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Seeing Red [PMMM x LoR]
[x] Tell someone
-[x] Homura and Madoka.
-[x] Homura and Madoka.
[x] Tell someone
-[x] Homura and Madoka.
-[x] Homura and Madoka.
[x] Tell someone
-[x] Homura and Madoka.
-[x] Homura and Madoka.
Norr
Misophist
- Location
- Any chair
Heh. That whole interaction between Yuki and Kyuubei had me snickering constantly.
Yuki just casually headsploding Kyuubei and then just keep conversing with the next body as if nothing happened.
Kyuubei getting their body smushed and then just casually cleaning up the gore with their new body as if it's just business as usual.
I'm still snickering semi-uncontrollably even as I write this.
These two inhuman shits just casually interacting when nobody's watching. XD
Also:
[x] Tell someone
-[x] Homura and Madoka.
Yuki just casually headsploding Kyuubei and then just keep conversing with the next body as if nothing happened.
Kyuubei getting their body smushed and then just casually cleaning up the gore with their new body as if it's just business as usual.
I'm still snickering semi-uncontrollably even as I write this.
These two inhuman shits just casually interacting when nobody's watching. XD
Also:
[x] Tell someone
-[x] Homura and Madoka.
- Location
- Earth
Having these things happen without anyone acknowledging them because all participants have alien mindsets is one of my favourite things
[x] Tell someone
-[x] Homura and Madoka
Was initially going to vote for only Homura, since it'd probably trigger Homura if we gave Madoka the full rundown. On reflection though, Madoka is already deeply involved (even if she hasn't/won't make a wish) so she does deserve to know. And hey, fingers crossed, maybe this will help Homura open up and trust a bit more.
-[x] Homura and Madoka
Was initially going to vote for only Homura, since it'd probably trigger Homura if we gave Madoka the full rundown. On reflection though, Madoka is already deeply involved (even if she hasn't/won't make a wish) so she does deserve to know. And hey, fingers crossed, maybe this will help Homura open up and trust a bit more.
Subspace Primid
Where are you Tabuu? Where am I?
- Location
- SubSpace
[x] Tell someone
-[x] Homura and Madoka.
-[x] Homura and Madoka.
lol, lmao.Also, potentially leaving them both on a date once Yuki is done.
In this supposed to be a surprise?
- Location
- Who knows?
- Location
- Earth
I appreciate it; Kyubey is, perhaps obviously, one of my favourites. Writing them is a delight
I am sure that the fact that there are still people who will take what he says at face value helps.
Funnily enough, Homura can be considered among them, for all that she has seen the worst of Kyubey, she still decided to tell him about Madoka in the new universe.
- Location
- Earth
Actually, the funnier part is making them entirely truthful and helpful, then wait for the audience to shadowrun into reasons they can not be trustedI am sure that the fact that there are still people who will take what he says at face value helps.
CanIChangeMyName
Just a passing through rider fan, remember that!
- Location
- What are you a cop?
[X] Tell someone
-[X] Homura and Madoka.
-[X] Homura and Madoka.
[X] Tell someone
-[X] Homura and Madoka
-[X] Junko
Even with Yuki's apparent ability to make peace with Witches, Mrs. Kaname should probably still be informed that Kyubey's trying to turn her daughter into a psuedo-Abnormality. She's already this far into the plot, so there's not much of an excuse left, right?
-[X] Homura and Madoka
-[X] Junko
Even with Yuki's apparent ability to make peace with Witches, Mrs. Kaname should probably still be informed that Kyubey's trying to turn her daughter into a psuedo-Abnormality. She's already this far into the plot, so there's not much of an excuse left, right?
- Location
- Earth
Alrighty, closing the votes. This seems fairly decisive
At 21 x 1 = 21 votes, Yuki will involve someone. And it is almost unanimously the two main-main characters of the show.
I will have to get back to you guys on whether Yuki can play matchmaker there, but she will at least go talk to Madoka and Homura
At 21 x 1 = 21 votes, Yuki will involve someone. And it is almost unanimously the two main-main characters of the show.
I will have to get back to you guys on whether Yuki can play matchmaker there, but she will at least go talk to Madoka and Homura
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Are you suggesting the 'do you value your own life? Do you consider your friends and family precious' speech may not be the best possible icebreaker?
19. The Price of Silence
- Location
- Earth
Tell Homura and Madoka
Yuki's gaze shifts minutely. Swerving away from Kyubey, she squints at you instead. Madoka was one of the last people she would consider, and she barely knows Homura at all.
But you have not led her wrong yet, so she will trust your judgement again.
"Can you contact Madoka Kaname and Homura Akemi, and tell them to come meet me later today?"
Kyubey nods, their bunny ears bobbing with the motion.
"I can. Will you tell them about our conversation?"
"Yes. Do you have objections?"
"No. With regard to Homura Akemi's behavioural patterns and unknown origin, I assume she's already aware of the origin of Witches. Madoka Kaname is currently not directly affected by such knowledge, which prevents instability. At the same time, you telling her may motivate her to make a compassionate wish of some sort."
Yuki's hand pauses in mid-air, having just moved to pet the bunnycat again. Put this way, she realises, she now knows what Oriko has seen.
"And if Madoka made her wish?" she asks, just to confirm.
Kyubey's gaze remains cold and analytical. Their body almost unnaturally still.
"If Madoka forms the contract, the creation of her Soul Gem alone will fulfill the energy quota we estimate to gather from the entire human species for the remainder of its existence. Unfortunately, the resulting Witch will proceed to strip this world clean of humans afterward."
Yuki stares back just as unblinking, lost in thought. Her hand lowers at last, coming to lie gently between Kyubey's feline ears.
"So that's why," she murmurs, fitting together the pieces in her mind. Oriko already knows that magical girls turn into Witches. Whether Kirika knows is anyone's guess. And that is why Madoka will bring world's end.
Idly scratching Kyubey behind the ear, she considers the options on the table. As a guardian and thus arbitrator, she can see the unsavoury but worthwhile ideas. And if she can see them, then Kyubey certainly did as well.
"What happens if the Soul Gem is shattered?"
"The magical girl dies," Kyubey explains as they press their head into her touch. "No transformation into a Witch happens. I understand your train of thought, but we can't break a magical girl's gem. We can stimulate it to evoke certain sensations, but no more. Another set of wishes prevents us from causing harm to a magical girl directly."
"I see."
Yuki frowns thoughtfully, then goes back through the conversation. "What did you mean about Homura's origins being unknown? You seem to know everything else, so why not that?"
Kyubey's head tilts sideways.
