[x] Introduce yourself, but keep it brief. There's a witch loose in Kamihama.
Diplomacy is probably the most sensible thing. Parents always told you to focus on eye contact and speaking professionally.
"Okay, it's nice to meet you, Ms. Tomoe."
"Likewise! Kyubey's told me a bit about you both." She smiled. "Feel free to call me Mami."
Too formal?
Kyubey sat on the table in front of you, revealing a red teardrop-shaped mark on his back.
"Apologies for my lack of communication, Dahlia Sawyer. I happened to be preoccupied with my personal inquiries."
Whenever it spoke, the mouth never moved, and you weren't sure how it was even talking to you.
Nevertheless, you had to keep it up. "If that's the case, I'm Nathaniel. This is my partner, Dahlia. We know about magical girls, I just found out, exposition, yaddah-yaddah." You waved your hand in a listless fashion. "That's not the point right now. There's a witch in Kamihama."
Mami's eyes widened a bit in shock. "There's a witch in your city?"
"You sound… surprised? Why?" Dahlia asked.
Putting her hand to her chin, Mami explained. "I've noticed a… decline in the witches that seem to appear around and in Mitakihara. I just began my search around the city to try and find out what was going on. I happened to run into Kyubey, who let me know that you two were coming."
"Magical girls around the immediate vicinity seem to be reporting the same. It seems too early to draw any conclusions, but the amount of witches seems to be dropping."
You turned to Dahlia. "How frequent did they appear back home?"
"More than you'd expect, to be honest. Still, I wasn't expecting this to happen."
[x] Ask about Mami's life as a magical girl. She and Dahlia should compare notes.
"So, Mami, got any tips for youngblood here?"
You patted Dahlia on the shoulder, causing her to give you a rather dirty look.
"Watch it." She elbowed you. "I've been doing it for a few months. And, as you can see, still alive and kicking. Advice
would be appreciated, though."
Mami adjusted her hair. "My experience fighting witches… it's been a couple years of me being a magical girl. I've been doing it for a bit."
"How old even are you?" The words left your mouth before you could stop yourself from asking the taboo question. Dahlia kicked you under the table, attempting to maintain an awkward smile. Mami just giggled. "It's quite alright. I'm only fifteen."
Note to self: seal your mouth with superglue.
"What's your secret?" Dahlia asked, starry-eyed. "Summoning multiple weapons takes the wind out of me. You've gotta have all kinds of secret techniques!"
Mami pulled her ring- no, her soul gem off of her finger. It changed into a shape similar to Dahlia's, but instead of glowing a cool blue, its radiance was a golden hue, the emblem on top resembling a flower.
"Practice. Years of practice. When you contract, your wish seems to also determine your weapon. The one I made gave me ribbons to use, which weren't the most offensively viable. So, I trained! I managed to figure out how to apply my magic in effective ways. I can use the ribbons to bind my opponents, create duplicates or barriers, and a whole number of other things. Since you can determine how to use your innate magic effectively, I managed to turn them into a new weapon entirely. I learned how to make firearms. Lots and lots of firearms. Size and strength varies, but I've become rather skilled at it, if I do say so myself."
"It's true. Mami Tomoe is one of the strongest magical girls I've had the opportunity to form a contract with. Her magical skill is nearly unrivaled." Kyubey added.
"What about enchantments?" You motioned to the bat you bought earlier. Mami seemed to giggle at that. "What's so funny?"
"Oh, nothing. Just brought back a memory, is all. While it is possible, it depends on your ability to maintain it. Magic is a finite resource, which is why it helps to have seeds to use. It's a key component to being a functional Magical girl.
[x] Ask if there are any other magical girls you can meet in town later.
"Are there any other people we should get to know?" Dahlia beat you to the punch.
"Quite a few magical girls operate in Mitakihara. Even more seem to operate in Kamihama, however."
"I've had the honor of raising a few rookies myself." Mami said proudly. "I'd be happy to assist you as well."
"That'd be great! Thank you so much!" Dahlia beamed.
[x]Mention the Witch and ask if Mami wants to help kill it and save some people. If not, can she enchant a weapon for you?
[ROLL FOR DIPLOMACY: 19]
"Considering the circumstances… Would you want to help us take on the witch? We'd be lucky to have you, Mami."
