ribbonsandtea

[ribbonsandtea]

rossolancer‌:

The glare Kyouko was giving Sayaka. Was the one glare that people who knew her, knew not to try and invoke. That glare came with the monster that was Kyouko’s anger. Not the angry persona she always gave off. But the one that meant to run. She had only used this glare once. And Mami was sure to recognize the same glare that was on her face the night she turned her lance on her mentor. Kyouko’s brow twitched at the vile outlandish claims Sayaka spewed forth. Like a dam that had been holding back and finally cracked and burst forth. Kyouko grinded her teeth against one another under the pressure of her clenched jaw. At this point Kyouko should be lashing out. Yelling at Sayaka and getting up in her face ready to beat the living daylights out of. But instead she sat there. Murderous intent radiating off her. In fact, it was quite eerie to have the redhead so quiet.

Not that Kyouko didn’t want to say something but her dry throat and the lump sitting there forced her to stay silent.

Once Sayaka had finished her rant. Kyouko casually reached for her cup of tea. She blew on it a little to cool it before taking a giant gulp. She then sat the cup back down as if what had transpired had never happened. But, this is Kyouko Sakura. And she wasn’t one to sit idle and let someone run her down. 

Taking her arm from Mami. Kyouko stood up in a fluid motion matching Sayaka’s standoff. “I am too fucking tired from fighting and pulling your weight to even kick your ass.” Kyouko said cooly. It was an honest confession. But it wasn’t the only one. “ You think this is all cause I wanted to be in” Kyouko paused for a moment. “Mami’s pants” Kyouko spat out the words like venom in her mouth. 

“How long did you think the denying was gonna last? Another seven years? How about right up when we kick the bucket is that how long?” Kyouko snapped balling her hands into fists at her sides. “ I got tired of it! I got tired of playing the song and dance over and over and over again. And the one time I finally say I’ve had enough its not good enough for everyone. As if eventually something like this wouldn’t happen. As if I would keep quiet for the rest of the time I’m alive and let things stay as they were forever.” Kyouko said. “Let the fact I love Mami eat away at me and keep it to myself just so nothing changes. That’s fucking bullshit and you know it!” Kyouko yelled. 

Kyouko huffed trying to catch her breath. “You think I forgot everything? You want me to condemn Mami over all the bullshit she’s done. For the rest of time is that it?” Kyouko snapped. “You want me to hate her for flirting with everything that has a pulse? I know exactly what seeing Mami would occur. I know exactly how it would look awkward. The fact that I am trying to make it so you don’t feel out of place now. Obviously isn’t going to cut it!” Kyouko said throwing her arms up in the air for dramatic effect.

“You wanna call me selfish for not putting up with letting my feelings eat me alive. Is that it? I didn’t ask to fall for Mami! It happened. And the fact that since then my feelings haven’t changed that much should say something!” Kyouko growled stomping her foot to emphasis her point.

“If you wanna call us seeing each other selfish. Then I’d hate to see what you call what your doing. Standing here like a two year old spoiled brat because things changed and she can’t have her way. Is that it? Or are you just fucking jealous that we finally stopped denying we love each other.” Kyouko asked huffing for air after her long comeback.

Nose curling under the sour stench of pent aggression, Sayaka could do little to hold back an encroaching chortle of amusement as eyes of deep cerulean bore daggers at Kyouko’s tensed frame. No matter how angry the redhead thought she was, her contempt could do little to rival Sayaka’s; she could feel her skin heat from the base of her neck up to the rims of her ears and Kyouko’s escalating temper was doing little to stifle her own irritation. 

Growling along with her friend’s livid outburst, Sayaka could feel her muscles turn evermore rigid; her shoulders squared and biceps flexed, legs tight and poised as if she were about to pounce. Snarling, teeth flashing and brows narrowed, the bluenette stomped her foot defiantly; as if this petty action would silence the redhead’s finger-pointing. Perhaps she was acting a bit childish, but it wasn’t nearly as juvenile as the bullshit Mami and Kyouko were shoveling; horse deification, and she was the stable-boy shifting through piles of putrid crud; the expectation that she grin and bear it was all too grating a thought. 

“It’s just funny you think she loves you is all,” she sliced back venomously. “When this all burns in hell, don’t expect me to haul your ass back up. I’ll be on the sidelines laughing and pointing,” Sayaka jeered, her mouth quirked devilishly, her gaze alight with amusement as she raised a challenging brow in Kyouko’s direction. “Tendencies just don’t break over night, Kyouko. I feel like you’re smart enough to know this. Or perhaps, Mami’s just got you feeling special enough to think everything will keep going smoothly. Bet she’s already got you trained enough to keep following even when things do turn sour. What a good dog,” she spat sharply and laughed. 

It was time to retreat. Any more time and she’d be riding Kyouko into the carpeting, arms swinging and emotions raging. 

Reaching down, Sayaka picked up her backpack and turned.

Gazing down at her hands in forced distraction, the blonde picked anxiously away at what little dirt remained underneath her nails. At the corners of her eyes, she felt tears, hot and painful, tinge the ducts. Though she thought she might altogether lose her composure, the blonde fought to remain placid, hooking her teeth upon her lower lip to keep from frowning. Sayaka was right. She didn’t belong with Kyouko; the redhead wore her heart on her sleeve and Mami hid hers’ behind a border. Though she didn’t wish any harm upon Kyouko, nor the relationship they were attempting to flourish, she couldn’t see the future. There remained a nagging possibility that something could skew the lines they’d drawn out. And what then? 

In her place on the floor, petty and broken, milky thighs tucked underneath herself and gaze lowered to the coffee-table’s surface, Mami felt gross. With Sayaka’s sudden voice of disapproval, she no longer felt strong or right; she simply felt confused and ashamed in herself. Did she have a talent for hurting people? A dangerous knack? Shuddering, the blonde sullenly thought that she should have second guessed herself months ago. 

Two Slow Dancers

[ribbonsandtea]

rossolancer‌:

Kyouko frowned. Something about Sayaka was making her uneasy. Thinking back to tonight’s battle it was a apparent Sayaka was distracted half the time. Covering for Sayaka was not really an issue for Kyouko. After all forming their little trio had given Kyouko more of a second reflex. Always checking the situation the other two were in and lend a hand to relieve any overbearing threats. But she had only had to cover for Sayaka when she made a stupid move or hadn’t read the situation well yet to be running in at a pack of Wraiths. Tonight it was as if Sayaka wasn’t even paying attention. Even the simplistic’s of combat that Mami had practically drilled into their heads. Seemed like Sayaka had forgotten. 

Maybe Mami was right and she was just tired. Hell even Kyouko was tired having to pick the slack up for Sayaka’s lack of fighting. Eating sweets and drinking tea was what was keeping the redhead awake. And not laying on the floor to nap off some exhaustion. Turning her attention to Mami. Kyouko shrugged. “It’s your call.” Kyouko said.

Knowing Mami was concerned as well made Kyouko feel a little bit more easier. But, Sayaka had to go and throw that out the window with a simple comment. Kyouko turned to Sayaka glaring. “What the hells that suppose to mean?” Kyouko snapped her body tensing. Being irritated while she was tired was never a good thing to start a fight on. Kyouko could very well end up breaking the very apartment if things escalated. “Stop being a little bitch. If you don’t want to stay over just say so.” Kyouko growled. Had Mami not had hold of her arm she would of launched herself over the table just to punch Sayaka over that remark.

Pursing her lips in inquisition, the blonde’s brows furrowed and eyes of gold turned to cast a quizzical look at the redhead. Though she didn’t particularly wish for Sayaka’s company, it felt more an obligation to extend a helping hand. After all, they were friends and good friends looked out for each other despite dotty behavior and questionable conduct.

Though truthfully, she’d grown repulsed by Sayaka’s new and abrasive attitude, Mami could not seem to shake the peculiar sensitivity to guilt which teased her. Such a sudden turnabout could only be a product of the flirtatious behavior she showered upon each precious friend in her circle. Obviously, Sayaka had taken her enamoring conduct for something more than what she’d intended and the culpability fell heavy on her shoulders; the hauntingly cold glances of her friend following each move she made with careful, calculated precision worked as a perpetual reminder of her past insolence.

It wasn’t Sayaka who was to blame. After all, she’d promised time and time again that there was nothing more between her and Kyouko than the bliss of friendship. The lie had slipped so easily from her tongue, she’d almost convinced herself of it. However, since their togetherness could no longer be hidden behind uncaring words and a cool demeanor, there was no remaining room behind her facade.

At Kyouko’s outlash, Mami felt her shoulders go rigid. Jaw clenched, she reached to place a slender hand upon the curve of her partner’s thigh, offering a reassuring squeeze. “There’s no need for that,” she said flatly and sighed, her gaze turning to Sayaka whose expression had turned sour and tight. Tonguing her lips nervously, she reached out for the bluenette’s hand was shocked as Sayaka retracted it, grimacing at the attempt as if it were something vile and unseemly.

“You’re so naive,” Sayaka bit out, her lips curling and nose scrunching in disgust. “As if. You’re so damn twisted, it’s like she’s got you spellbound.” Speaking boldly, she stood up, towering over her kneeling friends and folding her arms; mock power fueling each word spoken. “Makes me sick that you’re so giddy to finally be in her pants that you’ve forgotten everything in the midst of your infatuation,” she continued to seethe, glowering down at the others as if they were two, disgusting insects waiting to be gutted by the sole of her shoe. “Know that I won’t be here for you when things turn to shit and you end up drowning in the sewage of your mistakes. It will happen. It’s only a matter of time,” she whispered, sneering as she turned away. “Things aren’t as simple as wanting to stay here or not wanting to. Your girlfriend fucked us all; metaphorically speaking, and she knows it. As a matter of fact, you’ve both fucked us all,” she inhaled sharply, “by solidifying this foolish relationship with a golden sticker. Thinking about yourself as always; just like her.” Lifting a brow to Mami, Sayaka reached down for her mug of steaming tea and gulped from it, wincing as the hot liquid scorched her esophagus and settled into her tummy. It hurt, but she didn’t mind. Not now anyway.

