It was only an instant, the briefest possible moment of time. From an outside perspective it's as if everything happens instantaneously the moment Madokami touches Homulilly, but to those two who shared in the bond so much happened in that singularity of time.
There's a sudden enormous upwelling of hope, this feeling radiating out not from Madokami but rather Homulilly herself. Her despair ceases to be, and those watching very carefully can see a faint darkening in the teardrop Soul Gem upon Madokami's chest. This sudden paradigm shift from despair to hope is the result of an equal and opposite reaction of a Puella Magi falling into despair and becoming a Witch.
Just as with that change this one brings an enormous burst of entropy defying energy, but rather than pouring out into the universe to be collected by an Incubator it internalizes in Homulilly, whose now ethereal form can be seen rippling with tremendous waves of energy, and briefly inside of her can be seen the shape of an opened, hatching Grief Seed. Her form destabilizes and shrinks suddenly, collapsing in on itself and compressing the tremendous burst of energy until it's almost unbearably bright; a purple so intense it appears as white when one looks directly upon it sitting between the outstretched hands of Madokami.
That intense purple dims, and when it does it can be seen- the healthy and intact Soul Gem of one Homura Akemi, perfectly pure and without a single mote of darkness contained within, as pristine as that of a newly minted Puella Magi.
Almost as soon as the Soul Gem appears the labyrinth disintegrates, but it's not the slow collapsing upon itself with the death it's creator that those with experience fighting Witches are used to. Instead it's sudden, as if a veil is rapidly lifted out from in front the eyes.
The church is a bit of a mess, as those who entered the labyrinth had seen it, save for two alterations: The candles that had been blown out are now lit, and those savvy enough to be expecting it might just have noticed a brief flare of pink magical energy, and Homura Akemi's body is laying pristine on the dais in front of the alter, her hands neatly folded and peaceful look set upon her face. Those who have never seen her sleeping might never have expected she could look so young and so innocent.
Hovering in the air above this scene is Madokami herself, an eternally kind expression on her face. Here, outside of a Witches Labyrinth the feeling of Hope that surrounds her is even more of a tangible thing, pure hopeful emotion seeming to radiate out from her and suffuse the world around her.
She tilts downward so that she's nearly parallel to the ground and floats gently downwards towards Homura, gazing tenderly at her sweet face. Her arms reach out as she nears, her long hair flowing like tendrils behind her, wafting weightlessly in the air behind her, seeming to reach all the way to the ceiling and spreading out throughout the church.
She takes one of Homura's folded hands and turns it over so she can set her newly reformed and brilliant Soul Gem into her hand, and her features soften even more into an expression of tender and heartfelt love, wanting that to be the first thing she sees when opens her eyes.
Homura is peaceful and still as Madoka descends towards her. The soul gem is placed in her hand, and her eyes flutter open. When she awakes, she sees Madoka, just as her girlfriend planned it, and immediately starts blushing. While she's seen this form before, Homura was a Witch then, and to see Madoka so close, so radiant...
Homura sits up, her white sheet falling from her shoulders as she leans forward. Homura reaches up to embrace Madoka... before remembering that there are other people here, too. Well, Madokami still gets a hug anyways.
Homura gets back on her feet, standing as she smiles at Madoka, but also searching for Hannah and Runealy. When she finds them, she's... more than a bit embarassed. They literally saw her at her worst, after all, and she really didn't expect to be standing here in front of them again. "H-hi..."
Homura clears her throat. "I didn't think that something like this was possible, but thanks to Madoka-chan... I guess I'm back. You people came to help me, even though I never asked you to. Thank you."
She isn't sure how the others will react, but whatever it is can't be worse than what she's had to endure before.
Having all this happen in a mere moment from Rune's perspective is all the more jarring. Things go from worrying, to wondrous but confusing, to inspiring before she barely has time to process any of those feelings.
Then their surroundings change very suddenly, making this all the more overwhelming. She looks around from side to side, briefly frantic before calming down and gazing to Madoka... and then to Homura. Homura in proper form, not a Witch. Rune's lips move a few times, pondering whether to say something, but the awe of the moment and broad feeling of 'right' leave her with little to really voice right now.
Instead, she relaxes and stows her wand behind-back before walking off to one of the pews to sit down; getting hit in the leg earlier did hurt!
It's only when Homura speaks up that Rune can work up the words in response: "I didn't know. Not until it was 'too late'... sorry about that. Really glad you're you again, though!" A smile takes hold at the end.
Hannah's expression the entire time seems to be lost somewhere between amazement, utter joy at one of her best friends coming back to life in a quite literal sense, and an unending look of pure hope. Madoka Kaname has done what she's reaching for. Objective, literal proof that a magical girl can become a god and make right the things that they despise.
She's grinning, and weeping all at the same time as Madoka hovers, soaking in the Hope she emits.
When Homura awakens, and hugs Madoka? Hannah turns away. For once, she's missing her irreverant attitude. It's a true miracle that they've all witnessed, and it's only fueled her own desires and ambitions.
Hannah doesn't speak as Homura awakens and thanks them. Instead, she walks right up, and grips Homura in a tight squeezing hug. Squeeeeeze.
