[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?"
[Homura sighed, then, and shook her head. Telling all those Magical Girls that they were all fated to turn into Witches if they didn't die first right now was probably not a good idea. They'd made the Contract already, after all, and she had no idea what their personalities were like. She didn't want to be responsible for them going Witch even sooner then they would have, after all...]
...It's nothing, Lady Marianna.
[She said to Marianna with a sigh, and then turned toward Nini, and gave her Soul Gem a pointed look. She then leaned over to the girl and whispered - ]
- And I'd get that cleaned off as soon as possible if I was you, Miss. Have a good day.
[Homura walked off with a sigh, then, feeling a great deal like finding a place to cry it off. She stopped for a moment when she heard Gretchen quickly tell the other girls goodbye.]
...Miss Gretchen, please. You don't have to follow me about like this...
[Gretchen walked up to her, and gave her a pained smile, then.]
Lady Homu - Humility, please don't say that. You're - I know you're a noble and everything, and my family are just merchants, but...I...I...
[Homura rubbed her eyes, then.]
- Of course we're friends, Miss Gretchen. Rank doesn't matter as much as most people seem to think, I believe.
[Gretchen hugged Homura, then, tears in my eyes. Homura sighed, then, and hugged her back. She then found them a bench to sit on behind some bushes, away from prying eyes.]
...Miss Gretchen. Can you keep a secret? I want to tell you something, but - You can't tell anybody about it, not even Lady Marianna, or Lady Oktavia, or that red-head, or any of those girls in Lady Verenia's troop...
[Homura hesistated. should she tell her the truth? As, the many times she had to see Madoka's sweet face crumble as she revealed a horrible turth. Thos would be no different, finding out her Homulily was actuaclly a doppleganger from the future... And the truth about magical girls? Grethen would likely seeks out a way to save them and then get herself in danger...] And then her own response came up on autopilot again, like it had before. That of her past self Homulily she was currently inhabiting]"Oh Gretchen, I do not know myself."[ she put a hand to her hand starting to feel woozy.] "Perhaps I am becoming ill, and starting to have delusions..." "Oh poor Homulily! But, what were you going to tell me?)
[and form another bush, a pair of beady red and lavender eyes on a white and lavender furry face was watchign in inetrest
Homura groaned and shook her head then. OK, so she was Homura for the moment, but Humility's personality was waking up quickly now, and...]
...Miss Gretchen! There's just one thing I want to tel you, all right?
[And then, she put a hand to her head.]
- If a white critter with red eyes ever offers you a Wish, and magical powers, and a mission to defeat monsters, and asks you to make a Contract with him - Just...just don't. He looks cute and harmless, but he lies and lies and...
[Homura almost crumpled over Gretchen, then.]
...Just...promise...
[Gretchen groaned, then, and quickly tried to hold her up.]
- Homulily - Oh, no! Please wake up, dearest Homulily!
[And a few moments later...It was Humility who woke up in Gretchen's arms.]
"Ah.. I am sorry.." [Homuliy shook her head, clearing back up. that irritation was gone "It must have been a flare of my illness" "do not strain yourself. Perhaps you should get some more rest then. you will need all the strength you can for tomorrow." Humility just nodded and gave a reassuring smile to gretchen and put her hand on hers. Gretchen relaxed and smiled back and they went back tea as usual.
The next morning, Humility was feeling much better, though those memories still were blurred. After a nice breafast, and the ssuddenly extra luxurious bath she promised with gretchen, (this really was nice... inside homura was figeting again at Grentchen's touch). later in the day she was crying out in discomfort and gasping for breath.] "Oh do calm down, Lady Humility! You're acting like you have never worn a corset before!" [The maid scolded as she tied the strings tightly "thoiugh this is your first real apperance at a ball, so it is a bit differentt then the usual style you are used to." Hummility bit her lip and tried to relax and stood patiently as the maids drapped layer upon later of fine clothing upon her. Yes it was uncomfortable, but she could manage it. It was a ball, she was a lady, she knew she had to look her best. A while more of pinnig up her hair and applying make up and jewelry, then the final layer of dress, and she was finally done. Internally, she let out an awe as she saw her appearence in the mirror. Her dress was a shimmering silvery ball gown with purple trimming and ribbons, a choker with a diamon on it, a few small braid woven into her updo with a purple headbacd with some ribbons on it. When she went over to meet the other girls, she was not surprised to see that Oktavia's blue ball gown had a ocean motif to it, with some deocor of seashells and some pinned in her hair and some layers frilled like waves. But her eyes widened when she saw Gretchen. Her ball gown was white and adorned with white feathers and pink and gold ribbons, some more pinned into her hair. How it matched perfeftly.. Gretchen giggled and skipepd over as best she couldin her heavy gown "Oh Houlily!! you look so beautiful!!" Humility smiled "I think you look even more beautiful..."
