Koharu's more than capable of falling back on her snooty rich girl ojou-sama training in order to avoid blabbing secrets in front of Tsurumi Ninomiya, especially since she's feeling a bit smug over Yui and Maiko letting her make the decision to work with Ninomiya and wants to not fuck it up. Himari, on the other hand...
That said, Ninomiya is moderately alienated from the rest of her (current) team and contracted around the same time that Maiko basically disappeared. She herself probably won't react too much regarding Maiko specifically, as opposed to Yui having ties to Momoko's group in general, and would have little motivation to run around telling people.
The girls most likely to seriously freak out about Maiko are any of the 3+ year veterans who've moved around a lot, are tapped into the meguca rumor mill, and/or have had a confrontational run-in with her personally: Akina Tamazaki, Shina Konno, Aya Tachibana, Chou, Fuuka, a few members of the group you handed Kaede over to, and lots of others around the Tokyo metro area.
...incidentally, it occurs to me that I don't think you've told the Itabashi girls about Himari being back. Given that Hisae's group had a tendency to pick fights with the Shimura coalition right at the prefecture border specifically to tweak Momoko's nose, pretty much all of them have probably at least had Himari posturing aggressively at them before.
...incidentally, it occurs to me that I don't think you've told the Itabashi girls about Himari being back. Given that Hisae's group had a tendency to pick fights with the Shimura coalition right at the prefecture border specifically to tweak Momoko's nose, pretty much all of them have probably at least had Himari posturing aggressively at them before.
Itabashi is the Tokyo ward that borders the general area of Nagamioka where Koharu lives, and that Himari patrolled Back In The Day. For the past several years up until very recently, it had three groups:
Hisae Hirata's group, consisting of Hisae (currently deceased), Kaede Ishikawa (who you handed over to a group in Adachi Ward), Naoko Fujita (bestworst best-worst girl and your current prisoner), Aya Tachibana (currently a temporary guest of Nagamioka), Hanako Ikeda (currently deceased), Suzume Katou (same deal as Aya), and Saki Ooshiro (currently MIA, possibly deceased). Suzume and Saki were mostly-innocent newbies, Aya and Hanako were mostly-innocent veterans and designated bullying targets, while Hisae, Kaede, and Naoko were jaded asshole veterans.
The Shimura Coalition, which was a loosely-allied group of meguca who were collectively strong enough to hold territory easily but too busy with petty in-fighting to consider expanding; Shimura is a subsection of Itabashi, presumably where the group started. Stuff happened and their group simultanously fell apart and got conquered by Hisae's group. Yumi Kaga was a member of this group, originally a sort of sidekick to a (now deceased) girl who was one of the more influential members. Hiyori Yuuki was another influential member, with her own sub-group consisting of herself, Rio Higashiyama, Fuuka Date, and Kiyomi Watanabe. Hiyori is currently a Grief Seed in Fuuka's possession, though only Rio and Fuuka are aware of this. Chou Minamori was briefly a member of this group, becoming friends with Kiyomi, before Chou's thorny personality got her kicked out.
A currently unknown, allegedly aggressive and dangerous third group, who killed Hisae, Hanako, and probably Saki, driving that group out of Tokyo, and who now presumably control the entirety of Itabashi Ward uncontested. Spoiler: You're probably gonna end up fighting them at some point.
Itabashi is the Tokyo ward that borders the general area of Nagamioka where Koharu lives, and that Himari patrolled Back In The Day. For the past several years up until very recently, it had three groups:
Hisae Hirata's group, consisting of Hisae (currently deceased), Kaede Ishikawa (who you handed over to a group in Adachi Ward), Naoko Fujita (bestworst best-worst girl and your current prisoner), Aya Tachibana (currently a temporary guest of Nagamioka), Hanako Ikeda (currently deceased), Suzume Katou (same deal as Aya), and Saki Ooshiro (currently MIA, possibly deceased). Suzume and Saki were mostly-innocent newbies, Aya and Hanako were mostly-innocent veterans and designated bullying targets, while Hisae, Kaede, and Naoko were jaded asshole veterans.
The Shimura Coalition, which was a loosely-allied group of meguca who were collectively strong enough to hold territory easily but too busy with petty in-fighting to consider expanding; Shimura is a subsection of Itabashi, presumably where the group started. Stuff happened and their group simultanously fell apart and got conquered by Hisae's group. Yumi Kaga was a member of this group, originally a sort of sidekick to a (now deceased) girl who was one of the more influential members. Hiyori Yuuki was another influential member, with her own sub-group consisting of herself, Rio Higashiyama, Fuuka Date, and Kiyomi Watanabe. Hiyori is currently a Grief Seed in Fuuka's possession, though only Rio and Fuuka are aware of this. Chou Minamori was briefly a member of this group, becoming friends with Kiyomi, before Chou's thorny personality got her kicked out.
