2466/Just Normal Between Us

Just Normal Between Us
Date of Scene:	12 April 2025
Location:	Plot Room 1
Synopsis:	Madoka and Sayaka take a trip to the suspicious art museum exhibit to catch up on things. They talk about relationships, the future, and magical matters. They reiterate their mutual support for each other, and trust in one another no matter what happens.
Cast of Characters:	Madoka Kaname, Sayaka Miki

---

Madoka Kaname has posed:
    Magical life is pretty busy, and Madoka hasn't always had a chance to really sit down and talk with her friends. Even ones who are themselves magical.

    It's kind of natural, if she thinks about it. Madoka wanted so badly to be a magical girl, and she's been very aware that the Fade will come sooner or later and that there's a very strict time limit on how long she can live out her dreams. Also, on a more heartbreaking note, was the fear that one day all of her minidoka Chara would one day vanish.

    What she saw at the museum the other day... changed her point of view. Now, instead of facing the inevitable loss of her precious fairies, she has to consider the eventual shape of eternity. After all, if Kamiko isn't going to vanish one day, then... what does that mean for Madoka's future?

    It has given her a lot to think about. She wants to talk to a friend.

    Plus, it really wouldn't be good to get too far out of touch with Sayaka, and it's been a while since the two of them just hung out. So Madoka asked her to go the museum with her, so they could catch up and just talk for a bit.

    Madoka Kaname is waiting at the entrance of the museum right now, rocking back and forth on her feet with her hands clasped behind her back. Kamiko is resting on her shoulder, while Lydian and Rens are deeply entrenched in a debate about art theory and the ways that emotional expression connects to psychology and lived experience. The chatter of the fairies is going way over Madoka's head, but she doesn't mind it as long as they are having fun.

Sayaka Miki has posed:
Sayaka had made plans to go to the museum exhibit after she'd heard about it from Rashmi's Shed post (and Ula had been weirdly eager to go after two mermaids had reported about their findings). Probably some common history they all share?

And even if the situation between the two of them had been slightly annoying, she wasn't going to tell her not to come. The tiny mermaid is still her fairy friend, and Sayaka did somewhat see it from her perspective. Even if she had yet to have a talk about it with Blue. Has he already found out, and is only waiting for her to come to him? Would it make it better if she called him, instead of vice versa?

And as much as she loathed the idea of forgetting, the Fade had represented a natural end limit to her service and obligations to Blue. Now that it wasn't the fixed end they thought it was, there wasn't much choice but to confront Blue, even if he somehow had decided to let her wait.

But above all, the idea of a way out filled her with confidence, glad that she didn't have to stop helping out and saving people, or forgetting all the magical adventures they had gone through. Even Hinoiri's real nature and their trip to KiraKiraFantastica would be safe.

With how much she was dwelling on it, she realised she needed to talk about it with someone, that she couldn't keep tossing and twisting ideas in all of sort of different manners. And just when she was about to ask Madoka if she wanted to hangout, the pinkette had asked her first instead, to which she had replied with eager confirmation. A lot of time has passed since she last met with her, a lot more than she was comfortable with.

"Hi, Madoka-chan!", Sayaka raises her arm high, waving at her and approaching her with rapid steps. "I hope you didn't wait long", she grins happily at her.

Ula is sitting on the bluenette's shoulder as always, and she closes her mouth, having just finished talking about the implication of all the alleged magical figures scattered throughout history. After all, that meant even the history the teachers insisted on teaching Sayaka and her friends was vastly inaccurate.

Madoka Kaname has posed:
    Madoka is looking somewhat melancholic as she waits, but when she hears Sayaka's voice she brightens up and smiles. "Sayaka-chan! It hasn't been long at all. Come on! It's on the third floor, and admission is free for students."

    Kamiko actually brightens up when Ula comes along. She floats off of Madoka's shoulder to go to the koi mermaid mascot. "Hiii~! We haven't really hung out much since I got purified, have we?"

