(Humility blushed further, feeling Gretchen's warm and sooft touch upon her] "Of course. Dear Gretchen..." [Marianna rushed ahead hurridly, still in a refined manner, but had to pause to stop Charlotte from following ] "Please, stay here, Charlotte. It will be dangerous." [Charlotte pouted in disappointment] "Yes , big sister...
[Ophelia leaned forward, sneering in amusement] "Which means, your manly knigthts probably weren't too happy when you told them you wanted to sign up! they said no, manly heroic knights were no position for a fancy, pampered lady like yourslef!" [Oktavia gritted her teeth, not wanting to admit that Ophelia was actually right. That the knights of the blue kingdom only chuckled in amusement upon hearing her wish...] "Anyway, Okty"[Opehelia chuckled, picking up that nickname form Oktavia's tiny pink friend] "A defender of peace of justice? What a load of crap! The so called heroic knights are nothing but pompous hypocrites! Where were they when villaiges were being burned to the ground, raids were going on, and innocent people got hurt!"
...Booo! Sure, sure, some of the knights are shitty people, but most of them are pretty decent as far as I know. And everybody knows that they just aren't enough knights to go around to stop all the bad stuff from happening, anyway!
[And then, Oktavia sighed a bit.]
- It's mostly the Princess of Evil's fault, anyhow - She raises taxes and raises taxes, but nobody can figure out where all that money is actually going to. And each year, there's less and less money for the knights, or the city watchmen, or for fixing roads, or for anything important to the commonors for some reason...
[And then, she sniggered again.]
...Besides, you're a thief, right? Are you sure you have a leg to stand on, complaining about innocent people getting hurt?
[Ophelia sighed a bit at that.]
- Oh, I do suppose you've got me there. We do try to do that "steal from the rich and give to the poor" shtick seriuosly, though, in case you were wondering~
[And then, she chuckled.]
...So you don't like her Evil Highness either? Cool, cool - I'd thought most of the nobles loved her style, for some reason!
[And then, the two traded some blows again, both grinning. This was quite fun, oddly enough, they both thought.]
"Well, Princess Rillianne is quite horrid indeed! I really dislike her!" " Princress Rillianne, the Daughter of Evil!"So many innocent people are in misery because of her!!" In her ire she struck. Ophelia sneered with disgust and anger at the thought of her [Ophelia reacted and managed to block the pear with her sword, though she was being pushed back a bi]t "She is horrid! And especially if she is as bad as you say," S[he swung back ]"But she is not my queen! I am am of the Blue kingdom's noibility! I was just visiting my friend! But despite being a noblewoman of gold, Lady Candeloro is a very kind person!" "Ah, so you have a handsome, womanizing idiot as your crown heir apparent then, in Blue!" "Well he treats his people well, at least!" [Oktavia leapt in a springing charge]] "Yeah because he's too busy stuffing his face with ice cream and charming every pretty lady he sees!"[Ophelia stepped aside, though she was actually a bit surprised the young noblewoman figured that move, and grabbed the flowing skirts and bringin her down to the ground] [Oktavia cried out at that and tried to twist around, hand still on her sword, but Ophelia pinned her down] "Ya cant deny that, can ya! [Ok it was true Prince Kyle was a fool, but that wasnt the point!Oktavia struggled with a whine] "Let go of me!" [Ophelia leaned her face in closer, grinning nastily. ] "Why should I, Okty?" " [Huh, this silly blue girl, She did look cute all flustered like this....]
[Oktavia shook her head, then, though she was still red in the face.]
...Oh, who cares - Prince Kyle may be embarrasing, but he hasn't done anything to bring his own Kingdom to ruin, at the very least!
[Ophelia blinked at that, grinning.]
- Are you sure of that? I mean, I've heard some stories -
[And then, she snickered.]
...So what are those rumors about him jilting the Princess of Evil because he wanted to marry a Green girl, anyway? Aand then, she just happened to turn out to be a Princess of the Green Kingdom, right? How convienient for them!
[Oktavia blinked] "Well, I have not heard about that yet. But I doubt that they are true. If it is, well, knowing princess rillianne, things shall be much worse off." "And what about you, eh? Got some fancy prince charmin of your own, ya pinin after enough to write love songs about?" "That would be none of your business, crook!!!" "heheh. Hm, ni e shot.I admit, youre atually much better then I thought you'd be! "[of course it did help that the noble had taken off a bunch of layers of her fancy dress before the battle, making it much easier to manuver in] "I have been taking lessons form the captain of the guard!" [Oktavia proclaimed as she pushed ]back "think as you may, but I take the ability of the sword seriously! it is not some whimsy!" "Well good for you, getting a hobby besdes rich stuff! besides, swords are overrated, and I got lessons myself!" [They continue to swipe blows and bantering for a while. Oktavia was starting to get tired more easily as she was not used to combat. at one point the spear stuck the fabric and ripped off the last few layer of oktavia's skirt, revealing down to her bloomers and stockings. finally they ended up getting tangled up and tumbling off the bridge SPLASH! into the pond]
[Oktavia got red in the face, then, as she looked at the thief girl. Most of both of their clothes had gotten torn in the fight, and now they were both wet to boot. Of all the embarrasing - ! =}
[The redhead grinned and waved her hand, then.]
...Well, alright, I never thought I'd say this to a silly noble miss, but you're pretty good!
[And then, she waved her hand, and jumped back up on the bridge.]
- But on the other hand, I do have to go now, so -
[Oktavia looked at her and tried to stand up inside the lake, huffing.]
...So you're going to run away now, Thief Girl?
[The redhead laughed.]
- Yuuup! Running away is part of my job, after all!
[And then, she leaned closer to Oktavia, and whispered - ]
...But on the other hand, if you're serious about really really not liking the Princess of Evil, we might be meetin' again sooner rather then later, ha ha ha - So bye for now, Okty!
[And then, the redhead ran into the woods, and was gone. Oktavia sighed, and started to get out of the pond, pulling some weeds from out of her hair.]
...And I suppose the rest of the thieves got away while we were fighting, Lady Marianna?
[Marianna gave Oktavia a relived smile, and went up to her.]
...I'm afraid so, Lady Oktavia!
[Oktavia shrugged at that, wondering what kind of deal the redhead and Lady Marianna actually had. Well, it was sort of obvious there was some kind of deal going on, she was pretty sure, and now that the redhead had actually mentioned Princess Rillanne... Ew, politics. Oktavia decided not to mention anything about what she thought about the connections between Lady Marianna and the thief girl for the time being, and changed the subject with a smile.]
- Oh, well...It can't be helped, I suppose! Say, Lady Marianna, have you heard any rumors about Prince Kyle lately?
[And in the meanwhile, just a small distance away - ]
[Gretchen and Humility were sweatdropping up a storm, staring at a large bowl full of fried potato slices that one of the younger thieves had just thrust into their hands as she ran past them, giggling.]
...Those are the strangest theives ever.
[Gretchen said, and then, she smiled a bit as she smelled the potato chips with salt and bacon bits on them.]
" what about him now?" ( marianna loolkef oktavia over )And you are filthy and your dress is in tatters!" M)arianna shook her head) Poor thing. Here, we should go bathe in the springs. We have a special private section in the gardens." "Wonderful idea! It shall be relaxing!" [none of them noticed the redhead still watchig them with a smirk from the branches]
[some time later, Oktavia, Marianna, Gretchen, Charlotte and Homulily went to the private royal hot springs in the castle grounds. Built up from natural hotsprings, it was elegantly crafted with marble ledges, floral arrangements and a gazebo and served snacks and drinks.] "Oh this so pretty!" (Gretchen commented as they got in. Homura Humility still could not help blushing as Gretchen undressed. Whatever timeline, it was always nice to bathe with madoka...]
[And then, Humility's breath caught in her throat again as her chest pains started up.]
...Ow...
- Lady Humility - Oh, no!
