Promises and Agreements

"I'm sorry," you repeat. "I'm... I'll be more careful when testing my powers in the future."

The blonde pulls back, holding you at arm's length and looking you seriously in the eye. "I'll hold you to that," she says. 

"I promise, Mami," you repeat. It's the only thing you can really do. "I won't leave you." 

"I'm not going anywhere, Mami," you say, trying to keep your voice firm. As much as you can when your own voice isn't in the best shape. "I-" Your voice cracks. "I promise." 

"We'll find her," Mami promises. "We won't stop looking [for Kuroki], right?"

"We won't," you say, tightening your hug. 

You chuff out a breath. "I've said it before, but thank you, Homura. Thanks for trusting me... I'll make it up to you somehow, OK?"

The time traveller shakes her head, looking vaguely perplexed. "There's only one thing I want."

You frown at her. "Protecting Madoka, yes... Defeating Walpurgisnacht and whatever else is to come. But I'm going to do that anyway... Ah, you know what? I owe you one big favour. Anytime, anything, really, so long as it's within my power." You wag a finger at her. "And cleanses and things like that don't count." 

"Madoka," Homura whispers, amethyst eyes fixed on Madoka, pleading desperation in her eyes as she kneels in front of Madoka. "Please, promise me. That you won't make a contract with Kyuubey."

"I w-won't," Madoka says, in fits and starts. "I w-won't do anything like t-that, Homura. B-besides," she offers a weak, shaky smile. "I-I'm too wimpy to do s-something like t-that."

"And- and I won't tell her [Mami] any secrets that aren't mine to tell. I promise."

"Do better, Sabrina." She hesitates for a long second, before adding in a voice that's barely audible, "Please."

"I promise, Homura," you say. "I promise I'll fix things. That's what I'm here for, right?"

Homura sighs again, looking away and very, very tired. "Do better."

"I will," you say. 

"You're not alone any more. Please remember that. I won't tell Madoka if you don't want me to. I promise. But if you do want to, I can help you with it." 

You pull her into one last quick hug, before smiling at her. "I know, I know. But I promise things will work out. They will, Homura, I'm going to put everything I have into making sure it does," you say, and motion towards her shield. 

Homura jabs a finger at the Clear Seed. "You don't know what that is," she says. "Be careful."

"I will," you affirm. "I will. I promise, Homura. I... you're right. If I don't know what I've woken up in there... I shouldn't just willy-nilly give it a body without being sure first, yeah."

Re: Oriko and Kirika "I'm saying give them limited rein. Trackers, mundane and magical, maybe surveillance, maybe escorts, something. I don't know what exactly, and I'm not gonna do it without your agreement." 

So... I'm making a promise to you, Homura. In the future, I'm going to keep you in the loop more."

Homura frowns at you, pausing in the middle of pulling a cloth through the shotgun barrel. "Why?" 

"Because it's not an equal friendship of I make all the decisions," you say. "And I know things that you don't - but you also know things that I don't. And I provide a different perspective, yes, but it's not the only valid one. So it... it goes both ways?"

"Both ways?" Homura asks.

"If I'm doing something that doesn't make sense to you, you ask me," you say. "Because we're friends and partners in all this, this. And if I don't get something about why you want to do something, or not do something, I ask you instead of just running you over."

"I will," Homura says. "... thank you." 

"I have ideas of how to handle it if you'd rather I do that," you say. You meet her eyes, trying to impress on her that you're taking this seriously. "I won't share anything you're not comfortable with telling her. I think it's good that everyone has more correct information, and I think the loop is going well because of that -with Sayaka in particular- but this is your secret."

"I..." Homura falls silent for a moment. Her gaze goes to the door of Mami's apartment, with Sayaka beyond. You can't guess what she's thinking about, but you let her think, let her take her time and work through this herself. You don't want to push her.

"Tell her to- to talk to me. And. You'll help me? To tell her?" Homura asks.

"Of course, Homura," you say. 

