I think Homura would accept what we tell her by trust, yes. But it's not blind trust. It is based on something. We have helped Homura considerably over the course of this loop. No loop has gone better than this one in spite of the massive divergences that have occurred. Mami is Mami but Homura is Sabrina's best friend.

Sorry, I've been running around in circles ever since finally hitting on a way to actually help Homura what doesn't involve doing anything bad. TBH I think 90% of this really amounts to me having stumbled onto that through thinking about this vote, then being so over the moon that I tried to drag it back through that tenuous link.

Akemi Homura has, in her lifetime, been aware of being cared for by exactly two people: Kaname Madoka and Vee Sabrina. Grew up an orphan isolated by her medical problems, made a wish for the first person to give a damn about her, fought a war for that person...

This whole time we've been trying to bring Homura closer so that the others could see her the way we do. We wanted her to share her past, so that they'd sympathize and embrace her. To be around, so they'd have a chance to grow familiar with her.

But it's just dumb. And it's dumb because the single most effective thing we could do to help her, would be to bring them to care about her, and then to bring her to understand that they care about her.

It's dumb because Mami has cared about her this whole time. It's dumb because Sayaka already sees her as a friend.

It's dumb because we're going through this whole business here, and yeah it's important, but if Mami came in here, told Homura she saw her as a friend, that she worried about her, told her that she cares about her, asked her if she could help somehow -- it would blow Homura's mind. It's not productive in the same way, no, not at all, no matter how much I wanted to justify it as such -- but it'd be miles more productive overall than what we're doing now, and I can't help but think, "We could be having these people extend to Homura the affection that they feel for her, and we're doing this other stuff first?"

Because the first step to getting Homura to be closer to these people is getting her to recognize how they view her: because nothing is as precious to Akemi Homura as someone who cares about her.
 
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eler, or else vote me for reasons not summarizable in five sentences."
*sigh*
because nothing is as precious to Akemi Homura as someone who cares about her.
Fucking duh. People have been saying that for years. Now what do you propose doing based on that that's different from what we're already doing, what do you expect the effects of your proposal to be, why do you expect those effects, and why do you think those effects are useful or good?

That said, the people that tried to summarize what you tried to explain pointed out something useful, so let's really fucking hope that we have space for a couple new sentences.

Things to say: Quote Sayaka about trusting Homura. Address points about Madoka. Add as much supporting evidence as possible given complexity limit.
Mutually reinforce with argument about time traveler realization.

[x] Reassure Homura.
-[x] Sayaka said, in as many words, that she trusts Homura and understands that Homura has reasons for keeping the secrets she keeps and doing the things she does.
-[x] You expect her to understand why Madoka shouldn't learn about Witches. She knows Madoka and can see what Madoka will do just like you can, and she trusts you and Homura to know what you're doing.
-[x] Example: Madoka agreed with you about hiding Oriko's continued existence from Sayaka because she also knew that Sayaka would react badly. Sayaka knows Madoka just as well as Madoka knows Sayaka.


[x] Carefully warn Homura that Sayaka has most of the puzzle pieces to put together that Homura's a time traveler.
-[x] You don't foresee it causing any problems - if anything, it'll help - but you don't want Homura to be completely blind-sided if it happens.
--[x] One way it'll certainly help - she'll have even more reason to listen to you and Homura when it comes to protecting Madoka.
-[x] What does Homura want you to do if she asks about it? You won't share anything without permission, but if she does figure it out from this, it'd probably be best to make sure she has the story right.

[x] Respecting Homura's fears and concerns, bring up Sayaka's comments about Madoka and Hitomi at the Model UN and suggest asking them to help analyze Tokyo's politics.
-[x] No outside magical girl would even know they exist.
-[x] Madoka would be really helping, with a skill that's uniquely hers, and letting her do it would help her self-esteem.

[x] Lower-priority topics:
-[x] Offer to turn all of her Grief Seeds into Clear Seeds.
-[x] Re-emphasize that you're always willing to answer any questions that Homura might have, and go fishing for anything she might want to know. Any decisions of yours she wants more context on, particular people she'd appreciate analyses of, that kind of thing.
-[x] Ask if she has any copies of Walpurgisnacht's seed, and to examine one if she does.
-[x] You're meeting with Hitomi's mother this weekend, you should ask later if Homura wants to be there or add anything to the agenda.
-[x] Ask what happens when Witches rehatch. Do they drop a grief seed? Are they more powerful? Why isn't farming a single witch done?