"Homura Akemi. You are a pain in the butt, but you have no idea how happy it makes me that you survived! Damnit! You really scared me, you know!? Once I figured out what the heck was happing! Don't you EVER do something that stupid again, got me?" Anger and joy mix for a moment.
Then, she lets go, smacking the girl on the back. Her smile gets way too wide.
"Once you're recovered, we're going to have a little talk about that whole 'Not telling Hannah about Witches being Puella thing'. And then I'm going to kick your ass." She is definitely not happy with a certain Puella right now.
Turning to Madoka, she tilts her head, her Device still greedily devouring magical information. Her Barrier Jacket's only holding up her identity, and just barely. Everything's being pumped into analysis and data transfer.
"As for you, Madoka Kaname? Words don't express how I feel right now. I don't think I've ever been at once so utterly furious, and completely overjoyed and thankful to a single person at the same time. Damn good show, kiddo. Looks like you've finally found your calling. I'm proud of you, pinkball."
The smile on Madoka's face only widens when those purple eyes open again, and when Homura blushes the girl in white lets out a soft giggle. Homura sits up, but for a brief moment Madokami stays exactly where she is, hovering over her. It puts their faces very close, and pink eyes gaze into purple. They close when she's hugged, her own arms encircling around Homura and drawing her a little closer. "Homura-chan... thank you for coming back to me."
Homura stands up and Madoka floats marginally away, beside Homura but somewhat above her so that her long dress doesn't sweep into the floor, giving the impression of Homura standing before a glittering starfield.
She casts her gaze to Hannah and Rune, looking a little worried when she sees them. Hannah, well, to say she's had worse would be an understatement, and so her concern firstly goes out to the Princess. "Rune-chan, are you okay? Do you need help?"
Her attention is pulled away for a moment as Miss White approaches, smiling as she pulls Homura into a tight hug, and outpours her mixture of concern, joy, and aggravation. It draws another giggle from her, though she turns slightly more serious when she's addressed with the same mix. "Thank you, Hannah-chan. I'm sorry about the way I had to come to this, but I really do think it's for the best. Puella Magi... that their fates should end in such tragedy, I couldn't stand it."
What she doesn't say is that she potentially could have actually withstood it, if that tragedy hadn't befallen a certain girl standing near her, though that girl should know this very well by now without it having to be spoken.
Homura shakes her head at Runealy. "You weren't too late. Only thing you really missed was me shooting at Kyubey a few times. There wasn't much that could be done to... prevent what happened."
"... all things considered, your timing was pretty good." Homura winces a little as she sees the way Rune sits. "... sorry." There's really only one person whose fault that could be.
Then Homura is suddenly hugged. Homura's actual body wasn't damaged in the fight, but between the self-induced heart attack and the whole 'being disconnected from your soul for an extended period of time' thing has taken a toll on her. She winces, but manages to hug back.
"Yeah... about that." Regarding the whole Puella Magi being Witches thing. "I do owe you an explaination, but I'd prefer you kept quiet about it. Certain types of people get a little..." She drags her finger across her neck in an 'off with her head' gesture. "... crazy when they learn that."
She actually isn't even thinking about Mami when she says that, despite the beheading reference. Madoka might remember something from Homura's thoughts, about Puella Magi who make it their life's goal to murder other Puella Magi over to prevent them from Witching.
There are things that Homura really should've told Hannah and didn't. It wouldn't surprise her if Homura suffered at least a bit of wrath for it.
As for doing something that stupid again, Homura shakes her head. "I don't think I will. I don't think my despair will be that strong again. At least, I hope not."
To Madokami, Homura smiles. "I'm just glad that I could. Thank you for coming to get me." A bit of worry, for the future, does cross Homura's mind. For the moment, she dismisses it, choosing instead to have faith. As Madokami explains herself, Homura looks away, eyes going to a stained-glass window. Madoka wouldn't want her blaming herself, but it really is her fault.
Kyouko had been at work at the conbenie when she got Madoka's text. Something about "please help Homura" and coordinates. Coordinates that looked mighty familiar. The thing is though, Kyouko can't just leave her job, even for something like that- oh, she might have for some people. Sayaka, Mamoru, Usagi. But Homura? The two have an uneasy peace, a grudging respect. This is not the sort of relationship you risk getting fired over.
Which isn't to say that Kyouko doesn't /go/. Of course she does. She likes Madoka, despite having only limited contact with her. And Sayaka's influence has her wanting to help people more than she previosuly would have. The difference is instead of dropping everything and sprinting out the door, she takes a minute or two to make sure the shop is empty and lock it up before henshining and taking to the rooftops.
Of course, she has no idea what the actual situation is. She doesn't know what Homura needs help with, or from. She doesn't know if those couple of minutes will make a big difference. She can sense the Witch Labyrinth as she comes to light across from the old ruined church. (That makes her scowl, by the way. Freakin' witch, setting up in /her/ old house?) Her scowl only deepens as she considers. Homura shouldn't need help with a Witch. Homura is almost as good at taking out Witches as Kyouko (and for Kyouko to admit that it likely means Homura is easily her equal).
