@Echo : Wait, shouldn't the girl who is/was mute no longer have that affliction? She's a magical girl; she can heal herself for something like that without much of a problem (it's not replacing lost flesh, just rearranging existing flesh, and not even a lot of rearranging); I was also under the impression that contracting itself cures you of diseases and cancer/heals you of injuries (like what happened with Mami). Either way, we saw Homura fix her eyes in the span of a second without any significant expenditure of magic or even much effort (and it's all but stated that she started doing that every single loop afterwards).
@Echo : Wait, shouldn't the girl who is/was mute no longer have that affliction? She's a magical girl; she can heal herself for something like that without much of a problem (it's not replacing lost flesh, just rearranging existing flesh, and not even a lot of rearranging); I was also under the impression that contracting itself cures you of diseases and cancer/heals you of injuries (like what happened with Mami). Either way, we saw Homura fix her eyes in the span of a second without any significant expenditure of magic or even much effort (and it's all but stated that she started doing that every single loop afterwards).
Her muteness could be psychological and therefore not fixable by physical means; alternatively, her muteness may be such an integral part of her self-image that she doesn't really want to heal herself; alternatively, muteness may be harder to change than blindness (I don't know enough about biology to know how complex those two are compared to one another); alternatively, she may not have thought to try and heal herself; alternatively, she may just think that telepathy is much cooler than physical speech; alternatively, maybe she did heal her muteness but is so out-of-practice with physical speech that she'd rather stick with telepathy to make sure she's actually understood.
@Echo : Wait, shouldn't the girl who is/was mute no longer have that affliction? She's a magical girl; she can heal herself for something like that without much of a problem (it's not replacing lost flesh, just rearranging existing flesh, and not even a lot of rearranging); I was also under the impression that contracting itself cures you of diseases and cancer/heals you of injuries (like what happened with Mami). Either way, we saw Homura fix her eyes in the span of a second without any significant expenditure of magic or even much effort (and it's all but stated that she started doing that every single loop afterwards).
Her muteness could be psychological and therefore not fixable by physical means; alternatively, her muteness may be such an integral part of her self-image that she doesn't really want to heal herself; alternatively, muteness may be harder to change than blindness (I don't know enough about biology to know how complex those two are compared to one another); alternatively, she may not have thought to try and heal herself; alternatively, she may just think that telepathy is much cooler than physical speech; alternatively, maybe she did heal her muteness but is so out-of-practice with physical speech that she'd rather stick with telepathy to make sure she's actually understood.
Well, innate magical healing is guided by the meguca's self-image, which is why e.g. piercings don't heal over. Hana has been mute for essentially her entire life and so, as much as she wants to be able to communicate, her perception of herself doesn't really include that as a possibility.
It is possible for her to learn how to heal her voice and thus be able to speak, but it would require a fair amount of time and effort to figure out and, yes, would complicate her life immensely on account of needing to explain to her family. Also, she'd actually need to, y'know, learn how to speak. Telepathy works by imagining a sound and sharing that sensation, which works fine for Hana because she's not deaf, but she has zero experience on making vocal sounds the mundane way.
Basically, fixing poor eyesight is relatively easy for a girl whose self-image includes clear vision because they wear glasses. Blindness, deafness, muteness, &c. due to a recent injury would also be relatively easily fixed because the girl would have clear memory of beforehand and her current state would be the deviation from her normal state.
For Hana, who has been unable to vocalize since before she even learned language, or for someone who was blind/deaf/etc. since birth, probably has that so firmly set as part of their self-image that figuring out how to change it would be very difficult.
Hey Echo, random question: does Yui have ADHD? I've been rereading the quest in celebration of your return, and seeing some of Yui's mental state early on is making me think ADHD for some reason.
Hey Echo, random question: does Yui have ADHD? I've been rereading the quest in celebration of your return, and seeing some of Yui's mental state early on is making me think ADHD for some reason.
However, Yui's internal monologue tends to be basically my own with the filters removed and some editing for clarity, and I do have ADHD, so if you want to interpret her that way I don't think I could plausibly argue otherwise.
However, Yui's internal monologue tends to be basically my own with the filters removed and some editing for clarity, and I do have ADHD, so if you want to interpret her that way I don't think I could plausibly argue otherwise.