    Madoka walks up to Sayaka to give her childhood friend a hug, and then turns around to notice that Lydian and Rens aren't following her like they usually do. "Are you two coming with us?"

    Lydian and Rens stop their debate long enough to notice Sayaka and Ula's arrival. Lydian says, "Oh! Um. We'll be along later. We're still chatting. Hi, Sayaka!" The art Chara and the science Chara both wave at the bluenette, but then go back to their debate.

    Madoka asides to Sayaka, "Those two have been like that since I first saw the exhibit. Ready to go up?"

    If Sayaka comes along, Madoka starts explaining herself. "I'm sure you've seen the conspiracy board in the Shed, but seeing it in person is a little different. It's... given me a lot to think about. With my future, with my chara, especially Kamiko-chan... and also what that means for all of mahoujin."

    There's a slight tenseness in her smile, which Sayaka might be able to recognize as apprehension or fear of the unknown. She sighs after a moment and then says, "But... I don't want to only talk about that. How about you, Saya-chan? How have you been?"

Sayaka Miki has posed:
"Free of admission? Sweet", Sayaka comments as she comes closer to Madoka, giving her a hug as well while Ula floats off her shoulder just in time to avoid finding herself squished in between the two friends. She instead approaches Kamiko and looks with a smile to the divine Chara. "Think that's true, or since I got my own makeover with the PreCard", the koi mermaid recalls. "I got used to all the sneezing since then."

"And you have also decided that makes you my manager", Sayaka lightly chides her, but there is a casual cadence to her voice. "If you don't like it, just call him and call off the date", Ula rebukes her attempt, before going back to talking to Kamiko. "That experience in the dream world was weird, it really felt like things were weirdly malleable there, right?"

Sayaka just shrugs and waves to Lydian and Rens instead. "Ula has been talking about it a lot too after she found out it ha mermaid history", the bluenette turns to Madoka, following her up the stairs.

"Have they been trying to crack out the secrets of the exhibit? This all seems quite sudden. Nobody never noticing anything earlier? There had to have been at least one of us who is invested into art and painting, and yet she never noticed anything?", her furrow brows doubting. Somewhere, a bruenette with a white lily in her hair is sneezing.

"But Ula has a point: if all of that is true, even with the Silver Millennium, mermaids, fairies, the Phantom Empire, people like Napoleon, Cleopatra... Maybe we have never really known anything", Sayaka considers. "But that's good news too. We can still keep fighting for what is right even when we should have Faded."

"Me?", Sayaka's eyes open wide, not expecting Madoka to approach the subject first, and a nervous grin appears on her face. "Well, you know how I have been following Blue's rules, right? That might not be the case right now", she rubs the back of her head bashfully.

Madoka Kaname has posed:
    Madoka headtilts at the mention of a boy. For once her expression might be hard to read, partly because she's a little emotionally tired, but also because she's not sure how to feel about it. She keeps her thoughts to herself at first, listening to the chatter between Ula and Sayaka, and then adds that to the mental list of things to ask her about later.

    "I don't think anyone has really figured anything out yet. We think it's weird that there's so many of those paintings, sculptures, and other art pieces are all gathered here in Tokyo, one of the most magically active places in the world. It feels intentional to me, and if it is then I think the message is loud and clear."

    "The Fade isn't a given, which means it can probably be circumvented," concludes Madoka.

    Kamiko smiles brightly. She seems really happy about that point. Madoka... is still unsure how she feels.

    On the subject of Blue, Madoka smiles softly at Sayaka. "I was under the impression that you weren't supposed to date, so what's this I hear about a boy?" There's a bit of a teasing tone to her voice. "Whatever you choose to do, I'm on your side. I think you deserve to be happy, and you're very cute. Any boy'd be lucky to have you, but... I hope you aren't going to get into trouble over something like that. If Blue gets mad at you... will he take your powers away?"

