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# Puella Magi Adfligo Systema

- Thread starter Firnagzen
- Start date May 19, 2014
- Tags
    bad decisions dating mami tomoe diabolical laughter friendship is the best ship handholding identity crises microwaving tea gets you put in the bad place names are important puella magi adfligo systema puella magi madoka magica the body is the fursona of the soul this is not the baked goods thread we don't talk about rionna what could possibly go wrong? who in the world is azure sanfrancisco?

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Threadmarks Under the Radar pt. 9
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#### Firnagzen

Operator

- Feb 2, 2015

- #30,483

You sigh. Some colder, analytical part of you wonders at the... vaguely ominous phrasing of her apology, that she isn't plotting something against you even now. In the end, though, you... don't think she would do that. "I accept your apology, Oriko," you say.
Oriko nods.
Kirika looks curious, but returns to cuddling Oriko, idly toying with the waves of silvery grey hair cascading down the seer's side.
Where do you go from here?
You lean forward to collect your cup and take a sip of the tea, ignoring the voice in your head that says it might be poisoned. You're not sure that there's many poisons that would actually work on a magical girl, honestly. Though you suppose that Oriko, if anyone, would be able to figure out what would work. Not that you think she would.
Mami would like this tea, you think. Or... She'd like it if Oriko weren't the one serving it, you think.
Almost as if summoned by your thoughts of her, a telepathic call arrives from Mami. "Sabrina?"
You set aside the teacup again, thoughtfully. "Mami! How are you?"
"I... Oriko, I'll try to reduce tensions between you, Mami and Homura," you say out loud. You consider adding that you'll try and secure their release, but you decide not to make a promise you're not completely sure you can follow through on. Besides, Oriko should be able to figure it out.
Oriko's sea-green eyes rise to meet yours for a moment, and she nods slowly in acceptance. "I understand. Thank you."
"Oh, we're making gyoza today!" Mami informs you.
You suppress the urge to smile. "Dumplings? That sounds great!"
"Alright, then," you say to Oriko. "Do you need a cleansing? Did you use the Grief Seeds?"
"Ah, I'll do my best," Mami replies to you. "It's pork mince with chives, I hope that's alright?"
"Yes, that would be appreciated," Oriko says. "And yes, I did. I was... forced to."
"Hmm. You've still got it, I hope?" you ask rhetorically, frowning minutely at the 'forced to'. You can sense the Grief Seeds on her person - one of them's pretty full. "The Grief Seed, I mean."
Simultaneously, you respond to Mami. "Of course," you say. "Though... won't they be a little soggy if they're left so long?"
Oriko nods, reaching in her pocket and withdrawing the filled Grief Seed. About three quarters full, if you're any judge. It's probably for the best that you did give her one, after all. "Kirika?" Oriko murmurs quietly, leaning forward to place the Grief Seed on the table.
"Huh? Oh!" Kirika says, blinking enormous citrine eyes at her. She fumbles in her pocket to produce two Soul Gems - her own, and Oriko's. Oriko's Soul Gem is perhaps a quarter filled.
"Ah, I'll only be cooking a few for taste in class, and the rest I can bring home," Mami explains.
You regard the Gems and the Grief Seed thoughtfully, wicking away the Grief with an effort of will. Wispy streamers of Grief, billowing in the air, flow out of the room to join the bulk you'd left outside. While you do so, you reply to Mami. "That makes sense."
"Oriko, aren't you able to control your visions at all?" you ask.
"Somewhat," Oriko says, a faint grimace on her face. "Not completely."
"I help!" Kirika chirps. "Sometimes by-" She breaks off mid sentence, a small blush forming on her face.
"I think maybe we can make some okonomiakyi to accompany the gyoza?" Mami suggests. Pancakes, you recognize. Meaty, savoury pancakes.
"And it costs every time it happens, huh, voluntarily or not," you say. To Mami, you say, "Sounds like a plan!"
Another slow, measured nod from Oriko is your only response.
"Alright!" Mami says. "Then... see you later, Sabrina?"
"Of course," you agree.
The call closes, and you sigh, grabbing your teacup and settling back into the sofa. You take a moment to banish thoughts of Mami -not even the romantic kind, just vast thundering crowds of Mamis stampeding through Oriko's mansion to find you- and to organize your thoughts.
Finally, you glance across at Oriko again. "So, um," you say. "If you don't mind, Oriko, I actually have a few questions, if the headaches aren't too much?" You hold up a hand. "I do mean that. Only if it isn't too much."
Oriko straightens, shaking her head slowly. "Ask," she says simply.
"If you're sure...?" You continue when Oriko nods. "Well, I understand that general questions don't work that well for you, but have you seen anything noteworthy recently? Anything involving Witches?"
Oriko begins to shake her head, before pausing, frowning. "If the information pertaining to Kamijou Kyousuke is important, you need to get it from someone other than Akemi," she says, looking faintly perplexed. "I don't... You don't succeed in getting it from her."
...
"Uh. OK, noted," you manage. "Moving on, then... if I gave you a time and place, could you backtrack events connecting to it?"
"Yes, but not with perfect fidelity," Oriko says.
"OK, then," you say, leaning forward. "Do you know about a place called Asunaro?"
"The city?" Oriko asks, giving you a puzzled frown. "It's west of here, in the Akita Prefecture."
"OK," you say, tilting your head and thinking. "OK, I'll want to come back to that later, I think, when I figure out how to properly phrase the question?"
"Very well," Oriko agrees.
"Umm," you say. "In the meantime, there's something I've been meaning to try, to see if I can heal people faster. It's... still experimental though, would you be willing to help us make sure that it's safe?"
Oriko considers that. "I am willing to try," she allows.
"Thank you," you say. You raise your hand, and call a sphere of Grief to you. It drops into your hands a moment later - a small, grapefruit sized blob. Enough for your purposes, you think. You force your will upon it. Healing. I want something that can restore flesh and bone.
The blob warps under your hand, becoming a slender rod about the length of your forearm, one with a single stylized snake wrapped around it. The Rod of Asclepius, the symbol associated with medicine and doctors.
It also feels like Witch-stuff.
Kirika lifts her head and peers at the rod in your hand, giving you a curious look, before returning to the comfort of her position nestled into Oriko's side, seemingly unconcerned. The seer, on the other hand, seems slightly perturbed, staring at the rod you've just made.
You grimace, holding it out to Oriko. "So, uh, I've been experimenting with making things all morning," you explain. "This is a healing rod. Do you think it'll work?"
Oriko takes it gingerly, holding it fastidiously between two fingers like it's something dragged in by the cat. She frowns, concentrating. "Yes... no," she says.
"No?" you ask, slumping in disappointment.
"It will heal, yes," Oriko says, a faintly nauseous look on her face. "But it won't last after you walk away."
"Oh. Oh," you say. "Did you, uh. See yoursel-"
Oriko's nodding vigorously, her silvery ponytail bobbing.
"Oh. Well. Sorry," you say, reclaiming the rod and folding it back into Grief, the signature disappearing from your senses immediately.
[] Write-in
=====​
Fun fact! The symbol of healing and stuff is the Rod of Asclepius, a single snake wrapped around a plain staff. The cadeucus, two snakes around a winged staff, is associated with messengers and whatnot.
Last edited: Feb 2, 2015
Threadmarks Under the Radar pt. 10
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#### Firnagzen

