2022-11-27 - Uncertainties
| Title: Uncertainties | |
|---|---|
| Summary: Mami invites Kyouka out to a patrol, and they discuss close calls, uncertainties, and the hereafter. | |
| Who: | |
| Where: Shibuya Shopping Ward (Yamanote High City) | |
| OOC - IC Date: 11/27/2022 - Friday, January 29, 2016 | |
.***************************** Yamanote High City *****************************.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+ Shibuya Shopping Ward +*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
Any rural ingenue looking to come to the big city and get swept away at
first sight would be well-advised to get off at Shibuya Station, where you
could fill a high school yearbook with the people teeming over a single
crosswalk, and a legion of ten-story department stores offer a choice so
broad it resembles existential crisis. Shinjuku might administrate Tokyo,
but Shibuya is its style capital. Its densest concentration of boutiques,
retailers, and restaurants is bound together by Shibuya Crossing, a bustling
pedestrian intersection resembling an even gaudier Times Square.
Within walking distance to Harajuku, Shibuya is less whimsical, and far
grander. Its most iconic symbol is the Shibuya 109 department store, a
cylindrical grey monolith famous even outside of Japan. Each floor of 109
has about a dozen shops, and with ten flights of escalator to ascend, it
doesn't take a mathematician to realize that even this single store can be a
lot to take in. But Shibuya too has its side streets and quirks, and it's
not hard to find a chic little cafe to rest in. Those who find themselves
energized instead have recourse to the night clubs that trade on Shibuya's
stylish reptuation.
Shibuya Station has a humbler landmark as well. It was here that the loyal
dog Hachiko waited for his owner each day, even after the owner had long
since died. A bronze statue of Hachiko waits here still, a reminder that
love and loyalty never die.
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
EARLIER
Kyouka stared at the text on her phone, contemplating it. Mami had sent her an invitation to go patrolling with her, and... well, before last week she'd have jumped at it, but tonight it took a few moments of thinking. Mami was more seasoned, surely she didn't need the help, but at the same time...
Well, her quest to return Strike Wolf was taking quite a bit longer than she'd thought, so while she had access to his power, it behooved her to learn how to work with them better. Mami was basically offering to show her the ropes, and she'd always made it a point to just.. absorb whatever teachings she could from anyone willing to offer it.
Plus, if something did happen and she could've lent a hand, she'd feel guilty for not going. So in the end, she sent a simple reply.
> Sure.
NOW
Kyouka took in a big lungful of the brisk night air as she made her way through Shibuya. Even if high fashion and expensive shopping weren't her native stomping grounds, the hustle and bustle of the people around were still interesting to observe, just to see the different pieces of culture on display and how they interacted.
And it was a good reminder of who could be at risk if the darker things of the world weren't kept in check.
She's dressed in her customary parka, jeans, and hiking boots as she navigates to the Hachiko statue. It was an easy landmark to spot, and, well... it did make Kyouka smile a bit every time she saw it. As she comes within sight of it, she scans the surrounding, looking for her friend...
<Pose Tracker> Mami Tomoe [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
Mami would indeed say--she does this all the time, she doesn't require help... but a patrol goes more nicely with company. That's what she'd prefer to focus on of the offer, though it is also true that Mami wants to get a sense for Kyouka in less apocalyptic situations and show her around a bit.
SO:
Mami is not in uniform at this hour; it's a little later than she usually patrols, but that's for Kyouka's benefit in part. She is very fashionable, though--a yellow dress, paler jacket, and cute boots are a good outfit for wandering about the ward in. It is nice to observe. And at the landmark statue...
"Okazaki-san," Mami greets. "How are you tonight?"
Yes, she's going to do pleasantries first.
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
Kyouka doesn't really dress to be fashionable, but do not let it be said that she isn't warm, because she definitely is. There's a reason it's her favorite jacket, after all.
Kyouka lifts a hand to wave when she spots the other magical girl. "Hey, Tomoe-san. I'm..." There's a bit of a hitch in her reply as she considers that question, but she quickly settles on "... good."
And she is, for the most part.
"How're you tonight? Thanks for inviting me out."
<Pose Tracker> Mami Tomoe [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
Mami Tomoe doesn't get too cold most of the time, but a good jacket is important for a winter evening like this. She waves back, with a smile. Hmm. A hitch in her reply... Well. best not to press on it.