The Halberd like weapon reminds me of a Lucerne Hammer, and makes me think if it wasn't a magical girl weapon the Balance would be wonky as hell and make using the "bladed" end awkward unless used for vertical strikes.
Also, I look forward to Shinobu "renegotiating" her wish via Reiko.
In hindsight, Yui's backstory and thought patterns plausibly indicate some degree of executive dysfunction, in a way that's probably biased by me inadvertently projecting my own symptoms, so yeah.
ADHD also has strong genetic factors, and after considering my impression of the character Kaoru probably has it more clearly than Yui does.
The Halberd like weapon reminds me of a Lucerne Hammer, and makes me think if it wasn't a magical girl weapon the Balance would be wonky as hell and make using the "bladed" end awkward unless used for vertical strikes.
Yeah. A real version of Hana's weapon would probably be stupidly off-balance for multiple reasons. It's much closer to realistic than typical oversize anime bullshit weapons, but it's totally not practical without magic.
Hmm, I'm not too familiar with what that is and a quick wiki search later I'm still rather uninformed. But it did bring to mind the fact that Yui has seemingly changed fairly rapidly from her backstory to now.
Pre-wish, Yui was complaining about how she never really lived up to expectations. The example used was her mom not giving her a real chance to learn how to cook before taking over for her apparent inadequacy, which implies the problem was never getting the chance... But that example doesn't apply to all facets of her life, inevitably she will have had those chances appear and squandered them anyways. At least to some degree, Yui's own habits led her to that predicament.
She gets good grades in school, for example, but isn't a particularly studious or dedicated student. She's could stand out if she put in the work, but instead coasts along at "pretty good".
So I'm thinking something like executive dysfunction, which I still don't entirely understand, might have been a thing... But perhaps isn't anymore?
The wish was effectively to improve herself so as to fit the role she envisioned, right? So I'm addition to physical and magical strength, could the wish have also altered her brain in subtle ways so as to make her a better leader/hero while still being able to maintain her personality and sense of self?
Since then, she's definitely done well for herself in terms of putting herself out there, seizing or creating opportunities for herself, adapting to circumstances and excelling at what she's chosen to do.
Just from her dad's perspective, in the last week alone (ignoring all the magical business), she's decided to get a tutor for herself (finally applying herself in school), connected with the wealthy and influencial [koharu's family] and made a contract with a temperamental arsty type in Chou, presumably as a favor for even further hidden ambitions. That's quite a difference from the Yui of last week.
The running joke these days is Yui tries to come off as goofy, and Maiko in a deadpan agrees with her sensible and effective leadership & decision making.
Hmm, I'm not too familiar with what that is and a quick wiki search later I'm still rather uninformed. But it did bring to mind the fact that Yui has seemingly changed fairly rapidly from her backstory to now.
As far as ADHD is concerned, it largely amounts to increased difficulty initiating an activity (even enjoyable ones) or resuming an activity after interruption. The end result is a tendency to never get around to doing things you actually want to do and lose focus easily if distracted by external factors. I personally have a habit of, like, buying video games that I'm super hyped about and then somehow never actually starting them because it inexplicably feels like too much effort.
Needless to say, on a Doylist level that kinda goes out the window the moment she became a quest protagonist rather than a outline of a character with backstory.
I personally have a habit of, like, buying video games that I'm super hyped about and then somehow never actually starting them because it inexplicably feels like too much effort.
I'm fairly sure this is a lot more universal than just a sign of ADHD - though I can't offer myself as a counter example because I'm ADHD and do the same thing.
I'm fairly sure this is a lot more universal than just a sign of ADHD - though I can't offer myself as a counter example because I'm ADHD and do the same thing.
I mean, it's a matter of degree? A fair number of psychiatric disorders seem like normal behaviors or tendencies dialed up to an extreme such that it interferes with day-to-day life.
[X] You don't think it's as simple as good or bad. People react to the situation they're in, and magical girls are no different. You just want a society where it's possible for magical girls to be good people without having to fight for it every step of the way.
This does feel the most in-character for Yui to me, yeah. She's legitimately very savvy about politics, and not particularly naive about what that entails, even if her goals are idealistic.
[x] You think the people, the personal level, is what really matters. You want to help magical be better people, give them that opportunity, and let that shape the society that forms.