    Eventually they arrive at the third floor, and Madoka starts pointing out the displays that Sayaka may have already seen in the Shed. "Even without the Fade, I'm kinda impressed that Cleopatra lived for as long as she did as a Puella Magi," she notes. "... It's a good thing neither of us are Puella Magi anymore. Well, I guess I should say it's good that you aren't anymore. I never was one in this timeline."

Sayaka Miki has posed:
"You think this exhibit is meant for us?", Sayaka repeats blinking. She had figured somebody had been collecting information regarding to the various magic types and somewhat looking out in that direction, but she hadn't considered that it could have been a message. That fits with the public nature of the exhibit (and it being free for students, that mahoujin naturall fall under), but why now? Why them?

"I like the idea of us not having to fade, but if somebody is pulling the strings to make us work against the Fade, maybe we should look into who it is and why before we try some way to take it down", Sayaka crosses her arms, mulling over it. "What would you do now, Madoka-chan?", she looks up at her friend.

Her serious demeanor breaks apart when her date is brought up. "Ah... Well.. About that...", she shifts nervously in place. "One thing led to another, and Ula was being really insistent, and he was being really nice...", she grins nervously. "Yeah, I am not supposed to", she admits straight up.

"Ula says Blue can't actually take my powers away, because he didn't actually threaten me with it, but I am not really sure of that. But honestly, his mirrors see a lot of things, so maybe he already knows", she replies uncertainly. "So, maybe he doesn't actually want to intervene to see if I will come to him first, or maybe he is fine with watching until things starts turning bad."

She gladly switches to talking about the exhibit when Madoka brings it up. "I am honestly glad about that. It makes Kyubey's doing seem less bleak, that people were able to avoid being Witches for such a long time, despite what he says", Sayaka gives Madoka a smile. "But I certainly don't miss having to keep tabs on my Soul Gem and emotions constantly, and Kyousuke's hand is still fine, so this is all around better."

A thought hits her while they walk around. "Actually, Madoka-chan, if you are fine with it, what did you wish for, in that other timeline?"

Madoka Kaname has posed:
    Madoka considers for a moment, what she just told to Sayaka. "I don't know for sure. It's only a theory. It's very possible that I'm overanalyzing all of this, that it's really just a coincidence, but..." She nods, and turns to look into Sayaka's blue eyes. "... I agree. We should see who is responsible for this exhibit. Investigate them and see what their angle is. Though... in addition to that..."

    Madoka glances uneasily towards Kamiko. "... I think I need to consider the fact that, if the Fade does go away, I'll become an actual goddess for real. Not right away but... eventually." She crosses her arms and looks at a nearby painting. "I'd likely have to give up any thought of ever having a normal life. Whatever plans for a career, I may as well forget about them. I wonder... if I'd end up like someone like Blue or Aqua Regina." Looking up at the ceiling, she adds, "Maybe even one day I might find myself handing out henshin items to magical protectors of my own. I wonder what I'd call them."

    Some people might find that thought to be exciting. Madoka finds it sobering. She had long accepted the idea that her Chara might fade, that they'll likely be remembered as imaginary friends or something. If that were to change, it would rewrite Madoka's whole self image.

    She shakes her head and says, "But... I'm getting ahead of myself. There's no point in thinking about things like that unless we actually can defeat the Fade. Assuming we even want to."

    The story about Sayaka meeting a boy, and the response about Blue, gives Madoka something to think about. "I think... if I were in his shoes, I wouldn't want to take your powers away immediately. I think that would be kindof a jerk move since you're using your magic for good, even if there was a really good reason to forbid you from dating, and if he's on our side then he's probably better than that. However..."

    Madoka looks back at Sayaka, with a sympathetic smile. "... I think, also, if I were in his position, I would want you to talk to me about it. Be honest about your feelings. He might understand, if you just tell him." Tilting her head to the side, she adds, "... and if it seems like it's not going to work out between you and Blue, it's better to figure that out sooner rather than later, so we can try to find you something else. At the time I'm sure it made sense for you to give up on romance, and maybe you still feel that way..." Madoka glances towards Ula, and says to the koi mermaid, "... and, Ula-chan, if Sayaka doesn't want to date, that's also her choice." Pink eyes back to the bluenette. "But, Sayaka-chan, if your feelings on that are changing, that's something you should address, too."

