Reserved @ thegames

[iflipmyhair]

...You are a cruel person.

But, if you think this will change anything, you're mistaken. I will do what I must, and play this game as well if you're truly set on doing this to me. Regardless of who tries to control my destiny, there is only one thing that matters.

This...is just an extra hurdle that must be accommodated. Nothing more.

Comments

[contract_high]

This streamlines things quite nicely, in fact. You've done me quite a favor by speeding up the process, Homura-chan.

[iflipmyhair]

You only assume that it does. But that would be incorrect, as many assumptions are.

[contract_high]

On the contrary. Either you become useful more quickly, or you're taken out of the picture as a potential nuisance.

Either way, I win.

[iflipmyhair]

I will be of no use to you, and neither shall Madoka. I'll continue to upset your plans with my own hands, regardless of what you try.

My absence will be negligible at best.

[contract_high]

Oh dear, oh dear. I do wonder what would happen if you found Madoka in that world.

It would be quite unpleasant, I am sure.

Perhaps you would even have to end her life with your own hands.

[iflipmyhair]

[Unpleasant and unbearable. Just like many of the months she had to go through. Though she looks up, so Kyuubey cannot see just how real that possibility is. Was.]

If it meant saving her from the fate of becoming a magical girl. If was a last resort, the only way to protect her from you.

In a heartbeat.

[stehtvorgott]

You have a good mind-set. Determination ad perseverance will get you far.

[iflipmyhair]

I do what must be done.

[stehtvorgott]

It can be a burden.

[iflipmyhair]

There are burdens that always must be borne.

[stehtvorgott]

Mm. It's part of life. But we got stronger by overcoming them and defying fate.

[iflipmyhair]

If it was only that easy for everyone.

[stehtvorgott]

I never said it was easy.

[aeonarcana]

As long as your mind is set on that one goal that you wish to fulfill, nothing will stop you.

I am sure of that.

[iflipmyhair]

[She's not sure whether that's true anymore, that nothing could truly stop her. Not when so many roadblocks kept coming up, despite her own knowledge of the inevitable.

It would be untold of her to let that on to a stranger, though.]

I thank you for your faith in me. If only others shared your sentiments, perhaps my goal would already been reached.

[aeonarcana]

Someone taught me that, I am sure that even right now it is what he would have told you as well.

[Aigis pauses, smiling at the thought.]

If you do not mind me asking, what is your reason for 'living'?

[iflipmyhair]

My reason is my own.

[Then, a little less forcefully.]

I live for the wish I made.

[aeonarcana]

Could it be that you have someone dear to you, that you wish to protect?

[Aigis does not know what it means not to pry, excuse her. She's a very curious android.]

[iflipmyhair]

[She stiffens, ever so slightly.]

As I said before, my reason is my own.

[aeonarcana]

I am sorry, I did not mean to pry into your personal affairs.

I hope you find what you are looking for, in any case.

[gunnerwish]

Muns are all pretty much cruel, when it boils down to it. And making people fight like that is- is pretty sickening, actually.

Still... if you've got that one thing you want more than anything, then you've got a leg up on the competition. What is it? -Uh, if you don't mind me asking.

[iflipmyhair]

Sickening. But it can't be helped.

[Of if it can be, its none of her business unless...circumstances reveal otherwise.]

A private matter, which I am most equipped to handle.

[ribbow]

Um Homura-chan, what's so cruel about getting to play in a game?

[ Oh, then she remembers! ] Is it because you can't run very far? If you practice at it a little bit every day, you'll get better.

[iflipmyhair]

[Ah, damned multiverse. She shouldn't be surprised to see this face.]

I can run perfectly fine now...Madoka.

But this is not that type of game. Its best left unexplained.

[Unless of course the mun thinks enabling is an awesome idea--]

[ribbow]

Oh, you've gotten better? That's great!

[ It must have been because of all those training montages in the tenth episode. ]

Not that type of game? Is it a handheld? Those are becoming popular again...

[iflipmyhair]

[Why. Why must she keep pressing. Even knowing this was a Madoka who contracted, its impossible for Homura to keep her fists from making the slightest of trembles.