I can't describe how delighted I was to see this had updated! I kinda wanna read the contract Reiko made, but seeing how she handles joining Yui's group should be close enough for me.
[X] You don't think it's as simple as good or bad. People react to the situation they're in, and magical girls are no different. You just want a society where it's possible for magical girls to be good people without having to fight for it every step of the way.
Super Hype this is back, and super interesting to see six members of the Red Team in the thread all at once, and I'm pretty much going to vote along with the flow here...
[X] Red Team
I mean, it's a matter of degree? A fair number of psychiatric disorders seem like normal behaviors or tendencies dialed up to an extreme such that it interferes with day-to-day life.
I'm ambivalent on the matter and could go either way. There is a precedent in-quest for far more dramatic behavioral changes due to a wish (i.e., Kiyomi), but I didn't plan for that to be the case for Yui.
It's the kind of thing I'd probably run with if inspiration strikes or it becomes a popular theory among voters, but otherwise leave ambiguous.
Regarding my theory, is it likely that Yui's behaviors and tendencies have shifted a smidgen as a result of her wish?Or is her recent successes based entirely on circumstance lining up just so?
Among other things she's got something she's doing really well at that's just hers and not something anyone else in her family is doing better, which is probably helping keep her motivated.
Remember her brother is a literal genius and she was always being compared to him at school, which is an easy way to get disheartened.
I'm ambivalent on the matter and could go either way. There is a precedent in-quest for far more dramatic behavioral changes due to a wish (i.e., Kiyomi), but I didn't plan for that to be the case for Yui.
It's the kind of thing I'd probably run with if inspiration strikes or it becomes a popular theory among voters, but otherwise leave ambiguous.
Fair enough, and a decent way to handle it. It's not like Kyuuby is gonna show up and randomly volunteer that Yui has modified herself... Unless it's most inconvenient for him to do so. Which it won't be, because if she has then that's kinda proof that she's okay with it and won't be inconvenienced by the knowledge? Or something? Anyways it's unlikely to come up in story is what I'm saying.
Among other things she's got something she's doing really well at that's just hers and not something anyone else in her family is doing better, which is probably helping keep her motivated.
Remember her brother is a literal genius and she was always being compared to him at school, which is an easy way to get disheartened.
That's a fair assumption and I think the one we've all been operating on so far, but it's fun to think about these sorts of things. Current or future information tying back to the past, answering questions we didn't realize we had.
If the character seems to change radically in a short amount of time, maybe there's more to it in-universe than "this is where the plot kicks in" yaknow?
Maybe it's magical, maybe it's Maybelline.
Mind, I don't think Yui has actually radically changed, so it doesn't really require explanation at this point in time. Ambiguous is fine. Good. Great even! Yes.
[X] You don't think it's as simple as good or bad. People react to the situation they're in, and magical girls are no different. You just want a society where it's possible for magical girls to be good people without having to fight for it every step of the way.
Late Afternoon - Wednesday, January 19th, 2011
You pace thoughtfully, tapping your chin with a finger. Reiko watches patiently.
"I... don't think it's as simple as good or bad, really?" you say. "People react to the situation they're in. It's like..." you gesticulate for a moment, not sure how to express your point. "Like ordering a bowl of soup, let's say. You offer the average person a choice between a soup filled with goodness noodles and one made with broth of evil, most people are gonna pick the good one, right?" You snap your fingers. "But... that's honestly all it is, I think. A preference. People being good isn't like some big deeply meaningful thing, it's just like, why yes, I would like a bowl of 'kindness to others' metaphorical soup, please and thank you."
The rest of the group is now listening as well. Maiko raises an eyebrow, but nobody interrupts, so you keep talking.
"But then, it's like... certainly, sir, but that will be an extra thousand yen. Oh, that's too much? Well, the evil soup is cheaper... Or, or maybe it's not even on the menu. So if you want metaphorical soup of goodness you have to convince the waiter, and then argue with the chef, and make a big scene and ugh. Is it really worth the hassle?" You shrug. "At some point, most people are just gonna throw their hands in the air and say, okay, fine. I just wanted some lunch, give me a bowl of 'mean and selfish' soup, it's not what I really want but it'll have to do." You sigh. "And then, maybe, eventually people get used to it. Or they don't have enough money to afford goodness soup, whatever money represents in this increasingly strained metaphor. Or they're too worn out to argue with the chef every time and only order the goodness soup when it's really important."
