View source for 1560/Are You A Good Witch, Or A Bad Witch

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2016/06/06
|Location=Uminari City - Central Harbor
|Synopsis=CONTENT WARNING: Psychological horror, gore, implied death. Homura and Madoka hatch a Witch from an over used Grief Seed to find out if it's possible to reuse them. What they find is a Witch several times more powerful than the first time they fought it that pressures them harder than any in recent memory, save perhaps Walpurgisnacht itself. The implications of this are frightening, but the real horror doesn't begin until the Witch is defeated.
|Cast of Characters=8,23
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{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:8|Madoka Kaname| (8)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Tenshi Maru launched, exited Tokyo Bay and navigated out to an empty patch of sea just this side of the wide expanse known as International Waters. Though her maiden voyage and shakedown cruise has already been undertaken the itinerary is officially listed as a systems test with a skeleton crew. No one is surprised that it's normal compliment isn't on board, but if anyone dug deep enough they'd find every crew member was given shore leave except two; Homura Akemi and Madoka Kaname.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To those in the know the faint purple glow around the ship wouldn't be much of a surprise, especially when no one but the two Puella Magi were on board. They'd talked about doing something like this before, taking the ship out for a cruise so they could see the stars free of the lights of Tokyo. But off in the distance the faint glow of that city can still be seen, and up in the sky dark clouds loom. No, this isn't a good night to be out stargazing. The seas choppy enough to gently roll the Tenshi Maru from stem to stern, side to side in a slow, continual oscillation.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Tonight the weather is restless. It's as if the world itself knows and disapproves of what is to come, gusting winds sending spray across the lower deck of the salvage ship. That's where the two Puella Magi are now as the ship finally reaches it's destination, the purple glow fading as the automatic pilot engages in station keeping mode to keep it from drifting in the sea. They stand close together, Madoka and Homura, a precious resource sitting cupped in a white gloved hand. The Grief Seed is among a very limited number that remain, though few if any Puella Magi would be willing to fight over it now.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It's black and pulsating, the thing in side of it waiting for it's chance. It's used up and full, having taken as much of the darkness out of a Puella Magi's Soul Gem as it can handle and clearly overdue to giving to Kyubey for disposal. But that's not something either of these Puella deign to do again, regardless of what happens tonight. The sound of the sea and the wind are the only sounds to be heard, even the faint thrum of the engine too quiet from here. The girls have already spoken, the plan understood and known. No ominous rumble of thunder rolls across the surface of the ocean in the moment before they act.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Grief Seed is lifted, drawn towards Madoka's chest, the pink teardrop gem that holds her soul showing motes of black bubbling within. At the same moment the back of Homura's hand approaches from the other side, it's purple depths likewise revealing motes of darkness, muting it's otherwise brilliant shine.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A faint click of impact as Soul Gem meets Grief Seed meets Soul Gem, the glasslike sound almost lost in the wind as they meet. Like a magnet the darkness within the Soul Gems are attracted to their surfaces, clinging and pressing against them from within. The Grief Seed pulses once, twice, filled to the brim and seemingly unable to accept any more. Perhaps it's nature, some intrinsic law that prevents so much of that very Puella darkness from collecting in one place so easily. Or perhaps it's a safety mechanism to keep newbie Puella Magi from making a mistake as they foolishly mistake one Grief Seed for another; after all, the Incubators ultimately want Witches, not shattered Soul Gems.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But after that two heartbeats pause, it happens. A hissing sound as the darkness is drawn away, little sparkles of witchlike magic showing in those motes of corruption on Madoka and Homura's souls as it's drawn away and internalized by the Grief Seed.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It happens. There's no explosion of power as when a Puella Magi falls. No Hope has given way to Despair. This is not a new Witch, but an old one, beaten and defeated at the hands of the two girls that it now draws once more into it's Labyinth. There's a known factor when a Witch hatches from a Grief Seed, that the labyrinth forms and the Witch itself wakes slowly. Caution and negligible magic use is the usual advice, sometimes even including scouting out the Witch's location out of henshin.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not this time. They appear in the middle of the fields as they did before, at first glance a cartoonish farm with rows of crops, large rolling hills, crop circles in the shape of Witch runes, and a big red barn off in the distance. The first big difference is that the Familiars have already arrived, and in force. Flying saucers swarm beneath the stormy sky, patrols of grey humanoid aliens form patrols that search through the fields. And off in the distance cows can be seen stampeding out of the barn, mooing angrily.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And the red barn itself? It's on fire. A towering inferno that has already consumed the roof; even the flying saucers are avoiding the acrid black smoke it produces. It doesn't take long for one of the patrols to notice the newcomers, and all at once hell breaks loose as saucers and greys charge forward. If the girls want to reclaim the Grief Seed they're going to be in for a fight.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But they already knew that.

:'''{{#var:23|Homura Akemi| (23)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;On the deck of the ship, Homura watches Madoka's eyes carefully. She wants to have faith in her beloved, and she does have that faith, but they're doing something scary, and Homura can't help but be concerned when Madoka is at risk. Still, this is something that they need to do, and this is as good a place as any. If things go wrong, the only ones they have to worry about are each other. If things go ''very'' wrong, well...They will just have to make sure that doesn't happen.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The labyrinth forms around them, and if Homura thought that Labyrinths were a hellscape before, then what does she call this strange world around her? A deeper layer of hell, maybe? Familiars are everywhere, and the barn is on fire. If this is like last time, the Witch is probably still in that barn.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;At least one thing is confirmed to Homura. A second-use Witch is a lot scarrier, and probably a lot more powerful. All of that despair and negative energy that the Witch already had is added to the despair and corruption that Homura and Madoka have been using this Grief Seed to ward off. However, this is a form of energy that is conserved. It never goes away. It goes directly into this Grief Seed.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Just how powerful could a Witch like this get?<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It's possible that she might stop time and head for the barn directly... but that would put them in a situation where they are surrounded by Familiars and the Witch. They might have to thin the numbers first. So that's exactly what Homura starts with, as she pulls a pair of uzis out of her shield.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Well, they already know we're here. No point in hiding. Do you think she's angry about last time?"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When Homura moves, she moves quickly, going from a standstill to a full run, jumping and shooting and sometimes seeming to hang in the air. She focuses on the nearest enemies first, keeping an eye on anyone who has a ranged attack, and ''especially'' being careful of any of them attacking Madoka.

:'''{{#var:8|Madoka Kaname| (8)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The soft pink of Madoka's eyes show mixed emotions. She's never been able to hide her feelings well and right now she has no reason to even try. Worry and trepidation, surely. She'd be a fool if she weren't worried at least a little. But those are the complexities giving depth to the whole, not the sum total. What shows most clearly both in her eyes and on her face is conviction. Kyubey said they'd forced his hand, but in turn he'd forced their own. Maybe what they're doing will prove to be wrong and awful, but doing nothing means giving in and letting Kyubey win. That's where the next most obvious emotion comes in, showing as the particular angle of her head, the set of her jaw, a spark in her eye.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Defiance.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As Homura retrieves her Uzi's Madoka's hands shine with the pink magic she'd held back from accessing for so long, her bow forming in her hands, "She must be! Just look at the welcoming committee she's laid out for us." She draws and fires in a single motion, a trio of thin magic arrows streaking off and embedding in an equal number of alien foot soldiers. "At least the familiars go down just as easily. There's just more of them." A lot more of them.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Another important difference; Madoka isn't the fresh recruit she was the last time they'd fought this Witch. As powerful as she might be against these numbers experience is important; doubly so when efficiency is even more paramount than normal. There's not much point to this even if they do get a reusable Grief Seed if it takes all their magic to do it.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Bullets spray as Homura fires her Uzi's akimbo, punching holes in and destroying familiars with a practiced ease. For such a veteran it might be so much target practice, or at least it is until the ground troops begin firing back in earnest.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Green rays begin pouring in, tearing up the landscape around them and forcing them to duck and dodge. It's oppressive, the volume of fire. Withering, even. Madoka runs after Homura, twisting around to avoid a shot to the shoulder and tumbling head over heels to dodge another, taking a shot in return as she springs up. She's pressured enough that she stops holding back quite so much, leaping in a graceful arc in order to keep on the move while drawing back her bow and firing an explosive arrow into a cluster of aliens.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It only gets worse; each Puella now has no fewer than five UFO's chasing her, and the rest seem to be up to something funny. They're... changing tactics. Altering strategies. The remaining UFO's all swoop down and tractor the humanoid aliens, lifting them high into the air so that they can attack from above, unimpeded by the rolling hills.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Madoka gets caught in a crossfire from high and low and takes a wavy green raygun shot to the thigh, letting out a sudden cry of pain. She knows she can't afford to come to a stop, throwing herself forward as she trips and springing off her hands to get back up to her feet, changing her movement patterns and starting to zig and zag in a more unpredictable, but slower fashion.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The determination in her expression only grows, and she begins returning fire in heavier volleys. She also seems to have developed an awkward motion in her left leg. It's not quite a limp, but rather a loose floppiness that doesn't seem to slow her down as much as it looks like it should. But she is a Puella.