    Madoka stands upright and taps her chin as she considers how to answer the subject of her Wish. "Well... there were a lot more than one timeline, and each Wish was different. If I remember, you were pretty consistent across worlds, always wanting to heal Kyousuke's hand, but for me... One time I wished to bring a cat back from the dead. Another time I wished to bring you back from the dead. I also wished to bring Homura back from the dead." Madoka starts to notice a trend. "One time I wished for a cake, and the less said about that timeline the better. Another time I wished to change the course of fate. Sometimes I never made a wish at all."

    Then she furrows her brow for a moment. "One time I got assassinated before Kyubey even met me... I'm actually still mad about that. I didn't even know those girls! They don't even go to our school. What could they have possibly had against me?"

    Kamiko, for the most part, is silent as she listens to the conversation between Sayaka and Madoka. Occasionally she looks at an art piece. She's kinda seen most of them before, but now she's taking closer looks here and there as something grabs her curiosity.

Sayaka Miki has posed:
Sayaka nods in agreement with Madoka, but then she falls silent while the pinkette actually conveys to her the real worries she has, and Sayaka's head turns towards Kamiko for the briefest of seconds. She has always known the Chara represents Madoka's goddess potential, but even though she had seen Madoka save those girls and herself first hand, she had always thought of it as something so remote that it wouldn't even happen.

That was foolish, wasn't it? If Madoka became a goddess... She can't imagine what she would have to do to reach but that point, but her summary of the consequences make a whole lot of sense to Sayaka, a lot more than she would like. If it were herself she isn't sure she would ever be able to sacrifice that much, but that sounds just like Madoka.

The bluenette reaches out to her friend's hand and takes hold of it, her blue eyes staring seriously towards Madoka's face. "Maybe you don't know what you want to do right now, or maybe you do and you just aren't ready to take that step, but whatever you choose, Madoka-chan, I will support you completely. And maybe it's not so bad if I come along even. I don't know what I would have to do, but you are my best friend, and no matter what you become, I want to be there as well", she promises with an earnestness that betrays no doubt.

Of course she would have to give up those things herself if she managed it, but that goes without saying. To leave her best friend alone being seen as a holy goddess first and a person second, she doesn't even even want to imagine it. Having somebody that sees neither as superior to the other would be of some comfort to Madoka, she thinks.

If feels kind of weird to move from that subject to something as normal sounding as her love life, and it's Ula to speak first. "I have only started acting because Sayaka was being weird around him, and I don't really agree with Blue's methods. I have pushed Sayaka to tell him no multiple times if I was wrong, but I have yet to receive an answer", she shakes her head.

"Well, it's a difficult answer", Sayaka quips back. "I am not really sure what I feel, and yes, Blue's rule complicates things, because I don't really want to break it either, and I realise what it might mean that I don't feel like saying no", she sighs. "I agreed to the date anyway. We haven't decided a day for it yet. I probably really should go talk it out with Blue, you are right, Madoka-chan."

"Your wishes are all over the place, Madoka-chan", Sayaka remarks first. "But I can see why. All of those wishes amount to you wanting to really help someone else with all of yourself. The one with the cake too, somehow, I bet. And for those girls, if you see someone like them give you trouble know, don't hesitate picking the Cure Line up, ok, Madoka-chan?"

Madoka Kaname has posed:
    Madoka accepts Sayaka's hand holding, then looks back into her eyes. The unconditional support, the promise to always be there... it's reassuring. After hearing her best friend's words, she smiles back at Sayaka warmly. She moves her free hand to clasp her friends so that both of her hands are holding one of Sayaka's. While Madoka still has many reservations about actually becoming a divinity, the truth is that such realities are probably a long way off.