[x] Leave timestop. Give Mami a big, spinning, silly hug.
-[x] Cut to voting to decide what to work on and what topics to discuss.


Now, bed. Good night.
 
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@Kaizuki

Sayaka's told us, directly, that she'll keep the Witchbomb a secret from Madoka.

"Jeeze," Sayaka says, puffing out her cheeks. "I... I can't talk about this, either. I'd have to keep it a secret from Madoka, from Mami, from Hitomi..."

Firnagzen's also said he wants to move on from this timestop this update.
 
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Three things - the prospective name for the child was already discussed?


I agree the warn Homura that Sayaka's getting close to the truth seems... counter productive and designed to ratchet paranoia. But Kai your alternative feels really convoluted and Firn really wants to move on.

It might be poorly written, in which case an alternative would be appreciated! The concept is certainly not intended to create paranoia, it is to preserve Homura's rational thinking under a stressor. The pre-supposition is that this stress is no longer avoidable, even if the time of delivery is uncertain. Time to adapt should help?

@Kaizuki

Sayaka's told us, directly, that she'll keep the Witchbomb a secret from Madoka.

Sorry, I've been running around in circles ever since finally hitting on a way to actually help Homura what doesn't involve doing anything bad.
Because the first step to getting Homura to be closer to these people is getting her to recognize how they view her: because nothing is as precious to Akemi Homura as someone who cares about her.

Acknowledged! If I may come to an interpretation, it would seem the issue is solely "changing Homura's thinking."
That I can agree with. Prior post where I was speculating that Homura is harder to reach due to her filtering out the facts that convey the feelings others direct to her.

If that is true, there is a higher standard of effort to bring Homura close to other people. Sabrina started from a nearly ideal position, and after four years of play, we are getting traction. It won't be that hard anymore, but extraordinary effort is still the theme when it comes to reciprocal bonds and Homura.

I'll question that the time, or order of a character dialog will produce immediate understanding and a different result. Therefore, we should do the same thing, in the more common order? We are in a group social setting right now.

Mami is also not as adapted to timestop as we are yet. Privacy will let her perform at her full capacity, in emotional fine control.

There are two other strong paths to do what you say here. First, simply have that type of conversation across the study circle, not about the timestop chronicle, but the same emotional content. Second, we can speed up the process with our unique nature as Magical Girls. We have several types of Enchanting to get into gear, and I think one should include "layering" or passing around Hope. But if you really want Homura to notice the facts around her, do what an author does?

Show, don't tell. Each of us should get two Enchantment actions? I propose Sayaka should take time to try and share a Power with Homura. Select something safe for polite company! If it works, it should both be an act of friendship, i.e., sharing herself with Homura, and it could result in some emotion carry-over. This would show unequivocally what is relevant. Nothing will make Homura relax right away? But strongly pushing the truth into her will get her stable with Sayaka in the shortest time.

Thoughts?
 
[x] Vebyast

I like the changes. I still like the changes in wording in the UN section my vote had, but they aren't essential
 
Fucking duh. People have been saying that for years. Now what do you propose doing based on that that's different from what we're already doing, what do you expect the effects of your proposal to be, why do you expect those effects, and why do you think those effects are useful or good?

I realize you are stressed so I am going to be polite about this. I expect the effects of my proposal to be Homura thinking much more highly of much of the rest of our group, as she'd be aware that they care about her, and Homura thinking much more highly of them would cause, among other things, much more trust, which would help not only with this, but also make her a whole lot more goddamn comfortable with the prospect of sharing her background.

It presents a primary tool for opening Homura up to the rest of the group -- and note that that is arguably the thing we need most out of anything, right now, given the prophesied doom of the potentialbomb.

@Kaizuki

Sayaka's told us, directly, that she'll keep the Witchbomb a secret from Madoka

That deserves an insightful, thank you. Now why on fucking Earth isn't that the very first thing coming out of our mouth right now?