[Gretchen said, and then quickly pulled Humility away from the baths, and found her a bench to sit on. She then went over to some of the racks, and wrapped a soft pink bathrobe around her, looking worried indeed.]
...Oh, Lady Humility...Does it still hurt? It must have been all the excitement - I'm so sorry!
[Humility, in the meanwhile, had managed to get her breath.]
- I'm all right now, Miss Gretchen, and please don't apoligize...
[And then, she smiled at Gretchen, and took her hand.]
You didn't do anything wrong, all right?
[And in the meanwhile, inside Humility's mind - Homura groaned. Darn all this! If only she had enough magic right now, she could fix Humility's heart in less then an hour!)
(...My non-existant Kingdom for some actually useful magic, seriously.)
[She groused, misquoting Shakespere on purpose - Aand that was when a cream furred critter with red-amber eyes slowly blinked as it sat on one of the gazebos.]
[Oh, yes, here in came, that strange little burst of magic again. Eight smiled a bit, and licked his paw. This was interesting indeed!]
[Suddenly a wave of relief washed though Humility as the pain stopped and she felt much better.] "Ah,I think I am all right now...] "Oh, wonderful!" "Let us go back to the baths then" [The girls held hand as they returned to the bath and Gretchen into the water sighing with delight] "Ah! So nice! You are so luck Mari, to have really nice baths like this!"[ Gretchen smiled brghtly and picked up the sponge ]"Here, let me wash your back Homulilu!" [the thieves peered out of the bushes at the scene] "Even this bath looks busy..." [Suddenly, with a wild grin, Ophelia appeared at the bath having leapt from a bush, peeling off her skirt and blouse, still wet from pondwater, and underwear, and leapt into the pool with a spalsh ] "What in the_!" "Hello ladies!" [Ophelia stretched out her athletic body, marred with a few scars.] "dont mind me, just stopping by for a dip!" "Y-you!!"[ twitching in fury, Oktavia started towards her, but Marianna put up an arm to keep her back.] "Miss Ophelia. You should not be here." "Well we really needed a relaxing bath, so I'd figure Id go here for a bit. Just relaxing a dip" [She waggled an eyebrow teasingly at the blue haired girl.] "Just for the bath?" [Marianna sighed ] "I would not mind! It is always nice having more company!" [Gretchen chirped. Homulily just nodded in agreement. Charlotte cheered.] "Very well. I suppose you could stay for now. You did save Charlotte after all, and I must thank you very much for that. Just please, do not cause any trouble." "But, Marianna!" [Oktavia scowled, her hand absentmindedly scratching her legs, some spots were starting to itch.]
[Oktavia, in the meanwhile, was staring at both Marianna and Ophelia.]
...Wait a minute, wait a minute - Lady Marianna, you mean that she was the brave commonor girl who saved Lady Charlotte from a runaway carriage?
[Ophelia snickered, then, and blew some soapbubbles Oktavia's way.]
...You got it in one, Okty!
[Oktavia stared at her for a moment, and then sank back into the baths, muttering to herself. Why were her legs itching like this, anyway? It was so annoying!]
...Of all the - You know, Lady Marianna - Things would have been so much simpler if you're simply told me that first...
[Marianna groaned a bit at that, but then, she smiled.]
...Well, maybe, but... It is a bit hard to explain, is it not?
[She hadn't been sure how far she could trust Oktavia, to be honest - Things were now getting politically delicate indeed, with Queen Verena herself visiting them in her "Lady Verenia" persona.]
[But now - Hmmm. Maybe, just maybe, she could include Oktavia in their little circle of people who were really interested in saving Queen Rillanne from herself, and saving the Gold Kingdom as well, so to speak? Oh, Marianna herself wasn't planning to do anything drastic by any means (not that she could speak for all the other people in their group) but she was pretty sure the Kingdom as a whole would be much better off if Queen Rillanne had better "advisors" then the ones she had now. Things would be so much better if good and competent people actually ran the country, while Rillanne could just play at being Queen as much as she liked...]
[Oktavia sighed and sank further into the water. Ophelia noticed her expression and chuckled, taking an apple form the fruit bowl and mucnhing on it] "Gee you look tense, Okty! The point of this bath is to relax!" "Oh be quiet you! " [Oktavia snapped] "I have having a lovely time until you showed up!" [She could not help observing the redhead's athletic body, scars included. She also was wearing a small cross with a red stone around her neck.] [Ophelia rolled her eyes] "Still that hostile about me?" [The two began arguing again. The other girls just watched shaking their heads, while little Charlotte was happily playing with bubbles. Gretchen and Homulily were still enjoying watching eachother, but finally Gretchen cried out, more in worry than anger] "Oh please stop fighting you two! Can you not be friends? I know you very much can be!" [hTat got them to stop arguing at least. They sat in tensed silence for a bit, Oktavia still scratching at her uncomfortable legs. Nobody noticed the multicolored scale that had peeled off of her legs and floated among the bubbles] "...Those music sheets" [Ophelia finally spoke up] "You wrote them yourself, didn't ya" [oktavia nodded] "Yes, I did.I have always loved music, both listening and playing. I am decent enough at playing instruments, and people say I am a good singer. But I also very much enjoy arranging music. Creating melodies and compositions, conducting the paths of the sounds form the musicians..." [She sighed, calming down and smiling at the thought of it.] [Gretchen clapped her hands] "Okty has the most beautiful vooice! And the pieces she composes are sublime!" "huh. Thats actually pretty cool" [Ophelia seemed genuinely impressed]
[Homura, in the meanwhile, was scowling inside Humility's mindspace. She had somehow managed to raise enough magic to make Humility's heart function better for now, but she needed at least an 100 times more magic then that to actually fix it properly, she was pretty sure.]
[...And in either case, why was that Sayaka lookalike glowing like that, anyway? Had she made a Contract already or something? But no, those energy patterns didn't really feel like the energy patterns of most of the Magical Girls she had known over the years, somehow...]
(...That's because she's a throwback of some kind, probably. Mermaid, Siren or both, maybe?)
[A soft voice floated through the mindspace Homura happened to be in.]
...Oh, don't be silly, it's not like mermaids or sirens actually exist or anything, after all -
[Homura huffed - And then, she froze for a moment, and slowly turned around. An half transparent white and cream critter was floating in the air, looking at her with amber-red eyes, an oddly amused look on it's face.]
(- Well, actually - They do. From the very beginning, this planet was terribly odd, after all.)
[The critter licked it's paw, then, much like Kyubey had used to do after he had eaten something he liked. Homura sighed a bit, then, feeling an odd pang of loneliness.]
(Mermaids, sirens, fairies, all kinds of so called "supernatural beings" - Some of them existed from the beginning, but even the ones which were just based on made up stories ended up being created for real, more often then not. They may not have existed originally, but once people started to tell stories about them, it was only a matter of time until Magical Girls started to Wish them into existence, you see...)
................Huh. You're not Kyubey, are you.
[Homura said, wondering why she felt so calm. The critter was oddly familiar, though...]
(- I am most certainly not Niner, yes.)
[The critter said, and then, he gave her a little bow.]
(...And you aren't really the girl called Humility either, correct?)
[homura blinked] "how doid you know?" "I'm inside your mind now. And I see two two exact soul coupies overlaying. Judging by the reality glitch temporal version we have detetected, you are a future version of Humility now transplanted itno her body.] [Homura sighed] "Indeed. from 200 years in the future. And now I am ghere, with identical versions of my friends in the past... [she watched as The group of girls talked some more for a whil, enjoying the hot springs, and having a good time. Even Oktavia had eased up, even with Ophelia.