Operator

- Feb 4, 2015

- #30,940

You tip your head at Oriko's Soul Gem, still sitting on the table. A thin patina of Grief has already gathered under the surface in the time since you'd last cleaned it - the result of the usage of her precognition. "May I...?"
Oriko grants you permission with a quick nod.
You cleanse her Soul Gem with a quick crook of your finger, adding the relatively minuscule amount of Grief to the blob you still have in your hands. You look down at the blob, 'kneading' it with your powers. A small flash of deeper purple on your finger - the ring, still on your little finger, and still no issues there.
An idea strikes you, and you glance up at the silver haired girl again. "Hey, Oriko, would you mind if I were to try something else, with your help again?"
"No, please go ahead," Oriko says.
You nod. If you can't heal directly with something made of Grief, maybe you could make something to amplify your magic? You focus, moulding the Grief with your will. Amplification. Something to make your magic work better.
The Grief flows like wax under a flame, runnels sliding around your left hand to form a smooth, golden gauntlet reaching past your wrist, flaring out mid-arm. Sockets sit on the back of the gauntlet, one over every first knuckle. A single blue crystal gleams at the base of your index finger. It also feels... odd, as if crackling fire were sheathed in wire and wrapped around your hand.
Huh.
You flex the gauntlet. It looks like it's made of metal, but it bends and warps without complaint, the crystal twinkling as it catches the light. Of course, it also glows Witch at your senses.
Kirika lifts her head off Oriko's side and gives the gauntlet a curious look. "Shiny," she observes in a solemn tone.
"So it is," you agree absently, holding it out with your palm towards Oriko. "Oriko, would this work?"
"Could you pass it to me for a moment, please?" Oriko asks, holding her hand out for it.
You take the gauntlet off, the faux-metal shifting easily to let your hand out, and you pass it over. Oriko nearly drops it when her hand makes contact with it, her eyebrows shooting up in surprise.
"Is something wrong?" you ask, alarmed. You sit up, tensing and ready to intervene in a moment if necessary.
"No," Oriko says, frowning. "Give me a moment, please." Her frown deepens as she concentrates, sea green eyes sliding shut. Her Gem bubbles slowly with corruption. Finally, she opens her eyes again, looking faintly surprised. "This works better, but it isn't... perfect? The effects still don't persist fully." She sets the glove down on the table.
"That's... interesting," you say slowly, dragging the words out and thinking. You dissolve the glove into Grief, leeting it flow away, returning to the mass outside. You purse your lips, and add, "And, uh. Sorry. I guess I'll have to heal you normally, and uh. That's kinda slow."
"No matter," Oriko murmurs, shaking her head slightly.
You stand, moving over. "Um, could you move? I, uh, can't reach your arm," you say, mentally adding, there's a Kirika in the way.
Oriko nods. "Kirika? Let Sabrina-" Kirika bounces off the sofa, circles around to the opposite side, and then sprawls across the couch to lay her head on Oriko's lap. The seer smiles, her good hand coming up to cup Kirika's cheek. The black haired girl closes her eyes, nuzzling against the hand with a blissful smile.
You settle into the position vacated by Kirika, already summoning the glow of healing magic to your hands. "Kirika, do you know how to heal? Can you give me a hand here?" you ask. Oriko obligingly lifts her missing arm towards you, presenting you with the stump. You apply your hands, luminescent with magic, to her arm.
Oriko suddenly twitches, and gives you an irritated glare.
What?
... oh.
Hand.
You grin at Oriko.
She sighs in exasperation.
"Mmmnm," Kirika says, one eye cracking open to look up at you. "No, not really," she says, pouting.
"It should be instinctive," you say. "Would you like to try?"
"Mmmmnm," Kirika says. "Orikoooooo can I try?"
Oriko nods. "Of course, dear."
Kirika bounces upright. "Yay!" she cheers. "OK! Teach me, Sabrina-senpai?"
You can't help but grin at her enthusiasm. "OK, but there isn't much to teach. As far as I can tell, it's really about just trying to do it. Like, you know how you knew how to roofhop without having learned how to?"
"Yeah, but I read lots of magical girl manga," Kirika chirps.
"You... of course you did," you say. "But yeah. Just try it, you'll know if you get it right."
"Sabrina?" Mami's voice, traces of anxiety evident, comes as Kirika gives her hands a determined look, squinting in concentration. You keep your own hands playing slowly over Oriko's stump, concentrating on slowly regrowing the arm.
"Mami! How are you?" you reply cheerfully.
"Ah, we're wrapping the gyoza now," Mami tells you, her voice already sounding more cheerful.
"Oh? That sounds fun," you say.
"It is!" Mami agrees. "I hope I can make enough for everyone..."
"Relax, Mami, we can always cook a bit more at home," you say.
"Ah, you're right," Mami says. "We'll be making okonomiakyi, right?"
"Ah!" A flicker of orange light at the edges of your vision - Kirika. "I think I got it!"
"Nice," you approve. "Try it out, then. Oh, uh, take your Soul Gem out? I can cleanse it for you, this is pretty expensive." To Mami, you reply with a quick, "Yep! Should make for a nice dinner."
"OK!" Kirika says, and her Soul Gem joins Oriko's on the table. Tentatively, the black haired girl leans across Oriko's body and presses her glowing hand to the smooth flesh of the stump.
"Alright!" Mami says. "I'll see you after school, right?"
"I'll be there, Mami," you promise. You pay attention to what Kirika's doing, shifting your own efforts at healing in support. An effort of will has Grief wisping from your and Kirika's Soul Gems, deep purple clouds billowing into the air under your careful control.
"By the way, Oriko," you say, maintaining the healing with most of your focus.
"Yes?" The seer gives you a regal, questioning look. How she manages to look regal while down an arm and having her girlfriend half sprawled across her lap is beyond you, but she manages it with aplomb and unparalleled poise.
Well, not unparalleled, you amend. Mami can match her. Easily.
"Right, so, Asunaro... Do you know of the group called the Pleaides Saints?" You flex your will, shaping the Grief into little models of the girls in question, each in their transformed outfits.
Kirika peers at the models curiously. "They need pants," she observes sagely.
"Yes," you agree. "Yes, they do."
Oriko considers the models. "I presume you wish for me to try and see if there are any major events pertaining to them?"
"Yeah," you confirm. "And one... uh, two more girls. Soujo Ayase and Luca." You form another model, of the twin-souled girl. Or possible single-bodied duo.
"Them," Oriko says, an annoyed tone in her voice. "They may come through Mitakihara in... two weeks."
You raise an eyebrow. "Hmm?" you say, interested. "Can you backtrack her, uh, them to Asunaro?" And isn't she supposed to die there? And how the hell are you supposed to refer to them, anyway?
Oriko purses her lips, regarding the model carefully, her Soul Gem beginning to bubble with Grief again. Her eyes slide shut, brow furrowing as she spreads her powers.
Eventually, she shakes her head, eyes opening. They're slightly glazed over. "Too far, too many events." She jerks her head at the models still floating in the air and immediately winces. "The Pleaides Saints are still alive."
"Even Kazusa?" you ask, the model of the girl drifting forward. Kazusa Michiru, nicknamed Kazumi.
Oriko grimaces, thinking it over. "Yes, I think."
Kirika pauses her healing, and reaches up to pat Oriko's face. "Oriko, are you OK?"
"Yes... yes, thank you, dear." Oriko manages a gentle smile.
"Oh, OK then," Kirika says.
You hum thoughtfully. That's some information, then. The Pleaides are still alive. "Well then," you say, dissolving the little figures back into Grief and then forming an arm, bearing aloft a monstrance with a small figure knelt in prayer at its base. In your mind's eye, you can see it in stark black and white, Sayaka hacking at it with a wide, manic grin, and the crimson of blood the only splash of colour in a monochrome Barrier.
You'd ask about Witches in general, but you already did. "This is a Witch, one that should be appearing within Mitakihara within the next few weeks at most," you say. "Can you tell me anything about it?"
Oriko studies the model, looking uneasy. "It..." she frowns. "Are you sure you should be revealing this? Here?"
You bite your lip. "I want to know."
The frown remains, but she nods slowly, and she closes her eyes, searching with her powers. "It's a drifting Witch," she murmurs. "It arrives... three days hence, in West Mitakihara."
Your jaw clenches briefly. "Damn," you hiss. You take care to keep your hands steady over the stump, maintaining a steady flow of healing magic.
"Thanks for the information, Oriko," you say at last, sighing. "And I'm sorry for the pain it causes you."
"It doesn't... it's not a problem," Oriko says.
You blow out an annoyed breath, and let the conversation lapse into silence for a while. You and Kirika heal, the progress agonizingly slow. It'll take days to even finish the elbow joint at this pace, you think.
Mami's voice sounds in your head again. "Sabrina?"
"Mami!" you say brightly, forcing aside your annoyance. "How's the cooking going?"
"Ah, it's going great! We're frying the gyoza now. Do you think I should fry them until they're golden, or a little darker?" Mami asks.
"Golden," you reply. Kirika looks up at you, and her citrine eyes crinkle into a grin. She mouths a few words at you. 'Your oujo?'
You roll your eyes at Kirika. "I was thinking just that!" Mami agrees. "A little darker would be crisper, but I think golden strikes a nice balance of texture and tenderness."
"Mmm," you agree. "Sounds great! And now I feel hungry..."
"O-oh, I'm sorry," Mami replies immediately, sounding contrite. "I'll save a few cooked ones for you to have after school?"
"Eh? No, no need!" you hastily reassure her. "Mami, I was just teasing. It's OK, really!"
"Oh," Mami says. "Uh, um. Sorry, Sabrina."
You resist the urge to sigh. "It's OK, Mami, it really is. I'm not upset."
"O-oh," Mami says. You can imagine her biting her lip and looking down. "I-I'll see you after school?"
"Yes, I'll be there, Mami," you say as reassuringly as you can.
"O-OK," Mami says.
You do sigh, as the connection breaks. Kirika gives you an odd look, to which you reply with a shaken head. You glance at Oriko. "How are you?"
Oriko blinks at you for a moment, before volunteering, "The sensation of the healing is decidedly odd."
"Ah, sorry," you say. "I don't think I do anything there."
"No matter," Oriko says, inclining her head slightly.
"Ah, well..." you say. "So, uh. Knock knock."
Oriko stares at you.
Kirika, fortunately, is perfectly happy to step up. "Who's th-"
You cut her off. "A precog."
"A precog wh-"
"'A precog who' doesn't make any sense, just let me in," you finish, grinning.
Kirika blinks at you.
And promptly starts laughing, the orange luminance of her magic fading from her shaking hands.
Oriko groans, and mutters, "Kirika, dear, could you let my hand go- thank you." Oriko palms her face with her newly freed hand.
"Alright, then," you grin. "How many precogs does it ta-"
"No," Oriko says, lowering her hand from her face. "Sabrina, it's time for you to go, right? My arm can wait a day or two."
"Awwww Orikooooooo I want to hear the joke," Kirika whines, looking pleadingly at the seer.
Oriko caves. "Very well. Then I'm sure Sabrina has to go, right?" She nails you with a glare.
It's not a bad glare. You'd rate it... about zero point three Homuras, so about one Kyouko. You grin, unfazed, as you let the healing magic fade from your hands. "Yeah, I suppose so. Anyway! How many precogs does it take to change a lightbulb?"
"Ooh, how many?" Kirika says eagerly.
"None, because they see that nothing changes, and they don't bother!" you announce with a flourish.
Kirika blinks. "That... wasn't very good," she days, sounding disappointed.
"Well, they can't all be winners," you say, adopting a philosophical tone. "How abou-"
"No," Oriko says, rising. "Sabrina, I'm quite sure you need to go now. We'll probably see you tomorrow."
"Oh fine," you say, rising, while Kirika bounces to her feet, grin returning to her face as she reclaims Oriko's as well as her own Soul Gems. You head towards the back door of the mansion, Oriko and Kirika following you.
"But Oriko?" you say, stopping at the door and turning to face them. Oriko also stops, and Kirika slips an arm around the seer's waist. "I'll try and persuade the others to lift the house arrest, OK? I can't make any promises, but I'll try."
The seer looks at you thoughtfully, her sea green eyes meeting yours for a long moment. "I... appreciate it," she says.
You wave it off. "I'd still want to work with you as equals, if and when that happens, if you still want to help."
Oriko sighs. "That's... yes, we do."
"Yeah, we'll help," Kirika agrees, before pausing for a beat and adding, "Help for what?"
"Saving the world, I guess," you say. Saving one broken little girl. Really, it's the same thing.
"Yeah, I'm in!" Kirika cheers.
"Alright. Then... I should go," you say, stepping out into the afternoon sunshine proper. You glance around at the rose bushes -don't you remember that Oriko hated them?- as your wings billow out from your shoulders, Grief spheres sublimating under your will.
"See you!" Kirika calls, waving enthusiastically.
"Goodbye," Oriko says.
With a powerful beat, you loft yourself skywards, soaring up into the clear blue sky. You can see what might be clouds drifting on the horizon as you angle across the city, wingbeats thundering through the air and longcoat flapping out behind you. The glittering steel and glass of Mitakihara rolls by far below your feet, and you quickly arrive at the school, landing amongst the dense greenery with slightly more grace than you'd started with.
You detransform before walking out, joining the sparse midday crowds as you walk to school, strolling alongside the little ornamental stream beside the path. You're still a little early, maybe ten minutes before school ends.
[] Write-in
=====​
With special thanks to @Mister Bad Guy for helping me figure out a few things!
Last edited: Feb 4, 2015
Threadmarks Under the Radar pt. 11
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#### Firnagzen