[Gretchen said with a smile, remembering that she probably should use Humlity's real name for a formal occasion like this, even if she did love the nickname she'd given her.]
[And then, she started to walk next to Humility, toward the gardens.]
- Oh, Lady Humility, aren't those new corsets just awesome? They're just so much less constricting them the old ones!
[Gretchen said, grinning. Humility looked at her, then, her eyes widening comically.]
...New...corsets?
[Gretchen sweatdropped a bit, then.]
- Oh! Um, my famiily gave me some of the new style corsets that are all the rage at the Capital now, and, um -
[Aand that was when Marianna and Charlotte came up from behind them, grinning!]
...Oh, my. I've heard of those new corsets, but - Miss Gretchen, I'll appreciate it so much if you'd let us try them on later!
[Marianna said with a genuine smile.]
Why, yes, of course, Lady Marianna! My family gave me about 15 of them with different sizes, so...
[Gretchen said with a flustered smile.]
They're really so much easier to move around in, and they don't squeeze you as half as much as the old ones, I think...
[And that was when Humility put her hand to her chest, grimancing. Oh, no - Of all the times for her heart pains to come back...]
[Gretchen, Marianna and Charlotte all looked at her, looking very worried indeed.]
- Does your chest hurt again, Lady Humility?
[Charlotte said, and patted Humility's arm while Marianna and Gretchen found her a bench to sit on.]
...Lady Humility. Do you want to go back to your room?
[Gretchen said, while Marianna groaned. Lady Humility really should be attending this ball if it was at all possible, politically speaking, she was pretty sure...Especially if "Lady Verenia" was attending too.]
[And that was when an idea struck her.]
- Lady Humility! Why don't you go back to your room for now, and rest a little, and then try to get dressed again, this time with the new style corsets Miss Gretchen has brought us, so you can come back to the ball later? Corsets that are easier to move around would be better in general in your case, I think...
...That...would probably be a good idea. Thank you, Lady Marianna.
[Humility wheezed, and then looked at Gretchen.]
- Miss Gretchen - I would appreciate it so much if you could help me to my room, and get the new corsets...
"Oh of course! I am sorry for the trouble. You can go ahead Marianna, Oktavia. We shall be along shortly." "All right." [As they left, Oktavia was cheerful and excited] "Lord Kiesly will be there! And I think Sir Bruno, the captain of the guard! and I have news, I heard my new concerto that I wrote shall be played tobnight!!" [The maids were annoyed to have to undo , change the corset, and then redo all of the layers of Homulily's gown. It was worth it though since Homulily felt better now with the other corset. After a warm cup of tea, they were off to the ball!
...You were right, Miss Gretchen, those new corsets are so much easier to move around in.
[Humility said with a smile.]
Thank you so much!
[Gretchen blushed a bit at that.]
Ahh, it was nothing, Lady Humility - And I'm so glad you're looking better now...
[Gretchen stopped a bit, then, as they almost reached the ballroom proper.]
...Lady Humility? There was something I wanted to ask you...
[Humility smiled at her, warmly.]
- You can ask me anything, Miss Gretchen!
[Gretchen gulped a little, then.]
...I...I'm not sure if it was even real or not, it might have been just a dream...but...
[And then, she took a deep breath.]
- What would you say if I had a dream, and in that dream, a very cute red eyed white bunnycat thing asked me if I wanted to be a hero? I mean, I mean, I wouldn't even have mentioned it if you hadn't told me about cute but evil creatures who lied a lot...