Even like this, Madoka didn't know. Couldn't understand. Even when she was a magical girl, any words of warning she could impart would make no sense. Yet surely, Madoka couldn't be so ignorant of the marked difference in Homura's personality, of the flatness of her voice. The lack of glasses.

Couldn't she? Of course she could. This girl was from before those times.]

It is a game entirely unsuitable for you. The less you know of its true nature, the better off you'll be.

[ribbow]

[ That sounds ominous and while she's growing used to the idea of a mysterious Homura, something feels off about it. ]

I don't think that's true, Homura-chan. If I'm not equipped with knowledge, how can I make a good decision?

[ Not that she's very good at those either. She did give up her life for a cat. ]

It wouldn't hurt to talk about it if this kind of game upsets you because, um, games are meant to be fun! If you won't fun, then you're not allowed to play.

[iflipmyhair]

Whether it is fun is irrelevant.

[She looks down. Madoka...had a point. But...]

If I told you the truth, would you even believe me?

[ribbow]

Why wouldn't I believe you?

[ Because it isn't as if she's seen herself in another lifetime think anything odd of Homura. ]

I trust you. We wouldn't fight together if you were unreliable.

[iflipmyhair]

[There is a very long silence. Why wouldn't she believe her? After all of the times Madoka hadn't believed her, or had found her words strange and incomprehensible?

But maybe. Maybe this one time, when magical girls and Witches weren't involved in the situation.

Maybe Madoka would believe her.]

I'm being considered for the Hunger Games. It takes place in a world which finds suffering and despair...a frivolous entertainment. It is a government-sponsored event which desires and encourages violence and murder from its participants, an event now held in perpetuity due to the use of those from other worlds.

[Maybe she will.]

Not even the promised death is a comfort, as those who control the games just bring those who die back to life. Repeatedly, and forever, to continue to fight each other in their grand, hollow spectacle.

As I said, Madoka.

'Fun'...is irrelevant.

[ribbow]

[ That is a lot to take in. The smaller and more fragile-minded girl sits there with her words on her mind. With an imagine as over-reactive as her's tends to be, Madoka's already thinking of horrible outcomes for her new friend here. ]

Homura-chan... you aren't really going to a place like that, are you?

[ She can't even believe someone would send her that way. Isn't it the same as sending her to her death and to hurt others--how can that kind of idea be entertained? ]

That's so horrible... W-Why, why would anyone do that?

[iflipmyhair]

Why?

[She stares, her eyes hard, at Madoka.]

Because they can.

[ribbow]

[ She falters just a little under that look of her's. ]

That isn't fair... It isn't fair at all...

[iflipmyhair]

[It isn't fair. So many times she'd heard someone say that. Madoka saying that.

Homura's face remains stoic even in the face of her dear friend's sadness.]

It can't be helped.

[ribbow]

It can be helped. Shouldn't you have a say about where you go?

[ It isn't fair that her friend is unable to choose, but what can she do about it? ]

That kind of despair... It isn't suitable for you, Homura-chan.

[iflipmyhair]

[Isn't suitable for her. This girl, no matter the timeline, no matter how strong or weak, always saying kind things about her, always believing in the best of Homura. Always wanting to believe it. Always wanting to make Homura believe it.

But she won't cry over the lost times like this when it had been concern from a friend, instead of worry and confusion about a stranger.]

One gets used to it. Especially when that one is a magical girl.

These muns do not give us much say, if any, when their mind is set.

[soulfood]

Jeez. You'd make one crazy, devoted girlfriend.

[Yep, unsubtle trolling. That is how Kyouko rolls.]

[iflipmyhair]

[Like a truck, Kyoko.]

Perhaps. If I had such time for frivolities.

[soulfood]

Not enough time? That's pretty funny, coming from you.

[iflipmyhair]

[There is a bit of silence as Homura considers Kyoko's words.]

Ah. I see.

[A different timeline, like Madoka. Or...]

This place certainly is unusual in bringing people here.

[soulfood]

You're telling me. I have no idea how I got here. You seen any convenient stores around?

[Priorities.]

[iflipmyhair]

No.

[soulfood]

[Eye roll.]

Yeah, you're as helpful as always.

[iflipmyhair]

Perhaps you should ask your mun, if you feel they may have a better answer than I.