Operator

- Feb 5, 2015

- #31,266

You consider the masses of Grief that's been trailing you around the whole day. It's currently hidden in the manicured greenery around you, but that can't really stand. You turn off the main path, slipping away from the crowds.
"Mami, Homura?" you call out telepathically as you turn a corner down a sidepath. You pace up and down, making sure that there's no one to observe you.
"Sabrina? Is something wrong?" Mami replies immediately. "School's almost done, I'll be right out!"
"Yes?" Homura asks, the quiet question almost drowned out by Mami.
"No, there's nothing wrong," you reassure Mami first. "I'm near the school, actually, but I'm going to do something with the Grief really quick, and uh, if you sense something Witchy nearby, that's just me."
"Noted," Homura says.
"O-oh, OK," Mami says. "Be careful, please?"
To your surprise, Homura interjects. "Mami, I doubt there is much that Sabrina can't handle."
"O-of course," Mami says hastily. "Just..."
"I'll be careful," you say, pulling Aurora's Seed out of your pocket. You focus, and Grief begins pouring back in, endless, ropy streams of deep purple funelling down into the tiny orb. "And I'll see the both of you soon, OK?"
"Yes," Homura agrees.
"See you soon, Sabrina," Mami says.
You sigh as that connection closes. But you've business to handle and no time for dawdling - you're on the clock, after all. Homura's little book of Witches you slip into your bag, still encased securely in its shell of Grief. You focus on packing away the Grief back into Aurora quickly, and finally... "Kyuubey."
"You've caused me a significant amount of work, Sabrina." Kyuubey's telepathic, child-like voice sounds in your head instantly, accompanied by its white-furred form slinking out from the bushes.
"Your problem, not mine," you say with a hint of satisfaction as you slide Aurora's Grief Seed into a pocket. "I have Grief for you."
"Very well," Kyuubey says. It turns around and sits on its haunches, the aperture on its back sliding open obligingly.
With a grand wave of your arms, you gather the majority of the Grief before you, a tremendous mass of spheres drifting in the air, loosely gathered into a granulated cloud. You make a fist, and will the majority of the Grief down into small, incredibly dense lumps. Two of them. The signal of Witch sings in your senses, sharp and acrid.
Kyuubey tilts its head, half turning to fix you with its unblinking red gaze.
"Will this be a problem, Kyuubey?" you ask, with a careless gesture at the Grief. You direct the remaining, uncompacted portions of Grief -a nice round one thousand- into your slingbag
"It shouldn't be!" Kyuubey says. "Please deposit one in my back."
A crook of your finger directs one of the tiny lumps into Kyuubey's back - it vanishes from your senses an instant after it passes the threshold. The cover slides shut, and Kyuubey wiggles on the spot, busy tail waving in the air behind it. "This is acceptable," it declares a moment later.
"Right," you say, bringing down the next compressed sphere of Grief. It hums in your senses, declaring its presence to all who might be able to detect it. Kyuubey obligingly slides its back open, and you drop the transmuted Grief in.
"What have you been trying to accomplish with the Grief Seeds, Sabrina?" Kyuubey asks as it accepts the new lump.
"Sorry, I'm not taking any questions," you say, pulling out your phone and checking the time. Two minutes to make it to the school... You turn, and begin walking away. "Bye, Kyuubey."
Kyuubey doesn't follow you, sitting in the middle of the path and watching with its unblinking, glassy stare.
You break out into a brisk trot, and make it to the school gates just as the school bell rings to signal the end of the school day, audible even from out here. The voices of the students rise to a hubbub, a few people beginning to trickle out in ones and twos.
Mami bursts from the school doors a moment later, school bag in hand. Her head swivels wildly as she hunts for you, and upon spotting you standing outside the gate, runs over, golden drills bouncing. She slows to a walk as she approaches, expression becoming apprehensive. Fearful and apprehensive, afraid that you've found some reason to discard her.
Your heart aches at the sight. Mami... shouldn't be this way. She shouldn't be jumping at shadows, worried that the slightest mistake she makes will offend you. She shouldn't be terrified of being alone.
But this is something that will take time to heal. Time, and friendship, and acceptance.
You smile at her, hiding your own worry, and you hold out a hand to her. She reaches out and takes it in her own, fingers interlacing with your own.
"I'm here," you say, squeezing her fingers between yours. "I'm here, Mami."
Mami takes a shuddering breath. "I... yes," she says.
"Mami! Sabrina!" A familiar, boisterous shout.
You look up to see Sayaka, Madoka, and Hitomi approaching, Homura trailing a step behind. Sayaka's carrying a bag in either hand - her own and Hitomi's, you guess, considering that Hitomi isn't carrying one. Madoka waves at you.
You wave back with your free hand, smiling at them. "Hey, everyone," you call.
"Hi, Sabrina!" Madoka says.
"Hello," Hitomi greets you, dipping her head slightly to you.
"Hello, Sabrina," Homura says in her quiet voice.
"Hi, Sabrina!" Sayaka says brightly, stopping and placing one bag on the floor. "Have I ever mentioned how it's so unfair you don't have to go to school?"
"No, you haven't," you say, rolling your eyes.
"Well, it totally is," she says.
You shrug. "Well, it's not like I haven't been keeping busy. How's school been?"
"Eh, same old, same old," Sayaka says.
"Miss Saotome broke up with her boyfriend again," Madoka offers.
Hitomi shakes her head slowly. "Miss Saotome has terrible taste in boyfriends," she opines.
Homura nods. "She does."
Sayaka starts, eyeing the time traveller with an annoyed look, but doesn't say anything.
"Say, are we waiting for anything?" you say, gesturing down the road.
"Ah... my father's sending his driver to pick me up," Hitomi says, dipping her head with an embarassed blush. "I told him it wasn't necessary, but..." Her exasperated shrug speaks volumes.
"Yeah, that," Sayaka says, her earlier exuberance gone.
"Ah, I see," you say. You glance at Mami. "Hey Mami, do you mind if we invite everybody over tonight? Nagisa, too?"
Mami looks over at you. "Sure! You don't have to ask, Sabrina."
"Maybe not, but I should," you tell Mami, smiling at her. You look at the others, and ask, "So, hey, would you girls like to come over tonight?"
"Ah, sure," Sayaka says. "I think my parents wouldn't mind me out for a bit, anyway..." She reaches into her pocket and pulls out her phone, rapidly tapping out a message.
Madoka nods, beaming. "I'd like that!"
"Thank you for the offer, but I'm expected home," Hitomi says, shaking her head ruefully.
Homura nods silently.
"Alright then!" you say, clapping your hands together. "And I'd like to invite Nagisa too," you add, reaching for your own phone with your free hand.
Madoka beams at you.
You dial Shin's phone number, and wait while it rings. A car pulls up while you wait, a sleek thing that you don't recognize the make of, and an older man emerges to open the door for Hitomi. The green haired girl gives him a severe frown for that. Sayaka holds out the bag that's still in her arms for Hitomi, and she accepts it with a smile, before saying her goodbyes.
"Bye, Hitomi," you say as the phone continues to ring - before being cancelled.
You frown down at your phone, and it buzzes with a message a moment later: Currently in a meeting.
Whoops.
You thumb-type a message in response. Sorry, was wondering if I could invite Nagisa over today? In response to Mami's questioning look, you reply, "Nagisa's uncle is in a meeting, apparently."
Mami nods. "Shall we start heading home?"
"Yes, let's," you agree. You keep your phone in hand as you start walking, angling towards home. "Say... Mami?" you ask a moment later, as Homura draws abreast of you, Madoka and Sayaka just behind and beginning their own conversation.
"Yes, Sabrina?" she asks, giving you a smile.
"Um... you used to be in the archery club?" you ask, as you idly thumb the button for the crossing at a traffic light.
"Oh, yes," Mami says. "I had to quit, though, because being a magical girl took up a lot of time."
"Ah," you say. "What kind of bow did you shoot, anyway?" Your phone vibrates in your hand - a message arriving. Tomorrow would be better.
"Umm... just a yumi. A smaller one," Mami says. You glance up from typing a reply -OK.- to see a look of faint confusion on her face.
"No western bows," Homura volunteers quietly.
A look of understanding dawns on Mami's face. "Ah, yes," she affirms, giving Homura a nod. "We only had yumi in the archery club, not the western style bows."
"Ah, I see. But aren't those..." you gesture well above your head, indicating the extreme height of the typical Japanese bow.
"Yes, they are," Mami says, nodding.
"Wow, that must've been quite fun," you say, trying to picture it.
"It was," Mami agrees. "But, ah, I guess I just don't have the time for it any more..."
You squeeze her hand comfortingly, and try to change the subject. "Say, Madoka, how about you?" you call, looking over your shoulder at her.
"A-ah?" the pinkette looks at you, confused.
"What clubs are you in?" you ask her.
"Oh! I'm in the Gardening and Crafts clubs," she says.
"Softball here," Sayaka says, still looking subdued. Madoka gives her a concerned look that the bluenette doesn't seem to notice, before giving you a worried glance. You shrug, puzzled.
"I haven't joined any clubs yet," Homura offers. "I don't think I will."
"Ah, yes," Mami says. "There's never enough time, right, Homura?"
Homura nods, and the conversation lapses after that.
[] Write-in
=====​
Yumi, Japanese bows, are typically two meters or so tall.
The next conversation will bring you home, so vote accordingly.
Last edited: Feb 5, 2015
Threadmarks Under the Radar pt. 12
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#### Firnagzen