You gesture at Reiko. "And in a way, your parents have a point, I guess? Like, laws are basically the government coming in and being all, greetings citizens, I'm afraid we're putting an extra bajillion yen tax on the 'theft and murder' soup, yes, carry on now, and so people are like, okay yeah, can't afford that. But that's not really the same thing as making the good soup easier and cheaper to buy, right?" You wave your arms for emphasis. "And then there's magical girls. Things in Tokyo especially are... bad. Really bad, from what I've heard, and now I'm basically running around busting through doors of soup shops and yelling at people that if they keep buying that 'selfish jerk' soup I'mma kick their butts so hard, and that's totally not what I want to be doing, but..."
You gesture expansively in an attempt to convey your frustration. "I guess what I'm trying to say is that what I want is a society where buying the metaphorical soup of goodness is the easy, simple option," you say. "I don't think that will solve everything, but... it'd be a good start, y'know?"
Reiko tilts her head and spends several long seconds thinking things over. Eventually, she just nods. "Thank you, Aikawa. That was insightful."
...nobody else seems to have anything to say about your impromptu speech, and you're feeling kinda embarassed by the whole production, so you put it behind you and move on.
You do notice Maiko giving you some odd looks, though.
Despite the absolute awesomeness that is Reiko having personal Kyubey minions to find appropriate Witches, Maiko wants the other girls to practice using their Soul Gems to track barriers at least once, so you end up spending a while wandering around as they take turns figuring out what direction to go.
As the group walks, you meander over to your adorable spymaster, who you've noticed still has the small carrying case she arrived with slung by a strap over one shoulder, even after transforming. "What did you need to grab from home, anyway?" you ask, peering at the mystery item.
"A camera!"
"You know, I am actually surprised that that surprises me," you say. "Also, surprised that you don't bring a camera to school with you as a matter of standing policy."
Minami huffs slightly, then opens the case and pulls out the camera. "This one's different," she says, showing off the chunky black-and-silver device while implicitly admitting that she probably does carry a camera at all times. "It belonged to my grandfather and is about as unsophisticated as possible while still being a modern camera, see? Maiko says digital cameras don't work well in a Witch's barrier but I'm hoping this will." At your look of confusion, she elaborates. "Witch barriers work on their own weird logic, right? And they tend to be based on... uh, ideas and assumptions that exist in society, or something like that. So, I'm thinking that if there's, like... a delay before barriers catch up, or something? Then that's why anything too modern doesn't work right, because it's not part of the, uh, ambient paradigm. Or, I dunno, whatever Maiko would call it."
You nod. "Makes sense, I guess? As much as anything about a Witch barrier does. But isn't it kinda risky bringing your, like, fancy heirloom antique camera into a barrier?" you ask. Maiko snorts at 'antique', but you politely refrain from pointing out that at age 20 she's practically an antique herself. "Why do you need photos of a Witch's barrier, anyway?"
"Research," Minami says, glancing around furtively.
...you're not sure if that means she's actually up to something, or just trying to seem like she is. It's hard to tell with Minami. "Hm, well," you say after a moment of thought, "that's suspiciously nonspecific in all kinds of ways and probably implies some sort of impending wacky hijinks, but okay, sure. Good luck!"
You and Minami fist-bump while Maiko side-eyes you so hard.
Eventually, you find the next barrier. Maiko again spends a few minutes reading her grimoire, before looking over the group. "Sae, Sayuki. You were both relatively hands-off last time. I'd like the two of you to take the lead in this barrier, unless you have a reason not to."
Sayuki holds out a hand with a flourish, a microphone with attached stand appearing in it. "I can whack things with this, but it's meant to be used the more obvious way," she says. "Wasn't sure I could attack without hitting allies."
"I simply wished to observe, previously," Sae says. A group of 'needles'--which are more like 30cm-long metal spikes--appear in her hand. "However, I attack at range, so coordination with Miss Yamamoto should be safe."
Maiko nods. "Lead the way, then. Be prepared to fall back when we reach the Witch if the close-range fighers choose to engage."