“Maybe you two are perfect for each other,” Sayaka concluded sharply. “Both are such self-absorbed shits that it blows my mind.”

From across the table, Mami had angled her head downward, busying her anxiety by inspecting her manicured nails. Shrunken and low by the power of truth in Sayaka’s words, the blonde felt inclined to leave and rid herself of the awkwardness of the current situation. There wasn’t any fixing it though. Only time would heal the hurt she’d sodden her friend with and surely, it would be a slow and rigorous process. For now, she only hoped Sayaka and Kyouko would keep from taking blows at the other for that surely would complicate the matter.

Sayaka was right, after all. She had fucked them all-- metaphorically! There wasn’t any denying it and she was sure, Kyouko too was aware of her past, coquettish performances.

Two Slow Dancers

[ribbonsandtea]

Watching intently as Mami slouched her shoulders in indifference, Sayaka nodded and frowned. It was the truth. Despite her sudden urge to partner with Homura, the other girl would never let her. The raven haired, time-traveler thought her weak and incapable in battle. Still-- perhaps with a bit of persuasion, switching teams wouldn’t be difficult. If she simply explained, emphasized, that Kyouko and Mami’s togetherness made her stomach lurch, Homura would take pity. Surely, she too thought the whole union repulsing. 

Though she wished to be an asset for Homura to take pride in, she knew that after this, she would be weak and falter in the heat of war. Samson, defeated after Delilah stole their power; chopped them clean of what strength they had. Mami had drained every bit of resolve she’d managed to muster. Sayaka doubted that she could successfully come back from this insensible game. 

Glancing at her soul gem, she noted how the edges had turned dark with the onset of despair. Hissing, the bluenette slapped a palm across it, hiding the hints of grief which prospered there.

“I’m quiet?” she muttered stupidly, her brows narrowing as she focused cerulean orbs on Kyouko’s amused expression. Sayaka didn’t feel so amused. How she despised that smug look; most especially with Mami hanging off her arm so candidly; slouched against her, arms entwined and lips quirked to fashion a most delectable grin. She could have reached across the table and hit her for acting so blaze, so smooth and casual. How dare she act so aloof despite knowing the result which her bias had birthed.

“You are,” she watched the blonde murmur, her lips puckering in thought as she stared. “Are you tired from battle?” Leaning forward, as if concerned, Mami reached out to place her slender wrist to Sayaka’s cheek, checking her temperature. “I know we had a long fight tonight. I hope you didn’t wear yourself out too much. You do feel a tad warm.” Pulling back, the blonde leaned herself back into Kyouko, tugging her close for warmth, snuggling into her side like a small, adoring animal. “Do you think she ought to stay here?” she tried flatly and looked to the redhead for a response. 

Sayaka could nearly taste the insincerity. 

“Nah, I think Kyouko’s right,” she stated, nearly snarling, her tone harsh and biting. She hadn’t meant to; it was just the blonde’s nonchalance which evoked it. Now, she knew how Kyouko grew so angered, so spiteful and bitter in regard to the elder girl; she simply didn’t care how her actions affected those around her. It was infuriating that the redhead seemed to so easily forget this fact. For all Kyouko knew, Mami would switch her affections at the flip of a switch. Tomorrow, it could be Nagisa, or even herself in favor of their heavenly savior, Tomoe. “Probably just drank too much or something. Don’t let me impose. I can tell you’re getting a real rise out of it,” she offered vaguely, raising a brow at Kyouko; teasing her in mock retaliation for truly, she was livid. “I’d hate to get in the way of whatever you two had planned. Idiot,” she added, the insult hushed as she cast daggers in the redhead’s direction. From Kyouko’s side, she noted Mami’s grimace and furrowed brows.

Two Slow Dancers

It was there in front of her, flaunted, almost in a direct way– or so Sayaka Miki perceived it. Something in the way she was smiling; the way her grin slid so easily across her plush lips as manicured nails brushed the back of Kyouko’s hand. Or in the way she let her body linger against the redhead’s as they sat, side by side; her tempting frame turned towards Kyouko’s, breasts against the back of her arm. It was also in that goddamn laugh; the one so melodious, so fluid and drunk on spirit that it filled the room like a pretty song. What was it Kyouko has said? Surely something unworthy of a reaction so beauteous. 

Cheeks dimpled in smile, the flash of pearly whites flashing in delight for one and one only. Such a sacrilegious display made Sayaka grit her teeth in pivotal revulsion; she could feel her jaw muscles tense as she ground them in unison to Mami’s laughter. She couldn’t stomach it. She could hardly force herself to sit, quiet and mum, while everything was there on display; like an expensive storefront, teasing its poor customer. Beckoning; always beckoning. There was no hope for a taste of the luxury beyond the glass. Luxury had been consumed by a patron far less appropriate than herself– But what did she know about extravagance anyway? It had never suited her. 

“I don’t think Homura enjoys fighting with us? Or perhaps, it’s just me she doesn’t like? It seems, the two of you work quite well together?” a slight pause, she could almost sense the pout, and, “She always seems brash around me. Or am I just overthinking it?” Sayaka heard the blonde mention and idly, offhanded and casual. Looking up, Sayaka hungrily watched as the elder girl turned expectedly to Kyouko; as if the redhead could provide her with an explanation and answer for her problem.

Maybe she hates seeing your stupid, grinning face, she thought of saying. Maybe the smug look you’ve been wearing makes her want to vomit too. 

It was a characteristic she’d always known in the blonde; that she was vain, almost gratingly so; and with Kyouko on her arm, she had grown worse still. As if their togetherness was gas lighting the blonde’s ego. And how nauseating it was, how utterly sick, that she wished it was she who elicited such unbridled pride and elation from the blonde. That she was the reasoning behind candied smiles and lingering touches. 

Damn her.

Damn her and that smile.

Damn her and those perfect teeth.

Damn especially the way her eyes looked so adoringly upon Kyouko’s profile. A look so inviting and dangerous, Sayaka wondered how Kyouko managed to remain calm under the intensity of it.

She couldn’t fucking stand it. And she was positive, Mami was doing this to annoy her. Outwardly flirting with the redhead, leaning over her to take delicate sips from steaming tea because hers’ was “too hot” and casting fleeting glances at Sayaka every so often. And then, her melodious laughter would float within earshot and Sayaka could feel her shoulders tense like a pack of hungry wolves. 

Homura was right to steer clear of Tomoe’s crew of idolizing buffoons. Perhaps, she’d join up with her. If it meant not seeing that smile, or hearing that laugh, she’d do just about anything.

[ribbonsandtea]

Two Slow Dancers

It was there in front of her, flaunted, almost in a direct way-- or so Sayaka Miki perceived it. Something in the way she was smiling; the way her grin slid so easily across her plush lips as manicured nails brushed the back of Kyouko’s hand. Or in the way she let her body linger against the redhead’s as they sat, side by side; her tempting frame turned towards Kyouko’s, breasts against the back of her arm. It was also in that goddamn laugh; the one so melodious, so fluid and drunk on spirit that it filled the room like a pretty song. What was it Kyouko has said? Surely something unworthy of a reaction so beauteous. 

Cheeks dimpled in smile, the flash of pearly whites flashing in delight for one and one only. Such a sacrilegious display made Sayaka grit her teeth in pivotal revulsion; she could feel her jaw muscles tense as she ground them in unison to Mami’s laughter. She couldn’t stomach it. She could hardly force herself to sit, quiet and mum, while everything was there on display; like an expensive storefront, teasing its poor customer. Beckoning; always beckoning. There was no hope for a taste of the luxury beyond the glass. Luxury had been consumed by a patron far less appropriate than herself-- But what did she know about extravagance anyway? It had never suited her. 

“I don’t think Homura enjoys fighting with us? Or perhaps, it’s just me she doesn’t like? It seems, the two of you work quite well together?” a slight pause, she could almost sense the pout, and, “She always seems brash around me. Or am I just overthinking it?” Sayaka heard the blonde mention and idly, offhanded and casual. Looking up, Sayaka hungrily watched as the elder girl turned expectedly to Kyouko; as if the redhead could provide her with an explanation and answer for her problem.

Maybe she hates seeing your stupid, grinning face, she thought of saying. Maybe the smug look you’ve been wearing makes her want to vomit too. 

It was a characteristic she’d always known in the blonde; that she was vain, almost gratingly so; and with Kyouko on her arm, she had grown worse still. As if their togetherness was gas lighting the blonde’s ego. And how nauseating it was, how utterly sick, that she wished it was she who elicited such unbridled pride and elation from the blonde. That she was the reasoning behind candied smiles and lingering touches. 

Damn her.

Damn her and that smile.

Damn her and those perfect teeth.

Damn especially the way her eyes looked so adoringly upon Kyouko’s profile. A look so inviting and dangerous, Sayaka wondered how Kyouko managed to remain calm under the intensity of it.

She couldn’t fucking stand it. And she was positive, Mami was doing this to annoy her. Outwardly flirting with the redhead, leaning over her to take delicate sips from steaming tea because hers’ was “too hot” and casting fleeting glances at Sayaka every so often. And then, her melodious laughter would float within earshot and Sayaka could feel her shoulders tense like a pack of hungry wolves. 

