587/Choices And Results

Choices And Results
Date of Scene:	17 November 2015
Location:	Plot Room #1
Synopsis:	Erin has made the decision to abandon Hana's side... but what will come of such a desperate choice?
Cast of Characters:	Runealy Waldia, Gaofele Doiru, Hinote Kagari, Erin Takayama
Tinyplot:	Fall of the White Flower

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Runealy Waldia has posed:
In the aftermath of the battle, Rune lead the group out of the park and called one of her private drivers... the ones who can be bothered with this sort of thing at odd hours because the price is right, and won't ask questions because, again, the price is right. A limo met them and brought them back to the apartment, and the driver was given instructions to take Madoka wherever Madoka wants; contact information was provided in case the Kaname daughter wanted to get in touch later.

Runealy's transformation had faded well before they got into the limo, of course. She hid her injuries from the driver just in case, and things were underway... though she remained very cautious throughout, worried about any further attacks, the physical well-being of everyone here - whether Madoka or Erin or Hinote - and Erin's mental state.

Yet they got to the apartment without any major problems. A key unlocked the door, and the group was shown in. The living room is quiet since it's night, with only the shine from a few modern devices offering much to go by until a light-switch is flipped by the princess.

The TV is off, though the nearby kitchen might show some signs of activity. They're not immediately heading that way though. Rune is heading for one of the living room couches, and indicating them with a palm. "We can sit there... we'll be okay for now, we can start figuring out how you're going to get through this." She looks tired, a little sad and drained after all that has happened tonight, but fairly calm. As an aside to Hinote, "You did great out there... thanks for covering when I slipped up."

Hinote Kagari has posed:
Hinote Kagari is not super injured, but he also lets his transformation fade after Runealy's as he gets in the car. His arms get folded one over the other. He keeps a mostly pleasent demeanor the entire trip. He gets out and let's the Princess and Erin get out first as he looks around then follows behind. He's making sure no one is following. When everything's clear, he follows everyone up and then slips into the apartment behind everyone. He also makes sure some lights get turned on as he slides to the back balcony door and peeks out. Okay no one there. Good.

He slips back in and takes a deep breath. "Yeah we're safe." he finally says as he realxes from what was obvious tension he'd been hiding.

He walks back to the couch and sits down as he takes a deep breath. "Don't worry about it." he says with a smile. "We're safe and---- she's safe over there. What's your name?" he asks softly to Erin. "If you said it earlier I was probably too busy being on fire and angry." he says honestly.

Erin Takayama has posed:
Erin was mostly quiet on the way back unless spoken to first. It's true that these people offered her a place to hide, and she appreciates it, but at the same time she doesn't really know these people. All she knows is that they are probably strong enough to stand up to Hana, and that they reached out for her while they were fighting.

That has to count for something, right?

Erin moves over to the couch that Runealy indicates. "Um... thanks..." she says, feeling a bit unsure. She looks at the couch for a moment before sitting in it, and when she finally does sit she starts drywashing her hands, a bit nervously.

To Hinote's question, Erin simply says, "Erin Takayama. I don't... really have a secret identity or anything like that."

After a moment of silence she says, "... sorry for attacking you. I never really wanted to work with Hana, after realizing what kind of person she was, but I didn't see a way out. I only have one shot and if I mess up I die... so I wanted to make sure..."

Gaofele Doiru has posed:
With the other Waldians out, Gaofele had decided to make some snacks for when they returns. Nothing too fancy; more like a very light meal in case Rune and Hinote needed a bite to eat.

The forester's attention was focused on finishing the cooking when the others arrived, so he didn't respond immediately. Instead, he starts setting up a tray with the food, some plates, and the cups and such for tea. He tilts his head at some of the conversation; they have a guest over? Better add another plate and cup to the tray.

Finally, he makes his way out of the kitchen. "Sorry about that, I was just..." He trails off as he sees Erin. His shocked stare softens as she talks; apparently there is more going on than there had been earlier.

He nods to everyone as he brings the tray over. "Got some snacks for everyone," he remarks, still slightly wary of Erin as he distributes the snacks and tea, but accepting of her presence.