She's about to drop down and investigate when the Labyrinth suddenly collapses. "Huh. Guess she didn't need my help after all." Kyouko mutters. She's about to chalk this one up to Madoka panicking, not being familiar with Witch Hunting and all, and just go on her way when something makes her pause. A feeling, perhaps, that she should at least see what's up.
So she walks over to the door of the church and pushes it open a little wider with a 'creeeaaaak' that seems overloud. She peers in to find not only Homura and Madoka, but Miss White and.. somebody else. She's encountered Rune once or twice, but not enough to be overly familiar with her.
"What the hell is goin' on here?" Is her typically sensitive greeting.
Rune watches Hannah's outburst with quiet surprise, but quickly realizes this isn't too out of line with what she has come to expect from 'Miss White'; the princess views her as constantly sitting on a fence between idealism and vicious aggression, occasionally dipping into either side.
Madoka jars her from these thoughts. "Ah? Need... no. 'Would like', yes. It doesn't have to be right this instant. We just got through a lot together. Especially you," a nod to Madoka, "and you," another to Homura.
Her attention stays on Homura, even as the apology is dismissed. "No, I was looking for you a few days before this. Should have looked a little harder. To think this is what was going on the whole time... glad I could help, glad you're okay. And don't worry," a tiny nod follows, "I'll be very careful who I tell about this. There are definitely people who would use that knowledge against all of you. And..."
...She's cut off by Kyouko's arrival. Rune doesn't know much about her, and that 'introduction' is pretty sudden. Runealy offers a quiet explanation: "A lot." It's a very vague one; she will leave others to fill in the blanks.
"I know how you feel. On that, we agree. And hey. As far as reasons to sell your soul? Well. Kyubey might be a devil, but you found a loophole, didn't you? Now we just need to figure out how that lovely little magic of yours works so we can make sure we can save every single Puella that turns into a Witch. Make me a promise. You absolutely, cannot, must not die. Not until we figure out a real solution. Agreed? I hate to sound like that, but you've got something special we need to preserve." Hannah's gone to all business, doing her best to stand a little taller and look very much like a mahou sempai right now.
Then she slips a business card into Madokami's pocket.
"But I'm sure you're tired. We can talk about all that later over lunch or something, okay?" Grin!
Homura reluctantly is let go. "Yeah, I can see why. I'm not feeling so good about it myself. Knowing that I might have effectively eaten a human soul for power and almost became a witch myself? You're good at giving people reasons to have nightmares, Homura." She says, in all seriousness. Her smile droops a bit, trying to seem calm even as Hope wars with the full implications of what she's been doing.
Then she slumps down into a pew.
"...I might...actually owe Mami an apology." She doesn't sound thrilled about that.
Then she turns to Rune. "Thanks for helping, Princess. You okay?" She finally asks, noticing the leg. Already, the magical girl yoinks a med kit from her suit jacket. Useful, those mahou pocket dimensions.
And then Kyouko arrives. Miss White /grins/! "Hey Kyouko! You missed a party! What, didn't you get the memo?"
Madoka reaches down when Homura looks away, setting her hand on top of her head and stroking the top of it for a moment. It's intended to be comforting rather than patronizing; she's just floating high enough that she'd have to move to reach her shoulder. Besides, Homura has pretty hair.
She is quick to agree with Homura's assessment, "I'm very glad you were here to help Homura-chan when she needed it, White-san. But I am going to have to ask you to please be very careful about who you tell, if anyone. Things are dangerous enough without accidentally sparking a witch hunt."
Kyouko pushes her way in through the door and Madokami's pink eyes light up a little, "Kyouko-san, I'm glad you could make it! Thank you for coming." Not the least bit of annoyance or bitterness that she wasn't here to assist in fighting Homulilly; only a pure happiness that she came. She pauses for a moment at the question, looking down to Homura and giving a little tilt of her head. From this she seems to get something, and remains quiet about the specifics so Homura can fill her in.
Runealy seems to be okay for the moment and Madokami gives her a small, slightly worried nod. She'd be more worried if she wasn't aware how quickly most magical girls healed. Luckily Hannah retrieves a med kit and it makes her feel a bit more easy. The fact that Runealy was looking for Homura puts a smile on her face. After what the other pink-haired girl did for Mami she'd be happy to have her potentially helping Homura as well.
Her gaze goes back to Miss White, and her expression is somewhat serious once more. "I have no intentions of letting that happen. If you want a promise? Then okay, I promise I won't die. Not on you, and not on Homura-chan." Then on a brighter note she shakes her head, "You don't sound like 'that' at all. Miss White, do you really think I'd hold wishing me good health against you?" She lifts a white gloved hand to her mouth and giggles into it. "I thought you'd have known me better than that, by now."
Then, in a less serious moment, she looks down at her that gloved hand, only to have her pink eyes trailing across the rest of her form as best as they can without some kind of mirror.
Homura looks up as she notices that Kyouko is suddenly here. She may be a bit late to the party, but she did show up. Probably at the least convenient time for Homura, too.
Ugh, after everything she said to Mami the other day, how could she even explain it? Homura considering giving a trollish answer like 'we're having a sleep over' or 'nothing, what's going on with you?'