Homura was right to steer clear of Tomoe’s crew of idolizing buffoons. Perhaps, she’d join up with her. If it meant not seeing that smile, or hearing that laugh, she’d do just about anything.

[ribbonsandtea]

“Well--” she began sweetly, her tone quiet and lips curving to fashion a lazy smile as she spoke-- “I do think we ought to give it a try. I mean, we’ve been skirting around the idea for ages, haven’t we?” Her tone soft, almost embarrassed as she looked shyly away. "I feel our togetherness is inevitable. Why try ignoring it for longer than we already have?”

Oh, how silly-- how utterly bizarre the world was. That despite her pathetic attempt to avoid a situation like this, it had still happened. That despite her fears of loneliness and loss, she should ultimately choose to commit to the one person who had drilled those fears into her long ago.

Frowning now, voice quivering from the weight of emotions, she continued with calculated clarity. “I’m a fool to have been so purposefully naïve. I didn’t want to deal with the reality of my emotions, so I’ve pushed you away and for that, I am sorry,” she admitted flatly and swallowed the tight lump which had formed at the back of her throat. She’d been cruel to have let her knowledge of Kyouko’s interest become a playing piece on her chessboard. That despite undergoing similar emotions, she’d used her friends’ captivation to her advantage. Attention was easiest when strings weren’t attached. That was how she had tried to keep it at least. Now, she wasn’t sure her methods had worked all that well. Instead of keeping things at a safe distance, she'd dug her own grave by teasing the chords of her friends’ hearts. Now there was too much discord between the relationships she’d threaded. 

It wasn’t as simple as making Kyouko her partner. Despite how she wished something of this nature would dispel slow and even throughout the group, she knew it wouldn’t. And it was all her doing. 

For being easy and sweet on Sayaka, naming her a prince and intentionally indulging her romantic side for the sake of easy affection, she’d sewn herself carelessly into the walls of the younger girl’s heart. For acting so proud around Nagisa, purposely making herself a shining example of Jesus Christ for the younger girl to fawn over, she’d secured another pawn which only prompted muddled hostility from her knight and king. And worst of all, she’d told both girls that she and Kyouko were nothing more than friends. Friends who watched the other’s mouths with misunderstood longing. Friends who’s touches lingered longer than a friend’s touch would permit. Friends who argued to safeguard misguided passion underneath careful facades. Friends who kissed and undressed each other behind closed doors. How laughable it was now that she should feel so entitled as to ask Kyouko to be hers’ when before, she’d scoffed to others over the mere mention of such a union. But all of it was for the safety of her own heart; an adequate enough way to excuse her actions. Or at least, that’s how she’d assured herself that her conduct hadn’t been unprecedented. 

It was better for Kyouko to know the stone parts of her heart sooner then later.

“I’ve known you’ve liked me for a while now,” she pressed, her words hurried and eyes skirting away. “I know it when our eyes meet. I sense it in the way we talk, in the way we argue. I’m sorry I tried so hard to fight it. Know that I do love you, Kyouko. I want to try too.”

Pulling back now, eyes alight with the spell of infatuation, the blonde looked up at the taller girl, taking notice of the tears which trailed over the curves of her flushed cheeks. Reaching out, she pushed back the wet trails with the belly of her thumb and smiled a small, broken smile of surrender. Though pursuing romance would complicate the dynamic of the group, she felt ignoring her festering fascination was an impossibility. How was she to turn away from that which was so plain? Even if it meant Sayaka’s jealousy or Nagisa’s confusion. 

A Dangerous Woman Up To A Point |

Honeyed eyes turned to the fogged classroom window, disappointedly staring into the outside. Once again, the weather was poor; the air frigid and sky bleak. It appeared as though it might rain or perhaps snow; with the temperatures dropping over the past week, she couldn’t imagine the later was very far from possible. The journey to school that morning had been quite bitter. She’d had half the mind the spend her time at home, nestled by the fire and studying for upcoming exams. Curiosity however, had led her to class. 

At the bell’s dismissal, the blonde stood lackadaisically and took a moment to stretch her arms above her head, easing the cramped muscles of her shoulders and back. Hesitating for a moment with her gaze still fixated outside, Mami stared distractedly into the gray heavens.

She wouldn’t speak with Kyouko today, she told herself finally, watching as students slowly began to pool out of the school, walking in scattered lines towards their homes and buses. She wouldn’t speak with Kyouko because it was too soon. Because she didn’t have anything to say and that itself was dangerous. What had happened nights prior surely wasn’t a mistake, but she didn’t have an excuse ready for why it had happened; nor why it had stopped. With a disgruntled groan and girlish pout, Mami turned from the window, picking up her classwork and, on the way out, offering it into her psychology teacher. 

Mr. Tanasaki was an old man; very old perhaps, though hale and sinewy. “Distraction in class will not be tolerated. I need you alert and ready. This is a college level course and you’d do well to remember it. Your grades have begun to slip,” he soliloquized in an undertone of peevish displeasure, relieving her of her notes; looking meantime in her face so sourly that she charitably conjectured that the man must have need of divine aid to digest his dinner. With only a nod to show she’d noted his observation, Mami left with her nose upturned and wondered vengefully if the man’s poor wife was at her wit’s end being married to such a cold and demanding codger. 

The halls outside were empty. It was now the weekend, free time for all boys and girls. Though everybody was in a rush to start their small vacations, Mami merely wandered slowly, wondering over the causes behind dented lockers and also, over the chipped paint along the walls had yet to be redone. 

Not bothering to fetch her library books from her locker, the blonde departed for the stairway, lost in dread of the temperature both there and outside. Stupidly and in a rush, that morning she’d forgotten appropriate attire for the change in climate. The walk home would be horrid garbed only with a skirt to fend away the sting of cold. 

It only took but a moment after entering the stairwell that Mami noticed Kyouko there. Her hand hesitated on the doorknob, knowing that it was her only escape from this inevitable confrontation. Instinctively, the flexed around the metal knob once.  

She had told herself she wasn’t ready, hadn’t she? Not for this. She needed to talk to Nagisa. She needed to go home and bury herself under the covers. She needed a cup of steaming chamomile to settle her anxiety. She needed to kiss Kyouko to express all that her words that couldn’t. She didn’t know what she needed.

“What are you doing here?” Mami started slowly, questioning her friend with a raised brow. “You didn’t eat lunch today either. I thought you’d gone home,” she quickly lied, tasting the dishonesty upon her tongue; it was sour. Earlier that day, she’d noticed the redhead on several occasions. Once before school, once in the halls and once more at lunch time, though Kyouko once more had chosen to lurk on the outskirts of the lunchroom alongside Homura Akemi than to partake in their daily endeavor. Her lips opened to speak again, but only a soft noise of question came out; a question she retracted before it had time to fall from her lips. For something as dangerous as, “Are we in love?–” couldn’t be spoken without repercussion. Questioning it internally was all the daring she could muster. Things such as love and being in it was altogether concept both new and vexing. And though she couldn’t think of any word to better describe her emotions for Kyouko, she was quite positive that saying it out loud would do neither of them much good.

[ribbonsandtea]

Breath hitching as Kyouko pulled back, Mami allowed her lashes to flutter shut, her shoulders tensing as she readied herself for the impact of a tongue lashing over her actions. She had been quite forward, after all. Doting, pressing, slavish for attention. She wouldn’t ever be cross at Kyouko for chiding her for such actions. As of late, her conduct had been less than respectable and perhaps, a tad trite; juvenile to say the least. However, the weight of arms around her soft form and Kyouko’s steady grip forced a whine of satisfaction past plush lips; her hot breath tickling the cool air between them, fogging the space momentarily when contrasting temperatures met. 

As the younger girl began to express herself, Mami felt the grip around her middle tighten and in return, nuzzled her face into the crook of her friend’s neck; the tip of her upturned nose gracing the skin there, her mouth brushing against the sensitive flesh as she let Kyouko’s confession wash over her. How was she to be expected to respond to such honesty? In the face of transparency, there was nowhere to hide and no words could guide the conversation back to a nonoffending topic. With her kisses and her toying, she’d gone and conjured Kyouko’s most inner thoughts, coaxing them to run rampant along the surrounding air. Momentarily unanswered for the sake of collecting her thoughts. 

“You want to be with me?” she tried, a gentle laugh fluttering from her lips as she pulled back, bracing herself, hands on either of the redhead’s arms as pools of gold looked to meet those of maroon. “Is that what you mean, Kyouko?” Despite herself, the blonde could feel the reverberating rhythm of her heart speed ever faster; the heat of Kyouko’s gaze doing little to calm her growing anxiousness. If that was truly what the other girl wanted, would she ever be able to give it to her? Adverting her gaze and snagging her lower lip, Mami hesitated before adding, “So, you want to live with me then? For as long as we’re willing to stand each other? You want to kiss me as you please and hold my hand when we’re walking to school?” 

Growing courageous, the blonde closed her eyes and leaned forward, angling her chin so her mouth could ghost kisses along the jaw of her intended. It no longer felt very cold outside. “You want to fall asleep in the same bed?” she asked between soft, adoring nips, “Cook and eat our meals together? Fight together?” humming gently, she sucked at the pale skin beneath the belly of her lips, only reddening it slightly before pulling back. “Is that what I’m to understand? That you wish to call me your own? And for me to call you mine?”