[Homulily's eyes widened at that] "Gretchen..." "I am sorry,. We may have to discuss this later after the ball." [Homura nodded, realziiging this meant something is Gretchen could dream about Kyubey...Dear sweet gretchen, she really didn't want to worry her. So she would just try to control this problem for the time being. Here they were at the ball tonight, to have fun.
The night was progressing fairly well so far. hidden inside Humility, Homura saw various other characters from her current story, such as Hitomi's past self, and some of the still human selves of the witches, such as Gertrude. Queen Verena was there, wearing a maginicifence blue and violet dress. She had arrived separetly as she had some royal business to take care of. crown prince Kyle of the blue kingdo arrived. He was a very handome blue haired young man and ladies fawned over him. Oktavia on the other hand seemed more itnerested in talking with the knight who accompanied him. Apparently he was captain of the guard for the blue army. Homura also caught sight of a handsome young 'gentleman' in a polished red coat and tricorn hat and and tucked back red hair milling about the buffet table, and expertly slipping off valuables from unknowing nobles...]
[Homura sighed, then, and turned away, hoping Kyoko - No, Ophelia - wouldn't get caught for that little caper. Things were complicated enough already, politically, without having a famous thief being captured in their midst.]
...Miss Gretchen? I'm a bit tired, I'm afraid...Could we find someplace we could rest for a couple of minutes?
[Gretchen nodded, and took her to an alvove at the corner in the room. Marianna and Charlotte were resting on one of the stools on there already, while some of the other maids rushed about, adjusting their ribbons and things.]
[Marianna put her finger to her lips as soon as she saw Humility and Gretchen come into the alcove. Humility and Gretchen put their own fingers to their lips, too, and nodded back with a grin - They didn't want anybody they didn't know to catch them when they were trying to take a break, after all,]
[And that was when the Prince Kyle wandered over to near the alcove, looking at a letter in his hand and talking softly to himself.]
...All right, so now I've even gotten my grandmother on my side, ha ha ha - I mean, I've always felt sorry for poor Princess Rillanne, but whether I want to marry her is a different matter entirely! And once I marry my dearest Michelle, our ties with the Green Kingdom are going to be so much stronger...
[The young handsome noble walking next to him sighed at that, then.]
- Your Highness. I mean, I'm sure Princess Michelle is a lovely lady, but politically speaking -
[Kyle humphed, then, and rubbed his eyes, looking a bit drunk.]
......Politically speaking, I can't think of a worse disaster then being forced to marry somebody who's actually called "the Princess of Evil" by her own people, to be honest. I mean, I don't really believe she could be as bad as all the stories say, but still.
[Marianna almost went cross-eyed on her stool, then. No, wait, she could fully understand somebody not wanted to marry her cousin Rillane, but still - Ugh, she didn't even want to imagine how Rillane would take the news! Did this Prince Kyle want to cause a war or what?]
[...Well, OK, it wasn't like Prince Kyle and Rillanne were officially engaged yet, but the negotiations had been going on for years and years already! If they'd been just plain nobles and not Royalty, they would have been considered "pre-engaged" already at this point, so...]
[then came an announcement] "Presenting her m[ajesty, Princess Rillianne Lucifienne Adutriche of Lucifine!" Many people tensed up at the arrival of a lovely young blond girl in her early teens wearing a ornate gold gown and a confident smirk. following her in her shadow was a boy, identical to her physically and wearing a higher up servant garb and and was looking down with a demure expresison proper of a servant. Yes there were rumors that princess Rillaienne had a twin brother, though not in royalty. some sort of conpiracy perhaps.)
Oktavia was glowering at the gold princess] "Just what is she doing here!" "Um, she is royalty after all, of course she would be here," [Gretcheb said, looking nervous. The redhead seemed even more furious at Rilliann'e arrival and took all it could to restrian themselves from killing her on the spot.Of course rillianne had made many enemies... Marinna seemed upst as well, butt kept calm ]"let us pay her no attentopn and keep enjoying the night." Okavia sighed and noded "yes, you aare rught..."
[the next bit seemed to pass without any incident. Eventually the redhead approached Oktavia and bowed] "May I have this dance, my lady?" "Hm, yes, you may." [And the two stepped gracefulyl on the dance floor and began their waltz. As they danced, Oktavia tutted] "so then, thief. I can guess what you are doing here." [Ophelia smirked ]"Why enjoying the food and company of course! " "And robbery." "fine, maybe a bit of heist planned, some particular personal details." "I could call th guards right here and now." "And yet you didnt. Youre havin too much fun with me."
