a welcome;

[mallowmods]

Who: Everyone and everyone!
What: Welcoming in the new members to Mallow Hallow
Where: Everywhere!
When: March 2nd.

[ Once everyone’s settled in their particular districts, no doubt thousands of questions running between each individual mind, there’s an announcement. Not over the devices, but rather in speakers all over each and every district. A familiar voice should ring out—you did, after all, hear the voice of your Queen earlier today. ]

Ahem! Can you hear me? Ah, right then.

Hello loveies! You might recall this particular visage which speaks before you—that is, I am your Queen. Call me Queenie, if you must! I’ve met you all on this particular day, and I find it important to bestow some of my boundless knowledge onto you, sweethearts.

Now! Done with formalities, let’s see where we stand… ah, yes! Might I be the first to welcome you all to Mallow Hallow, our wonderful little country. Not too big, not quite too small either! It’s just lovely, isn’t it? Oh, how all my new babies will love it here! Or—perhaps not. [ She clicks her tongue. ] Either way, it doesn't really matter. You're stuck here for the time, so do try to make the most of it, dears.

Of course, there are our sectors within Mallow Hallow. Six… [ There’s silence for a short moment. ] Yes, there are six, aren’t there..? Well, six different communities you might stem off from! Surely you remember the name from our meeting earlier? If not, I’m sure one of the regular inhabitants of each particular district will assist you in naming your new home!

Live where you’d like, eat what you’d like, do what you’d like! Our homes are now your homes, so please, consider us all a big happy family to you! Remember you can reach me or any of the other rulers of any of the districts, over at our voicemails! [ Somehow, that seems sarcastic… ]

Also, don’t cause any trouble, or I’ll personally end you. [ There it is. ]

I suppose that's all. Well then, bye now, dears! And let the word spread—Mallow Hallow is up and rising once again!

[ ooc: Quick links: Lochwell | Mallowhallow | Orlea | Astralfield | Crystalden | Highcrest | Whitewood | Network ]

Comments

[facaded]

[ Mami reached her own hand out to touch Sayaka's. She wasn't quite sure what they were doing, but maybe this would help reassure her, somehow. Even though she shouldn't be relying on her kouhai for this of all people... ]

[fortissimos]

[ When her hand first touches Mami's, Sayaka looks scared. She takes a step back, and her expression flickers, caught between happiness and tears — after a few seconds, she collapses onto her knees. ]

You're really... [ here. Her shoulders shake as she stares down at the ground. ] I... I didn't think I'd ever see you again, but...

[facaded]

[ No, that didn't help any. Mami puts her arm back to her side, kind of letting it flop into place lifelessly. She wants to comfort Sayaka but she almost feels like she doesn't have a place to. Like her wrapping her arms around the other girl's shoulders would cause more pain.

So she just stands there, feeling everything and nothing all at once. ]

Miki-san, I'm sorry that you had to see such a thing. But please tell me that you... that nothing happened to you during that fight.

[fortissimos]

[ She stares down at her gloved hands — eventually, she'll have to explain her wish, too, but the unpleasant reminder of what happened in that barrier makes her feel sick. Weakly, she shakes her head. ]

No, I... the transfer student came. She killed the witch. [ Her voice hardens, and whatever gratitude was present quickly turns to anger. ] It's wrong. She was there the whole time, but she just sat back and watched! She could have saved you!

[ There's too much loathing in her tone to be directed solely at Homura, though. Guilt eats away at her, like it has from the moment she made her contract: she made the same wish, in the end, so why hadn't she done it sooner? Why had she relied on someone else to help Mami, when she could have done it herself? ]

[facaded]

[ Mami can't help but smile at that. Even now, Sayaka continues to believe in her. That means a lot to her, it really does. ]

Miki-san, I'm to blame for what happened with that witch. You can't blame Akemi-san, because, I...

[ She gulps, unable to admit exactly what happened. How she had tied up Homura because she didn't trust her. Because she could barely trust anyone anymore. ]

I'm just so happy you and Kaname-san are safe. We'll worry about Akemi-san if we find her here.

[fortissimos]

No way! [ Wow, don't get her started. ] You can't blame yourself, Mami-san. There's no way you could have known.

[ Sayaka's taking this oddly well, all things considered. Magical girls are supposed to be able to do the impossible, so maybe... maybe Mami doesn't have to stay dead. She's alive here — why not back home, too? ]

I don't know what this place is like, but maybe we can find a way back together. After you... someone had to protect Mitakihara, so I went ahead and contracted. We could be a magical girl team!

[facaded]

[ Oh no, Sayaka, sweetie... ]

You... you'd want that? For us to be a team? [ Even though I failed you? She's not going to say that part, but it's written all over her face. ]

[fortissimos]

Yeah, of course. It's what I always wanted, but... I left everything too late. In the end, I made the same wish anyway, so I should have teamed up with you right away.

[ Maybe things could have been different. She hasn't stopped beating herself up about it ever since. ]

So, if it's okay with you, then...

[facaded]

[ Mami can't help but feel like she's tumbling into the same mistakes all over again. But she also knows that she can't handle being alone again. She can't leave Sayaka alone. ]

That would... make me very happy.

[fortissimos]

[ It's strange, to think she could be useful in such a way — she's struck with a very sudden, very powerful urge to cry. But she can't show weakness in front of someone she admires, and so she laughs it off like always; putting a hand on Mami's shoulder. ]

Ahaha... then it's decided! We'll figure this place out, then protect Mitakihara together!

[facaded]

[ Mami smiles back, forcing her own tears down. ]

Let's not get too ahead of ourselves. Figuring out this place comes first.

[ But she still gives Sayaka a hug, embracing the other girl like she's the last person in the world. ]

[fortissimos]

[ The hug takes her by surprise, and it shows. She recovers before long, though, and laughs again — this time, more from relief than anything. ]

Yeah, yeah. Nothing stands a chance against two magical girls!

[ As they part, Sayaka seems to realize something. Standing tall, she plants her hands on her hips; looking absurdly proud of herself. ]

So what do you think about my outfit? It's pretty different from yours, but I figured something like this would suit me more.

[facaded]

[ Mami takes a few steps back. ]

I agree, It suits you quite well. We'll look good fighting witches together.

[ She knows she shouldn't be egging Sayaka on like this, but Mami's caught up in the moment. Even though she'll feel guilty later, right now she's so happy. ]