Homura nods hesitantly. "It... it should be fine," she says. She looks up to meet your eyes, intent and hard. "Tell me before you show her anything."

"Of course," you say. "None of this happens without your say-so, Homura."

"I already owe you, Hitomi," Sayaka says softly. "It's... not right to keep this from you."

A flash of annoyance flickers across Homura's face, lightning fast, before it's subsumed under her neutral mask once more. You don't think anyone else noticed, the focus of everyone's attention on Hitomi.

"You don't owe me," Hitomi says absently, eyes still focused on you. 

"Since you think you owe me, and by the same token I owe Sabrina, can I transfer your debt to her?" Hitomi says, face perfectly straight.

Sayaka blinks. "That's not how it works."

"Um... banks buy and sell mortgages," Madoka offers, a small smile on her face as she rises, Homura right behind her.

"That's different," Sayaka says.

"No it's not," Hitomi says.

Sayaka crosses her arms - or tries to, anyway, before the weight of the bags forces her to give up on that idea. "Hmph. Answer's no," she says.

Re: Oriko and Kirika "I'm saying give them limited rein. Trackers, mundane and magical, maybe surveillance, maybe escorts, something. I don't know what exactly, and I'm not gonna do it without your agreement." 

"I... Oriko, I'll try to reduce tensions between you, Mami and Homura." 

"I'll try and persuade the others to lift the house arrest, OK? I can't make any promises, but I'll try."

"The only thing I could think of that convinced Homura and Sayaka to allow you to roam was to increase surveillance on you."

Kirika scowls.

"In what way?" Oriko says, voice neutral.

"Twofold," you say, exhaling slowly. "Number one, I... have you noticed the birds?"

"Birds?" Oriko asks.

"I did!" Kirika says. "They keep coming and going today, see 'em in the garden and on the roof."

"Yeah... Sayaka has a power that lets her talk to animals," you say. "They're reporting to her."

"They better not be looking in through the windows!" Kirika snaps, bristling.

"Sayaka wouldn't do that," you say. "But I'll make sure, OK?"

Kirika nods, satisfied.

"Oriko?" you ask. "Are you OK with this?"

She sighs, expression even.

"I am... not entirely pleased with it," she says. "But it's more than fair. What was the other thing?"

"GPS trackers," you say. "Which will be enchanted, too."

"To record our movements," Oriko says. "And in return?"

"A new place to live," you say. "And the freedom to roam within reasonable limits."

"As in, actually outside the house?" Kirika asks, brightening.

"Madoka," Homura whispers, amethyst eyes fixed on Madoka, pleading desperation in her eyes as she kneels in front of Madoka. "Please, promise me. That you won't make a contract with Kyuubey."

"I w-won't," Madoka says, in fits and starts. "I w-won't do anything like t-that, Homura. B-besides," she offers a weak, shaky smile. "I-I'm too wimpy to do s-something like t-that."

"Talk to Homura, would you?" you ask. "Just... It helps more than you know, just being our friend. Talk to her?"

"I will," Madoka promises, looking at the girl in question. 

"Uh, remember I told you I might need a favour sometime?"

"Looking for some girl? I got it, yeah," Masami agrees. "Maybe tonight, probably Monday."

"Yeah, well..." you say, stifling your smirk. "I told you about Ono Megane, right? New girl out east?" At their nod, you continue. "Right, so... she doesn't know about how to live as a magical girl. She's using her magic too fast, she doesn't really seem to get that we are our Soul Gems, and she doesn't even really want to hunt Witches, apparently."

"And you want us to smack some sense into her?" Masami asks, head tilting over to the side.

You waggle your hands. "That's putting it too harshly. But she's kind of a brat, and we got off on the wrong foot through no fault of my own-" you ignore her snort, "- and none of my other friends have the attention to handle her. She underestimates Witches, and she can't or won't switch her power off and she's going to get herself killed."

Masami and Hiroko exchange a look, clearly considering it. To your surprise, they seem to be considering it, right off the bat. Just to sweeten the pot, though...