[] Explain to Homura how Sayaka literally told you that she wouldn't be able to share the Witchbomb with Madoka.

[] Respecting Homura's fears and concerns, bring up Sayaka's comments about Madoka and Hitomi at the Model UN and suggest asking them to help analyze Tokyo's politics.
-[] No outside magical girl would even know they exist.
-[] Madoka would be really helping, with a skill that's uniquely hers, and letting her do it would help her self-esteem.

[] Lower-priority topics:
-[] Offer to turn all of her Grief Seeds into Clear Seeds.
-[] Re-emphasize that you're always willing to answer any questions that Homura might have, and go fishing for anything she might want to know. Any decisions of yours she wants more context on, particular people she'd appreciate analyses of, that kind of thing.
-[] Ask if she has any copies of Walpurgisnacht's seed, and to examine one if she does.
-[] You're meeting with Hitomi's mother this weekend, you should ask later if Homura wants to be there or add anything to the agenda.
-[] Ask what happens when Witches rehatch. Do they drop a grief seed? Are they more powerful? Why isn't farming a single witch done?

[] Leave timestop. Give Mami a big, spinning, silly hug.
-[] Cut to voting to decide what to work on and what topics to discuss.

E: nulled vote.
 
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Two things.

1) if you're going to be asking that, its been eight years since when PMAS is set. I'd demand to see baby pictures.
2) also spoilers for PMAS.
but sir you forget"
"We are amidst strange beings, in a strange land. In Lordran the flow of time itself is convoluted; with heroes centuries old phasing in and out. The very fabric wavers, and relations shift and obscure. There's no telling how much longer your world and mine will remain in contact."
 
"I haven't gone looking yet," she replies. She's wearing an expression you've never seen before on her face - she looks lost, and she's looking down, unwilling to meet your gaze. "You... why do you care?"

This. This is what we stand to gain. This thing which Homura prioritized over Mikuni Oriko.

These people who are our friends -- they never cared about Homura. Not since time beyond the reach of feeling, if ever. And so it is that we are the trusted, and they are not.

Don't get me wrong -- it's partly that we know. But Homura is comfortable with us knowing, and that is born of something else: of us caring about her. Of us keeping her secrets because she wants them kept.

If we want Homura to share her past, or even just to be more willing to trust the others with things... This is the first giant leap toward that.

Throwing her into a panic over her status getting out without her permission is not *productive.*
 
Throwing her into a panic over her status getting out without her permission is not *productive.*

The reason it's being brought up is because Sayaka literally, factually, does have all the puzzle pieces she needs to work things out.

Hiding our heads in the sand and not telling Homura about it won't change that. Our choice here is this: When* Sayaka works it out in a day or two, Homura can either be totally blindsided, or she can be forewarned.

* It's very reasonable to assume she will, given how much emphasis Firn has put on her being an intelligent and insightful person.
 
I realize you are stressed so I am going to be polite about this. I expect the effects of my proposal to be Homura thinking much more highly of much of the rest of our group, as she'd be aware that they care about her, and Homura thinking much more highly of them would cause, among other things, much more trust, which would help not only with this, but also make her a whole lot more goddamn comfortable with the prospect of sharing her background.

It presents a primary tool for opening Homura up to the rest of the group -- and note that that is arguably the thing we need most out of anything, right now, given the prophesied doom of the potentialbomb.



That deserves an insightful, thank you. Now why on fucking Earth isn't that the very first thing coming out of our mouth right now?


[X] Explain to Homura how Sayaka literally told you that she wouldn't be able to share the Witchbomb with Madoka.

[x] Respecting Homura's fears and concerns, bring up Sayaka's comments about Madoka and Hitomi at the Model UN and suggest asking them to help analyze Tokyo's politics.
-[x] No outside magical girl would even know they exist.
-[x] Madoka would be really helping, with a skill that's uniquely hers, and letting her do it would help her self-esteem.

