afterlogs | i don't know, you don't know, nobody does

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i don't know, you don't know, nobody does

WHO: Haruhi Suzumiya, Homura Akemi, Himeko Inaba and you.
WHAT: Dark allies event open catch-all post for my characters.
WHEN: During the Dark Allies event (03/17-03/21)
WHERE: Everywhere
WARNINGS: Cursing, violence. Also Rebellion spoilers for Homura.

Haruhi

[ Haruhi's nice enough to help out anyone she sees, but only because seeing people getting swallowed up by shadows isn't a good thing. It hurts that she can't save everyone, but she's one person. She's no army, she's just Haruhi Suzumiya, ex-brigade chief and current student body president of the afterlife high school.

Which is why she'll also send out a message via text message to everyone, regardless if she knows you or not.

The text message reads the following:

Stay safe. If you can arm yourself, do it. If you can't, then find me. Reply ASAP if you wish to find me, since I'm not going to stay in one place for long.

Also: If you're planning to hide, feel free to use the student council room as a temporary headquarters, though it is not highly recommended.

If you have any questions, be quick. Time is of the essence.

And good luck.

Any shadow that shows up within Haruhi's range, however is going to be shot; the brunette's currently using a regular police handgun that she made several months ago using atomic restructuring for any shadow that isn't within her reach.

She's paying close attention to her surroundings - perhaps too close - but it's not as if she won't lend a hand for anyone who needs it. But fair warning: she'll be protecting herself over other people when it comes down to it. ]

Homura

[ Homura's been paying attention to everything that's going on, but it's not as if she cares all that much. The only thing that matters is Madoka's safety, and she's going to be the one that procures it, not matter what. She's keeping tabs on Madoka by using her minions to off several of the shadows before some of them get sucked in themselves.

It's okay; it's not as if they're human to begin with, after all. Even though they're a part of Homura, they're just a portion of her essence, so it's not that huge of a problem.

She'll even chase them all the way upstairs to what seems to be a dead-end before jumping off the roof, black wings appearing on her back as she transforms into her magical girl state, taking out several guns from her shield as she shoots several of the shadows down to the ground; she won't allow them to touch her or the one she cares the most.

Basically, Homura will be running around and offing any shadow that comes her way - and possibly anybody else who dares stand in her way. She's not only using guns, but also her magical purple bow and arrow.

Of course, she doesn't have to care about wasting magic; she's no longer a magical girl after all.. ]

Himeko

[ Admist all the chaos, there's one Himeko Inaba who seems to be hanging out with several of the other NPCs with a happy look in her eyes, laughing while eating with others during lunch, and that is quite a weird sight. When shadows do show up, there is a sign of shock in her eyes, but it's nothing compared to what fear feels like to her.

Basically, she's happy now.

There's no need for her to fear anything anymore most of the time, especially since the shadows are now ignoring her. She can be found still attending classes like nobody else and acting quite... demure.

It's kind of creepy, honestly. Though if she does see someone she knows, she might as well chat them up! She can be helpful, after all! ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Trying to stalk someone, Homura? When all of this started Madoka at first thought of doing what she did last time - hiding out in a closet and hoping they wouldn't get her - but she can't do that this time. There's too many people she cares about and leaving them behind feels like the worst thing ever to her, so she's actually out and about, trying to avoid the shadows as well as she can and trying to find ways to help.

Except it doesn't work out as well as she had planned. At a certain point Madoka completely gets cornered by a few of the shadows and she realises it - the look on her face quickly becomes more and more panicked. ]

N.. no...

[ And that's when Homura shows up without a word or thought in mind as several bangs can be heard. The young girl's decided to help Madoka out by shooting the shadows down, causing them to dissolve back into ones and zeroes before she walks up to Madoka, handing her hand out to help her out. ]

Don't worry, Madoka.

[ "I'm here."

She would normally say that, but she refrains, knowing that she is no longer the person that she used to be, back before the timelines converged. Even though she knows Madoka wants to help everyone out, Homura is exactly the opposite - there's only one person she wants to help out. Part of that is because of who she's become; the other half being because she knows all too well that she can't help everyone. ]

I won't allow them to hurt you.

[ Madoka lets out a gasp at the bangs before staring at Homura with wide eyes the moment the other girl shows up. ]

Homura-chan...

[ She can't say she isn't glad to be saved from those things and she can't say either she isn't glad to see Homura well or doesn't feel grateful to her, but Mami's and Sayaka's words still wear down heavily on her. They told her to not trust Homura, to not be alone with her, but on the other hand, Homura is her friend as well-- and the girl has given up so much for her that Madoka would feel it's way too cruel to just abandon her.