"Good!" she replies. "I'm well," she answers. "No particular trouble, and I have a new blend of tea to try later."
Beat, "Shall we? I usually start over this way," she says, starting to walk over towards the train station. "I tend to stick to back rooms and alleys; it makes it less likely that people will wonder what I'm doing. But once I find an area of miasma, I search it."
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
"Oh yeah? What blend is that?" She's not a tea expert, but she can still take an interest in a friend's interest.
She nods, "Sure thing. Lead the way." She listens as Mami discusses her process. "Back rooms and alleys... okay, makes sense." Less likely to be seen when transforming, too, which is also a plus.
"Right... and they usually don't get... as big as that other one we saw, right?"
She's keeping an eye on her surroundings as we walk, which even if she wasn't patrolling, it's just good habit in the city in general. "Ever run into something other than wraiths while patrolling?"
<Pose Tracker> Mami Tomoe [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
"It's a particular mix of black tea from eastern Hokkaido," Mami explains. "It's supposed to have a couple of interesting sweet notes to it." Mami is very serious about her tea.
"Sometimes you have to watch people, but often the signs are more obvious than that," she explains as they move around. It's a good habit indeed!! Mami doesn't pull out her Soul Gem just yet, but she has it in the ring on her hand all the same.
"Oh, yes," Mami answers. "Usually you don't just come across youma more generally, but I've run across schemes in progress before on patrol. I'm specialized, but not to the point that I ignore other dangers."
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
"Oh, cool. Where'd you pick it up from?"
"Okay, so what kinds of signs should we be keeping an eye out for, then? I mean, I saw how everyone was acting at Sanbu, but that was also kind of an extreme case, so..."
"Specialized... so the wraiths are like, your thing in particular?" After a moment she comments, "I'm still trying to get used to some of the strange things that I've seen since finding Strike Wolf. Wraiths, aliens, a... scarf robot, I think? Still not sure on that one." After a longer pause she quietly adds, almost as an afterthought, "Ogres."
<Pose Tracker> Mami Tomoe [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
"I had a local shop order it for me!" Mami smiles. It is nice to have tea. "I should have enough to share another day, though we aren't going by my apartment on this patrol."
Signs... "There are particular symbols, for one. Colors... effects on the environment. Wraiths like those we found at Sanbu tend to have those ghost lights we mentioned."
"But mostly, I use my Soul Gem to check for areas of high Miasma concentration first. I'll do that shortly."
Hers nod. "Yes. A Puella Magi--that's what I am--must hunt Wraiths, to harvest Grief Cubes, to keep our magic going. It's a serious responsibility. In return for a single 'wish', we take on such a destiny. It is... different, from many other magical girls' ways."
Srange things...
"The monsters we face are many and varied. I have heard of Ogres; they are large, and eat people, yes?"
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
"Ahh, it's nice when a shop can get in a specialty order in for you like that." She nods, "Oh, I see."
"Colors..." She thinks back to Sanbu, which... sends a bit of a shiver down her spine as she tries to sort through everything. "Didn't we see... a bunch of yellow? Like that one knocked-over stoplight looked like it was flashing yellow, didn't it...?"
"Oh yeah. Those ghost lights didn't seem too interested in me... some of the others, though..."
She nods as Mami mentions scanning shortly. "Right."
She blinks a little as Mami explains about Puella Magi. "In exchange for a 'wish', huh? And then you have to hunt wraiths to keep your magic going..." She's quiet as she contemplates that for a moment. "... I hope you got a good wish out of the deal," she says quietly.
Everything she's ever heard bout wishes from folklore usually indicates that it comes with a cost, and not always the one the wisher might expect.
Kyouka just nods, looking straight forward as she answers Mami's question. "They are, and they do." She looks away, with the pretense of scanning her surroundings. "Some of them... go after peoples' Pure Hearts more directly though."
<Pose Tracker> Mami Tomoe [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
"It is."
"We did," Mami confirms. Then she considers--and decides it's worth explaining. "Miasma will only emit particular kinds of Wraiths; some people are more or less susceptible to a given kind of Wraith. You were fairly resistant to the Wraiths we encountered in Sanbu. ...You might not be resistant to the kind we might find today. So please be extra careful."