As you enter the barrier, you catch Sae mumbling something about it being too mundane. It's got a sort of European castle asethetic, though more like a castle that got broken and glued back together at random. Also, there are crossbows with feet walking around like patroling guards.
"Sayuki, I'd suggest trying your sonic attack on the familiars," Maiko says. "To gauge the extent to which it poses a problem for allies."
"You got it!" Sayuki chirps. She takes a breath, does a little twirl, and sings a single note, high and clear. The air visibly ripples out from her in a column of sound that's easily three meters across. It hits the crossbow familiars like a bomb going off, shredding four into mulch and sending six more flying down the corridor.
Your moment of appreciation for Sayuki's destructive potential is cut short, however, when the surviving crossbows start squeaking angrily and running about. A moment later, a crowd of anthropomorphic crossbow bolts stampede into view, giggling and laughing. They leap on top of their fellow familiars with a glee that would be adorable if not for the fact that you now have a half dozen animated crossbows taking aim at you.
Maiko is most of the way through casting something--probably her geometric barrier spell--when Hana waves her hand and creates a massive wall of ice in front of you.
Maiko lets her spell fade as you hear the sound of bolts hitting the ice. "Well done, Hana," she says.
Haha, go me, she says. I only panicked a little!
Through the ice, you can vaguely see the shapes of the crossbow bolts, wiggling themselves free if possible and being pulled out by their comrades if not. Once freed, they patter cheerfully down the hall, ready to be fired again. Altogether, not the weirdest familiars you've seen, but up there. You wonder what the Witch will look like?
You leap to the side and screeching laughter echoes as the cannonball-shaped Witch flies past you. For the whatever-th time. Seriously, why is it attacking you? The Witch slows to a stop, spins around, and begins forming another cannon around itself. "Uh, little help here?" you call out. "Anyone?" You're getting increasingly tempted to pull out your wand and see if you can score a home run the next time, but you're not really in that much danger and you do kinda want to see what the other girls come up with.
The cannon takes aim at you once more, because of course it does, and you prepare to dodge. You're briefly confused when the walls seem to be in a different place than you thought they were, but you set that aside for now. The cannon fires the Witch at you, you dodge, and--
Crunch.
The illusion drops, muffled screeching coming from where the Witch is stuck, embedded face-first into the real wall. You give Sayuki a thumbs up as Hana takes the opportunity to freeze the Witch in place.
Sae throws a handful of needles while Minami drops to one knee and takes a few shots with her rifle, but neither seems to do much damage to its thick iron hide. A few jabs from Reiko's cane do even less. Hana's polearm leaves a few gouges, but it's slow-going, and she has to keep re-applying ice to prevent the Witch from returning to its previous behavior.
Sayuki just shrugs awkwardly. "I don't think I can attack it without breaking the ice and letting it free, sorry."
Tomo begins to step forward but Maiko holds up a hand to stop her.
Maiko clears her throat. "I'm reasonably certain that either Yui or Tomo could dispatch the Witch with relative ease at this point, but as it's currently restrained, this is a good opportunity to consider other options. Are there any other applications of your wish magic that might be able to penetrate its defenses? Specialized attacks you were reluctant to try in active combat? It's best to experiment when the situation is reasonably safe."
Sae digs through the pouches on her bandolier. "I... probably could, but I don't have anything prepared that would help."
Hana, Minami, and Sayuki likewise decline.
"I have other options with which to attack," Reiko states. "I have not done so because you requested that we conserve magic. Is that no longer the case?"
Maiko shakes her head. "No, but I didn't mean avoiding it entirely. Strictly speaking, as long as you use less than a Grief Seed recovers, you've still come out ahead," she says. "Over time, we'll work on improving hunting efficiency as a group, but our primary goal today is training and education. If you have a technique you can use, better to do so here for a beneficial result than never practice at all, or spend magic outside of combat on practice alone."
Reiko nods. "Then I will dispatch this opponent." She slides one foot back, holding her cane off to the side. She tightens her grip, producing a quiet click and a sliver of light as the head of the cane shifts minutely forward... then she explodes into motion, leaping toward the Witch. Her forward hand sweeps up--
--a blinding arc of light, a loud sizzling crack--
--and Reiko leaps lightly back, resheathing the hidden blade and twirling to face rest of the group in one smooth motion. She stands calmly, her hands folded once more on the head of her cane, as the two smoking, sparking halves of the Witch fall to the ground behind her. The barrier dissipates a moment later.
