Test Drive Meme

[soulmods]

Test Drive Meme

Prompts Arrival: So you've just arrived in Nyoi-Cho. Congratulations! You must be so excited about having your wish granted. Or maybe you're upset that the result wasn't quite what you expected? If that's the case, then that's too bad! There are no take backs and no redoes, so you're stuck with what you have! Maybe you should have been more careful about how you worded that wish... Oh well. There's no use in dwelling on it. You're a magi now, and that means adjusting to a whole new lifestyle! Maybe one of the townspeople can help you out. Only... they're acting a bit strangely, aren't they? They're all too happy to show you around, but there's something unsettling about the way they're behaving. Almost cheerfully dissonant. Any questions about the history of the town are met with blank stares and brief silence, before they plaster a smile onto their faces and change the subject. Any attempts to tell them about your duties as a magi or anything else that relates to the magical will get similar reactions. Isn't there anyone normal here that you can talk to at all? Home Improvement: The houses that the magi are given access to really are something, aren't they? There's almost no limit to what they can do! Why don't you create the house of your dreams, or maybe recreate and relive your favorite childhood scenes? Invite some spectators over to marvel! A Corrupted Soul Gem: You neglected to take care of your soul gem, and now you don't feel quite yourself anymore. You feel like you're losing your sense of self - all you seem to be able to focus on is your old regrets and past failures. What's happening to you? A Successful Mission: Congratulations! You met up with your first Witch, and you fought valiantly. For your efforts, you've been awarded a grief seed - and with it, access to a brand new power! What sort of power did you get? Is it a useful one, or is it not so useful? Maybe you've mastered it beautifully, and now you're showing off to all of your friends. Maybe you're having a hard time keeping it under wraps, and now you're wreaking havoc across the town without meaning to! A Dreadful Nightmare: You had an absolutely horrid day. As you drift off to sleep, your mind dwells on all the injustices you've had to endure. In response, your bed swallows you up, and your room shifts into a horrific Nightmarescape. What sort of Nightmare are you? What kind of Nightmarescape do you create? Hopefully your fellow magi can stop you before you cause too much damage! Wildcard: Feel free to use any information from the FAQ or the World Info page to make your own prompt!

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Homura Akemi | Madoka Magica

[unbraid]

Arrival

[ Homura wasn't particularly jarred by much of this. Certainly the locals were strange, but adjusting to another world was easier than she'd have thought. It was getting familiar-- after all, this was the third one she'd been in.

So she's perfectly stoic as she grills them for information. But they're hardly helpful, so-- maybe she'll grill you instead? ]

Excuse me. I have just a few questions, if you'd stop to help.


A Successful Mission

[ The barrier dissolves and the witch wanes from existence. In its place now laid a grief seed. It hadn't been such a hard battle at all. Maybe it wasn't an extremely strong witch to begin with or maybe your combined powers are just that great-- either way, your boon was now being picked up by Homura and brought over. She purifies her soul gem before tossing it your way. ]

Not many people react so quickly to my bombs. You did well.

[ Homura really, really isn't the type to praise people, but you deserve it this time. ]


Wildcard

[ If you have a different starter, I'm on board! ]

2nd prompt!

[starrytune]

[ Mato's weapon, her cannon, is just dematerializing as the Grief Seed is thrown her way. She catches it with a small, surprised sound, nearly dropping it before offering Homura a sheepish grin. ]

You think so? I've been trying my best, but I bet it's mostly thanks to you!

[ She laughs, then brings the Grief Seed to her Soul Gem to purify it. She wonders idly if she'll ever get used to seeing the cloudy, dark stuff absorbed so easily like that. It's almost like magic - well, no, it is magic, she supposes. At any rate, it really is a wonder that this is her life now. ]

I'm lucky to fight alongside someone as strong as you. It's easy to fumble when I'm by myself, but when you're here, it's somehow easier, you know?

[unbraid]

[ Homura's shield and costume are already rippling away into her everyday clothing. She's reminded of Madoka at what Mato says, and it's a bittersweet sort of feeling. ]

...No, I had nothing to do with it. You're improving. That's all. But you shouldn't slack, either. If you don't have any confidence alone, you'll end up dead.