A good wish...
"That's a personal subject," Mami decides, "And many Puella Magi prefer not to discuss it. ...But if I hadn't made my wish I wouldn't be here now. So it's hard to regret it entirely."
At this point, as Kyouka scans their surroundings, Mami lets the ring on her hand shimmer and it turns into a beautiful golden gem, egg-like in a golden setting. It is reasonably bright at the moment, and then dims, as Mami focuses upon it."
"...This is what tells me the presence of the Miasma."
Then she considers Kyouka. "Pure Hearts... Some very dangerous youma seek those. Have you seen such a one, then?"
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
Kyouka nods as Mami explains further. "There's different kinds of wraiths... Okay, that's definitely good to know." She pulls her hands out of her pocket, and slides the sleeve of her jacket up just a bit so she can look at Strike Wolf. "You'll keep me on track, right?"
From her wrist, Strike Wolf emits a soft chime as he replies, <Affirmative.>
Kyouka holds up a hand to forestall any chance of the conversation veering into the topic of Mami's wish. "Not intending to pry," she says, just to make her position clear. "Just... saying."
She catches that phrasing of 'hard to regret it entirely' and... decides that sounds heavy enough to leave well enough alone.
She glances over to Mami as she brings her Soul Gem out, the light catching her attention. "I see. There's spells for searching with intelligent devices, but they can be tricky to do, and I don't think Strike Wolf is equipped to handle those right now anyway."
There's a tensing of Kyouka's shoulders as Mami asks her question before she nods. "Yeah. A tougher kind of ogre. Was able to cast spells and... and pluck them right out of people. We stopped her though."
<Pose Tracker> Mami Tomoe [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
Mami smiles briefly as Kyouka confers with her Device. It is always nice to see such a bond. "I'll rely on you both, then."
Hmmm. Not intending to pry. Mami hadn't been going to share more than that, but she appreciates learning where Kyouka sets the boundary, too. "Fair enough!" Mami answers.
Then, "There are many useful spells for that. I don't happen to know any, being unfamiliar with the workings of Michildan magic, but I know that it's possible. Other magical girls can sense Miasma and Wraiths, too. One of the others could probably explain one to you."
Tensing... yes, Mami can see that. "I've never met an Ogre that powerful," Mami admits. "But I've seen monsters capable of such feats. They're... truly frightening. I am glad that you survived."
Mami keeps walking along, for the moment, moving through the station. The light doesn't brighten.
"It's important to survive. You can't protect anyone if you're dead."
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
Kyouka knows Strike Wolf could hear her just fine from under her jacket sleeve, but... well, it just seems polite not to do it that way.
She flashes Mami a grin and nods. "We got your back."
"They can, huh?" Kyouka looks thoughtful for a moment. "Hey, buddy, if we find any miasma or wraiths tonight, see what you can detect. Might be handy to know how to do that..."
"... I don't think an ogre that powerful's been summoned in quite a while, from what Tama was saying. And she wasn't just powerful, she was intelligent, too. Really dangerous combination."
Her step falters when Mami mentions survival. "Y-yeah... Me too. And I know." She takes a couple of rushed steps to catch up to Mami's side again.
She glances at Mami's Soul Gem curiously. "Anything so far?"
<Pose Tracker> Mami Tomoe [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
Mami smiles.
But Kyouka explains about the Ogre, and Mami inclines her head. "There are a lot of monsters that have appeared in the last few years that haven't been seen in centuries, or longer. Something called the 'Long Dark Night' happened--legions of monsters came to occupy and conquer fairy realms throughout the universe. In response, an unprecedented number of magical girls rose to combat the new threat. So that doesn't surprise me."
But Kyouka falters, and Mami actually stops once she catches up. "Not yet," she says, "But we'll check the alleyways next." Then she pauses, and gives another small smile. "I thought that going grim veteran might be the sort of approach you needed, but it isn't, is it?"
"Would you like to know what I do? When I'm afraid?"
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
Kyouka still wonders what her life has become that 'fairy realms throughout the universe' sounds like a totally sane and rational thing to hear.
"Lots of new magical girls because of lots of new monsters, huh? Wonder if there's someone keeping an eye on things and trying to keep the scales balanced..." she muses quietly.