A Dangerous Woman Up To A Point |

Honeyed eyes turned to the fogged classroom window, disappointedly staring into the outside. Once again, the weather was poor; the air frigid and sky bleak. It appeared as though it might rain or perhaps snow; with the temperatures dropping over the past week, she couldn’t imagine the later was very far from possible. The journey to school that morning had been quite bitter. She’d had half the mind the spend her time at home, nestled by the fire and studying for upcoming exams. Curiosity however, had led her to class. 

At the bell’s dismissal, the blonde stood lackadaisically and took a moment to stretch her arms above her head, easing the cramped muscles of her shoulders and back. Hesitating for a moment with her gaze still fixated outside, Mami stared distractedly into the gray heavens.

She wouldn’t speak with Kyouko today, she told herself finally, watching as students slowly began to pool out of the school, walking in scattered lines towards their homes and buses. She wouldn’t speak with Kyouko because it was too soon. Because she didn’t have anything to say and that itself was dangerous. What had happened nights prior surely wasn’t a mistake, but she didn’t have an excuse ready for why it had happened; nor why it had stopped. With a disgruntled groan and girlish pout, Mami turned from the window, picking up her classwork and, on the way out, offering it into her psychology teacher. 

Mr. Tanasaki was an old man; very old perhaps, though hale and sinewy. “Distraction in class will not be tolerated. I need you alert and ready. This is a college level course and you’d do well to remember it. Your grades have begun to slip,” he soliloquized in an undertone of peevish displeasure, relieving her of her notes; looking meantime in her face so sourly that she charitably conjectured that the man must have need of divine aid to digest his dinner. With only a nod to show she’d noted his observation, Mami left with her nose upturned and wondered vengefully if the man’s poor wife was at her wit’s end being married to such a cold and demanding codger. 

The halls outside were empty. It was now the weekend, free time for all boys and girls. Though everybody was in a rush to start their small vacations, Mami merely wandered slowly, wondering over the causes behind dented lockers and also, over the chipped paint along the walls had yet to be redone. 

Not bothering to fetch her library books from her locker, the blonde departed for the stairway, lost in dread of the temperature both there and outside. Stupidly and in a rush, that morning she’d forgotten appropriate attire for the change in climate. The walk home would be horrid garbed only with a skirt to fend away the sting of cold. 

It only took but a moment after entering the stairwell that Mami noticed Kyouko there. Her hand hesitated on the doorknob, knowing that it was her only escape from this inevitable confrontation. Instinctively, the flexed around the metal knob once.  

She had told herself she wasn’t ready, hadn’t she? Not for this. She needed to talk to Nagisa. She needed to go home and bury herself under the covers. She needed a cup of steaming chamomile to settle her anxiety. She needed to kiss Kyouko to express all that her words that couldn’t. She didn’t know what she needed.

“What are you doing here?” Mami started slowly, questioning her friend with a raised brow. “You didn’t eat lunch today either. I thought you’d gone home,” she quickly lied, tasting the dishonesty upon her tongue; it was sour. Earlier that day, she’d noticed the redhead on several occasions. Once before school, once in the halls and once more at lunch time, though Kyouko once more had chosen to lurk on the outskirts of the lunchroom alongside Homura Akemi than to partake in their daily endeavor. Her lips opened to speak again, but only a soft noise of question came out; a question she retracted before it had time to fall from her lips. For something as dangerous as, “Are we in love?–” couldn’t be spoken without repercussion. Questioning it internally was all the daring she could muster. Things such as love and being in it was altogether concept both new and vexing. And though she couldn’t think of any word to better describe her emotions for Kyouko, she was quite positive that saying it out loud would do neither of them much good.

[ribbonsandtea]

“And what,” she started slowly, glancing over her shoulder to eye Kyouko with an inquisitive stare, honeyed eyes swirling with a hint of mischief, “pray tell were you and Homura doing?” 

Not that she truly minded what her partner had busied herself with over the past couple days. Though Homura Akemi was a strange and awkward girl, Mami was aware of her particular talents for magic. She had no doubt that if, and certainly they had, gone fighting, Homura could skillfully fend both for herself and Kyouko, if the situation turned dire. It wasn’t that the other girl seemed truly horrid or all that bad. It was only that the violet eyed enchantress presented herself unapproachable and therein, untrustworthy. Mami hadn’t spent much time with her, nor did she think Homura cared to flesh out relations with other magical girls. The unsociable girl was just plainly odd. Mami had never known why Kyouko would choose to spend time with somebody so drab and cool, but it wasn’t her business, nor did she particularly care to make it such. Her question was posed merely as a conversational piece to salve from the heavier dramatics which currently reigned the better parts of their relationship. It would behoove the both of them to shy away from more personable matters and questionable happenings. If only to give their perplexing closeness break to breathe. 

The following words however, stoppered at the rift between too much, too soon, forced the blonde to quiver with hesitation, her lips downturned and cheeks flushed as she continued to tug Kyouko along, leading her out the swinging backdoors of Mitakihara High and out into the cold, late-November air; the bite of the icy temperature so shocking that it forced her breath to gibber and chest to seize. Though perhaps-- perhaps, it wasn’t the cold at all. Likely as it was, the weight of Kyouko’s comment stoppered all sense of her manufactured disillusion. There would be no skirting around the matter. Not even if she pretended like nothing had happened and all was fair and easy as it had been years ago. She’d been foolish to think Kyouko would be so quick to forget such a shaking interaction. 

“You’re right,” the blonde murmured gently and hoped that Kyouko didn’t catch the quiver in her voice. “I had needed space. It’s just, when you leave, even if it’s just for a while, I get scared that you’ll disappear again.”

Remaining calm, placid, false courage taking hold, Mami turned on her heel to face the younger girl; her hand sliding from the other’s sleeve to instead clamp upon her hand, holding it gently in the palm of her own, smaller one. “I thought of you almost every moment, you know?” she attempted to explain, adverting her eyes and hoping that her ears didn’t burn as hot as they felt. “You being gone-- it will always reminds me that your presence isn’t cemented here. It’s not like I can ever force you to stick around. You’ve proved to me before that you don’t have to be anywhere...”

A weak smile graced her lips as she brought up her arms, draping them fancifully around Kyouko’s neck as she leaned against the taller girl for better support. “I am quite sorry for my reaction the other night,” she tried pathetically, eyes never completely meeting Kyouko’s. “It wasn’t my intention to hurt you.” 

Leaning forward, she languidly placed her mouth against the redhead’s, allowing herself a moment to once more, savor the suppleness of Kyouko’s lips upon her own. Even if it was greedy; even if she had manipulated her words and actions just so, she didn’t regret the result of them. There was power here, thriving in the heat of their kiss, gorging upon the shocking the vibrations that pulsated between them, gyrating against the heat of their chemistry. Around Kyouko and notably, over the past week, this connection, had intensified and fiendishly, drunken on the lull of this newfound fix, Mami yearned to reap what she could before it was forever lost. 

A Dangerous Woman Up To A Point |

Honeyed eyes turned to the fogged classroom window, disappointedly staring into the outside. Once again, the weather was poor; the air frigid and sky bleak. It appeared as though it might rain or perhaps snow; with the temperatures dropping over the past week, she couldn’t imagine the later was very far from possible. The journey to school that morning had been quite bitter. She’d had half the mind the spend her time at home, nestled by the fire and studying for upcoming exams. Curiosity however, had led her to class. 

At the bell’s dismissal, the blonde stood lackadaisically and took a moment to stretch her arms above her head, easing the cramped muscles of her shoulders and back. Hesitating for a moment with her gaze still fixated outside, Mami stared distractedly into the gray heavens.

She wouldn’t speak with Kyouko today, she told herself finally, watching as students slowly began to pool out of the school, walking in scattered lines towards their homes and buses. She wouldn’t speak with Kyouko because it was too soon. Because she didn’t have anything to say and that itself was dangerous. What had happened nights prior surely wasn’t a mistake, but she didn’t have an excuse ready for why it had happened; nor why it had stopped. With a disgruntled groan and girlish pout, Mami turned from the window, picking up her classwork and, on the way out, offering it into her psychology teacher. 

Mr. Tanasaki was an old man; very old perhaps, though hale and sinewy. “Distraction in class will not be tolerated. I need you alert and ready. This is a college level course and you’d do well to remember it. Your grades have begun to slip,” he soliloquized in an undertone of peevish displeasure, relieving her of her notes; looking meantime in her face so sourly that she charitably conjectured that the man must have need of divine aid to digest his dinner. With only a nod to show she’d noted his observation, Mami left with her nose upturned and wondered vengefully if the man’s poor wife was at her wit’s end being married to such a cold and demanding codger. 

The halls outside were empty. It was now the weekend, free time for all boys and girls. Though everybody was in a rush to start their small vacations, Mami merely wandered slowly, wondering over the causes behind dented lockers and also, over the chipped paint along the walls had yet to be redone. 

Not bothering to fetch her library books from her locker, the blonde departed for the stairway, lost in dread of the temperature both there and outside. Stupidly and in a rush, that morning she’d forgotten appropriate attire for the change in climate. The walk home would be horrid garbed only with a skirt to fend away the sting of cold. 

It only took but a moment after entering the stairwell that Mami noticed Kyouko there. Her hand hesitated on the doorknob, knowing that it was her only escape from this inevitable confrontation. Instinctively, the flexed around the metal knob once.  

She had told herself she wasn’t ready, hadn’t she? Not for this. She needed to talk to Nagisa. She needed to go home and bury herself under the covers. She needed a cup of steaming chamomile to settle her anxiety. She needed to kiss Kyouko to express all that her words that couldn’t. She didn’t know what she needed.