Suddenly, a fog came over, and the air felt thick. Marianna looked up in comfusion] "Hm? what is wrong with the weather?" "I do not know..I do not feel very good..." Gretcheb leaned against homulily] "It is like, a cloud of, depression..." [Inside, homure fearfully. she recognized this feeling. A witch was nearby...] [Marianna saw a servant drifting nearby.] "Excuse Miss, coud you bring over some towels please? [the maid emitted a low hiss and turned towards them. All of the grils except Ophelia let out a scream at them sight of her twisted, empty ghoulish face] "W-what is wrong with her!!" [Ophelia reached for her spear, and Oktavia tried to reach for her sword, but gray ragged tendrils shot out and grabbed them] "W-what the hell is this!!" "Charlotte! " [Marianna picked up her little sister ]"coem on girls, we need to get out of ehre!" Homuliy and gretchen held onto eachother, shakign fearfully.
[And that was when a pair of Magical Girls came crashing into the very big bath all the girls were in, cursing up a storm!]
...That's my Witch, you damn moron - Go away and find your own!
[An older looking girl with orange hair yelled, shaking her fist at the other girl. She was dressed in something that looked like stage costume version of a lady's dress, Homura noted with an inward groan.]
- Nah nah naah, Nene needs the Grief Seed more, stupid!
[The other girl said, sticking out her tongue. This girl looked younger, and was wearing a pink dress which seemed rather the worse for wear. Homura really stared, then - Wait a minute, where those Magical Girls really fighting in their normal clothes? Why hadn't they just created magical combat outfits when they transformed, like all the other Magical Girls she knew normally did?]
(...Huh. So the Magical Girls you know automatically create magical combat outfits when they transform as a matter of course? I've known some Magical Girls who did manage to do something like that, but it wasn't easy at all, I thought...)
[The critter who had called himself Eight said, curiously.]
(It does sound like a cost effective upgrade, though, now that I think about it. Oh, they automatically create Magical Weapons too? Yeah, Niner would love that, once he actually gets up to updating the basic programming...)
[Homura blinked at that. Wait a minute...]
[And then, she sighed a bit as yet another critter waved his paw at her. This was had mussy looking fur, and red brown eyes.]
(I'm called Seven, by the way, but - Watch out!)
[Homura groaned, then, as the two Magical Girls actually started to fight the Witch at long last. They didn't seem to care who got caught in the crossfire, and several green spell arrows were going right over Humility and Gretchen's heads!]
[Homura took a deep breath, then, and took over Humility's body for the moment. She quickly ran over to one of the racks, and tossed a robe at Gretchen.]
...OK, then, Miss Gretchen - Now we're going to run away very quickly and very quietly! All right?
{Gretchen nodded fearfully] "all right. homulily!] [But then the magical giirls chased the monaster away from the baths! with the monster gohne, the atmpsphere returned to noramal] O[phelia growled and griped her spear.. Should would have taken out the monster right then and there, but she had to protect Maranna and Charlottw, not to mention it would be a very bad idea to battle in the buff.] "Damn it! EWhat the hell just happened!!" "I, I do not know... " [Marianna hugged charlotte, who was sobbing in fear, closer to her ]. "But those girls, they were some odf Queen Verena's wards..." [ She sighed and stood up] Let us just return home for now. Then perhas later I should have a talk with Lady Verena. I wonder if she knows that some of her girls are involved with magical affairs... I have heard them say they have met 'fairies' after all"
[...Fairies, huh? Homura sighed inwardly. She was almost a 100 percent sure that at least one of the "fairies" in question was a red eyed critter with white fur, who didn't care about the wellbeing of all those girls he'd Contracted at all.]
(Oh, well, Mado - Miss Gretchen seemed to be safe for now, at the very least. Homura took a step back inside Humility's mindspace, and let Humility take charge again. And then, she turned toward the two critters, who were still projecting their images inside the mindspace where she was.)
(...Oh, you're right about that, pretty much, but they're also quite a bit of real fairies living around there, so.)
[Seven said, and then he yawned, scratching his flank.]
(- Oh, more then half the girls in "Lady Verenia's" troop can and do create Magical Outfits when they fight, but it's not automatic, as far as I know... And their Magical Weapons tend to look like stage props, for some reason.]
[Huh. Homura sighed again.]
(Is that so. I was also about to ask if Witches that looked like that were commonplace, here, but...)
[Eight nodded.]
(...Oh, yes, the so-called living corpuse type is quite common, though they're all kinds of other types too. Only a small percentage of them ever get powerful enough to generate their own Witch Barrier, thankfully...)
[And then, his eyes narrowed as he watched some of the images flickering past.]
(- Wait, so the Witches you know all know how to create Witch Barriers, automatically? Even the weak ones?)
[In the meanwhile, the girls had all gone back to the main manor, shaken. Marianna was wondering how to bring the subject up with Lady Verena, while Humility and Gretchen were holding hands as they walked.]
...Miss Gretchen? Would it be all right if...if you came to my room, so we could have some tea and crumpets before I go to sleep? That monster...I...
[Humility said, shyly. Gretchen nodded at that, and smiled.]
- Of course, Lady Humility! I'll be happy too! I mean, I don't want to be all alone in my room either, after seeing something like that...
[ Meanwhile, the other girls went back to the castle, none of the servants questioned about the redhead carrying the grumpy looking Oktavia. as she came out of the bath earlier, she felt a bit weak. Her legs were a bit sore now as well. There were now patches on her legs, the same spots that had itched, that were an odd texture. It almost looked like she was growing the scales of a fish. Oktavia herself was still fairly grouchy and trying to hide a blush about this predictament.) "So, you gonna be ok?" (Ophelia asked as they reached her room and dropped her on her bed) "Of course I shall be!"( Oktavia rolled her eyes impatienyly, shifting as Maraiiane helped her out of the bathrobe and into a nightgown.) "It is just a rash and, hey do not touch any of my things!!" (Ophelia shrugged and put down the haairbrush she was examining) "Youre right, I should probably go chase after that monster " )She grinned and tapped Oktavia's cheek) "See ya later then, Okty!"( She agilly leapt through the window and scaled the wall out just as the doctor arrived.)
[Charlotte, now fallen asleep, slipped off the armchair and onto the floor, the plush rug softening her fall. amazingly she was still asleep. Marianna shook her head and picked her up in her arms.] "It is getting late. certainly past Charlotte's bed time! I shall tuck her in.. you should get some sleep as well, Oktavia. It has been a big day." [Oktavia nodded and nestled into her blankets after the doctor finished wrapping some bandages on the affected area "there we go, my lady. Reapply the medicine and change in the bandages twice a day. shall be back to check on you in a few days." "thank you doctor." [As the doctor left, Marianna sighed) "It is a good thing Ophelia was there." "ugh! I can not stand her!! " (Oktavia was groaning) "Well she is gone now. But you put up wiht her well enough. Still, this rash is unusual. " "It should be all right, just a rash, there was probably something in the pond water. I just need rest. I am sure I shall be well enough to go to the ball the day after toomrrow!!"[ Oktavia was starting to get excited thingking about the upcoming bsll again)
[Ophelia, in the meanwhile, had jumped out in front of the strange girls with a florish!]
...So what the heck was that about, eh? Why did that maid turn into the living dead? And shame on you, scaring Lady Marianna and Lady Charlotte and all the rest of the girls like that!
[The two Magical Girls looked at each other, sweatdropping.]
...Whaaat? But how could she find us? We had the see-me-not spell on, going on at full strengh!
[The older girl groaned - But then, the younger one blinked.]
- Hey! May that means she has "high magical potential", whatever that means?
[And then, she clapped her hands with a grin.]
Let's try introducing her to Kyukyu! I'll be good to have new additions to our troop, right?