She settles on, "well we were going to throw a surprise party but someone destroyed the cake." After that, she decides to give a real answer.
"I turned into a Witch. Madoka brought me back. That's apparently a thing she can do now."
Runealy was looking for her? "I guess you must've heard. A lot's happened. I can't imagine I'd have been very fun to talk to during that time, though."
To Hannah, Homura just looks away. The things that WPS was doing with Witches and Familiars weighs heavily on Homura's mind. The fact that Homura never told Hannah the full implications of that... "Yeah... well I mean. Not every Witch came from a Puella Magi. In fact I'm willing to bet that most of them came from Familiars... but for every Familiar-born Witch you see, there was probably a Puella Magi somewhere in its ancestry. I don't know any way of telling where a Witch came from, except that every time I've seen a Witch come from a Puella Magi it's been significantly more lethal."
Octavia and Charlotte were both Puella-born, after all.
Madoka's hand on her head is comforting. Homura needs that right now, because as much as she's trying to look tough, she doubts she's very convincing considering what just happened.
Homura notices Madoka looking at herself, and Homura turns to Kyouko, asking, "I don't suppose there's an unbroken bathroom mirror around here? I'd give her a hand mirror, but I don't think it's big enough."
Kyouko starts walking over towards the group. As she does, she spins her spear (which she had been carrying, of course) around her wrist, then banishes it in a small flash of red light and shower of sparkles. She frowns slightly, thoughtfully, at Homura. Her brows draw together at the explanation, and there's a considering look in her gaze. Perhaps she hadn't thought Homura was that 'weak'. (Kyouko is not the most sensitive of souls). Or perhaps she's simply surprised by the timing.
But when Homura says Madoka 'brought her back', Kyouko turns her gaze to the pink and white, hovering Madokami. "No shit. I thought you looked different." If she's effected by the aura of Hope emenating from the girl-turned-goddess, it doesn't show. Maybe Kyouko is already full of hope. She has another box of Pocky at home waiting for her, after all. Hard to be depressed.
"So you can turn Witches back into Puella, huh? That's um.. neat." She honestly looks like she doesn't know what to make of this. She had just learned Puella turned INTO Witches in the first place like two weeks ago. She turns to regard Miss White. "Miss White. Glad to see losin' an arm hasn't slowed you down any."
Then Homura asks about a mirror. "Sorry, Miss Ex-Witch, I don't live here anymore, and even when I did I went next door to do my makeup." This is obviously sarcasm. It's difficult to imagine Kyouko knows which side of the makeup brush you point towards your face.
"Doing okay," Rune answers in an almost dry tone to White... but it only lasts for those few words before a smile appears anew. "I'm really glad to hear you talk like that, though. To listen to you drawing lines you don't like crossing. We should talk about that some time, whether it's 'over lunch' or whenever." She shows no signs of worry as White approaches to work on the leg, no expectation that anything bad might happen given their history.
She's quick to agree with Madoka's caution, and adds to it: "Or an intentional 'hunt', having that kind of knowledge to use against them. You've made a good promise just now, though." A sharp nod, "I like it!"
Homura draws a concerned look. "I knew, and I wasn't expecting you to be fun to talk to. Nobody would be, with what happened. Was worried about /you/, not 'fun'!"
Finally, Kyouko says something that Rune feels compelled to respond to with enthusiasm: "It's more than 'neat', it's amazing! This changes nearly everything!"
Hannah raises an arm. "My lips are sealed! Company secret! Heck, I'll get a patent on it if it makes you feel better!" Smiiiile. Then she grows serious.
"But yeah. I can see how...less stable people might go to extremes." She's well acquainted with /that/ after all.
She smiles once more once the promise is given! "Good. Yeah, yeah, it's been a rough day for us all, pinkball." Reeeeach! Hair-ruffle!
Homura is /not/ helping her case. A brow twitches. "I appreciate the sentiment, but trying to obfuscate the whole thing doesn't look very good on you right now." One quick glare, and then she sighs.
"But you've got a point. Most of the grief seeds I got was from waiting for Familiars to grow up and pulping them." It does, at least, make her feel slightly less guilty.
Kyouko gets a chuckle. "What's the saying? 'No rest for the wicked?'. I don't have time to slow down. Besides, I'd dissappoint if I did, right? It's just a temporary situation anyway. You're looking good, Kyouko. Work on your timing though! Could've used you back there!" Hannah can't help but respect the Puella's abilities. And really, her attitude in some ways.
To Rune? "I'm always up for it. ...Let's just say it's stuff like this that makes a person thinka bout what they're doing and where to draw the line in the sand."
Mami has, actually, been here in a pew, leaning over quietly thinking. Not praying, but thinking. She hasn't joined in with everyone else, because... she didn't want to ruin the mood, really. Because she's got some hard questions to ask about what this means. Eventually, she gets up, and walks over.
"Akemi-san, I'm really happy to see that you're... you... again." she says, smiling. "But... you should know. I've been thinking about this. What it means to have Kaname-san able to do this. It's obviously really good, for a lot of reasons. But... it makes things complicated." she says.