It turns out that Tomo has an excellent intuitive sense for where to find Witches, so she leads the way to the next one, which Maiko seems slightly concerned about. Eventually she warns you to be ready to act and the others to be ready to retreat if necessary, after which you enter the barier cautiously.
Inside, you find a humid jungle environment, with broad paths cutting through impenetrable foliage. For some reason, the paths always meet at right angles. Additionally, Minami's spysat only works in areas you've already walked through.
Also, the garish-looking birdlike familiars have colored bars over their heads like enemies in a video game. For some reason.
Maiko looks physically pained as you begin trudging through the maze, searching for the Witch. She warns everyone to not attack if they encounter a familiar that looks like a giant angry orange fuzzball. You're not sure what that's about, but she seems pretty insistent about it so you agree.
You never do enounter any foes resembling angry orange fuzzballs, but you do run into a lot of the giant angry bird things.
"These things are almost kinda cute," you say. "I mean, apart from the whole 'bloodthirsty predator with giant talons' bit."
"Hmm. Maybe they're Australian birds," Sae says. "I hear everything there is bloodthirsty and violent, even the plants. I'd like to visit someday."
"Okay, but do Australian birds have teeth?"
"...maybe?"
Sayuki notices your conversation and perks up a bit. "They're dromaeosaurids," she says cheerily. "Not birds."
"Wait, as in dinosaurs?" you ask. "With feathers?"
Maiko clears her throat. "That's been scientifically accepted for well over a decade, if memory serves me," she says, "but hasn't entirely supplanted the popular conception of dinosaurs as lizard-like."
Sayuki nods cheerily. "Yep yep! Back in elementary school, before moving to Nagamioka, I had a huuuuge argument about that with a boy in the year above me," Sayuki says. "He was absolutely convinced that feathers were silly and girly and not badass enough. Now, I was kind of a brat back then and there was a pond down the road where a family of geese was nesting..."
Sae gasps in mock horror.
"...and, uh, long story short, I felt super bad about it when I visited him in the hospital, but he just laughed and told me I was right. Last I heard, he'd decided he wanted to be an ornithologist." She shrugs dramatically. "Boys, am I right? I mean, all's well that ends well, I guess."
"I am suddenly concerned about all those feathers your costume has," you announce.
Sayuki grins, then wiggles her fingers at you and makes growling noises.
The Witch also has feathers, but it is not a dinosaur.
What it is, is a flying feathered serpent easily a hundred meters or more in length, circling far overhead while eyeing your group suspiciously. It loops and rolls lazily, far out of reach of most of your allies. It looks vaguely as if someone had decided that since European dragons looked kinda like dinosaurs, covering a Chinese dragon with feathers would make perfect sense.
To be honest, it's actually pretty neat and kind of majestic. It's also inconveniently way up in the sky.
"So... you guys need me to shoot this one down?" you ask.
"Not yet," Maiko says. "Let them try first."
Hana stares intently. Easier to aim if it'd hold still, she mutters. You think she probably didn't mean to broadcast that either, but nobody reacts so you're not sure she notices.
Sae summons a handful of needles, looking distinctly pessimistic about her ability to hit something that high up, and Sayuki holds her microphone in front of her.
It's only when Minami crouches down and summons her rifle that the Witch reacts.
It picks up speed dramatically, rolling over to glare at you before darting to one side and coiling around itself. It opens its mouth as if to roar, a scintilating glow begins to spill from it, and a frankly ludicrous amount of magic begins to gather.
"Fuck," Maiko says. "Block it!"
Maiko's geometric forcefield takes shape between you and the Witch, a wall of ice rising up in front of it. Sae pulls a piece of paper from her bandolier, does something to meld it into a needle and flings it forward; when it strikes, Maiko's forcefield becomes thicker and nearly opaque. Acting on instinct, you form your wand and, with a sweeping motion, a wave of rippling, dark purple energy pools against the forcefield and seems to solidify.
Your group throws themselves behind the combined shield and a moment later, you hear a horrific roar accompanied by a high-pitched, trilling warble and the entire barrier seems to shake, brilliant white light mottled with red and purple iridescence spilling past the edges of the barrier.