Kyouka shrugs a little to Mami's first question. Talking about tea is hardly what she'd call 'grim', though admittedly they've been discussing plenty of not-exactly-bright things. "I... don't really know what I need, so... I'll take anything you got," she says, honestly.
<Pose Tracker> Mami Tomoe [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
"I believe that there is," Mami says, of someone keeping an eye on things. "Someone out there, looking out for all of us. I believe in that."
Then she looks to Kyouka, as she says she doesn't know what she needs. "That's fine," Mami says. "It's all pretty overwhelming at first, isn't it? A whole new world, strange and unlike the one you knew before."
"...But when I'm scared," Mami says, "I think of my audience. I try to put on a good show."
"...The more I act confident, the more I radiate surety, the easier I can make it look... the more I believe in myself, too."
"It's worth trying. It's worked for me for years."
Mami starts off towards the next alley.
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
Kyouka looks a little more thoughtful when Mami says that she believes there is someone out there looking out for them. "I hope there is, too."
"Yeah, it's... just so many new things to learn about. Things about how the universe worked, or things like... Well, there's magic, and alien worlds, and fairy realms, and, apparently I've got a linker core and a--" there's a sharp little intake of breath before she can finish that sentence "--pure heart, and... I'm still trying to come to terms with Recognition Inhibition, and... yeah."
She listens, as Mami offers her advice. "Hmmm..." She mulls that over as Mami takes off for the next alley, falling in line with her. "I mean, in a fight, sure. When the things that need to be done are so clear and straightforward, and usually just involve... 'hit that person' or 'save that person', I can just... go. It's just, after, you know?"
Though... she gives Mami a sidelong glance after she's said that. Given what Mami's just told her...
Well, if she's putting an act on for her audience, it would be rude to ruin the show, wouldn't it? So she decides not to pry.
<Pose Tracker> Mami Tomoe [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
Mami nods. She does believe it. ...She believes a lot about it, but... perhaps this is not a day for discussing the Law of Cycles, or her other beliefs ong those lines.
Instead, "Yes. ...It's hard," she says. "And when you can't share what you do for fear of scaring people, it can be very isolating, and quite lonely."
"Yes, that makes sense. When you're acting on adrenaline, it's easy just to act, for many of us. But after, it can be more difficult."
"The other trick is..."
She looks serious. "It's a matter of deciding what you believe. Your reason for doing this. If it's more than just survival."
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
She shakes her head a little. "I mean that too, but... It just seems so unfair. The universe itself is lying to people, actually making them forget when they see magic things and... I don't know. I value honesty and it just... rubs me the wrong way. That being said... it's not like I don't get it. I'm glad my mom isn't... just a wreck still trying to deal with what happeend at Sanbu, but even so..."
Kyouka looks to Mami when she says it's important to decide what you believe. "I mean... I'm..." She sighs. "I told you that Strike Wolf sent a cry for help and I responded, right? Well, there was a mage who'd stolen him. I'm... trying to get Strike Wolf back to his creator, but... we haven't had any luck finding them."
She looks to her wrist again. "Our common goal is to protect others--if I wasn't willing to do that Strike Wolf's call never would've reached me, but... he's not mine."
<Pose Tracker> Mami Tomoe [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
"That's one way to look at it," Mami says diplomatically. Instead of focusing on that though, she moves on to the matter of Strike Wolf and what Kyouka intends to do. "Hm. So, a temporary mission, then. Well, many magical girls work that way; they have a goal, and they seek to accomplish it. Sometimes you find that once you've accomplished your goal there comes more... and sometimes not."
"But it sounds to me that you feel at least a little conflicted about it." She hlds up a hand of her own. "But, you don't have to tell me. ...Hm. This way, I think..."
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
Kyouka sighs. "Sorry. I get that it's to protect people, but... I mean, I'm also lying to my mom about it too, which just..."
She nods. "Yeah, temporary. Or at least, that's what I thought at first. Then I started meeting other magical girls, got into fights, saw just how dangerous things are, and... I dunno. I dunno what'll happen when I find Strike Wolf's creator. Strike Wolf wants to go back, and the right thing to do is to return him, but then... I know my life won't go back to being 'normal' after that."