Runealy Waldia has posed:
"Runealy Waldia, or 'Rune' for short," the princess offers an introduction. No title in this case; she is maintaining a 'secret ID' in that one regard, just in case this meeting goes very poorly... Rune doesn't want a White Flower-based invasion of her world.

"'Sorry' is the first step," she comments. "We had to say that pretty recently, too, so don't worry about that. The next step is figuring out the right thing to do, or at least the wrong thing so you /don't/ do it... so that your 'one shot' is the best you can make it. After all... you're a Puella Magi, right?"

Rune's expression is very 'sober', serious. "We know a little something about you. 'Do this right... or die'... we know about that. So we," a nod to Hinote, then to Gaofele as he emerges, "Are going to do everything we can to help you get through this."

Yet her gaze stays on Gao. "Thanks, this looks good, but..." A pause for a tiny sip of tea, then: "Do you recognize her?"

Hinote Kagari has posed:
Hinote Kagari smiles. "My name is Hinote Kagari." he says. "Thank you." he adds to Gaofelle as he smiles. "Runealy's pretty on the money on this one." he says. "--and yeah. I intend to keep that promise I made to you earlier back there. I'm pretty much going to smash into anyone or anything you don't want around." he says.

Yeah, it's an honest remark. "So feel safe. We're not here to hurt anyone. If she..." he motions to Runealy. "Didn't care, you wouldn't be here right now talking to us." he smiles.

Hinote still has his relic braclet on because right now there's a danger level as far as he's concerned.

He does glance at Gaofelle, he explains. "Runealy coaxed her down from attacking people. She came with us. She doesn't wanna do that anymore, I don't think." he says softly at Gao.

Erin Takayama has posed:
Erin notices Gao looking at her strangely. Has this person seen her before? She's attacked several people, many with secret identities. It doesn't help her nerves, but... even if they wished her ill, they'd treat her like a prisoner instead of a guest. No, the only thing that makes sense is that they're sincere.

Not knowing what exactly she might need to apologize for, she just says, "Sorry..."

Erin relaxes a little when Rune says that they've been through something similar recently. That actually starts putting her at least a little bit at ease. "So... I'm not the only one who has gone through something terrible like this, then."

"As for the right thing to do... well... Hana has to be stopped. She's hurt people enough, caused enough pain... she can't be allowed to keep doing this."

To Hinote she adds, "I'm mostly worried about Madison coming around. I think she stabbed your friend here, if I remember the story correctly. I don't think Hana would show up... but... I don't know that for sure."

Gaofele Doiru has posed:
As the others explain what is going on, Gao eases up on his wariness. "I am Gaofele Doiru," he nods to Erin. "You might remember me from my bow, quarterstaff, and plant magic when I've stormed Hana's tower with others."

He takes a sip of tea. "If Rune's willing to give you a chance, then I'm willing to help out, as well," he finally says. "Others have done the same for us; we should be willing to continue that on."

Runealy Waldia has posed:
"It wasn't just me," Rune is very quick to insist on that even as Hinote praises her for convincing Erin; others most certainly played important parts in talking Erin into being here.

"There are other Puella Magi, but you probably knew that already. We know /of/ what you and the others face, but our problem isn't exactly 'like this.' Still, we'll say it's close enough that there's still a lot of sympathy."

After a snack-bite, she adds after Gaofele, "He's right, they have. We used to sleep on trash while we were attacking people just like you were, all in the name of survival. They kept asking why, and eventually we just couldn't do this anymore. We made the same choice you did, even if it was scary and sounded like a way to get killed. So while it sounds great to say 'right thing, stop the person hurting others'..."

A few headshakes follow, "That can only be half of it. And yes, she attacked me. Got really close to killing me, and was laughing about it. You got kind of close too, but you weren't laughing. Crying kind of sounds like laughing, but it /looks/ a lot different. We saw that."

"So the other half," she waves a hand around the apartment in general, then fixes her eyes on Erin, "Has to be figuring out the right thing for you. somewhere to be, something to do, people to see. It's true, we'd be interested in fighting alongside you, but there has to be something after that... or else you just traded one lousy situation for another."

Hinote Kagari has posed:
Hinote Kagari hehs. "Yeah right, sorry. There was that pink haired girl and that talky thing user." he mutters. /talky thing users/. One day he's going to learn the correct term for that.

