[009] ☿ Our bodies are just containers for our powers

[innerflow.livejournal.com]

[It's Tomoe Mami's face, but it's entirely Mizuno Ami's heavy heart that picks up the communicator. It's taken a long time to make herself look almost normal, to make herself look like she hasn't been crying and like she can handle this.

But the hope that's kept her going just disappeared along with Usagi and her other friends. She can't even know when she'll see them again, if she'll see them again, or if they're truly lost to the Darkness until their world can be restored - perhaps never. Three dear friends at once, so close after a fourth, is a terrible blow. Her voice is steady but far too quiet and thin.]

To everyone who knew them, Tsukino Usagi, Hino Rei, and Aino Minako have disappeared.

Naru-chan, we-

[But right there, without any warning, her voice simply stops. She slumps to the floor without any sign of distress of beforehand.]

(ooc: MADOKA SPOILER/explanation: With the body swap, Mami-in-Ami's-body came to pick up the soul gem... thus bringing it too far away for Mami's body (Ami). She will revive once Mami comes back, bringing it close again, and they figure it out.)

Comments

[innerflow.livejournal.com]

It's just a theory, but... It's true I've been having trouble since I was put in this body. And most people only seem naturally shocked by the changes to themselves.

[musketmagi.livejournal.com]

( she looks down... feeling a little guilty. no one... should be forced into the body of a puella magi, she thinks... ) What sort of troubles, Mizuno-san...? When did they begin?

[innerflow.livejournal.com]

It was just after you left when you came over the first time. [No, she hasn't absolutely put it together yet. But they're so very close.]

[musketmagi.livejournal.com]

( she looks down, focusing on the soul gem in her hands ) I've never... experienced a problem like that before. ( but there's a cold chill running down her spine for some reason... )

[innerflow.livejournal.com]

I see. Then it's something we'll have to investigate further in order to understand it.

[musketmagi.livejournal.com]

What... did it feel like?

[innerflow.livejournal.com]

[She supposes a true answer is necessary if they're going to make progress.]

Like... nothing. I don't remember fainting at all. And then suddenly... I was conscious.

[musketmagi.livejournal.com]

( she's not too fond of the idea of experimentation while someone else is in her body suffering the consequences... but whatever's going on here is definitely a matter that needs to be settled... ) Mizuno-san... ( she holds out her hands, indicating the egg-shaped jewel she carries -- ) take this.

[innerflow.livejournal.com]

Eh? But Tomoe-san, this is very important to you. I can't keep it from you!

[musketmagi.livejournal.com]

You're right, but... Since I made the contract, I've never been separated from the Soul Gem...

[innerflow.livejournal.com]

[Too quickly for comfort, her mind flies across the next steps.]

Then... could it be you think this reaction relates to the soul gem?

[musketmagi.livejournal.com]

( she doesn't necessairily like it, but... ) Unfortunately there is only one way to find out.

[innerflow.livejournal.com]

This is going to sound silly... It's just a fainting spell... but...


I don't know if I can go through it again. It feels so strange... Unsettling, somehow.

[musketmagi.livejournal.com]

( she pauses for a moment... and then smiles sadly... taking the other girls hand, she places the soul gem inside, and closes her fingers around it gently ) That's why... we need to ensure that it won't happen again. I'm sorry, Ami-chan... ( even though she's already said it... ) That you have to be trapped in the body of a puella magi such as mine...

[innerflow.livejournal.com]

Please don't apologize. Talking in circles won't find a solution; and besides, the one to blame is whatever is causing these switches. That isn't your fault. And we don't know if it's any fault like that, either.

[musketmagi.livejournal.com]

Then... let's try again, shall we? I'll keep the communicator on this time when I leave... that way, if anything happens...

[innerflow.livejournal.com]

Right. I'll... [There isn't anything she can do, really. Just wait, and watch for the effects. If this happens a third time, it's definitely suspicious.]

I'll wait here for your word. [Her fingers clench just a little before she consciously loosens their grip.]

action → video

[musketmagi.livejournal.com]

( as she gets up... she nods. she feels so badly, but... as ami says, there's no point in talking in circles about it... as she leaves again, once she's out the door and find herself several steps away... she turns on the communicator ) ... Mizuno-san? Has there been any change?

action → video

[innerflow.livejournal.com]

[She waits just a little longer, as if to make sure.]

No, everything seems quite alright. Normal.

video

[musketmagi.livejournal.com]

( she looks down, and breathes a quiet sigh. both glad that ami seems to not be having another negative reaction... and displeased with the turn of events. for now, she doesn't want to put ami through anything else... perhaps its just that she's not used to controlling the body of a magical girl...

as mami rounds the next corner, just about where she was when ami passed out the last time... she notes she's probably about one-hundred meters or so from the residence... ) I think that... perhaps it might be a good idea for you to carry the gem for now, then... ( she doesn't like this -- but it seems like the best temporary fix she can manage for the time being... kyuubey seemed to make it clear she shouldn't be to frivilous with it, but... )

video

[innerflow.livejournal.com]

I see... [And she does; something about the gem is tied to their health, their life-force, or perhaps something even more fundamental.]

Then, Tomoe-san, please don't feel obligated if you're busy, but would you like to stay overnight? I don't feel right keeping something so important away from you, still.

[And that is much more important to think about than the implications of this.]

video

[musketmagi.livejournal.com]

( while the potential severity of the situation is obviously still her first priority... the thought of being invited to stay over just -- fills her with a joy she seems unable to contain ) T... truly, Mizuno-san? That would be all right?

video

[innerflow.livejournal.com]

[It makes a more settled smile come to (M)ami's face as well.]

Definitely. I'd like it very much... even outside of this situation.

video

[musketmagi.livejournal.com]

I would... like nothing more than that. ( she sniffles, but smiles through any tears that might be coming -- ) Then... shall I return to your place after my shift is complete?

video

[innerflow.livejournal.com]

I'd like it, too. Though it may be a little strange to look at myself. [This calls for hair and makeup, if they get up the boldness to do it.]

That will give me time to clean and make sure some food is ready.