She nods when Mami says she doesn't have to share. "Okay." She nods as Mami indicates a direction, and follows her lead.
"It's just... there's an awful lot of risk involved for something I thought was going to be temporary, you know? But it's not like me to turn my back on those who need help, so..." She's not scanning as much as she was before, seeming a bit distracted by something, brow furrowed in contemplation.
<Pose Tracker> Mami Tomoe [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
"I see," Mami answers. "That would be difficult." Mami wouldn't know; she never had to lie to her parents about being a magical girl. But she doesn't tend to think of it in those terms, either.
"Becuase you'll know the truth?" Mami asks. "Whether you have Strike Wolf, or not. ...There are a few magical girls who have stopped being magical girls. It's..." She trails off. "Well, it's hard to just go back, that's true."
But Mami continues on, and is not distracted herself--which lets her notice Kyouka's distraction. "That's a good way to be," Mami says. "But hard. ...But is something else on your mind? You seem distracted."
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
Kyouka nods, "Yeah, because I'll know. I'll know all the crazy stuff that happens, but just... be unable to do anything about it. I mean, I guess I could help in other ways, but still..." She looks over to Mami, curiously, when she mentions there's a few girls that have stopped. "Really? Huh. Though... I think I recall someone else mentioning that a while ago..." After the other fight that ended somewhat disasterously, against Shadow Stern.
Kyouka smiles, briefly, as Mami says it's a good way to be, though is quickly back to her contemplative, distracted state. She sighs when Mami asks if something is on her mind, glancing back to the other girl. "I just... had a close call. It's..."
She looks down at her feet. "It's got me a bit rattled, still." After a moment she shakes her head a little to clear it. "Sorry, this is probably a bad time for this, if we're patrolling. I'll try to stay alert." She goes back to surveiling the area, but that distracted frown is still on her face.
<Pose Tracker> Mami Tomoe [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
"Yes, that's... difficult," Mami agrees. Not that she has personal experience there--as a Puella Magi, there's no getting out of her contract alive. But other girls? "It does happen, for various reasons." One very close to her, in fact--but she doesn't mention that, for now. Instead...
"Oh?" Mami inquires. Rattled...
"It's fine," Mami says. "Patrols are long, and the time has to be passed somehow. I can listen and watch at the same time. If you want to talk about it, we can."
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
Kyouka just nods a bit when Mami asks 'Oh?'. "Yeah."
She listens as Mami explains that patrols are long--which makes sense, Tokyou's a big place, even if you aren't literally searching all of it. (A fact she is, sadly, all too familiar with in her own fruitless efforts to locate Strike Wolf's creator.) She just nods as Mami says she can patrol and listen, and is silent for a while as she tries to figure out how to start this topic.
After a long while she says, "So... that ogre I mentioned, the one that can use magic. That can use it to just... pluck the Pure Hearts out of people."
There's a hesitation to continue that thought, a tensing of her shoulders while her hands are still shocked in her jacket pockets. It is, perhaps, a long enough pause to draw a few inferences before Kyouka finally finishes.
In a very quiet voice she says, "... turns out, she can take them from magical girls, too."
<Pose Tracker> Mami Tomoe [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
So, Mami keeps watching her Soul Gem and walking along, through the alleys. The back parts of Shibuya show only glimpses of the many, many people in the city. That may be best for a conversation like this, though. So when Kyouka starts up...
Yes, Mami can draw a few inferences, all right.
"We're just as vulnerable as other people to such things," Mami says, though gently; it's something Kyouka has learned for herself. "If they can pin us down. I've seen it happen to many girls. ...Thankfully, more often than not I see the Heart returned to them in time, or whatever else was taken. There are many things like that."
"But a brush with death is never easy."
"...What do you feel about it?"
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
This is definitely not a conversation to have around a huge crowd of people. Kyouka, though distracted, is at least careful enough not to say anything when there's anybody else within earshot.
When Mami says they're usually returned in time, Kyouka nods. "Yeah, I got... I got mine back." Perhaps a bit unnecessary of a statement, but it does at least make it more explicit what happened, and that it happened specifically to her. "Everyone else got theirs back too, after the other girls finished the ogre."
Kyouka nods glumly as Mami says a brush with death isn't easy.
