{003}

[burdenbearing]

[Action: Around town.]

[Mirai's run out of drone clothes to destroy and re-use as pieces for her growing clothes and teddy bear collection, so that leaves her one option: getting a source of income. The solution? A job, of course!

She's wandering around town with a few job applications in her hand, muttering to herself in an annoyed tone.]

This is so stupid! How can it be this annoying to find a job?

[Action: John Doe Park]

[Later in the evening, around sunset, Mirai has snuck into the park to test out her latest regain. She's not very well-hidden, and anyone wandering nearby might see a bright flash of light, and a girl in a pink, fluffy dress holding a heart-shaped wand behind some bushes.]

It worked! Hah, I knew I would get it back sooner or later! This town can't keep my things away from me for long.

[How smug. Despite that, though, she seems genuinely pleased.]

Comments

[answerer_sword]

I see...so it is a terminology specific to your world.

Are you aware of the other magical girls here?

[burdenbearing]

[She waves a hand in a vague gesture.]

Madoka mentioned a few like us, but I don't know any others.

[answerer_sword]

What if I told you that there were others? Would you work alongside them, or at least agree to a ceasefire with them?

[burdenbearing]

If they aren't going to start fighting me first, I don't have any reason to attack them. There's no need for a ceasefire at all!

[Her shoulder tense up in defensiveness.]

Working with them... That depends on what we're going to do.

[answerer_sword]

Not much. I, at least, will not drag you into their affairs, nor will I tell them to interfere in yours. Simply knowing that you will not be fighting against each other will be enough.

[Magical Girls, with their large supplies of prana, could easily cause havoc if they fell to fighting each other.]

The magical girls I am current aware of are Hayate Yagami, Mami Tomoe, Satou Kuroneko, and "Homura". Rin Tohsaka might be one as well, depending on whether or not her Kaleidostick recognizes her as Master.

[burdenbearing]

[Mirai's face darkens just a bit. She knows Homura--Mirai had murdered her once before, under the influence of the town. Mami Tomoe she'd never met, but Madoka had mentioned her. Satou was terrible at hiding her magical abilities, and Mirai had spotted it right off.]

I know a few of those people, but I don't really talk to them much. If we had to work together, I guess it would be fine. I don't have a problem with any of them.

[She shrugs carelessly.]

[answerer_sword]

The only one I am working with is Satou, and even then, I do not intend to place her in danger. As for you, I would not seek an alliance, but feel free to ask me for help at any time.

[burdenbearing]

That's fine. I have to reserve my magic in case something happens, anyway.

Thanks for the offer, Bazett. I'll remember it.

[Because like hell was she going to be able to remember the rest of that name. Long, foreign and introduced during a kind of stressful moment makes for bad memory.]

[answerer_sword]

Can you tell me your name?

[Bazett was always the type to give her name first and then launch into a conversation without asking for the other person's name.]

[burdenbearing]

Mirai Wakaba. Remember it, okay?

[It doesn't much matter to Mirai. She tends to only give her name when asked it.]

[answerer_sword]

I will, Wakaba.

...If I am ever unavailable, you can try contacting my superior, Commander Hayate Yagami.

[burdenbearing]

[She nods.]

Right, right, I got it.

...How exactly are you going to help?

[answerer_sword]

If you need some place to stay or hide, I can shelter you. If you need someone to protect you from something, I will protect you. I suppose I can help you with spells as well, even if it is not my specialty.

[burdenbearing]

Hm... Alright. I'll remember that, if I ever get in that much trouble.

[Not that she expects to need it, but you never know.]

[answerer_sword]

[Bazett does not expect her to do so either, but she is glad that the girl will keep her options open.]

Do you want me to stand by as you do your magic to prevent accidents? Or do you want me to go?

[burdenbearing]

[She looks at her wand, slightly surprised. She'd sort of forgotten she was transformed. With a shake of her head and another flash of light, she'd back in her normal clothes. Her wand is gone.]

No, it's fine. I was just testing to see if it worked. You don't have to hang around.

[answerer_sword]

I will go then. See you around, Wakaba.

[She turns to leave.]

[burdenbearing]

[Mirai turns as well, heading for the opposite direction.]

See you, Bazett. And... thanks.

[answerer_sword]

You're welcome.

[And she continues walking away.]

[burdenbearing]

[Mirai turns and heads out of the park, as well. She'll be sure to remember this for later.]