on probably shoving her at heroesparadise

[pergopugnare]

I continue to fight for her sake, not for the sake of violence itself.

But if I must win to return to my duty, then I won't let anyone stand in my way.

Comments

[credens]

Back then, Akemi-san?

[ resignedly: ] I've been fighting witches longer than you. It's the simple truth. And I may not think that I have this "all figured out," as you say, but I understand something of duty.

Now here you tell me again that we could never work together. And if that is truly your attitude, then no, I suppose we can't, can we? [ one of those politely controlled Mami smiles ]

[pergopugnare]

[be charitable, be charitable, be charitable— she tugs slightly at the red ribbon in her hair.]

That's not what I said. If things had happened differently we could have been friends.

[Her lip twitches momentarily downward; once, she had looked up to Mami, and in this universe Mami has been a mentor, then a friend and ally. And yet it's hard not to let the old bitterness rekindle. She tried, didn't she?]

[credens]

...Yes, if things had happened differently. [ like maybe if you weren't such a Kyuubey-cidal selfish bi- :| ] I would have liked that.

But as I've said: you always made it pretty clear to me where you stood.

[ a pause -- Homura's gesture draws attention to the ribbon. She can't help but like it; even though it seems out of place on Akemi Homura, there's something pleasantly familiar about it all the same. ] Did you change your hair? I don't remember the ribbon...

[pergopugnare]

[LOOK OKAY WHY WOULD YOUT TRUST THAT FACE EVEN, clearly he's evil]

I—

[...pause.]

A friend gave it to me.

[credens]

Oh. Ah... How kind of your friend. [ You have friends? ...Really, though, it hurts a little to think that Akemi Homura would keep her at such a distance, but not, apparently, everyone else. ]

It reminds me a little of the ones Kaname-san wears.

[pergopugnare]

...Does it?

[credens]

...Yes, it does. It's the same color...

[ stubbornly: ] She's going to be a great magical girl, Akemi-san. Just because you prefer to work alone doesn't mean there's not room enough for all of us.

[pergopugnare]

[Homura looks startled for a brief moment: and then—is she smiling, what. Actually, is she... tearing up a little?]

Yes—yes, you're right, actually. She'll make a splendid magical girl, she really will.

[credens]

[ Well that sure was completely unexpected. Mami spends a few long moments being quietly taken aback. This certainly doesn't seem like the behavior of the Akemi Homura she knows, or thought she knew.

She takes a small step backwards, studying the girl standing in front of her, reconsidering her. ]

...Akemi-san...why did you never say that you thought so before? I really thought...

[pergopugnare]

Things change, Tomoe-san. Have changed.

I didn't want her to become a magical girl, no—but when she does, she'll—she'll do what none of us could.

all my creys

[credens]

[ all of Mami's confusion ]

No, you can't stop her from making her own choices. But...I'm...glad, to know that you don't mind any more. It's important that we believe in one another, after all. [ a genuine smile this time ]

You know, Akemi-san... you could come with us, some time. If you've truly changed. There's still enough room in Mitakihara for all of us.

ALL THE SADS

[pergopugnare]

Ah, Tomoe-san...

The "me" that you know—she—I don't know this yet. She's fighting her own battle that only she can fight. Be patient with her, please. Madoka will make her decision when she's ready.