The ice wall shatters almost immediately, and you can see Maiko's forcefield being pressed backwards, but the energy wall you created... uh, somehow... seems to support it and hold it in place. You notice a few of the green shapes starting to crack and fade, but before they give out entirely the torrent of energy finally stops.
You and Maiko dismiss your barriers, letting you once again see the Witch. It's visibly exhausted, hanging limply in the air and glaring weakly at your group.
The area around you has been wiped clean of vegetation, with huge trenches carved into the rock on either side of where the barrier was. The rest of your group just kinda sits on the ground looking shaken.
Maiko rubs the bridge of her nose in exasperation. "Did it seriously just..." She sighs. "Hana? Hit it. Maximum power."
Hana stumbles to her feet, waves an arm, and flings a barrage of icicle spears at the immobile Witch. To your surprise--though apparently not Maiko's--the attack is horrifically effective, practically shredding the Witch.
Maiko just sighs again as the barrier dissolves.
Maiko has Minami use her spysat to locate the next Witch, which she does relatively quickly. Maiko confirms that this Witch is relatively safe, and has Tomo and Minami take the lead in the barrier.
It goes... well enough. The familiars are apparently blind, and not terribly aggressive, but attack occasionally when annoyed by someone (who may or may not be you) is too loud. Tomo dispatches the few that do attack, as Minami plays navigator and occasionally picks off a familiar or two. It's slow going, but successful.
You reach the Witch shortly; its inner sanctum is a massive room filled with mirrors, while the Witch itself is a sad, lumpy looking thing that seems to spend all its time staring into mirrors and making unhappy noises.
Minami and Tomo's attempts to attack it quickly fail, however, as it dives into a mirror whenever Tomo approaches or Minami takes aim, tumbling out of another mirror seemingly at random. Sayuki, Sae, and Hana join in, with similar results, while Reiko watches pensively.
Minami tries breaking mirrors to limit the Witch's mobility, but they repair themselves within a few seconds and there are far too many to smash within that time frame.
You know your beams are fast enough to hit it easily, though, so you're about to suggest that you might need to handle this one when Reiko speaks up.
"Wait," she says. The others turn to her, since it's not like they were accomplishing much anyway.
The Witch likewise sits there gurgling aimlessly, having nothing to evade.
After a short silence, Reiko nods resolutely. "It's not attacking," she says.
Minami suddenly looks very uncomfortable.
Maiko sighs and rubs her forehead. "No, it's not. That does not mean it isn't dangerous, Reiko."
Reiko looks conflicted for a moment, then raps the tip of her cane against the ground sharply. "Incubator!"
After several seconds, Kyubey slinks out of the shadows behind a mirror. "Yes, Reiko Uesumi?"
"As per our agreement, I request information on this Witch."
Kyubey cocks its head as if thinking, then looks over the rest of your group. "This Witch first appeared in the city of Kashiwa in Chiba prefecture. It has existed for 39 days, but has negatively affected the emotional state of only 214 people due to its habitual avoidance of human activity. It has never encountered a magical girl and has not been the primary cause of any serious injury or deaths."
Off to the side, you hear Sayuki mutter "Incubator...?" under her breath.
Reiko takes a deep breath, closes her eyes, then exhales slowly.
She turns to face the rest of the group, chin held high. "I will not strike down an innocent creature," she says, with a tone of absolute finality.
Maiko sighs, her expression carefully neutral. "Reiko..." she says, but trails off uncertainly.
An increasingly queasy-looking Sayuki keeps glancing between Kyubey and the Witch, while Minami stares resolutely at the ground and the rest of the group stands around watching awkwardly.
You're... really not sure how to respond to this.
What do with the Witch:
[] Destroy it anyway.
[] Let it be, and leave the barrier.
[] Leave it up to Maiko. She must have encountered Witches like this before, right?
[] (write-in something more detailed?)
What to say to your team about the whole situation:
[] You don't think Witches can really help harming people, even if they're not aggressive.
[] You don't actually know much about Witches in general. Ask Maiko for details; why are some more dangerous than others?
[] Ask Sayuki what's bothering her.
[] Come to think of it, if Witches are creatures defined by sorrow, who both experience and spread that feeling... doesn't that sound a bit like Kyoufu and Muhou? Is it possible to communicate with Witches, as well?
[] (write-in?)
