880/New Double Trouble

From Radiant Heart MUSH

New Double Trouble
Date of Scene: 12 December 2023
Location: Dorms #1
Synopsis: Hinoiri decides to check up on her girlfriend, Sayaka and Klarissa (Angrier Sayaka). She brings stuffies and they are adorable. Even if she's going to leave town for a bit, she can't just let them feel unwanted, after all. So long as she keeps faking it, surely Sayaka will never learn just how terrible she is, right?
Cast of Characters: Hinoiri Kirara, Sayaka Miki


Hinoiri Kirara has posed:
Hinoiri Kirara took a slow, deep breath. She could do this. She WOULD do this. She just had to see what in the world THIS was going to be, make sure she was okay, then like... Let Sayaka know she was going out of town for a bit. Have to deal with some things back home or something.

Keep it vague, don't worry her. Besides, it wasn't like Sayaka would be entirely alone. Madoka would be there. And she'd planned this all BEFORE she knew her girlfriend had... well... This.

A small part of her maybe felt guilty.

She reached out and knocked on the door. Yup. Just visiting the girlfriend...s? Before she left. She'd even brought gifts. A pair of mermaid stuffies. One was an orca mermaid, the other a shark mermaid! She even had lil 'sharp teeth' made of felt. They... weren't the best quality. But they were about mascot size so it seemed the kind of thing Sayaka would like.

Sayaka Miki has posed:
As it happens, Sayaka and Klarissa are both in the dorm room. They have had a lot of work to do regarding Klarissa's living accomodations after Kyouka gave an alert to housing, but it seems things are proceeding as ideally as they can be.

Given their requests to stay together and the rooms'... rather small size there have been a lot of rearrangement and replanning of Sayaka's room, but in the end they miraculously managed to fit a second bed in there. No magic actually involved.

The twins are currently in the living room, having just finished filling a bunch of documents for Klarissa's stay, while Ula is taking a soak in Hinoiri's pool. When they hear a knock it's Sayaka who opens the door and right after throws her arms around Hinoiri.

"Hi, Hinoiri", she smiles, "what brings you here?" At hearing that name, Klarissa's head springs towards the door and a rather odd expression can be seen on her face. "Oh, Hinoiri, hi", she replies with a veneer of nervousism, before she too joining Sayaka in her embrace of Hinoiri. At the same time despite a thought in the back of her head telling her she should just leave this girlfriend business to Sayaka.

Hinoiri Kirara has posed:
Hinoiri Kirara blinked a few times. Okay. Sudden hug. That. That was unexpected. Especially considering... well. Okay, sure. Maybe she wasn't around the most lately, and giving Sayaka some space helped. And maybe... "You've been behaving, right?" she asked. "Getting sleep, not over pushing yourself? And, you know. My girlfriend suddenly gets split in two I figure I should swing by, make sure you aren't like... trying to kill each other." Pause. "You haven't been... trying to kill each other, have you?"

She'd gently nudge the two inside, then closing the door before leaning back against it. "How you two holding up?" She reached into her pocket to pull out a pair of miracle pops, before holding them out to them. "And I take it Ula has been keeping an eye on you two, keeping you out of trouble?"

Sayaka Miki has posed:
"Sayaka didn't plan to do this", Sayaka says, using the third person as something the two of them settled on regarding talking about the memories they share. "She just wanted to catch it and it did the rest by itself." She and Klarissa both undo the hug, and the latter starts talking.

"We have not been killing each other, going back together is part of the plan, and we have been getting along for the most part", she glances at all the documents they have been working on. "But she is rather pushy. Despite knowing how it's gonna end, that stuff is all due to her insisting."

"Yeah, sure, this is where I have the upper hand. Hinoiri, tell her she deserves to take part in school activities too", she turns to address their girlfriend, obviously expecting an agreement.

When her name is used, Ula waves from the pool and speaks up regarding keeping them out of trouble. "Things have been going well. The Sayaka there is not as heavy on the whole overworking herself, so things have been proceeding smoothly. Only Klarissa had to actually be convinced about it. You still have some stubborn girlfriends, so beware that", she ends on a warning, though the last statement makes Klarissa wince.