"By all accounts, Homura Akemi was a potential candidate until several weaks ago. Her behavioural profile indicates a soft-spoken and shy individual with severe depression and lack of confidence. Almost exactly four weeks ago, her behaviour shifted inexplicably to the personality you encountered. She suddenly carried a Soul Gem despite never forming a contract with me. We're still investigating what caused these events."
"Huh. Could it be a natural occurence?"
"Such a thing has never happened throughout human history. I'm not ruling out the possibility, but that would still not explain her change in behaviour."
Yuki concedes the point with a nod. She has a feeling that any argument she might offer, they already thought about. But now she is admittedly curious about it.
"Okay. Can you go tell them now? I'll meet them at eight on the bridge."
"Of course. See you later, Yuki."
Kyubey crawls out from under her hand, shakes themself out, and bounds away into the hallway. Kirika, who strolls inside with two shopping bags in hand, gives no indicator of having seen them.
"Yo, I'm back. Gimme a hand?"
Yuki slides off the couch without hesitation and takes a bag off of her. Kirika grins, transitioning into a faint smile as they put everything away. She quickly checks in on Oriko as well before throwing Yuki a snack and dragging her back to gaming.
This is how the rest of noon and afternoon pass. Oriko comes in sometime later, leaning over the backrest of the couch to watch them play. Her hand absently runs through Kirika's hair, distracting her girlfriend just enough that Yuki needs to save her in-game avatar from death.
Oriko seems content with just watching them for a while. Once she had her fill, she moves into the kitchen and starts making dinner. Any attempts to help her are refused, up until Oriko pushes one hand to her hip and orders the both of them out of the kitchen.
"I may have grown frail, but I'm not a doll," she chastises them. "Now go play some more, you earned yourself a reprieve."
Yuki does not agree with that assessment, but she does not argue. Neither does Kirika. The pair exchanges looks and awkward shrugs, then goes back to gaming. Yuki makes sure to watch the time, though; a nicely placed savepoint lets them turn off the console just a few seconds before Oriko fetches them for dinner.
Sitting down with them, Yuki recaps the day for herself. She did little of anything, just played games with Kirika all day. But it was still nice. There were no stakes at all. Nothing to worry about.
She wants to do it again sometime.
Today was the sort of day Yuki wants to have every day.
But she knows too well that the domestic facade is just that; Oriko withers away little by little, the Jester lives in Yuki's shadow, and Madoka is slated to destroy the world in less than three weeks.
But by herself, Yuki decides that she wants to have more of these days. And if she needs to save the world to get them, then she will.
Hence why, after eating up and cleaning the dishes with a flicker of magic, Yuki stands. Her blank resting expression is broken up by a tender smile.
"Thank you for having me today. I have to go now, there are people I need to meet soon. But I will be back."
"Of course," Oriko answers with a smile. "Take care, Yuki."
Kirika nods her agreement. "Yeah, today was fun. Let's hang out again."
"Yes, let's. See you later."
Yuki waves until her teleportation spell completes and whisks her away.
She quickly checks in on Kazuko first; both because it is polite, and because she wants to let her know that she already ate. The other woman actively smiles upon hearing that, swiftly drawing Yuki into a conversation about 'her friends'.
Yuki is happy to talk about Oriko for a bit. She came to appreciate Kirika as well. Although the spectre of bad things to come keeps hanging over them, they make do with the time they have. Yuki makes sure not to mention any of that to Kazuko, though.
"Do you want me to put something aside for later?" Kazuko asks a little later. "If you had dinner this early, you might be hungry when you get back."
Yuki mulls it over for a moment, then nods. "Yes, please."
"Sure thing! Just leave it to me!"
Kazuko pumps her fist, then ushers Yuki out to do 'whatever it is magical girls do'. The way she phrases it sounds like she does not want to know in too much detail.
Rather than correct her about who she meets with, Yuki quickly makes her way to the largest bridge in town. Walkways for pedestrians lead along the sides, where she eventually stops to stare out at sea. A soft breeze carries the scent of salt and ruffles her hair.
For just a moment, Yuki hears the cries of seagulls. Yet when she casts her gaze around, she can spot none. Popping open a can of soda she can not recall buying, she takes a big gulp and feels sweet drink prickle down her throat. It feels envigorating.
Despite that little oddity, she remains trapped in introspection for a time. Going over her conversation with Ayin and Binah again, basking in the knowledge that the Library is safe. And the name she was given, Naftali. Yuki still prefers the other one, though; in fact, something feels different about 'Naftali'. Perhaps, she reasons, it relates to 'Yuki' being a name she chose to take, while the other was bestowed on her?
"Miss Yuki!"
Madoka's happy call drives the musings away. Yuki glances up from where she was leaning on the railing, where the bubbly pinkette quickly walks her way. Madoka beams at her when she arrives, both hands clasped in front of her chest.
"I'm so glad you're alright! I was so worried when you just up and left."
The reminder makes Yuki feel a little sheepish. She rubs the back of her head awkwardly.
"Sorry about that. I just needed time to think."
"Oh, it's okay, I understand," Madoka assures her, even though it is a lie. Then her expression turns curious.
"Why did you want to see me?"
"Let's wait for Homura," Yuki says, only for the dark-haired girl to appear next to them in her transformed state.
"There's no need for that."
Homura absently flips her hair, ignoring the startled eep from Madoka. Her lilac eyes focus entirely on Yuki.
"What do you want?"
"Your opinion, most of all," Yuki responds just as blankly.
Homura's head tilts ever so faintly while Madoka looks from one magical girl to the other. She feels out of place.
"Um, what did you need my opinion on?" the pinkette asks curiously. "I'm not a magical girl, so I kinda don't know that much about it. Or is it something else?"
Yuki shakes her head. "No, it's about magical girls. But you not being one is why I wanted to have you here. Magical girls turn into Witches when their Soul Gems grow too tainted."
Madoka blinks. Once, twice, then the knowledge begins to register. Yuki can see the exact moment her expression becomes horrified, eyes blowing wide open.
"Eh? I-Is this some kind of bad joke, miss Yuki?" she tries, then looks to Homura. "It's not true, right?"
Homura, who did not react visibly to the revelation, inclines her head.
"It's true. All of us will eventually turn into Witches. That's what the Incubator doesn't tell us."
Madoka gasps in shock, covering her mouth. A soft "Oh no" escapes her throat and first tears glisten in her eyes. "B-But how? And why? Does Kyubey know? W-Why would he do that?"
"Does it matter why?" Homura asks back softly. And she is correct that the reasons are irrelevant; they do not change the outcome.
"But that's way too cruel! Doesn't it bother you, Homura?"
"I made my peace with it," Homura answers simply. Something in her posture changes, a minuscule tension. "I have known for a long time."