He crosses his arms again as he thinks. "Oh. Her...." he sort of grits his teeth. "Yeah. She isn't allowed here and I don't think she can handle me very well once I get started. Those toothpicks of hers aren't very good at thier job." he says curtly. He's fought her. He beat her up. He's positive he could do it again if she comes here again.

"I already fought her off once. I can do it again. I'd be worried about anyone else you don't know." he says softly.

Hinote places his hands on his lap finally.

He looks to Runealy. "You both would know where that is better than I would. I mean the after stuff." he says.

Erin Takayama has posed:
"I remember that now," says Erin, as Gao reminds her. "So that was you? Even back then you were stronger than we expected."

Erin thinks back to the fight as Rune mentiones it. She remembers that she was crying. She usually didn't mind talking about why she was doing what she was doing. It was the only chance she had to really speak her mind. Yet the people who tried to make her feel more at home were the people she was hurting...

There was no way she could smile while hurting people the way Madison does. She couldn't even fake that, not in the heat of the moment.

"I guess Kaname-san struck a nerve, but it's not like I was particularly happy about anything there to being with."

Erin thinks about the next thing Rune says. What happens after the fight with the White Flower? What about the rest of her life?

Erin says, "I don't know... I don't have a family anymore. They're all dead. I was the only one who lived. So I don't have a home to return to. Wherever I go, I'd need to find Witches in order to live, and maybe I'd try going back to school if I could manage it."

Gaofele Doiru has posed:
Gaofele Doiru gives Erin a small smile at the compliment, but doesn't say anything about it. "Now that we're more aware of what Madison can do, we can defend against her more readily," he notes. "As it is, I'm already feeling better about what the magical folk of Tokyo can do against Hana." With Erin no longer helping the White Flower, that means one less person guarding Hana -- one less person that they have to fight, the next time they attack the tower.

It's still not going to be /easy/, though...

Runealy Waldia has posed:
"They're good enough at their 'job'," Rune has a very different opinion about Madison's blades. Erin's praise for Gao's abilities nets a light smile. "He's pretty amazing like that."

Then Erin provides vital context. Context that draws a hurt, gasping noise as if she had just been struck by blades again. "That's...!" Rune immediately thinks back to how she felt one day back home, the memory still very vivid. It's very easy for her to take that feeling, 'multiply it by at least two' - 'at least', as Erin's words seem to imply siblings along with parents...

And it's enough to make her eyes water up. She's not outright shouting and sobbing, but the tears are there. "So that's why? So it's not just one problem, it's way too many of them all in a row. Can't bring your family back... wish I knew of some way to do that."

She quiets down to let Gao say his piece, but suddenly Rune just isn't interested in snacks and tea. She waits until after he's done laying out the White Flower situation as it stands, before going onto a somewhat different topic.

"Erin still has to be able to make it through that fight. Gao, Hino... I'm asking something dangerous, but would you be willing to help her with Witches sometime? To make sure she gets one of those 'seeds' she needs to live? If she can secure that, then things like school and friends and somewhere to go... those can all follow. Until then though, it sounds like staying alive, so she can find a way to 'live', is going to be important."

A nod over to Erin, "Would you be okay with that?"

Hinote Kagari has posed:
Hinote Kagari frowns really hard when Erin mentions she doesn't have a home to return to. Hinote is really bad at hiding whatever emotion he's feeling right now. It's probably just all the things going on-- and the fact that Runealy is almost healed which means well.

Going back to Waldia soon... right?

Those are just thoughts of course, he rubs a hand over his face to gather his thoughts and get his mind back on track as he smiles a little bit again.

"I know Runealy knows some Puella Magi who might be willing to help you." he raises a finger. "And yes, I'll help you fight Witches. It's pretty much all I did with Runealy and Gaofelle here the first few times. Smash into... these things with thier.--- little minions and mazes. As for a home... I don't think Runealy, nor myself or Gaofelle here are about to let you go without some sort of place to rest your head and feel safe when this is all over when he pleaded for you to stop and come with us. That would be seriously lame after all this." he says flatly. 'lame' is kind of an understatement, and he may be doing it on purpose.

