219/Those left behind

Those left behind
Date of Scene:	08 August 2023
Location:	Hikawa Shrine
Synopsis:	Mami and Hotaru go to the local shrine to make offerings and offer their prayers. However, this meeting seems to, perhaps, be something more. A meeting of two Tomoes... Though neither knows what it could mean, both take it as a good omen and a chance to meet a new soul.
Cast of Characters:	Hotaru Tomoe, Mami Tomoe

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Hotaru Tomoe has posed:
Hotaru Tomoe had visited the local shrine today. It wasn't something she did often, but from time to time, she did. Kneeling in front of it, paying her respects. Praying to the kami. Praying that whereever her mother was, she was watching over them. That one day they could rejoin. Praying to keep her father safe, to keep him wise and on the correct path. That she could be guided towards the same, that she could avoid failing into a dark path of her own.

Praying that whatever it was that she felt within her, that she could stop it. That her body last long enough that nobody else would become hurt. That Takashi would stay strong and be someone she could depend on. That... that one day... That one day she wouldn't have to feel so alone. That she would have her senpai, her friends, that they could all be together... be happy. It had been a long time since she had last come here... but...

Some days they all needed guidance. To remember why they did the things they did. What they had lost... and what they had gained.

Mami Tomoe has posed:
Mami Tomoe had made it a habit to visit the shrine, even if it wasn't as frequent as she liked. While she barely existed at school, her work was a busy one. Carrying a small box wrapped daintily, she approached, but did not immediately go to pray. She left the box as an offering, smell of pastry inside.

"Do you think they'll like cake...?" She asks, both to herself and aloud enough to be perceived as a question. As she waited for Hotaru, she watched the younger girl with a smile on her face.

Respect for the gods was important. If there was room next to Hotaru, she went to kneel beside her. Her own prayer was for her parents - so that they could be happy wherever they ended up - and for her fellow Puella Magi, so that they could perhaps get along and live their best life.

Hotaru Tomoe has posed:
Hotaru Tomoe paused and glanced over at the other girl. Then, very gingerly, she gave a smile. Once her prayer was finished, she bowed once more before getting to her feet... and nearly stumbling. Oof. She always struggled with that part. "I think it's your intentions that matter. At least, that's what my daddy tells me. If you mean for it to be good, it doesn't matter if you cook it or purchase it. It's your heart, not your capabilities, that are truly judged."

She then started to make her way away from the other girl, then paused. Instead of leaving, she waited by the torii gate, giving one last bow. She... didn't recognize the other girl. But she was the only other person she'd seen come to the shrine today. And... sometimes these little meetings, these little times... they were special. Perhaps, even, this girl had been sent by the kami themself. Or maybe Hotaru was just lonely and wanted to speak more with her senpai. She didn't truly know herself. "Do you... come here often?" she'd ask, once the other girl had made her exit as well.

Mami Tomoe has posed:
Mami considered Hotaru's words with an expression of deep consideration. "You're right. Thank you. I hope they enjoy it, then, either way." She shows concern when Hotaru stumbles, but says nothing.

Mami was going to leave herself, but Hotaru speaks to her. She doesn't mind it - she's deeply lonely, too. "Whenever I can. Prayer is deeply soothing to the soul, I've been told... How about you, is this a regular trip for you? It must be hard, if you're a fellow student..."

Mami's eyes go to the shrine, again. It's beautiful, but it's not an easy daily commute, after all.

Hotaru Tomoe has posed:
Hotaru Tomoe nodded. "I... come whenever I can. Though, admittedly, not as often as I feel I should," she said softly, her eyes lowered. "It... helps. I mean, I think it helps. To tell my mom what I'm... doing. I usually do it at the house shrine but..." But the house rarely felt like her home these days.

"It is nice for the soul, though. It helps me feel calmer, at least. O-oh!" She then looked up at the girl and gave a small smile. "I'm Hotaru Tomoe, I'm sorry. I should have introduced myself. I'm, um, from Radiant Heart Academy, grade 7."

Well, at the very least the girl was one of her underclassmen. And if they both came from the same school... Though... "Did... you come from the dorms? Or, um, is your home... nearer to here?" she asked. "S-sorry. I mean, I don't mean to pry, just... uhhhh..." Just socially awkward and not wanting to walk alone.

Mami Tomoe has posed:
With a smile and a nod, Mami is happy to hear what Hotaru has to say. "I understand. I visit for family, as well..."

But when Hotaru introduces herself, Mami pauses in mild shock, before laughing gently. "Tomoe? What a fateful coincidence. My name is Mami Tomoe, Radiant Heart Academy grade 9."

Fast on the draw, though, she nods when Hotaru pries about where she lives. "I live in an apartment in Mitakihara, but I'd be happy to walk with you to wherever you're going. I still have some chores in the city, after all... what direction?"

Hotaru Tomoe has posed:
Hotaru Tomoe nodded. Yeah. Few people could go to a shrine just to go. Admittedly, if she knew the full tragedy of what Mami had gone through, she'd likely... have not shared her own.

However, when she was told her name was Tomoe as well? Hotaru let out a low gasp and stumbled, turning to look at her. "You're... a Tomoe as well?" she asked. "Are... we related?"

After a moment, her cheeks went red and she let out a soft little nervous chuckle. "S-sorry. Sorry. That was silly of me to ask. It's... it's not like... you'd know..." she said sheepishly. "I mean, it's not... I... sorry..." Her father never mentioned family, though. Cousins. If he had siblings. Her grandparents. But then, her father was as to an island since the accident.

"I... admittedly... was just walking. It was a nice day and I didn't... want to be home right now. It's too... silent. I just wanted to see people. Sorry," she said, cringing. Now he senpai probably thought she was weird. Why did she always stumble over her words like that?

Mami Tomoe has posed:
Mami considered the question genuinely. Were they? She didn't know her cousins either. Before she could answer, however, Hotaru gets embarrassed and apologetic. It's a LITTLE weird, but... Mami can understand the feeling of wanting to be somewhere else. Of not wanting to be alone. She can't just let this girl be sad...

"Well... that's okay. I don't know if we're related, but we don't have to be to walk together. Either way, two Tomoes meeting in a shrine has to mean something, right?" She then adds, "Please don't apologize. You didn't do anything wrong."

Mami's mulling over places to go with a brand new acquaintance, but roadblocks. However... "Why not walk for the sake of walking? Though, if I'm being a burden right now, I perfectly understand."

Hotaru Tomoe has posed:
Hotaru Tomoe smiled a little bit when the other girl admitted to not knowing. Even if they didn't know... it wasn't wrong, right? "Perhaps... it is a destined meeting," she said. "Mami Tomoe... that would mean... ummmm..." She struggled for a while, trying to come up with the proper meaning. Going through different kanji before... "Graceful... jewel?" she asked sheepishly.

"I... would like to walk with you, if that's okay. It's a really beautiful day. The sky is so beautiful on days like today..." she looked up, a smile on her face. "What kind of chores do you have to do? Maybe I could help?" she offered.

Mami Tomoe has posed:
Mami nods when Hotaru gives a meaning for her name. "That's one, yes. I like that one a lot."

As Hotaru offers to help with chores, Mami's smile beams. "I'm headed to the market! I'd love some company. Perhaps we can get some treats?"

Making acquaintances feels good... perhaps if there's people like this at school, Mami has a reason to frequent it more often...