View source for 937/What you dont know can hurt you..

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2016/01/28
|Location=Mitakihara - Downtown
|Synopsis=Sayaka has a few questions for Homura, and Homura makes a promise that she has no intention of keeping.
|Cast of Characters=7,23
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:7|Sayaka Miki| (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It's another late in Mitakihara's downtown core..Sayaka should probably be at home, studying for a midterm tomorrow, but she's never been particularly studious, or even interested in school work. Especially with her recent introduction into the mahou world as a Puella Magi!<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Tonight, as with the past several nights, Sayaka is instead focusing on night patrols, not only to uphold her high standards as a heroine and protector of the helpless, but also in order to sharpen her skills - afterall, the supposed 'Witch to end all witches' will soon be upon them.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Currently, Sayaka stands on a lonely rooftop, practicing her well-honed sword skills, many of which were learned during her studies of Kendo. She seems pretty restless tonight, even if it is a relatively calm and peaceful night..

:'''{{#var:23|Homura Akemi| (23)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura herself is on her way back from her patrols when she spies a familiar blue figure on a rooftop nearby. It's Sayaka Miki. When she sees her, she hesitates. Should she say something to her?<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Well, it's just the two of them, Homura could always just leave if things got too icky one way or another. Besides, things between Puella Magi have been notably less hostile, and they'll be working together before the week is done. Homura should at least try to talk to her.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The black-haired Puella turns towards Sayaka, jumping from rooftop to rooftop. Her approach isn't hidden at all, so Sayaka might be able to see her coming. When Homura does land on the same rooftop as Sayaka, she takes a few steps forward.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Um... Hi."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Her purple eyes look away, and she hesitates. "Cold night."

:'''{{#var:7|Sayaka Miki| (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sayaka is deeply focused on her practicing, however, her senses are also peeled for any sign of trouble. She spies the raven haired Puella before she calls out to her and smirks, pausing in her practices, breathing lightly. "Oh, it's you..Homura." she turns all the way around to face her, relaxing her stance, even dissipating her sword as if to show that she is not here for a fight. Still, Sayaka's tone is at the very least..Guarded, but not quite as frigid as before.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Hmm, enjoying the scenery, are you?" she peers towards the skyline and sighs softly. It really is quite a beautiful night, a little chilly but after her little workout, Sayaka's quite happy for some fresh air.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Actually, it's good that I ran into you, now that I think about it, I did have a few questions for you.." She pauses then, not exactly sure where to start. A quick glance around however, confirms that Madoka at least, is not accompanying her tonight.

:'''{{#var:23|Homura Akemi| (23)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura looks out over the skyline. She tries to find the beauty of it, but she just doesn't have eyes for that. Still, may as well enjoy what she can, especially with Walpurgisnacht coming. Her eyes eventually turn back to Sayaka. Her response is noncommital. "I guess."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura is most certainly alone. Dragging Madoka into Witch Labyrinths isn't really her idea of a good time, though considering how much time she spends with Madoka it isn't a stretch to think that the two of them might be together. This time, however, they get to have a private conversation.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"A few questions? Alright. Ask away." Homura's eyes are colder than the air that blows lightly through her hair, but behind them she's wondering what kinds of questions Sayaka would have to ask her. Whatever they are, they must be the kind of thing that she didn't want to ask while they were in Madoka's room.

:'''{{#var:7|Sayaka Miki| (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sayaka hmms, stepping onto the edge of the rooftop as she peers below. Not so long ago, doing just that might have frightenned her. When you're in a dangerous world without powers, but aware of the evil magic that could kill you in a heartbeat, it's hard not to feel so helpless. Now, however..It's just exhilirating. She smiles as she feels the cold rushing over her skin, ruffling her short hair, causing her white cape to flutter dramatically about her.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"So. You're a time traveller, huh? I hear you've encountered this..Walpurgis Nacht, many, many times.." Her eyes narrow in response to Homura's cold expression, trying to penetrate her coldness somehow, and get to the heart of the problem. "I guess that would explain why you're such a mysterious person. However, I want to know why, exactly you came back to the past. Was it specifically to defeat Walpurgisnacht? Or..Was it for something..Or someone else?"

:'''{{#var:23|Homura Akemi| (23)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura watches as Sayaka steps to the edge of the rooftop and looks down. The way she smiles, and even seems to pose with her dramatic cape... Well, if she's feeling that confident 3 days before Walpurgisnacht, that's a good sign. For Sayaka, anyways.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura tilts her head when Sayaka asks about her time travel. Her cold stare gets slightly more sour. One would have to be watching in order to notice the change in expression, but it's there. "I'm surprised. Usually nobody believes me when I tell them things like that. I guess things have gone differently this time. To answer your question, it's a little bit of both, actually."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura turns to look over the edge of the rooftop that Sayaka is standing on. Her eyes are on the skyline. "... but mostly the latter. In my first timeloop, I was caught in a Witch's labyrinth, and I wasn't a Puella Magi so I couldn't defend myself. Madoka Kaname and Mami Tomoe came along and saved my life. After that I started getting closer to Madoka-chan, and we became friends."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There is a moment's pause before she speaks again, eyes drifting downwards. "Then Walpurgisnacht came. Mami was the first to die. It was clear that Madoka couldn't survive a battle with that monster by herself, and I begged her to run, but she wouldn't. She couldn't abandon her duty no matter how hopeless it was. Then... well..."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura looks away from Sayaka. "Well, the obvious thing happened. Kyubey offered me a wish. I wished to go redo my meeting with Madoka-chan and have the power to protect her. So. Technically, you could say it's about Walpurgisnacht, but really... it's about Madoka."

