☆ spiritus angustior

[timesaving]

[A pigtailed, bespectacled girl appears suddenly, dressed in a typical middle school uniform. She looks and feels small against the backdrop of the stars, tiny and trembling. She is confused and more than a little scared. She isn't strong enough on her own to handle a solo mission...]

M-- Madoka? Tomoe-san?

[Her shoes scuff against the floor as she turns in a circle, taking in her surroundings. She doesn't feel the presence of a witch, but she's still really new at this. And yet there's no familiars-- nothing. But there is a kitchen. Why is there a kitchen in the middle of space?]

What is this? A barrier? No, wait... [Her eyebrows furrow.] I thought that was a dream. [There's no time for her to be scared. If this /is/ a witch's barrier, then she needs to be on her guard. She's not defenseless; she'll figure something out.]

Hello? Is... anyone here? [She cups her hands around her mouth to project her soft voice.] If anyone can hear me, please respond!

Ah... [What a mess.]

Comments

[grand_gaia]

[Surprise! A young man appears.]

Are you alright, miss?

[timesaving]

[She jumps at the sudden appearance of the teen, but manages to keep her balance.]

Eee--y--yes, I'm all right. I didn't expect to see anyone else in... a place like this.

Where are we?

[grand_gaia]

Ah! Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. This is the Astral Plane.

[timesaving]

Astral... Plane? [She says it slowly, rolling the strange phrase in her mouth.] What is that? How did I get here? I'm sorry... I don't understand.

[grand_gaia]

Yeah, it's...sort of another dimension. I don't really understand it all that well myself. I think it's run by a machine or something.

[timesaving]

Machines can do that? This must really be... another dimension.

[Worry wells up in her throat. Her eyes tear from the stars, back to this mysterious blond boy.]

Are we trapped?

[grand_gaia]

I guess this one can. [Isaac shrugs a bit as he says that.] I don't really know.

Trapped? No, you can go back home if you want. It's...kind of like taking a step? You have to sort of think about going home and you just will. It's a bit easier once you've done it a few times.

[timesaving]

Ah...

[She smiles a little.]

Can you show me? Maybe if I see someone else do it, it'll be easier.

[grand_gaia]

Sure. Like I said, all you need to do is think about it and...

[Isaac vanishes!...

...and reappears a few seconds later with an apple in hand]

Just like that.

[timesaving]

[She looks at the apple like it's magic.]

W-- Wow, that's amazing! Okay. Here I go!

[She closes her eyes and concentrates-- and bam, there she goes.

She reappears, but she's off balance and nearly falls over.]

I did it!

[grand_gaia]

[Thankfully, Isaac is fast enough to catch her before she ends up on her butt.]

There, see? Easier in practice.

[timesaving]

Ah... [She blushes, tries to collect herself.] S-sorry.

You were right, though. It's not as hard as I thought. [She tucks a bit of hair behind her ear.] Thank you.

[grand_gaia]

No problem. I'm Isaac, by the way.

[timesaving]

My name is Homura Akemi. [She bows slightly, and straightens her glasses afterward.] It's nice to meet you.

[grand_gaia]

You too. I can try and answer some questions, but I don't know as much as some people.

[beagoodman]

[OH MY GOD THAT IS A LITTLE GIRL TOTALLY ALONE AND DEFENSELESS. Yeah, sorry Homura, but that's Steve's first thought. He takes a brochure as he walks up to her, totally oblivious to the fact that he must look like some Jehovah's witness or the like.]

Hello, are you alone?

[timesaving]

[That is a very good-looking American speaking perfect Japanese in her direction. What in the fuck. NONE OF THIS MAKES SENSE ANYMORE. OR IN THE FIRST PLACE. She stammers more than a little, obviously shy.]

Y... yes. Do you know what this place is?

[beagoodman]

[Steve sighs a little. In a way it's good there are no other little girls at this awful place, but then again, she is alone.]

It's called the Astral Plane, you can read some information about it here. [He hands over the brochure.] I suggest to avoid coming here no matter how tempting it feels. It's not safe.