"So, there is that too, Hinoiri", the bluenette says. "You didn't sign up to have two girlfriends, so if you want to consider only one of us, then pick her."

"Yeah, because I somehow have more right to being her girlfriend than you do", intervenes the other bluenette. "She already knows our circumstances, but you aren't as bothered by them as I am, so I won't force you to do anything with regards to them. And since she will have you, that works out best for everybody."

"Klarissa", Ula calls and cutting off Sayaka, who was about to start a quarrel, "you know well that Hinoiri wouldn't want you to think like that, so stop thinking like that. Right, Hinoiri?" the koi mermaid says.

Hinoiri Kirara has posed:
Hinoiri Kirara just stared at the two of them. She was muttering something under her breath, finger moving as she pointed between the two of them. Eeny meeny miney moe?

Nope. "Don't be stupid," she told the pair of them. "Sayaka Miki is my girlfriend and, right now, that just means my girlfriend is in... two places at once. Whatever did this sure did a number on you, huh? I take it one of the magic people have whatever did it?"

She then closed her eyes. "I'm sorry, though. I... uhhh... I gotta go on a trip, I'll be gone a week or so. I'd cancel it, but it's kind of important and was... planned... even before this but..."

She then opened her eyes and looked between them. "Do... you both have your soul gems? Like... what happens if you two go too far away, do you still work?" She then glanced towards Klarissa. "And yes, you both deserve to spend time with school activities. Listen. I get it. A lot is going on. But don't think for a moment I won't go find some more of those girls out there and make them come and start some kind of... magical... girl... mentorship... program. I don't know."

She lifted a hand to her forehead and gave a sigh. "And who cares what I signed up for? We're not schooltime sweethearts planning a marriage, we're friends dating and figuring stuff out. Aside from you going all self-destructive, it hasn't been bad. You're actually kind of cute when you smile, even. Oh, reminds me. I got you two something. I'm not sure which would want which but... well, when you're yourself again, you'll have both. Here." She reached into her bag and pulled out the two mermaid stuffies!

"And I swear if you two start going on about 'But we haven't deserved them!' I'll toss you into the pool." Pause. "Sorry if that happens, Ula."

Sayaka Miki has posed:
Three surprised looks meet Hinoiri's gaze when she starts playing Eeny Meeny Miney Moe with the two bluenettes. Sayaka is actually a bit hurt by the gesture, Klarissa just nods at it and Ula seems appalled by it. Surely she doesn't see them as that interchangeable, right?

It comes as a relief to both Sayaka and Ula when Hinoiri reveals it was just an unusual way to prove a point. "Don't do that again", Sayaka says with a serious expression, before breaking into a smile and saying. "But thanks, I am glad to have you with us."

At least from a certain point of view since Hinoiri is now departing. "Where are you going?" is the obvious question Klarissa opens up with. "Do you need help with packing or other preparations?"

"Enforcer Chrono from the TSAB doesn't have it", Ula is the one breaking into an explanation, as the one who gave the twins a thorough look. But the magical signature they are emitting isn't quite the same as before, and I think the new element may be that Lost Logia, bound to both of their souls."

Because they are partially separate on that front, and as a result the twins show Hinoiri the Soul Gem rings they are both wearing. "Neither Sayaka nor I have tried to go far from each other yet, but as far as Soul Gems go, we both are it. That Lost Logia didn't free us from Kyubey's trick. Besides housing our souls, it is mostly for show. Only one of us can be transformed at a time and loss of magic from one of us is counted for the other too."

"See? I told you you are overthinking things", Sayaka smiles at Klarissa. "Hinoiri is a great girlfriend, she wouldn't just give up on us or trick us." The other bluenette shakes her head. "I hope she will be all right", before they are both captivated by Hinoiri bringing gifts with her, their eyes shining from happiness, both of them aiming for a different target: Sayaka the orca and Klarissa the shark.

"Thank you", both of them say almost bumping heads when trying to give Hinoiri a kiss. "I will just take the other one", Klarissa blushes more than the two of them were already doing. Though she has something else to say too. "What if we never are myself again? Maybe they won't find a way to fix this."

"Just give me a warning, so I can get out of the way, ok?" Ula asks to Hinoiri.