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timeasmymeasure
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?"
Re: Re: Homura's timeloop glitch plot!
Date: 2016-11-19 05:28 am (UTC)...It's nothing, Lady Marianna.
[She said to Marianna with a sigh, and then turned toward Nini, and gave her Soul Gem a pointed look. She then leaned over to the girl and whispered - ]
- And I'd get that cleaned off as soon as possible if I was you, Miss. Have a good day.
[Homura walked off with a sigh, then, feeling a great deal like finding a place to cry it off. She stopped for a moment when she heard Gretchen quickly tell the other girls goodbye.]
...Miss Gretchen, please. You don't have to follow me about like this...
[Gretchen walked up to her, and gave her a pained smile, then.]
Lady Homu - Humility, please don't say that. You're - I know you're a noble and everything, and my family are just merchants, but...I...I...
[Homura rubbed her eyes, then.]
- Of course we're friends, Miss Gretchen. Rank doesn't matter as much as most people seem to think, I believe.
[Gretchen hugged Homura, then, tears in my eyes. Homura sighed, then, and hugged her back. She then found them a bench to sit on behind some bushes, away from prying eyes.]
...Miss Gretchen. Can you keep a secret? I want to tell you something, but - You can't tell anybody about it, not even Lady Marianna, or Lady Oktavia, or that red-head, or any of those girls in Lady Verenia's troop...
Re: Re: Homura's timeloop glitch plot!
Date: 2016-11-27 06:09 am (UTC)And then her own response came up on autopilot again, like it had before. That of her past self Homulily she was currently inhabiting]"Oh Gretchen, I do not know myself."[ she put a hand to her hand starting to feel woozy.] "Perhaps I am becoming ill, and starting to have delusions..."
"Oh poor Homulily! But, what were you going to tell me?)
[and form another bush, a pair of beady red and lavender eyes on a white and lavender furry face was watchign in inetrest
Re: Re: Homura's timeloop glitch plot!
Date: 2016-11-27 06:38 am (UTC)...Miss Gretchen! There's just one thing I want to tel you, all right?
[And then, she put a hand to her head.]
- If a white critter with red eyes ever offers you a Wish, and magical powers, and a mission to defeat monsters, and asks you to make a Contract with him - Just...just don't. He looks cute and harmless, but he lies and lies and...
[Homura almost crumpled over Gretchen, then.]
...Just...promise...
[Gretchen groaned, then, and quickly tried to hold her up.]
- Homulily - Oh, no! Please wake up, dearest Homulily!
[And a few moments later...It was Humility who woke up in Gretchen's arms.]
...Miss Gretchen. What...What happened?
[She mumbled, woozily.]
Re: Re: Homura's timeloop glitch plot!
Date: 2016-11-30 06:28 am (UTC)"do not strain yourself. Perhaps you should get some more rest then. you will need all the strength you can for tomorrow."
Humility just nodded and gave a reassuring smile to gretchen and put her hand on hers. Gretchen relaxed and smiled back and they went back tea as usual.
The next morning, Humility was feeling much better, though those memories still were blurred. After a nice breafast, and the ssuddenly extra luxurious bath she promised with gretchen, (this really was nice... inside homura was figeting again at Grentchen's touch). later in the day she was crying out in discomfort and gasping for breath.]
"Oh do calm down, Lady Humility! You're acting like you have never worn a corset before!" [The maid scolded as she tied the strings tightly "thoiugh this is your first real apperance at a ball, so it is a bit differentt then the usual style you are used to."
Hummility bit her lip and tried to relax and stood patiently as the maids drapped layer upon later of fine clothing upon her. Yes it was uncomfortable, but she could manage it. It was a ball, she was a lady, she knew she had to look her best. A while more of pinnig up her hair and applying make up and jewelry, then the final layer of dress, and she was finally done. Internally, she let out an awe as she saw her appearence in the mirror. Her dress was a shimmering silvery ball gown with purple trimming and ribbons, a choker with a diamon on it, a few small braid woven into her updo with a purple headbacd with some ribbons on it.