“What are you doing here?” Mami started slowly, questioning her friend with a raised brow. “You didn’t eat lunch today either. I thought you’d gone home,” she quickly lied, tasting the dishonesty upon her tongue; it was sour. Earlier that day, she’d noticed the redhead on several occasions. Once before school, once in the halls and once more at lunch time, though Kyouko once more had chosen to lurk on the outskirts of the lunchroom alongside Homura Akemi than to partake in their daily endeavor. Her lips opened to speak again, but only a soft noise of question came out; a question she retracted before it had time to fall from her lips. For something as dangerous as, “Are we in love?–” couldn’t be spoken without repercussion. Questioning it internally was all the daring she could muster. Things such as love and being in it was altogether concept both new and vexing. And though she couldn’t think of any word to better describe her emotions for Kyouko, she was quite positive that saying it out loud would do neither of them much good.

[ribbonsandtea]

“You suppose you could?” she drawled dreamily, her fist clenched tight and possessively around the sleeve of Kyouko’s dirtied sweater; knuckles, stark white around the slight curves of the bones there; gripping with near selfish intent. 

Despite their inconsistencies, there remained an evident starkness to the regularities between them. Though at times, the burden of their mutual, and perplexing infatuation guided them precariously along the fine lines between friendship and romance, they had never truly wavered, nor parted for long. 

Mami remained stationary in her position, captured wholly by the notion that her first partner, first pupil, first protégé was the light, flickering in the prominent darkness that ruled her strategic life. Kyouko, only once, had led her astray. And despite the apprehensive tousling of her stomach, allowing her partner a second chance could ultimately stopper the loneliness biting at her heart’s pulsating strongs. Already before, she’d granted the redhead invitation to the intimate corners of her life; her soul. If she warranted room for a second invitation, a second chance, would she once more be trampled by the twists of fate?

Long ago, she’d hoped Kyouko was her one and only. But since their break, things had changed. Despite the intimate and sensual encounter of the previous night, the blonde remained unsure of her friend’s ultimate intent. Would she once again leave her stranded? Lonesome and heartbroken? Awkward and alone? Or had she finally decided on her heart’s intent? Perplexing to ponder despite the surge of excitement elicited from her body at the mere confirmation of Kyouko’s lazy agreement.

Giggling, almost leisurely, the blonde conjured a most rapturous smile; her lips flushed with illusory rose and dimples prominent against the curves of rosy cheeks. “I know I don’t need to bribe you,” she cooed, grinning with fluid femininity as she tugged at the other’s sleeve, turning them towards the stairwell’s dramatic decent. “I was only making sure you were aware of all the delights awaiting us back home,” she mused, turning only to grace her partner with a grin of near perfection; lips quivering with delight and heart thudding with juvenile anticipation. It mattered not that she had planned to meet with Nagisa. Mending the broken threads of her’s and Kyouko’s relationship came before all else.

Flats of her heels clapping along the metal adorned stairs, Mami turned to her friend with a look of amusement an murmured lovingly, “I cannot wait to hold you. To fall asleep and dream. I’ve been longing for the warmth of my apartment all day.” She smirked, mesmerizingly and added, “And I’ve been longing for you. I wasn’t sure you’d come back to me. It’s been days, Kyouko,” she pressed, her tone sweet and inviting; her smile dreamy and intoxicating; their steps clapping and loud as they descended upon the bottom layer of Mitakihara High.

A Dangerous Woman Up To A Point |

Honeyed eyes turned to the fogged classroom window, disappointedly staring into the outside. Once again, the weather was poor; the air frigid and sky bleak. It appeared as though it might rain or perhaps snow; with the temperatures dropping over the past week, she couldn’t imagine the later was very far from possible. The journey to school that morning had been quite bitter. She’d had half the mind the spend her time at home, nestled by the fire and studying for upcoming exams. Curiosity however, had led her to class. 

At the bell’s dismissal, the blonde stood lackadaisically and took a moment to stretch her arms above her head, easing the cramped muscles of her shoulders and back. Hesitating for a moment with her gaze still fixated outside, Mami stared distractedly into the gray heavens.

She wouldn’t speak with Kyouko today, she told herself finally, watching as students slowly began to pool out of the school, walking in scattered lines towards their homes and buses. She wouldn’t speak with Kyouko because it was too soon. Because she didn’t have anything to say and that itself was dangerous. What had happened nights prior surely wasn’t a mistake, but she didn’t have an excuse ready for why it had happened; nor why it had stopped. With a disgruntled groan and girlish pout, Mami turned from the window, picking up her classwork and, on the way out, offering it into her psychology teacher. 

Mr. Tanasaki was an old man; very old perhaps, though hale and sinewy. “Distraction in class will not be tolerated. I need you alert and ready. This is a college level course and you’d do well to remember it. Your grades have begun to slip,” he soliloquized in an undertone of peevish displeasure, relieving her of her notes; looking meantime in her face so sourly that she charitably conjectured that the man must have need of divine aid to digest his dinner. With only a nod to show she’d noted his observation, Mami left with her nose upturned and wondered vengefully if the man’s poor wife was at her wit’s end being married to such a cold and demanding codger. 

The halls outside were empty. It was now the weekend, free time for all boys and girls. Though everybody was in a rush to start their small vacations, Mami merely wandered slowly, wondering over the causes behind dented lockers and also, over the chipped paint along the walls had yet to be redone. 

Not bothering to fetch her library books from her locker, the blonde departed for the stairway, lost in dread of the temperature both there and outside. Stupidly and in a rush, that morning she’d forgotten appropriate attire for the change in climate. The walk home would be horrid garbed only with a skirt to fend away the sting of cold. 

It only took but a moment after entering the stairwell that Mami noticed Kyouko there. Her hand hesitated on the doorknob, knowing that it was her only escape from this inevitable confrontation. Instinctively, the flexed around the metal knob once.  

She had told herself she wasn’t ready, hadn’t she? Not for this. She needed to talk to Nagisa. She needed to go home and bury herself under the covers. She needed a cup of steaming chamomile to settle her anxiety. She needed to kiss Kyouko to express all that her words that couldn’t. She didn’t know what she needed.

“What are you doing here?” Mami started slowly, questioning her friend with a raised brow. “You didn’t eat lunch today either. I thought you’d gone home,” she quickly lied, tasting the dishonesty upon her tongue; it was sour. Earlier that day, she’d noticed the redhead on several occasions. Once before school, once in the halls and once more at lunch time, though Kyouko once more had chosen to lurk on the outskirts of the lunchroom alongside Homura Akemi than to partake in their daily endeavor. Her lips opened to speak again, but only a soft noise of question came out; a question she retracted before it had time to fall from her lips. For something as dangerous as, “Are we in love?–” couldn’t be spoken without repercussion. Questioning it internally was all the daring she could muster. Things such as love and being in it was altogether concept both new and vexing. And though she couldn’t think of any word to better describe her emotions for Kyouko, she was quite positive that saying it out loud would do neither of them much good.

[ribbonsandtea]

“I’m certainly glad you’ve been attending classes, Kyouko,” she murmured distractedly and reached to toy with the ends of her silken hair; curling strands of gold around her index finger; weaving the lock around and around as if this action might somehow cure the impenetrable anxiety coursing hotly through her. She might have thrown up if she wasn’t sure Kyouko would jest and gossip to Sayaka. 

They were nearly adults. By now, she should be handling her emotions with more finesse than she was that particular moment. Still; she somehow couldn’t keep her mouth from salivating. 

As Kyouko uprooted her feet, maroon eyes looking past her with a certain ferocity that the blonde could neither quite face nor turn away from, she grabbed for the sleeve of the other’s sweater, holding her in place momentarily. And with an expression of confusion etched upon her face, she angled her body, forcing herself to advance because she was suddenly abashed by her appearance, the worn skirt, the cotton smock, her dirtied flats and chipped nail polish. She had never been as confident as her public persona led others to believe. And under the weight of Kyouko’s presence, Mami felt hesitant and shy. 

“I don’t want you to leave,” starting slowly, “Walk me home?” she asked in a quiet, slow voice that made a pool of impenetrable silence in the stillness around them. “We should probably talk, right?” Quickly and despite better judgement, the blonde leaned forth, willingly pressing the bellies of her lips to the redhead’s jawline in a chaste kiss. It was all she could think of to stopper her friend from leaving. Now that they’d run into one another, was there even a point in avoiding the tumult between them? Continuing with this aversion would only hurt their relationship further. If they were going to proceed, mending the worn strings between them was their only hope.

Drawing away, breath ghosting across the curve of the other’s cheek, Mami blinked, her face heating as she placed a small amount distance between them; Kyouko’s sleeve still caught in the grip of her soft fingers. “It is quite cold,” her voice slow and careful-- “I don’t think you should be out wandering when the weather is as bitter as this. I’m sure it would be best if we both went home,” Mami said, insinuating that her apartment was Kyouko’s as much as it was her own. “We can drink tea and be lazy. I’ve got apple fritters on the counter--” trailing off, Mami looked to the other girl expectedly, her thin, hay colored brows quirked in question.

A Dangerous Woman Up To A Point |

Honeyed eyes turned to the fogged classroom window, disappointedly staring into the outside. Once again, the weather was poor; the air frigid and sky bleak. It appeared as though it might rain or perhaps snow; with the temperatures dropping over the past week, she couldn’t imagine the later was very far from possible. The journey to school that morning had been quite bitter. She’d had half the mind the spend her time at home, nestled by the fire and studying for upcoming exams. Curiosity however, had led her to class. 

At the bell’s dismissal, the blonde stood lackadaisically and took a moment to stretch her arms above her head, easing the cramped muscles of her shoulders and back. Hesitating for a moment with her gaze still fixated outside, Mami stared distractedly into the gray heavens.