    Though also, Sayaka is right about her best friend. If it came down to it, Madoka would sacrifice herself, her happiness, and even her very existence for the chance to make the world better. Even when it comes to something like the Fade, even if it's actually a bit scary for her, she would help get rid of it if it meant making all of the other mahoujin happy.

    "Thank you, Sayaka-chan. I'm sure you would help me, in whatever it was I had to do. I'd help you too, in any way that I could, because I feel the same way. No matter what, I hope we can always have each other's backs."

    Madoka glances between Sayaka and Ula on the subject of the would-be boyfriend. She raises an eyebrow at Ula and considers what they're telling her.

    Kamiko wanders back to the group and speaks up, "I don't blame you, Ula. If I sensed my Chara Bearer wanted to do something but was hesitant about it, I'd probably bug her about it too."

    "Knowing you, Kamiko-chan," complains Madoka, "you'd probably force me to say something about it."

    Kamiko comes back with, "At least then you'd give a response!"

    Madoka's mouth twists for a moment, but she turns back towards Sayaka and leans forward. "So... tell me about this boy you're thinking about. Is he someone I know? Where did you meet him? Is he cute?"

    On the subject of past timelines, Madoka ehehs. "The cake timeline... went kinda badly. You don't want to see the cake form of Kriemhild Gretchen. I did manage to feed a lot of people who would've otherwise gone hungry, though." As for the would-be assassins, Madoka frowns, and then shrugs. "A lot of us magicals have our reasons for doing extreme things. Especially Puella Magi. I think... I would at least want to hear them out. If I ever meet them again. ... but if I do meet them, I'll be sure to let you know."

Sayaka Miki has posed:
"Of course!", Sayaka gives Madoka the widest smile she has. She'd rather face Oktavia 100 times over than not have Madoka's back. "We will always have each other's back. I promise that too." She then mimics Madoka's gesture and with her other hand she takes the ones Madoka has put around hers. She wants to give this her all, so Madoka can take that as a symbol of the care she has for her best friend, just like Sayaka is taking it from her. Madoka has done so, so much to help her.

Ula smiles gladly to Kamiko when the Chara gives her understanding. That's exactly how she feels, and she can only reflect on how things had changed a lot from when she was driven out of her home and forced to hang our Sayaka, as eager as the bluenette was to help her. But she thinks things would have turned out this way regardless. Who knows, maybe she was a Chara in some other parallel world, if such a thing is possible.

"I don't know if we know him, I have only seen him in henshin, and that's how he is going to come to the date too. Because revealing his identity would put his family in danger. I am going to do the same, just to respect his wishes", Sayaka replies seriously. There is a small grin on the bluenette's part, and she adds. "Yep, he is cute. He has a fair face, and long silver hair, and his eyes are a beautiful green. He calls himself Hiddenite."

That's just like her, Sayaka smiles when Madoka decides to give some details about that forbidden timeline. "Thank you, Madoka-chan", she replies about the matter of the assassins.

Madoka Kaname has posed:
    Madoka listens as Sayaka describes the boy. So, she's only seen him in henshin, and he'll be in henshin during the date? Oh, that actually makes a lot of sense, now that she thinks about it. When she hears the name, Hiddenite, she blinks. "Well... that's one way to do a blind date. I guess it's only fair that if he stays in henshin, so should you." She tries to imagine what that's like. Almost like an anonymous date. Hm. "Of course, if he feels the need to be that careful, so should you. I hope you don't get too much on Blue's bad side over a boy you don't really know anything about."

    After a pause she says, "Of course, dating is how you learn about him, isn't it? If nothing else, you two can see if you have enough chemistry to make it worth the trouble."

    After a thoughtful pause, she releases Sayaka's hands, and leans forward to give her best friend a hug. "Again, I'll support you whatever you choose. I do want to advise caution, but at the same time... you deserve to be happy. We're magical girls, so above all else, I think we should follow our hearts."

    When Madoka pulls back, she's still smiling brightly at Sayaka. "Besides, you never know. It might work out. You never know unless you try right?"