Operator

- Feb 6, 2015

- #31,568

"Sooooo," you say, looking around at your friends. "Did anything happen in school today?"
Madoka shakes her head. "I think Miss Saotome was drinking last night!" she confides to you in a scandalized whisper.
"Oh dear," you say. "Hangover?"
Mami smiles in reminiscence. "She did that a few times last year, too. She has a new boyfriend, right?"
Madoka nods vigorously. "But she picked on Nakazawa again!"
"Oh, dear," you chuckle, eyeing Sayaka. Ordinarily, she'd be all over this sort of thing, but she's just walking along, kicking at the ground with unnecessary force.
You quirk an eyebrow at Madoka, sending her a telepathic message, pulling in Mami, as well. "Is Sayaka upset with something?" Out loud, you add, "Does she always do that?"
"Oh, yes," Mami agrees fervently, giving Sayaka a surreptious glance. "In my year, it was Isoda."
"A-ah... I... Sayaka's family isn't as... well off as Hitomi is," Madoka answers, a worried look in her eyes. She looks down, tapping her fingers together. "She feels like she owes Hitomi, and won't be able to pay her back."
"Ah, hm," you say, reflecting on that. "I see." Well that's going to be... you're not sure you have a solution for this one, though you're going to think about it.
"Madoka?" Homura asks, looking at her with the barest hint of concern on her face.
"Hm? Ah, Homura! Sorry, Homura, I was just thinking," Madoka says, her hands dropping back to her sides.
Homura's quiet tones seem to rouse Sayaka from her depression. "Hey, leave Madoka alone!"
"Ah, Sayaka, it's OK," Madoka says, before shyly adding, "I... Homura's just concerned for me."
Sayaka snorts, looking away. A thought seems to strike her, and she snaps her fingers. "Ah! I got my math homework today!" she says, shifting her bag to one hand so that she can rummage in it with the other without breaking step. She produces a familiar looking sheaf of stapled papers, and this time, prominently marked at the top is a large, bold 'A'. "Thank you so much, Sabrina!" she grins at you.
You chuckle. "You're welcome."
Sayaka shakes her head. "Jeeze. You know, it's still not fair that you don't have to go to school and you're so damned good at it."
"Would you like to know my secret?" you ask, grinning at her and lowering your voice conspiratorially.
"Yeah?" She knows it's a setup, judging from her expression, but she's willing to play along with it.
"Brain damage," you say, nodding gravely.
"Brain... damage," Sayaka repeats.
"Mmmhm," you agree, solemn expression giving way to a broad smirk.
"I'd believe it," Sayaka says, nodding seriously.
"Hey!" you protest in mock indignation, levelling your finger at her. "See if I help you with your homew... no, wait, I've used that threat already."
Sayaka sticks her tongue out at you, and then turns to Madoka. "Her brain damage is acting up again," she says in a stage whisper.
Madoka giggles, covering her mouth.
"Oh, come on, Mami, back me up here," you say, giving her a pleading look. "Maybe we can not cook for her?"
"I don't think you have brain damage, Sabrina," Mami offers diplomatically.
"'course not," Sayaka says, grinning at you.
The rest of the journey home passes amidst happy chatter, cheerful banter passing between you, Sayaka, Madoka and Mami. Even Homura interjects, once or twice.
"I'm home," you call as you step inside.
"Welcome home," Mami says, smiling at you as she follows you in, moving to leave her bag on the shelf. You leave yours beside hers as she begins rummaging, pulling out a large, multilayered container - the gyoza, you presume. The others file in behind you.
"Mami, what are we eating today?" Sayaka asks, grinning.
"Sayaka! That's rude!" Madoka scolds.
"Ah, we made gyoza today, but there's not enough, so we'll be cooking some dishes in addition!" Mami says.
"Ummm... Sabrina, weren't you going to invite Nagisa?" Madoka asks curiously.
"Ah, yes, I was," you say as you follow Mami into the kitchen. "She couldn't make it. Uh. Make yourselves at home, by the way," you say, gesturing at the sofas.
Mami sets the container on the table, and begins unpacking it, pulling it open to reveal layer after layer of plump , perfectly formed dumplings. You look over her shoulder. "Those look great, Mami!" you compliment her.
"Ah, these aren't anything special," Mami says.
"Yes, they are," you say, touching her lightly on the shoulder. "And I'm sure they'll taste amazing, too. Do you think we should get started on dinner now?"
Mami glances at the clock, and you follow her gaze - it's about four. "It's still early," she says. "I think we can make some tea?"
You smile. "That sounds great, then!" You reach for the kettle and fill it up, while Mami moves the dumplings into the freezer. She considers the contents of the freezer compartment for a moment, before retrieving a package of minced meat and moving it down to the refrigerator.
"Ah, this is the last of the cake," Mami says as she brings said cake out. "I'll have to bake another soon."
"Ooh," you say, smiling. "That sounds fun!"
Mami returns the smile happily, holding your gaze as she reaches for the cabinet where she keeps the tea. "Ceylon, I think?" she asks.
"Sounds good," you agree.
It doesn't take too long before you and Mami emerge from the kitchen with trays bearing teacups and slices of cake. You find Sayaka, Madoka and Homura sitting on the sofa, Madoka and Sayaka chatting quietly. After serving everyone, you settle down to eat, Mami at your side.
A stray thought strikes you as you eat, and you pause, rubbing your chin pensively as you think.
"What's on your mind, Sabrina?" Mami asks, touching you lightly on the elbow.
"Hm? Oh, nothing, really," you say, blinking at her. "Just thinking... is it just me, or am I really the only magical girl who wears pants?" You set your fork down and scratch your head. "Kirika has those shorts, and uh, what's-her-name Tsukada Hoshiko, in purple, had armour, but..."
Mami giggles. "Um... That can't be true. There's, um..." She stops, setting her fork down and cupping her own chin thoughtfully. "There's... Hmm."
Homura glances over.
"Pants, Homura," you tell her. "Is it just me, or do magical girls basically not wear pants? It's always skirts or stockings or something."
"Really, Sabrina?" Sayaka asks.
"Umm... Maybe they just like skirts better?" Madoka suggests.
Homura seems to give the question some consideration, her head tilting slightly.
"Seriously?" Sayaka asks. "Even you, transfer student?"
Homura gives her a gimlet stare, before looking at Mami. "One of the Tokyo girls?" she suggests.
Mami claps her hands together. "Ah! You're right, Homura! Uhh... Taniguchi, I think?"
"Actually pants?" you ask, raising an eyebrow.
Mami laughs. "Yes, actually pants. You're right, Sabrina, they do seem rather uncommon."
"What, seriously," Sayaka grumbles.
Madoka giggles.
You pick up your fork again, slicing into the cake with a smile. "Oh hey, change of subject," you announce, quietly willing Grief marbles out from your bag, melding them into your musical instruments. "Who likes music?"
"Is the punchline pants?" Sayaka asks, giving you a suspicious look.
Mami giggles, and immediately claps her hand over her mouth.
"Nope," you say, starting the music.
Sayaka's eyes go wide, her head turning with an audible snap to stare at your instruments. Just for that, you toll the bells extra loudly in her face, grinning at her awed expression as you weave in the strings. A slow grin blossoms on her face, as she bobs her head in time with the music.
When the short tune winds down, Sayaka claps, Mami and Madoka add their own delighted applause. "OK, that's seriously not fair," Sayaka says, unable to suppress a grin. "But woooooow that melody did you come up with that yourself?"
You shrug. "Dunno, I might have heard it somewhere?" You dredge up another tune from your memory, and start it.
Mami smiles proudly at you as you play, faux-conducting the music with your hands - it's not like the gestures are actually necessary to control your instruments.
Delighted clapping greets the end of that song too.
"Let's see," you say. "I think this suits you, Homura." The time traveller frowns at you as you begin playing a peppy, upbeat tune for her.
"I think it suits you, Homura!" Madoka says brightly.
"Naaah, Sabrina, don't you have something all dark and gloomy?" Sayaka disagrees.
"I think Homura can be happy too," Madoka says. "Right, Homura?"
Homura nods silently.
As the music winds down, you grin at Mami. "And for you, Mami, of course..." You take a deep breath, and begin playing.
Mami sways along with the music with a happy smile on her face, her eyes sliding shut.
All too soon, the song ends, and Sayaka applauds enthusiastically, joined by Madoka. Mami claps too, her gaze meeting yours with a broad smile on her face.
"So," you say. "I'm taking requests."
Time passes with happy chatter and music requests, the afternoon fading into evening, and eventually, you decide that you can't put things off any more. "Mami, Homura?"
"Yes, Sabrina?" Mami responds, while Homura's violet eyes flick over to you.
"I know this... isn't a happy topic, but..." you say. "We... need to tell Madoka and Sayaka the truth about Soul Gems. Are you... up for it?"
Mami's face falls, her earlier smile vanishing. Her golden eyes search yours, and she reaches out a hand to grab yours under the table. You squeeze her hand tightly, trying to reassure her.
"I-I," Mami stutters. "Y-yes, if you think it's for the b-best, Sabrina."
"Yes," Homura says.
"Mami? I-is something wrong?" Madoka, sitting across the table, looks worried.
[] Write-in
=====​
Also, agh, I just spent 45 minutes looking for a good orchestral version of credens justitiam and failed.
Last edited: Feb 6, 2015
Threadmarks Under the Radar pt. 13
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#### Firnagzen