When she went over to meet the other girls, she was not surprised to see that Oktavia's blue ball gown had a ocean motif to it, with some deocor of seashells and some pinned in her hair and some layers frilled like waves. But her eyes widened when she saw Gretchen. Her ball gown was white and adorned with white feathers and pink and gold ribbons, some more pinned into her hair. How it matched perfeftly..
Gretchen giggled and skipepd over as best she couldin her heavy gown "Oh Houlily!! you look so beautiful!!"
Humility smiled "I think you look even more beautiful..."
Re: Re: Homura's timeloop glitch plot!
Date: 2016-12-01 07:05 am (UTC)[Gretchen said with a smile, remembering that she probably should use Humlity's real name for a formal occasion like this, even if she did love the nickname she'd given her.]
[And then, she started to walk next to Humility, toward the gardens.]
- Oh, Lady Humility, aren't those new corsets just awesome? They're just so much less constricting them the old ones!
[Gretchen said, grinning. Humility looked at her, then, her eyes widening comically.]
...New...corsets?
[Gretchen sweatdropped a bit, then.]
- Oh! Um, my famiily gave me some of the new style corsets that are all the rage at the Capital now, and, um -
[Aand that was when Marianna and Charlotte came up from behind them, grinning!]
...Oh, my. I've heard of those new corsets, but - Miss Gretchen, I'll appreciate it so much if you'd let us try them on later!
[Marianna said with a genuine smile.]
Why, yes, of course, Lady Marianna! My family gave me about 15 of them with different sizes, so...
[Gretchen said with a flustered smile.]
They're really so much easier to move around in, and they don't squeeze you as half as much as the old ones, I think...
[And that was when Humility put her hand to her chest, grimancing. Oh, no - Of all the times for her heart pains to come back...]
[Gretchen, Marianna and Charlotte all looked at her, looking very worried indeed.]
- Does your chest hurt again, Lady Humility?
[Charlotte said, and patted Humility's arm while Marianna and Gretchen found her a bench to sit on.]
...Lady Humility. Do you want to go back to your room?
[Gretchen said, while Marianna groaned. Lady Humility really should be attending this ball if it was at all possible, politically speaking, she was pretty sure...Especially if "Lady Verenia" was attending too.]
[And that was when an idea struck her.]
- Lady Humility! Why don't you go back to your room for now, and rest a little, and then try to get dressed again, this time with the new style corsets Miss Gretchen has brought us, so you can come back to the ball later? Corsets that are easier to move around would be better in general in your case, I think...
...That...would probably be a good idea. Thank you, Lady Marianna.
[Humility wheezed, and then looked at Gretchen.]
- Miss Gretchen - I would appreciate it so much if you could help me to my room, and get the new corsets...
Re: Re: Homura's timeloop glitch plot!
Date: 2016-12-03 06:08 am (UTC)"All right." [As they left, Oktavia was cheerful and excited] "Lord Kiesly will be there! And I think Sir Bruno, the captain of the guard! and I have news, I heard my new concerto that I wrote shall be played tobnight!!"
[The maids were annoyed to have to undo , change the corset, and then redo all of the layers of Homulily's gown. It was worth it though since Homulily felt better now with the other corset. After a warm cup of tea, they were off to the ball!
Re: Re: Homura's timeloop glitch plot!
Date: 2016-12-04 06:53 am (UTC)[Humility said with a smile.]
Thank you so much!
[Gretchen blushed a bit at that.]
Ahh, it was nothing, Lady Humility - And I'm so glad you're looking better now...
[Gretchen stopped a bit, then, as they almost reached the ballroom proper.]
...Lady Humility? There was something I wanted to ask you...
[Humility smiled at her, warmly.]
- You can ask me anything, Miss Gretchen!
[Gretchen gulped a little, then.]
...I...I'm not sure if it was even real or not, it might have been just a dream...but...
[And then, she took a deep breath.]
- What would you say if I had a dream, and in that dream, a very cute red eyed white bunnycat thing asked me if I wanted to be a hero? I mean, I mean, I wouldn't even have mentioned it if you hadn't told me about cute but evil creatures who lied a lot...
