably amidst a thatch of soft, blonde hair.
"Overnight delivery," Homura declares, pointing over Mami's shoulder.
"Are you sure?" Mami asks, eyeing the delivery costs doubtfully.
"Yes," Homura responds. She pays for it without complaint, but then again, she has more than enough paranoia to drive this particular purchase and the money to back it up. You vaguely wonder if she's ever had to actually contend with paying credit card fees, what with the time loops.
Hm.
... well, that's something to deal with in the future.
"Alright," Mami says, smiling and clicking a few times. "That's the order placed, then. It should be here... in two days from now."
"Huh, quick," you say.
Mami shrugs and smiles as she stands to fuss with the scanner beside her computer. "Overnight delivery."
She pulls a piece of paper from her bag -the defense pact with Yuki- and tucks it into the scanner. "I said I'd send her a copy," she offers by way of explanation.
"Ah, right," you say, smiling. "Good thinking, I'd completely forgotten."
Mami ducks her head, pleased, and sends off the email.
"Homura, you're welcome to stay as long as you like," you say, beaming at her. "But I'm guessing you have plans, right?"
Plans involving stalking Madoka, of course.
"Yes," Homura says, hesitating for a long moment before adding, "Thank you. You and Mami."
"You're very welcome," Mami says. She beams at Homura. "You're always welcome here, Homura."
"Definitely," you agree.
Maybe you're imagining it, but Homura looks rather touched as she nods, and looks away. Nevertheless, you all exchange farewells, seeing Homura off. As the door shuts, you turn to Mami, and hug her.
"Well, just us left," you say, smiling softly.
"You're here," Mami says simply.
"So what's to do tonight?" you ask. "You have homework, right?"
Mami nods in agreement, her hair bobbing. "I do," she says, but rather than step away from you, simply burrows into your hug instead.
You savour the warmth, but disengage a few minutes later so you can actually settle into making sure Mami doesn't fail her classes. You wind up sitting side by side at the coffee table, leaning against each other and perched comfortably on her lap as Mami does her English homework. An essay.
Of course, you've got your own homework, of sorts.
It seems like your control enchantment let you shape your chibi body without going fully into a trance, which could be extremely valuable if it means you can pre-form enchantments. Vancian casting, as it were, with prepared materials. Though speaking of your chibi-body...
You scramble onto the table, plopping down right where Mami can see you, and give her a sunny smile. It'd be interesting to confirm that you can enchant with your miniature self, though you don't anticipate any problems there, considering you can summon your hammer without any problems. Nevertheless, testing and repeatability are at the core of good science, and so you summon a small blob of Grief to your hands, and a larger one to your other set of hands.
"Hey, Kirika?" you murmur as you start channeling magic. "Got a moment?"
"Eh? 'brina?" Kirika says. "Did you want Oriko?"
"No, no - just real quick, let her know I'll swing by to share some important news with you either tonight or tomorrow," you say. "Also, I'd like to talk to you privately at that point."
"Uhhhh sure," she responds, sounding confused. "Yeah, gotcha. Was that all?"
"Yeah," you say. "Catch up later!"
Grief moulds gently under your hands, all four of them. You can feel the faint shimmer of enchantment winding through the Grief. You stare thoughtfully at the Grief, rolling it between your palms as you think.
The thing is, this is an enchantment. Which is not the same thing as your Witch constructs. You don't will this into being what you want it to do, you simply sink magic into it and shape it physically like clay. You still had to will the chibi into animate life, but it took no time at all.
You frown thoughtfully, and toss the small blob of Grief at yourself before smushing everything all together and pinching off a small chunk to lob back at yourself. So if you start with the same batch of enchanted Grief, can you shape different Witch constructs from it?
Mami giggles, and you look up to find her looking at you.
"It's cute," she says, motioning at both of your yous.
You shrug, and grin at her. She smiles back, and returns to her essay, pen skating busily across the page.
One of your anti-pain rings, and a privacy construct. You start shaping the Grief, simple touches snapping the Grief into shape, and before long, you have both a pedestal with a mounted circlet, and a ring. Neither of which actually work, but that only takes a moment of will, and-
The privacy sphere blooms into existence, the world around you hazing as the field spreads.
"Is something wrong, Sabrina?" Mami asks, blinking at you.
"No, not at all," you say. "I was just testing my enchantment. It seems like I can enchant Grief to... more easily accept being turned into a construct?"
Mami purses her lips in consideration. "Your enchantment does seem more closely bound with your power than is usual," she agrees. "But that does seem reasonable."
