(no subject)

[softreset]

[ The raven collapses on to the tiled floors of the terminal with her hands tightened into fists, nails digging into the palm of her hand. No, she thinks, she was so close that time, so close it was tangible. If she had just-

There is noise around her, however, that notifies her that she can't cry else she ruin her face. She rises to her feet slowly, squinting her reddened eyes at the blue haired figure in front of her. ]

Hello.

[ She's trying to keep her voice stable. ]

Comments

[softreset]

[ Shoulders slumped forward and hair tossed over her shoulder, Homura only nods at the other, older girl. It's been a while since she's seen another face besides her and Kaworu. The look in the other's eyes is still fresh, still innocent, still hopeful- as if one or two timelines would be enough to save them. ]

Yes. Aren't we all?

[eyebrand]

We're not always alone.

[ She's met a few people during her first day in the terminal that had partners with them. How she envied them. If only she could bring her brother or cousin with her. But no, Naga said that she was the only one who could use the gate, repeat and change the cycle.

But her time was running out.

She frowns a bit, but quickly smiles to hide her sadness. ]

[softreset]

[ Those were words she would have said in a circumstance like this. The puella magi only shakes head. Who was she to say? Was Kaworu a friend?

It only made it all the much harder when she had to choose between the hub and the next time loop. ]

I guess.

[ She walks over to her pile of papers, scattered from her last hurried disappearance and notices the still barely warm teacups. ]

You're new.

[ That is, not filled with the bitterness and pain of broken glasses and white chalk tombstones. ]

[eyebrand]

I suppose you could call me that.

[ New. That was really a funny word to use. In a sense, she was probably much older than the girl - in physical age and in time too. This girl seemed more modern, more ahead of Lucina's time. ]

I take it you're a regular.

[softreset]

[ Homura nods.

"Regular" makes the terminal sound like a hang out. She doesn't want to even think about how true that has become for her. She tosses her hair over her shoulders in a usual, practiced motion to seem stone cold and unbroken despite the inner workings of her chest screaming no. ]

Is this your first loop? Or have I just not seen you around?