Operator

- Feb 7, 2015

- #31,753

"Mami?" you ask in concern, squeezing her hand. "Do you need a moment? Are you OK with doing this now, Mami? It's OK if we do it another day."
"N-no, I... we should do it today," Mami says, looking at you.
"Are you sure, Mami?" you say, your brow furrowed in worry. "Really, it's OK." Homura, across the table, gives you a minute frown.
Mami takes a deep, shaking breath. "No. Let's do it now," she says.
"Would you like to start?" you ask.
Mami bites her lip, swallowing hard. Finally, she looks up at Madoka and Sayaka, who are looking increasingly worried as the silence stretches out.
"Madoka, S-Sayaka," she starts, voice wavering. "I- we- you shouldn't become magical girls. K-Kyuubey-" Mami's voice chokes over, and she stops speaking.
The two girls stare, confusion and worry written plainly on their face.
You raise your left hand, bearing both your Soul Gem in ring form and that ring of Grief you never bothered to dissolve. A twist of your mind has your egg-shaped Soul Gem forming on your palm, and you set it down on the coffee table with a quiet clink that draws the attention of both Madoka and Sayaka.
"This is my Soul Gem," you say deliberately. "Unfortunately, the name isn't an embellishment. Kyuubey takes the souls of magical girls and puts them into, well." You tap a finger against your Soul Gem. Mami's grip on your hand, under the table, becomes bone crushing in force as she shrinks in on herself, unable to meet anyone's eyes.
There's a look of slowly dawning horror on Madoka's face, her gaze flicking from you, to Mami, to Homura, sitting beside her. Her eyes dart down to Homura's ring, and then back to her face, begging for an answer. Homura shakes her head slowly.
Sayaka's face is just as horrified, and she swallows hard. "Ha. Y-you're joking, r-rig-" Her lips press together, unable to even finish the sentence.
Tears well up in Madoka's pink eyes. "T-tha-t-that's terrible!" she wails, lunging at the time traveller and wrapping the girl in a hug. "Y-you- h-he-"
Homura stiffens at the touch, before softening and letting Madoka clutch her.
Madoka's reaction seems to be the catalyst for Mami beginning to cry. She blinks furiously, trying to suppress the tears, until you drag her into a tight hug. She buries her head against your shoulder, trying to muffle the sobs wracking her body.
Another pair of arms wrapping around Mami from behind her - Madoka, herself starting to cry in earnest, tears leaking down her cheeks.
Sayaka slams a fist against the coffee table, the plates and cups jumping in a cacophony of clatters drowned out by Madoka's crying. "Why? Why would he do that?"
"So we can fight better," you say tonelessly, still holding Mami tightly as she shakes, your shoulder slowly dampening with tears. "We can fight on even if we lose every drop of blood, even if we lose our limbs, even if we get torn in two." You meet Sayaka's eyes. "But if you take it away? We... shut down."
"Damn it," Sayaka snarls.
A quiet rustle of cloth beside you. Homura, kneeling beside you as she touches a hand to Madoka's shoulder in silent support.
"Damn it," Sayaka says softly, hurrying around the table to join the group hug.
Slow, shaking sobs accompany the swiftly fading light of the evening.
Mami draws back eventually, her eyes puffy and red from her sobs. Madoka's in a similar state as she sits back, while Sayaka looks exhausted, as if she bore the weight of the world on her shoulders. Homura's eyes are hooded, her head bowed, almost as if in supplication.
"H-he's n-not-" Mami's voice is a cracked, lifeless thing, not even a shadow of her usual rich, warm timbre. She licks her lips, trying again. "H-he's not your friend. H-he-"
"He didn't tell us," you say, taking your cue from Mami, and her hand between your own. You run your thumb over her knuckles, drawing the Grief from her Soul Gem with the barest fragment of concentration and will. "He doesn't tell us about the perils or the truth." You smile bitterly. "A liar by omission. He doesn't feel for us. He doesn't feel anything at all."
You glance at Homura, twitching a hand slightly in a silent question. She shakes her head slightly.
"T-that's a-awful," Madoka whispers.
"I'm sorry," you say. "But you needed, deserved to know not to trust Kyuubey. It isn't your friend, it doesn't care what happens to you, and it'll do its best to trick you into contracting."
Sayaka growls, guttural and throaty. "Damn it," she says again, hands clenched into fists in impotent rage and nostrils flaring wide.
"Madoka," Homura whispers, amethyst eyes fixed on Madoka, pleading desperation in her eyes as she kneels in front of Madoka. "Please, promise me. That you won't make a contract with Kyuubey."
"I w-won't," Madoka says, in fits and starts. "I w-won't do anything like t-that, Homura. B-besides," she offers a weak, shaky smile. "I-I'm too wimpy to do s-something like t-that."
Sayaka looks at Homura. "I... I guess I owe you an apology, transfer student," she grits out from between clenched teeth.
Homura nods silently.
Mami's hand trembles weakly in yours. Golden eyes, still bloodshot and puffy from crying, search your face, and you give her a warm, reassuring smile.
[] Write-in
=====​
Layer upon layer of contingency. Am I talking about me?
Last edited: Feb 9, 2015
Threadmarks Under the Radar pt. 14
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#### Firnagzen

Operator

- Feb 8, 2015

- #31,955

Your hands tighten on Mami's, and you pull her into a hug again. She hangs limply in your arms as you stroke her hair, slowly and rhythmically, teasing your fingers through the strands. "I'm here," you murmur into her hair. "I'm here, Mami. We're here." Her rise slowly, as if in a trance, and hugs you back tightly with desperate strength.
Over Mami's head, you see Madoka turning back to watch you and Mami, her pink eyes wet with worried, pleading tears.
You nod minutely, careful not to disturb Mami as she leans into you. Your gaze slides across to Sayaka, sitting beside Madoka. She's staring down at her lap, hands clenched into white-knuckled fists. She glances up, looking at you, Mami, and finally Homura in turn, before clenching her teeth together and staring down at her hands again.
Homura watches Madoka, the weight of her silent, unending vigil almost a tangible thing.
Mami loosens her deathgrip on you, though her arms are still wrapped around you. "T-thank you, S-Sabrina," she whispers, eyes still closed and head leaning against you. "Thank you, s-so much."
You exhale. "For nothing, Mami," you say, equally softly.
Mami separates from the hug, one of her hands staying on yours. She half turns, facing Madoka and Sayaka, and half bows to them from her seating position. "I-I'm sorry. I'm s-sorry f-for t-trying to r-recruit you into b-being magical g-girls," she croaks.
Sayaka hunches in on herself, still watching the floor. "I-it's OK," she says. "You... it's Kyuubey's fault."
Madoka sniffles, scrubbing at her face with her sleeve. "I-I'm sorry I can't do anything."
Homura reaches out towards Madoka, but her hand halts in the air, and she pulls her hand back to her chest.
The movement doesn't escape Madoka, and she reaches out her own hand towards Homura, a small, tentative smile on her soft face despite the unshed tears.
Homura's gaze drops, and she closes her eyes, swallowing.
You shake your head, yourself reaching out to lay your hand on Homura's shoulder, Mami's hand tightening on yours as you're forced to lean away from her a little. Tired amethyst eyes slide open, meeting yours, and you smile softly at her. You gently take her hand, and present it to Madoka.
Madoka's hands close on Homura's, holding it tightly. "I-I'm s-sorry," Madoka whispers. "I-it really h-hurts to to see you suffering so much, and n-not be able to do anything about it."
"N-no!" Homura says, her iron veneer cracking. "M-madoka, j-just let me protect you...."
"Homura..." Madoka whispers, clutching Homura's hand.
You blow out a breath. "Madoka, not contracting needlessly isn't cowardice, it's wisdom." You meet and hold her eyes. "There are other ways to help. You're braver than you give yourself credit for, Madoka," you say with a thin, ironic smile. "Believe me. But you're also smarter than that. The cost is too high. Not just for you, but for everyone who cares about you."
"I-I don't u-understand," Madoka says.
"You don't have to," Homura says. "J-just please-"
"I w-won't," Madoka says.
Silence falls again, Homura's head bowed over her hands, clutched in Madoka's. Sayaka seems uncomfortable, glancing at you, then Madoka and then back again.
"Sayaka," you say. The bluenette looks up at you, frustration evident in her frown and the way her hands are still fisted in her lap. "You were thinking of using your Wish to heal Kyousuke, right?"
She looks away. "Y-yeah," she admits. "I guess that's o-out of the question, huh."
"We can still heal him, though," you say.
"Y-yeah," she repeats, still looking away, shoulders hunched and head dipped so that her fringe shadows her eyes.
[] Write-in
=====​
Poor sad... well, everyone, really.
Threadmarks Under the Radar pt. 15
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#### Firnagzen