"But yes, Rune. All that. I'll do everything I'm capable of." he says. "I can't say no to this, even if I wanted to." he says with a soft series of nods.

Erin Takayama has posed:
"I think we can do this," says Erin to Gao, "but don't let your guard down. It might be possible, but that doesn't mean it's going to be easy. At best, I might be able to sabatoge Hana's ability to influence Witches by using my own power."

Rune reacts to the story of why Erin has nowhere to go after this. Erin pauses... should she talk about the rest? No, it'd only be more depressing, and Erin doesn't really want to relive the details right now.

Help... with hunting Witches? Generally, Erin has had enough Grief Seeds but.. that's going to change soon. She'll have to actually hunt Witches, and even with her powerset she'll be vulnerable if no one has her back.

"... Yeah, I'd appreciate the help, actually. It's going to be differnet, hunting like a normal Puella."

Hinote mentions not letting Erin go without a place to stay. Erin pauses to think about it. "Honestly... I guess I'm thinking I'll just cross that bridge when I get to it. I had a room in the skyscraper that Hana controls, but I can't go back there. I don't really feel like I can actually 'move in' to a place until after this is over. I'd be too worried about whether I was going to live to really feel at home."

Erin picks up a teacup, and takes a sip of it. "... but it's something to think about. Maybe if I just had an apartment somewhere. I guess I'd also need a job to support it."

Gaofele Doiru has posed:
"Of course," Gao smiles at Rune. "It helps keep the people safe, and Seed-hunting for a cause sounds reasonable to me." Sure, it's dangerous, but so is hunting boar -- just requires caution, teamwork, and readiness.

"I'm pretty sure we can help you find a place to live afterwards," he adds. "Or at least get you in contact with those who are better set up for helping with that."

Runealy Waldia has posed:
"We'll figure out which Puella Magi is helping which later. It's getting late... originally I was going to say you could only stay here a few hours, but... right now, I'm not comfortable sending you off. Just going to hope nobody noticed you coming here." Rune faces Erin, eyes still misted up some. She is ultimately volunteering this place without consulting with Virtue beforehand, but sympathy is overriding propriety right now.

"So, thank you," a nod to Hino as he agrees to take on this task.

"And thank you too." She faces Gao, a smile mixing oddly with tears. "You're right, we'll have to find someone better for this soon, but for this moment?"

Then... she makes an offer to Erin: "For now, you can use this place. Technically it's a risk, but /our/ being here is one too, so I'm hoping it will be okay. And as far as jobs go... I might have a few in mind. We'll talk about that tomorrow, if you'd like."

Hinote Kagari has posed:
Hinote Kagari laughs good naturedly. "I mean of course when it's all over.. and yes. Just don't worry about it if you don't end up finding the bridge is all is what I'm getting at. Helping yourself...help yourself is important too." he says. "-and what Gaofelle just said, too. We know some people because they helped us, too." he says.

He nods. "I'm going to stay here and around Erin for a bit, then Rune, if she's alright with that. I just don't trust the girl with pointy daggers to leave her alone after this." he mutters.

His arms are crossed again. Yeah. Madison can go leap off a cliff for all he cares right now.

Gaofele Doiru has posed:
"We should probably /both/ stand watch," Gao remarks to Hinote. "Or at least take turns, so we can both be rested." He doubts that there will be an attack tonight, but better to be cautious about it.

With the snacks finished, he gathers up the plates and takes them back to the kitchen. He should probably pick up a few more groceries tomorrow, especially if Erin is going to be staying with them for a while.

Erin Takayama has posed:
Stay here? Erin thinks about it for a moment. "Well, maybe for now, sure. I probably shouldn't impose on you for too long, but I thank you for that. I'd be hard pressed to find a place to stay otherwise, this late at night."

More permanent sleeping arrangements will have to happen later, maybe in the morning. Erin's certain she could find something for a night or two, even if the only protection is that Madison and Hana don't know where she's staying that night.

"I don't think Madison followed me here or anything. I don't think they'd even suspect that I'd leave like this. It's not like I told them. As far as they know, I went out to fight magical girls and just haven't gotten back yet."

Erin finishes her cup of tea and places it down. "Thanks, everyone... Thanks for hearing me out, and giving me a second chance. Thanks for helping me. You're saving my life here."