→ video, open to action

[revelation]

( When the feed comes on, there’s an awkward sort of sways before it finds a solid place to sit and allow the camera a chance focus on its user. Madoka does not fully focuses on addressing the device at first, instead nervously thumbs at the folded piece of paper she holds in her hands. )

Hello! My name is Madoka Kaname, I haven’t had the chance to meet a lot of you but I hope that can change as time goes on. Today, um, I’m here about starting something that I think might be nice for some of us to do together! Especially now in the times between the missions and when… well, before something else strange might happen.

So, what I had thought of was starting, ( She trails off, fumbling to open the folded piece of paper. ) A cooking club!

( Holding the piece of paper to the camera, all can now see that it is a drawing of a girl (her, perhaps? the pink hair is something of a giveaway) in a rather elaborate pink and white dress holding a cake. The words ‘PLEASE CONSIDER THE COOKING CLUB’ written in large, neat letters underneath. )

There seems to be enough people that enjoy cooking or baking here, so I thought it would be fun to learn from one another. We represent a large number of worlds and cultures, so it’ll be nice to learn about each other while enjoying the foods that make us happy.

Thank you for listening and I hope you consider joining!

( AND ACTION for around the apartment building – maybe you’ve been stopped by this tiny, pink girl to offer you a flier, maybe you notice her taping it to the community bulletin board (… if there is one of those) or see her hustling around with her small stack of papers. )

Comments

[revelation]

Um, let me see! ( Excuse her as she bends off screen, scanning her paper of cutely written names. ) Almost ten already! Mm, I've been looking around since I knew my unit would probably be too small.

[fortissimos]

Ten already? Hey, that's really impressive! [ Obviously Madoka's cuteness is like a magnet to everybody. ] I'll come help set up when you find a place. There's gotta be somewhere big enough for everyone.

[square_cubelaw]

Just be careful with it.

They brought us here for a reason, right? I'm sure there's got to be a few dangerous types.

[standup_for_justice]

No, not really. What's she like?

[repetition]

[It is not because she begrudges Madoka her small joys that Homura asks, but rather out of a perpetual, nearly all-consuming concern for her safety. Homura has long known that trust and friendship often end in pain and heartbreak, and though she is slowly coming to unlearn many of the habits and mannerisms borne of such a cruel and unshakably true worldview, it will be a long time before she is able to have faith that Madoka won't come to harm when left to her own devices, if she is ever able at all.

She knows Madoka well enough by now to know what her answer will be, and had accepted it before the question passed her lips. The second part of Madoka's response catches her slightly off-guard; it takes her some moments of slow blinking to process, and it is several moments before she is able to find a reply.]

Mm. [A slight nod.] You do.

[She is sure as she says it that Madoka will pick up on the lack of self-inclusion, but she had answered as honestly as she was able. Madoka deserves a chance to relax, Madoka deserves friends, and love, and all the good things the world has to offer. But Homura holds no illusions that she deserves the same, after all she has done.]

[insecrets]

I'm Finnick Odair. [Man, it's so weird when he has to tell people who he is still.]

[woahwoahawkward]

You can call me Alistair.

[fintastic]

It's Feferi! And you were Nik's roommate, right?

[revelation]

( Madoka does notice and has a hard time hiding the way her smile shifts into a small frown, nervously moving from one foot to the other. But like in so many times before, she seems to bounce back quickly enough and smiles as she shakes her head. )

You're wrong. It's not just me, but you too. After all, you've worked the hardest of us all. ( Her smile widens. ) And, um, this might be rude to just say but I really want to get to know more about you. So, if you want, I would really love if we could spend more time together and... for you to come to the club too.

[revelation]

You don't have to apologize, it's okay. (*≧▽≦)

Oh? Were you home schooled?

[revelation]

( At least he won't have to tell her a second time! But oh god, what are non-Japanese names?!

Carefully sounding it back out as she writes. )

Alright! Thank you, Finnick.

[revelation]

Mm... true, but everyone that's contacted me so far as been really nice. ( Everyone is nice at first to Madoka, so that really doesn't count. )

But I'll keep an eye out, I've gotten a lot stronger while I've been here!

[revelation]

Oh! That's right, you were the one that was looking for Nik!

And mm, that's right.

[fintastic]

I don't think I ever got your name.

[freezerburned]

...right ill be there

thanks madoka

[square_cubelaw]

How long have you been here?

[hornedomen]

[Pasta sounded practical but he had another question on his mind.]

What’s a casserole?

[repetition]

[Homura shakes her head against Madoka's assertion before she can think to stop herself. It was true, yes, that she had worked long and hard, tirelessly living the same month on repeat, too focused on her goal to allow herself any simple pleasures, but for Madoka to say she has worked harder than the others... well, that is something Homura will not allow herself to accept as praise. After all, it had been her fault that things had kept getting worse in the end.

She does not argue the point, does not wish to dredge up any of that pain for either of them; it is best to focus on that second part, the thing that makes her heart flutter in her chest. That is all she has ever wanted, to spend time with Madoka, to know her well. It is difficult for her to accept Madoka's feelings in the face of her own ever-present self-loathing, but she can't very well deny Madoka what she wants, not when it is what she herself has only ever allowed herself to dream of.]

I... would like that, too.

[revelation]

~~~ヾ(＾∇＾) I'll see you there!

And you're welcome, Isaac.

[revelation]

Oh! She's really nice and has been in situations like this before, um, that is... she's been to different worlds before.

Plus she's Japanese too, and it's nice to speak to other people who can.

[revelation]

I'm really excited by it, I didn't expect so many! ( Obviously. )

Hehe, thank you. Mm, there's a lot of old buildings that no one uses, I'm sure one will be perfect!

[revelation]

( Madoka does not allow herself to say anything when Homura shakes her head, even if she truly wants to do so. Because in the end, like Homura, she does not want to cause unneeded pain and heartache from bringing those wounds out in the open again. So she swallows her words instead and lets it be replaced by the happiness swelling up inside her from Homura’s words. There was no use trying to hide her smile, instead letting it take over as she nods her head with a familiar giggle.

After all, Madoka would always want the best for the people she loved and cared for. No matter where, including within different worlds, they were. )

I'm so glad! Oh, you know, why don't you come stay over one night?

[revelation]

Mm, well! There's a whole lot of casserole dishes. Like tuna casserole where you mix tuna, egg noodles and vegetables topped with bread crumbs or macaroni casserole with lots and lots of cheese and covered with bread crumbs too.

They're all basically dishes that are ingredients like meats and vegetables mixed together and topped with something crunchy or just cheese.

[revelation]

Mm, since April, so a little over four months now.

[revelation]

It's Madoka! Madoka Kaname.