Then she turns to Yuki with an inquisitive look. "But how did you figure it out?"
"I saw the TV Witch turn back into a human before she vanished," Yuki offers.
Going by their nonplussed expressions, neither Madoka nor Homura saw the same thing.
"Then I asked Kyubey about it earlier," she continues without missing a beat. "They also told me that most magical girls commit suicide once they learn the truth. Hence why I asked you two; Homura already knew and you aren't at risk."
However, Homura twitched at the mention of suicide. Yuki can guess that she remembers something unpleasant.
Madoka is once again horrified, tears slowly trickling down her cheeks.
"You mean miss Mami, and Kyoko, even little Yuma and Nagisa?" she asks fearfully, voice unsteady. "They'll all become Witches in the end? A-And we can't even tell them?"
"Mami Tomoe's heart is fragile," Homura supplies tonelessly. "She is dependable and strong-willed, but a single crack can make her shatter. She has no close family, having depended only on Kyubey for a long time. Learning that what she considers her dearest friend has never been a friend at all would be more than enough."
Yuki has not spoken to Mami enough to judge Homura's assessment, but she is inclined to trust her.
Meanwhile, Madoka clenches her hands to fists, not angry but desperate. "But then, with Kyoko and Yuma staying with her now, won't that help?"
"Perhaps," Homura allows. "I can't say."
Madoka slumps, still teary-eyed. She sulks in silence, staring down at her hands before glancing at Yuki and Homura.
"Why are you telling us this?" she finally asks. "What kind of opinion of ours did you want about this?"
Yuki leans back against the railing, calmly holding the distraught pinkette's gaze. "First, I wanted to know your thoughts on the matter," she explains. "You already gave them, to an extent. Second, I'd like to hear your opinion on telling any of the others."
Madoka hesitates. Homura does not.
"You shouldn't," she says simply. "It never ends well to tell magical girls about this. Either they won't believe you, or they fall apart."
"All of them?" Yuki inquires. "We talked about Mami, but what about the others?"
"I couldn't say with Yuma Chitose and Nagisa Momoe, but Kyoko Sakura might be able to bear the truth. But once she knows, it's only a matter of time until Mami learns it. And then everything falls apart."
Something is left unsaid there. Yuki can hear it, and Madoka can too. In fact, Madoka makes a face for just a moment. Something in her aura lurches, then smoothes out. She says nothing.
"So you say we shouldn't tell anyone else?" Yuki asks, more for clarification.
Homura nods.
"It would be a needless burden on them," she says. Her words are so calm that they appear cold, and in that they remind Yuki of hearing something similar a few hours ago.
"Kyubey said the same thing."
Homura twitches, almost violently at that. But she retains her cool, only giving a faint nod. "For all the issues I have with it, Kyubey is still right on some things. Even if it's for different reasons than mine."
"I don't know," Madoka adds softly. Her gaze flickers from Yuki to Homura and back. "If they're already at such a risk, isn't it right for them to know? I think... I think I'd want to know, if it were me," she adds with a forlorn note. "Even if it hurts."
Homura stares intently at her. The way she pays so close attention to what Madoka says and does, Yuki has to wonder what her real thoughts on the pinkette are.
"Even then, it's kinder if they don't. They might live longer that way; the distress over learning the truth will create a spiral of self-reinforcing negative emotions, which speeds up the tainting of their Soul Gems. Despair and hopelessness are deadly to us."
She absently presents the purple soul gem on the back of her hand for emphasis. A faint trail of black can barely be seen in the center, almost hidden by the strong gleam it gives off. Yuki leans closer to study it, as does Madoka. The pinkette goes one step further and grasps Homura's hand, making the other girl stiffen up.
"May I take some scans?" Yuki asks into the sudden silence.
Homura's "No" is softer than she likely intends, still off-center by Madoka's forwardness. The pinkette carefully rubs her thumb over Homura's Soul Gem, squinting at it in wonder.
"There's something about this," she murmurs. "I feel like I should know this, but...."
Madoka trails off, just as Homura pulls her hand away. She blinks up owlishly at her classmate, whose expression turned pensive.
"There's another reason we shouldn't tell them," she finally says. A gust of wind catches her hair and sends it fluttering alongside her skirt. "A powerful Witch called Walpurgisnacht will arrive in Mitakihara at the end of the month. She's so powerful that she can level the city in a matter of hours."
Madoka covers her mouth with a shocked gasp. Yuki's brow does not even twitch; she just got another piece of the puzzle. This is the reason why Madoka will make her contract. And if she somehow does not, this Witch will likely destroy the city against all opposition.
"We can't afford the risk to lose anyone," Homura continues when neither of them interjects. Her expression could be made of stone for how much it gives away. "Taking on Walpurgisnacht will require all of us."
"T-Then shouldn't I-" "No."
Madoka is cut off immediately. Homura pins her in place with the most intense stare she mustered thus far.
"You mustn't. If you contract with Kyubey and turn into a Witch...."
And in that moment, Yuki understands what she missed before. Homura could be extrapolating from knowing about Witches, but this is different.
A sudden shift in personality. A contract from nowhere. Her single-minded determination. That odd soft spot for Madoka. Her knowing about Walpurgisnacht's arrival, and her being so certain about the actions and reactions of other people. Taken together with what she knows of Ayin's journey to enlightenment, it all becomes clear.
Oriko can peer into the future and adjust her path.
Homura wanders back from the future into the past.
A nearby lamppost distorts in Yuki's vision, bending toward them with the head of a scythe. Time flows as life does, and life goes as time does.
Yuki blinks and the spectre is gone.
Neither of the human girls noticed it. They stand in despondent silence, neither quite having anything more to say.
Homura is the one to break their stalemate by turning away.
"If this was everything," she begins, but is stopped when Madoka clasps her hand again.
"Wait, please!" she pleads, which does cause Homura to stop and look back.
Madoka quickly scrambles backward, both hands clasped. "This wasn't how I wanted this to go, but still," she begins hesitantly. "I was thinking that we should get everyone together for something, and soon. If what you two said is true, then I think it's even more important to get used to each other. I haven't asked anyone else yet, but I'd like you to come. And you too, miss Yuki. Maybe we can go to the arcade or something? How does Friday afternoon sound?"
While Homura is quiet, perhaps dumbstruck, Yuki nods to Madoka without hesitation. "I will be there. And just in case it was not evident, I will be here for Walpurgisnacht as well."
Madoka's expression brightens considerably. Homura gives her a faint nod right after, acknowledging her support. Then, when Madoka turns those big and hopeful eyes back to her, Homura caves and agrees to join on Friday as well.
Then she vanishes into thin air.