[ Needless to say, getting cocky means the same thing. She's just being honest, even if it's blunt. It's how this tends to go; she speaks from experience. ]

[starrytune]

[ She knows on some level that Homura is right, but...well, it's just so hard to imagine. Witches and Nightmares are scary, sure, and some of them are really powerful, but dying? It's not skepticism that makes Mato pause, but rather the notion that it seems too cruel to truly happen.

At the same time, however, it seems like the best way to become strong like Homura is to take her advice. She'll try to take the warning to heart, even if she's far from understanding just how deadly combat can be. ]

Yep, no slacking! I'll keep working hard.

[ Her expression turns thoughtful. There's something she's been curious about, truth told, and now seems like it might be a good idea to bring it up. ]

But...I have a question. How do you stay so calm when you're fighting, Homura? It's like you're not scared at all.

[unbraid]

[ How does she stay calm...? It feels like answering that should be simple. Fighting is scary, but she feels like her nerves have been worn away. They're not as sensitive as they used to be. Part of it is that, and part of it is simple experience. But instead of any of that, Homura decides another way to answer. ]

Failure is not an option. And often, the key to making victory possible is staying calm. It's a decision and I've simply decided.

[ Though it's not detailed, she's being honest. It's an active thing she does rather than something that comes completely naturally. She's an anxious person normally. ]

[starrytune]

[ The answer is befitting of someone as cool as Homura, and Mato says as much. ]

Wow...what a cool answer! It's like, hm, what's the word? Resolve! [ She nods, smiling to herself at her little eureka moment. ] You're just full of resolve, Homura! You could do anything at all if you wanted to.

[unbraid]

[ Homura feels a little embarrassed, but she supposes it was a little mysterious. But being told she could do anything doesn't sit right with her. Mato thinking anyone could possibly do anything with something like resolve doesn't sit right with her. ]

There are so many things I can't do. Resolve itself hasn't saved me from anything. [ It's often made things worse. ] Here in this new world, I'm the same as you are.

[ She has no special edge over anyone anymore. ]

[starrytune]

[ It's normal for Homura to be serious - something Mato really likes about Homura, since it's such a departure from Mato's own carefree nature - but something about what she's saying is hard to accept. It's true enough that there are things she can't do, since there are things nobody can do, and yet Mato gets the feeling that maybe this runs deeper than that.

It wouldn't be nice to pry, though. Homura will open up to her once she feels more comfortable. That's how things went with Yomi -

- But those memories make her heart ache, and now's not the time for things like that. They just scored a victory, after all! They won against a witch! Mato shakes her head quickly as if to cast away her sadness, determined to be cheerful in light of their success. ]

Even so, you did just win against a witch! That means you should reward yourself!

[unbraid]

[ Homura is taken out of her mood entirely, looking at Mato with dumb surprise instead. It's a jarring switch for her. ]

Reward... myself? We've got the grief seed already.

MISSION

[fightybroad]

[ Banding together had with Homura had been out of circumstance instead of strategy. They'd both simply been in the same place at the same time.

The Handmaid catches the grief seed in her hand, expression deadpan as she purifies her soul gem.

Her tone is direct when she speaks. ]

At least you can fight. I've seen others to be lacking.

Re: MISSION

[unbraid]

[ Homura doesn't mind. It really is better to speak plainly. ]

There are a lot of rookies here. Certainly, many of them had no business becoming magi.

[ They didn't understand just what they were getting into. It was frustrating to see so many people throw away their easy lives. ]

I came here being used to this. It seems like you did, too.

[fightybroad]

Desperation breeds mistakes. The weak will die quickly.

[ She doesn't sound bothered by the fact. If anything, she thinks it might be more practical to eliminate them before they become a hindrance. She'd been lucky that she wound up fighting alongside Homura and not someone who couldn't hold their own. ]

Yes. Somewhat.

Did you fight to save your world?

[ Handmaid doesn't miss the irony that that's what she's fighting for here -- saving something instead of destroying it. A strange sacrifice made in order to have freedom. ]

[unbraid]

[ To save the world? Homura does not smile, but she finds that funny. She's stolen salvation from countless girls. She's recast the world in her own kind of metal.

She only ever fought to save Madoka. ]

Nothing that selfless. "Somewhat"?