She reaches into her pocket and pulls out a handfull of Grief Seeds. "Unless you can make it so we don't need these..." she says, quietly. "...or at least, if you don't... this doesn't fix everything there is about being a Puella Magi."
"Do you spend magic to do what you just did, Madoka. Do you risk becoming a witch like the rest of us, or are you somehow immune?"
Madokami raises her hand guiltily when Homura mentions someone destroying the cake.
She then catches something said to Hannah and hums thoughtfully, "I'll need some way of knowing which are Puella born and which are Familiar born." Lethality might be a good measuring stick but it's not very likely to be a perfect one.
Homura notices that she's checking herself out and Madoka blinks in surprise, only to let out an embarrassed, "Eheheheh... It's okay, but thanks for thinking about me, Homura-chan." When she notices that her girlfriend likes the comforting hand on her head it stays there, patting and soothing and gently brushing strands of hair.
Then as Kyouko responds Madokami gives her a closed-eyed smile because it's precious in a very Kyouko kind of way. Runealy's enthusiasm widens her smile significantly, "Thank you, Rune-chan." She does let out a small sigh when Kyouko calls Homura 'Miss Ex-Witch' because she can also be aggravating in a very Kyouko kind of way.
Madokami's hair gets ruffled and she lets out a little squeak. Oh well, it's not like hair that floats around like it has a will of it's own is going to stay in perfect order anyway. "I'm glad you understand, White-san."
Mami walks over and Madokami smiles to her, "Thank you for helping, Mami-san. Without you helping to fight of the Familiars I might never even have made it to her." Those Clara Dolls were rather terrifying, when you consider how numerous they were.
She brings up several good questions and Madokami has no choice but to give a small shake of her head, "No, I can't do anything about that. My power is to retrieve the lost souls of Puella Magi who have fallen into despair. This isn't a perfect answer, and I know that, but it was the one I had and the one I needed." Her eyes shift down to Homura and she smiles.
As to the question about spending magic she considers how to answer. She makes a motion to the pink teardrop Soul Gem at her chest, which is now clouded from the effort expended. "Yes. Less than you might think, but yes. I still expend magic fighting, like any Puella Magi." It must look a bit odd for an almost divine looking being to shift uncomfortably in the air. "But the magic expenditure isn't what you'd worry about. To do what I did I had to remove the grief and despair from her heart and soul. That despair... it doesn't just disappear, it has to go somewhere." Her soft smile is all that should be needed to answer the inevitable question of where. "And yes, like all Puella Magi I too am in danger of falling into despair, or expending the last of my magic. But I'll be careful."
After a few more moments she takes in a deep breath and then lets it out slowly, dropping down to the ground as her form changes, the long dress vanishing along with her wings and hair. When she sets down she makes a soft sound, stepping over and hugging onto Homura tiredly. "Sorry," Madoka says, once more the same pink haired girl in twintails and red ribbons they knew from before, only with a Soul Gem ring around her middle finger and a pink teardrop marking on her fingernail, "I'm just a little tired after all that."
Homura frowns. "Is that really going to be my nickname, now?" She doesn't like that, though something about her tone is maybe a little... less than serious. Still. 'Miss Ex-Witch'? Really?
She shrugs. Madoka doesn't really need it anyways. That's fine.
Runealy was worried about her? Well... she had every reason to be. Homura doesn't have much of an answer for that, other than to say, "Thanks for being concerned, though I don't know what you could've done. Still, I guess my disposition made things pretty obvious, if so many of you saw it coming."
Hannah's response does put her on edge, but she can't really have this conversation right now. Well, she can't really go over the details, or at least she thinks it'd be unwise to. It's not as if--- no, it'd be easy to get defensive here, but that's not the way she should act towards someone who just saved her. There's a lot she wants to say and yet she can't say it.
Then Mami speaks up... and Homura shakes her head. "That's not a question I can answer." Madoka can however, and she does. Homura listens to it, and a lot of it does line up with what she just experienced and felt. Homura's arms go around Madoka, holding her and supporting her.
"Even if Madoka redeemed every Puella Magi who turned into a Witch, that wouldn't destroy every Witch. We'd still have a source of Grief Seeds, though we'd have to be more stingy with them."
Mami has a point, but Madoka quickly brings it up. She gives a nod. "It's more of a chance than there's been. No silver bullet, but something to build on and replicate. We've got a miracle on our hands. Time to make it into something practical." As always, Hannah's already looking forward.
And then Hannah lets out an entirely too happy chuckle. "Oh. Oh you have no idea. Hold that thought Pinkballkami. We'll work on it, don't you worry. Besides, I haven't shown you my lab yet, have I?" Pause.
"You need to meet Bob anyway."
Then Madoka is tired. Hannah makes motions towards Homura that vaguely say 'cuddle time darnit!'. Lots of hugging and princess carrying motions. Hannah is /not/ subtle in the romance department.
Otherwise? Hannah's working on that leg of Rune's.
Kyouko just stands there and listens. She feels like somewhat of an outsider here- with good reason. She's never been 'friends' with Homura and Miss White, she doesn't know Runealy, and she has been on poor terms with Mami for a while. The only one here she would consider 'friendly' is Madoka. That said, this is significant information. She's glad she came in to hear it. It has a pensive frown in residence on her face.
