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]

You know, Akemi-san, I never realized that you fought for anyone but yourself.

Has it been different this whole time?

[pergopugnare]

You never asked. And I don't expect you to understand.

[credens]

If I never asked, it is because your behavior never gave me a reason to think anything else. I know you by now: you're callous; you won't accept help, or friendship.

I've given you a lot of chances to prove me wrong about that.

[pergopugnare]

I seemed that way back then, didn't I... You always did think you had it all figured out. You wouldn't have wanted what help I had to offer, anyway.

[papadontpreach]

Yeah, so the same as usual, huh? Didn't realize you actually had someone to fight for, but that's not surprising.

so okay you kind of have the best username :V

[pergopugnare]

I imagine we all do, in one way or another.

[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?]

:3

[papadontpreach]

Yeah, we're such defenders of the weak! Don't make me laugh.

... you know though, you're acting different. What happened, huh, did you suddenly grow a conscience?

[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]

...I wouldn't say that. I had one before, you know.

[NOT THAT ANYONE ELSE COULD TELL—shut up, keyboard girl.]

[pergopugnare]

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

I—

[...pause.]

A friend gave it to me.

[papadontpreach]

[--laughs out loud]

Haha, you could've fooled me! You're one heartless bitch. You'll do whatever you have to to accomplish your goals.

And so would I. It's why we didn't have any trouble with each other.

[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]

That's true enough, I suppose. It's what you achieve in the end that matters, after all.

[pergopugnare]

...Does it?

[papadontpreach]

Yeah? And what end are you trying to have, with the sort of things you've done?

Must be one hell of a wish.

[pergopugnare]

[That actually elicits a smile, small at it is.]

And you don't even know the half of it. And—well—I got my wish, in a way.

[papadontpreach]

Hah, really? Well, congratulations!

Guess now I just have to wait for the punchline. That's how it goes for us, isn't it? You can't tell me you're enough of a fool that you expect clinging to it selfishly's going to make it last.

[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]

[clinging to—oh, tenses. time travel is so difficult to talk about in ordinary terms.]

There's nothing to cling to anymore, anyway, except for a memory. It's strange, actually, not having it hanging over my head anymore.

Maybe I'll pick up a hobby.

[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.

[papadontpreach]

... wow, you've really lost it, haven't you.

[waving a hand in front of her face] So what broke first? Your willpower or your sanity? Because you're not making any sense.

[pergopugnare]

I'm not sure the verb tense exists to describe this in a way that makes sense.

[papadontpreach]

What are you talking about?

[papadontpreach]

Don't tell me this is some sort of time travel thing ...

I always wondered how you pulled that trick off. Tch.

oh god oh god I have been so hoping for a Homuhomu to appear

[sagittaluminis]

Homura-chan...

[Madoka just... looks at her. does this Madoka remember what happened? does she not remember?

who knows, at this point.]