    Madoka then looks away and hesitates for a moment. "You know... I think, speaking of other timelines, and also speaking about our love lives, there's something I kinda want to tell you. Something I couldn't really before, but... now I can, regarding Homura-chan. It has to do with the reason why I'm... with her, right now..." Madoka clears her throat. "... It's something I shouldn't share except in absolute secrecy. If I tell you, I'd have to invite you with me into Kamiko's Labyrinth for a moment. Would that be okay with you?"

    She glances to the koi mermaid and says, "Ula-chan, you can come too if you want."

Sayaka Miki has posed:
Sayaka gives a small chuckle at Madoka's reaction to the name. "Seems like it's the name of a rock. But yup, it's rather fitting what he has been doing", she smirks. "I intend to talk about Blue as soon as possible. I intend to be honest with him, and I hope he will understand. I don't know what is right to do here, but I will always do my best. Thanks for being always here to suggest me, Madoka-chan", Sayaka looks at her friend appreciatively.

She intends to be careful. She has learnt from her past mistakes, and she doesn't have a Soul Gem to risk contaminating her feelings now, so she trusts things will be much different now.

The bluenette raises an eyebrow when Madoka starts hesitating. And having to go into Kamiko's Labyrinth? She is making it sound really serious. "Of course, that's ok with me. Whatever you have to tell me, I will always listen to all of it, and help you however I can."

"I will come too", Ula chimes in, and when Madoka heads into Kamiko's Labyrinth, the two of them will follow her in.

Madoka Kaname has posed:
    "With a name like that, he kinda sounds like one of Mamoru's boys," notes Madoka. "But I've never heard of him before. I'll have to ask him about it, if there's a new -ite around."

    "Either way, I don't really know what's right either, but I wish for your happiness either way."

    The lack of a Soul Gem, and all the complications involved in that, has a lot to do with why Madoka isn't really freaking out. If anything it'd be nice to see Sayaka be happy in romance for once.

    Regarding Kamiko's Labyrinth, permission is given, and the tiny divine fairy opens a portal and draws the four of them in. They appear inside a white room that looks not unlike the inside of Homura's dorm, completely with concentric circle couches and data on various sources floating through the air. It's an imperfect copy, and the room seems to expand endlessly in all directions, with many, many sets of circular couches spread out all over. The floor itself is foggy, like they're standing on a fluffy cloud.

    "It's just... it's not urgent or anything," says Madoka, starting to explain herself. "I just... it felt bad keeping secrets from you, but I didn't want to betray Homura's trust, and now that it's been a while she finally gave me permission to tell you. This is something I don't really want other people to know, especially not Kyubey, because if he found out he might try to create a situation that would force Homura to reset the timeline."

    Madoka takes in a deep breath, and then lets it out. "The reason why I'm connected to so many different timelines, and the reason why I have so much potential, is because Homura Akemi made her Wish to travel back in time and protect me. Every time something bad happened to me, or every time our world ended up in some horrible state, she would reset time in an attempt to save me."

    Madoka glances towards Kamiko and explains, "That's why, when Gretchen first hatched, she immediately went to Homura for protection. She knew that Homu would understand her situation and help her." Crossing her arms, she turns back to Sayaka and Ula to say, "That's... basically it. I know it might seem like I'm being overdramatic, but... the truth is that Homura gains a huge advantage from keeping her powers and nature a secret."

    She clears her throat again and says, "She also says she's sorry for being weird around you. She's gotten into a lot of arguments with you in other timelines, and she knows it's not fair to hold grudges for things that never happened, but... I mean, that's just kind of the way she is."

Sayaka Miki has posed:
Sayaka nods instantly as soon as Madoka conveys her need for secrecy. "I don't trust Kyubey with my breakfast, and I have no problem keeping the secret from others", she replies. Though the first part of her sentence was probably a foregone conclusion. He is certainly no mr. popularity.