Madoka heaves a sigh of relief and turns back to Yuki. "Thank goodness she said yes. And thank you for agreeing, too."
"I don't mind," Yuki answers; she can not help but soften a little, what with how genuine Madoka is.
Then a thought presents itself: "Actually, can I bring some more people?"
"Hm? Oh, sure! The more, the merrier! I'd love to meet your friends!"
Yuki is not sure if Oriko will want to come, but she feels she should at least ask. But before any of that, she walks Madoka home; the sun begins to dip by now, basking them in deep orange light.
Madoka herself seems a little shy for a while, but she quickly starts chattering at Yuki to fill the silence. Unlike Kazuko however, who can keep up a conversation for two on her own, Madoka tries to involve Yuki more. She asks about favourite hobbies and foods, then coaxes Yuki into talking about them at length.
She is so personable, it is almost surreal. And Yuki does not mind indulging her at all, which is even more so.
When they separate in front of Madoka's house, the pinkette swoops in for a quick hug. Then she waves one final time and unlocks the front door with her key. Yuki waves back, takes one more look at the two-story building, and turns to walk away.
Despite the low charge on her social battery, Yuki is quite content at the moment. Even as her mind swirls around Homura now, who is a time traveler, she decides approaching her about it can wait. Yuki does not plan on revealing the secret either way; it makes a useless bargaining chip, anyway. At most, trying such a thing will make Homura give an honest attempt at killing Yuki for good.
Just minutes into her tranquil walk, idle musings are interrupted when she runs into Ai.
The pinkette comes skipping the other way, expression brightening up when she spots Yuki. The two wave at each other and stop to talk; now that it grows dark, there are few pedestrians around that would be bothered.
"Heya!" Ai greets her with a big grin. "Looks like you're feeling better. I'm happy to see it."
Yuki smiles back. "Hello. I'm definitely feeling better, in part thanks to you."
"Heh, good to know. What are you up to?"
"Just out on a stroll," Yuki answers simply. "I still have some thinking to do. What about yourself?"
Ai shrugs in response. "Not sure what I'll do yet. My moms aren't talking again, so I made myself scarce. Outside of that, eh. Maybe I'll do some more art?"
"That's not art," Yuki deadpans, which earns her a roll of the eyes.
"It is to me, jerkface!"
The immediate rebuttal draws a faint huff from Yuki. The sound is barely audible, but Ai hears it all the same. She makes a show of staring at Yuki with wide eyes, acting utterly dumbfounded.
"Could it be? Stone cold Yuki knows how to laugh? Since when? Did you get laid or something?"
Her trash talk flows off Yuki like water. "No," she answers simply. "Contrary to what you may believe, I have a sense of humour. I just don't laugh much."
It is true, too; even in her pursuit of neutrality, Yuki has still felt amusement on occasion. But she makes sure not to show it outwardly. Now that she breaks apart, things begin to slip through the cracks; and somehow, she does not mind it nearly as much as she feels she should.
Although Ai's words also strike her curiousity in an unexpected way.
The pinkette huffs in turn, shaking her head.
"Colour me surprised. I didn't think you'd have it in you."
"I do. And on an unrelated note, I was invited to the arcade on Friday afternoon. Do you want to come with?"
The invitation comes out of left field for Ai, her surprise pleasing Yuki in turn. Ai makes a thoughtful face, but nods eventually.
"Sure thing, I'm game."
"Good. I will see you there."
"Wait, where are you going?"
Yuki pauses, having already made to leave. Turning her head back, Ai can barely spot the spark of mirth in her eyes.
"Getting laid," she says, still in her usual deadpan. "Since you seem so convinced that will loosen me up. Well, it certainly will in one sense, at least."
"Wha...."
With an almost mocking wave, Yuki fully turns away and leaves Ai behind. The pinkette is either too dumbfounded to follow her, or understood that Yuki actually meant it. Maybe both.
Her first stop is with Kazuko, though; she lets her host know that she will be late, and not to wait for her. Then she has to accept eating the leftovers Kazuko made, to go into her next adventure on a full stomach.
After that, Yuki adjusts her clothes a little. Once again dressed in suit jacket and pencil skirt, she seeks out Mitakihara's slowly waking night life.
She regrets that about five minutes later, what with how her social battery had so little time to recharge. She can barely hear herself think over the loud music and the buzz of countless voices in the first club she visits; they hammer on her mind.
In her sudden surge of annoyance, she decides to try the blunt force method instead.
A little surprisingly, just walking up and asking people if they are interested is successful. And quite fast at that. But unfortunately, while the young man she ends up with is nice and she does enjoy the experience, it has no marked influence on her state of mind afterward. At most, this is a temporary escape from all those heavy thoughts and feelings.
So Yuki tries again. This time with a woman. Finding one amenable to her forward advances takes a little bit longer, but confidence sees her through nonetheless.
The result is the same: transient pleasure, no change. The girl is a good sport and fairly patient while Yuki experiments, too.
And just because she is curious, and because she feels she can, Yuki goes out hunting for a third time. Half an hour later, an amorous and perhaps slightly drunk couple takes her home.
Sitting between them under the covers after, Yuki is back to musing. No changes still, though she feels a little sore. Not the soreness of injury, but of unused muscles being strained. It will pass soon, leaving her to ponder. The two lumps to her left snore peacefully, and the digital clock to her right reads a quarter before three in the morning.
Yuki liked the night and the sensations, but she knows she is close to overindulging. Had she had that idea a few days ago, she may have done it without thinking twice. Drowning herself in sex is no different from alcohol, if perhaps a little more involved. It made for a nice distraction and experience, but no more than that.
Just then, she feels something odd. Like a twitch in the back of her mind. A feeling of foreboding.
Sliding out from under the covers, Yuki cleans herself with a snap of her fingers. A momentary, viridian glow encases her and wipes any trace of this eventful night away. Then her discarded clothes flow back from their hiding places. They settle back into place firmly, Yuki's crimson eyes glowing faint in the dark of the room.
Frowning at nothing, Yuki tries to discern what that feeling is. Perhaps it is the time of night, or her previous escapades, but it takes an almost embarassingly long minute.
When she realises it must relate to Oriko, panic rises to the forefront. Yuki teleports away without a second thought.
What she finds at her destination is a house in flames.
She is still stunned, just staring, when Kirika bursts out the master bedroom's window to the sound of shattering glass. She rolls off the floor, then catches Oriko who follows after.
Seeing both of them alright calms Yuki's heart enough to finally move.
"What's happening?" she calls out to the pair, who quickly take distance from the inferno.
"Arson," Oriko answers grimly. "Do you have any magic to contain this?"