Operator

- Feb 9, 2015

- #32,149

You take a deep, shuddering breath and blow it out in a hard exhale. You reach out to check the teapot - about what you'd expect. Barely lukewarm. You rise wearily, getting one hand onto your knee to push yourself up. Mami lets go of your hand as you rise with a little whimper, one that hurts to hear, and she stares up at you with an apprehensive, worried, look.
You smile, and hold out a hand to her. She accepts it, and you pull her to her feet, smiling at her. "I'm just going to go make some fresh tea," you say, as much to Mami as everyone else. Madoka gives you a quick nod and a smile, still holding Homura's hand in hers, and Homura, for her part, seems to be fighting to control herself.
A solemn tableau hued in the oranges of evening.
You sigh again, picking up the teapot before heading to the kitchen with Mami following close behind you.
You dump the tea down the drain, straining out the leaves to toss into the rubbish. A bit of clattering is Mami getting new tea leaves as you refill the kettle with water and set it to boil. Mami comes up behind you, touching you gently on the elbow, and you look at her to find a hopeful expression on her face, mixed with a trace of worry. Reading the unspoken request, you drape your arm around her, hugging her to you as you wait for the water to boil.
Eventually, you have a fresh pot of tea steeping, and you carefully bring it out to the living room. You sit at the table, and Mami immediately slides into a seated position right beside you. You look down at her, receiving a smile in response, one faintly tinged with worry hidden in the lines around her eyes. You return the smile, holding her gaze for a few moments.
You squeeze Mami lightly, and then reach for the teapot, pouring out fresh tea for everyone. Hardly anyone seems to notice, though, Sayaka barely deigning to give the cup you slide over to her a glance, and Madoka giving you a quick, grateful smile. Homura doesn't even seem to notice the gently steaming cup of tea at her elbow, opting instead to keep her gaze on Madoka, staring as if the pinkette might evaporate in a puff of smoke if she looked away.
Mami simply opts to settle comfortably into your side, ignoring the tea.
You sigh again, glancing at Sayaka, seemingly lost in her own world. "Sayaka?" you call softly.
She looks up at you. "Hmm? Yeah?"
"Do you want to talk about it?" you ask carefully.
"N-no, it's nothing, really," Sayaka says, looking away again.
"The hell it is," you say quietly. "You're upset, Sayaka."
"A-ah!" Madoka shifts, half turning to face her friend. "S-Sayaka?"
The bluenette sighs, looking at the pinkette. "I-" She doesn't get far before her lips seal together again. "I just..."
She looks at you and Mami. "I... I owe Hitomi. I-" her hands twist at the hem of her brand new uniform shirt, "a-and I don't know how I can pay her back. I thought... maybe. Magic. I could become a magical girl, like Mami and you a-and even A-Akemi there. A hero of justice, and save people. Like you saved me and my parents. That would be great. And I could help Hitomi and K-Kyousuke and-"
Sayaka breaks off, and looks away, her eyes shadowed in the scant evening light shining through the windows. "S-sorry. It's nothing."
Madoka lunges for Sayaka, wrapping the girl in a hug. "I-it's not n-nothing, Sayaka. It's not."
Sayaka swallows heavily. "It..." She gestures wordlessly to your Soul Gem, still sitting on the table. "I don't... I don't even compare. Y-your Souls are in rocks. Kyuubey..." There's a note of quiet horror to her voice.
Mami sags at the reminder, her entire body slumping. She half turns against your side, trying to hide her face.
You hug her close. It's the only thing you can think of, and you swallow the lump in your throat as you feel her shake in your arms.
The motion catches Sayaka's eye, and she stiffens in Madoka's hug. "Oh, no. No, Mami, I didn't mean..." she says. She stands, and hurries over, but with Mami trying to burrow into your side, she has to settle for an awkward hug around the two of you.
A moment later, you feel another pair of warm arms settle around you and Mami - Madoka.
Homura shuffles over, awkwardly reaching out to pat Mami on the back - just once, and then she withdraws her hand, watching at Madoka with an expression of distant pain in her violet eyes.
"M-Mami," Madoka whispers. "Y-you're my sempai. I-it doesn't matter where your s-soul is, you're still my friend." Lifting her head a fraction, she looks at you and Homura in turn, meeting you squarely in the eyes. "You too, Sabrina, Homura."
"Mami, I didn't mean t-that," Sayaka whispers, her voice wretched and ashamed. "I- just... I'm, my worries are so small-"
Madoka shifts, her arms wrapping as far around Sayaka as she can. "You too, Sayaka. P-please don't do this to yourself."
"Yeah," Sayaka says. "Yeah, I shouldn't. I'm sorry." She falls silent, and Madoka gives her a look that says she's only letting it drop for now, the barest hint of a worried frown. The pinkette glances at you, the worry still evident in her eyes.
The orange light of the evening is fading fast outside, shadows creeping into Mami's apartment. Silently, Homura rises to her feet, ghosting towards the light switch and flicking it on with a sharp snap.
The light seems to startle Mami, and she jerks slightly, pulling back to look around with bleary, reddened eyes.
"A-ah," she says. "I-I'm sorry, I should make dinner, it's late."
[] Write-in
=====​
Man why is everyone so sad
Threadmarks Under the Radar pt. 16
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#### Firnagzen

Operator

- Feb 10, 2015

- #32,368

"Yeah," you agree with Mami. "Yeah, let's go make dinner." You glance around at the others as they pull back. "You're staying for dinner, right?"
Madoka nods vigorously, her pink hair bouncing, while Sayaka gives you a listless smile. "Y-yeah, wouldn't miss you and Mami's cooking."
Homura glances from Madoka to you, and nods.
You stand, the huddled little group parting to give you room. Mami puts her hands up in a familiar gesture, and you pull her to her feet with a smile.
As you walk to the kitchen with Mami at your side, and can see Madoka give Homura an anxious, worried glance, tentatively reaching out to gently touch the girl on the back of her hand. Homura gives her a startled look in response.
You sigh as you step into the kitchen.
Mami pauses on hearing the sigh, and tugs at your sleeve, feather-light. She looks very small as she glances up at you, her shoulders hunched and apprehension swimming in her eyes. "I-I'm sorry, S-Sabrina," she whispers, voice still hoarse and wavering. "Y-yo-"
You pull her into a tight hug. "Don't be. There's nothing to be sorry for," you murmur into her hair.
Mami shakes her head. "Y-you w-wanted to tell Madoka and S-sayaka properly, b-but I-I r-ruined that," she whispers.
"No, Mami," you say. "You didn't. And I'm sorry, Mami, that I had to bring it up again." You hug her tightly, trying to comfort her.
Mami hugs you back.
A minute later, she stirs, and you loosen the hug to let her step back, keeping your arms loosely around her. You give her a smile, one that she returns, albeit weakly.
"We should prepare dinner," Mami says, scrubbing at her face with the back of her sleeve.
You take her hand again, pulling the Grief away from her Soul Gem ring with a thought. You take the time to cleanse your own, too, the Grief wisping into the air to join the marbles in your bag - you'd put the instruments away after you were done with them. "Only when you're ready, Mami," you say softly. "We can order in if you don't feel up to it."
"N-no," Mami says, putting on a smile. It's small and weak, but genuine. "We invited them over, after all."
"Alright," you say, moving towards the refrigerator and retrieving the dumplings, minced meat, and other ingredients.
Mami pulls a bag of flour out from the cabinet, and you frown, considering, before retrieving some eggs, too.
You rinse the chopping board, and start chopping up cabbage for the batter as Mami tends to a frying pan, heating it up and adding a little oil for the gyoza.
Mami already has a batch of dumplings sizzling in the covered pan by the time you're ready with the okononiyaki batter. You squint at the stove, reaching for another pan. Just enough space, you think, and you reach for another pan, shuffling beside Mami so that you're nearly hip to hip.
She shoots you a quick smile as you heat the pan, before pulling her pan lid open and beginning to lift the dumplings out with a deft touch and a pair of long, wooden chopsticks. You bump her hip lightly with your own as you pour batter into the pan with a loud hiss.
"The gyoza smells delicious," you say to Mami as you shift the pan, making sure the pancake cooks evenly.
"Thank you, Sabrina," Mami smiles at you.
Dinner doesn't take too long for you to finish, and between yourself and Mami, you bring out plates of dumplings, perfectly browned on their bottoms and steamed to perfection on their tops, with accompanying saucers of vinegar and finely sliced ginger, and a single large pancake topped with minced meat and mayonaise.
Someone's turned the television on by now, Madoka, Sayaka and Homura sitting on the plush sofa. Sayaka's unseeing gaze is locked on the television, blue eyes distant and disappointed. Similarly, Homura's keeping her eyes on the television. Mostly. If you weren't expecting it, you'd probably have missed it: lightning fast flickers of her violet eyes to Madoka, and then back to the television.
Madoka, for her part, is wringing her hands in a slow, rhythmic motion, attention divided between the two girls at her sides.
Homura's the first to notice your arrival, her gaze shifting off the television to look at you. She rises to her feet, and ghosts over to help take the plates from you.
Madoka jumps to her feet. "Ah! Let me help!" she says.
"Nah, that won't be necessary," you call over your shoulder as you turn and head back to the kitchen to grab a stack of clean plates and utensils.
When you return, Mami, Homura, Madoka and Sayaka are all seated at the table, the television still playing in the background. Mami pats the space beside her with a tentative smile, and you move over, settling down and handing out plates and chopsticks to eat with.
"This looks delicious!" Madoka says, the cheer only slightly forced.
Sayaka nods. "It does!" she says, with a little more energy than she'd had previously.
"It looks good," Homura agrees quietly as she accepts a plate and pair of chopsticks from you. Her violet eyes meet yours briefly before flicking away, back to watching Madoka.
"Thank you!" Mami says. "Shall we eat?"
A chorus of agreements later, you all dig in.
You hunt for conversational topics to break the dismal silence around the table. Can't discuss anything about Kyuubey, or entropy, or even really magic. Can't talk about what you've been doing as a magical girl. Can't talk about family, you've already gone through school as a topic.
"So..." you say, looking around. "Are there any good shows coming out?"
Madoka looks up, chewing a mouthful of gyoza and swallowing. She looks at you, a small smile on her face, and offers, "Well, there's that one flying mecha show."
Mami looks faintly interested. "Oh?"
Sayaka glances up too. She snorts, and shakes her head. "It's not very good... it's a harem anime," she says. "They should just take the boy out."
"Ah... but if they took the boy out, then they can't do romance," Madoka says.
Sayaka shrugs. "The girls are more interesting, anyway. Could just pair them up."
You blink, and look at Sayaka, then Homura, who's chewing through a mouthful of okonomiyaki. Madoka's also giving Homura a funny look, one which she transfers to you and Mami. Homura looks at you, poker face firmly in place. Mami blushes faintly, ducking her head and picking up another dumpling.
Sayaka blinks. "Did I say something wrong?"
"No... no, you didn't," you say, shaking your head with a smile.
Sayaka raises her eyebrows at you suspiciously, but seems to let the matter drop. "There's also that magical gir- ah, sorry."
Mami shakes her head. "N-no, go on," she says.
"Um, well," Sayaka says awkwardly. "It's made by that one guy, though, I forgot his name, but he always does fluffy, happy stu..." She jerks, as if she was nudged under the table, and falls silent, instead picking up her chopsticks again.
Another awkward silence ensues, and you listen to the television as the news comes on.
"...gas explosion in Sendai. Thanks to the heroic efforts of local emergency services, there have only been three fatalities so far despite extensive damage. Investigations are still ongoing as to what might have caused such a disaster. In other news..."
Three fatalities.
You suppress a sigh, and return to eating your meal.
[] Write-in
=====​
Hmmhmm.
Threadmarks Under the Radar pt. 17
- View content