:'''{{#var:7|Sayaka Miki| (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Hmmm.." She shrugs, glancing sidelong at Homura as she observes her some more. And yes, she does catch the slight change in her demeanor when time travel is mentionned. "Let's see, we live in a world full of talking cats, Witches and Youma, alien princesses from another planet. Oh yeah, and Kyubey, who can grant any wish in exchange for making one a magical girl. Yeah, I can see how time travel could be possible. Heck, why not?"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura then speaks of her adventures with Madoka and Mami in another timeline..So they were Puella Magi too? And Mami..Died? Sayaka bites her lip, seeming bothered by that, somehow.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Hmph. You were always so focused on Madoka. I remember when you once said that protecting Madoka was your priority."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sayaka actually frowns a bit now, eyes darkenning upon Homura, "Which was exactly why I realized I could not keep that grief seed in the end. Because I realized that you jumped in to assist me, not for my sake, but for hers. She must really mean a lot to you.." So. She came back to protect Madoka, to change her fate. "So both Madoka-chan and Mami-san died in that timeline? Because of Walpurgisnacht? And..And what about me, and Kyouko..?"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It's a question she's almost afraid to ask, but Sayaka needs to know..

:'''{{#var:23|Homura Akemi| (23)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura thinks over Sayaka's response. She nods. "A lot of those things didn't exist in previous timelines, other than Kyubey and Puella Magi. I suppose I should've realized it would make my story more believable."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"... but that's right. I do consider her my priority. I used to try saving everyone, but after a while I began to realize it was impossible. I had to focus on the one who was most important to me."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura turns her head back towards Sayaka, noting her darker expression. "I did. And she does. In most timelines I've been in, both you and her were close friends." She doesn't immediately comment on Sayaka giving up grief seeds, though she's tempted to. Instead, she focuses on the question being asked.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I never met Kyouko in that timeline. I didn't even hear about her until my second time around. As for you, I don't think you ever contracted, or at least I never saw you fight alongside Mami and Madoka. I don't think you met Kyouko either. You might've survived Walpurgisnacht, or you might've died along with thousands of other innocents. I don't really know. I never checked before going back in time."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura tilts her head back, looking up at the starry sky. "You were in other timelines, though. Some people would only show up in one timeline or a handful of them. Others, such as you, Mami, Kyouko and Madoka, were consistent. Your fate never went the same way twice."

:'''{{#var:7|Sayaka Miki| (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Hmmm...How strange it must be, to have experienced other versions of me. Or Madoka, or anyone else. I suppose most of those timelines more or less ended in the same way: with Walpurgisnacht ending things." For the first time, Sayaka's a little worried about this super witch. Maybe it really is quite powerful, and maybe they might not get out of it alive.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"And how many times have you reset time? How many times have you tried to..Change her 'fate?'" Fate. Sayaka doesn't like that word much. It makes it feel like the future is set in stone, but maybe it really can be changed.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"But fate can be changed, can't it? All those time lines, they weren't always the same, and even if we all die in this timeline, you can just go back and reset time again, can't you?" She smiles, "I guess that's some kinda insurance at least, right?"

:'''{{#var:23|Homura Akemi| (23)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"It's very strange." Homura's lips are a curled frown. "Knowing people who don't know you at all, and not being able to talk to them about anything. It's very strange."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She closes her eyes and shakes her head emphatically. "No, there were times when we defeated Walpurgisnacht. There were even times when you and others survived the final battle with that Witch, but Madoka never survived. The one person I wanted most to protect, and I never could. I kept going back because of her. Defeating Walpurgisnacht wasn't good enough."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"This is my 99th timeloop, and this will be the 99th time I see Walpurgisnacht. Fate has already been changed. Significantly. We actually have a very solid chance this time around, assuming nothing comes along to mess it up." Which it might, but Homura doesn't want to admit that to herself. "... but we don't have that insurance anymore."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura grabs the edge of her shield and tries to turn it. It spins halfway around and a large glowing symbol, a merging of the letters P and L, appears on it. "Someone is blocking my power to reset time. That symbol is the alchemical symbol for Pluto, but I've never heard of any magical girl assoicated with Pluto before."