Yuki looks again and goes through her options, slowly shaking her head. She can extinguish small fires, but not something of this size. She could drown the whole building in acid, but the end result may just be worse than the fire.
"I figured. Well, everything I need, I have."
Oriko faintly raises her laptop for emphasis, then draws Kirika against her side. Her girlfriend holds her tightly.
"You know who did this," Kirika says, just loud enough for Yuki to hear. "Tell me, and I'll take care of them. Why didn't you warn me?"
"No, my dear. I knew it was coming, but not when exactly. My preparations were side-tracked by more important thigns. It's fine. We can't implicate ourselves right now, first we need to deal with the police. Please call the firefighters."
Kirika does as told, if grumpily. Yuki stands next to them, her stomach doing flips; her anger unearths itself from the pit she shoved it into, growing back into a blaze to rival the house before them. Flames lick at the entire structure, almost gently embracing everything they can consume.
The magical girls detransform a minute later; Oriko into her white nightgown, Kirika in what may be an old track suit.
"You should go," Oriko tells Yuki. "People will come to gawk soon, and the police at that. You don't have any papers or legal identity, do you?"
Her demand makes sense, but it also annoys Yuki a great deal. She wants to be there for her friend. That annoyance almost breaks through the numbness she felt since arriving. But the scream of sirens helps her maintain her cool.
Nodding, Yuki vanishes and reappears on the roof of another house. She can see a half dozen firetrucks barreling toward the inferno from her perch.
It all happened so fast that she is still catching up. But even now, Yuki knows one thing.
This is unacceptable.
There will be a reckoning.
But first, Yuki has to figure out how to help her friends. Oriko has enough money to make do, but the pair has no place to stay; Kirika's family may take them, but Yuki somehow doubts it. What sort of girl would make a wish like hers to be liked, if not because her home life is difficult?
Watching the firefighters try to control the flames, Yuki begins to wonder what she can do.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu8i-OyjLYk[/URL]
[] Ask Kazuko for help
weight: x1
[] Ask Junko for help
weight: x1
[] Ask Kyubey for help
weight: x1
[] write-in another idea
weight: x1
-Revealed Homura's 'Magical Girl' trait in full
Magical Girl
Yuki's gaze shifts minutely. Swerving away from Kyubey, she squints at you instead. Madoka was one of the last people she would consider, and she barely knows Homura at all.
But you have not led her wrong yet, so she will trust your judgement again.
"Can you contact Madoka Kaname and Homura Akemi, and tell them to come meet me later today?"
Kyubey nods, their bunny ears bobbing with the motion.
"I can. Will you tell them about our conversation?"
"Yes. Do you have objections?"
"No. With regard to Homura Akemi's behavioural patterns and unknown origin, I assume she's already aware of the origin of Witches. Madoka Kaname is currently not directly affected by such knowledge, which prevents instability. At the same time, you telling her may motivate her to make a compassionate wish of some sort."
Yuki's hand pauses in mid-air, having just moved to pet the bunnycat again. Put this way, she realises, she now knows what Oriko has seen.
"And if Madoka made her wish?" she asks, just to confirm.
Kyubey's gaze remains cold and analytical. Their body almost unnaturally still.
"If Madoka forms the contract, the creation of her Soul Gem alone will fulfill the energy quota we estimate to gather from the entire human species for the remainder of its existence. Unfortunately, the resulting Witch will proceed to strip this world clean of humans afterward."
Yuki stares back just as unblinking, lost in thought. Her hand lowers at last, coming to lie gently between Kyubey's feline ears.
"So that's why," she murmurs, fitting together the pieces in her mind. Oriko already knows that magical girls turn into Witches. Whether Kirika knows is anyone's guess. And that is why Madoka will bring world's end.
Idly scratching Kyubey behind the ear, she considers the options on the table. As a guardian and thus arbitrator, she can see the unsavoury but worthwhile ideas. And if she can see them, then Kyubey certainly did as well.
"What happens if the Soul Gem is shattered?"
"The magical girl dies," Kyubey explains as they press their head into her touch. "No transformation into a Witch happens. I understand your train of thought, but we can't break a magical girl's gem. We can stimulate it to evoke certain sensations, but no more. Another set of wishes prevents us from causing harm to a magical girl directly."
"I see."
Yuki frowns thoughtfully, then goes back through the conversation. "What did you mean about Homura's origins being unknown? You seem to know everything else, so why not that?"
Kyubey's head tilts sideways.
"By all accounts, Homura Akemi was a potential candidate until several weaks ago. Her behavioural profile indicates a soft-spoken and shy individual with severe depression and lack of confidence. Almost exactly four weeks ago, her behaviour shifted inexplicably to the personality you encountered. She suddenly carried a Soul Gem despite never forming a contract with me. We're still investigating what caused these events."
"Huh. Could it be a natural occurence?"
"Such a thing has never happened throughout human history. I'm not ruling out the possibility, but that would still not explain her change in behaviour."
Yuki concedes the point with a nod. She has a feeling that any argument she might offer, they already thought about. But now she is admittedly curious about it.
"Okay. Can you go tell them now? I'll meet them at eight on the bridge."
"Of course. See you later, Yuki."
Kyubey crawls out from under her hand, shakes themself out, and bounds away into the hallway. Kirika, who strolls inside with two shopping bags in hand, gives no indicator of having seen them.
"Yo, I'm back. Gimme a hand?"
Yuki slides off the couch without hesitation and takes a bag off of her. Kirika grins, transitioning into a faint smile as they put everything away. She quickly checks in on Oriko as well before throwing Yuki a snack and dragging her back to gaming.
This is how the rest of noon and afternoon pass. Oriko comes in sometime later, leaning over the backrest of the couch to watch them play. Her hand absently runs through Kirika's hair, distracting her girlfriend just enough that Yuki needs to save her in-game avatar from death.
Oriko seems content with just watching them for a while. Once she had her fill, she moves into the kitchen and starts making dinner. Any attempts to help her are refused, up until Oriko pushes one hand to her hip and orders the both of them out of the kitchen.
"I may have grown frail, but I'm not a doll," she chastises them. "Now go play some more, you earned yourself a reprieve."
Yuki does not agree with that assessment, but she does not argue. Neither does Kirika. The pair exchanges looks and awkward shrugs, then goes back to gaming. Yuki makes sure to watch the time, though; a nicely placed savepoint lets them turn off the console just a few seconds before Oriko fetches them for dinner.
Sitting down with them, Yuki recaps the day for herself. She did little of anything, just played games with Kirika all day. But it was still nice. There were no stakes at all. Nothing to worry about.
She wants to do it again sometime.
Today was the sort of day Yuki wants to have every day.
But she knows too well that the domestic facade is just that; Oriko withers away little by little, the Jester lives in Yuki's shadow, and Madoka is slated to destroy the world in less than three weeks.
But by herself, Yuki decides that she wants to have more of these days. And if she needs to save the world to get them, then she will.
Hence why, after eating up and cleaning the dishes with a flicker of magic, Yuki stands. Her blank resting expression is broken up by a tender smile.
"Thank you for having me today. I have to go now, there are people I need to meet soon. But I will be back."
"Of course," Oriko answers with a smile. "Take care, Yuki."
Kirika nods her agreement. "Yeah, today was fun. Let's hang out again."
"Yes, let's. See you later."
Yuki waves until her teleportation spell completes and whisks her away.
She quickly checks in on Kazuko first; both because it is polite, and because she wants to let her know that she already ate. The other woman actively smiles upon hearing that, swiftly drawing Yuki into a conversation about 'her friends'.
Yuki is happy to talk about Oriko for a bit. She came to appreciate Kirika as well. Although the spectre of bad things to come keeps hanging over them, they make do with the time they have. Yuki makes sure not to mention any of that to Kazuko, though.
"Do you want me to put something aside for later?" Kazuko asks a little later. "If you had dinner this early, you might be hungry when you get back."
Yuki mulls it over for a moment, then nods. "Yes, please."
"Sure thing! Just leave it to me!"
Kazuko pumps her fist, then ushers Yuki out to do 'whatever it is magical girls do'. The way she phrases it sounds like she does not want to know in too much detail.
Rather than correct her about who she meets with, Yuki quickly makes her way to the largest bridge in town. Walkways for pedestrians lead along the sides, where she eventually stops to stare out at sea. A soft breeze carries the scent of salt and ruffles her hair.
For just a moment, Yuki hears the cries of seagulls. Yet when she casts her gaze around, she can spot none. Popping open a can of soda she can not recall buying, she takes a big gulp and feels sweet drink prickle down her throat. It feels envigorating.
Despite that little oddity, she remains trapped in introspection for a time. Going over her conversation with Ayin and Binah again, basking in the knowledge that the Library is safe. And the name she was given, Naftali. Yuki still prefers the other one, though; in fact, something feels different about 'Naftali'. Perhaps, she reasons, it relates to 'Yuki' being a name she chose to take, while the other was bestowed on her?
"Miss Yuki!"
Madoka's happy call drives the musings away. Yuki glances up from where she was leaning on the railing, where the bubbly pinkette quickly walks her way. Madoka beams at her when she arrives, both hands clasped in front of her chest.
"I'm so glad you're alright! I was so worried when you just up and left."
The reminder makes Yuki feel a little sheepish. She rubs the back of her head awkwardly.
"Sorry about that. I just needed time to think."
"Oh, it's okay, I understand," Madoka assures her, even though it is a lie. Then her expression turns curious.
"Why did you want to see me?"
"Let's wait for Homura," Yuki says, only for the dark-haired girl to appear next to them in her transformed state.
"There's no need for that."
Homura absently flips her hair, ignoring the startled eep from Madoka. Her lilac eyes focus entirely on Yuki.
"What do you want?"
"Your opinion, most of all," Yuki responds just as blankly.
Homura's head tilts ever so faintly while Madoka looks from one magical girl to the other. She feels out of place.
"Um, what did you need my opinion on?" the pinkette asks curiously. "I'm not a magical girl, so I kinda don't know that much about it. Or is it something else?"
Yuki shakes her head. "No, it's about magical girls. But you not being one is why I wanted to have you here. Magical girls turn into Witches when their Soul Gems grow too tainted."
Madoka blinks. Once, twice, then the knowledge begins to register. Yuki can see the exact moment her expression becomes horrified, eyes blowing wide open.
"Eh? I-Is this some kind of bad joke, miss Yuki?" she tries, then looks to Homura. "It's not true, right?"
Homura, who did not react visibly to the revelation, inclines her head.
"It's true. All of us will eventually turn into Witches. That's what the Incubator doesn't tell us."
Madoka gasps in shock, covering her mouth. A soft "Oh no" escapes her throat and first tears glisten in her eyes. "B-But how? And why? Does Kyubey know? W-Why would he do that?"
"Does it matter why?" Homura asks back softly. And she is correct that the reasons are irrelevant; they do not change the outcome.
"But that's way too cruel! Doesn't it bother you, Homura?"
"I made my peace with it," Homura answers simply. Something in her posture changes, a minuscule tension. "I have known for a long time."
Then she turns to Yuki with an inquisitive look. "But how did you figure it out?"
"I saw the TV Witch turn back into a human before she vanished," Yuki offers.
Going by their nonplussed expressions, neither Madoka nor Homura saw the same thing.
"Then I asked Kyubey about it earlier," she continues without missing a beat. "They also told me that most magical girls commit suicide once they learn the truth. Hence why I asked you two; Homura already knew and you aren't at risk."
However, Homura twitched at the mention of suicide. Yuki can guess that she remembers something unpleasant.
Madoka is once again horrified, tears slowly trickling down her cheeks.
"You mean miss Mami, and Kyoko, even little Yuma and Nagisa?" she asks fearfully, voice unsteady. "They'll all become Witches in the end? A-And we can't even tell them?"
"Mami Tomoe's heart is fragile," Homura supplies tonelessly. "She is dependable and strong-willed, but a single crack can make her shatter. She has no close family, having depended only on Kyubey for a long time. Learning that what she considers her dearest friend has never been a friend at all would be more than enough."
Yuki has not spoken to Mami enough to judge Homura's assessment, but she is inclined to trust her.
Meanwhile, Madoka clenches her hands to fists, not angry but desperate. "But then, with Kyoko and Yuma staying with her now, won't that help?"
"Perhaps," Homura allows. "I can't say."
Madoka slumps, still teary-eyed. She sulks in silence, staring down at her hands before glancing at Yuki and Homura.
"Why are you telling us this?" she finally asks. "What kind of opinion of ours did you want about this?"
Yuki leans back against the railing, calmly holding the distraught pinkette's gaze. "First, I wanted to know your thoughts on the matter," she explains. "You already gave them, to an extent. Second, I'd like to hear your opinion on telling any of the others."
Madoka hesitates. Homura does not.
"You shouldn't," she says simply. "It never ends well to tell magical girls about this. Either they won't believe you, or they fall apart."
"All of them?" Yuki inquires. "We talked about Mami, but what about the others?"
"I couldn't say with Yuma Chitose and Nagisa Momoe, but Kyoko Sakura might be able to bear the truth. But once she knows, it's only a matter of time until Mami learns it. And then everything falls apart."