"I understand, Madoka-chan", Sayaka smiles to her friend. It's true that from her perspective, Madoka is keeping secrets of someone who just showed up some day even from her, but the memories of alternate timelines do a lot to explain why Madoka feels like she knows her a lot more than normal. And above all, Sayaka trusts Madoka immensely.

A part of her has been curious about what has connected Homura to her for a while, and is really interested to hear why the secrecy now, and that plus knowing a bit about Kriemhild Gretchen and Walpurgisnacht is more than enough not to regard Madoka as overdramatic. Though, she questions a bit how Homura formed this complete dedication to Madoka.

"Nobody else will know about this, but she really must have deeply fallen for you to bet her soul on saving you. How much did you know each other the first time? A few weeks? It can't have been much, since nobody knows her"; Sayaka reasons. "I am glad she did though. I don't know what I would do either if I lost my best friend." Even if her having already made a wish for Kyousuke probably made things harder for her, and she is not sure she would have gone for a loop as her method of choice.

Sayaka bites her lips awkwardly as she dwells on the matter that concerns her. She can somewhat get why she would immediately go against Homura. Someone knowing as much as she does, showing up with next to explanation as to where she comes from? As opinionated as she was just a few months ago, she would have probably wanted nothing to do with her either. "Hmm, I don't know if she will accept an apology for things I don't really know about, but I will try to say I am sorry next time I see her."

Madoka Kaname has posed:
    Madoka has perfect confidence in Sayaka's ability to keep a secret. Otherwise, she'd probably still be keeping this to herself. It's not like she could really explain this to Hitomi, either. So far, only Sayaka, Madoka and Homura know about this. It might be best if it stays that way, or so Madoka thinks.

    As for how Homura fell for her, Madoka thinks back. "That many timelines back... honestly, it's all a bit fuzzy to me. It's actually pretty hard to tell which one was the 'first'."

    Kamiko, trying to be helpful, chimes in. "I think the very first one would be time timeline where Homura isn't a magical girl yet. If you focus on the memories where she isn't one, you might be able to remember more clearly." The divine Chara modifies the Labyrinth a bit, showing images of Homura from that timeline, of her wearing twin braids instead of her current hairstyle. Her red glasses are there as well. It's a distorted image, and clearly has some of the visual weirdness commonly associated with Labyrinths, but it's clear enough from context.

    Madoka thinks this over, and looks at the images in the Labyrinth. Kamiko's help does kinda let her piece things together. "I think... part of it, is because I was friendly to her. I mean... you know me, I try to be nice, but... I don't think anyone had ever actually tried to be good to her before. She used to be a lot less healthy. She was actually hospitalized with a heart condition back then, and was pretty lonely. I was a Puella Magi back then, and at some point Mami and I saved her from a Witch. Mami was my sempai back then... It's kind of ironic. The same Mami who, in this timeline, joined Obsidian and barely interacted with us at all, was the person who trained me."

    Turning to Sayaka, Madoka shrugs. "It was Walpurgisnacht who killed Mami and me the first time. I don't have any memory of what happened after that, but... that must have been when Homura made her wish, and why she made that Witch her personal vendetta."

    Madoka takes a step towards Sayaka and shakes her head. "I don't know if she wants an apology persay, but... maybe if you and her could get along in this timeline, I think that would make everyone happy."

    "It's not like she doesn't understand why you'd fight with her. You had some valid complaints. Part of it was because she used bombs and you fight in close range, so you'd get upset over explosions going off in your face. I mean... that's a reasonable thing to get upset about and she knows that. It's why she eventually switched to using guns."

    Madoka taps her chin and tries to consider how best to say this. "I'm sure if you brought it up she'd just flip her hair and act like she doesn't care about it, but... I think she's only dismissing the issue because in her heart she wants us all to get along." With a frown, she looks off into the distance of the Labyrinth. "She's not always the most honest person, and she gets pretty cold sometimes, but I know she means well."

    Scratching the back of her head, she adds, "She's also really sweet to me. I guess that's part of why I hope things go well between you and Hiddenite or... whoever else you decide to date. I'd like to see you be happy as well."