"No! hush, it's our secret!" [After the girls argued among themselves for a bit, they heard the bells ringing, signaling it was time to go home] "Bye bye, miss!" [they skipepd off, leaving Ophelia intrigued and confused]
[ The next morning, Homura was still concerened that she was still in the past when she woke up. Perhaps it meant the story was not over yet, there were still things she had to witness here. The next morning passed fairly uneventfully. After breakfats, Gretchen headed back to the inn to rejoin her parents, promising her friends she would rejoin later that day. Soon after that, Queen Verena and some of her young wards arrived for a visit. Homura joined the queen and Marianna for tea, while charlotte played with the girls and Oktavia , whose legs were feeling much better, was still out training with her sword. During idel gossip, Homura learned that the queen was an avid fan of theater and tended to quote sayings relating to it, and also she was in her 20s and her birthday was in a few days. In fact, her birthday happened to be on the night of Walpurghisnacht and considered an omen... Finally Marianna turned the topic to what happened yesterday] "by the way Lady Verena, something interesting happened yesterday, involving some of your girls. It seemed they are somehow involved with magic." [The queen paused, her teaciup to her lips] "Oh?" [Marianna nodded and described what happened, with the monsters attack and the girls suddenly as magical warriors. Verena sighed and shook her head] "Yes. I am ware of this... Apparently, some of the girls have met a 'fariy' anf form a contract of sorts, and are granted a wish and magical powers. That is how Lucy had her dog revived, Myrta had her teeth fixed, Bridgette got prettier, among others. But in return, they batte these horrible monsters, these grief witches" "Oh my... " To be honest, I have mixed feelings about all of this. On one hand, it is very dangerous, they could get hurt, and you know how people are wary of magic. When I took them in, I swore I would protect them" She then gave a small smile "On the other hand, They are happy with these wishes and powers, and about the fact that they are defending people from these evils..." [Homura listened with a hollow pit in her stomach. She knew what the results would be, the horrible truth.] "I actually have met this 'fairy' myself' the queen continued "An odd little thing, resembled a white cat of sorts with strange red markings, and it could talk. You know what? It actually offered me the contract. It said that I had the greatest latent potential for the role." "What did you say? Did you accept?" "I told itI would think about it." [She looked down at her cup again ]"It would be enjoyable to battle alongside the girls, and to help defend against those monsters. But, I can not really think of something to wish for, anything I want or need more. I am happy. Besides, I am to busy with ruling this kingdom and taking care of it, I would not have time to add monster slaying. I know my girls could take care of it. ..."
[Homura breathed a great sigh of relief, then. Humility's Aunt Verena seemed to be a bit old to be an Magical Girl candidate, but still, it was best that she stayed far away from all that, she thought. But wait...Hmm, on the other hand...]
(...Oh, we Incubators can and have made Contracts with older woman, and even male humans if they had enough potential. Niner usually ignores the ones who don't fit his ideal candidate profile list, though - It's just not worth the trouble, he says...)
[Eight said, and then sent a half transparent projection of himself inside Humility's mindspace, where Homura was.]
(But hey - Wasn't there something else you wanted to ask me?)
[Homura hummed at that.]
(...Oh, there's plenty of things I want to ask you, but for now...)
[Well, what she really wanted first was something that would let her heal Humility's heart properly, but - ]
(Oh, good, I have just the thing, then! I made it as an experiment, but I bet it'll be useful to you as well...)
[And then, he tossed something that looked like a small pretty eastern style tea cup with a lid on it her way, grinning.]
(It looks like a cup, but it's actually a magical energy storage device, if you know what I mean - Oh, yes, I see you do. It's empty now, so you can store your magical energies inside it, little by little. It should be useful if you want to heal that girl you're dwelling in for the moment, correct? I mean, she does seem to have a bad heart, so...)
[Homura grabbed the thing, and stared at it, then.]
(So how does this work?)
{Eight yawned, and licked his paw.]
(...You just should put your hand on it and will any spare magical energies you have to go inside, I think, and do it every day. I'm not sure how long it'll take to fill up, though - And I wouldn't try to do anything with that poor girl's heart unless it's filled to the brim, if I was in your shoes...)
"I will try soon. Thank you..." "Homulily!" [Gretchen waved at her] "would you like to go watch Oktavia training with me?" "Ah? Of course, Gretchen!" [Homura pocketed thw magical device and followed Gretchen to where Oktavia was out by the stables. The bluenette herself, currently clad in a simpler , easier to move in dress and boots had been training with her sowrd, using some hay bales as targets. Lo and behold Ophelia turned up, , perched in a tree, watching her with a grin.] "Pretty good technique there, Okty!" "You!" [Oktavia faltered angrily, missing a step and falling into a pile of hay. Ophelia chuckled and jumped down.] "Easy there! you can't just easily lose your guard at every distraction!" "H-hush!" [Oktavia pouted, scrambling up, pieces of hay stuck in her hair] "What are you doing here, thief!"
...Well, there was something I wanted to ask you people, ya see. Since you're mostly nobles, or rich anyway, and well educated and shit. Well, it's supposed to be your job to solve the problems commonors can't, after all, though most of you don't seem to be intererested in doing that at all, to be honest, ha ha ha...
[Ophelia said with a shrug. Oktavia stared at Ophelia for a moment, blinking.]
...It's the noble's job to...solve the problems common people can't? Huh, I never thought of it in exactly that way, but you're correct, I suppose.
[And then, she sighed a bit.]
- And yes, there are plenty of nobles who don't take care of the commonors in their estates at all, I'm afraid, but my family is not like that, and neither is Lady Marianna's family, and I don't think Lady Humility's family is like that either, whoever they actually are.
...So what happened?
[Ophelia sighed at that, and looked at Oktavia and Humility, and told them about what had happened when she met the strange girls with magical powers. Oktavia and Humility both blinked as she told them her story - Wait, so why was Lady Verenia's magic-using girls fighting each other before fighting the monster, anyway? And what was a "Grief Seed"?]
[Homura shuddered, , then, and took over Humility's body again before she quite realized what she was doing.]
- Ophelia - I do not think meeting that "fairy" is a good idea at all, even if any of them care over and offered to take you to him! Why would anybody grant Wishes for free, or give anybody magical powers for that matter?
[Oktavia's eyes widened at that.]
...But...But... Lady Verenia wouldn't let them make this Contract if anything bad would come of it, correct? I mean, she does appear to care about them a lot...
[Homura shook her, or rather Humility's, head at that.]
- Kyubey is just much too good at twisting the truth without lying outright. All he has to do is give people that cute empty smile and...and...
[Ooops? Homura put a hand to her mouth, dismayed, while Gretchen's eyes widened.]
...Lady Humility! So you mean you - you've met this fairy called Kyukyu before?
[Homura sighed, then, and ran her hand thought her - Humility's - hair. She then put her eyeglasses on her face, and looked into Gretchen's eyes, her expression stern/]
- Oh, yes I have, dearest Gretchen - And I tell you, he is a evil little thing who lies and lies and lies, even though he'll insist he never did such a thing at all!
"How do you know, Homulily?"[Gretchen tilted her head in worry] [Before Homulily could come up with an explanation, some of the young wards, the ones who were magical girls, showed up] "What are you saying, Aunt Homulily!" [The one name Bridgette cried] Homura sighed] "listen child, you should not trust this creature. It is just using you, and cares not about your end fate or your feelings." the girl fornwed further "...I don't believe you! Stop[ saying mean things about him! you're just jealous!" "homulily...."[ Gretchen looked worried now. She had never really seen her dear Homulily being this, cold before...] "What do you mean just using us? I don't understand?"" Brigitte said confused] [an the little girl Nani glared up at Homura] "Not true!! you're just being mean! You'll see! I hope the witch monster gets you!" ] and with that homura noticed the familar tiny glim of negative darkness in her soul gem jewel, on a necklace in these days]. " Nini! How could you say that! Thats horrible!"[ Brigette scolded.] "I dont care! I dont like her!!" [Verena glided in, Marianna behind her.. they looked concerened] "Is somehtig the matter?"
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timeasmymeasure
Re: Re: Homura's timeloop glitch plot!
Date: 2016-09-22 05:31 am (UTC)[Marianna rushed ahead hurridly, still in a refined manner, but had to pause to stop Charlotte from following ] "Please, stay here, Charlotte. It will be dangerous."