Something is left unsaid there. Yuki can hear it, and Madoka can too. In fact, Madoka makes a face for just a moment. Something in her aura lurches, then smoothes out. She says nothing.
"So you say we shouldn't tell anyone else?" Yuki asks, more for clarification.
Homura nods.
"It would be a needless burden on them," she says. Her words are so calm that they appear cold, and in that they remind Yuki of hearing something similar a few hours ago.
"Kyubey said the same thing."
Homura twitches, almost violently at that. But she retains her cool, only giving a faint nod. "For all the issues I have with it, Kyubey is still right on some things. Even if it's for different reasons than mine."
"I don't know," Madoka adds softly. Her gaze flickers from Yuki to Homura and back. "If they're already at such a risk, isn't it right for them to know? I think... I think I'd want to know, if it were me," she adds with a forlorn note. "Even if it hurts."
Homura stares intently at her. The way she pays so close attention to what Madoka says and does, Yuki has to wonder what her real thoughts on the pinkette are.
"Even then, it's kinder if they don't. They might live longer that way; the distress over learning the truth will create a spiral of self-reinforcing negative emotions, which speeds up the tainting of their Soul Gems. Despair and hopelessness are deadly to us."
She absently presents the purple soul gem on the back of her hand for emphasis. A faint trail of black can barely be seen in the center, almost hidden by the strong gleam it gives off. Yuki leans closer to study it, as does Madoka. The pinkette goes one step further and grasps Homura's hand, making the other girl stiffen up.
"May I take some scans?" Yuki asks into the sudden silence.
Homura's "No" is softer than she likely intends, still off-center by Madoka's forwardness. The pinkette carefully rubs her thumb over Homura's Soul Gem, squinting at it in wonder.
"There's something about this," she murmurs. "I feel like I should know this, but...."
Madoka trails off, just as Homura pulls her hand away. She blinks up owlishly at her classmate, whose expression turned pensive.
"There's another reason we shouldn't tell them," she finally says. A gust of wind catches her hair and sends it fluttering alongside her skirt. "A powerful Witch called Walpurgisnacht will arrive in Mitakihara at the end of the month. She's so powerful that she can level the city in a matter of hours."
Madoka covers her mouth with a shocked gasp. Yuki's brow does not even twitch; she just got another piece of the puzzle. This is the reason why Madoka will make her contract. And if she somehow does not, this Witch will likely destroy the city against all opposition.
"We can't afford the risk to lose anyone," Homura continues when neither of them interjects. Her expression could be made of stone for how much it gives away. "Taking on Walpurgisnacht will require all of us."
"T-Then shouldn't I-" "No."
Madoka is cut off immediately. Homura pins her in place with the most intense stare she mustered thus far.
"You mustn't. If you contract with Kyubey and turn into a Witch...."
And in that moment, Yuki understands what she missed before. Homura could be extrapolating from knowing about Witches, but this is different.
A sudden shift in personality. A contract from nowhere. Her single-minded determination. That odd soft spot for Madoka. Her knowing about Walpurgisnacht's arrival, and her being so certain about the actions and reactions of other people. Taken together with what she knows of Ayin's journey to enlightenment, it all becomes clear.
Oriko can peer into the future and adjust her path.
Homura wanders back from the future into the past.
A nearby lamppost distorts in Yuki's vision, bending toward them with the head of a scythe. Time flows as life does, and life goes as time does.
Yuki blinks and the spectre is gone.
Neither of the human girls noticed it. They stand in despondent silence, neither quite having anything more to say.
Homura is the one to break their stalemate by turning away.
"If this was everything," she begins, but is stopped when Madoka clasps her hand again.
"Wait, please!" she pleads, which does cause Homura to stop and look back.
Madoka quickly scrambles backward, both hands clasped. "This wasn't how I wanted this to go, but still," she begins hesitantly. "I was thinking that we should get everyone together for something, and soon. If what you two said is true, then I think it's even more important to get used to each other. I haven't asked anyone else yet, but I'd like you to come. And you too, miss Yuki. Maybe we can go to the arcade or something? How does Friday afternoon sound?"
While Homura is quiet, perhaps dumbstruck, Yuki nods to Madoka without hesitation. "I will be there. And just in case it was not evident, I will be here for Walpurgisnacht as well."
Madoka's expression brightens considerably. Homura gives her a faint nod right after, acknowledging her support. Then, when Madoka turns those big and hopeful eyes back to her, Homura caves and agrees to join on Friday as well.
Then she vanishes into thin air.
Madoka heaves a sigh of relief and turns back to Yuki. "Thank goodness she said yes. And thank you for agreeing, too."
"I don't mind," Yuki answers; she can not help but soften a little, what with how genuine Madoka is.
Then a thought presents itself: "Actually, can I bring some more people?"
"Hm? Oh, sure! The more, the merrier! I'd love to meet your friends!"
Yuki is not sure if Oriko will want to come, but she feels she should at least ask. But before any of that, she walks Madoka home; the sun begins to dip by now, basking them in deep orange light.
Madoka herself seems a little shy for a while, but she quickly starts chattering at Yuki to fill the silence. Unlike Kazuko however, who can keep up a conversation for two on her own, Madoka tries to involve Yuki more. She asks about favourite hobbies and foods, then coaxes Yuki into talking about them at length.
She is so personable, it is almost surreal. And Yuki does not mind indulging her at all, which is even more so.
When they separate in front of Madoka's house, the pinkette swoops in for a quick hug. Then she waves one final time and unlocks the front door with her key. Yuki waves back, takes one more look at the two-story building, and turns to walk away.
Despite the low charge on her social battery, Yuki is quite content at the moment. Even as her mind swirls around Homura now, who is a time traveler, she decides approaching her about it can wait. Yuki does not plan on revealing the secret either way; it makes a useless bargaining chip, anyway. At most, trying such a thing will make Homura give an honest attempt at killing Yuki for good.
Just minutes into her tranquil walk, idle musings are interrupted when she runs into Ai.
The pinkette comes skipping the other way, expression brightening up when she spots Yuki. The two wave at each other and stop to talk; now that it grows dark, there are few pedestrians around that would be bothered.
"Heya!" Ai greets her with a big grin. "Looks like you're feeling better. I'm happy to see it."
Yuki smiles back. "Hello. I'm definitely feeling better, in part thanks to you."
"Heh, good to know. What are you up to?"
"Just out on a stroll," Yuki answers simply. "I still have some thinking to do. What about yourself?"
Ai shrugs in response. "Not sure what I'll do yet. My moms aren't talking again, so I made myself scarce. Outside of that, eh. Maybe I'll do some more art?"
"That's not art," Yuki deadpans, which earns her a roll of the eyes.