A currently unknown, allegedly aggressive and dangerous third group, who killed Hisae, Hanako, and probably Saki, driving that group out of Tokyo, and who now presumably control the entirety of Itabashi Ward uncontested. Spoiler: You're probably gonna end up fighting them at some point.
Fair enough! I try to be extra informative whenever possible because I know that there's a lot of characters to keep track of here. It helps keep things fresh in my own memory as well. It's not like I had to look up Kaede and Suzume's family names myself or anything.
That the third group is still agressive after apparently driving out/killing all the competition in the ward is interesting. As in, there's no sign that the removal of eleven magical girls would not be enough to make the ward extremely lucrative witch population wise.
Given how magical girls are, I am left wondering if this is a vengeance thing. That or someone truly nuts and bloodthirsty with way too much power has become on top. Typically magical girls aren't that explosively ambitious I don't think. And so far their actions are not making me think that they are being driven out by refugees/the witch territories in the death zone of Tokyo. Because the expectation would be some time for things to devolve before events push out that way after again taking over an entire ward.
But then again, someone did murder Momoko and things are happening very... quickly in general. Something is in the air. And Momoko would have been the one most likely to be tapped by Kyubey to put down MGs that started disrupting the system is such big waves. Because I don't think this is normal skirmishes between MGs. A lot of coalitions and girls are being pushed out.
Well, Hinami thinks so anyway. Kiyomi seems oblivious and is great friends with Chou, who doesn't like the rest of her group and Fuuka dislikes Chou back. Like I said, I remember these people.
One of these days I really need to get back and actually use that wiki I created ages ago. The number of minor supporting characters in this quest is starting to reach the point where even my (typically very good) memory for picky minutiae is feeling the strain.
Hm, maybe I'll do that during voting after the next update.
One of these days I really need to get back and actually use that wiki I created ages ago. The number of minor supporting characters in this quest is starting to reach the point where even my (typically very good) memory for picky minutiae is feeling the strain.
Hm, maybe I'll do that during voting after the next update.
[X] Plan Pet Rabbit:
-[X] Start by pointing out to Reiko that Witches don't die when you kill them. They go to sleep. In many ways, it's more like exorsicising them, allowing them to rest. It's a mercy. Because as they are, they don't just spread suffering, but experience it. Does this one look happy and fulfilled with life? Further, as passive as it is, it's possible it will be eaten by another witch if left alone, which would be bad for it and any of the other witches future victims.
-[X] Point out that in light of this, if Reiko wants you to spare it, she's going to have to ensure it can/will do no more harm to anyone, ensure it is protected from other witches, and find a way to free it from its suffering. Also, if she want to do this for other non-hostile witchs, she has to find a way to replace the loss of grief seeds this would create for her and everyone else in your city.
--[x] Despite how impossible this sounds in the moment, tell her if she wants to put in the effort you are willing to allow it, and possibly give your support, although you're pretty busy right now. You can see that this is important to Reiko, and furthermore, you just got done talking about choosing kindness soup over jerk broth, and about making it easier to do the first
--[X] Idea to get a bit of thinking going: maybe if you give this witch a flower enchanted to convince it it's beautiful to wear, it might feel better, who knows (Maiko, why is this witch suffering, and what would a magically imposed emotion like that do to it)? That's a possible step towards fulfilling your requirement right there. You guys might have a few minutes to brainstorm more, but unless something is immediately apparent:
---[X] The fact remains that unless you can all come up with something right away that works without any unwanted side effects or dangers, it would be best to let this witch rest. Sparing peaceful witches would be a lot of work and responsibility, and might be better done in the future, when everyone is more experienced and secure.
Late Afternoon - Wednesday, January 19th, 2011
As the awkward silence drags out, you look back to the Witch. As strange as Witches can be they tend to have a theme of some sort, and this one's couldn't be more obvious as it sits there, staring despondently into one of its many mirrors.
Reiko's sympathy for a creature that clearly has no desire to intentionally hurt anyone meets with off-hand comments Maiko has made framing Witches as deserving pity and a nagging parallel to Kyoufu and Muhou to form a conclusion that... well, probably changes the situation. You're not sure yet how, but it absolutely and positively 100% definitely might change something.
"Reiko, I'm... not sure that leaving it alone would actually be a kindness," you say with a sigh.
She turns a challenging look to you. "Explain."
"Okay, so. Maiko, correct me if I'm wrong here, but Witches are... like, Witches come from Grief Seeds, which absorb the crud from our Soul Gems that makes us feel all bleh, and that's because that's how Witches always feel, right? The same way Kyoufu is always afraid except even more limited," you say. "Also, destroying a Witch isn't really killing it, right? The Grief Seed, that's like its core or something. If they can re-hatch, then they're not really dead, I think? Just sleeping."