:'''{{#var:23|Homura Akemi| (23)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura watches as the Familiars drop to the combined fire of herself and Madoka. Yeah, they're about as easy, but the mass of them is ridiculous. If Madoka were still the newbie that Homura brought here before, she'd be tempted to turn and run. Heck, if she were ''alone'', she'd consider running. However, the ship outside the Labyrinth leaves them with nowhere safe to run ''to'', and Madoka isn't doing that badly.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then Madoka gets hit, and Homura's attention is on that. "Madoka-chan!"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;So distracted is the protective Puella that she takes a shot of her own in the shoulder, wincing but otherwise ignoring it. Madoka's hurt, and she just got shot ''again''!<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura grits her teeth, baring her fangs at the Familiars around them and raising her shield. Purple glows around her, nullifying a barrage of green beams that comes right for the two of them. She was testing the waters before. Well now the waters have been tested. The threat is real, and she knows exactly how much firepower she should bring to bear against this monster.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Time stops, and Homura looks up to see even more beams coming at her. She reaches out for her very best partner, inviting her into the still moment. "Are you okay, Madoka-chan?" Also maybe gently nudging her a bit out of the way of incoming fire. "We need to minimize how much damage we take from these monsters. Let's stay in the time stop and take careful shots. Here..."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura reaches into her shield, trading her uzis for a red string, tying one end around her left wrist and offering the other end to Madoka. It's a long string, with enough slack for them to freely move their arms as long as they stay fairly close together and don't get tangled up.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;After sorting that out, Homura turns her attention at the UFOs coming after them, and the aliens they've tractored around. She extends her hand, and her black bow appears. She draws back an invisible arrow, and that arrow becomes visible, glowing with purple magic.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A single shot for each of the UFOs chasing them, charged just enough that Homura thinks they'll penetrate the flying saucers. As for the now flying greys, Homura pulls out a sniper rifle and carefully fires at each one, only skipping the monsters that Madoka goes after herself. Once they're satisfied with the amount of firepower, Homura tries to move them to another part of the field before letting time resume.

:'''{{#var:8|Madoka Kaname| (8)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;That is the rub. Technically they could escape the Labyrinth, but with them being the only two sources of human life around it's unlikely the Witch would simply let them go. Homura could probably drive the ship away in timestop but that would be antithetical to any thoughts of conserving energy, especially after a botched attempt at fighting a Witch.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But what's the alternative, really? Trying this anywhere in Tokyo, let alone the Mitakihara District proper, would be like lighting up a neon sign asking for every magic hungry Puella Magi for miles around that dinner was served. The hordes of familiars might be oppressive, but hordes of Puella Magi would be deadly.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Madoka looks over and tries to give Homura a reliant if pained smile when her name is called, only to gasp in turn as she sees Homura take the hit to the shoulder, "Homura-chan! I- I'm okay!" She stops just short of asking the veteran to look after herself.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The purple barrier absorbs and deflects the green rays; these blasts are nothing on the scale of Walpurgisnachts that Homura's trusty shield has proven able to withstand. Madoka takes shelter from behind it and uses that moment to take out some aliens moving onto their flanks.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There's a look of mild surprise followed by relief as Madoka is drawn into Homura's timestop, her aim passing a UFO that stopped moving. Her eyes widen and then close, her bowstring slacking as the takes a moment to rest. "It's not enough to stop me," she replies to the question, following Homura's guide. She's never known that timestop to fail unexpectedly mid freeze, but that's no reason to stand in the way of frozen raygun shots.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"We're lucky we have people who can heal us," she muses while looking around and taking stock of their situation. "Without that we might have to rely completely on your time magic." Another thought occurs to her, "Or bring everyone. But would more Puella just mean more chances of someone getting hurt?"<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She takes Homura's string and wraps it around her right wrist, tying it carefully in a bow. Once she's able to move more freely she takes careful shots of her own, firing single, non-homing arrows for absolute maximum efficiency while it can be afforded. She peeks out of the corner of her eye as Homura uses her own black bow, managing the tiniest of smiles before growing serious again, letting Homura take out the UFO's behind them while she focuses on the ones ahead.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Serious headway is made; when time resumes enough familiars fall that there are likely fewer remaining than originally inhabited the Labyrinth the first time they entered it.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Going to the barn seems to be completely out of the question, though. The cows never stopped stampeding out. Only now do they slow to a trickle those that escape now are afire themselves, crying out in frantic moos as they chase the herd. The herd that is kicking up quite the cloud of dust as it careens towards the two Puella.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Homura-chan, rockets!" Madoka suggests for the tightly packed, if rather less menacing cow familiars. Meanwhile the last of the UFO's has been shot down, but the remaining aliens are further adapting. They've stopped shooting and moving in groups in favor of spreading out, surrounding the Puella on all sides before popping up as one and beginning to shoot.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All of a sudden the barn detonates, going off like a bomb and sending bits of smoking debris flying in every direction, peppering Puella and familiar alike with mostly harmless fragments. What remains is little more than a smoking crater, the Witch's form easily distinguishable at the bottom. It's the same brain in the jar as before, but the liquid inside doesn't bubble so much as it boils. It's segmented metal arms wave angrily in the air, only for half of them to lower down and pick the Witch up, acting as legs instead. It charges, plowing through the poor stampede of cows and sending them flying every which way in a cacophony of horrified moos. One of these is snatched out of the air by the Witch, dipped in boiling green brain juice, and hurled like a trebuchet through the air towards Homura and Madoka, disintegrating into a gloppy black and white ball of ooze as it flies.

:'''{{#var:23|Homura Akemi| (23)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;While the timestop wouldn't break, Homura doesn't want to forget about those beams and then get hit by them because she brainfarted and forgot to move. Especially not with Madoka here.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The pink-haired girl seems to be toughing it out, and Homura is... feeling a mix of pride and concern. Pride because Madoka is as lovably strong as Homura knew she was, and concern, well... look around them. That doesn't require an explanation. Madoka really is becoming the kind of Puella that Homura hoped she'd live long enough to be, and in a way this is further than Madoka has ever gotten before.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura offers Madoka a brief, soft, loving smile as the pink-haired girl takes a short breather, and doesn't push her to continue until she's ready. They have all of the time in the world, when they're like this.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Yeah. I didn't expect to be taking Mamo-kun up on his offer so quickly, but here we are." Homura closes her eyes. "I think having more help could either go great or terribly. It depends on how well people work together. If we brought more help, it should be people who are used to working in a team." Homura's talking like they'll make it out of this, and she intends to, but this is ''not'' the kind of place she'd take a newbie. "A third revival might even be worse. How many times would it take before a Witch like this became as strong as Walpurgisnacht?"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The strategy of using timestop to pick the targets apart seems to have worked, and the enemies are thinned out, but that's just the start of the battle. At Madoka's suggestion, Homura pulls out a rocket launcher, fires it into the crowd of cows, discards the launcher and then pulls up the next one. She repeats this several times, as the cows continue to advance on them, and eventually she has enough, stopping time again to fire a ton of rockets all at once, letting time resume once the airspace in front of her is too saturated for her to fire any more.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Purple eyes narrow at the oncoming stampede, and then the barn explodes behind them. Immediately she raises her shield, purple barrier igniting as Homura tries to protect both Madoka and herself. She wraps an arm around Madoka, watching as the Witch rises from the rubble.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"No way... it can do that?"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Time pauses again, and Homura is trying to pull Madoka out of the way of the launched familiar. "Geeze!" she exclaims. It's been awhile since she's been so pressured.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Her eyes study the frozen Witch carefully, and from a distance. "Well... what now? Should we weaken it and see if you can reach it, or do we not want to take the risk? It's okay if you don't want to."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She'll resume time when Madoka wants to, or once they've decided what to do, but for now she's taking a breather.