So she's left lingering in the middle of the two sides, unsure of what to do. Sayaka told her to never be alone with Homura, but.. it's not like she has much of a choice either way in this situation, right? And she knows she can rely on Homura, so she closes her eyes for a moment as she mentally apologizes to Sayaka. ]

T.. thank you. I'm sorry, I was trying to get to the archery practice room to get a bow.. [ Since she wanted to help her friends out. ]

[ She can't tell Madoka that there is no need to fight, that it's unnecessary to do so. Especially since her selflessness has lead to both pain and suffering, something that she holds tight in her chest. But as she talks about getting a bow, Homura takes out something from her hammerspace shield.

Just what the doctor ordered; a bow and arrow. ]

I don't need this anymore, so you can have it.

[ She just kept it in there just in case of emergencies, and in case she ran out of bullets. Thankfully, she doesn't necessarily need guns anymore, though they're still quite handy. And besides... it isn't as if she could show her true self to Madoka.

Not yet. ]

.. Ah..

[ She should've seen it coming that Homura just has pretty much any weapon ever in her hammerspace, but she still bows her head for a moment after the surprise like she's thanking Homura for it that way already before grabbing the bow from her. ]

Thanks, Homura-chan. I'll only use it for emergencies though, I think.. [ So when either she or her friends are backed into a corner. Madoka will be Madoka, and this timeline's Madoka definitely is not a fan of using violence, even if it's against the shadows. It's sort of scary, anyway.

She looks back at the other girl. Mami and Sayaka's words buzz in the back of her head, and she's not sure what to say. Her gaze nervously falls to her feet. ]

.. You came to help me..?

Your thanks is unnecessary.

[ She shakes her head in response as her violet eyes lower; she's certainly unimpressed by the way things are going, but she's happy that Madoka's safe and away from harm for the time being.

Homura knows all too well that violence isn't Madoka's style -- that's why she made that unselfish wish in the first place. And that's why she didn't see the reasons why Homura did what she did to snatch that power away.

She wouldn't allow anybody to touch her and manipulate her like that. Not anyone, especially the Incubators. As she slowly glanced over at the soul gem that placed around her arm, she gripped her hand over it, covering it.

She couldn't show Madoka its true form; that would only be too cruel. But that wasn't important now. What was important was that Madoka wouldn't get touched by any of the shadows. There was no way she would allow them to make her into an NPC, regardless of how happy she would be that way.

Homura silently grimaces before she nods at Madoka's question, her voice dropping cold. ]

I came to protect you. From them. [ The shadows is what she's referring to, of course. ] I already told Miki Sayaka to go and assist the others. Do not worry, though. If she does anything rash, I will go find her.

[ Sayaka-- she talked to Homura about all of this? And they actually sort of cooperated enough to divide the tasks between them like that? Despite the circumstances - and despite the way she's still grabbing onto the bow half-reluctantly - Madoka's eyes slowly start to light up. Maybe the misunderstanding got sorted out and everyone's getting along now.. that would be the best, wouldn't it? ]

Really, Homura-chan..? You and Sayaka-chan came to an agreement? I'm so glad..! [ Little does Madoka know. ]

We only simply called a temporary truce.

[ If only because this wasn't the time to argue about such tedious things when the shadows are around. They have to think about priorities first and go back to bickering later. But it's not as if Homura really wants to fight with Miki Sayaka.

After all, she doesn't want Madoka to hate her. ]

Though I would prefer not to fight with her. It would be for the best.

[ Her expression falls a little again when she hears Homura reply. Then again, a temporary truce is better than no truce at all, and maybe they can slowly work from there?

It's not like she isn't still curious about the things Sayaka told her, but.. on the other hand, Homura is her friend too. It would be rude to just lose all faith in the girl. ]

... That's right.. you shouldn't fight. Um, I think Sayaka-chan probably misunderstood some things about you [ more like you just don't know the whole story, Madoka ] but if you work that out, I think you could be friends too..

That depends on what exactly you think she misunderstood about me, Madoka.

[ She's slightly curious as to what exactly Sayaka told Madoka; not that it really mattered to her. Homura doesn't care. ]

Did you tell her about the things you told me..?

[ She thinks that's what Sayaka must have misunderstood. Homura destroying the world.. maybe her friend just thought that Homura destroyed a world every time she travelled through time, but it's just that it were worlds she wasn't able to help anymore at that point, right? ]

I did not. There was no reason for me to tell her.

[ Instead, she told Sayaka other things. But those were things that she believed were the truth as well.. ]

... Huh? But..