She wouldn’t speak with Kyouko today, she told herself finally, watching as students slowly began to pool out of the school, walking in scattered lines towards their homes and buses. She wouldn’t speak with Kyouko because it was too soon. Because she didn’t have anything to say and that itself was dangerous. What had happened nights prior surely wasn’t a mistake, but she didn’t have an excuse ready for why it had happened; nor why it had stopped. With a disgruntled groan and girlish pout, Mami turned from the window, picking up her classwork and, on the way out, offering it into her psychology teacher. 

Mr. Tanasaki was an old man; very old perhaps, though hale and sinewy. “Distraction in class will not be tolerated. I need you alert and ready. This is a college level course and you’d do well to remember it. Your grades have begun to slip,” he soliloquized in an undertone of peevish displeasure, relieving her of her notes; looking meantime in her face so sourly that she charitably conjectured that the man must have need of divine aid to digest his dinner. With only a nod to show she’d noted his observation, Mami left with her nose upturned and wondered vengefully if the man’s poor wife was at her wit’s end being married to such a cold and demanding codger. 

The halls outside were empty. It was now the weekend, free time for all boys and girls. Though everybody was in a rush to start their small vacations, Mami merely wandered slowly, wondering over the causes behind dented lockers and also, over the chipped paint along the walls had yet to be redone. 

Not bothering to fetch her library books from her locker, the blonde departed for the stairway, lost in dread of the temperature both there and outside. Stupidly and in a rush, that morning she’d forgotten appropriate attire for the change in climate. The walk home would be horrid garbed only with a skirt to fend away the sting of cold. 

It only took but a moment after entering the stairwell that Mami noticed Kyouko there. Her hand hesitated on the doorknob, knowing that it was her only escape from this inevitable confrontation. Instinctively, the flexed around the metal knob once.  

She had told herself she wasn’t ready, hadn’t she? Not for this. She needed to talk to Nagisa. She needed to go home and bury herself under the covers. She needed a cup of steaming chamomile to settle her anxiety. She needed to kiss Kyouko to express all that her words that couldn’t. She didn’t know what she needed.

“What are you doing here?” Mami started slowly, questioning her friend with a raised brow. “You didn’t eat lunch today either. I thought you’d gone home,” she quickly lied, tasting the dishonesty upon her tongue; it was sour. Earlier that day, she’d noticed the redhead on several occasions. Once before school, once in the halls and once more at lunch time, though Kyouko once more had chosen to lurk on the outskirts of the lunchroom alongside Homura Akemi than to partake in their daily endeavor. Her lips opened to speak again, but only a soft noise of question came out; a question she retracted before it had time to fall from her lips. For something as dangerous as, “Are we in love?–” couldn’t be spoken without repercussion. Questioning it internally was all the daring she could muster. Things such as love and being in it was altogether concept both new and vexing. And though she couldn’t think of any word to better describe her emotions for Kyouko, she was quite positive that saying it out loud would do neither of them much good.

[ribbonsandtea]

A Dangerous Woman Up To A Point |

Honeyed eyes turned to the fogged classroom window, disappointedly staring into the outside. Once again, the weather was poor; the air frigid and sky bleak. It appeared as though it might rain or perhaps snow; with the temperatures dropping over the past week, she couldn’t imagine the later was very far from possible. The journey to school that morning had been quite bitter. She’d had half the mind the spend her time at home, nestled by the fire and studying for upcoming exams. Curiosity however, had led her to class. 

At the bell’s dismissal, the blonde stood lackadaisically and took a moment to stretch her arms above her head, easing the cramped muscles of her shoulders and back. Hesitating for a moment with her gaze still fixated outside, Mami stared distractedly into the gray heavens.

She wouldn’t speak with Kyouko today, she told herself finally, watching as students slowly began to pool out of the school, walking in scattered lines towards their homes and buses. She wouldn’t speak with Kyouko because it was too soon. Because she didn’t have anything to say and that itself was dangerous. What had happened nights prior surely wasn’t a mistake, but she didn’t have an excuse ready for why it had happened; nor why it had stopped. With a disgruntled groan and girlish pout, Mami turned from the window, picking up her classwork and, on the way out, offering it into her psychology teacher. 

Mr. Tanasaki was an old man; very old perhaps, though hale and sinewy. “Distraction in class will not be tolerated. I need you alert and ready. This is a college level course and you’d do well to remember it. Your grades have begun to slip,” he soliloquized in an undertone of peevish displeasure, relieving her of her notes; looking meantime in her face so sourly that she charitably conjectured that the man must have need of divine aid to digest his dinner. With only a nod to show she’d noted his observation, Mami left with her nose upturned and wondered vengefully if the man's poor wife was at her wit’s end being married to such a cold and demanding codger. 

The halls outside were empty. It was now the weekend, free time for all boys and girls. Though everybody was in a rush to start their small vacations, Mami merely wandered slowly, wondering over the causes behind dented lockers and also, over the chipped paint along the walls had yet to be redone. 

Not bothering to fetch her library books from her locker, the blonde departed for the stairway, lost in dread of the temperature both there and outside. Stupidly and in a rush, that morning she’d forgotten appropriate attire for the change in climate. The walk home would be horrid garbed only with a skirt to fend away the sting of cold. 

It only took but a moment after entering the stairwell that Mami noticed Kyouko there. Her hand hesitated on the doorknob, knowing that it was her only escape from this inevitable confrontation. Instinctively, the flexed around the metal knob once.  

She had told herself she wasn’t ready, hadn’t she? Not for this. She needed to talk to Nagisa. She needed to go home and bury herself under the covers. She needed a cup of steaming chamomile to settle her anxiety. She needed to kiss Kyouko to express all that her words that couldn’t. She didn’t know what she needed.

“What are you doing here?” Mami started slowly, questioning her friend with a raised brow. “You didn’t eat lunch today either. I thought you’d gone home,” she quickly lied, tasting the dishonesty upon her tongue; it was sour. Earlier that day, she’d noticed the redhead on several occasions. Once before school, once in the halls and once more at lunch time, though Kyouko once more had chosen to lurk on the outskirts of the lunchroom alongside Homura Akemi than to partake in their daily endeavor. Her lips opened to speak again, but only a soft noise of question came out; a question she retracted before it had time to fall from her lips. For something as dangerous as, “Are we in love?--” couldn’t be spoken without repercussion. Questioning it internally was all the daring she could muster. Things such as love and being in it was altogether concept both new and vexing. And though she couldn’t think of any word to better describe her emotions for Kyouko, she was quite positive that saying it out loud would do neither of them much good.

[ribbonsandtea]

Darkened eyes swept the dingy area they’d cleared; the colors in the sky, the light still cast by the setting sun scattered shadows over the graveyard and the upright stones which decorated it. Despite the lack of ghouls, the cemetery was reasonably uncomfortable. Her feet, anxiously moved from heel to heel as they stood in the creeping dusk. The overwhelming sense of the area was dark; underneath their sneakers, the grass and tufts of dying flowers glowed in patterns, a cupid perched on a marble morgue beamed fatuously down at them from its throne. Homura fleetingly wondered if she were really here at all, and not dreaming of this from some safe spot impossibly remote, looked slowly and carefully around, telling herself that this was real, that these things existed, from the chipped graves to the matted ground; that Kyouko was her friend and that was proof enough of her existence her. Their battle had evaporated the air of unreality and constraint. She could feel the strain of muscles in her shoulders, the stiff pressure of aches against her back and legs, the faint movement of wind across the ascending hill on which they stood. Darkness lay across the skyline and from above them and the cupid stared down with good, chubby humor. 

Filling her lungs with the fresh lap of oxygen which breezed across the top of the river, Homura started forward, a pickled sort of grin across her slender lips as she flicked at her hair and rolled her eyes slowly. “Free meal it is,” she said and offered her friend a courteous wave of acknowledgement. For their efforts, there would be food and plenty of it. Having not eaten, a severe emptiness had nestled in Homura’s gut; one that she wished to eradicate with an affluence of good cooking and possibly, rich drink. After all, she was with her friend now. She belonged here with her friend and she would not squander their time together; nor would she squander the inclination of a jolly time with the only person who stoppered the loneliness which she constantly battled. 

“I wonder. Should we perhaps go to the supermarket and pick up food to cook at home?” Thinking back to the bottle of wine she’d kifed from a small, nook of a store, Homura smiled only very softly. It had been with her for weeks now. She’d thought it would be years before the chance to pop the bottle’s cork came knocking, but now seemed better a time than any to toss back a few mouthfuls of intoxicating nectar and relish in the good things that still permeated their reclusive lives. “It might be the better choice. We can purchase some nice meats, potatoes, vegetables even.” Her eyes slid to watch Kyouko’s expression for any hint of displeasure. She knew the redhead wasn’t particularly fond of greens or rather, many healthy foods. “I have a bottle of elderberry wine which I’ve been saving that I’ll have you try and perhaps,” she grinned, “perhaps you can tell me a little more about how Mami Tomoe is not your beloved? Or even, if you prefer it, we could talk about music, or painting, or even politics?” She laughed at this, unsure of Kyouko’s views on things such as art and government. 

rossolancer‌:

Somersaulting backwards Kyouko landed neatly on a large cross tombstone. The amount of wraiths here seemed mere child’s play to the ones in the slums. But despite the small amount standing before her more would take their places. Extending her lance she swung it forward catching two in her attack having them dissipate quickly. Hearing the sounds of explosions meant Homura must be having fun. It made it more clear when she started shouting out her kill number. Kyouko tsked. She was behind a little. Exhaling slowly she jumped from her perch charging head first into the group. Now was no time to waver. She needed to kill more asap.