"That is broadly correct, yes," Maiko says.
Reiko's eyes sharpen. "Which parts would be incorrect?"
Maiko bites her lip, then sighs. "To the best of my understanding, Witches are actually capable of a full emotional range, but that everything else is overwhelmed by constant and extreme despair," she says, then hesitates again. "...furthermore, it is possible that they may retain some awareness even when reduced to a Grief Seed, as that is their true form. All this"--she gestures to the surroundings and the Witch's physical body--"is a magical construct used to interact with the world."
The thought that even seemingly-inert Grief Seeds may still be suffering briefly makes your skin crawl, a moment of hyperawareness of the small stash you've been carrying around.
Reiko's lips twitch downward. "Is there any assured means by which they can be granted peace?"
"Well, Grief Seeds are not indestructible," Maiko says dryly, and Reiko starts to puff up indignantly. Maiko quickly continues, "but the device I use to improve Grief Seed absorption efficiency also ensures they are fully dormant and unaware."
"...that's totally intentional, isn't it?" you say. "Making sure they don't keep suffering, I mean."
"It is."
Well... for all that Maiko can be a bit callous at times, it's good to be reminded that she does care, even about Witches. Reiko doesn't look entirely satisfied, though.
"Also, don't Witches sometimes attack and sort of absorb each other?" you say. "I'm pretty sure that getting eaten would be way worse than taking a nap in Maiko's contraption."
"Indefinite slumber is little better than death," Reiko says stubbornly. "Is there no other option?"
"We'd need a way to keep it safe, keep people safe from it, keep it from wandering off, keep it from suffering in the meantime, and..." you say, then sigh. "And I hate to say it, but we kind of need Grief Seeds to use. Which seems worse and worse the more I think about what that means for the Witches themselves, but... I dunno." You look around. "I'm totally willing to help make it happen if someone has a plan, but I don't even know where to start."
We could... convince it to stay somewhere safe? Hana offers after a moment of silence.
"Witch barriers don't really have a physical presence from the outside," Maiko sighs. "There's essentially no way to restrain or capture an active Witch, and yes I have tried."
Is it possible to lure them somewhere, at least?
"They feed off of negative emotions, right?" you say. "Though I guess that would just make it feel worse..."
"Correct on both counts," Maiko says.
...we could do something to make it feel pretty? Hana suggests. I mean, it's obviously moping about being a weird lumpy thing.
Sae hums thoughtfully, then scribbles down the kanji for 'beautiful' and sticks the paper to the unresisting Witch. It gurgles and looks at a mirror in confusion for a second or two before the ink fades and the paper crumbles away.
"...sorry," Sae says. "My magic doesn't work so well on living things to begin with, moreso when it conflicts with the natural state."
You, Hana, and Sae come up with a few more ideas, but in the end you either don't know how to pull off what you want to do, or Maiko shoots the idea down entirely. Tomo just stands around awkwardly, while Sayuki seems distracted and Minami looks increasingly antsy about something.
By the end, Reiko seems oddly deflated and resigned, and you feel really bad for her.
"I know I just got done talking about making it easier to choose to be good and kind, and I really do want to help Witches like this if possible but... well, I think this is a case where the kindness soup really is too expensive, you know? Even for me," you say. "I'm sorry, Reiko."
Reiko closes her eyes for a moment. "Very well. Incubator, do you disagree with any of this?" Reiko says.
"As far as matters of objective fact go, there have been no statements here that I would consider untruthful," Kyubey says.
Reiko stares at the alien. "I see. Why did you not mention this matter in our negotiation?"
"To avoid unduly distressing you over non-essential details," it says. "Has it not been established that the practicalities of the situation remain unchanged, Reiko Uesumi?"
"Are there any other facts you elided for similar reasons?" she demands.
"None that could be considered pertinent--"
"Evasive," she interrupts. "For clarity: Facts that I personally would consider both pertinent and distressing."
"I do not understand human emotions well enough to be certain of--"
"Also evasive," she snaps. "You admitted the capacity for prediction a few seconds ago. Answer the question as intended."
"None that are unknown to this group," Kyubey replies.
"Reiko--" Maiko tries to interrupt, but gets ignored.
"Irrelevant. Sakue is demonstrably better-informed than most," Reiko says, her constant finger-tapping getting more energetic. "Yes or no, Incubator?"
"Yes."
Reiko exhales sharply. You also feel a ripple of magic from somewhere in the group, but at a glance you can't tell who or what it was. She gathers her thoughts, then--
"Reiko!" Maiko interrupts, forcefully this time. "Interrogating Kyubey is an exercise in frustration and this isn't the time. Speak with me later and I will address your concerns."