[ This is so confusing. She wonders if she should tell Homura, but she figures that in the end, it's the easiest, so she slowly goes on. ]

Sayaka-chan said that.. you said you destroyed the world.

I did say that I might have done such a thing.

[ She won't bother lying to Madoka, there's absolutely no point to it, after all. Might as well say it. ]

I don't remember doing it, though I did consider it at a certain point.

[ Huh.. that makes it sound less serious than what Sayaka is saying, even though it's still a little bad.. but then again, it's always hard to get a full grip on Homura, even though the girl did already tell her a lot about herself. Maybe Homura was just in so much pain over trying to save her again and again that she couldn't take it anymore at one point?

Somehow that thought is.. sad, isn't it..? ]

Hmm.. If anything is ever wrong, Homura-chan, um.. [ It's a little hard for her to say, and she almost looks sort of nervous, but she manages to get it out. ] .. you can always tell me. That's what friends are for..

[ Homura's violet eyes immediately glance away from Madoka's stare as she says those words, gritting her teeth as she speaks. There's cruelty to her words, and she doesn't know if she wants to tell Madoka the truth.

Deep down, she's scared.

She's scared of being rejected by her. Which is why she'll spin on her heel, her back facing Madoka's. She can't show her face or her emotions to the girl out of fear of being left alone again. ]

I'm fine. Let's go.

[ ..

Ah, right. They can't just stand around here under these conditions.. and if she sticks with Homura, then she can at least keep an eye out for the other girl, right? It does seem like something is wrong with her or a little off, but rather than taking it as a warning sign (which she really should after Mami and Sayaka's warnings) Madoka instead takes it as a reason for concern.

She grasps the bow Homura gave her a little more tightly. ]

Y-yes! I'll be right behind you.

I'll make sure to protect you.

[ She has eyes in the back of her head, after all. Perhaps not literally, but in a figurative sense. Her minions can watch out for Madoka and at the same time protect her from behind. There's no way she's going to allow any of those shadows touch her.

Not now, not ever. ]

Stay close.

Hmm. [ If she's decided to stick with Homura despite what the others said, then she might as well commit herself to it in a dangerous situation. If she doesn't do her best, then she'll be in more danger, and that means Homura will put herself into more danger as well in order to protect her - it's a vicious cycle. So Madoka nods. ]

But.. please be careful, Homura-chan. I don't want you to get hurt either.

Don't worry.

[ She shakes her head dismissively as she tosses her hair in the air. It's not a big deal - at least, to her - if her wellbeing is in danger. She no longer minds the pain. ]

I'll be alright.

Well, you're strong..

[ Madoka says it with a small awkward giggle, as if she's saying she can't disagree with that. But on the other hand, Madoka - of all people - knows that Homura isn't always as strong as she seems. She remembers that much from the girl crying on her before. So she's at least determined to help out the other girl in order to prevent that from happening again. ]

Perhaps. But the one who is truly strong is you, Madoka.

[ She closes her eyes for a second, only to calm herself down before opening her violet eyes wide, readying her black bow as she keeps a careful eye out for shadows. ]

.. No way, Homura-chan..

[ It's not that she sounds sad - even now, she's trying to smile at least a little bit, if not just for Homura's sake since she knows very well that the other girl worries about her - but there's something a little awkward or reluctant in her tone as she says it. ]

You're so strong and you can protect me so easily.. you've protected me all this time, even though it must've been hard. That's.. what true strength is, I think. Compared to that, I can't really do anything..

That's not true.

[ Homura shakes her head in response, her voice a little solemn as she clenches her hands into tight fists. ]

You...

[ Her voice cracks as she speaks, tears starting at the edges of her eyes. But she sniffles them back in, trying not to show Madoka how lame she was. She wanted to look cool in front of her friend. Her very best friend. Her only friend.]

You're much stronger than you know, Madoka. You're able to make the hard decisions when it comes down to it.

[ Even if Homura tries to hold back, it's hard to not notice from this distance that the other girl is upset.

And the very thought of that makes all of Mami's and Sayaka's warning melt away like snow under the burning sun. Homura isn't the type who'd just destroy the world-- she tries so hard and she's so hurt, so.. what she needs is not people staying away from her, but people helping her.

Madoka helping her.

Homura's hands might be fists, but Madoka still reaches out for them until she's holding them with both of her hands. ]

It's alright. [ She doesn't know what exactly is hurting Homura, but as long as she's here, she'll make sure everything is alright for the other girl. ] It's really alright, Homura-chan.. It doesn't matter which one of us is stronger. There's no need to be upset, right..?

homura!

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