Re: Re: Homura's timeloop glitch plot!
Date: 2016-12-07 06:05 am (UTC)"I am sorry,. We may have to discuss this later after the ball."
[Homura nodded, realziiging this meant something is Gretchen could dream about Kyubey...Dear sweet gretchen, she really didn't want to worry her. So she would just try to control this problem for the time being. Here they were at the ball tonight, to have fun.
The night was progressing fairly well so far. hidden inside Humility, Homura saw various other characters from her current story, such as Hitomi's past self, and some of the still human selves of the witches, such as Gertrude.
Queen Verena was there, wearing a maginicifence blue and violet dress. She had arrived separetly as she had some royal business to take care of.
crown prince Kyle of the blue kingdo arrived. He was a very handome blue haired young man and ladies fawned over him. Oktavia on the other hand seemed more itnerested in talking with the knight who accompanied him. Apparently he was captain of the guard for the blue army.
Homura also caught sight of a handsome young 'gentleman' in a polished red coat and tricorn hat and and tucked back red hair milling about the buffet table, and expertly slipping off valuables from unknowing nobles...]
Re: Re: Homura's timeloop glitch plot!
Date: 2016-12-11 08:38 am (UTC)...Miss Gretchen? I'm a bit tired, I'm afraid...Could we find someplace we could rest for a couple of minutes?
[Gretchen nodded, and took her to an alvove at the corner in the room. Marianna and Charlotte were resting on one of the stools on there already, while some of the other maids rushed about, adjusting their ribbons and things.]
[Marianna put her finger to her lips as soon as she saw Humility and Gretchen come into the alcove. Humility and Gretchen put their own fingers to their lips, too, and nodded back with a grin - They didn't want anybody they didn't know to catch them when they were trying to take a break, after all,]
[And that was when the Prince Kyle wandered over to near the alcove, looking at a letter in his hand and talking softly to himself.]
...All right, so now I've even gotten my grandmother on my side, ha ha ha - I mean, I've always felt sorry for poor Princess Rillanne, but whether I want to marry her is a different matter entirely! And once I marry my dearest Michelle, our ties with the Green Kingdom are going to be so much stronger...
[The young handsome noble walking next to him sighed at that, then.]
- Your Highness. I mean, I'm sure Princess Michelle is a lovely lady, but politically speaking -
[Kyle humphed, then, and rubbed his eyes, looking a bit drunk.]
......Politically speaking, I can't think of a worse disaster then being forced to marry somebody who's actually called "the Princess of Evil" by her own people, to be honest. I mean, I don't really believe she could be as bad as all the stories say, but still.
[Marianna almost went cross-eyed on her stool, then. No, wait, she could fully understand somebody not wanted to marry her cousin Rillane, but still - Ugh, she didn't even want to imagine how Rillane would take the news! Did this Prince Kyle want to cause a war or what?]
[...Well, OK, it wasn't like Prince Kyle and Rillanne were officially engaged yet, but the negotiations had been going on for years and years already! If they'd been just plain nobles and not Royalty, they would have been considered "pre-engaged" already at this point, so...]
Re: Re: Homura's timeloop glitch plot!
Date: 2016-12-15 06:03 am (UTC)Oktavia was glowering at the gold princess] "Just what is she doing here!"
"Um, she is royalty after all, of course she would be here," [Gretcheb said, looking nervous. The redhead seemed even more furious at Rilliann'e arrival and took all it could to restrian themselves from killing her on the spot.Of course rillianne had made many enemies...
Marinna seemed upst as well, butt kept calm ]"let us pay her no attentopn and keep enjoying the night."
Okavia sighed and noded "yes, you aare rught..."
[the next bit seemed to pass without any incident. Eventually the redhead approached Oktavia and bowed] "May I have this dance, my lady?"
"Hm, yes, you may."
[And the two stepped gracefulyl on the dance floor and began their waltz. As they danced, Oktavia tutted] "so then, thief. I can guess what you are doing here."
[Ophelia smirked ]"Why enjoying the food and company of course! "
"And robbery."
"fine, maybe a bit of heist planned, some particular personal details."
"I could call th guards right here and now."
"And yet you didnt. Youre havin too much fun with me."
Re: Re: Homura's timeloop glitch plot!
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