#### Firnagzen

Operator

- Feb 11, 2015

- #32,658

You briefly contemplate the news, feeling vaguely disappointed that anybody did die. Then again... if you hadn't interfered, far more people would have died, wouldn't they? What with the tsunami that Oriko had predicted. You take a moment to wonder about that. Akiko had water powers, and there was that girl, Inoue Yuuna, with the earthbending... You set the thought aside.
You glance at Mami as you grab a few more dumplings, but she doesn't seem to have noticed the news, for better or worse.
"So," you say, searching for another topic. "Have you guys got any plans for the next few days? Any ideas what we could do?"
Madoka shakes her head, setting her chopsticks down and looking at you. "Ah... Not really."
Sayaka sighs, fiddling with a slice of okonomiyaki. "I'm... probably going to visit Kyousuke tomorrow."
You briefly consider teasing her about that, before quickly discarding that thought. You're not that brain damaged, you'd like to think. Not that you are, of course.
"Oh, I'll come along," Madoka offers.
"Sure," Sayaka says, looking up. "You're all welcome. Even..." she bites her lip, before grudgingly adding, "Even you, transfer student. If you want. Though I don't know why you'd want to come along."
Homura blinks slowly, looking at Sayaka.
The bluenette looks away. "Look, I'm not apologising again. Just... I guess you had reasons for being creepy," she grunts. "And you're still creepy as heck!"
Homura blinks again, looking vaguely nonplussed.
"Hmm..." you hum thoughtfully. "Is there an amusement park in town we could go to? Maybe bring Nagisa along?" You pause on the thought - Nagisa. Hopefully Kyuubey hasn't called on her, though you did remind her to let you know if it did, so.
"There is!" Madoka says, brightening. "I haven't been there in a while."
"Maybe..." Mami slows down, and stops speaking.
You look at her, and smile. "Hmm, Mami?"
"Well... maybe we could go on a picnic sometime?" Mami says, and quickly adds, "It's just a thought."
"Oh, that's an idea," you say. "Not sure when's good, though...?" You look around at the others, receiving some shrugs in response. "We'll settle these as they come, eh?"
Nods all round. The silence is a little more comfortable now, and you find your mind, spurred by earlier thoughts of Kyuubey, wandering to what'd happen if you drove the Incubator insane and it managed to get a Wish.
... Huh.
You wince, discarding the thought as you stretch your arm out for the last dumpling, finding another pair of chopsticks reaching for it - Homura. You cede the gyoza to her with a smile.
Homura nods slightly, the barest dip of her head towards you, and takes the offered dumpling, popping it into her mouth.
You sit back with a contented, happy sigh. There's nothing quite like Mami's cooking. A warm weight presses on your shoulder - Mami leaning her head against you.
"That was delicious, Mami, Sabrina!" Madoka says happily.
"Yeah. I ate too much," Sayaka agrees, patting her stomach.
Homura nods. "It was delicious," she says softly, leaning back slightly, her stomach slightly rounded.
"Thank you, everyone!" Mami says. "Thought Sabrina did a lot of the work, too!"
"Nonsense," you say gently.
Mami shakes her head, smiling.
The five laze about for a while in varying states of bloated contentment, Sayaka in particular flopping over backwards to lie on the floor.
You find yourself fiddling with a chopstick, sketching out a few coupled differential equations in the leftover juices of your meal, Mami a warm, soft presence at your side.
"What are you doing, Sabrina?" she asks curiously, lifting her head slightly to look.
"Eh, nothing, really," you say, scrubbing the equations away. You're not sure that the assumptions are quite sound, anyway. "Just some random thoughts."
"Mm," Mami says, not pressing any further and cuddling back into your side. You smile down at her, forcibly discarding the thoughts of math. Instead... Pets.
Maybe a puppy, but that's too high maintenance. Or a cat, but cats are... cats, and prone to wander. Hmm, maybe a bunny. On the other hand, an Eevee would be perfect for Mami. Too bad pokemon aren't real.
Hmmm... A Diancie for Madoka, of course. And... A Vaporeon for Sayaka. You're not sure what Homura should have. Dialga, perhaps, or was it Palkia?
Bah.
"I should go h-" Sayaka hesitates for the barest heartbeat, "-home now. But I don't wanna get uuuuupppp," she moans.
Madoka pushes herself to her feet. "Ah! I'll help clean up," she offers.
"That won't be necessary," Homura says, herself standing. She immediately begins collecting dishes, and Mami reluctantly sits up straight to help. You reach out too, stacking them up.
Between the five of you -Madoka insisted, and Sayaka finally peeled herself off the floor-, you stack up the dishes in the kitchen in short order.
"Hey, Homura?" you ask telepathically.
"Yes?" the time traveller glances at you as she follows Madoka back into the living room.
"Do you want to talk later?" you ask carefully, picking up a tablecloth. You're not sure whether you'd upset her or not, what with your... sending Madoka into a minor breakdown, though really, was that much of a breakdown? More of shock and horror on behalf of you, Mami, and Homura herself.
She hestitates, and answers with another question. "Will we be going hunting tonight?"
'We'. Huh.
"Maybe," you say. Mami follows you out into the living room with a tablecloth of her own. "I'm... not sure Mami's up to it. But you'll be walking Madoka home, right?"
"Yes," she says.
"I'll let you know, then," you say as you and Mami wipe the table clean. "And Homura. You should talk to her." You don't need to specify who 'her' might be.
Homura pauses.
"Just talk to her," you coax. "It doesn't have to be about magical girls, or protecting her, or anything. Just... talk. About who Miss Saotome's next boyfriend might be, schoolwork, that kind of thing."
Homura sighs fractionally as you and Mami return to the kitchen. "I'll... try."
"That's all I ask," you say, satisfied.
Finally, you see Madoka, Sayaka, and Homura off at the door.
"Thank you for having us over!" Madoka says brightly, glossing over the whole... lichbomb thing.
You smile at her, simultaneously opening a telepathic channel. "Hey, Madoka?"
"Sabrina?" Madoka asks as Sayaka says, with considerably more energy than she'd had earlier, "Yeah, and dinner was delicious, too!"
"Talk to Homura, would you?" you ask. "Just... It helps more than you know, just being our friend. Talk to her?"
"I will," Madoka promises, looking at the girl in question.
"Thank you for inviting me," Homura says, voice quiet.
"It was good to have you all here," Mami says, standing by your side. There's a smile on her face, perhaps a little sadder than it would be had it not been for your revelations, but a smile nevertheless. "See you tomorrow!"
"Yeah, it was," you say, smiling. "See you all tomorrow."
Goodbyes said, the trio depart, Madoka walking as always between Homura and Sayaka.
You turn to Mami, smiling. She smiles at you as she closes the door, golden eyes holding yours for a moment.
"We should go do the dishes," she murmurs, eventually.
"Yeah, let's," you say.
The two of your move over to the kitchen, Mami close by our side, and start in on the stack of dishes, Mami brushing against you as the two of you work at the tiny sink.
Hmm... tomorrow. Not that many days to go until Walpurgisnight, though... really, what is it that Oriko's so worried about? And speaking of Oriko, there's the Soujos, due to come through in two weeks. That's unusual in and of itself, since they're supposed to die in Asunaro. Bah, Asunaro. You can hardly decide what to do with the place, though maybe...
You giggle briefly, drawing a curious look from Mami.
Trying to stifle your giggles, you explain. "No, see, I was just thinking, if I needed to pick up someone, I can swoop in-" you demonstrate with your hand and a plate, "-and grab them and then go flying off again."
Mami giggles, too, shaking her head. "Oh, Sabrina," she says.
Your giggles turn into a full laugh. "What? It's perfectly sound!" you say, passing her the plate.
"It sounds a little uncomfortable, though," Mami says.
"Bah, details," you say airily, soaping another plate.
Mami just shakes her head fondly. "Oh, Sabrina."
[] Are you going hunting?
[] Write-in
=====​
... so I tend to compile a short string of words for Sabrina's thoughts, right, to be sprinkled into the update. The one for this update was fascinating.