[Charlotte pouted in disappointment] "Yes , big sister...
[Ophelia leaned forward, sneering in amusement] "Which means, your manly knigthts probably weren't too happy when you told them you wanted to sign up! they said no, manly heroic knights were no position for a fancy, pampered lady like yourslef!"
[Oktavia gritted her teeth, not wanting to admit that Ophelia was actually right. That the knights of the blue kingdom only chuckled in amusement upon hearing her wish...]
"Anyway, Okty"[Opehelia chuckled, picking up that nickname form Oktavia's tiny pink friend] "A defender of peace of justice? What a load of crap! The so called heroic knights are nothing but pompous hypocrites! Where were they when villaiges were being burned to the ground, raids were going on, and innocent people got hurt!"
Re: Re: Homura's timeloop glitch plot!
Date: 2016-09-22 09:26 am (UTC)...Booo! Sure, sure, some of the knights are shitty people, but most of them are pretty decent as far as I know. And everybody knows that they just aren't enough knights to go around to stop all the bad stuff from happening, anyway!
[And then, Oktavia sighed a bit.]
- It's mostly the Princess of Evil's fault, anyhow - She raises taxes and raises taxes, but nobody can figure out where all that money is actually going to. And each year, there's less and less money for the knights, or the city watchmen, or for fixing roads, or for anything important to the commonors for some reason...
[And then, she sniggered again.]
...Besides, you're a thief, right? Are you sure you have a leg to stand on, complaining about innocent people getting hurt?
[Ophelia sighed a bit at that.]
- Oh, I do suppose you've got me there. We do try to do that "steal from the rich and give to the poor" shtick seriuosly, though, in case you were wondering~
[And then, she chuckled.]
...So you don't like her Evil Highness either? Cool, cool - I'd thought most of the nobles loved her style, for some reason!
[And then, the two traded some blows again, both grinning. This was quite fun, oddly enough, they both thought.]
Re: Re: Homura's timeloop glitch plot!
Date: 2016-09-23 04:52 am (UTC)" Princress Rillianne, the Daughter of Evil!"So many innocent people are in misery because of her!!" In her ire she struck. Ophelia sneered with disgust and anger at the thought of her
[Ophelia reacted and managed to block the pear with her sword, though she was being pushed back a bi]t "She is horrid! And especially if she is as bad as you say," S[he swung back ]"But she is not my queen! I am am of the Blue kingdom's noibility! I was just visiting my friend! But despite being a noblewoman of gold, Lady Candeloro is a very kind person!"
"Ah, so you have a handsome, womanizing idiot as your crown heir apparent then, in Blue!"
"Well he treats his people well, at least!" [Oktavia leapt in a springing charge]]
"Yeah because he's too busy stuffing his face with ice cream and charming every pretty lady he sees!"[Ophelia stepped aside, though she was actually a bit surprised the young noblewoman figured that move, and grabbed the flowing skirts and bringin her down to the ground]
[Oktavia cried out at that and tried to twist around, hand still on her sword, but Ophelia pinned her down] "Ya cant deny that, can ya!
[Ok it was true Prince Kyle was a fool, but that wasnt the point!Oktavia struggled with a whine] "Let go of me!"
[Ophelia leaned her face in closer, grinning nastily. ] "Why should I, Okty?" " [Huh, this silly blue girl, She did look cute all flustered like this....]
Re: Re: Homura's timeloop glitch plot!
Date: 2016-09-27 08:31 am (UTC)...Oh, who cares - Prince Kyle may be embarrasing, but he hasn't done anything to bring his own Kingdom to ruin, at the very least!
[Ophelia blinked at that, grinning.]
- Are you sure of that? I mean, I've heard some stories -
[And then, she snickered.]
...So what are those rumors about him jilting the Princess of Evil because he wanted to marry a Green girl, anyway? Aand then, she just happened to turn out to be a Princess of the Green Kingdom, right? How convienient for them!
Re: Re: Homura's timeloop glitch plot!
Date: 2016-09-28 05:29 am (UTC)"And what about you, eh? Got some fancy prince charmin of your own, ya pinin after enough to write love songs about?"
"That would be none of your business, crook!!!"
"heheh. Hm, ni e shot.I admit, youre atually much better then I thought you'd be! "[of course it did help that the noble had taken off a bunch of layers of her fancy dress before the battle, making it much easier to manuver in]
"I have been taking lessons form the captain of the guard!" [Oktavia proclaimed as she pushed ]back "think as you may, but I take the ability of the sword seriously! it is not some whimsy!"
"Well good for you, getting a hobby besdes rich stuff! besides, swords are overrated, and I got lessons myself!"
[They continue to swipe blows and bantering for a while. Oktavia was starting to get tired more easily as she was not used to combat. at one point the spear stuck the fabric and ripped off the last few layer of oktavia's skirt, revealing down to her bloomers and stockings.
finally they ended up getting tangled up and tumbling off the bridge SPLASH! into the pond]
Re: Re: Homura's timeloop glitch plot!
Date: 2016-10-02 10:45 am (UTC)[The redhead grinned and waved her hand, then.]
...Well, alright, I never thought I'd say this to a silly noble miss, but you're pretty good!
[And then, she waved her hand, and jumped back up on the bridge.]
- But on the other hand, I do have to go now, so -
[Oktavia looked at her and tried to stand up inside the lake, huffing.]
...So you're going to run away now, Thief Girl?
[The redhead laughed.]
- Yuuup! Running away is part of my job, after all!
[And then, she leaned closer to Oktavia, and whispered - ]
...But on the other hand, if you're serious about really really not liking the Princess of Evil, we might be meetin' again sooner rather then later, ha ha ha - So bye for now, Okty!
[And then, the redhead ran into the woods, and was gone. Oktavia sighed, and started to get out of the pond, pulling some weeds from out of her hair.]
...And I suppose the rest of the thieves got away while we were fighting, Lady Marianna?
[Marianna gave Oktavia a relived smile, and went up to her.]
...I'm afraid so, Lady Oktavia!
[Oktavia shrugged at that, wondering what kind of deal the redhead and Lady Marianna actually had. Well, it was sort of obvious there was some kind of deal going on, she was pretty sure, and now that the redhead had actually mentioned Princess Rillanne... Ew, politics. Oktavia decided not to mention anything about what she thought about the connections between Lady Marianna and the thief girl for the time being, and changed the subject with a smile.]
- Oh, well...It can't be helped, I suppose! Say, Lady Marianna, have you heard any rumors about Prince Kyle lately?
[And in the meanwhile, just a small distance away - ]
[Gretchen and Humility were sweatdropping up a storm, staring at a large bowl full of fried potato slices that one of the younger thieves had just thrust into their hands as she ran past them, giggling.]
...Those are the strangest theives ever.
[Gretchen said, and then, she smiled a bit as she smelled the potato chips with salt and bacon bits on them.]
- Oh, this really smells good, though!
Re: Re: Homura's timeloop glitch plot!
Date: 2016-10-04 05:33 am (UTC)"Wonderful idea! It shall be relaxing!"
[none of them noticed the redhead still watchig them with a smirk from the branches]
[some time later, Oktavia, Marianna, Gretchen, Charlotte and Homulily went to the private royal hot springs in the castle grounds. Built up from natural hotsprings, it was elegantly crafted with marble ledges, floral arrangements and a gazebo and served snacks and drinks.]
"Oh this so pretty!" (Gretchen commented as they got in. Homura Humility still could not help blushing as Gretchen undressed. Whatever timeline, it was always nice to bathe with madoka...]
Re: Re: Homura's timeloop glitch plot!
Date: 2016-10-07 11:06 pm (UTC)...Ow...
- Lady Humility - Oh, no!
[Gretchen said, and then quickly pulled Humility away from the baths, and found her a bench to sit on. She then went over to some of the racks, and wrapped a soft pink bathrobe around her, looking worried indeed.]