"Only if it annoys you." She snarks at Homura when she asks if that's her nickname, but she doesn't seem particularly serious about it either. Her mind-gears are turning though. There's an angle here nobody has brought up, which occured to her at once. (Unless maybe Mami was implying it, although she seemed focused on the costs rather than further implications).
Kyouko had no problem killing Witches, who may have one been Puella, when she knew they couldn't be saved. When a dog was rabid, you put it down. There was no helping it, so no need to feel bad about it. Now... there's a chance, even if a small one, that Witches could be redeemed by Madoka. Can she still kill them with as much impunity, knowing that maybe if she let them live they might be saved?
This is murky moral territory for Kyouko, though she's pretty sure it won't change her attitude in the longrun. Survival is her #1 goal. She'll do what she has to. She's worrying about Sayaka though, and what her thoughts will be when she finds out about this. Hope, for those who can be saved? Or despair, for those they're forced to destroy?
She doesn't say this out loud, though. She doesn't want to ruin an otherwise mostly-happy moment. And there's no changing it now, anyway. So she just stands quietly, thinking, and watching the others talk.
"Then let's talk about that line, because I've been worried about you for a while," Rune insists to White. "I know what crossing it is like, and where it can lead. So I really, really want to talk this through with you soon! I..."
She blinks several times as Mami brings up some very good points, head swinging to face the blonde. "Ah? You... may be on to something there. Still, this is a big improvement over what you were facing. Just have to find out how good it is."
Yet Madoka seems to have details to provide. "So we'll need to keep an eye out for you. I can think of plenty of monsters who would enjoy taking away what you represent, what you've brought here today. This still makes things a lot better though, I could hardly believe what you were doing!"
She clarifies something to Homura: "I didn't 'see it coming'... but guessed at it. Saw what the news did to others, had a feeling it would hurt you too."
All this while sitting fairly calmly as White works. The calm gives her a chance to realize something else. "Wait." A glance to Kyouko. "You used to live here?"
Mami sighs. "I'm sorry to be a spoilsport. I mean what you just did is amazing, Kaname-san. And I'm really happy you were able to save Akemi-san." she says. She'd walk over and hug her, but she seems pretty occupied in being around Homura so instead she just moves near Rune. "But I just wanted to... to let you think about the consequences. I see a lot of them, that's just part of who I am. I've gotten used to looking at things and planning." she smiles.
"But we can look at that later." she says. "I have faith in us. That's something I didn't have before Walpurgisnacht. We faced that down, all of us, even if we didn't work as a team we did work together." Then she turns to look at Kyouko. "...you LIVED here? Why didn't you say something?"
Madoka leans into Homura more as she's held, though not necessarily from exhaustion. She hugs onto her closely, not seeming to care that the others might notice and for a moment setting aside that Homura might not want this affectionate of a display in front of some of the people present either.
Because as crazy as everything has been this is her first real chance for it to sink in in the physical world, and she pulls Homura tightly against herself, tears starting to gleam in the corners of her eyes. "Homura-chan... you're really here. You're really here with me again!" Her words are heavy, but they're also happy; they're tears of joy in her eyes, not sadness.
Hannah says that Madoka could see her lab and meet 'Bob', and the girl gets a bit of a sinking feeling. "...maybe some time, White-san." The blatantly obvious motions she makes puts a blush on her face, though she snuggles a bit more on Homura despite the embarrassment.
She gives a nod to Runealy, "Thank you, I'd appreciate that. I'm happy to accept any help you can give me." This is one Puella who won't dig her heels in and refuse such offers as a point of pride, at least. "Even just knowing you'll be looking out for me as a friend means a lot to me."
Her head gives a soft shake, "No, I appreciate it, Mami-san. You're looking out for me also. For all of us, I understand. I'll think about them." Her eyes go over towards Kyouko for a moment, but doesn't need to ask questions since the obvious one already was. She can't imagine Kyouko wants that kind of attention and won't rub it in.
Homura sticks her tongue out at Kyouko. "I've lasted four times as long as you." Then she notices what Hannah is doing and smirks. Well, it's not like she wasn't planning on doing that anyways.
To Runealy, she says, "I chose this place for that reason, actually. If all else failed I figured that Kyouko wouldn't tolerate a Witch being here. I intentionally chose a place that would minimize the damage my Witch could possibly do."
Wait... that was a secret? Uhhhh. Homura feels like she messed something else up today. Oops.
Hey wait wasn't Kyouko calling her 'Ex-Witch' a second ago? Pfft, nevermind. Guilt trip over. Pity party cancelled.
Homura nods at Mami. "We did face it together, and we won. That wasn't a small feat. This does change a lot, but we'll figure it out."
Homura hears Madoka's words and holds her even more tightly. There is a sweet lilt to her voice as she says, "Yes... that's right. I'm here, and I'm staying this time." How could she not? Madoka sold her soul for this. Homura won't allow her wish to lead to something terrible. Not if she can help it, and she can help it.