"And it doesn't seem like I have to decide what I want to do with the Grief before enchanting it, either," you say, fiddling with the ring. It's practically dinner-plate sized, for you. "I just need to shape it physically, which is very interesting."
"Does the shape matter?" Mami asks.
"Good question!" you say. "I'll find out."
And you proceed to do just that, dissolving the privacy pedestal down to Grief. The enchantment dissipates harmlessly, falling apart with the physical form, and you swap in a fresh blob of Grief just to be sure of starting with a clean slate. This time, you first smush it into a rough lump, and take a moment to infuse your will into it.
It doesn't take. You frown, trying to push your will at it, but you can feel the edge of the precipice right there, that would have you impress your will upon the world. That's not what you're after, not the trance method of making a Witch construct.
You turn your attention to shaping the Grief a little more, moulding it into a nice, smooth sphere. And once more, you try to will it into doing what you would.
The privacy field blossoms once more, the steady sensation of Witch a constant accompaniment as you set the sphere down.
"So shape doesn't matter," you conclude. "Not that it ever did for the constructs, of course. But I need to have put... effort into shaping it before it actually works."
"Maybe it's like dough," Mami says, setting her pen down for a moment. "You have to knead it a bit first so it can support the magic?"
"Something like that," you agree, frowning thoughtfully. "Well, it's a good technique to have, anyway. Do you mind if I keep the field up for a bit? I want to do something."
"Ah? Go ahead," Mami says. She gives you a curious look as you pull Kuroki's phone out of your bag, before making a quiet noise of understanding.
You look at the phone, scowling thoughtfully. You fixed Mami's table, using Grief. Kuroki's phone, on the other hand, was hurled with puella magi strength into a wall hard enough to dent steel. The case and screen are shattered, and the internal circuit boards aren't in good shape. You're not... really sure you can recover it, what with oxidation damage and microscopic chips that you must have left behind.
Still, you won't know if you don't try.
A thought envelops the phone in Grief, seeping into every crack and split. And...
The flash memory is cracked. The chip is simply shattered along with the board underneath it, the pins torn out by the force of the impact. And you're... just not sure how to fix this, not when there are bits simply missing.
Damn.
"Hmm?" Mami says.
"... I said that out loud, didn't I?" you ask. "No, it's just that I don't think I can repair Kuroki's phone."
"Ah," Mami says, grimacing.
"Yeah," you say with a sigh. "Damn."
With a thought, you dissolve the privacy sphere, letting the curtain fall, and you lean back, closing your eyes. You can feel Mami's worried gaze, so you peek open one eye and grin at her. "I'm fine, just annoyed," you say.
"If you're sure," Mami says with a smile.
"I am," you say.
Mami nods, and returns to her essay.
"Er... Mami? Do you mind if I call someone by telepathy?" you say. "And if you want to, you can listen in? A magical girl who Nadia mentioned before."
"Ah... go ahead, Sabrina," Mami says. "I'd love to listen in."
"Alright," you say, and lean back again. "Nadia? Do you have a moment?"
"Sabrina, Miss Tomoe, hello," Nadia's accented tones respond after a few moments. "Is there news?"
"Ah... not really," you say. "We did go to Asunaro, though." You give Nadia a quick rundown without the specifics.
"Yes, I see," Nadia says. "What did you need?"
"Could you connect me to Tsubaki Mikoto?" you ask. "You know her, right?"
"Yes, it will be no problem," Nadia says. "One moment, fimti?"
You hum, and give Mami a warm smile as you wait.
[] Tsubaki Mikoto
- [x] General introductions
- [] How do you approach conversation with her?
-- [] Specific topics?
[] Rest of the night (choose experimentation or other things)
- [] Call Hijiri
-- [] Per vote in abeyance
-- [] Something else
- [] More science
-- [] Per vote in abeyance
-- [] Something else
[] Write-in (word count limit: 150 words)
[X] Call Hijiri.
-[X] Ask how she's doing.
--[X] Grief levels?
--[X] Anything she wants to talk?
-[X] Offer an update on Anri. She's safe, is detained humanely, and we did speak with her and hear what she had to say.
[X] Test enchanted Grief.
-[X] While testing, with enchantment...
--[X] Make a full-sized Brina clone.
---[X] Give Mami double hugs.
---[X] Let Mami examine clone for her own research?
-[X] Chibi Brina: Try...
--[X] Moving in four dimensions. Observe.
--[X] Mapping the 4d shape of your soul gem.
--[X] Leaving your range.
-[X] Ask how she's doing.
--[X] Grief levels?