...Oh, Lady Humility...Does it still hurt? It must have been all the excitement - I'm so sorry!
[Humility, in the meanwhile, had managed to get her breath.]
- I'm all right now, Miss Gretchen, and please don't apoligize...
[And then, she smiled at Gretchen, and took her hand.]
You didn't do anything wrong, all right?
[And in the meanwhile, inside Humility's mind - Homura groaned. Darn all this! If only she had enough magic right now, she could fix Humility's heart in less then an hour!)
(...My non-existant Kingdom for some actually useful magic, seriously.)
[She groused, misquoting Shakespere on purpose - Aand that was when a cream furred critter with red-amber eyes slowly blinked as it sat on one of the gazebos.]
[Oh, yes, here in came, that strange little burst of magic again. Eight smiled a bit, and licked his paw. This was interesting indeed!]
Re: Re: Homura's timeloop glitch plot!
Date: 2016-10-14 11:02 pm (UTC)"Oh, wonderful!"
"Let us go back to the baths then" [The girls held hand as they returned to the bath and Gretchen into the water sighing with delight]
"Ah! So nice! You are so luck Mari, to have really nice baths like this!"[ Gretchen smiled brghtly and picked up the sponge ]"Here, let me wash your back Homulilu!"
[the thieves peered out of the bushes at the scene]
"Even this bath looks busy..."
[Suddenly, with a wild grin, Ophelia appeared at the bath having leapt from a bush, peeling off her skirt and blouse, still wet from pondwater, and underwear, and leapt into the pool with a spalsh ]
"What in the_!"
"Hello ladies!" [Ophelia stretched out her athletic body, marred with a few scars.] "dont mind me, just stopping by for a dip!"
"Y-you!!"[ twitching in fury, Oktavia started towards her, but Marianna put up an arm to keep her back.]
"Miss Ophelia. You should not be here."
"Well we really needed a relaxing bath, so I'd figure Id go here for a bit. Just relaxing a dip" [She waggled an eyebrow teasingly at the blue haired girl.]
"Just for the bath?" [Marianna sighed ]
"I would not mind! It is always nice having more company!" [Gretchen chirped. Homulily just nodded in agreement. Charlotte cheered.]
"Very well. I suppose you could stay for now. You did save Charlotte after all, and I must thank you very much for that. Just please, do not cause any trouble."
"But, Marianna!" [Oktavia scowled, her hand absentmindedly scratching her legs, some spots were starting to itch.]
Re: Re: Homura's timeloop glitch plot!
Date: 2016-10-14 11:56 pm (UTC)...Wait a minute, wait a minute - Lady Marianna, you mean that she was the brave commonor girl who saved Lady Charlotte from a runaway carriage?
[Ophelia snickered, then, and blew some soapbubbles Oktavia's way.]
...You got it in one, Okty!
[Oktavia stared at her for a moment, and then sank back into the baths, muttering to herself. Why were her legs itching like this, anyway? It was so annoying!]
...Of all the - You know, Lady Marianna - Things would have been so much simpler if you're simply told me that first...
[Marianna groaned a bit at that, but then, she smiled.]
...Well, maybe, but... It is a bit hard to explain, is it not?
[She hadn't been sure how far she could trust Oktavia, to be honest - Things were now getting politically delicate indeed, with Queen Verena herself visiting them in her "Lady Verenia" persona.]
[But now - Hmmm. Maybe, just maybe, she could include Oktavia in their little circle of people who were really interested in saving Queen Rillanne from herself, and saving the Gold Kingdom as well, so to speak? Oh, Marianna herself wasn't planning to do anything drastic by any means (not that she could speak for all the other people in their group) but she was pretty sure the Kingdom as a whole would be much better off if Queen Rillanne had better "advisors" then the ones she had now. Things would be so much better if good and competent people actually ran the country, while Rillanne could just play at being Queen as much as she liked...]
Re: Re: Homura's timeloop glitch plot!
Date: 2016-10-15 12:08 am (UTC)"Gee you look tense, Okty! The point of this bath is to relax!"
"Oh be quiet you! " [Oktavia snapped] "I have having a lovely time until you showed up!" [She could not help observing the redhead's athletic body, scars included. She also was wearing a small cross with a red stone around her neck.]
[Ophelia rolled her eyes] "Still that hostile about me?"
[The two began arguing again. The other girls just watched shaking their heads, while little Charlotte was happily playing with bubbles. Gretchen and Homulily were still enjoying watching eachother, but finally Gretchen cried out, more in worry than anger] "Oh please stop fighting you two! Can you not be friends? I know you very much can be!"
[hTat got them to stop arguing at least. They sat in tensed silence for a bit, Oktavia still scratching at her uncomfortable legs. Nobody noticed the multicolored scale that had peeled off of her legs and floated among the bubbles]
"...Those music sheets" [Ophelia finally spoke up] "You wrote them yourself, didn't ya"
[oktavia nodded] "Yes, I did.I have always loved music, both listening and playing. I am decent enough at playing instruments, and people say I am a good singer. But I also very much enjoy arranging music. Creating melodies and compositions, conducting the paths of the sounds form the musicians..." [She sighed, calming down and smiling at the thought of it.]
[Gretchen clapped her hands] "Okty has the most beautiful vooice! And the pieces she composes are sublime!"
"huh. Thats actually pretty cool" [Ophelia seemed genuinely impressed]
Re: Re: Homura's timeloop glitch plot!
Date: 2016-10-19 04:22 am (UTC)[...And in either case, why was that Sayaka lookalike glowing like that, anyway? Had she made a Contract already or something? But no, those energy patterns didn't really feel like the energy patterns of most of the Magical Girls she had known over the years, somehow...]
(...That's because she's a throwback of some kind, probably. Mermaid, Siren or both, maybe?)
[A soft voice floated through the mindspace Homura happened to be in.]
...Oh, don't be silly, it's not like mermaids or sirens actually exist or anything, after all -
[Homura huffed - And then, she froze for a moment, and slowly turned around. An half transparent white and cream critter was floating in the air, looking at her with amber-red eyes, an oddly amused look on it's face.]
(- Well, actually - They do. From the very beginning, this planet was terribly odd, after all.)
[The critter licked it's paw, then, much like Kyubey had used to do after he had eaten something he liked. Homura sighed a bit, then, feeling an odd pang of loneliness.]
(Mermaids, sirens, fairies, all kinds of so called "supernatural beings" - Some of them existed from the beginning, but even the ones which were just based on made up stories ended up being created for real, more often then not. They may not have existed originally, but once people started to tell stories about them, it was only a matter of time until Magical Girls started to Wish them into existence, you see...)
................Huh. You're not Kyubey, are you.
[Homura said, wondering why she felt so calm. The critter was oddly familiar, though...]
(- I am most certainly not Niner, yes.)
[The critter said, and then, he gave her a little bow.]
(...And you aren't really the girl called Humility either, correct?)
Re: Re: Homura's timeloop glitch plot!
Date: 2016-10-19 05:42 am (UTC)"I'm inside your mind now. And I see two two exact soul coupies overlaying. Judging by the reality glitch temporal version we have detetected, you are a future version of Humility now transplanted itno her body.]
[Homura sighed] "Indeed. from 200 years in the future. And now I am ghere, with identical versions of my friends in the past...
[she watched as The group of girls talked some more for a whil, enjoying the hot springs, and having a good time. Even Oktavia had eased up, even with Ophelia.
Suddenly, a fog came over, and the air felt thick. Marianna looked up in comfusion]
"Hm? what is wrong with the weather?"
"I do not know..I do not feel very good..." Gretcheb leaned against homulily] "It is like, a cloud of, depression..."
[Inside, homure fearfully. she recognized this feeling. A witch was nearby...]
[Marianna saw a servant drifting nearby.] "Excuse Miss, coud you bring over some towels please?
[the maid emitted a low hiss and turned towards them. All of the grils except Ophelia let out a scream at them sight of her twisted, empty ghoulish face]
"W-what is wrong with her!!"