"I... I don't know. Scared. Both for myself and my parents. A bit angry at... a bunch of things." She lets out a long sigh. "Kind of wondering what's wrong with me that I still want to keep doing this despite all that. Despite the risks. I hate feeling this way. Knowing what the right thing is, or thinking I know, but also being scared to follow through on it."
<Pose Tracker> Mami Tomoe [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
Nobody's close enough to hear. It's going to stay that way for a while.
"That's good," Mami says, of Kyouka's confirmation. It does make it more explicit. Everyone... The other girls, too. "Sometimes that's not how it ends. I'm glad everyone did, not just one."
But how does she feel...?
"...Does that mean there's something wrong with you?" Mami wonders. "I think it's only a problem if you find that you're doing it for reasons other than your own. And being afraid... It's natural. To be perfectly honest, if you weren't afraid, I wouldn't trust you on a patrol."
"So what is the 'right thing' for you, then?"
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
"She was standing in the river, just... plucking them out of people crossing the bridge. ... I gather there were a lot to return, though... well, I wasn't... awake... for that part." Probably the most euphemistic way she can phrase that, considering.
"It's so surreal," she says, in a voice that's almost a whisper. "... to know a friend of yours literally held your heart in her hands." Then, a bit louder, "I don't really... remember anything, but... I do have some... impressions, I guess, of what happened. I know everyone rallied to stop the ogre, at least."
"I don't know," she admits, when Mami asks if her feelings mean there is, in fact, something wrong. "I feel like most people would be ready to give up after seeing one crazy magic fight, let alone several. But the fact that all this stuff is out there is kind of the reason I feel like I have to keep going. If I hadn't been there to take that blow for La Sirene, or to help at Sanbu, or to catch a falling woman..."
She nods as Mami says being fearless would make her less trustworthy on patrol. "I mean, I'd have a hard time faulting you for that. I know a little fear is healthy. Keeps you alert, makes sure you've considered everything." She glances to Mami. "You know I do parkour? I always get this little twinge whenever I make a jump, but... I'm always able to power through once I know it's safe."
She looks down again. "It's just... gotten a lot harder to push through since that fight."
"I don't know," she says again. "I just hate... being so uncertain about everything."
<Pose Tracker> Mami Tomoe [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
Just standing in the river... Mami grimaces faintly. "Yes, I see."
Mami can't help it; she glances down at her Soul Gem, in her hand, while Kyouka mentions a friend holding her heart in her hands. But of course, she wouldn't remember what happened while that was going on.
"Maybe Strike Wolf chose you because you're not the sort of person to give up so quickly. For better or worse."
"Indeed. A complete lack of fear is just recklessness. I've seen it many times." Hmmm. Pakour... "Yes," Mami says, and considers. "So you're used to facing fear, but you're facing a new kind, now."
"...Unfortunately," Mami says, "I don't have certain answers for you. But you're not alone, at least; every magical girl has to be uncertain sometimes, I think. It's the nature of our lives."
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
Kyouka nods, pulling her hand out of her pocket so she can look at Strike Wolf again. "Yeah, it is," she agrees quietly. "Right, buddy?"
<Affirmative,> says the device, inner light pulsing in time with the words. <However I am unable to offer a solution for my partner's current state.>
"Not a problem, Strike Wolf. I appreciate it, though."
Kyouka looks thoughtful as Mami makes that observation. "A new kind.. yeah... That's... not a bad way to look at it. Like, I do parkour, and I've gone mountain climbing, camping in the wilderness, all that stuff... But I guess I'm just used to those fears. Magic... is something else entirely."
She nods, "Right. I know. But knowing I'm not alone still helps, at least. Just... with normal stuff, I know what to expect. With magic suddenly there's... Pure Hearts, and ogres, and wraiths, and who knows what else."
<Pose Tracker> Mami Tomoe [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
Mami nods in some satisfaction at Kyouka and Strike Wolf taking a moment to check on one another. It's good! But...
"And because it's new, you don't have ways of coping with it yet. Oh, to be sure, it may be scarier than those things. But you can make it. I'm sure of it."
That's not quite the same as 'will'. Mami has seen too much. But she hopes! And she aims to help if she can.