:'''{{#var:8|Madoka Kaname| (8)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Madoka returns the loving smile with a loving look. She doesn't make Homura wait for her for too long. There's catching your breath and then there's losing your pace; anything close to getting lax at this point could be the last mistake she makes, and the pink-haired girl has no intention of dying here.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;More help could go either great or terribly? "I think you're right. We're doing this well because we know we can trust and rely upon each other. Even a little bit of hesitation..." It doesn't warrant further thought or explanation. Homura then wonders aloud how much more powerful the Witch would be if they were to repeat this process again, and she shakes her head, "I don't think that would be a good idea. If we ever did try a third use it'd have to be one with few familiars and a Labyrinth that drew you in instead of one that tried to keep you out. If it was anything else I don't think you could use less magic fighting it than you'd get out of defeating it."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;At Homura's next comment Madoka's eyes widen and for a brief moment she actually looks afriad, "You- you don't think this is how Walpurgisnacht became so strong, do you? If a Witch kept getting stronger it would eventually stop needing to hide in a Labyrinth, right?" Is that the kind of mistake they're about to make? Is that the kind of mistake they're making right now? No. No, Madoka doesn't think so, and moreover she simply can't allow herself to think like that. This is no time for that kind of self doubt. It's something to consider and re-evaluate later, but not right now.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Nevermind." Her voice is firm, "Let's do what we came here to do. I'm ready."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Time resumes and Homura begins mowing down the horde of cattle with rockets. They're very effective but the cows are so numerous it takes a concerted effort even for Homura, and then timestop is resorted to once more. Madoka takes the free moment of time to pick off the encircling aliens while she can, tossing an explosive arrow into Homura's barrage for good measure.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The pink-haired girl flinches at the force of the explosion and is again relieved to have such a steadfast and reliable partner. Homura is showing her veteran status this time and more than pulling her weight. Rather than feel bad she resolves to do better. She leans against Homura as the world once more goes grey, taking in a deep breath and sliding her own arm around Homura, taking and offering a supportive hug from the side. "We've gone too far to give up now. It would be easier to just destroy it, yes, but I know we can do it. It's stronger than it was before, but it's still a Witch, and we're a powerful duo of Puella Magi."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She takes in a deep breath and lets it out slowly, "Actually, I think we're over the hump. The familiars are mostly gone now, and even if it's learned some new tricks this -was- one of the weaker Witches we fought. Even back then it's familiars were the bigger threat; I don't see why that'd be different now. Let's be careful and use your time magic as much as we have to to stay safe, but I want to try to reach it."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Madoka slowly turns her head from the Witch to face Homura, a slightly sad smile touching her lips, "If there is a Puella Magi in there... I have to try"

:'''{{#var:23|Homura Akemi| (23)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura considers briefly if this is how Walpurgisnacht came to be. It's a theory, but it's a theory that she has no time to consider. Madoka's right. They can worry about it later. "Maybe. I don't know. We can worry about it once we've cleaned up here."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;What's more important to Homura is the conversation that comes a bit later. Madoka is sure that she still wants to try, and Homura acknowledges it with a nod. "I understand. If we gave up on her now, we wouldn't get another chance. She would be too strong for us to risk it. This is our best opportunity."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura smiles at Madoka, leaning into the hug and squeezing, but only for so long, and then she focuses her gaze on the Witch. "I'm with you all the way, Madoka-chan. No matter what happens. I know you saved me, and I know you can save others, too. I'm going to soften her up a bit. Maybe if we aim for the limbs we can damage her without killing her. Also, we'll need to be mobile for this fight, so before time resumes we'll need to remove this string."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura produces her bow and fires more charged purple shots at the timefrozen Witch. They aren't heavy charges, and most of the time is spent on making sure that her aim is true. Once she's finished, she checks to make sure that Madoka is ready, and when she is Homura unties the string. The string is tucked away and time resumes for both of them. "Let's go!"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The bow is dismissed in a cloud of purple sparkles, and Homura's uzis come out again. She doesn't focus on the Witch, hoping that the timestop was enough to weaken her, but the shield Puella still wants to cover for Madoka and ensure that she can get in close.

:'''{{#var:8|Madoka Kaname| (8)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The witch has no choice but to remain frozen in place as the two consider their options and make the choice to go forward. Madoka nods to Homura, "I'm going to be more vulnerable when it's time, like we talked about. I'm not as worried about the Witch as any stray familiars that are left, but be ready for anything."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;At mention of the string Madoka pulls one short end of the bow and undoing it, letting Homura take it back and put it away. She holds tight to her own bow, putting her weight back on her own feet fully and nodding to her partner.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Time resumes and Homura's purple arrows streak forward. Most are on target but one or two go sailing past due to the Witch's erratic behavior. Those that do hit are to good effect, two arms and two 'legs' being taken out. Madoka fires a few weak arrows of her own while into the center of the Witch while moving evasively, the glass tank forming some small spider web cracks.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Brainjar Witch's opinion on this made obvious as the green fluid within begins boiling so frantically that it starts foaming straight out the top. More and more cows are dipped in and launched at the two Puella Magi, sending hissing gobs of black and white gunk hurtling towards them, eating even into the ground where they land. It's getting desperate though, and it's starting to become obvious. The only familiars left are now the cartoonist, sometimes flaming cows. Not even enough of them are left to continue their stampede and so they break off, swarming to the Witch and surrounding it, serving as living shields for their master, only to be hefted up and dipped in boiling brain juice and used as ammunition.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It's a losing tactic, but it's an annoying one. With the low powered shots being used against it would take quite a while to burn through the pile of forlorn and despondent cows with their pitiable moos. There is the off chance one of the oozing projectiles will hit, but with the Puella splitting up as they are the Witch can't seem to decide which one to target first, and it hasn't enough arms left to launch more than one at a time.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Despite this state of affairs Madoka doesn't let up, firing weak shots into the cowpile and Witch while dodging, carefully working her way closer while using the high hills for cover as best she can. "Just a little more, Homura-chan! It's almost time!"

:'''{{#var:23|Homura Akemi| (23)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Madoka being vulnerable is exactly what Homura is worried about, but she doesn't state it. Speaking her own reservations now would only complicate things, and she ''does'' have faith in her girlfriend. Still, Madoka ''will'' be vulnerable, so Homura will just have to watch her back.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The missed shots don't bother Homura. She's more concerned about holding back just enough to not destroy the Witch while still doing enough to subdue it. What a pain. Is this what Homura put her friends through? She's actually sorry.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Still, if it means bringing back a fellow Puella Magi, Homura has to take the risk. How great would be if they came out of this famine with more Puella than they started with? Ambitious, she knows, but being around Madoka makes her think that anything is possible.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The tossed cows are noted, and Homura watches them as they are flung in the air. She takes less than a split second to think about how to respond, so she starts producing RPGs and rocket launchers, firing at each of the thrown cows while they're still in the air. It's a start, and it should protect Madoka as well as herself, but it's not enough.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Those cows are getting between Madoka and her goal, and Homura can't allow that. Time stops again, but only for her. She walks up to the mass of cows, unconcerned that they might attack her while frozen. She's using that trick a lot in this fight, and she knows it, but they really bit off... maybe not more than they can chew, but a very big bite. Madoka's right, the hard part seems to be over, but Homura would like to make her angel's job as easy as possible. That's what the grenades are for.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pins are pulled, grenades are tossed, aimed to land near the outer edges of the cow crowd, so that there's plenty of familiar standing between the explosive and the Witch. After all, she wants to be careful not to hurt the Witch too much, but she still wants to thin out the numbers a bit more.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then Homura steps back, putting herself at a distance from the cows and the Witch, takes a look at Madoka to ensure that she's okay, and then resumes time with a shotgun in her hand.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Don't let up! We've got this!"