[Ophelia reached for her spear, and Oktavia tried to reach for her sword, but gray ragged tendrils shot out and grabbed them] "W-what the hell is this!!"
"Charlotte! " [Marianna picked up her little sister ]"coem on girls, we need to get out of ehre!"
Homuliy and gretchen held onto eachother, shakign fearfully.
Re: Re: Homura's timeloop glitch plot!
Date: 2016-10-23 05:33 am (UTC)...That's my Witch, you damn moron - Go away and find your own!
[An older looking girl with orange hair yelled, shaking her fist at the other girl. She was dressed in something that looked like stage costume version of a lady's dress, Homura noted with an inward groan.]
- Nah nah naah, Nene needs the Grief Seed more, stupid!
[The other girl said, sticking out her tongue. This girl looked younger, and was wearing a pink dress which seemed rather the worse for wear. Homura really stared, then - Wait a minute, where those Magical Girls really fighting in their normal clothes? Why hadn't they just created magical combat outfits when they transformed, like all the other Magical Girls she knew normally did?]
(...Huh. So the Magical Girls you know automatically create magical combat outfits when they transform as a matter of course? I've known some Magical Girls who did manage to do something like that, but it wasn't easy at all, I thought...)
[The critter who had called himself Eight said, curiously.]
(It does sound like a cost effective upgrade, though, now that I think about it. Oh, they automatically create Magical Weapons too? Yeah, Niner would love that, once he actually gets up to updating the basic programming...)
[Homura blinked at that. Wait a minute...]
[And then, she sighed a bit as yet another critter waved his paw at her. This was had mussy looking fur, and red brown eyes.]
(I'm called Seven, by the way, but - Watch out!)
[Homura groaned, then, as the two Magical Girls actually started to fight the Witch at long last. They didn't seem to care who got caught in the crossfire, and several green spell arrows were going right over Humility and Gretchen's heads!]
[Homura took a deep breath, then, and took over Humility's body for the moment. She quickly ran over to one of the racks, and tossed a robe at Gretchen.]
...OK, then, Miss Gretchen - Now we're going to run away very quickly and very quietly! All right?
[She whispered.]
Re: Re: Homura's timeloop glitch plot!
Date: 2016-10-25 05:29 am (UTC)[But then the magical giirls chased the monaster away from the baths! with the monster gohne, the atmpsphere returned to noramal]
O[phelia growled and griped her spear.. Should would have taken out the monster right then and there, but she had to protect Maranna and Charlottw, not to mention it would be a very bad idea to battle in the buff.] "Damn it! EWhat the hell just happened!!"
"I, I do not know... " [Marianna hugged charlotte, who was sobbing in fear, closer to her ]. "But those girls, they were some odf Queen Verena's wards..." [ She sighed and stood up] Let us just return home for now. Then perhas later I should have a talk with Lady Verena. I wonder if she knows that some of her girls are involved with magical affairs... I have heard them say they have met 'fairies' after all"
Re: Re: Homura's timeloop glitch plot!
Date: 2016-10-27 02:25 am (UTC)(Oh, well, Mado - Miss Gretchen seemed to be safe for now, at the very least. Homura took a step back inside Humility's mindspace, and let Humility take charge again. And then, she turned toward the two critters, who were still projecting their images inside the mindspace where she was.)
(...Oh, you're right about that, pretty much, but they're also quite a bit of real fairies living around there, so.)
[Seven said, and then he yawned, scratching his flank.]
(- Oh, more then half the girls in "Lady Verenia's" troop can and do create Magical Outfits when they fight, but it's not automatic, as far as I know... And their Magical Weapons tend to look like stage props, for some reason.]
[Huh. Homura sighed again.]
(Is that so. I was also about to ask if Witches that looked like that were commonplace, here, but...)
[Eight nodded.]
(...Oh, yes, the so-called living corpuse type is quite common, though they're all kinds of other types too. Only a small percentage of them ever get powerful enough to generate their own Witch Barrier, thankfully...)
[And then, his eyes narrowed as he watched some of the images flickering past.]
(- Wait, so the Witches you know all know how to create Witch Barriers, automatically? Even the weak ones?)
[In the meanwhile, the girls had all gone back to the main manor, shaken. Marianna was wondering how to bring the subject up with Lady Verena, while Humility and Gretchen were holding hands as they walked.]
...Miss Gretchen? Would it be all right if...if you came to my room, so we could have some tea and crumpets before I go to sleep? That monster...I...
[Humility said, shyly. Gretchen nodded at that, and smiled.]
- Of course, Lady Humility! I'll be happy too! I mean, I don't want to be all alone in my room either, after seeing something like that...
Re: Re: Homura's timeloop glitch plot!
Date: 2016-10-27 03:07 am (UTC)There were now patches on her legs, the same spots that had itched, that were an odd texture. It almost looked like she was growing the scales of a fish. Oktavia herself was still fairly grouchy and trying to hide a blush about this predictament.)
"So, you gonna be ok?" (Ophelia asked as they reached her room and dropped her on her bed)
"Of course I shall be!"( Oktavia rolled her eyes impatienyly, shifting as Maraiiane helped her out of the bathrobe and into a nightgown.) "It is just a rash and, hey do not touch any of my things!!"
(Ophelia shrugged and put down the haairbrush she was examining) "Youre right, I should probably go chase after that monster " )She grinned and tapped Oktavia's cheek) "See ya later then, Okty!"( She agilly leapt through the window and scaled the wall out just as the doctor arrived.)
Re: Re: Homura's timeloop glitch plot!
Date: 2016-10-27 03:19 am (UTC)...Oh, no! How could this be!? I will have to ask Mistress Lita to be aboslutely sure, but...
[He mumbled to himself, putting a soothing salve on her scabs.]
- This should take care of the itchiness. Please try not to scratch it, Lady Oktavia -
[And then, he sighed, and mumbled again.]
...A noble with mermaid's blood? How? She isn't even from any of the Sea Tribes!
[And in the meanwhile, Ophelia had caught up with the two Magical Girls, who had decided to share the Grief Seed rather then fight each other for it.]
...Ohhh, that makes me feel so much better!
[The younger girl said with a smile, putting the Grief Seed to her Soul Gem.]
Re: Re: Homura's timeloop glitch plot!
Date: 2016-10-27 03:43 am (UTC)[Oktavia nodded and nestled into her blankets after the doctor finished wrapping some bandages on the affected area "there we go, my lady. Reapply the medicine and change in the bandages twice a day. shall be back to check on you in a few days."
"thank you doctor." [As the doctor left, Marianna sighed) "It is a good thing Ophelia was there."
"ugh! I can not stand her!! " (Oktavia was groaning)
"Well she is gone now. But you put up wiht her well enough. Still, this rash is unusual. "
"It should be all right, just a rash, there was probably something in the pond water. I just need rest. I am sure I shall be well enough to go to the ball the day after toomrrow!!"[ Oktavia was starting to get excited thingking about the upcoming bsll again)
Re: Re: Homura's timeloop glitch plot!
Date: 2016-11-01 05:27 am (UTC)[Ophelia, in the meanwhile, had jumped out in front of the strange girls with a florish!]
...So what the heck was that about, eh? Why did that maid turn into the living dead? And shame on you, scaring Lady Marianna and Lady Charlotte and all the rest of the girls like that!
[The two Magical Girls looked at each other, sweatdropping.]
...Whaaat? But how could she find us? We had the see-me-not spell on, going on at full strengh!
[The older girl groaned - But then, the younger one blinked.]
- Hey! May that means she has "high magical potential", whatever that means?
[And then, she clapped her hands with a grin.]
Let's try introducing her to Kyukyu! I'll be good to have new additions to our troop, right?
Re: Re: Homura's timeloop glitch plot!