[timesaving]

[She takes the brochure and scans it, trying to pick up the most pertinent information while listening to him. Her eyes widen.]

Because of the experiments?

[beagoodman]

Mostly, yes. [He nods, eying her concerned.] These experiments are unpredictable, and very harmful. Not just physically. [A beat. He clears his throat, looking away.] But I'm sorry, I didn't want to scare you, I'm just trying to warn you. [Awkward person is awkward.]

[timesaving]

Thank you. [She straightens a bit and looks up at him.] But if they brought us here once, then they can bring us here again. I don't think hiding will help. It... might even put those we care about in danger.

[She wrings her hands.]

I know I'm not very good at fighting, but I think there must be a better solution than avoiding the problem entirely.

[beagoodman]

[Steve looks down, smiling ever so lightly at her courage.] Your friends are lucky, for having you watching over them.

[Then he steps closer, well if she's another fighter then let's get introduced properly. He holds out his hands for her.] I'm Steve Rogers, nice to meet you. If you need any help, you can count on me.

[timesaving]

[Homura ducks her head, thinking of her wish.] I... T-thank you, sir.

[She looks up suddenly, not expecting the handshake. Her cheeks flush. Oh, this is-- different. She puts on her best smile, regardless. He is strong and evidently nice. Definitely not who she expected to meet out here.

Quietly, she takes his hand, and gives it a good shake.]

Homura Akemi. It's nice to meet you, Rogers-san.

Um, if you don't mind me asking... are you a soldier?

[beagoodman]

[The handshake makes Steve sure in her again. Whoever or whatever she is, she is confident and strong. And that is a very useful thing.]

Miss Akemi. [He nods, looking at her. But her question leaves Steve slightly unsure of his answer. He sighs, looking down at the starry floor.] I... was. But lately I'm not sure anymore. It's difficult.

[desertdaggers]

[ah- a young girl? Hawk approaches, donning his best reassuring smile.]

Hey. Are you alright?

[timesaving]

[Wow, he's dressed... interestingly. She nods mutely, still getting over the shock of a new place and new people. Her words come to her after a minute.]

Where am I?

[desertdaggers]

[He could say the same about a fair few of the people around the Plane.]

It's called the Astral Plane. There's some brochures about it, if you'd like.

[timesaving]

Ah, I didn't see... Can you show me, please?

[Brochures? This must happen a lot.]

[desertdaggers]

Sure. I have this one on me- [he holds out a somewhat folded copy of Broderick's brouchure.] There's a kiosk you can get your own at, if you'd like, but I don't mind if you want to keep this one.

[timesaving]

[She takes it hesitantly, not expecting to be able to read it. Come to think of it, why is everyone here able to speak perfect Japanese despite being foreign? She unfolds the brochure carefully, scanning over it. Her eyes widen slowly.]

Is-- is this all true?

[desertdaggers]

I understand it's a little out of date, but the general idea is probably still right. I haven't been here that long, though, some of the others here could probably verify more of it.

[timesaving]

[Her fingers tremble slightly as she folds the brochure once more.]

Aren't you scared of what could happen?

[desertdaggers]

… [He shrugs, eyes off to one side.] A little. But no one's sunk their claws into me here yet.

[timesaving]

Ah... you're very brave.

I can't stop shaking.

[desertdaggers]

Ah… I wouldn't say I was that brave. [If he were, then… surely, he would've…] It's more that… getting into some kind of trouble isn't so unusual back home. It sounds like where you're from is different.

Do you want to go somewhere else?

[timesaving]

[She carefully tucks some hair behind her glasses.] Most people live normal lives, never seeing anything strange or magical. Knowing about those things puts you at risk... I'm just not used to being alone with them.

I think being here is the same way. But as long as there are people who understand what's going on, and who aren't afraid to fight, I'll be fine. I'm still learning how to fight, but-- I can help.

Um... where would you like to go?

[desertdaggers]

Mm, I think you're right. Besides- [he smiles] -you're not alone here. And I think you've got the right attitude.

Well… there's the kitchen. [indicating it] Or maybe you'd like to visit the library?