"I'm not asking you to do it for free, either," you say. "I can compensate you, and not just with cleansing, either. Money, too, and uh, well, I maaaaaaay have recently acquired some gold bars, and that's on the table too."

"... gold bars?" Masami asks, raising her eyebrows.

"Yep," you say, raising a hand, palm out. A blob of Grief zooms in through the window, and deposits a single bar of gold in your hand. It's a small thing, barely the size of two or three of your fingers put together, but it weighs... exactly half a kilo, judging from the stamped words on it. "Gold bars."

You hand it over to Masami, and she nearly drops it in surprise at the weight. "Whoa."

"Yep," you say. "Anyway, well, money, gold bars if you want them, and of course, cleansing."

Masami glances at Hiroko again, and the other girl tips her head to the side in a vague nod. From the lightning fast flicker of expressions across their faces, you can tell they're communing by telepathy.

You fidget with your teacup as they confer. Hmm. You rather hope they'll agree. You really can't handle Megane yourself. Not when you have to handle Sayaka too. Maybe you could foist her off on Kyouko, but no, you'd rather not. Hm.

You still don't know what powers Sayaka has. Does she even have swords any more? Heh. Swords. Swords swords swords swords. You rather prefer your hammer, of course.

"We'll do it," Hiroko says, nodding at you.

"Really?" You blink in surprise. "Just like that?"

Masami shrugs lightly. "I... I don't mind teaching," she admits.

"And she doesn't mind helping a new girl," Hiroko adds, elbowing the redhead.

Masami sighs. "Yeah, that too," she says.

You grin. "Brilliant!" you say brightly. "Thank you both so very much, Masami, Hiroko. So um, what kind of compensation do you want? Money, gold, cleanses?"

Masami and Hiroko exchange looks. "To be honest, cleanses and Grief Seed refreshes are plenty?" 

Re: Training Ono: "Sooooo how many Christmas baskets do I owe you?" you ask cautiously, rolling the river stone around your palm.

"All the Christmas baskets," Masami grunts. "Hold on." 

"Right," you say, and extend your mind. "Miss Inoue?"

"Yes, Miss Sabrina?" Yuuki responds almost immediately.

"Uh, I've been asked to introduce you - this is Gaikotsu Masami and Wakahisa Hiroko," you say. "I think they have a commission for you?"

"I promise you that we have no intention of making you fight, or make payments or anything," you say. "I swear it."

"Alright," you say. "I suppose you don't want the hunting, but the offer remains. I'd have a condition for you, mind - I want all the Familiars exterminated, if you hunt in Mitakihara. And as I said, I'd have to confirm it."

"You can say her name," Kyouko snaps.

"Yes, I'd have to confirm it with Mami," you say. "And with Homura, probably. That said, fine. If you don't want to, then again, I'm going to ask if you want a Clear Seed? I've given out a fair few of them for testing, as it is. No ill effects so far." 

"Yeah, it's your father's church," you say. "I came out here to help because I wanted to. Because you deserve it. Not to win your favour or anything, you know? I don't..."

"Y' don't need it?" Kyouko says, snorting and rolling her eyes. "Gee, thanks."

"Nah," you say, smile still in place. "Nothing like that. I don't want you to owe me. I want... well, I want you to do things for yourself, not for me. I... look, you know what I do want? I want you to be happy for yourself. I-"

"Kyouko, I-"

"I said get out-" Kyouko snarls. "Shut up, go away, I want to think. I'll think about it, OK? But I want to not have you throwing wordswordswords at me while I think! I'll think about it, now get out."

"I...," you start, before remembering something very important. "No. Grief Seeds first."

Kyouko makes a wordless, inarticulate noise, plunging her hand into her pocket and producing a handful of half-filled Grief Seeds you silently refresh.

"Happy?" she demands. "I'll be fine. Just- let me think."

"OK, OK," you say. "I'm sorry. Say bye to Yuma for me." 