:'''{{#var:7|Sayaka Miki| (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Hmm..." she ponders aloud, "But that's strange. Why did Madoka die..? I mean, didnt Kyubey say many times that she had potential to become one of the most powerful Puella out there..? If that's the case, then why does she keep dying?"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sayaka is pretty surprised to hear that Homura has gone through this timeloop 99 times already. "Seriously? like, how old are you now, then? You must be ancient!" Somehow, that comes out more as an insult than a compliment, sadly.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As Homura explains about 'insurance', Sayaka's expression seems to mirror Homura's own as she watches her shield get blocked by a glowing letter 'P'. "P for Pluto? But..Aren't the senshi named after a planet? Maybe one of them could tell you who Pluto is. That's crazy. Why would she block your powers? How could she even do that? She must be pretty powerful.."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It's only when she realizes the implications of this, that Sayaka is suddenly alarmed. "So..You mean that you cannot reset time, this time around.." She sighs, shaking her head, no, this is no good at all. "But! This time around, we have so many other Mahou who can help us too, right? You don't have to battle it alone, this time. And maybe none of us have to die, not even Madoka.."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;However, Sayaka is a bit worried that Madoka will be vulnerable, unpowered as she is.

:'''{{#var:23|Homura Akemi| (23)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura takes a long time to consider her response. "She'll die if she makes a wish. Her being powerful wont prevent that. She'll use up all of her magic fighting Walpurgisnacht and then... well... no one will be able to save her."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;After a further moment of hesitation, she adds, "Madoka's death creates an even larger problem than Walpurgisnacht. I can't really give details on that, but it's better for everyone if she doesn't make a wish. Especially considering her potential."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sayaka asks how old Homura is. She considers for a moment. "26? Maybe close to 27? Most timeloops were only a month in a half. This one is the only one where Walpurgisnacht has taken so long to show up."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Maybe... but I've never heard of a Sailor Pluto, and I'm kindof afraid to ask."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura smirks, the first time for tonight. "I'm not worried. The timelines where Walpurgisnacht is defeated are the timelines where several of us work together. We might even get through it without anyone dying. I couldn't have been stuck in a luckier timeline."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Of course... I don't really want to count my chickens before they hatch. We'll find out in three days. Whatever happens is the result we're stuck with."

:'''{{#var:7|Sayaka Miki| (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"But..I dont understand! If Madoka's so powerful, why would she use up all of her magic fighting Walpurgisnacht? Especially if she has allies to fight along side her?" Sayaka sighs, shaking her head, turning away from Homura, "I see that you're still mysterious, that you still wont tell us the whole story. Why are you being secretive, Homura?"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Facing her again, there is that familiar anger in her eyes, "I...I dont want Madoka to die! And I would never push her to make a wish, but..There's something else you aren't telling me, isn't there?"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then, Homura tells her her true age, and Sayaka balks, "Umm seriously? Heh, you look pretty young for 20 anything!" okay, that's just creepy really, but then everything about Homura has always been kinda creepy. When she thinks about how many times the time traveler must have repeated those couple of months, it almost makes her sad.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"It must have really jaded you, being stuck in a time loop for so long. But if it took you 99 time, and you still couldn't save Madoka....Ugh..Dammit!" gritting her teeth, Sayaka starts to walk away, "I need to beat something up..I need to train enough that Madoka doesn't need to become a Puella to defeat Walpurgis. But..Homura, promise me one thing!"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She pauses in her step, glancing over her shoulder, "Promise me you will keep Madoka away from the danger, when Walpurgis strikes! Even if it means tying her up for her own good! I..We wont let her die, this time!"

:'''{{#var:23|Homura Akemi| (23)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura explains as best she can. "Not everyone uses magic at the same rate. She didn't used to burn through it so fast, but she also had less potential. As I went through more timelines, she became more powerful, and her magic became more dangerous to her. Aside from that, there have been other problems. People who want to murder her, for example."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Why is she being so secretive? Homura looks away. "Part of it is because the truth is too terrible for people to accept. Another part of it is that the truth is dangerous to all of us. If I go spreading around everything I know, a lot of bad things will happen. I really don't have a choice."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura watches quietly as Sayaka starts to move away. She shrugs. "A lot has happened to me... but by all means, keep training. You'll need it for what's to come."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When Sayaka asks for a promise, Homura nods. "I will. When the storm comes, the civillians will evacuate to a shelter. She will want to help, but I think she knows by now that there's things she can do without getting involved in the fighting. Even if that doesn't convince her to stay away, well... I'll think of something. I have to. This is my last chance, so..."

:'''{{#var:7|Sayaka Miki| (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sayaka frowns. She doesn't like what Homura's not telling her. What truth could be too terrible to accept? "I dont like these secrets, Homura. I can never truly trust someone who cant be totally honest with me. If you cant trust me fully, then I can never fully trust you. However, I will definitely be there to help stop Walpurgisnacht.."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sayaka continues to walk away slowly, putting one foot up on the ledge of the rooftop. "And if there's one thing I know I can trust you to do, it's to keep Madoka safe. I'll hold you to that promise, Homura. Do whatever you have to, to keep her away from the danger!"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And with that, Sayaka leaps off the roof's edge, and into the darkness, her cape billowing around her dramatically.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Til next time!"
}}