[video] 01

[fortheworld]

[this video opens up with... an ordinary schoolgirl in an ordinary uniform. She's sitting in a rose garden, from the looks of things, and addresses the camera directly:]

Good evening to you; my name is Oriko Mikuni. I have an important question.

When connected to this community, is it normal for certain abilities to be lost or rendered otherwise inactive? It's quite an urgent matter.

Comments

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[stillneedawish]

Is this about the magical girl system on our world?

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[fortheworld]

...You are familiar with it then. [fuck.]

Have you already contracted?

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[stillneedawish]

Probably more familiar with what it actually is than most of the girls are. ... It's complicated. How much do you really know, Oriko-san?

No, I haven't. Actually, to tell you the truth, I don't plan on contracting at all if I can help it. [ but look at how well that plan's worked for god-knows-how-many timelines it's been now... ]

[fortheworld]

...Well, that's a relief.

If I told you my ability was precognition, would that explain things?

[stillneedawish]

... yes, actually. If that's true, I'm guessing you must have seen a future where I did contract, and... and the worst happened. Right.

[fortheworld]

Yes. Your contract will end the world.

[stillneedawish]

I-- [ wait what ]

What?! You- you're kidding... right?

[fortheworld]

[...Oriko sighs]

Believe me, Kaname Madoka, I would not joke about such things.

If you contract, barring someone managing to put you out of your misery beforehand, you will become a Witch, powerful enough to end the world in a matter of days. No Puella would be capable of stopping you, and even if they were they would just meet the same fate in time.

[stillneedawish]

No way...

I knew the truth about the Witches. So I knew that contracting was a bad idea from the start. But I had no idea I could be that powerful! That's crazy! It doesn't even make any sense...

[fortheworld]

It is the truth.

[of course, telling her all this will only go so far; she has no doubt the Incubators will find some way of squirrelling her into it anyway]

[stillneedawish]

No... you're right. I don't think you'd tell me something that terrible if it wasn't the truth. It's. It's just a lot to take in, you know?

[fortheworld]

It's important for you to understand what's at stake.

Please; reject your contract at every turn.

[stillneedawish]

I will. I definitely will.

... Oriko-san, I know we only just met, so this might sound awfully rude. But do you mind if I ask you a favour? Or well, it's more like a back-up plan, I suppose.

[fortheworld]

[...Oh?]

Very well; what did you have in mind?

[stillneedawish]

... Even before we had this conversation, there's been another person who doesn't want me to contract. Mostly because she wants to keep me safe, I think. But even if I try my best not to contract... it probably sounds paranoid to you, but I'm worried that something might happen where I might not really have a choice.

So... I guess what I'm asking you is, only if that happens, and I do have to become a Puella Magi - first, I want you to promise me that you'll let me take care of whatever it is that I turn into one to handle, because I promise that I wouldn't do it if I didn't have a good reason to. And. And then after that, if you can... I don't ever want to become a Witch, so please. Before that happens, you should probably take care of me, too. But if it comes to that... make it quick, please?

[ sorry, Homura-chan. ]

[fortheworld]

[that would be more or less exactly what she'd do in such a situation anyway. She nods.]

Certainly. It is perfectly possible to do it yourself if needs must; you understand what the Soul Gems are, I assume.

I will do my best, but obviously I cannot guarantee I myself will still be alive at that point in time [not without her precognition at any rate]. If such an event were to occur, the duty may well fall to you.

[stillneedawish]

I... yes, I think so. So. If that happened, I could just... i-it'd be as simple as just breaking it?

[fortheworld]

...I would hesitate to call it simple. The Incubators have a direct interest in seeing you fall; they would intervene as much as they could. In truth I would prefer it that, no matter what, you would not make the contract by any circumstance.

Your mother; your father. Even if this city were to fall, it is not worth risking the rest of the world. And you would be signing your life away no matter your wish.

I am sorry to put this burden upon you, but the delicacy of this situation cannot be over-exaggerated. If there is any potential catastrophe that could inspire you to wish, have no doubt the Incubators would work to make it so.

Fate is just too cruel.