Nailing at least five in one swing. Kyouko paused to catch her breath but only for a moment before another wraith swung at her. Now it seemed like this was endless rather than a quick mow down of enemies. Rolling to the side Kyouko nearly avoided two aiming for her simultaneously. “Can’t you guys line up one at a time. I’m not the type to be gang banged.” Kyouko joked with annoyance. 

“That’s thirty five!” Kyouko hollered out after a while. The group seemed to be dwindling by now. It was getting darker now and soon more would come crawling out from the pits of hell. Eventually they would have to leave before it became over ran by the Wraiths. But this was Kyouko and she could promptly clear an area if given the time and with Homura at her side this place would be cleaner then any area this town had to offer.

With her attention focused on the lumbering wraiths, Homura scarcely paid mind to the numbers in which Kyouko had slain. Already, she knew her comrade was making use of her time due to the wild grunts of power and war cries which tore from the throat of the spear wielder. Despite her own capability, which outshined most magical girls, Homura knew the redhead could hold her own with the best of them. A trait she had always admired in the other girl. Kyouko Sakura was no weakling, nor had she ever been. The redhead was chalk full of piss and vinegar, an attribute most people lacked. Kyouko fought like a grunt of war and never lost herself in battle. Smiling at this, Homura dodged the long swing from an enemy and chanced a peak at her partner; the sight of her flourishing in the heat of the moment, sun setting behind her and muscles flexing as she jabbed her weapon was enough to elicit a sense of genuine adoration for the spitfire.

It seemed as though the creatures had sniffed out the battle and had emerged from distant points along the river’s bank, keeping the pace of the fight both quick and cumbersome. There was little time to break for oxygen let alone let her muscles rest. Biting back the pain in her arms, Homura continued to hurl bombs at the enemy, making sure her tosses landed precisely in the middle of gargantuan murders. As the monsters collapsed, burning brightly and exhausting screams of bereavement, she allowed herself to triumphantly grin, basking in the glory of the enemies she’d conquered.

As numbers began to dwindle, Homura realized that for some minutes, she’d lost track of her counting. Standing still, the annihilator raised her gun and made quick work of the few remaining wraiths. Still, they were continuing to slowly emerge from the forming darkness of night. “I stopped counting once I reached fifty,” she plainly said, flashing Kyouko a smug grin. Fluidly, she pocketed her gun. “Though I don’t know the exact number, I believe I managed sixty-eight,” she sighed, “at the very least.”

[ribbonsandtea]

rossolancer‌:

Somersaulting backwards Kyouko landed neatly on a large cross tombstone. The amount of wraiths here seemed mere child’s play to the ones in the slums. But despite the small amount standing before her more would take their places. Extending her lance she swung it forward catching two in her attack having them dissipate quickly. Hearing the sounds of explosions meant Homura must be having fun. It made it more clear when she started shouting out her kill number. Kyouko tsked. She was behind a little. Exhaling slowly she jumped from her perch charging head first into the group. Now was no time to waver. She needed to kill more asap.

Nailing at least five in one swing. Kyouko paused to catch her breath but only for a moment before another wraith swung at her. Now it seemed like this was endless rather than a quick mow down of enemies. Rolling to the side Kyouko nearly avoided two aiming for her simultaneously. “Can’t you guys line up one at a time. I’m not the type to be gang banged.” Kyouko joked with annoyance. 

“That’s thirty five!” Kyouko hollered out after a while. The group seemed to be dwindling by now. It was getting darker now and soon more would come crawling out from the pits of hell. Eventually they would have to leave before it became over ran by the Wraiths. But this was Kyouko and she could promptly clear an area if given the time and with Homura at her side this place would be cleaner then any area this town had to offer.

With her attention focused on the lumbering wraiths, Homura scarcely paid mind to the numbers in which Kyouko had slain. Already, she knew her comrade was making use of her time due to the wild grunts of power and war cries which tore from the throat of the spear wielder. Despite her own capability, which outshined most magical girls, Homura knew the redhead could hold her own with the best of them. A trait she had always admired in the other girl. Kyouko Sakura was no weakling, nor had she ever been. The redhead was chalk full of piss and vinegar, an attribute most people lacked. Kyouko fought like a grunt of war and never lost herself in battle. Smiling at this, Homura dodged the long swing from an enemy and chanced a peak at her partner; the sight of her flourishing in the heat of the moment, sun setting behind her and muscles flexing as she jabbed her weapon was enough to elicit a sense of genuine adoration for the spitfire.

It seemed as though the creatures had sniffed out the battle and had emerged from distant points along the river’s bank, keeping the pace of the fight both quick and cumbersome. There was little time to break for oxygen let alone let her muscles rest. Biting back the pain in her arms, Homura continued to hurl bombs at the enemy, making sure her tosses landed precisely in the middle of gargantuan murders. As the monsters collapsed, burning brightly and exhausting screams of bereavement, she allowed herself to triumphantly grin, basking in the glory of the enemies she’d conquered.

As numbers began to dwindle, Homura realized that for some minutes, she’d lost track of her counting. Standing still, the annihilator raised her gun and made quick work of the few remaining wraiths. Still, they were continuing to slowly emerge from the forming darkness of night. “I stopped counting once I reached fifty,” she plainly said, flashing Kyouko a smug grin. Fluidly, she pocketed her gun. “Though I don’t know the exact number, I believe I managed sixty-eight,” she sighed, “at the very least.”

[ribbonsandtea]

rossolancer‌:

Kyouko scoffed. “As if I’d lose.” she challenged. Without another word she charged head first towards the wraiths.

Already forming a plan as she moved swiftly into danger. Kyouko went for the closest Wraith to her. Swinging her spear in a whirlwind motion slicing it in half. If she could out beat Homura not only would she get a free meal out of the deal. But having beat not just her but Sayaka within the week seemed a pretty big ego booster for her.

But for now idle thought would have to be put aside. Quickly dodging to the side as more wraiths, now aware that magical girls were here seemed to crowd around the area. Kyouko made quick footwork dodging and slashing her way through each one that came for her. With Homura as her backup she could let loose more than she would with Sayaka. She always had to keep her eye on her. Here she had no worries unless one of them became careless.

Doing a twirl off to the side avoiding a Wraiths long clawed arm swiping at her. It seemed Kyouko was having fun as if this was a DDR game rather than a fight for her life. Only when she had true freedom to fight as she wanted did it seem more fun to her. Anytime she attempted something like toying with her prey she’d be reprimanded for putting others lives in jeopardy for her foolish actions.

“That’s six!” Kyouko hollered. Boasting her kill count now was just to toy with Homura. She knew by now the other probably had more than that. But she would not lose that easily.

Wraiths were easy. They were slow and cumbersome, tall and foolish targets that scarcely inflicted damage upon their opponents. Though they thrived in numbers, the amount of these murders mattered nil. Despite large gaggles, the prey of magical girls would easily fall in the face of greater power. It was far simpler taking down the enemy when they were so lethargic and cumbersome. Knowing that particular girls, like Sayaka Miki, had difficulty with these enemies was almost laughable. It was no wonder why Mami Tomoe felt she must look after the girl for as strong as the cutlass wielder thought herself, succumbing to opponents so feeble was pathetic. 

The monsters had little time to counter before Homura unleashed her attacks, taking down several with one simple toss of a bomb. The sound of the explosion and cry of several, burning demons was enough to elicit a small chuckle of triumph from her and with white teeth flashing, Homura flicked the ends of her hair neatly behind her shoulder. 

Fluidly, she tossed another hand-bomb into the belly of a cluster of looming wraiths. The enemy had scarce time to know what had hit them before their screams let loose, tainting the still air around with squeals and cries of pain. Easily, Homura dodged each of their poor attacks, skirting around their wide bodies, a gun stern in her hand; taking perfect dives and swoops to keep her safe from any opposing blows.

Aiming high, Homura shot several of the enemy, making quick work of the horde lumbering around them. Taking a moment to focus, she steadied her hand before pulling the trigger and watched as several wraiths fell to the dirtied ground, disappearing in a cloud of white, sizzling smoke. From her side, she noticed Kyouko too was making quick work of their prey; plundering viciously through circles of monsters and sticking her spear deep within their empty bellies. At the sight of it, Homura grinned crookedly before taking another bomb and throwing it into a crowd of wraiths moving toward them. At this rate, they’d have the area cleared in no time; and both would come out unscathed. Oh, the magnificence of power; how she adored it.

“Thirteen,” was the only word out of the raven-haired girl’s mouth as she took charge, her legs hammering neatly beneath her as she stormed upon a group. Pushing off from her left leg, Homura hurled herself into the air, twirling and aiming her gun for an ariel shot at the creatures below. With five, quick fires, she accurately reduced their numbers by four and landed with a sly, cheshire grin upon her mouth. “Seventeen.”

[ribbonsandtea]

rossolancer‌:

Kyouko slowed her pace. “Mami found this kid to…toy with. And it’s not like I haven’t gotten jealous over stuff like that before. But..looking at this kid just pisses me off.” Kyouko said. “ I guess I let my jealousy take over for once and I ended up confessing to her. But I think I fucked that up.” Kyouko said sadly

Kyouko paused in her step looking down at the ground. “I thought thats what she wanted too. But it doesn’t seem that way. At least..after last night it doesn’t.” Kyouko mumbled.