:'''{{#var:8|Madoka Kaname| (8)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The flung, melting cattle getting interrupted by RPGs makes it a lot simpler for Madoka to approach. When each one aimed at her explodes it means she can stop dodging and dash in closer. She shoots Homura a smile; really the veteran Puella is making this a lot easier for her.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As Homura goes and readies her grenades in frozen time she gets a close up view of the cows. They've truly given up, given in to their fate to be destroyed either by the weapons of the Puella or the very Witch they serve as it dips them into the boiling liquid within it's jar. Most of them appear sad and reticent, their short cartoony lives coming to an obvious end.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Others, however, have found peace with their lot, and are kneeling in prayer as they wait for the end to come. One has even radicalized, climbing atop it's brethren and reaching out to an arm frozen in time that prepares to lift it and baptize it in the caustic green liquid that will change it into a weapon, a tiny book with unknowable Witch Runes printed on it's cover held in one cloven hoof.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But this is what must be, the end that must come. Time resumes and grenades detonate, drowning out even the terrified moos of the familiars that meet their demise. The only one to escape this fate is the radical, which is lifted up and dipped in green brain juice, only to be dropped in the ensuing explosions, a look of glee upon it's face as it dissolves completely, becoming one with it's maker.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Too far away to notice any of this Madoka nods to Homura, "It's time!" She charges forward, drawing her bow and taking aim at the arms the Witch now uses as legs, shooting them out at the joints with carefully aimed shots, the explosives having already weakened them. The Witch drops to the ground with a light crash, defeated and mostly helpless. It doesn't give up, trying to scoop up clods of dirt to use as ammunition in place of the cows, but it's progress is too slow to matter.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Madoka reaches it and smiles, taking a quick look over to Homura before closing her eyes and preparing herself. Magical energy begins to quickly build up around her and her body begins to glow, dress and ribbons shining with white magic. Her feet lift off the ground as a pair of wide ethereal sprout from her back and unfurl, her hair growing out to an incredible length so that it floats throughout the Labyrinth in gentle waves. Her dress lengthens and extends, becoming pure white accented with a lighter, more subtle pink, a vision of space seen in the folds between layers and the underside of the open skirt, a pair of pink thigh high boots with wings at the ankles covering her feet directly in front. She holds her hands up to her chest and then opens her eyes, the transformation completing with a flash, a feeling of hope welling up and radiating out from her, offsetting the latent despair thick in the Labyrinth from the Brainjar Witch.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"It's okay," she says in a soft tone, looking through the glass jar to the brain contained within, "You don't have to hurt anymore. You don't have to curse anything anymore, if you don't want to."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Witch is still at first, as if processing how to handle this, only for that liquid boiling within to reach such a fevered pitch that it shoots out the top of the jar in a geyser. The Witch's arms flail frantically, some swinging at nothing while others bury themselves in the ground, and the whole body of the Witch seems to lean away from Madokami as if something about her is utterly repellant and repugnant, even to it.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"No, it's okay! I won't hurt you," Madoka offers with a hint of alarm, her tone still soft. She floats closer and reaches out with a single hand, aiming to brush gloved fingertips lightly across the cracked surface of the glass.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She misses, the Witch managing another few angles of tilt away from her, but Madoka is undeterred, floating just close enough to make contact.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Magic flares at the point of contact, arcane and ancient, colored with Madoka's pink and causing a reaction of clouded darkness and chaos to flare in respond, instantly recognizable as that of a Witch to any seasoned Puella Magi. With her mind and soul Madoka reaches out, offering kindness and sympathy, an end to suffering and a renewal of spirit. From her emanates a complete lack of malice, love and gentleness, a willingness to take upon herself all the anger, grief, and sadness, all the despair that this Witch might hold.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;With this burst of magic Madoka's mind connects with and touches the mind of the Witch.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Fear. Anger. Confusion. A storm of raging emotions caught in sea of chaos, unfocused and wild. There is very little thought in this place, nothing that could approach logic or rationality. Only despair and it's constituent components.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A single heartbeat's worth of time passes, and Madoka gasps. Her eyes widen.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pure hatred, vile and naked.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Madoka floats in a world of complete darkness, tiny and alone, innocent and helpless. A pulse of goodness from her, of well being and good fortune, of safety and ease, a feeling that everything is and will be fine. Of Hope. White light, brilliant and pure, reflects off angles jagged and ugly, not truly illuminating but merely giving shape to that what would otherwise be impossible to detect, giving definition and allowing to be seen the varying shades of pitch black. It reveals only the complete and total contrast of the tiny girl and this place she finds herself in now. And not only to her.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The inky blackness moves. Highlights of red roil over their surfaces like lightning within a thunderhead. Jagged arms reach out from nowhere and grab Madoka's arms, biting into them while holding her firm. She's here to communicate with it, and so the Witch communicates in the only way it knows how, the only way it has ever known; emoting an outburst of pure hatred and anger, wishing evil and harm upon that which is before her, cursing not just Madoka but her very existence.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Madokami screams. Suddenly and in a mix of horror and terror. What should have happened in an instant continues, lingers.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Blood. So much blood. Soaked into the seats of the twisted wreck of a car, the heartbeats of it's inhabitants weak and failing. A family broken and soon destroyed. But even their suffering was nothing to the Witch, this pitiful despair couldn't compare to what it felt, what it was.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Broken bones and bodies twisted into impossible shapes, flung from high places. People urged on and shown their worthlessness by the Witch.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Two men argue and fight over the future of the company, angers rising and tempers flaring. One of them takes a swing and the other goes down. Kicking, kicking, kicking, until that man's face will never be recognized again.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A march of people, almost like zombies, too delirious with misery to recognize what goes on around them. They walk through the field towards the barn. UFO's gleefully lift them into the air hundreds of feet, up above the dark clouds only to drop them to their doom. Half a dozen line up against the barn wall and grey skinned aliens take their time practicing their aim, rayguns boring holes in bone and melting flesh. Madoka hadn't noticed the scorch marks on the walls from where they missed.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Unceasing and unending violence, murder and torture. Infinite revenge against nothing for an existence of despair that has never known anything else. No sorrow, no sadness. No remorse or regrets. The Hope that Madoka brings is foreign to this place, to this twisted and disturbed soul, one emotion among many that it has never experienced and can not understand, the most contrary to everything that it is of all. By shining the light of hope in this soul one can see how truly dark it is. It isn't good, obviously, but true evil doesn't lie here either. Morality isn't even a concept understood; the only thing understood here is emotion.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And that emotion is Despair.