[x] Lower-priority topics:
-[x] Offer to turn all of her Grief Seeds into Clear Seeds.
-[x] Re-emphasize that you're always willing to answer any questions that Homura might have, and go fishing for anything she might want to know. Any decisions of yours she wants more context on, particular people she'd appreciate analyses of, that kind of thing.
-[x] Ask if she has any copies of Walpurgisnacht's seed, and to examine one if she does.
-[x] You're meeting with Hitomi's mother this weekend, you should ask later if Homura wants to be there or add anything to the agenda.
-[x] Ask what happens when Witches rehatch. Do they drop a grief seed? Are they more powerful? Why isn't farming a single witch done?

[x] Leave timestop. Give Mami a big, spinning, silly hug.
-[x] Cut to voting to decide what to work on and what topics to discuss.
As an aside, why is your pictures cat girl?

It's cute, I'm just curious as to how/where you got it.
 
The reason it's being brought up is because Sayaka literally, factually, does have all the puzzle pieces she needs to work things out.

Hiding our heads in the sand and not telling Homura about it won't change that. Our choice here is this: When* Sayaka works it out in a day or two, Homura can either be totally blindsided, or she can be forewarned.

* It's very reasonable to assume she will, given how much emphasis Firn has put on her being an intelligent and insightful person.

Why on Earth do you--

It's like that self aware meme, lmao. Look, you're absolutely right that not telling Homura won't change anything (except to save her a panic attack). That is exactly the bloody point: equally, telling Homura won't change anything.

You're focused on how we can mitigate this on Homura's end, but that's the wrong end to mitigate this on, because there isn't an effective way to mitigated this on Homura's end. Your logic is Sayaka will figure out Homura is time traveler -> warn Homura and ask what she'd like to do about it. But we bloody well know what Homura wants done about it! She wants it to go away.

What, exactly, do you think happens when Sayaka figures this out? Do you think she's going to go tell Madoka? Redshirt, you said it yourself, she's smart. Look at the pieces she's going to have. Homura isn't happy. Homura has a strange interest in Madoka. Homura doesn't want Madoka involved in danger/meguca/you name it. Homura doesn't want Madoka to make a contract. Homura is a time traveler. Sabrina has been keeping this under lock and key even harder than this other giant thing (witchbomb).

Sayaka brought Homura having a strange interest in Madoka to us rather than to Homura. What in blazes do you think will happen if/when she realizes Homura is a time traveler? She's going to come to us, first, because she's got the pieces to realize that the understanding she's just reached is a problem, the pieces to understand, very suddenly, that in some way she has just harmed someone who has been trying to protect her best friend.

Your idea of mitigating this as a problem is to give Homura a panic attack in the interest of getting her opinion on what we should do about Sayaka realizing Homura is a time traveler. How is that actually helpful? How does that have any impact on how we approach this? What are we going to do, wipe Sayaka's memory? She just told us all about how uncomfortable she is with that idea.

If, as you say, Sayaka figuring this out is inevitable, there's only one response to it -- Sayaka comes to us, we tell her to go beg Homura for forgiveness and promise her she'll not tell anyone else, and we go along to make sure that everything works out. That is literally the only option available there.

From that point of view -- the point of view that telling Homura or not won't change the outcome of this -- there is no benefit to broaching this with Homura now. None. All it does is make Homura think that she's doomed us all right up until Sayaka proves otherwise by swearing that no, in fact, she's actually not going to tell anyone and no, she doesn't think any less of Homura, rather to the contrary yadda yadda. It has no effect on the outcome save to hurt Homura more, and you know something, I'm not interested in that. That's why I'm so opposed to this.
 
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Your logic is Sayaka will figure out Homura is time traveler -> warn Homura and ask what she'd like to do about it.

No?

The current vote is:

[x] Carefully warn Homura that Sayaka has most of the puzzle pieces to put together that Homura's a time traveler.
-[x] You don't foresee it causing any problems - if anything it'll help - but you don't want Homura to be completely blind-sided if it happens.
--[x] One way it'll certainly help - she'll have even more reason to listen to you and Homura when it comes to protecting Madoka.

There's nothing there about asking Homura about how to handle it - as you say, she probably wouldn't have a clue where to start.

