voicetesting!

[ribboning]

Mm, Mun-san? I'm not sure what you'd like me to do, but I'll do my best! This place has so many people, doesn't it? I wonder where they all came from, and where they're going...

Hey, hey, what about my friends? You did say they would be here, didn't you?

Comments

[braidstobows]

[Calm, and self-possessed as always, Homura's words may nonetheless be telling - if given enough importance.]

I am here; if you are willing to count me among your friends.

[She goes slowly, easily; by now, she's learned she can never be sure what Madoka will know or not, when they meet in these fleeting spaces.]

[ribboning]

Homura-chan! [ God though she may have become, the pink-haired girl is never unexcited to see her friends. Especially the girl she count as her best friend, the one who rewrote history for her countless times.

Which is why there's an enthused hug coming your way, Homura. ]

She said you'd be here!

[braidstobows]

[From Homura's quickly shocked reaction, it might be the first time they met, when Madoka stunned her by being the one and only person to care for her.

But this time, after working so hard for so long, Homura grips Madoka just as tightly.]

I'm so glad to be finally able to see you again!

[That's... going to make no sense to Madoka, who probably thinks they saw each other yesterday, is it? Homura berates herself.]

[ribboning]

Again? ... Oh. [ She doesn't look disappointed, just thoughtful, as she pulls back slightly. ] Um... that's right, isn't it? We haven't met in a while.

[ It's so confusing, being here. Smiling still, Madoka exhales in a little, impatient huff. ]

I'm still learning about this place. I'm sorry.

[braidstobows]

It's alright. [It really is, as long as Madoka is here now.]

I don't care how long it takes, or what has to happen first, as long as I can see you!

[ribboning]

Right. See, I told you we would see each other again.

[ The smile softens, and she giggles, lightly. ]

I missed you all!

[braidstobows]

[Homura answers carefully, but truthfully.]

You're missed, too. More than you know.

[More than the other puella magi know, either. They don't know the law of the Circle is really a girl who once gave everything for them.]

[ribboning]

[ Homura is the only one who knows, who'll ever know. Ever her family-- But she can't let that bring her sadness. Not when everyone was able to become so happy. ]

You kept the ribbons. [ She chirps, brightly. ] I'm so happy!

[braidstobows]

[It's alright; Homura drops by the family as often as she can, and even babysits Tetsuya occasionally. He seems to like her.

She could cry all over again for the simple fact Madoka knows - and that means Madoka made that same sacrifice, doesn't even exist as far as her world is concerned.

But what about these other worlds? They could have their chance in one of them!]

Of course I kept them. They were the last thing you gave me and... maybe they'll help us find each other again.

[ribboning]

[ Don't cry, Homura. Her wish was made to bring hope, and happiness. No more despair. ]

They already did! [ See? There's that, already. ] Maybe the others will come, too! Though... they probably won't remember me.

[ Still. She'd like to see them, know that they were okay. ]

[braidstobows]

[Madoka...]

Does it bother you? [She was afraid it might. Madoka has overcome so much, but this final fate is a sad one, too.

And all she can do is so very little.]

But I won't! I won't forget. If I remembered all this time, I'm sure I'll never forget in the future, either!

[ribboning]

I miss everyone. [ It's true. But, it doesn't stop her being hopeful. ] But with you cheering for me, I'll be okay! And we can still talk here, can't we?

[braidstobows]

We can still talk here. [She's become an echo suddenly. But it's true - and it's all she has to hold on to.]

But it's for you that I want more! I want you to be able to- to do everything again! To laugh and smile and play and go to school and- [Her voice breaks off.]

[ribboning]

I can still do those things, Homura-chan. [ It's soft, reassuring. ] Please don't worry about me.

[braidstobows]

But... how can you do them when you're-?

[She doesn't understand yet, like Madoka does, that Madoka still lives and loves and is happy through the choice she's made, and through her efforts to help everyone, through the way she's shaped the world even if she can't touch it directly.

It seems impossible to her.]

[goldenflint]

[Now that's a face she thought she'd never see again.]

Kaname-san.

[ribboning]

Mami-san! [ Oh, did you want a hug? Here, have one! ] It's been a long time!

[goldenflint]

Oh!

[Surprise hug indeed! It takes a few seconds before Mami returns the hug and squeezes Madoka back.]

It really has been. You're acting like you haven't seen me in a long time, Kaname-san. Have you been well?