Kyouko glanced over at her friend. “I suppose your right.” Kyouko said stretching at little, as if she had been released from  a weight on her shoulders. “But not much I can do now. Let’s go kill these assholes first. This kind of crap is driving me nuts.” Kyouko said putting on her cocky trademark grin. 

Already transforming into her magical girl outfit with her lance at the ready. Kyouko put on a smug look on her face. This was the Kyouko she was known for not the one just seconds ago who sounded heartbroken and sad.

“We playing for higher kill count? Sayaka lost last time.” Kyouko said with a cocky smirk.

Unable to invent a way Kyouko could fix her relationship, or the emotions running rampant within her, Homura sighed and flicked the ends of her hair distractedly. It was truly a bore not knowing how to deal with one’s own problems, let alone the problems of a peer. Standing there, lost for words, Homura felt quite useless.

“Tell her that the kid makes you jealous and that you want to be her girlfriend then,” the dark-haired girl muttered flatly, shrugging her shoulders with an air of nonchalance. “Though I don’t know exactly what happened last night,” she said, inspecting Kyouko’s face for a hint of change, “I’m sure you’re probably reading too much into it. If you are honest with her and attempt a normal discussion, I’m sure you’ll be able to sort through some things. And as I said, if matters don’t work in your favor, at least you can move on.” 

Breathing fluidly outward, Homura transformed alongside her partner; skirt flourishing, jewels glinting and boots clad around her ankles. With the transformation, she felt a surge of magical prowess rush through her, tickling her fingertips and turning her limbs warm with heat. Already, she could feel the urge to slay running hot within her veins, coaxing her limbs to move towards their prey. “A game of higher kill count sounds fine to me,” she mused with a slight smirk, knowing full well that she could easily breech whatever mark Kyouko hit. Homura knew she was better and harbored more talent than any of the other girls. Even Mami. The blonde bimbo could never hope to rival her. “Winner buys the other dinner, deal?” Homura questioned, knowing perfectly well that the redhead couldn’t afford herself dinner let alone a meal for the both of them. Even if Kyouko lost, she’d still bite the bullet and take them out to eat afterward.

[ribbonsandtea]

rossolancer‌:

Kyouko glanced off into the distance as they walked. “ I don’t know why I’m still trying honestly.” Sounding crestfallen Kyouko sighed a little crossing her arms. “At least…now I don’t know.”.

Kyouko glanced down at her feet as she walked. “I thought after coming back here and staying. And figuring some things about her I didn’t get before. That she’d let her guard down or maybe even rely on me for things more often. Or even Sayaka at this point. But now it just feels like I came back to this game and I think I’m always losing.” Kyouko said.

Kyouko shook her head a little at herself. Confessing these things to Homura was very uncool of her. She was suppose to be the tough one of the group. And here she was acting unlike her facade to the world she had set up over the years.

“And the one time I decided to not want to lose. I end up losing more than anything.” Kyouko mumbled to herself.

“I mean…” Kyouko paused looking over at her companion. “You’d be pissed off too if someone you care about did something that they know would end up just upsetting you right?” Kyouko asked.

A gentle hum passed between Homura’s chapped lips as she contemplated a proper response. It wasn’t characteristic of Kyouko to vent openly on issues pertaining to her social life. Typically, the redhead kept things coveted, or so Homura had thought. Apparently, even the spitfire could only stand so much before snapping. Offhandedly, the raven-haired warrior wondered if she too had a breaking point.

“What is it exactly you’re talking about?” she wondered openly, glancing sideways at the other and raising an inquiring brow. With the way her partner was speaking, verbs, adjectives and nouns all puzzled and secretive, she couldn’t formulate an insightful reply. Though she was sure that she knew what Kyouko was talking about, there was no way to be positive. “Whatever you’re going through with Mami, it shouldn’t be any sort of game that you either lose or win at. You’re in love with her, correct?” Swallowing hard, Homura wondered if stating things so openly would earn her a punch to the arm or some sort of retaliation. Not that she minded. If anything, a smack would do her good. “What has she done that has upset you? Have you told her specifically that it’s making you angry? Or are you simply assuming she knows?” 

Taking in a deep breath, Homura stopped in her tracks, looking down towards the river. Even in the setting sun, she could make out tall, gangling shapes stalking the cemetery there; sitting atop weathered stones; wading in the banks of the river; ungodly sounds tearing from the throats of the beasts. Wraiths. And too many to count. The graveyard stretched alongside the river, past the point which her eyes could see. Today, they had their work cut out for them. 

“I’d say just be as honest as you can with her. You want her, so tell her so. You don’t like her making eyes at somebody, say something. If you think of her and only her, let her know. Perhaps if you’re open, things will turn in your favor. And if not well,” she shrugged plainly, “at least you’ve got closure.”

[ribbonsandtea]

rossolancer‌:

Kyouko grinned at Homura playing along. But she did have a point. Maybe something like that would of solved issues prior. Kyouko shook her head a little to dispel those thoughts. She was only thinking such things because of her frustration and hurt she felt. She had to remind herself that despite those things annoying her about the blonde. Those weren’t the reason Kyouko had grown to fall for. Back then it was her sense of justice, kindness and compassion. Qualities Kyouko found charming back in her younger days. Now, she was having difficulty on what things were keeping that spark she had for Mami. And with last night sending her questioning on everything. Kyouko feared that it wasn’t love at all. Doubting her feelings had really messed with her today.

“Maybe its cause I’ve been around her so long. But once you get a tolerance for those things it gets a little better. Til she goes and finds a way around it and pisses you off more” Kyouko said mostly to herself. Kyouko frowned a bit trailing a step behind Homura now. Her mind was just jumping from one thing to another. She hoped killing these Wraiths would clear it. Even just for a little while.

“If she pisses you off continuously, why are you trying?” she plainly asked. Arms swinging slowly at her sides as she walked. “It isn’t that Mami Tomoe isn’t kind.” Hesitating, Homura fought with the correct words to say. It felt important to make sure Kyouko wasn’t offended that she’d gone and ridiculed her friend. Even though she didn’t have a particular liking for the blonde, she knew that her companion did. And ridiculing the redhead’s relationships and the people she chose to spend time with didn’t taste too nice upon her blunt and honest tongue. “She tries very hard to make sure people are happy and doing well for themselves. She’s sweet; perhaps too sweet. Almost like honey. It tastes good, but too much of it makes my stomach upset. It seems like she gets in over her head. She wants to be the best for both herself and everybody else. Like she’s trying too hard to be perfect when nobody can be. That’s what I can’t stand though.” Clearing her throat, Homura toyed distractedly with the ends of her hair as they continued their path. A frown tugged at either corner of the teen’s mouth. Thinking too much about people and their individual quirks made her head ache. “And now, it seems she’s wrapping another girl into her world. Trying to help her, but ultimately, I’m sure the girl will just wind up hurt or worse. Mami thinks she’s doing what’s best when really, she doesn’t have the first clue about what’s right for other people. But like I stated, she is sweet. Sad too. I feel bad for her.” Shrugging, the raven haired girl turned to her left, directing them down a side street.

[ribbonsandtea]

rossolancer‌:

Arching her eyebrow at her friend. Kyouko found the switch in Homura’s demeanor a little odd. But Homura was odd to begin with. Dropping her arms to her side. Kyouko shrugged a little. “Nothing like that.” Kyouko said trying to sound indifferent. “Just thinking that if there was an alternate me I’d rather trade places for a day. Figure alternate me is ten times more bad ass.” Kyouko said with a small smile.

She really didn’t want to give away what was bothering her to Homura so easy. But just for making hypothetical chatter seemed to help her feel a little better. “ Like maybe an alternate Sayaka is dude.” Kyouko teased smiling a little. “Or that Kyuubey looked like a hamster.” Kyouko joked. She glanced at Homura hoping one of those she found funny. But there was one thing she knew her secluded friend did get a smile out of. “Better yet imagine this…”Kyouko said setting up some dramatic idea. “Alternate flat chested Mami.” Kyouko couldn’t help but crack a smirk at that. 

Shaking her head at Kyouko’s response, Homura exhausted a sigh and turned back towards her companion. Of course she’d been too quick to assume anybody might remember something of the alternate reality they had once lived. Nobody would ever recollect something so considerable. It would only be short of a miracle. And already, she had her miracle. There wasn’t another wish to wish upon. 

Doing her best to pull herself back to reality, Homura raised a brow at the other’s outlandish hunches and allowed a slight smile to cross her lips. Kyouko was the only person who ever tried to make her laugh, smile, or react in some way. So often was Homura consumed by loneliness and disparity that she lost track of human emotion and normal interactions; day to day living and relationships. It was as if her sadness was so perverse and long running, it had fossilized. She’d even forgotten how to cry. Normally, the redhead was preoccupied with her messy friendships and slighted lover that they had never made a habit of meeting up. It was however nice, being with somebody. Fleetingly, she hoped the might do this more often. 

“Tch,” Homura hissed in amusement, her cheeks dimpling and nose scrunching as she fought to stifle her laughter. “This is quite the outlandish world your constructing. A flat chested Mami is far wilder and improbable than everybody else’s alternates. I’d love to see that. Then I wouldn’t feel so horrible for staring so often,” she retorted back, turning down a street and directing them towards the river. “I suppose, at least if she lacked a bust, she wouldn’t draw so much attention to herself. Maybe that’s the cure for her vanity. She just needs a reduction and I’ll finally be able to stand her presence.” It wasn’t that she meant to be mean; or maybe, she did. It was apparent that Kyouko liked the blonde and for some reason, could stand that haughtiness she practically boasted. Mami however, had never failed at getting on Homura’s nerves. And she was sure by now, Kyouko knew it.