"It is to me, jerkface!"
The immediate rebuttal draws a faint huff from Yuki. The sound is barely audible, but Ai hears it all the same. She makes a show of staring at Yuki with wide eyes, acting utterly dumbfounded.
"Could it be? Stone cold Yuki knows how to laugh? Since when? Did you get laid or something?"
Her trash talk flows off Yuki like water. "No," she answers simply. "Contrary to what you may believe, I have a sense of humour. I just don't laugh much."
It is true, too; even in her pursuit of neutrality, Yuki has still felt amusement on occasion. But she makes sure not to show it outwardly. Now that she breaks apart, things begin to slip through the cracks; and somehow, she does not mind it nearly as much as she feels she should.
Although Ai's words also strike her curiousity in an unexpected way.
The pinkette huffs in turn, shaking her head.
"Colour me surprised. I didn't think you'd have it in you."
"I do. And on an unrelated note, I was invited to the arcade on Friday afternoon. Do you want to come with?"
The invitation comes out of left field for Ai, her surprise pleasing Yuki in turn. Ai makes a thoughtful face, but nods eventually.
"Sure thing, I'm game."
"Good. I will see you there."
"Wait, where are you going?"
Yuki pauses, having already made to leave. Turning her head back, Ai can barely spot the spark of mirth in her eyes.
"Getting laid," she says, still in her usual deadpan. "Since you seem so convinced that will loosen me up. Well, it certainly will in one sense, at least."
"Wha...."
With an almost mocking wave, Yuki fully turns away and leaves Ai behind. The pinkette is either too dumbfounded to follow her, or understood that Yuki actually meant it. Maybe both.
Her first stop is with Kazuko, though; she lets her host know that she will be late, and not to wait for her. Then she has to accept eating the leftovers Kazuko made, to go into her next adventure on a full stomach.
After that, Yuki adjusts her clothes a little. Once again dressed in suit jacket and pencil skirt, she seeks out Mitakihara's slowly waking night life.
She regrets that about five minutes later, what with how her social battery had so little time to recharge. She can barely hear herself think over the loud music and the buzz of countless voices in the first club she visits; they hammer on her mind.
In her sudden surge of annoyance, she decides to try the blunt force method instead.
A little surprisingly, just walking up and asking people if they are interested is successful. And quite fast at that. But unfortunately, while the young man she ends up with is nice and she does enjoy the experience, it has no marked influence on her state of mind afterward. At most, this is a temporary escape from all those heavy thoughts and feelings.
So Yuki tries again. This time with a woman. Finding one amenable to her forward advances takes a little bit longer, but confidence sees her through nonetheless.
The result is the same: transient pleasure, no change. The girl is a good sport and fairly patient while Yuki experiments, too.
And just because she is curious, and because she feels she can, Yuki goes out hunting for a third time. Half an hour later, an amorous and perhaps slightly drunk couple takes her home.
Sitting between them under the covers after, Yuki is back to musing. No changes still, though she feels a little sore. Not the soreness of injury, but of unused muscles being strained. It will pass soon, leaving her to ponder. The two lumps to her left snore peacefully, and the digital clock to her right reads a quarter before three in the morning.
Yuki liked the night and the sensations, but she knows she is close to overindulging. Had she had that idea a few days ago, she may have done it without thinking twice. Drowning herself in sex is no different from alcohol, if perhaps a little more involved. It made for a nice distraction and experience, but no more than that.
Just then, she feels something odd. Like a twitch in the back of her mind. A feeling of foreboding.
Sliding out from under the covers, Yuki cleans herself with a snap of her fingers. A momentary, viridian glow encases her and wipes any trace of this eventful night away. Then her discarded clothes flow back from their hiding places. They settle back into place firmly, Yuki's crimson eyes glowing faint in the dark of the room.
Frowning at nothing, Yuki tries to discern what that feeling is. Perhaps it is the time of night, or her previous escapades, but it takes an almost embarassingly long minute.
When she realises it must relate to Oriko, panic rises to the forefront. Yuki teleports away without a second thought.
What she finds at her destination is a house in flames.
She is still stunned, just staring, when Kirika bursts out the master bedroom's window to the sound of shattering glass. She rolls off the floor, then catches Oriko who follows after.
Seeing both of them alright calms Yuki's heart enough to finally move.
"What's happening?" she calls out to the pair, who quickly take distance from the inferno.
"Arson," Oriko answers grimly. "Do you have any magic to contain this?"
Yuki looks again and goes through her options, slowly shaking her head. She can extinguish small fires, but not something of this size. She could drown the whole building in acid, but the end result may just be worse than the fire.
"I figured. Well, everything I need, I have."
Oriko faintly raises her laptop for emphasis, then draws Kirika against her side. Her girlfriend holds her tightly.
"You know who did this," Kirika says, just loud enough for Yuki to hear. "Tell me, and I'll take care of them. Why didn't you warn me?"
"No, my dear. I knew it was coming, but not when exactly. My preparations were side-tracked by more important thigns. It's fine. We can't implicate ourselves right now, first we need to deal with the police. Please call the firefighters."
Kirika does as told, if grumpily. Yuki stands next to them, her stomach doing flips; her anger unearths itself from the pit she shoved it into, growing back into a blaze to rival the house before them. Flames lick at the entire structure, almost gently embracing everything they can consume.
The magical girls detransform a minute later; Oriko into her white nightgown, Kirika in what may be an old track suit.
"You should go," Oriko tells Yuki. "People will come to gawk soon, and the police at that. You don't have any papers or legal identity, do you?"
Her demand makes sense, but it also annoys Yuki a great deal. She wants to be there for her friend. That annoyance almost breaks through the numbness she felt since arriving. But the scream of sirens helps her maintain her cool.
Nodding, Yuki vanishes and reappears on the roof of another house. She can see a half dozen firetrucks barreling toward the inferno from her perch.
It all happened so fast that she is still catching up. But even now, Yuki knows one thing.
This is unacceptable.
There will be a reckoning.
But first, Yuki has to figure out how to help her friends. Oriko has enough money to make do, but the pair has no place to stay; Kirika's family may take them, but Yuki somehow doubts it. What sort of girl would make a wish like hers to be liked, if not because her home life is difficult?
Watching the firefighters try to control the flames, Yuki begins to wonder what she can do.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu8i-OyjLYk[/URL]
[] Ask Kazuko for help
weight: x1
[] Ask Junko for help
weight: x1
[] Ask Kyubey for help
weight: x1
[] write-in another idea
weight: x1
-Revealed Homura's 'Magical Girl' trait in full
-Access to time magic. Connection to the collective conciousness of humankind.
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