Both eyebrows rise, and her hand goes into the air. "Okay, okay! It's a date Princess! I swear I'm not going to go off and do some evil science on hu..." Pause. She looks to Kyouko.
"Well. At least I won't make mistakes twice." Sweatdrop.
She even gives Rune's leg a pat. Poor thing.
Hannah is grinning way too much as Madoka seems to deflate.
"Wonderful! I'm sure you'll be best friends!" So eager. Madoka is doomed.
Then she switches her focus to Mami and Kyouko, content to let the pair of puella work out their emotions. She has a cheshire grin still though.
She grows more serious with Mami. "Hey, that's not a bad perspective. Now I realize you don't like me much, and that's fair, but I think we can all agree that less human devouring monsters around and more not-dying puella is a good thing." A tentative olive branch.
As for Kyouko? "You look a little pale, Kyouko. I've got a sandwich left over from lunch." She pulls out a wrapped ham sub from her barrier jacket, and offers it over. When in doubt, food fixes all. Then she coughs. "We probably shouldn't be digging into people's pasts if they don't want it, guys." She says on the matter of the ruined church and Kyouko. Sometimes, even Hannah has some sense of gravity and respect.
Suddenly everyone is looking at Kyouko and questioning her past living situation. She looks at Rune, then at Mami, and finally blushes just a little bit, her cheeks turning the faintest shade of pink. Scowling, she turns her head away, ponytail flipping behind her back. "Yeah, so what? Just for a while, when I first got to town. I ain't got scads of money like the rest of you, alright? I had to make do. I have a perfectly fine apartment now, so forget about it." A closet-sized apartment in the bad part of town, but. It's an improvement.
To Mami, she says, "Because I knew you would try to help me, and I wasn't interested in being helped by you then." Implying she could be now, although she doesn't say any more at the moment. She's distracted by Homura saying her reasons for choosing this location. She turns her head to regard the dark-haired Puella for a moment.
Her gaze is steady, but it's clear she recognizes what this means. Homura, at least, trust her to do something important. Trusted in her skills to get it done. She doesn't say anything, but slowly she gives the other Puella a nod. It's her way of saying 'I would have, if it had come to that.'
Then Hannah offers her a sandwich. She snaps it it from the woman's hand almost reflexively, then pauses. "You brought a sandwich to a Witch fight?"
"'Spoilsport', or 'caring enough to bring up important points?'" Rune 'confronts' Mami on that in a soft tone, actually approving of her comments. "We should be thinking this stuff through, you're right to mention it. We can still be glad for what just happened, what we have now, and still be careful."
Madoka in turn nets a somewhat wide-eyed gaze. "I will. It's just amazing to think you went from talking things out with us just the other day, to... this. Was watching out for you earlier, but now? Even more so!"
Homura's insights are almost chilling. If not for the sheer positive thoughts that resulted near the end of this battle, she would be shocked by them. Instead, they're taken fairly calmly. "So you planned all this out. That's really thorough, but I'm glad you were just wrong enough that it didn't work!"
A wince as the leg is pat, then she nods to Hannah. "That would make us pretty much equal in that sort of thing."
Kyouko's sharp words draw sympathy, regardless of attempts to deflect it. "That's never fun. Did something like that once... glad you have somewhere other than living in a wreck. This'll sound pretty sudden, but maybe I could see it some time?"
Mami looks down a bit. "Well, sometimes..." then she looks up and almost glares at Kyouko "...sometimes people do not want me looking out for them, or my help." she adds.
"But I really do care about each of you in your own ways." Yes, even Akemi-san. Or she wouldn't have come here to help. "It's just part of who I am. And what happens if some other super-witch comes by? I'll need you all to help me fight it. And... maybe redeem it, at this rate." She says, looking at Madoka.
"And now we really have to keep watching out for you, Kaname-san. We can all fight witches. But you can save witches. And that's even more important."
For the moment Madoka seems to be more than happy just to relax and keep hugging close to Homura, cooing a bit into her ear as she's spoken to in such a sweet voice. It might possibly be sickening to anyone with an aversion to public displays of affection but right now she doesn't care.
She rests her head against Homura's shoulder and peers up at her with sparkles in her pink eyes. With her arms around her she pokes a finger into her long black hair and slowly twirls her finger into it. For the moment she seems to get almost completely lost in the joy of being with her girlfriend, a happiness she's paid a very high price for and allows herself to indulge in. Secretly a part of her is happy just how right she was and just how wrong Sayaka is; if you're not trying to hide from pain everything looks, smells, and feels just as nice with your soul in a gem as it does in your body.
Madoka's eyes trace over the features of Homura's face. The shape of her nose, the shade of her lips, the beauty in her purple eyes, and the way it's framed so prettily by those locks of dark hair falling in front of her ears. Even her ears themselves get studied for a moment. Not something Madoka'd ever really taken notice of before, but she does now because there a part of her wonderful Homura, who was very nearly lost to her forever. Now she wants to enjoy every little thing about her, and about being in her presence.
Madoka makes a tiny frown then and says, "You need to find a new house soon." It isn't meant to be a pester or an accusation, but merely a thought, which she explains in a much quieter whisper, "I want to be able to snuggle in a place that's yours, so I can have lots of happy memories there and just walking in will make me think of cuddling with you."