I don't want her opinion on "how to handle this", I want to warn Homura so she isn't blind-sided, while preemptively reassuring her about the outcome. And I think that it's pretty disingenuous to claim that there's "no benefit" to raising the topic early. I could easily see this approach being far superior in terms of ensuring Homura's peace of mind - so easily, in fact, that I'm voting for it explicitly on the grounds of it being the sort of thing we should do for someone who we call our 'best friend'.

And, well, it's become a cliche, but:

There's a saying. Villains act, heroes react. I've always hated that saying.

We can be proactive about keeping Homura in the loop about these developments, and provide reassurance ahead of time, or we can limit ourselves to reacting once Sayaka's realization happens. It seems clear to me which choice is more inline with the themes of the quest - and, for that matter, which choice Homura would prefer, if she was informed enough to make that decision. Do you really think she'd want us to keep this from her?

Reaffirming:

[x] Vebyast
 
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As an aside, why is your pictures cat girl?

It's cute, I'm just curious as to how/where you got it.

It's a meme from when I was maximally fucked up.

No?

The current vote is:



There's nothing there about asking Homura about how to handle it - as you say, she probably wouldn't have a clue where to start.

I don't want her opinion on "how to handle this", I want to warn Homura so she isn't blind-sided, while preemptively reassuring her about the outcome. And I think that it's pretty disingenuous to claim that there's "no benefit" to raising the topic early. I could easily see this approach being far superior in terms of ensuring Homura's peace of mind - so easily, in fact, that I'm voting for it explicitly on the grounds of it being the sort of thing we should do for someone who we call our 'best friend'.

And, well, it's become a cliche, but:



We can be proactive about keeping Homura in the loop about these developments, and provide reassurance ahead of time, or we can limit ourselves to reacting once Sayaka's realization happens. It seems clear to me which choice is more inline with the themes of the quest - and, for that matter, which choice Homura would prefer, if she was informed enough to make that decision. Do you really think she'd want us to keep this from her?

Reaffirming:

[x] Vebyast

... Fine. You're right, I hadn't noticed that that had changed (?). Let me try this one more time:

[] Reassure Homura
-[] Relate the circumstances under which Sayaka explicitly told you that she wouldn't tell Madoka about the Truth of Witches.


[] Carefully warn Homura that Sayaka has most of the puzzle pieces to put together that Homura's a time traveler.
-[] You don't foresee it causing any problems - if anything it'll help - but you don't want Homura to be completely blind-sided if it happens.
--[] One way it'll certainly help - she'll have even more reason to listen to you and Homura when it comes to protecting Madoka.
-[] What does Homura want you to do if she asks about it? You won't share anything without permission, but if she does figure it out from this, it'd probably be best to make sure she has the story right.
[] Respecting Homura's fears and concerns, bring up Sayaka's comments about Madoka and Hitomi at the Model UN and suggest asking them to help analyze Tokyo's politics.
-[] No outside magical girl would even know they exist.
-[] Madoka would be really helping, with a skill that's uniquely hers, and letting her do it would help her self-esteem.
[] Lower-priority topics:
-[] Offer to turn all of her Grief Seeds into Clear Seeds.
-[] Re-emphasize that you're always willing to answer any questions that Homura might have, and go fishing for anything she might want to know. Any decisions of yours she wants more context on, particular people she'd appreciate analyses of, that kind of thing.
-[] Ask if she has any copies of Walpurgisnacht's seed, and to examine one if she does.
-[] You're meeting with Hitomi's mother this weekend, you should ask later if Homura wants to be there or add anything to the agenda.
-[] Ask what happens when Witches rehatch. Do they drop a grief seed? Are they more powerful? Why isn't farming a single witch done?
[] Leave timestop. Give Mami a big, spinning, silly hug.
-[] Cut to voting to decide what to work on and what topics to discuss.

I'm still doing this under a degree of protest, but if nothing else let's please incorporate @Redshirt Army's point about Sayaka having told us she wouldn't pass this to Madoka.

E: nulled vote.
 
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[X] Reassure Homura
-[x] Sayaka said, in as many words, that she trusts Homura and understands that Homura has reasons for keeping the secrets she keeps and doing the things she does.
-[x] She understands that she can't share the truth of witches with Madoka. She said as much.
-[x] Even if she hadn't promised - and remember how stubborn she is about keeping her promises - she knows Madoka and can see what Madoka will do just like you can, and she trusts you and Homura to know what you're doing.