:'''{{#var:8|Madoka Kaname| (8)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Madokami screams and screams, mind and soul directly exposed to the horrors of a mind that knows only darkness. No humanity exists here to be reached. There is nothing to be nurtured. There is nothing deserving of kindness or compassion, but only the animal emotion that gives way to hatred of all others and the intention to drag down and destroy.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She makes to retract her hand, but before the thought even finishes the Witch's arms whip forward and grab hold of her, the Witch able to feel her thoughts just as well as she can feel it's own. It doesn't just hold her in place but instead draws her in, dragging her closer and forcing her to maintain contact. Her long white dress begins to fray at the edges and her long pink hair grows tangled and loses it's luster, the aura of Hope that surrounds her wavering.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In that place inside it's mind the Witch suffers in it's eternal torment, pain and misery rolling over and suffusing Madoka. But even more than it suffers it lashes out, cursing and hating and destroying. It knows no other action, cares about nothing else. It senses the weakness in Madoka and the disgust this hatred generates in her, and in turn subjects her to more.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Junko and Tomohisa are playing out front with Tatsuya. They toss a ball to each other, only for it to roll out into the street. Tatsuya follows after, and the delivery truck can't possibly stop in time. Madoka is spared nothing of what follows in the Witch's twisted imagination.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hitomi and Kyouke are on a date, the talented violinist finally having the time for it. They laugh together as they share ice cream, only for a dark shadow to fall over them. It's Sayaka in full henshin, and Kyousuke will be hers. She's had a lot of time to learn how to use her sword, by now.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mamoru is sitting with Kunzite in the dilapidated ruins of an underground palace. The waterfall is dried up, the forest is dead and rotting, and it's protectors lay shattered on it's staircase. Tiny pink flowers grow over the two. Mamoru is a wreck, Kunzite is impassive. They sit sorrowful and helpless as the world itself falls into ruin and dies.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Madoka and Homura are fighting the Witch. The familiars are overwhelming, and they're pushed to their limits. Homura turns her shield to freeze time again, and her expression turns terrified when nothing happens. She goes down as rayguns hit her, eyes wide as an army of hungry cows with forks and knives approach her.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura is shot.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura drowns.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura. Homura. Homura.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In the roiling blackness a pair of glowing red slashes for eyes open up, each larger than Madoka as they focus on her. The raw emotion they express at her causes her to cry out, and afterwards they glare. Somehow she knows what they're trying to say, the only thing approaching real communication this creature has attempted with her: 'This is nothing compared to what I'll do to you.'<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;White lines begin to appear over Madokami's form, first in her wings, then in her dress, and finally over the long strands of her hair. They flare and burn, visible cracks widening and spiderwebbing until the pressure is too much. All at once the henshin shatters, the ancient and primordial magic connecting Madoka to the Witch cutting off. There's a brilliant flare where Madoka's hand touched the Witch, followed by an explosion, and the girl is thrown backwards like a ragdoll, the remnants of Madokami's visage hanging in the air and fading away like a bright light burned into one's vision.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She's thrown nearly a hundred feet before she hits the ground, rolling and coming to a stop. Though apparently not physically injured she gets onto her hands and knees and crawls- directly away from the Witch. Tears stream down her cheeks and she whimpers and wails, trembling and terrified.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As for the Witch it seems to have taken a new lease on life, intent on picking itself up on it's remaining arms and chasing after it's new favorite victim, the psychic despair that emanates out from it thick and oppressive.

:'''{{#var:23|Homura Akemi| (23)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Reverend Cow gets an odd look from Homura, watching its frozen sermon from the safety of her own little world. She doesn't target him specifically, but she does take note of the still looks of horror. So even Familiars experience terror? Homura never was sure, though she knew that they experienced ''something''.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She thinks back to the toy soldiers she once commanded, and she wonders what they felt as they died protecting Madoka. Were they terrified of the Clara Dolls who gleefully tore through them, or did they simply only feel love for her as their master did? It's a little strange to think about the emotional range of familiars, but it's a question that bears asking, and one that they may very well answer some day. Homura has no idea how soon.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Madoka approaches the Witch, and Homura observes with cautious pride. The Witch reacts, and even resists, and Homura raises an eyebrow. The grip on her shotgun tightens. No. Have faith. Have faith in her. Don't interfere.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Contact is made, and everything goes wrong. Homura knows not what kind of terrors Madoka can feel from the Witch, but she can only imagine that Homura herself made it easier on her than it would otherwise be. This might be the standard reaction. Homura takes a step forward. It's tempting, oh so tempting to run, but no. Have faith. Madoka is so strong, and so capable now. She can do this.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Witch grabs her, and Homura can't stop herself. She yells out, "MADOKA-CHAN!" She knows not what is happening, but she knows that her beloved is in pain, and this is going badly. Homura breaks out in a run, seeing Madoka thrown through the air as her henshin breaks. She wants to go to her, and comfort her, and hold her and tell her that everything is okay... and she will, but not before she's <span class=" bold_fg_r bg_n ++ hr">FINISHED</span> here.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura places herself between the Witch and her angel, and if rage truly could burn her tears would evaporate before leaving her eyes. How DARE she? How dare this Witch treat so brutally someone who was only trying to save her? How dare this Witch be so cruel to Madoka, who is so sweet, and kind, and forgiving no matter what. Who the hell does she think she is?<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;With a cold hardness to her voice, Homura screams, "I WILL <span class=" bold_fg_r bg_n ++ hr">NEVER</span> FORGIVE YOU!"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Suddenly, the Witch is surrounded, not by enemies, but by circular walls. Walls of small, threatening black boxes. A red LED lights up on one, and then more LEDs light up, spreading out and around as each one of these little payloads is armed and ready to ignite, until the Brainjar is surrounded by a sea of glowing red, malicious little eyes.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And then the blast goes off. Homura is standing next to Madoka's fallen body, throwing an arm around her to shield the two of them from the explosion, purple flaring up around them to fight back the violent heat. It's only after the sound and fury fades that Homura's weak voice asks, "Madoka-chan... are you okay? Are you okay? I'm sorry. I don't know what happened but I'm sorry..."

:'''{{#var:8|Madoka Kaname| (8)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Brainjar Witch only remembers Homura is present when the dark haired Puella Magi gets between her and her target. Having built up speed she adjusts slightly, intending to slam into her, only to instead slam into an ominous round wall with glowing red lights. The Witch has no idea what this is, only that it stands between it and it's targets, and begins clawing and smashing at the wall with it's segmented arms.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The explosion rings out and dwarf the one that destroyed the red barn, and the Witch is annihilated in a the overpressure and flame. As Homura raises her purple barrier to protect the both of them the Labyrinth wavers and fades. Dark skies fade in along with the spray of the sea and the gusting wind, the gentle rocking of the Tenshi Maru present once more, the glow of Tokyo just over the horizon.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Madoka never stopped crawling. Her fingers grip not grass and dirt now but instead slide over the cold metal hull of the ship. She doesn't seem to notice at first, her eyes clenched shut and her whimpering unceasing. It isn't until she hears Homura's voice that she recognizes the arm around her. She lifts into a kneel and turns in one motion, burying her face in Homrua's stomach and latching onto her, shaking her head and crying, too distraught for words and trembling visibly.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not far away comes the distinctive clatter of a Grief Seed hitting the ground, rolling along with the motions of the ship before righting itself onto it's tip, a magical trinket ready once more to draw out the darkness from within a Soul Gem.

:'''{{#var:23|Homura Akemi| (23)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"It's okay, Madoka-chan." Homura's whisper is soft and gentle. She embraces Madoka warmly, and intimately, wanting her know viscerally that someone who loves her is here for her. She traces her fingers down Madoka's back, patting her before wrapping her arms around her tightly.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura can't stand to see Madoka like this, broken and hurt and trying to get away. It isn't fair. She was only trying to help. Why must this cruel universe punish her when all she wants to do is help? Can't it see how sweet she is? How undeserving of any of this suffering?<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura barely remembers the Grief Seed until she hears it clatter against the deck of her ship. Her eyes bolt in its direction, glaring with such intensity that threatens to crush that broken soul under the weight of Homura's pure hatred.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A less mature Homura would just smash that Grief Seed to pieces and throw the shattered remains into the ocean and say 'to hell Kyubey's famine.'<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;... but she needs it. Madoka needs it, too. Homura gives Madoka one more gentle squeeze, before standing up and leaving her darling alone for just a moment. The veteran Puella marches towards the Grief Seed, determined to inflict the only reasonable form of justice she can enact.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;''You are going to bear the pain you just inflicted on her, monster.''<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It's a simple act to scoop up the Grief Seed, carry it over to Madoka, dropping to one knee in order to offer it to her. "You take the first use. If I need to, I'll use another. We should never let this Grief Seed hatch again."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She closes her eyes for a moment, before opening them again and looking at the pink-haired girl. "What happened, Madoka-chan? Are you okay? Do you know why it didn't work?"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura regrets her words after saying them, thinking that Madoka might need more time. "... don't feel like you have to answer that. Come on, let's go inside. I'll carry you, if you want me to."