Hinoiri Kirara has posed:
Hinoiri Kirara couldn't help but snicker at the pair's reaction to her joke. "Listen, you getting caught up in magic mumbo jumbo isn't reason to break up with you. Like, if you started going all psycho, or murdering people, or shoved me down some stairs? That'd be one thing. But, frankly?"

She reached out and booped Klarissa on the nose. "I knew you were a puella magi when I asked you out. The fact it means you've got a phylactory doesn't change anything about you the person. Neither does being split in two. Though, maybe be a bit more careful next time. It... oh my gosh. I have the perfect nickname for you now. Starfish. You're my little starfish. Since, you know. You like mermaids so much and they can regenerate from being cut in two. I think. Just don't think about it too hard," Hinoiri said with a laugh.

"As for packing, nah. It's kind of a light-packing trip. A bit personal, kind of related to my old home. Going to have to spend a lot of time bouncing from hotels for a bit."

She reached out to take both their hands with the rings, gripping the hands but not touching the rings, just eying them for a moment before sighing, letting them go. "You should like... test that, soon. With Madoka or someone nearby you trust who does the magic thing. If only one of you can transform at a time, you don't want one of you on patrol while the other is helpless and in the labyrinth. That's just asking for trouble. Likely best to leave one of you home. Or better yet, go out with your patrols with a partner, while the other stays home so you both know each other is safe."

"Exactly. I'm not going to give up on you over something like this." Trick... uhhhhh. She'd... she was lying, but that wasn't tricking, right? It wasn't like any of her lies gave her an advantage or anything, right? "And anybody who would is an idiot."

... Of course, seeing the pair almost bonk heads just made her snicker, a hand covering her mouth quickly. "Oh, wow. I'm going to need to make sure to give you two lots of gifts, because THAT was adorably hilarious. And if you're never yourself again? Well..." Hinoiri had to consider that, crossing her arms and looking thoughtful for a moment. Finally, she shrugged. "No idea. I guess I'll just need to settle with making both of you squirm and blush. Oh, woe is me," Hinoiri said, a hand to her forehead and pretend falling back. Which wasn't very effective, as she was up against the door and had nowhere to fall back to. "Either way, you're still one person, Sayaka. It's the same as that lil phylactory of yours. Even if you've got some magic thingy changing some of the rules you were used to, you're still you. And I find you the person fairly interesting and fun to do things with." She reached out and, this time, booped Sayaka's nose.

"And yeah. I'll let you know, Ula. Seems fair enough."

Hinoiri pushed off the door finally and walked to the pair of them, moving an arm around both their shoulders and gave them a hug, pulling them in for a moment. "Just so long as you're not doing that 'My body is just a tool and I'm not a person' thing anymore. Because that? That right there is going to be pool toss worthy."

She then blinked. "Oh. Right. And no asking me to split in two for this. Like, one of me is already nearly too much for this world to handle. You can't double the amazing quite like that without consequences," Hinoiri said in a playful, joking tone. "So, why don't we watch--" Then stopped. And grinned. "Hey, you two. What is your favorite movie? Whisper it to me, so the other can't hear. I want to see if that changed any."

Sayaka Miki has posed:
"Uh, Sayaka likes mermaids?" Ula brings up in a bashful tone. "What is that about?"

Sayaka starts fiddling with her school uniform. "You know how mermaid stories tend to be very romantic? It's more of a consequence from that, since I really like romantic stories. And there are lots of classical pieces with similar premises in them like Wagner's Rhine Maidens or Dvorak's Rusalka. So, well..."

Klarissa picks up after Sayaka's hesitation, sighing. "After a while of experiencing them, the imagery of mermaids stuck with us and here we are. You are always portrayed as really elegant in anything that's not a horror story."

"Oh, well, I guess thanks for the compliment", Ula says, still a little awkward over hearing about the portrayals of mermaids in human culture. "How long did you know about Sayaka's interest in us?" Ula asks Hinoiri.

"I wouldn't be surprised if bad guys like La Crima or Mami who were present Sayaka cut her arm would start using that name too", Klarissa mentions. "At least once they see there are two of us next to each other. That scientist guy, Riventon, especially. He looks like someone who would come to that conclusion, that I am actually Sayaka's arm regrown or some bogus."

