Thread: The Devil's Own Time (Azecreth & tiger_lily)

Sayaka enters the apartment without a word. She sits down without a word. Somehow, she can't bring herself to be polite to the other girl, even to the degree of casual politeness between friends - she has known Homura for years now, after all. 'Friend' is the only word that offers some modicum of explanation why she's here, right now. But who would be friends with the devil? Who would show courtesy to the devil? Who would so willingly walk into the devil's lair, heedless of her own safety? The blue-haired girl regards her counterpart. The shadows outside, grasping at her, were nothing compared to the void of Homura's black hair. Or her face - always expressionless, always impossible to read, in itself a void. Almost without making the conscious decision to do so, Sayaka starts talking. Once I graduate, I might be going overseas... or somewhere else in Japan, at least, she says. I've applied to some conservatories in Europe. I don't know if I'm good enough for any of them, but one has to dream, don't they? Her interest in music as more than a listener had come late, but she was certain it was genuine by now. If that doesn't work out, there's always the Tokyo College of Music. That wouldn't be so bad... it's a long train ride, but at least I can come visit Mitakihara once in a while. Sayaka is also certain that Homura couldn't care less about any of this. She's talking for her own sake. To ease her nerves. A metaphor occurs to her she's talking to a brick wall, except the wall could collapse on her and bury her if she says the wrong thing. The point is, Sayaka continues, using the momentum of her rambling conversation to force herself to say what she came to say, before I leave, I want to know my friends are going to be okay without me. Kyouko's always taken care of herself. Hitomi's... fragile, but she has Kyousuke looking out for her. It's Madoka that I'm worried about. And it's not because of her that I'm worried. Having let her gaze wander - Sayaka keeps seeing movement on the edge of her vision there can't be mice in this creepy apartment, can there? - Sayaka forces her eyes back to Homura in what she hopes is a serious, determined gaze. Are you going to let Madoka live her own life, Homura? Sayaka asks. But Sayaka doesn't wait for an answer. She can't shake the feeling that she might not get a chance to speak again if she doesn't say her piece, in full, now. You're not the only one who's known Madoka since she was a child, Homura, she continues. You're not the only one who cares about her. And if giving up on my dream is what it takes to make sure that she's free to pursue her dream... I'll do it. Sayaka didn't even know what Madoka's dream was. Madoka was the most indecisive person she knew, even now, months away from finishing school. That had to be why she was so worried. If she left without having this talk, Homura would probably convince Madoka to not go to university and instead become her live-in housemaid or something. And then the poor girl would have to deal with the mice. Yet as the final words leave her mouth, Sayaka suddenly feels rather embarrassed. She's being incredibly dramatic over what amounts to another childhood friend of Madoka's being overly clingy with her. It makes her feel as if she's acting like... well, like Homura . But she's certain, even though she can't remember the reasons why, that Homura is the devil. That she needs to protect Madoka from her. No matter how little power she has to do so no matter what the cost is to her. So she gazes at the wall, and waits for it to topple.