:'''{{#var:8|Madoka Kaname| (8)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Madoka turns her head from side to side, not shaking it so much as brushing it against Homura, her bastion of strength and comfort. She can still see everything inside her mind, all the terrible images of what the Witch had done and wanted to do. They're burned into her memory as Homura does her best to comfort her. As she cries Madoka hugs onto and clings to Homura.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Of course that Grief Seed still needs picking up. She makes a sad sound as Homura starts to move away, even as she knows it'll cause a pang of anger and sympathetic pain in her. She can't help it; she's hurting and needy right now and even though she's aware it's more important the Grief Seed be retrieved it's still a moment where her comfort is going to be taken away.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She isn't completely broken, only hurting. The Grief Seed is given to her and Madoka sniffles as she presses it to the ring on her left middle finger. It would be nice if the memories could be sucked out of her head just as that darkness is purified from her soul, but that's impossible.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Madoka carefully slips the Grief Seed into her skirt pocket and turns her puffy eyes towards Homura, quieting down and giving a tiny nod when asked why it didn't work. For now she's stopped crying and instead very quiet, failing to elaborate. When Homura speaks again Madoka gives a little nod; she does want Homura to carry her. She doesn't really want to do anything or think about anything right now.

:'''{{#var:23|Homura Akemi| (23)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Madoka's whimper does hurt Homura, but what she's doing does need to get done. Better a whimper now, than a minute of panic and sorrow and loss as the two of them desperately search for a Grief Seed that they don't have. That's what it means to survive as a Puella Magi, to think not only of today but also prepare for tomorrow.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;That doesn't mean that Homura isn't glad to get back to her darling, and when Madoka says that she wants to be carried, Homura is more than willing to comply. She drops to one knee, sliding one arm around Madoka's shoulders and another underneath her knees, lifting her as she stands, and walking towards the door that leads to the ship's interior.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The entire ship glows purple, the handwheel on the door turns, and the door opens at it's captain's command. It's an expenditure she normally wouldn't waste magic on, but Madoka needs her attention more than Homura needs to fiddle with a stupid door. Madoka is the most important thing, and even the Grief Seed is only important in the capacity that it helps her protect Madoka.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The glow fades away after the door shuts and locks behind them. If Madoka speaks, Homura listens, but there isn't much for her to say at the moment. She's focusing on carrying Madoka through the corridors, avoiding pipes and squeezing through tight passageways. If Madoka remembers the layout of the ship, Homura is heading for either the Bridge or the Captain's Quarters. Considering that Homura intent is to comfort Madoka, probably the latter.

:'''{{#var:8|Madoka Kaname| (8)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Madoka slips her arms around Homura's neck as an arm goes under her knees and another around her shoulders. She's much more still in Homura's arms than she normally is, without the usual wiggling and nuzzling. But she is, thankfully, just as warm. Her heart is beating in her chest, and her breathing is even and steady. It's the way she acts that shows her injury, that stillness and quietness. Her cheeks are still wet from the tears even if no more come.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She hangs off of Homura as she's carried through the door and down the corridors of the ship, letting out a little sigh and lowering her head slightly. She's feeling some mix of hurt, sadness and fear all mixed together into a muted ache. She tries not to think at all because right now everything is so fresh it only makes things worse.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It's self pity, really. She hurts and feels sorry for herself and wants to feel better, but right now she doesn't know how. Well, being close to Homura ''is'' a hundred times better than not being close to Homura, she's at least aware of that. Her eyes turn a slight bit towards her girlfriend, not raising them enough to see her face, instead looking at her neck and shoulder. Soft pink eyes widen to three quarters open, and her blank expression shifts. "You're hurt," she says very quietly, looking at the raygun shot to the shoulder the veteran Puella took when reacting to her own leg injury.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A new emotion enters the mix alongside sympathy and worry; disappointment in herself. She was so self-interested that she didn't even notice that Homura was hurt, and is carrying her with an injured shoulder. She shifts a little, holding Homura about the neck a little tighter and making it easier to carry less weight with that arm. It always has been through worrying about others that Madoka has been able to move past her own difficulties.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I'm sorry," she says quietly, closing her eyes and leaning her head against Homura's uninjured shoulder, brushing her cheek lightly into the fabric of her magical girl outfit.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"It wasn't human." She finally says a minute later. "It was never human. There wasn't anything inside it but hate and spite. It was like what you felt when you were a Witch, except everything that was 'you' inside of it was missing." Madoka speaks slowly as she's carried, voice soft. She only gets so far before she stops, squeezing her eyes shut and holding herself closer to Homura.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"It was awful. It didn't have a reason for cursing anyone, or to feel despair, it just did; like that was all it knew." Tears show in the corners of her eyes again and she lets go of Homura's neck to cover her mouth, "But it was alive." She shakes her head, starting to talk faster, "It's not a person but it's real and disgusting and horrible and it kills people and eats- eats pieces of their souls!"<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She's whimpering again, which gives way after a moment to quiet gagging sounds.

:'''{{#var:23|Homura Akemi| (23)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Even when Madoka woke up with Homura's nightmares, Homura doesn't remember her being this bad off. Are there going to be more nightmares now, even if she didn't save anyone? She wonders. This is the pain that Madoka took onto herself. Homura did consider her a heroine, and still does, but heroines put themselves in the middle of danger, and that means they get hurt sometimes.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura is worried, and it hurts. It hurts to see Madoka suffer so much. To feel her in her arms like this, her stillness, her silence. Homura doesn't rush it. Madoka will speak when she has the strength to, and she doesn't seem to have too much physical damage despite being thrown around, aside from where she was shot earlier.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura's own wound is pointed out, and Homura looks away. "It's nothing." It doesn't look like nothing. On a normal human it'd be a scary burn. Yet Madoka knows full well that Homura has felt worse pains, even if one only counts the physical.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You got hurt, too." Homura points out. Madoka might want to tend to her pain, but Homura is so used to soldiering on through so many horrors that she simply overlooks it. Madoka may have taken away her despair, but not her experience.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When Madoka shifts around to make herself easier to carry, Homura looks down at her and smiles. Even if she naturally acts tough, it's nice having someone make things easier on her. Especially if it's Madoka.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You don't have to be sorry. You've done nothing wrong."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When Madoka does start talking about what she felt, Homura's own mind starts to process it. What Homulilly have been, if not for Homura in the middle of it? A bit less self-destructive, maybe. Turning it's destructive influences towards innocent people, without remorse or sorrow. There's a terrifying thought.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A Witch without a human core... is that the difference? Madoka can sense it, but sensing it that time proved incredibly dangerous. Maybe there's another sign. "I noticed that it recoiled from you when you reached out for it. It was afraid of what would happen when you touched it. When you reached out to me, it was different. I invited you in."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura closes her eyes for a moment as she stands before a door, listening to Madoka's description. "What a cursed existence. All it knows is pain, and so that's all it can express. I almost feel sorry for a creature like that." Almost. She's still glad they kicked it's butt twice. "... but that's the way it is. Some things help others for no reason, and other things hurt others for no reason."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The door opens, and Homura walks through. She turns her eyes down to look at Madoka as she gags. Is she going to throw up? The veteran Puella pauses in her procession for a moment, shifting Madoka around slightly as she reaches into her shield. Does she have a barf bag in here? Turns out she does. She manages to drop it in Madoka's lap before she keeps walking. "In case you need it."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yeah, this isn't the first time Homura's seen someone get sick.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When Homura reaches the door to the Captain's Quarters, it opens and allows the two of them inside. There are plenty of penguin plushies here, a soft bed (if a little small), and safety from the horrors of the outside world. Homura doesn't get much further than the threshold of the door, instead dropping to her knees to adjust her grip, holding tight onto Madoka. "I love you so much. You tried so hard. I'm so, so sorry you're hurt. It's horrible, and I know it is, that something like that could exist. I wish I could protect you from this, or help you, but... what you saw was the truth."