"You... you would just give me one? I cannot use it like you say. I can only use it for myself, fimti? I do not want to get into a fight because of it. But if you still want to give me one, I will take it gladly. Are there conditions?"

"Help people," you say, simply. "That's all I ask. I understand if you can't show the Clear Seed off, but if you have spare, normal Grief Seeds, you can help people with those. Do what you can to help spread the word, bring people in for Walpurgisnacht and beyond."

Nadia gives you a long, considering look, green eyes boring into yours. "Done." 

Mami smiles at you, eyes warm. "You've done a good thing," she says softly.

Not softly enough, it turns out. Nadia belts out a loud laugh. "I said it earlier, but you are mad, Sabrina," she says.

"I must be. Or I wouldn't have come here," you agree, smirking. "Anything in particular?"

"You are giving away your Clear Seeds," Nadia says. "They are probably the most valuable things in the world right now, fimti?"

"Eh," you say. "I want to help people. And I told you as much, didn't I?"

"It is a different thing to see it," she says, and grins. "I will carry word of you, as far as I go. You will be famous." 

Yumi steps forward tenatively, giving you a cautious glance. "I will honour the agreement... twenty Grief Seeds, and any healing necessary, which... has already been applied." She raises the other plastic bag of Grief Seeds. 

First, I have to put caveats on the Clear Seed. I ask that you try and help people with it, or at the very least, do no harm. If a magical girl comes into your territory, don't fight them if it's at all possible. If you don't want to deal with them, send them my way. Don't persecute vendettas or wars or whatever with the Clear Seed behind you." 

"Do no harm," Yuki says, stopping under the dappled shade of a tree to frown at you. "Miss Sabrina, you understand our hands are not the cleanest, right? We are mercenaries. Fukushima is not a town rich in Witches, and we are not the only group of magical girls living here, merely the most famous."

"I know," you say. "And I'm asking you to try and be better. It behooves the metaphorically rich to try and be generous. And..." You sigh. "I know this is a negotiation and all, but I have to say this: If you abuse my Clear Seed, I will come down on you."

"Live and die by your reputation," Yuki says, snorting delicately. "I think I know that one better than you." 

"I don't... I don't want her put in jail, or anything analogous. I want her to be held, securely, and I'd like for people to try and talk her through her issues," you say. "I plan on doing it, but I have a lot of things to handle, and until then, I want her held under humane conditions."

"I see, I see," Yuki says. "I think we can do that, but it will cost." 

"I stand by my statement," Yuki says. "I would ask for five hundred thousand yen a month."

"Done," you say without blinking. You're actually running a little light on actual yen, after paying for the apartment. You could afford this, but it'd be better if you can conserve it. "Do you take gold?"

"... again, you are terrible at bargaining," Yuki says. "The first offer is set high, and you are supposed to at least offer a lower price. Yes, I would take gold."

"So... based on what you've told me, I think I'm going to hit Iowa pre-emptively," you say, drumming your fingers on the table. "I know they're coming to me, and I'd rather not let them take me by surprise - or take anything I care about hostage."

"That would be wise," Yuki agrees neutrally, watching you.

"So, I'm going to do more research, and speak to my friends before committing, but as a general enquiry, what would it take to hire your team to help me on this?" you ask. "I'm aware that we have a defence pact that doesn't cover this, so I am asking about hiring. What would it cost?"

"Miss Vee, your ambitions aren't limited to just Japan, correct?"

"Yeah?" you say.

"I would consider it a fine payment if you facilitated my claiming of buildings in other countries," Yuki says. "As a general, ah, retainer, not just for this job alone."

"I... huh," you say. "That could work, actually, but I have to say that buying buildings or houses or whatever in other countries will be difficult."

"They don't have to be bought, just claimable," Yuki says with a distinctly wolfish grin. "The details we can hash out at a later time."

"I think I can agree to that, tentatively," you say. "I'm not planning on any globetrotting for the immediate future, but I'll send you a message when I start on that in earnest? And for now, as I said, I'm going to do more reconnaissance and consult my friends, but... pencil it in?"