--[X] Anything she wants to talk?
-[X] Offer an update on Anri. She's safe, is detained humanely, and we did speak with her and hear what she had to say.
[X] Test enchanted Grief.
-[X] While testing, with enchantment...
--[X] Make a full-sized Brina clone.
---[X] Give Mami double hugs.
---[X] Let Mami examine clone for her own research?
-[X] Chibi Brina: Try...
--[X] Moving in four dimensions. Observe.
--[X] Mapping the 4d shape of your soul gem.
--[X] Leaving your range.
=====
OK, so... first, breaking as requested. Seocnd, just note that Science posts tend to take a lot of words. I'm happy enough to write 'em, just note that they tend to crowd out other things happening. Like here.
Basically, what I'm saying is you have to choose between doing science and other things, in most cases. Also, granted, you can keep requesting more posts, but I would actually like to wrap up the day.
Also, previous post has been edited slightly.
- Location
- The Surface Of A Hostile Planet
[q] Call Tsubaki old.
-[q] Demand she change hairstyles.
--[q] Accuse her of poor parenting with respect to Hinata.
-[q] Demand she change hairstyles.
--[q] Accuse her of poor parenting with respect to Hinata.
DB_Explorer
Purveyor of alternate realities.
- Location
- San Diego, California
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[JK] Tsubaki Mikoto
- [JK] General introductions
- [JK] Could I have a moment to talk to you about our lady and savior Madoka Kaname?
- [JK] General introductions
- [JK] Could I have a moment to talk to you about our lady and savior Madoka Kaname?
Torgamous
Aspiring Gynoid
- Pronouns
- She/Her
The mutual defense pact seems like News, or was that part of the rundown?
Onmur
Archangel of Nutella.
Nadia: *Looks at chapter titles*
*Forevermore shall not trust Sabrina*
One: We were called Brina.
Two: Kirika: Did you get the wrong number? I know we're joined by the hip (and everything else) so maybe you got confused?
DB_Explorer
Purveyor of alternate realities.
- Location
- San Diego, California
- Pronouns
- He/Him
text her a scan of the treaty?
then add it to wikipedia under 'Documents related to Mitakarta City' category and Japanese Politics.
Have Kirika keep the editors at bay : P
Onmur
Archangel of Nutella.
So Chibi Brina on Homu's lap is cute.
But now, Homu has grabbed Chibi Brina by the back of her shirt twice.
... Is Homu a cat?
Is there perhaps an echo of Amy Percival Venticus Akemi (Homura, for short) at hand, here?
- Location
- The Surface Of A Hostile Planet
More seriously, in terms of how we deal with Tsubaki:
• We aren't necessarily going to be trusted right away. Grief Controllers are often bad, bad news, and while Tsubaki is nice, she's far from inexperienced. We can lean on Nadia to give us a good word, but we can't rely on the two having a particularly close connection either. Go into the conversation aware of that.
• Tsubaki has responsibilities. She's taking care of two near-adopted kids, she might have a junior guca under her wing, and as an adult she probably has time commitments in that sphere as well. We can't and shouldn't impose on her to come visit us.
• Flattery is valuable. Tsubaki has both significant life experience and is an experienced magical girl in her own right. And, we really do want adult assistance in making our long term plans work. Coming to her as an experienced adult who we've heard good things about is a good opening approach.
• Keep the metaknowledge out of it, for now. We don't know what her actual situation is at the current moment, we don't know how much she knows about the bombs, and showing information you shouldn't have can be unsettling.
• We aren't necessarily going to be trusted right away. Grief Controllers are often bad, bad news, and while Tsubaki is nice, she's far from inexperienced. We can lean on Nadia to give us a good word, but we can't rely on the two having a particularly close connection either. Go into the conversation aware of that.
• Tsubaki has responsibilities. She's taking care of two near-adopted kids, she might have a junior guca under her wing, and as an adult she probably has time commitments in that sphere as well. We can't and shouldn't impose on her to come visit us.
• Flattery is valuable. Tsubaki has both significant life experience and is an experienced magical girl in her own right. And, we really do want adult assistance in making our long term plans work. Coming to her as an experienced adult who we've heard good things about is a good opening approach.
• Keep the metaknowledge out of it, for now. We don't know what her actual situation is at the current moment, we don't know how much she knows about the bombs, and showing information you shouldn't have can be unsettling.
redzonejoe
Vaguely Pastafarian
- Location
- Canada
Did we ever give Homura a clear seed? I'm sure we must have but I don't remember it and I'm far too lazy to go looking.