"We have been fine up to now", Sayaka intervenes. "Just, you know, one of us getting the other out of trouble if anything happens. And we even fixed the issue of accomodations in case that's true. We spoke with Inai-sensei, with me posing as the original Sayaka and Klarissa as my twin sister from another school which suddenly had issues with their availability of dorm rooms, and Klarissa will still be in this dorm room."

"Really, Hinoiri", both of them grumpily react at the same time when Hinoiri comments on finding that adorably hilarious, though the tone doesn't actually give the impression of them actually complaining, with an undercurrent of amusement to the grumpiness, though it is more easily perceived from Sayaka.

"Thanks for the gifts, but don't empty your wallet on us for the trip. If you come back starving, you are getting complaints for the next week at minimum", Klarissa says. "I feel I will have to account for that and fix you something to eat on the fly", Klarissa says, looking around the room to judge its suitability for cooking.

"Well, getting full of gifts from Hinoiri doesn't sound so bad", Sayaka grins. "But Klarissa is right. Don't starve yourself, ok?" These twins, they are ones to talk.

Klarissa just stares silently when Hinoiri brings up the opinion she exactly has on herself, while Sayaka looks guiltily to the side, not wanting to talk about Klarissa like that in her presence. Even if she isn't affected by those memories, Sayaka still has them in her head along with the feelings of the original them, so she doesn't want to make things more uncomfortable for her. Though, working on helping her with Hinoiri in private is something she should get on doing.

And Sayaka is glad when the imagery Hinoiri has brought up can bring things on merrier subjects. She even laughs at that statement. "If there were two of you, you wouldn't need magic powers. A double pep talk from you would make any villain reconsider their life choices."

After exchanging a glance of hesitation, the twins do as Hinoiri says. They both end up whispering Aquamarine in her ear.

Hinoiri Kirara has posed:
Hinoiri Kirara couldn't help but get a biiiiiigger grin as poor Sayaka tried to recover from the story of her mermaid fascination. Even moreso when she heard Sayaka's favorite movie. "Wellll. At least you're still you. Same movie. Honestly? After we watched that movie. See, mermaids weren't really a big thing where I was from, not near the ocean and all. But when that was your favorite movie I figured mermaids had to be a pretty big deal to you. But the way your eyes lit up just now, though? Both of you? That made it perfectly clear."

Hinoiri gave a light snicker and glanced around the room. "Yeah, just don't go losing your arm again. And don't worry, I won't starve myself. Travel care is very important. Otherwise you have to cut the trip short early and you'll ruin the whole point. But I'll definitely make sure to bring you two something nice. And if you're back to just one by the time I get back? Well, that'll just mean there's twice as much for the original you," Hinoiri said with a teasing snicker.

"But, I only have a few hours before I have to go, so why don't we catch another movie? Or maybe we could play a board game or something. And no, I refuse to take no for an answer. That means you, Klarisa. You're going to have some fun and fond memories before I go even if I have to sit on you and make you roll the dice myself."

She uhhhh... wasn't... going to comment on the double Hinoiri. It made her feel just a little hint of guilt. These two were good. Sayaka... was good. Hinoiri wasn't.... but she could pretend to be a good guy for a few hours. If for Sayaka's sake if nobody elses.

"... Well. Assuming you actually have a board game. If not, I think the recreation area has some we can swipe for a few hours."

Sayaka Miki has posed:
Ula relaxes a bit when Hinoiri reveals her place doesn't have that fascination. She still isn't sure about how to feel about being appreciated for what she is. At least here is hoping Sayaka doesn't transmit it to Hinoiri. Klarissa and Sayaka are enough. "Don't get converted on me, Hinoiri. It's awkward enough as is already."

Klarissa doesn't want to bring up how far her disregard for herself and her body goes by mentioning she cut her arm off again (or let it get cut off to be precise), so her mouth stays shut.

Instead, under the presence of Hinoiri's threat, Klarissa raises no opposition and instead brings up a game of Monopoly after she dusts it off.

When it comes time for the girls to see Hinoiri off, they give her another embrace while Ula is able to raise Sayaka's forgotten phone enough to snatch a picture of that moment. Besides forwarding it to Hinoiri, she will leave it for the Sayakas to discover later.

"Take care, Hinoiri!" the trio will say at that point in time.