"Look, I'm not going to hurt you," you say. "I promise. I'm here to help, not to... persecute." 

"Yeah," you say, already leaping across to the next building. No flight platform this time - you need the relative stealth, so you let it dissolve behind you. You reach out by telepathy, at the same time. "Y'know, Hijiri," you say almost conversationally. "When I woke up in that alley with no memory, my goals looked pretty damned impossible too. I can sympathise with your position. But this, Hijiri? You're just going to give up?"

"I'm not giving up!" Hijiri snarls back at you. "I'm taking what I want!"

"In the hardest way possible," you say with finality as you vector for Anri. It's some relief that Hijiri's still responding to you. "I mean come on, Hijiri. You're a smart girl. I mean, of course I can't give you what you want. But I can do my damnedest to put it within reach for you for you to take. But I don't even know what you want, not with you being all coy about it."

"I already am," Hijiri snaps back.

"At the very least, do me a favour," you say. Mami speeds past you, taking the lead. "Grill Kyuubey. Not literally. Maybe literally, if you want. But I think you'll find that the 'can's and 'can't's of the world are very different from what it might imply. Misdirection and omission are its favourite tools - its job is to hurt people." 

"She is willing to surrender in the face of a promise to bring Yuuri back," Oriko says. "I took care to impress on her that it was not guaranteed, but she seized upon the idea. She... cares more for her friend than she does her vengeance, and is willing to compromise for her. It's the only thing that Anri was willing to grant." 

"It seems like a good way to keep things in check, Sabrina," Mami says with a warm smile. "What conditions would you want to have on Rionna's... revival?"

"I... When we have psychiatric care that can actually help her. Is... is that OK?" you bite your lip, looking around at your friends. "I don't want to make it an indefinite thing, and I want to help her."

She pauses, and then adds, "I... don't think we'll be taking her up on it."

"What did she offer, anyway?" you ask.

Noa presses her lips together. "We owe her a favour, and she was offering Grief Seeds, too. Not enough," she adds hastily. 

"I want this to end well for you girls, too," you tell them. "That was, and remains, true. But things need to change. If you're willing to cooperate, to work with other groups, and not follow Akiko's... quixotic madness, I still want to help you. What do you want?"

Finally, Rin sighs. "Peace sounds good."

"Yeah, I guess," Sakura says. "Fuck. Look, try and understand our fucking position. Akiko's a fucking good leader, right? She's kept us good with Grief Seeds for fucking years."

"Oh, I get that," you say pleasantly. "I'm still willing to let it slide. Hell, the University girls said they're willing to let it slide, if you fucking leave them alone. Means leaving the Ishinomaki girls alone, too."

"Jesus fuck, Akiko'll never go for it," Sakura mutters.

"I-" Rin pauses. "If that's the case... I think she should follow, instead of leading." Uncharacteristic steel rings in her voice.

Yumi steps forward tenatively, giving you a cautious glance. "I will honour the agreement... twenty Grief Seeds, and any healing necessary, which... has already been applied." She raises the other plastic bag of Grief Seeds. 

"What's the catch?" Rin says, over Yumi's fuming complaints.

"I suppose... well, the catch, if you want to put it that way, is that I'm offering to make these free to every magical girl group I come across," you say. "The University Group has already accepted one, in anticipation of you accepting one."

"I... see," Rin says. "I- yes, Tamiko?" She glances at the orange haired girl, who gestures at her. "Yes, of course. We'll accept, Miss Sabrina. Is there any other catch?"

"Yes." You flatten both palms against your thighs, leaning forward and looking her dead in the eye. "My one condition for this is that you don't use these to harm other magical girls. In fact, I ask the opposite - I ask you to help other magical girls if it's at all tenable. And if we hear of any magical girl conflict over a Clear Seed, from either side, we're coming down on them. Hard."

