afterliving | The Second Rondo [voice/action]

A

[Sayaka's been on the move constantly. Even after meeting up with Mami and Kyouko both, she didn't stay long in their company. Heroes had to protect everyone. In lulls she checked her phone. Nothing for a while. After seeing how full the gym is, Sayaka's headed off in a direction she thinks is less populated. She hasn't seen any elementary kids in this place so she assumes that area is safe enough--why would the shadows hang out in an area where there's nothing to find?

So, she finds a quiet area near there and makes a call.]

This is Miki. Where's everyone? [She means, 'where's Madoka', mostly but she hasn't seen a lot of people after meeting up with Mami and leaving her behind. She sounds tired--being on the move hasn't let her sleep much. She's also kind of hungry.] It's been kind of quiet. You better not all have been gotten by those things!

[A pause.] The gym's filled with shadows, avoid it if you can. I'm near the elementary school... if you need help, send me a text.

B

[After about twenty minutes of talking on the phone, Sayaka's going to start moving closer to the elementary school. Due to being at her wits end and not being in top condition, she's easily overcome by the shadows alone.

Oops.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Of course I will.

[No one's been able to quite get through to Sayaka when she's settled on something. Even Madoka had difficulty with that.]

I know, I know... I just. It irks me that we have to really on the her to look after Madoka.

You know I'm only worried because I care about you..

[ It's so hard to say that, but she wants Sayaka to know the truth. They have such different memories, she fears that even telling Sayaka that she cares that much might turn her away from her, but what else can she do? ]

I'm not happy about Akemi-san either. She is a dangerous individual, but now we have more important things to handle. We have to trust Kaname-san a little too..

I know, Mami-san. I honestly do. I'll be okay. If I keep moving those things won't get me.

[She tries to sound proud for Mami. Confident. But she just hears the weakness in her voice.]

I'd trust Madoka with anything--but I don't trust Akemi Homura. Who knows what that girl is planning.

I trust you. But without our powers, we're back to being normal girls.

[ Maybe she can try to switch up her approach, try to make Sayaka listen. ]

I don't trust her. I don't think anyone is safe near her. We have to find out what she plans to do, together.

I've got a weapon and I'm determined. I'll be okay, really.

[That makes her think for a moment.]

We...should?

[ Mami's only answer is a quiet sigh. Sayaka isn't going to change her mind, and there's nothing Mami can do. All she can do is plan to go and find Sayaka herself, to protect her.. ]

Of course, we both care for Kaname-san. We should find out what she has planned.

Well...we should but maybe that can wait. At least until we get rid enough of these shadows.

[But justice, Mami-san.]

Everytime we get rid of them, just as many seem to show up. I think our best bet is regrouping and finding a new strategy.

[ Justice can wait another day! ]

If we stay in one place for too long then they'll just gang up on us.

[B-but...!]

This is all because of Ai-san. That boy, the one who warned us, he's the one doing this. If we could find him, we might be able to fix this.

[ There, Mami is trying, and not just suggesting they run away, as nice as they kind of sounds. ]

I've been looking for him. Haven't had much luck yet.

[...At least that's better. You're trying, Mami-san.]

There's a programmer, someone who controls that AI boy. But it's even harder finding out who that is. Maybe we can just find the computer that he lives on..

[ Mami knows very very little about computers! She thinks it would be that easy. ]

I'm out of bullets now though... If there's some way I can help you, will you let me, Miki-san?

That girl you're with, Suzumiya. She said they'd probably be in a place with a lot of computers.

[She pauses for a moment.]

Of course.

We should meet up, and then try to find a computer room of something. That would be the best place to start I think.

I bet you haven't eaten any real food in a few days..

[ And knowing Mami, that means she wants to cook something homemade! ]

It probably would be. I'll think about it, okay?

[Mami has no idea how true that is... Thank goodness she can't hear how Sayaka's stomach rumbles at that.]

I'm doing okay!

A-Alright..

[ Why is Sayaka staying away from her? It's killing Mami, she wants to ask why they aren't together right now, but she can't, she can't will herself to do that. She doesn't even deserve that sort of openness from Sayaka, not after everything.. ]

I'll make you something to eat..if you don't want it now, I can heat it up later if you'd like. You can't fight on an empty stomach, I'm sure I've told you that before.

[The answer isn't as simple as she doesn't want to be around Mami. Mami's done nothing wrong. It's Sayaka's fault--she knows that. It's mainly pride. Pride's the only thing that seemed real to her lately.

After all, she became a monster. She was the one responsible for that other magical girl--Kyouko. Sayaka had a feeling Mami knew about that. It hurt. Hurt that she did try to open up about her feelings only to be rejected. So, maybe, it's better to conserve her pride and just pretend like everything's fine.]

I'm pretty sure... but don't worry about it, okay? I mean. With the shadows...

[ Sayaka has her pride, but Mami has her own low self-confidence. She feels like Sayaka is pulling away from her, and she can't even tell how. But she knows that Sayaka is strong too, in her own way, and there's no way she can stop her. She couldn't fight her, not like she had fought Kyouko. ]

Even with the shadows, eating a healthy meal is important. It recharges you.

[Pride isn't the same thing as self-esteem, not really. Sayaka knows she's at fault here. She knows that and that's why she refuses.]

Don't waste your time on me, okay? I'll be okay.

That's not..- [ Mami tries to answer, when she hears something behind her. ]

I have to go, I think one of those things found me. Promise me you'll stay safe, Miki-san!

[She's about to say something more but she knows that urgency.]

Of course, Mami-san! [And then she clicks off her phone.]

The Second Rondo [voice/action]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject