exsiliumlogs | i'm starting a mahou shojo collection

Sayaka. I'm Madoka's... [ She falters for a moment — can she really call herself Madoka's best friend after the things she's said? ] I'm her friend. I've seen you around a few times.

[ Mostly, she'd done just enough watching to make sure he was a decent sort. Madoka can (more than) handle herself, sure, but the protective instinct will always be there. ]

She's probably getting food, or something. [ She shrugs. ] You can come in and wait for her.

[Sayaka. he needs to repeat that in his head a few times, get it down pat. and even then...

he's staring curiously – blue hair, in particular, that's what's interesting – and it's what delays his reaction this time around.]

Oh, ah... [blinking, having to think about it.] Well, I don't know. [his mouth twitches.] Would I be a bother? This is your place, too... [squint. right?] Or...

It's all of ours.

[ It feels weird to say. She's never really thought about it — never really had a reason to, after avoiding the room for most of her time on the moonbase.

Strange. Even stranger that she's inviting someone in. Martin's attitude reminds her of the hesitant, shyer kids at school, and it makes her feel more protective than anything. ]

... Come on. If you're a friend of Madoka's, then you're welcome here.

[there's a beat, and then Martin slowly smiles, ducking his head.] Thank you... [it's brighter when his head lifts back up.] I will, then! We can keep each other company, right? And anyone else... [peeking past her.]

It's just me right now. ... Sorry.

[ She knows she's not the best company anymore, but she can try. Things might be easier, with Kyouko or Madoka around, but until someone shows up... the least she can do is fake the kind of energy she used to have. ]

But that's okay. You can tell me all about the things you've been doing with my bride!

Bride...?

[once he's inside the little room, he turns around, confused. his head starts to tilt.] What do you mean?

What, you didn't know? Madoka's my future wife!

[ It's easier to fall back into old habits. He seems confused already, but she can amend that later; the important thing is remembering how to talk to people. ]

So if you're hanging out with her, you'd better not be thinking about that stuff. Anyone who's interested has to go through me first.

[so while 'bride' held no meaning, 'wife' did. after a beat and a chance to recall it.

Martin's eyes get big and his face gets red.]

Oh, I. I didn't know that, I-- Sh-she never said... [flustered, not close to even thinking but you're a girl, too; that's not how wives work for Darkovs...

Madoka. wife. buh...]

[ She lets a few seconds tick by, just enough to let him squirm. Maybe it's a tad harsh, but it's not mean-spirited, and nobody else would even get an explanation from her. ]

Ahaha, relax. I'm just joking! [ A little awkwardly, she reaches over to poke him in the shoulder. ] I was serious about the second part, though. If I thought you were gonna do anything wrong, I wouldn't let you be around her.

[with most of his reactionary cues coming from outside himself, he's quick to laugh as well, though not without a shade of confusion. but if it's alright, then he'll believe her and relax after the prodding. that's when that Darkov thought settles in to doubly reassure him.]

Oh, then... [the rest...] Then that's good! I wouldn't want you or anybody to be worried...And. We can we friends, too, right?

Duh. Madoka's got good taste [ generally... ], so if she likes you, then I'm fine with that. I just haven't had much time to talk to people lately.

[ It's only a half a lie; with the way she's been throwing herself into mission after mission, fight after fight, her free time has been rather limited. But it's still a little too close to home, and after a pause, she forces on another grin. ]

So what do you think of her, huh? Isn't she the cutest girl ever?

[Martin sits down on the floor with his back against the side of one of the bunks. a comfortable place for him.

the Madoka talk sends his eyes down to the arms on his lap, the one with the red hair ribbon tied to it.] Oh, she...

[a shade bashful, looking up with a small smile:] She's one of the kindest... [she said cute] That is, I mean. Yes. I think so...I mean...I hope I understand what you meant...

Yeah, she...

[ She'd noticed the ribbon before (it's hard not to, the way it clashes with the rest of him), but only now does she put two and two together. It's probably rude, to change the topic so abruptly on this poor kid, but she's always been blunt. ]

Hey, did she give that ribbon to you? [ She's 99% sure she knows the answer. (Best to be sure, though.) ]

[half a beat, and his eyes drop back to the ribbon. he lifts an end of it, lightly.]

Yes. From her hair... [a pause. he looks up again, wondering.] But it's backwards, isn't it? She gave it to me on her birthday. It's supposed to be the other way around...right?

[ Bingo. One hand goes up to rub the back of her head, and she stares at the ribbon, as if trying to word things right. ]

Usually, yeah. But... something like that isn't a normal present. [ She frowns. Madoka's birthday had been during a bad time, so she's glad at least something good came out of it. ] If she's given you that, then... ahaha, you'd better not let her down. I won't let my wife run off with just anybody.

A-ah, well... [there's a nervous kind of laugh in his voice, trying to follow along while still wondering what normal and not-normal presents are supposed to be like.] I don't think we have to run anywhere, especially if she didn't want to.

[it's very obvious on his face that he's certain he misinterpreted that, even as the words are falling out of his mouth. somehow, it's more embarrassing than usual; all this authority and know-how Sayaka's conveying and all.]

That's...not what you meant... [his eyes wince a little. he lets out a little sigh, looking down again, mouth still in a twitching smile.] Now I think I know, but all the words are hard to say.

[ This kid. His fumbling would be frustrating if it wasn't so genuine, but it's endearing enough that she can't bring herself to be annoyed at it. ]

It's not. [ Though the mental idea of Madoka running off with someone is a little romantic... but no. All the romance in the world isn't worth losing her best friend over. ] But don't worry about it so much. She obviously likes you, so just tell her how you feel, okay? I can give you all the advice you need. [ Said advice may or may not be awful. ]

[Madoka's words: Don't you know how important you are to me?

Martin fidgets where he sits, enough so he can prop his elbows on his legs and let his head set on his hands to press his fingers against his face.]

Well, now I feel all strange... [a weak laugh. he dips his head to let his knuckles drag across his forehead.] Thinking about all of that is...frightening, somehow. [looking back up.] Is that even right?

It's good to be a little frightened. If you hurt her, I'll have to come beat you up.

... Just kidding. [ Sort of. She would beat him up, but she knows she won't have to. ] But if you're having trouble saying it, why not write your feelings down? I know she's always wanted to get a love letter.

We used to write letters... [enough fidgeting. he lets his chin settle on his hands.] For people back in our old worlds. Her family, or my sister... My writing is really bad! [grinning.] But I never learned to write before. I'll have to practice more to get better...Then learn the letters Madoka uses. They're different. I can't even read them on my own.

I'll help you.

[ It's strange, how much better this conversation makes her feel. For all the horrible things that have happened, some good has come of it all — and if she can make Madoka's life better in any way, she will. Helping someone read and write was never on her list of things to do today, but... well. Neither was having a conversation. ]

But you've gotta keep it a secret. Don't tell her anything until you're ready, then give the letter to me. I'll hide it under her pillow or something. [ She grins. ] I know she'll love it.

Really? [he looks surprised for one second, and pleased the next, smiling. she's so nice...

but,] I'm really glad, but...but why is it a secret? Is that...like a rule?

It's romantic. [ So yes, it's a rule. ] You're new at this, so I'll go easy on you, but Madoka deserves the best. A princess like her has to be treated right.

[ Belatedly, even she realizes this might be a little overwhelming for the poor kid. She leans forward, pointing at the ribbon again. ]

... But you seem to be doing a pretty good job so far. She wore those ribbons to try and look a little flashy, so if she's given one to you, then... she has what she wants. [ Or who. ]

[romance, princesses...he has a lot to learn to even begin to fill the words with meaningful substance. but Sayaka sounds confident enough, and he's already begun to trust her know-how, so he'll not think to hard on it, he thinks.

and he moves right along, looking down at the ribbon she's talking about. he mulls over her remarks with a thoughtful look, mouth twisting a little before an older thought comes to mind.

looking at her again:] It reminded me of something my family had to do. Except, it's not ribbons. It's medals on chains. And, not other people... [he squints a little with his smile.] But you make a promise to something, and you can't ever take the chain off, ever. And...well, mine never worked right, the way the others did. I thought I'd messed up, done something wrong...

But this is like it, in a...really good way. She said she'll be able to find me wherever I am with this. It's like one of those promises. So, [a little laugh.] so it's kind of like I didn't fail...it was just late, in that sense.

Don't doubt yourself. No matter what happened then, you've gotta be pretty good for Madoka to fall for you.

[ Despite everything, the talk turns her a little more serious. What he's saying is important, and while joking is all well and good... there are other things she needs to get across, too. ]

Listen... being a magical girl isn't easy. Madoka's special, but even she needs help sometimes. [ She sighs, running a hand through her hair. ] I screwed up, so I'm glad she has you. I want you to look out for her, okay?

i'm starting a mahou shojo collection

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