She nodded, a serious look on her face. "I'd love to help you out. Shall we get going?" She stood, dusting herself off.
"Gladly! Come on, love." You got to your feet, brandishing your weapon. "Mind giving me an assist?"
Tendrils of light erupted from Mami's soul gem, wrapping around the bat like ribbons. The barrel seemed to glow gently as it was imbued with a trace amount of Mami's own magical essence. Elaborate and intricate patterns, reminiscent of delicate lacework, wove across the surface of the bat, the enchanting designs shimmering and sparkling, catching the light in a mesmerizing dance. Swirls and loops gracefully trailed along the length of the bat, marking the path of Mami's magic. When the light settled, you had a brand-new method of self-defense.
The appearance of the bat changed dramatically, turning into a sleek, silver-colored weapon with intricate designs etched along its surface. The handle of the bat was wrapped in black ribbon, providing a comfortable and secure grip. Golden adornments were etched right above the handle, a red gem shining on the barrel of the bat, which now resembled… a teapot? You could faintly make out flowers floating around the weapon, but it didn't seem that important.
"Damn, this is awesome!" You chuckled. "We're good to go kick ass!"
Mami smiled, before her expression turned to one of steely determination. "I'm glad I was able to help you. Let's go. We should hurry if you've been away for some time."
Dahlia gave you a mischievous smile. "Ready?"
"Do you even need to ask?"
[x] Make a mental note to ask about that book in Kamihama after you've dealt with the Witch if Mami joins you.
Now definitely didn't feel like the time to bring up the book again. That part could probably wait till later if time allowed.
"If you'd like, I'm still free to discuss a certain subject with you, Nathaniel Heath."
Dahlia and Mami didn't seem to respond to that. Kyubey must be talking on a direct line to your brain itself. Needless to say, you were shocked.
"Can you read my mind?"
"It's not an ability I have. I'm contacting you now because I wanted to discuss your potential."
Dahlia and Mami were talking with one another as the three of you walked outside the mall, heading down an alley.
"What do you mean?"
"I am a messenger of magic. I have the ability to form contracts with capable magical girls-to-be, such as Mami Tomoe and Dahlia Sawyer. However, you also have the ability to form a contract with me as well. It's a bit of an anomaly."
"Doesn't that defeat the point of magical girls?"
"I don't understand your inquiry."
"Nevermind." You responded.
"What do you mean about me being an anomaly?"
"Male contractors don't occur as often as you might think. Most magical girls have varied levels of potential. As such, they vary in levels of magical ability and strength. However, there just haven't been males with enough skill to contract… which is why you are so strange."
"But, in simple terms, I can make a wish, right?"
"Perhaps. I have no idea how your magic will
develop. It's a strange occurrence, especially considering I'm incapable of gaining a read on you."
Your conversation with the thing was distracted by a flash of light, a mixture of blue and yellow that surprisingly, didn't merge into an unsightly green. Dahlia and Mami had transformed into their Magical girl outfits while you talked to Kyubey.
Mami's outfit seemed to have a Victorian inspiration. She wore a cream shirt with black tips, her top a short-sleeved white shirt with matching puffs for sleeves and arm warmers. She had a brown corset in between her shirt and her yellow and black skirt, as well as a small beret with white fur puffing out from the side, and what looked like her soul gem hanging from it. To finish, she had gray and white striped leggings, and black and yellow knee-high boots.
To be honest, she looked like a cowboy.
"If we go on foot, we'll make it there faster than the train." Mami noted, summoning a ribbon into her hands. She shot it out like Spider-Man, and it wrapped around the top of the building, allowing her to swing away. "Come on!"
Dahlia gave you a shit-eating grin.
"Fine, we'll go that way. Just carry me differently-
wait!"
Two for two on your sheer lack of sense. You clearly hadn't learned your lesson. Dahlia rushed you yet again, this time scooping you up in a bridal carry. You felt successfully emasculated.
"I hate you."
"Love you too!" She pecked you on the cheek, before boosting into the air after Mami.
—---------------------------------------------------------------
Before you knew it, you were back in the city, the unlikely trio skipping across the sky as the sun set. Before you knew it, you landed outside of the abandoned building where the witch slept.