Reiko stares at Maiko for a moment, then forces herself to relax. "Very well," she says. "You are dismissed, Incubator."
Kyubey immediately scampers off faster than you've ever seen him move before, leaving an awkward silence behind.
An increasingly worried-looking Minami taps Sayuki on the shoulder and pulls her aside. It looks like they're talking telepathically, but you're not sure what about. At first they did seem more concerned about the situation with the Witch than anyone else besides Reiko, but they seem fine now? ...well, Minami will probably tell you if it's important.
"...Reiko?" you say. "You okay?"
She nods.
"So..." you say, and glance meaningfully at the Witch.
Reiko hesitates for a long moment, flicking her eyes back and forth and tapping her fingers sharply against her cane as she thinks. Eventually she stills, exhales softly, and looks visibly crestfallen. "...try not to hurt it more than necessary, at least," she says, sounding defeated.
"Severe damage to the structures of the inner sanctum will eventually collapse the entire barrier," Maiko offers helpfully, though she seems badly stressed for some reason.
You nod, and raise your wand, unfolding it into the multi-beam configuration. You feel out the magic of this place, aim upward, and let the beams of destruction fountain out, arcing and shifting across the border of the room, carving apart each of the mirrors until they shatter. The sound of shattering glass resonates, getting louder even once the mirrors fade away, and the walls soon begin to waver and flicker.
Yui's Corruption: 4,180 / 9,999
As the last mirror crumbles, the Witch heaves a burbling sigh and flops limply on the floor. A moment later, the barrier shatters into fragments of magic, the Witch's body fading away as the pieces of magic collapse and coalesce into a Grief Seed.
Reiko picks it up, stares at it with a blank expression on her face, then walks over to Maiko. "The device you mentioned..." Reiko says, trailing off, then shoves the Seed into Maiko's hands. "It was an innocent. Let it sleep."
Maiko is clearly less than thrilled about the whole situation, but keeps her poker face up as she nods, putting the Grief Seed into her bag. Her eyes play over the obviously unsettled group, stopping in particular on Minami and Sayuki. "...perhaps we should call it a day," Maiko says.
You're still feeling up to continuing, if only to get your mind off of the previous discussion, and honestly you think the other girls could probably use a bit more practice. But, Maiko clearly has something on her mind that she doesn't want to share right now, so maybe it would be for the best to wrap things up?
[] Something's obviously bothering Maiko, so go ahead and stop here.
- [] Suggest doing something fun and non-magical-girl-related as a group instead.
-- [] Maybe karaoke would be fun?
-- [] Hit up a fast food place for an early dinner
-- [] You have a strict policy that angst requires ice cream therapy
-- [] Just wander around a mall or something, you guess...?
-- [] (write-in group activity?)
- [] Split up, let Maiko leave and do something else with anyone who wants to join you.
-- [] Pester Sayuki about what was bothering her earlier
-- [] Help the new girls practice magic in a non-combat situation
-- [] (write-in?)
- [] Just head home for now, it's almost dinnertime and your parents should be around tonight.
- [] Contact someone else entirely (write-in who and why)
- [] (write-in?)
[] Witch hunting is important, you'd rather keep going with anyone who's still up for it
- [] Ask Reiko to have Kyubey find Witches that actually have hurt people
- [] Ask Minami to search for more Witches for you
- [] Search using your own magic sight
[] (write-in?)
So, I aten't dead and neither is this quest. The past year and change has been rough but, well, that's hardly news to anyone.
To cut a long story short I got laid off a little while back so while I look for work again I have some spare time and I finally managed to get moving on this once more. Let me know if anything seems rough or feels off; I haven't done a full reread this time like I have before.
If you'd like to simultaneously help me make ends meet until I find a job and guilt me into not going on another year-long hiatus, I've created a Patreon! Seriously, though, my savings are a bit thin for various reasons so I'd appreciate anything you're willing to toss my way.
"Reiko!" Maiko interrupts, forcefully this time. "Interrogating Kyubey is an exercise in frustration and this isn't the time. Speak with me later and I will address your concerns."
In order to fulfill what Maiko wants and to get the girls minds off of this, let's do non-magical girl activities together that will allow for private talk, like an arcade that has multiplayer games and photo booths.
Edit: Actually, I just realized that Maiko and Reiko will have to go off together to some other place if Maiko is going to tell Reiko about Witches. Let's still do an arcade though.
I'd have to reread to re-establish context in my head, and also because why wouldn't I want to reread this quest, but after how heated things got here, I do think some kind of way to cool off and blow off stress would be good.