"There's a lot to learn," Mami says, "And even I learn new things sometimes. But you're right. You're not alone. You have Strike Wolf, and you're making a lot of friends in our community, too."
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
"... Yeah," Kyouka says, agreeing with Mami's assessment of not having ways to cope with it. She looks to the other girl, "... how do you cope with it? I know you said you think of your audience, but like... after that." After another moment's thought she adds, "Um, you don't have to answer, if that's too personal a question."
She looks off a bit into the distance, more distracted and more thoughtful this time, "Making new friends is what I was hoping to do when I moved here. This is the first time I've gone to a real school, lived in a place that wasn't just an apartment in a military base, not being... as much of a foreigner or an outsider here as some other places I've lived."
Kyouka shrugs a little, "Just didn't imagine I'd be doing it in quite this way, though."
<Pose Tracker> Mami Tomoe [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
"There's that, of course," Mami says, acknowledging what she already said about that. Kyouka says she doesn't have to answer, but, "...I try to live my life as fully as I can. Knowing that it might end, it's all the more precious. I have regrets, of course--who doesn't? But I try to focus instead on what's before me. ...And I have a lot of good memories to drive me on."
"It's..." She considers. "There is something else, but I suppose it is more personal than I want to share right now. But take my word for it that there is."
A real school, as opposed to..Hmm. "Yes, it's certainly unexpected," Mami says. "But you have a good school, at least. I think Juuban will treat you well."
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
Kyouka looks at Mami for a long moment, considering what she's said. She agrees, wholeheartedly, but she also gets a hint of... Well, they've been talking about close calls, but is there something more than that?
But that's not a hornet's nest she wants to poke right now.
Her smile and nod are, however, genuine enough as she says, "You know... I like that. That's not a bad way to live, regardless of... what we do."
Anther nod as Mami indicates that there's something else, and that she doesn't want to explain right then. "It's okay. Personal philosophies can get... really personal, so I get it."
She stops to consider. "Did I explain that my family's moved a lot? Dad's in the military--US, not Japan--so we've been all around the world... I've been homeschooled most of my life, or been to places that were on the bases we lived at. But we moved here and... well, I asked to enroll in a regular school. Wanted to try something new."
"Huh," she says, after considering that a moment. "... guess that's had its own share of uncertainty attached to it, come to think of it. But there was also a lot to look forward to, too."
<Pose Tracker> Mami Tomoe [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
Mami has had many a close call in her day, but it isn't just that. She doesn't go into it yet, though.
"I think so," Mami says. "Of course... A Puella Magi's life is especially dangerous, so if you want life philosophies to do with such things, then we're the right girls to ask."
Personal. That's true.
"Hmm, I see. That does add up with what you've told me," Mami says. "It's a very different experience from mine," she admits. "But... that is a lot of uncertainty! And a good uncertainty, too. Sometimes the unknown is inviting, rather than scary, don't you think? ...I know someone who's helped me look at things that way a lot more."
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
"Especially dangerous... right." Because of needing to fight wraiths to keep powering their magic. "I'll remember that. You know, I've always considered myself a girl of action, but... I guess I've been doing a whole lot of thinking and philosophizing the last week or so. Well, several weeks, I guess. Just... extra for the last week."
"Lots of uncertainty, but..." She nods in agreement, "Yeah... I've always loved trying new things, you know? So much to explore in every country I've lived in. Heck, so much to explore here, you know? One of the best things is geting to a new place and just seeing what new kinds of food there are."
That... goes a long way to explaining why the torpor wraiths seemed to barely affect her.
"Just the one big new thing that's thrown me for a loop.." she adds, almost talking to herself. She glances over to Mami and her Soul Gem. "So, have we picked up any hits yet?"
<Pose Tracker> Mami Tomoe [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
"Action without thought is just so much bombastic noise," Mami says, and smiles to undercut the drama. "It's fine. It's important even, I think. My partner lived by her ideals strongly. It's hard to live by an ideal you don't ever think about."
"Yes, that sounds lovely," Mami says, of all these new things. It does indeed go a long way. But...
"Yes, I see. Well, we're too young to be done with surprises, aren't we?" Then, she waits a beat, and shakes her head. "No. Between us, I wasn't expecting a ton of Miasma tonight. But there was the possibility there was a buildup I'd been missing, so an extra pair of hands was a good idea."