Date: 2016-11-04 02:00 am (UTC)[After the girls argued among themselves for a bit, they heard the bells ringing, signaling it was time to go home] "Bye bye, miss!" [they skipepd off, leaving Ophelia intrigued and confused]
[ The next morning, Homura was still concerened that she was still in the past when she woke up. Perhaps it meant the story was not over yet, there were still things she had to witness here. The next morning passed fairly uneventfully. After breakfats, Gretchen headed back to the inn to rejoin her parents, promising her friends she would rejoin later that day. Soon after that, Queen Verena and some of her young wards arrived for a visit. Homura joined the queen and Marianna for tea, while charlotte played with the girls and Oktavia , whose legs were feeling much better, was still out training with her sword. During idel gossip, Homura learned that the queen was an avid fan of theater and tended to quote sayings relating to it, and also she was in her 20s and her birthday was in a few days. In fact, her birthday happened to be on the night of Walpurghisnacht and considered an omen...
Finally Marianna turned the topic to what happened yesterday]
"by the way Lady Verena, something interesting happened yesterday, involving some of your girls. It seemed they are somehow involved with magic."
[The queen paused, her teaciup to her lips] "Oh?"
[Marianna nodded and described what happened, with the monsters attack and the girls suddenly as magical warriors. Verena sighed and shook her head]
"Yes. I am ware of this... Apparently, some of the girls have met a 'fariy' anf form a contract of sorts, and are granted a wish and magical powers. That is how Lucy had her dog revived, Myrta had her teeth fixed, Bridgette got prettier, among others. But in return, they batte these horrible monsters, these grief witches"
"Oh my... "
To be honest, I have mixed feelings about all of this. On one hand, it is very dangerous, they could get hurt, and you know how people are wary of magic. When I took them in, I swore I would protect them" She then gave a small smile "On the other hand, They are happy with these wishes and powers, and about the fact that they are defending people from these evils..."
[Homura listened with a hollow pit in her stomach. She knew what the results would be, the horrible truth.]
"I actually have met this 'fairy' myself' the queen continued "An odd little thing, resembled a white cat of sorts with strange red markings, and it could talk. You know what? It actually offered me the contract. It said that I had the greatest latent potential for the role."
"What did you say? Did you accept?"
"I told itI would think about it." [She looked down at her cup again ]"It would be enjoyable to battle alongside the girls, and to help defend against those monsters. But, I can not really think of something to wish for, anything I want or need more. I am happy. Besides, I am to busy with ruling this kingdom and taking care of it, I would not have time to add monster slaying. I know my girls could take care of it. ..."
Re: Re: Homura's timeloop glitch plot!
Date: 2016-11-05 06:16 am (UTC)(...Oh, we Incubators can and have made Contracts with older woman, and even male humans if they had enough potential. Niner usually ignores the ones who don't fit his ideal candidate profile list, though - It's just not worth the trouble, he says...)
[Eight said, and then sent a half transparent projection of himself inside Humility's mindspace, where Homura was.]
(But hey - Wasn't there something else you wanted to ask me?)
[Homura hummed at that.]
(...Oh, there's plenty of things I want to ask you, but for now...)
[Well, what she really wanted first was something that would let her heal Humility's heart properly, but - ]
(Oh, good, I have just the thing, then! I made it as an experiment, but I bet it'll be useful to you as well...)
[And then, he tossed something that looked like a small pretty eastern style tea cup with a lid on it her way, grinning.]
(It looks like a cup, but it's actually a magical energy storage device, if you know what I mean - Oh, yes, I see you do. It's empty now, so you can store your magical energies inside it, little by little. It should be useful if you want to heal that girl you're dwelling in for the moment, correct? I mean, she does seem to have a bad heart, so...)
[Homura grabbed the thing, and stared at it, then.]
(So how does this work?)
{Eight yawned, and licked his paw.]
(...You just should put your hand on it and will any spare magical energies you have to go inside, I think, and do it every day. I'm not sure how long it'll take to fill up, though - And I wouldn't try to do anything with that poor girl's heart unless it's filled to the brim, if I was in your shoes...)
Re: Re: Homura's timeloop glitch plot!
Date: 2016-11-10 06:05 am (UTC)"Homulily!" [Gretchen waved at her] "would you like to go watch Oktavia training with me?"
"Ah? Of course, Gretchen!" [Homura pocketed thw magical device and followed Gretchen to where Oktavia was out by the stables.
The bluenette herself, currently clad in a simpler , easier to move in dress and boots had been training with her sowrd, using some hay bales as targets. Lo and behold Ophelia turned up, , perched in a tree, watching her with a grin.]
"Pretty good technique there, Okty!"
"You!" [Oktavia faltered angrily, missing a step and falling into a pile of hay.
Ophelia chuckled and jumped down.] "Easy there! you can't just easily lose your guard at every distraction!"
"H-hush!" [Oktavia pouted, scrambling up, pieces of hay stuck in her hair] "What are you doing here, thief!"
Re: Re: Homura's timeloop glitch plot!
Date: 2016-11-13 04:01 am (UTC)[Ophelia said with a shrug. Oktavia stared at Ophelia for a moment, blinking.]
...It's the noble's job to...solve the problems common people can't? Huh, I never thought of it in exactly that way, but you're correct, I suppose.
[And then, she sighed a bit.]
- And yes, there are plenty of nobles who don't take care of the commonors in their estates at all, I'm afraid, but my family is not like that, and neither is Lady Marianna's family, and I don't think Lady Humility's family is like that either, whoever they actually are.
...So what happened?
[Ophelia sighed at that, and looked at Oktavia and Humility, and told them about what had happened when she met the strange girls with magical powers. Oktavia and Humility both blinked as she told them her story - Wait, so why was Lady Verenia's magic-using girls fighting each other before fighting the monster, anyway? And what was a "Grief Seed"?]
[Homura shuddered, , then, and took over Humility's body again before she quite realized what she was doing.]
- Ophelia - I do not think meeting that "fairy" is a good idea at all, even if any of them care over and offered to take you to him! Why would anybody grant Wishes for free, or give anybody magical powers for that matter?
[Oktavia's eyes widened at that.]
...But...But... Lady Verenia wouldn't let them make this Contract if anything bad would come of it, correct? I mean, she does appear to care about them a lot...
[Homura shook her, or rather Humility's, head at that.]
- Kyubey is just much too good at twisting the truth without lying outright. All he has to do is give people that cute empty smile and...and...
[Ooops? Homura put a hand to her mouth, dismayed, while Gretchen's eyes widened.]
...Lady Humility! So you mean you - you've met this fairy called Kyukyu before?
[Homura sighed, then, and ran her hand thought her - Humility's - hair. She then put her eyeglasses on her face, and looked into Gretchen's eyes, her expression stern/]
- Oh, yes I have, dearest Gretchen - And I tell you, he is a evil little thing who lies and lies and lies, even though he'll insist he never did such a thing at all!
Re: Re: Homura's timeloop glitch plot!
Date: 2016-11-13 04:48 am (UTC)[Before Homulily could come up with an explanation, some of the young wards, the ones who were magical girls, showed up]
"What are you saying, Aunt Homulily!" [The one name Bridgette cried]
Homura sighed] "listen child, you should not trust this creature. It is just using you, and cares not about your end fate or your feelings."
the girl fornwed further "...I don't believe you! Stop[ saying mean things about him! you're just jealous!"
"homulily...."[ Gretchen looked worried now. She had never really seen her dear Homulily being this, cold before...]
"What do you mean just using us? I don't understand?"" Brigitte said confused]
[an the little girl Nani glared up at Homura] "Not true!! you're just being mean! You'll see! I hope the witch monster gets you!" ] and with that homura noticed the familar tiny glim of negative darkness in her soul gem jewel, on a necklace in these days].
" Nini! How could you say that! Thats horrible!"[ Brigette scolded.]
"I dont care! I dont like her!!"
[Verena glided in, Marianna behind her.. they looked concerened] "Is somehtig the matter?"
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