:'''{{#var:8|Madoka Kaname| (8)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Madoka nods slightly as Homura minimizes the wound she took. Just because Homura can withstand the pain or ignore it doesn't mean she likes it, just as Homura likely isn't thrilled with the wound she points out Madoka took. "I did," she agrees, nearly as unconcerned about it as Homura is about her own injury. It isn't past physical wounds that makes it unimportant to her though, but the present emotional ones. "Not doing anything wrong doesn't mean I couldn't have done something better," she replies quietly.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura mentions the Witch recoiling from her approach and Madoka nods quietly in agreement. "It's because it didn't understand what I was doing or what I was offering it. When it felt the hope I offered it was afraid because it was something it had never felt before. When I connected with it," and she most certainly did connect with it, "all that feeling did was make it angrier. It just hated me more when it realized I felt things it didn't. It was trying to kill me." Kill her with the pure malice of it's hatred and despair.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She can't disagree with Homura's assessment. The 'life' it lived was certainly nothing to envy and was horrifying. "I don't know if you should feel sorry for it or not. There was nothing good inside of it, not even one little bit." Her eyebrows come together in a worried expression, "Even awful people have something good about them. There's always something special someone can do, or something they care about. But not this Witch. I looked, there was nothing good about it at all; it was horrible all the way through. It was just a monster that wanted to make people hurt more than it did."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura gives her the bag and the timing ends up being fortuitous. The bag gets used, and Madoka feels a little better and less queasy for it. She crumples and rolls the top up properly.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As Homura kneels Madoka turns a little, curling up more in her arms and pressing into her. "I love you too," Madoka replies quietly in a squeaky voice. More tears as she slips her head over Homura's shoulder, "I love you so much, Homura-chan. I'm so lucky to have you here with me right now." She holds tight to Homura as comfort and consolation are offered to her, nodding her head as the other girl speaks. She pulls away after a few moments and looks into her eyes, finally. Her own are wet again and the hurt shows in them, but so does her love for the girl she's looking at, and the need to be with her right now. "Can you stay here with me?" She almost looks away, eyes turning minutely before returning back to Homura's, "You should just let the ship keep it's place for now. It's dangerous to move without anyone watching and we still need to be careful about magic."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She does look away, finally, unable to meet Homura's gaze as she asks, "...do you have a breath mint?"

:'''{{#var:23|Homura Akemi| (23)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"If you want to do better next time, then that just means there's a lesson to learn here," says Homura, trying to focus on the positive, and maybe give Madoka something to hold onto that isn't her current pain. "I don't think you could have known what would happen, but now you've seen it and now you know. It sucks, I know it does, but this is what it means to be a Puella Magi."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;So Familiar-based Witches have no understanding of Hope, and it's so abhorrent to them that they react with such... fear? Anger? Hate seems like an accurate word. "I suppose to a creature that's never been a person, we're the strange, incomprehensible, alien things. I can only assume that all Familiar-based Witches would react the same way, since they've probably never felt a positive emotion."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Even awful people have something good inside of them, and this Witch didn't. Well, if even someone like Madoka says something like that, Homura has to believe it. Few people look for the good in someone as much as Madoka does.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When Homura sets Madoka down, she takes the back and throws it into her shield. Better to just get it out of sight. She can throw it away more properly later. Right now her priority is to comfort Madoka, as much as she can, and in the best way she knows how. When she's asked to stay, Homura nods. "Of course."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The shield contains a lot of things, theoretically it has an infinite capacity, as far as Homura knows. She doesn't actually remember all of the things that Homura keeps in there, but with Madoka on the floor she's more able to dig around inside of it. Homura pulls out a towel, a bottle of water, a roll of breath mints, and... mouthwash? Homura gives the last one a curious look before setting it down. "I swear to god I sometimes wonder who packed all of this stuff in here."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She pours a bit of the water onto the towel and dabs at Madoka's face. The lighting is a little low, so Homura can't tell if any yuck got on her girlfriend, but there's no harm in making sure.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Once done with that, Homura tosses the towel back into her shield and offers Madoka one of the asked for breath mints. "There's also a sink you can use if you want to use the mouthwash, or I can get you a cup... I mean, if you don't mind using mouthwash after me. I ''assume'' that's mine."

:'''{{#var:8|Madoka Kaname| (8)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;That wasn't what Madoka was talking about being better at, but she can't help but agree with Homura's assessment of the situation. "I suppose when you're trying to do the impossible sometimes you see things no one was ever meant to see," the pink-haired girl replies quietly. "It doesn't know what we are, except that it can hurt us and eat us. I don't think it cares, either. If it cared I'd have been able to talk with it. It didn't want to talk, it only wanted to hurt me and scare me."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Madoka's relieved when Homura so quickly agrees to stay with her. She doesn't actually need her face washed but she appreciates how much Homura is looking out for her, closing her eyes and tilting her head up. It can't hurt, right? She manages a small smile afterwards. She accepts the breath mint and starts running it inside her mouth right away. She shakes her head no to the mouthwash but stops halfway, reconsidering.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She gets up slowly, using Homura's uninjured shoulder for support with one hand while reaching down with the other for the mouthwash. She favors her injured leg a little, giving a tiny shake of her head, "I don't mind using your mouthwash, Homura-chan. Thank you."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She slips into the bathroom and is in there for a bit longer than might be expected for just using mouthwash, though the sound of the sink going is clearly heard. When she comes out it's pretty obvious she's run a brush through her hair, having pulled the ribbons from it and letting it down. She also smells a bit more strongly of the bergamot, roses and violets of her favorite perfume.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She slips over to the bed and lays down, scooting over near the far edge and lays down onto her side, head resting on the pillow, and resists the urge to pick up and hug on any of the plushy penguins that decorate the small but relatively spacious captains quarters. There's something else she wants to cozy up to for comfort right now. Someone, really.

:'''{{#var:23|Homura Akemi| (23)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura smiles softly at Madoka, her eyes a little sad, but she's trying to show love and be supportive. When Madoka decides to go to the bathroom, Homura watches her limp with a small frown. That is, after all, Homura's loved one who is hurt. The single most important person in Homura's life is in pain and she can't stand it.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The veteran waits outside, looking down at the floor and deciding to clean some things up. She spends some time flattening out the covers of the bed, looking over her own wound with a hand mirror, and generally checking things over and giving Madoka enough time to freshen up or do whatever she wants to in there.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;By the time Madoka returns, Homura is no longer in henshin, instead wearing her Infinity Middle uniform. The battle is over, and so she shouldn't waste magic. A brush is running through her hair, straightening it out after the rough battle. A smile is aimed at her girlfriend, and her purple eyes reflect the image of Madoka lying down. The implication is clear, and Homura is all too happy to give Madoka what she wants. Especially if it makes her feel better. It's what she brought her here for, anyways.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She places the brush down, heading towards the small bed. It's still small as far as beds go, but they've been able to cuddle in it before. Homura kicks off her shoes and lies down, wrapping arms around Madoka and cuddling up close, one hand placed on the back of Madoka's head, stroking through her hair and holding her close.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"We can stay here as long as you like, Madoka-chan. We don't have to go back tonight. It hurts to see you suffer, but I hope this does something to make you feel better." Homura kisses the top of Madoka's head, before closing her eyes and pulling the covers over the two of them.