[x] Carefully warn Homura that Sayaka has most of the puzzle pieces to put together that Homura's a time traveler.
-[x] You don't foresee it causing any problems - if anything it'll help - but you don't want Homura to be completely blind-sided if it happens.
--[x] One way it'll certainly help - she'll have even more reason to listen to you and Homura when it comes to protecting Madoka.
-[x] What does Homura want you to do if she asks about it? You won't share anything without permission, but if she does figure it out from this, it'd probably be best to make sure she has the story right.
[x] Respecting Homura's fears and concerns, bring up Sayaka's comments about Madoka and Hitomi at the Model UN and suggest asking them to help analyze Tokyo's politics.
-[x] No outside magical girl would even know they exist.
-[x] Madoka would be really helping, with a skill that's uniquely hers, and letting her do it would help her self-esteem.
[x] Lower-priority topics:
-[x] Offer to turn all of her Grief Seeds into Clear Seeds.
-[x] Re-emphasize that you're always willing to answer any questions that Homura might have, and go fishing for anything she might want to know. Any decisions of yours she wants more context on, particular people she'd appreciate analyses of, that kind of thing.
-[x] Ask if she has any copies of Walpurgisnacht's seed, and to examine one if she does.
-[x] You're meeting with Hitomi's mother this weekend, you should ask later if Homura wants to be there or add anything to the agenda.
-[x] Ask what happens when Witches rehatch. Do they drop a grief seed? Are they more powerful? Why isn't farming a single witch done?
[x] Leave timestop. Give Mami a big, spinning, silly hug.
-[x] Cut to voting to decide what to work on and what topics to discuss.
 
@Vebyast

How's this as a potential edit to address @Kaizuki 's concerns?

[x] Reassure Homura.
-[x] Sayaka said, in as many words, that she trusts Homura and understands that Homura has reasons for keeping the secrets she keeps and doing the things she does.
-[x] You expect her to understand why Madoka shouldn't learn about Witches. She explicitly told you she wouldn't share the secret. She knows Madoka and can see what Madoka will do just like you can, and she trusts you and Homura to know what you're doing.
-[x] Example: Madoka agreed with you about hiding Oriko's continued existence from Sayaka because she also knew that Sayaka would react badly. Sayaka knows Madoka just as well as Madoka knows Sayaka.

It might be unnecessary, though. Given the context of the rest of Veb's vote, I'd expect @Firnagzen to bring up Sayaka's statement if it was relevant without it being explicitly stated in the vote, especially since it's been brought up in thread a lot.

E: Ninja'd. Your edit looks fine to me, too. :p
 
Note, the opening sentence of my vote is important. Someone pointed out that Homura hasn't been told that other people trust and value her. It's a good chance to do that directly.
 
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Your idea of mitigating this as a problem is to give Homura a panic attack in the interest of getting her opinion on what we should do about Sayaka realizing Homura is a time traveler. How is that actually helpful? How does that have any impact on how we approach this? What are we going to do, wipe Sayaka's memory? She just told us all about how uncomfortable she is with that idea.
Ideally, what we get is permission to have the conversation with Sayaka before she puts it together, so that we don't entirely lose control of the situation on the off chance that when Sayaka figures it out we're not the first person she goes to.

It's harsh, but maybe what we need to say is something like "Sayaka is going to figure this out. If I'm not there when she does, I can't stop her from talking to Madoka about it."
 
Ideally, what we get is permission to have the conversation with Sayaka before she puts it together, so that we don't entirely lose control of the situation on the off chance that when Sayaka figures it out we're not the first person she goes to.

Virtually impossible.

Someone pointed out that Homura hasn't been told that other people trust and value her.

That was me, unless it was someone else who I should go give ratings to...?

-[x] What does Homura want you to do if she asks about it? You won't share anything without permission, but if she does figure it out from this, it'd probably be best to make sure she has the story right.

...

@Redshirt Army did you miss this earlier? Just wondering.
 
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