[fightybroad]

[ Her answers takes what Homura said at face value -- used to this particular situation. ]

I've never fought monsters before.

[ She's not sure how she feels about it. It's dramatically different from being the monster. ]

[unbraid]

[ If not monsters, then... ]

... Only other people?

[ Homura has never particularly enjoyed fighting anything, but it was always the worst to fight with another person... so she assumes this girl feels the same way. She must be glad for the change of pace. ]

[fightybroad]

Yes.

[ Though she's not sure she considers them such. She fought other trolls. 'People', at least as far as humans seem to mean it, implies she saw them as equals. ]

They grow stronger, right? The longer they're left alone?

[ asking 4 a friend ]

[unbraid]

[ sure thing, handmaid ]

Familiars do. After they kill a few people. It's best not to overextend yourself with them-- go for the witch herself.

Arrival // Sandy's got some CRAU history with a Homura, I hope this is ok. If not I can change it :)

[justoutrunyou]

[ While Homura may be handling this situation with her usual cool calmness, Sandy is clearly on edge. She's tense, eyes darting around like she's positive something is bound to jump out at her. When Homura speaks to her she goes rigid and her eyes widen in shock. ]

I...um...y-yeah...sure...

[ It couldn't be...it really shouldn't be. But was it her? Or was the universe toying with Sandy once more?]

that's totally fine!

[unbraid]

[ Because it's so very clear this girl is on edge, Homura softens her voice and does her best to come off gently. She's still pointedly looking for information, but she can't help but sympathize with intense anxiety.

Or at least that's what she assumes is going on here. ]

Thank you. How long have you been here? Did you just arrive?

Thank you~

[justoutrunyou]

[ Well that's a pretty good sign no, unless Homura just has a really poor memory which is possible? It's not as though they were best friends after all. Still she's making an attempt at least and so Sandy takes a breath and lets it out slowly to calm herself a little]

Yeah, it's been maybe an hour and I still can hardly believe it. I keep expecting to wake up back...well I keep expecting to wake up.

[ Great job Marko. She had almost said "In a cell" but provided this isn't the Homura she knew, how would that sound huh? Do you want everyone to think you're more nuts then you are? To try and act more natural she forces a weak smile.]

How about you?

[unbraid]

Yes, it's been about an hour since I arrived here. I'm the same as you.

[ She tilts her head slightly, going ahead with a roundabout question. It's important to figure out this place's rules, including what they-- the people who just arrived-- all have in common. ]

It really is dream-like, isn't it? Having your wish granted. Coming to a strange new place. The local people here. All of this.

[justoutrunyou]

[Well if we're talking about dreams and wishes no sense in trying to hide hers. She's still got some anger about it.]

Any place is better then where I was. If this is a dream it's the first one I've had in two years that didn't come with a nightmare.

[Though from the way her eyes keep darting around she's clearly expecting one to pop up any minute now.]

[unbraid]

[ It makes sense that they'd target people in need. It's not like the entity that transformed her into a magical girl back home was any kinder. ]

I wouldn't be so quick to say that. What was your home like?

[justoutrunyou]

Cold, dark, overrun by corruption and cruelty. But when that...thing found me I wasn't at home.

[This is where it gets weird...at least weird by normal peoples standards.]

This other world...they called it Panem and they were taking people from their homes in other worlds and forcing them to fight to the death for entertainment.

But they wouldn't let them stay dead usually. After each death they'd bring you back good as new and start all over again. It was so the people at the top could live like kings and keep everyone else enslaved on the bottom.

The last thing I remember, the people at the bottom had had enough and war had begun.

[unbraid]

[ Now, the idea of multiple worlds isn't so strange to Homura-- she has, after all, experienced three different universes before coming here-- this is technically her fourth. It's interesting that this girl was somewhere like this, where she presumes most people are from different universes, however.

She's not so sure now that this place could top that in sheer horror. They might've just arrived, and Homura will be wary because of that, but nothing seems to point to something as grand as that.

She's stoic as usual, even as she's at a temporary loss of what to say. ]

... It sounds like you've been saved. I'll rephrase. We don't know what this place might have in store, and miracles are never cheap, but it sounds like you're luckier than most.

You said people didn't stay dead? Do you think that might be the case here as well?