Rin swallows, and nods. "That... that won't be a problem," she says, and sighs. She opens her mouth, as if to say something, but shuts it. After a moment, she settles for a simple, "Message received."

"Can you tell... can you tell Akiko I'm sorry? If you think she's ready for it. And that... I'd like to talk to her sometime?"

"I will find a time to do so," Rin promises. 

Chouko starts, and then throws a sharp look at Rin. "I suppose we'll see if... Fukui will still help us. And the Osaki girls owe me a favour. We won't give up without a fight." 

You launch into your standard spiel about the Clear Seeds, caveats, likelihood of being targetted and all. 

"Well, do you know if she can track a phone from her phone number?" you ask.

"Ah. Yes, she can do that," Yuuna says. "I take it this is partial payment for the cleansing?"

"I- well, no, that's free of charge," you say. "But I'd take it as a favour. The number is..." You read it off the little card. 

Re: Tracking Kuroki's Phone: "Do I owe you anything for that?"

"Normally, I'd charge a Grief Seed," Yuuki says, rolling her eyes. "Unusual circumstances, however..." 

Mami smiles, touching your shoulder and taking a half step forward. "Sabrina can indeed cleanse Soul Gems," she says. "We're offering that service for free, though Sabrina does have a favour to ask."

"And Grief Seeds too," you add, spreading your hands as the wind starts to pick up, whipping at your hair and longcoat. "And to be clear, this is absolutely free. No strings attached, other than asking that you be reasonable. Treat other magical girls nicely, don't start fights, and so on."

Confusion and surprise ripples through the group. An expression you're fast becoming familiar with is mirrored across every face - suspicion, dawning hope, and wary hope.

"Anyway..." you say, turning back to the group and folding your arms. "I can understand not wanting a Clear Seed right now. But make no mistake, I plan on distributing them to every group I can reach - and yes, that does include Sendai. I think I can trust them, with Miss Mori in charge of the group now instead of Hamasaki. But maybe you might prefer to have a Clear Seed later, when there are more groups with Clear Seeds?"

Yuuki dips her head in agreement. "That would be... A lot more acceptable." 

Mami smiles, touching your shoulder and taking a half step forward. "Sabrina can indeed cleanse Soul Gems," she says. "We're offering that service for free, though Sabrina does have a favour to ask."

"And Grief Seeds too," you add, spreading your hands as the wind starts to pick up, whipping at your hair and longcoat. "And to be clear, this is absolutely free. No strings attached, other than asking that you be reasonable. Treat other magical girls nicely, don't start fights, and so on."

Confusion and surprise ripples through the group. An expression you're fast becoming familiar with is mirrored across every face - suspicion, dawning hope, and wary hope.

"I'll take it!" Mika says, putting her hand up.

"Well, one more thing, actually," you say, hunting through your pockets for Hildegarde. "I can also do this to Grief Seeds."

You hold the Clear Seed up for everyone to see, letting it balance on the tip of your finger. "This is a Grief Seed completely emptied of Grief. Theoretically, it should be able to last decades, but, uh-"

You're drowned out by exclamations of shock and frantic questions. You wave your hands, trying to calm them down, but it isn't much help. To your surprise, Yuuna and Yuuki are trying to argue against accepting the Seed. Aki and Miyako want to take it, though, with the other girls trying to calm the argument. Sayaka watches, eyebrows arched high in bemusement.

"I'll take one!" Mika says, sidling over to you with a grin. 

"I'll make it work," you promise quietly. You lean forward, your eyes boring into Kurenai and Terumi and Yuri and, yes, Haruki. "There is a way forward, some way for all of us to be better than this. Better than the crab bucket, better than this fear and have to scrabble just to survive." 

Chouko starts, and then throws a sharp look at Rin. "I suppose we'll see if... Fukui will still help us. And the Osaki girls owe me a favour. We won't give up without a fight." 

"I can't make any promises on when we might be able to drop by, but I'll arrange it with you when practical?"

"Just let me know, Miss Sabrina," Tsubaki says.