> incubators math discard math pets fuzzys Asunaro caw caw
> Click to expand...
> Click to shrink...

Last edited: Feb 11, 2015
Threadmarks Under the Radar pt. 18
- View content

#### Firnagzen

Operator

- Feb 13, 2015

- #32,969

You smile back at Mami, and deliberately bump her in the side with your elbow. She giggles, shaking her head with a fond smile as she takes the next soaped dish from your hands.
"Hey Mami?" you say idly as you start soaping the utensils you'd used.
"Mm?" Mami gives you an inquisitive look.
"Well... Homura asked if we wanted to go out hunting tonight," you say, judiciously editing the time traveller's words a little. Well, all things considered, Homura even asking is practically putting up a billboard with neon signage, except that this is Japan and it'd probably be one of those massive LED screens rather than neon and that isn't really relevant. "Are you interested, or shall we just stay at home and relax tonight?" you smile at her.
Mami mulls it over as she starts rinsing the utensils in batches, the chopsticks clacking together in her hands. "Yes," she decides finally, smiling. "We shouldn't let Homura hunt alone..."
"OK," you say, your smile widening. "I'll let her know, then."
Mami smiles at you, nodding.
"Homura?" you ask as you hand over the last of the utensils and reach for the pan used for gyoza.
"Yes, Sabrina?" Homura asks.
You make a face as you scrub at the pan; frying gyoza almost inevitably leaves bits of flour stuck to the pan. "We're going hunting tonight, we'll be on our way in a short while?"
"Noted," Homura says.
"See you soon, then," you say, trying to scrape off a particularly stubborn lump. You briefly debate bringing in a shard of Grief before deciding that that's probably a bad idea.
Eventually, the two of you finish the dishes, and prepare to head out.
"Oh," you say, reaching into your pocket and withdrawing Irene's Grief Seed, holding it out to Mami with a smile. "Here, Mami, I'm done with this."
"Ah," Mami says, taking it. "Did you succeed in your project?"
"Eh... Maybe, maybe not," you say noncommitally, rocking your hand from side to side as you call your sling bag to you by the marbles contained within it. You snatch the bag from the air and sling it over your shoulder in one smooth motion.
"Oh... I'm sure you'll succeed," Mami says as she unlocks the door.
"I hope so!" you agree, stepping outside and holding the door for Mami to slip by you.
"Hey, Homura, we're on our way over," you say as you put your shoes on.
"Meet me at Madoka's house," she replies.
"OK," you send back. To Mami, you report, "Homura says to meet her at Madoka's house."
"Oh?" The blonde smiles faintly.
"Yep," you confirm.
"Let's not disappoint her, then," Mami says, taking a deep breath.
You head to the roof of the building and transform. The chill of night is already setting in rapidly, and the warm insulation of your longcoat is a welcome addition. "Say, Mami?"
"Yes, Sabrina?" she asks.
"How do you roof hop without, you know, breaking everything?" you ask. "I... still can't get the hang of it."
"Oh, it's... practice," Mami says. "I could show you a few quick tips before we go?"
"I'd love that," you say, giving Mami a big smile.
She returns the smile. "Well, first, you need to change the way you land," she says. "Um... your rolling method works, but you can't do it all the time, right?"
"Right," you nod in affirmation. You'd been using something vaguely like parkour to roll and bleed off momentum, but it doesn't always work properly, especially not for the longer jumps.
Mami nods. "Umm... you need to try and pulse a bit of magic and land like this-" she demonstrates, crouching and jumping with a deceptively casual motion that nevertheless launches her from one end of the roof to the other. She lands smoothly, shifting her weight gracefully and twirling to face you. "-so that you don't break the rooftops. Did you see that?"
"Um... not really," you admit. "Maybe you could show me again?"
"Ah, OK, but this actually took me a while to figure out," she frets, a small frown furrowing her brow. "Not that you'll take as long, of course, but we shouldn't be late..."
"If I don't, it's because I have an excellent teacher, Mami," you tell her.
She gives you a quick smile, before crouching and leaping back towards you. You try to pay attention to how she land, how the faintest strobe of magic diffuses the momentum away, but you don't feel confident of replicating it.
You smile warmly at her. "Thanks, Mami. I'll try it as we travel?" you suggest.
"Alright," she says. "Shall we go, then?"
"Yes, let's," you say, walking to the edge of the roof and leaping off.
You try, you honestly do, but you just can't get the timing nor the motion quite right, and you wince at every sharp crack that sounds under your feet as you land and push off. Mami sends you a sympathetic glance, but you just shake your head in rueful irritation. In the end, you return to your parkour-esque rolls for bleeding away momentum.
The two of you speed across the city, heading towards the suburbs, roofhopping until the lack of taller buildings forces you to ground level. A ground eating lope at puella magi speeds, however, soon brings you within viewing distance of the Kaname residence. Still an enormous, expansive building set admist rolling foilage that should by all rights be impossible in land starved Japan.
The two of you slow to a walk and approach, keeping away from the pools of light cast by the streetlights and the sparse traffic. And that's another thing - how is it possible that there's sparse traffic in a huge city in Japan, at barely eight at night? Mami walks close by your side, her elbow and hand occasionally brushing yours.
"Here." A quiet voice interrupts your confused musings. You look up, just in time to see Homura drop out of a sturdy tree to land in front of your, hair drifting around her in a dark cloud as she lands. Homura looks at the two of you neutrally.
"Hi, Homura," you say, lifting your hand in a lazy wave. "How's things?"
Homura blinks slowly. "Acceptable," she says.
"Good," you say. "Shall we?" You half turn and gesture back towards the city proper.
"We should patrol this area," Homura suggests.
"Ah, that's a good idea," Mami agrees. "I don't come out here as often as I should..."
Homura nods.
"It's settled, then," you declare cheerfully, bouncing lightly on your feet. "Lead on!"
Homura walks away, accelerating to a rapid, ground eating lope threading between the darkest areas of the suburbs. You recognize the pattern, slowly spiralling out with Madoka's house at its center.
"So," you send out to both Homura and Mami as you follow Homura. "I was thinking..."
"Yes, Sabrina?" Mami asks.
"Well, we don't really work as a team," you say. "I mean, we all kind of fight individually, we don't really combine our powers."
"Hmm," Mami says thoughtfully. "Well, that's how it usually works," she says with a note of apology in her voice. "I don't... my rifles wouldn't really work well with your powers, Sabrina. We can fight together, and we already are, but... combining powers..."
"Oh, that's a good point," you say, frowning slightly as you hop over a fence without even breaking stride.
"Sorry, Sabrina," Mami says. "It can be done, I'm sure! I'm... just not sure how."
"For nothing, Mami," you tell her. "But well, if that doesn't work... how do your weapons and enchantments work, Mami, Homura?"
"Oh!" Mami says. "My muskets are actually made of ribbons," she declares with a faint note of pride in her voice. "It took me a long time to figure it out, though."
"Mine are just guns," Homura says. "Mostly stolen from the yakuza."
And the JSDF, you think to yourself. But it's not exactly polite to say so.
"Ah, I was wondering about that," Mami says, before glancing back at you. "Any reason, Sabrina?"
"Well... I was just trying to think of ways to extend our powers," you explain. "And I never did figure out how to enchant things..."
"You'll figure it out eventually, I'm sure," Mami says confidently. "And if you need help, just tell me, alright?"
"I will, thanks, Mami," you agree.
You find a Witch Barrier after twenty minute's of uneventful searching - the most exciting thing that happened was dodging the glare of headlights from the few vehicles. Not because of any danger, but rather because you didn't want to be seen.
You find the Barrier nestled away in the side of what looks like an unoccupied house. That's your guess, anyway, judging from the outside of the it - no shoes lying around, dust thick on the grilled gate. The Barrier is a glowing slit in reality, hanging at the back door of the building.
"Sorry, one moment?" you murmur. "I want to take a look at this."
"Alright," Mami says, and Homura nods.
You lean in close to the Barrier, examining it closely with your senses. It's... you frown, taking a step to the side, trying to get a different angle on the Barrier. There's Grief, glowing like a supernova in your senses, and magic, threading through it. More importantly, though, you try to figure out how it's bigger on the inside.
It's... a Barrier seems like an incredibly dense structure of Grief, an entire space tucked away at right angles to reality. It makes your eyes water to look at it, even if that makes no sense since you're not actually looking at it, and you wince. But you... think you have an idea of how it works. Maybe.
"Sabrina?" Mami asks. "Are we going in?"
[] Write-in
=====​
I would like a little detail on what science you plan. Holding in abeyance:
--[X] Do careful examination of it's familiars, to get a better idea of how they can act independently of the witch.
[X] Later, review and update notebook within sphere of grief, so as to block Kyubey.
Last edited: Feb 13, 2015
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