:'''{{#var:8|Madoka Kaname| (8)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Madoka is at once both happy and sad that Homura gets up. She's sad because she was enjoying watching her brush her hair, but she's even happier because it means her girlfriend and partner is going to come hold her and cuddle her. She smiles as Homura lays down next to her, taking in a breath through her nose and smelling Homura's scent before letting out a long sigh, wrapping her arms around Homura's waist.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She makes a soft, "Mmm," as her hair is stroked, the locks of pink soft and fluffy to Homura's fingers, nuzzling her head against Homura and squeezing the slightly taller girl tightly to herself. "Let's wait until tomorrow to go back, then." A short pause, "I'm sorry you have to see me like this. I don't want you to hurt, either." She nods while closing her eyes, "I feel better." Maybe not all the way better, but... "When I'm close to you like this I can almost forget about everything else in the world." And after what she just went through that's exactly what she needs most.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She stays quiet and cuddly close, snuggling with Homura and soaking up her comfort and affection. It's warm and cozy under the covers and she never feels safer than when she's in Homura's arms. After a few moments Madoka lifts her head, looking up to Homura for a moment before leaning in and softly pressing her lips to her girlfriends, showing and giving affection and seeking the same. Nothing deep, intense, or passionate, but rather gentle, tender, and loving.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She'll quietly talk with and respond to Homura if she wants afterwards, or just cuddle or kiss in comfortable silence. Eventually she opens her eyes back up and looks at Homura for a few moments before saying softly, "My leg hurts." It's not a complaint, not really. She's also not trying to hurt Homura or elicit pain, but rather make an obscure statement.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"My leg hurts," she repeats, "but you're warm and comfortable. Your hair is soft and your skin is smooth and I love feeling everything about you." Such delicate things would be impossible to feel were she blocking out the pain, forcing additional separation between her body and her soul. It's both something she wants to say directly to Homura, that her snuggles feel better than the pain feels bad, and also acts as an analogy for what she says next. "I'm still afraid. It might... take me a little while to get over this. But tonight... it was really important."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She shifts around a little, to better look into Homura's eyes, rubbing a hand over her back, "It wasn't a failure at all... we weren't really expecting to rescue a Puella Magi. It was hard, but we did what we set out to do. We proved it could be done. I won't have to take that big of a risk, next time." And she expects there will have to be a next time, unless Kyubey changes his plans. "And if you're right, we might have found a way to tell if a Witch was a familiar or not without me having to try to connect with it." The benefits of which should be perfectly obvious to both of them right now.

:'''{{#var:23|Homura Akemi| (23)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura's scent is minty, with hints of rosemary and lavender. There's also the faint scent of gunpowder in her hair, but that's obviously not from the perfume. The veteran gets comfortable next to her girlfriend, holding her gently in her arms and softly stroking her back. Homura's eyes stay open, and she watches Madoka's expression. She doesn't know if she can make all the pain and suffering from tonight go away, but she knows that she couldn't stand it if she didn't try.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura shakes her head after Madoka's words. "No, I want to be a part of your life, for the good times and the bad. I don't like that you're suffering, but I'm glad you aren't alone. If being with me helps you forget, then I'm happy to be here. You've done as much and more for me."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As Madoka's lips are sweetly and gently pressed against hers, Homura's arms softly squeeze Madoka, and her lips brush lightly against her girlfriend's. She warmly presses into the kiss, to welcome it warmly, kissing Madoka again, and a third time, as she cuddles up close to Madoka. Whatever relief she has to offer, Homura is offering it.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When Madoka says that her leg hurts, Homura pauses, looking down at the blanket around where Madoka's leg probably is. She isn't really sure what to do about it until Madoka continues. What is said next draws a blush and a smile from Homura. "Well the pain will go away, but I'll still be here for you. Especially if it makes you feel better."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It's tempting to try to heal Madoka... but they said that they would conserve their magic and let others heal them, and Madoka would be upset if Homura didn't take care of herself, too.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura considers what Madoka says next, about tonight being important, and about it not being a failure. "Well, we fulfilled our objectives, right? We did what we set out to do. We tried to avoid getting hurt along the way, but we knew we were taking a risk, and getting hurt is a part of fighting."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She nods, her hair making a sound of brushing against her pillow, "We did learn something new, and that's good. Your powers are incredible, and I've never seen anything like them, so of course there are going to be things about them that we don't know yet. We didn't know what the warning signs were, but now we do, and now we can know if the Witch we're fighting is a person who can be saved or not."

:'''{{#var:8|Madoka Kaname| (8)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She smells like Homura to Madoka, and feels like her too. There was a time when she told Homura she needed her after having gotten so close to her, and right now that feels more true than ever. That Homura is right here holding her and comforting her is the best reassurance that things will be okay that the veteran Puella Magi could give her.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Thank you. That means a lot to me... that you're willing to stay with me even though it hurts you, even after you've already been hurt so much already. I want to be a part of your life, too. I'll just have to enjoy the good parts all the more to make up for the bad."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Madoka's kiss is accepted and then returned, and she sighs happily through her nose while eagerly receiving them. That she's seeking out the comfort and relief of being close with Homura only makes the sweet kisses all the better to her, and for a few moments she really does forget something bad happened at all, letting the physical enjoyment of warm kisses and the emotional enjoyment of being cuddled up with the girl she loves blot out everything else.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Her words draw a blush and a smile and Madoka can't help smiling a little bit herself as they're taken as they were intended, "You being here with me makes everything better. You're right, bad things are what we have to deal with, since we're Puella Magi. But having you here with me makes it easy to remember that there are so many good things too."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;If Homura healed Madoka it would in turn lead to Madoka healing Homura. She might be a little upset if Homura didn't take care of herself, yes, but she could also use it as an excuse to take care of the other girl herself.<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A soft nod of her head, "We did. Everything we set out to do, and even a little more." She looks upwards as she tends to do when thinking, eyes actually turning towards and head of the bed and pillows since she's laying on her side, "Actually, for as scary as that Labyrinth was I think we got off easy and did really well." Her soft pink eyes turn back down and move to the purple of Homura's, "You really impressed me. I know how strong you are, but seeing you in action... I'm proud of you, Homura-chan. You've really become an amazing magical girl."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She smiles softly when her own powers are declared incredible, "I hope I can get the chance to help more people with them. If there aren't any Witches around it might mean there aren't any girls that need my help right now, and in a way that's the best we could ever hope for. But I don't trust Kyubey enough to think nobody will again, and if they do I want to be there, ready to help."<br /> <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Madoka closes her eyes and makes a little yawn, scooting over to Homura and under the covers just enough so she can press her forehead against the other girls upper chest, top of her head just below Homura's chin. "I'm so lucky that the girl I fell in love with is as warm and snuggly as she is amazing."

:'''{{#var:23|Homura Akemi| (23)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Even if I didn't see it I'd still know that you were going through something." Homura also reasons that her imagination could make it worse than it is. She's always preferred to face things and deal with them, as much as she can. "... but I've been very lucky to have you. You've always been good to me."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She reaches up to brush her fingers through Madoka's hair, looking deeply into her pink eyes. "You're right. There are good things in this world. Wonderful and amazing things that are worth protecting." Well, at least one good thing. "... and if that means helping them get through the bad things, then I guess that's just what I have to do."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura smiles meekly as Madoka compliments her... and calls her amazing. "Thank you... I certainly don't mind hearing that my girlfriend is impressed with me. I'm proud of you, too, for taking that risk, and for still being willing to help others in spite of what happened."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Thought... did they get off easy? Well, that's a matter of perspective. They survived, sure. They survived after doing something that was probably ill-advised, and from that point of view they ''did'' get off easy, but... "... Yeah, but I also used a lot more magic than usual. Stopping time is cheap, but that bow isn't, and I had to spend a lot of ammunition, too."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I'm not saying it was too hard for us because, well... we won didn't we? It's a testament to our skill that we actually did as well as we did, for not knowing just how powerful our enemy would be. We only took a few injuries between us."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura looks away. "Someone might Witch. That's really what this famine is trying to force. I don't want to allow that, but it does mean that the number of Witches is lower, now. That is a good thing, as hard as it is for us individually. Still, I wouldn't doubt it if Kyubey went right back to making contracts after the slate is wiped clean, though I think we've done all we can to prevent it."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura smiles as her warmth and snuggliness is complimented, nuzzling her nose against the top of Madoka's hair. "I'm lucky too, because I get to be the one who's getting warm and snuggly with you."
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