As she stands there with Homura she starts to rock a little from side to side, intending to pull her into the motion with her, merely wanting to sway a little with her as they stand there together. She closes her eyes again and lets out a soft, happy sigh. She, for this reason, doesn't actually look over to Runealy as she's spoken too, hoping the Princess will understand and not hold it against her. "Thank you. And Rune-chan? I can help look after you as well. I can do more than just help patch people up after they've already gotten hurt, now. If I can help keep you from getting hurt even a little, I'd like that."
Her eyes open up again after talking. Spending so much time indulging in her romantic thoughts for Homura makes her want to indulge in other ways too. She makes a little whimpery-whiny sound, hoping to get Homura's attention, afterwards lifting her chin and shifting slightly to move in and press a soft kiss to her lips.
When their lips finally meet she lets out a soft, "Mmm," and then leans even more heavily upon Homura, pressing herself close and greedily enjoying the wonderful moment. She was going to save this for a more private moment but she changes her mind. She pulls slightly away and breaks the kiss just long enough to induce a bit of longing for more before leaning in again and kissing with a bit more pressure.
She doesn't intend to break this kiss quickly, and her hand slides up Homura's back, her finger finally detangling from the soft hair around it, rubbing it for a moment beneath her hair before squeezing her tightly to herself. Her other hand moves around to Homura's face, first just lightly brushing skin with her fingers but then letting her palm cup her cheek fully.
Mami says her name and Madoka's hand lifts from Homura's cheek just long enough to give a little wave, change into a thumbs up, and then return to caressing her girlfriends face.
Kyouko's nod is met with Homura's stare, and she returns the nod. 'I know you would have.' She grins, briefly, at the other veteran before turning her attention back to Madoka.
To Runealy, Homura reponds with a single bark of laughter. "I had faith in the people around me, to handle what needed to be handled, and you did not disappoint. Quite the opposite, even." She decides not to talk about... just how long she's been planning for such an eventuality. She'd rather not focus too deeply on that.
"Well I certainly did want your help last month, Mami-san, and I wanted your help today, too."
Redeem a superwitch? Hmm... "I don't know if that'd even work for something like Walpurgisnacht. If it doesn't drop a grief seed, then does that mean it doesn't have a soul? On the other hand, someone like the White Flower... well I'm speaking theoretically of course, but maybe?"
She doesn't notice Madoka admiring her right away, distracted by serious talk as she is. Her arms are wrapped around her savior, but it isn't until Madoka is addressed that Homura turns her eyes towards her and... starts blushing, and then blushing harder because even though Madoka's whispering there are people around.
Then a house is mentioned. "Oh geeze. I checked out of that hotel already... I don't even... Well there was one house I was looking at anyways. I guess I could move in there." Madoka does bring up a good point. If Homura is going to stick around, she should have a more permanent residence.
Homura goes along with the rocking motion. She doesn't mind it at all. When Madoka's whimpering gets her attention again she looks at her and... gets a kiss? In between kisses she gets out a, "You know ma-" Another kiss. She holds this one, but then after a moment she decides that she'd really rather be doing this with her alone.
She doesn't mind the public kissing, but she won't have to hold back as much if they have their privacy.
So, without breaking the kiss, Homura sweeps her arm behind Madoka's leg and lifts her into a princess carry.
Then she starts to carry Madoka away, because Homura is a very busy woman and she has a lot of important business to discuss with Madoka. Privately.
Hannah gives a big smirk to Kyouko. "You /don't/ bring food to your fights, Kyouko? How many times have you been munching on pocky while kicking something's but?" She instantly retorts. /Smirk/!
As the two Puella lovebirds express themselves? Hannah's pointedly looking away. And grinning. Oh god, is she grinning as she plans mischief. The pair are now officially doomed.
It's /Hannah/ so she can't help a quip. "We should start a club!" Her expression's only half in jest though. She clearly gets the implications.
Mami's words have Hannah nodding. "Yeah, when super witches are around? I'm in completely agreement about saving it. Or crushing it if it can't be saved." Other than that? Miss White is already pouring through data with her device mentally, ready to start on a new road to her ambitions thanks to Madoka.
And then off goes Homura with Madoka.
"Take that darn vacation you two!" The pair might just hair Miss White chuckling. They're so adorable!
Kyouko blinks at Rune. "You want to see my apartment?" She asks, drawing her brows together. "Who are you again?" But she's distracted by all the lovey-dovey smooching and nuzzling.
She makes a face, exactly the sort you'd imagine her making. It's not that she's secretly jealous or anything (not of the two in particular, but of the affection). Honest. "Well. Looks like my work here is done." Whatever work that was. Show up and make a few snarky comments, get sandwich? Not bad, honestly.
Hannah gets a different face made at her. "Well, thanks for the snack, anyway."
She glances at Rune again. "If you want to talk or somethin', Mami knows how to reach me." Then, as Homura and Madoka head off, she does as well, turning to the door and heading out, then leaping off to the rooftops as soon as she's outside.
Gotta get back and open the store back up before the old lady realizes she was gone.