Sayaka Miki has posed:
"That was Homura then?", Sayaka stares surprised at the distorted image shown to her. Had she not known better, she would have thought that could have been a sister of Homura, a twin if they really wanted to stress the physical resemblance. But she would have never called them the same person. There is no better image to understand how much the loop weighed on her. "She really had it rough even back then."

"If there was a way, Homura should have her loop power taken away from her", Sayaka mutters seriously. "Do you think it would make her less withdrawn if she didn't have the stress of carrying a reset button all the time?", she asks for Madoka's opinion. But ultimately, that hypothetical is just that.

Sayaka nods at the mention of Mami. "Yeah, Mami-senpai seemed really nice when we first met. Maybe there could have been a way to get through to her. But I hope she is happy now. And, also, in good health, and that Obsidian didn't get to her". Maybe they will meet her again one day.

A bit of a smirk shows up on Sayaka's face. "Sorry, but talk about high aims. Of all the Witches she could have picked a fight with, she went and started one with freaking Walpurgisnacht. That seems like a really bad joke at her expense. I can't blame her for being cold now. But maybe we can find a way to get her to be a bit like you say she was. Maybe, you are bringing out the old her even after all this time. I think there is a chance."

Madoka Kaname has posed:
    Madoka nods at Sayaka's assessment. It's a bit weird to have this conversation without Homura here herself, but really... this was supposed to just be a chat between friends.

    At the mention of her loop power being taken away from her, Madoka glances off to the side and says, "Eventually... that's the plan. I want to break her contract the same way that I broke yours, but... I can't just do that. It's not that easy."

    Kamiko chimes in, "Since each contract is its own magical thing, they don't all completely work the same way. We could annul yours because you had already turned into a Witch, or at least Klarissa had."

    Madoka nods and says, "Right... Also, even if I could strip her power away, I don't want her losing her memories. So... it's complicated. She is very much someone I intend to save from Kyubey though, no matter what."

    On the subject of Mami, Madoka smiles and firmly nods. "I hope she's doing well, too! Whatever happened to her, I'd like to think that she's alright."

    Back to the subject of Homura, Madoka giggles. "Well, I don't think she'll ever be as shy or insecure as she was when we first met, but I'm sure that I can at least make her happy. She's actually really good to me, and to all of my Chara too."

    After a glance back at the landscape of the Labyrith, Madoka says, "Well... thank you for hearing me out. I'm sorry I couldn't tell you what the deal was earlier. Her story is... a bit hard to explain, but this timeloop is a bit different. I didn't become a Puella Magi here, and this is the longest she's ever gone without needing to reset."

Sayaka Miki has posed:
"Her being less frozen would be helpful to her too", Sayaka clarifies what she meant. To go back to being shy and nervous wouldn't actually help her. "I hope the two of you keep being happy as is, even past the Fade."

"And if we don't break it, that there is a very happy wedding before the Fade actually happens", Ula smiles. "You are already thinking about their wedding?" Sayaka grins. "But that seems like a good thing."

"Don't mention it, Madoka-chan, really. This is just normal between the two of us, ok?", Sayaka gives a full encouragement. "Now, we have a Fade to defeat and a mastermind to find, right?", she winks.

Madoka Kaname has posed:
    Less frozen? Madoka laughs nervously. She knows exactly what Sayaka means by that now. "Ehehe... well..."

    Kamiko, being distinctly unhelpful, says, "That's okay. I'm sure cuddly Madoka-chan will warm her up."

    Madoka blushes. "K-kamiko-chan!"

    Ula mentions a wedding, and Madoka is suddenly bright red. Both of the tiny mascots are teasing her, apparently.

    Calming down a little, Madoka giggles and then smiles at Sayaka. "That's right!"

    Kamiko's Labyrinth collapses, leaving them back at the museum. Madoka folds her hands together and says, "And also... there's lots of fun for us to have, too!"