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
The 'bombastic noise' line actually gets a small laugh from Kyouka. "I mean, fair enough. Though, when you can get into the zone, like really get into a flow state, where it feels like thought and movement become the same thing... best thing in the world. Getting a really good run going, or when you're in the middle of a tournament match, to be fully in the moment..."
"... Haven't hit that as often, lately," she comments to herself. Then again, it's an entirely new thing she's dealing with, and new stakes.
Kyouka looks over to Mami. "Partner? A nother magical girl, or...?" There's an inquesitive glance down to Mami's Soul Gem.
Nothing ever said it had to be Mami's soul in there, after all, though that would be her first guess. And for all she knows, it could be sentient, like her Strike Wolf is.
"... but yeah, I've given my ideals a lot of thought as of late," she says, nodding in agreement.
"Yeah, fair enough. There's still so many places in the world I wanna see... someday, at least. Right now I'm just hoping to get to call Tokyo home for a while." There's a bit of bittersweetness in her tone at that comment, or perhaps a little bit of melancholy.
She nods, as Mami explains she hasn't seen anything. "Well, I'm glad to help out, regardless. If you ever feel like having extra backup, let me know. I spend most of my nights training with my magic, so it's not a big deal to swap in a patrol instead. Good to have rest periods."
Kyouka manages to crack a little bit of a smile. "And I promise I'm not always such gloomy company, honest."
<Pose Tracker> Mami Tomoe [Ohtori Academy (11)] has posed.
Mami smiles more widely at the laugh, and when Kyouka mentions getting into the zone, truly in the moment... "Yes," she says. "It's a wonderful feeling."
Of course she knows it! But it is a new thing to deal with. Kyouka looks to her, glances at her Soul Gem, and Mami shakes her head. "Sayaka Miki. Another Puella Magi. She was the best partner I've ever had." A pause, and more seriously, "She's gone. The Law of Cycles took her. That's what happens, when a Puella Magi runs out of magic, falls too deeply into despair. She goes... somewhere. But I believe, as many of us do, that she goes somewhere better."
"When I said I believe there's someone looking out for us... I meant it."
Mami smiles, though that one is bittersweet; she isn't 'over it' by any stretch of the imagination. But she is not about to cry, either; she believes fully in what she's saying.
"Tokyo is a good home to have. I hope you can keep it for a long time."
She smles, then. "I appreciate that. Especially if I run into more Wraiths like those in Sanbu, I'll call you." A little laugh. "It's all right. You've been fine company."
<Pose Tracker> Kyouka Okazaki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
Kyouka catches the past tense of 'had', but before she can ask, Mami confirms. "Damn. I'm sorry to hear that," she says softly. She nods as Mami explains, about the Law of Cycles, and looks thoughtful for a few moments after that.
"I hope so," she says sincerely, to the idea of Sayaka going somewhere better. Another nod as someone looking over them is brought up again.
She gives Mami's words a proper amount of time to let them stand on their own, as she contemplates what she wants to say next. "Moving all over, like I did, I kind of picked up bits and pieces of a bunch of different cultures, philosophies, and beliefs. Though... most of that's been concerned with the here and now, and not... the hereafter."
Not something a lot of kids should be worrying about, normally, but, well, here we are.
But Mami's shared something that feels personal, and it's compelled her to share something, too. "... You know, moving around like I did, I was always kind of an outsider, a foreigner. The other kids often wouldn't trust me, or play with me, would assume that because I was foreign, or a girl, that I couldn't do the things they could, like play sports or climb or whatever. That just made me want to prove them wrong."
"...And because I hated being mocked or teased, I also hated it when other people got mocked or bullied for... whatever, and since I was so adamant about standing up for myself, it made me want to stand up for them, too. No matter what the reason. Looking out for other people, trying to make the world a better place... I guess that's kind of my ideal that I'm trying to live up to."
Kyouka nods, "Yeah, me too."
She grins a little at as Mami says she'll call her for backup. "Good. Hopefully next time I'll have a better idea of what to expect. Strike Wolf and I are always getting better with our magic, too." She lets out a small sigh of relief. "Well, I'm definitely glad to hear that. It's been a great help talking to you, too, so... thanks."