"We're here. No turning back." Mami noted. She summoned a rifle in a flash of light.
You noted the lack of one specific person.
Well, entity. "Where's Kyubey?"
To the shock of all of you, he disappeared before any of you noticed. "Does he do that a lot?"
Mami and Dahlia looked at each other, then back at you.
"Pretty much." They said in unison.
"Great."
"It is a bit strange, though. He usually gives us a moment's notice before leaving." Mami commented. "I suppose it's nothing to worry about now. We just need to get inside."
You walked through the door- well, what remained of it after you and Dahlia burst through the thing a few hours prior. As soon as you did-
The
World
flipped
inside
Out
yet
again.
.uᴉɐƃɐ
Ʇǝʎ
Ʇno
Ǝpᴉsuᴉ
Pǝddᴉʅⅎ
pʅɹoʍ
ǝɥꓕ
The lurid world that surrounded you earlier was back, and in full swing. There was something different about the environment, as though your arrival triggered something. The screens surrounding you displayed a frenetic crowd of hyperactive audience members, staring out at what looked like a stage, lights flashing in such a manner that it needed an epilepsy warning. In the distance, you saw a large colosseum that seemed to match what was being displayed.
"We gotta keep moving." Dahlia said, clutching her halberd.
The three of you made your way to the structure. As you walked into the arena, you were faced with a wave of applause and light, blazing around you as the myriad of audience members affected by the Witch's curse let loose a chorus of roars, taking in the spectacle before you.
You stood alongside the others on a stage… or some Lovecraftian imitation of one.The ground was patterned like a chessboard, but made of a strange sawdust-like residue that puffed with every step you took, the flaky pieces clinging to your jeans. The stage itself seemed woven out of cloth, paper, and pieces of modeling clay, making the entire area look like some third-rate arts and crafts project.
"This is so bizarre." You managed.
"It's about to get worse. Look." Mami pointed at a horde of those lizard-like familiars from before rapidly approaching you. These were a shade of crimson that may or may not be a rather ominous sign of the battle that was definitely about to ensue.
https://imgur.com/gallery/ALkwKsR
You readied your bat. The moment you took on a fighting stance, it seemed to hum with energy, like a firecracker that was just lit ablaze.
"I can handle these guys. Probably."
Before they could respond, the crowd erupted in an ear-deafening chorus of cheers and applause. It sounded like someone just scored the game-wining touchdown at the Super Bowl. A hatch in the floor behind the hoard of familiars opened.
The stage was set, and the star of the show was making her appearance.
The witch was a wretched thing. It looked like a blotchy scribble of impossibly heavy, sludgy darkness that nonetheless moved like a slime mold played in timelapse. She tried to make herself more appealing by binding herself in metal bands and flashy decorations to maintain a solid form, but her "head" was nothing more than makeup and a wig, and her limbs- especially her wings- were mostly costume props.
https://imgur.com/gallery/WZR4YDP
"Dahlia?"
"What's going on, Love?" She readied her weapons alongside Mami.
"Remind me to dump you after this."
[OPTION SELECT]
[x] Aim for...
[x] The familiars.
-[x] The witch's legs.
-[x] The left arms.
-[x] The right arms.
-[x] The base.
[x] Write-In
[x] RUN AWAAAAAAAY (Joseph Joestar voice)
Fight night, baby! And lucky number 13. Get ready for the dice rolls. Mami and Dahlia are providing backup, so it's mostly you having to manage yourself.
Quick notes, though
You can't just get a slingshot preemptively, apologies. It's more a matter of skills you can figure out (remember rule post?) when/if you take the time to train.
Nathaniel's potential is wonky. Magical Boys kinda don't exist, which makes it absolutely bizarre to Kyubey that you have the ability to contract. It'll be a bit weird, but the moment you do, your dice rolls will go up to a D100 to give more leeway. But for my sanity, and originality, come up with a wish that hasn't been used before(I don't want any Sabrina situations). Nathaniel has just enough potential to make a contract on the same level as a normal magical girl, but not something that alters reality itself.
To take on familiars, you'll be getting an added boost to rolls when you use an enchanted/magical weapon, so I'll be adding that onto your normal rolls.
