Concert Night

Asking Madoka to go to a concert put Homura in a very strange place emotionally.

Sure, Mamoru had talked her into it. Sure, it seemed like a good idea at the time. Homura was also in tears at the time and in general very emotional. Yet, Mamoru did bring her some tickets, and knowing him she wasn't sure she bought his 'I had plans to use them but now I can't go' excuse.

Sure, she wanted to spend time with Madoka, to see her happy and having a good time, yet this was also a girl who died in front of her more than once. Even talking about her brought a flood of emotions, some good, and some bad.

Homura came dressed in a black top with grey skirt. Small purple earrings dot her ears. She's lightly dressed up, but not very much. She met Madoka in front of the gates to Infinity and picked her up in a limo (with a chauffeur, Homura's not driving) because Homura has too much money. She insists it wasn't a big deal. Considering where Homura works it probably wasn't.

Homura awkardly tries to start a conversation, but while she's good at many things, talking to Madoka isn't usually one of those things. "So... um. How've you been?"

    It was the big night! A big night, anyway. Maokda had been looking forward to going to the concert ever since Homura had offered to take her. That said she had never been invited to a concert by anyone other than her parents before so this was entirely new ground for her and thus she had fretted for days when it started to come near. She had plenty of outfits to wear but no clue which one to choose, not the least of which because she had no idea what Homura's intentions were.

    Homura had saved her from that horrible Riventon man and for that was very grateful. But on the other hand Madoka also knew she had been made a target because of her at least on one occasion and had seen her kill things merely for attempting to draw her into the magical world. To be fair Kyubey seemingly survived his own death, but that didn't make it any more shocking or easier to understand.

    All that aside Madoka is nothing if not willing to give people more chances to prove themselves, but it leaves the poor girl not knowing how to present herself. Junko Kaname to the rescue! Her mother is, in Madoka's opinion, one of the most fashionable women alive. So after talking with her about it, minus the magic and Incubator slayings, she is feeling cautiously optimistic about the night.

    She arrives just a couple steps above her usual fanciness of casual wear, wearing a medium pink top with frilly white accents and a bow at her chest tucked into a matching skirt. A light jacket with red buttons helps to keep her arms warm, and she's also got a matching set of be-bowed pink shoes and lacy white socks. Likely due to Junko's influence her hair is in it's usual style, her twintails held in place by those ubiquitous red ribbons tied into bows.

    When the limo rolls up she kind of freezes for a moment, worrying that she's come severely underdressed. She lets out a visible sigh of relief as she sees how Homura is dressed, offering a small wave and a nervous smile. She takes a seat across from Homura so they can see each other easily while they talk, and of course puts on her seatbelt even though it's a limo.

    A conversation is started and she tries not to fidget as she sets her hands in her lap. "Good, I think! I'm starting to get a bit more settled in now that I've been back for a few months. School is still really hard, but you probably noticed that." An embarrassed smile and laugh; her performance when called to do problems in class might remind Homura of herself a very, very long time ago. "How have you been, Homura-chan?"

    Even nervous and unsure she uses Homura's first name. Has she ever done otherwise?

"It's hard transfering to a new school," says Homura, trying to put Madoka at ease about her performance. "When I first showed up at Mi-- Infinity, I actually had a lot of trouble with that."

Funny, that's the exact opposite of what the rumors said about her. They say she was smart, athletic, and amazing in almost every way... yet she apparently remembers it differently.

"Don't worry about it. Mamoru's helping you, and also I'm in your class." So is Takashi, but Homura avoids mentioning him. "Besides, you don't give yourself nearly enough credit. Infinity isn't meant to be easily aced. It's meant to toughen you up." Homura shrugs. "At least, that's what they say."

Homura reaches over to a nearby armrest, trying to figure out how to get it open. "Do you want something to drink? I think they usually.. -ah! Here we go." She opens it, revealing a cooler with some sodas in it. She offers one to Madoka before drinking one herself.

The limo ride isn't very long. Homura secretly just didn't want to walk, and there was no way in this world or any other hell that Homura was going to put Madoka in a taxi. When she gets out she hesitates for a moment, holding the door open long enough for Madoka to follow.

The concert venue is pretty packed. A few people are in costume, some are dressed in t-shirts and shorts, but most have at least somewhat dressed nicely for the occasion. There is a din of excited chatter that everyone is trying to speak over, and the walls have posters of various animes like Cowboy Bebop and Ghost in the Shell.

Homura tries to make her way to the crowd, in some ways trying to make a path for Madoka. Occasionally she glares at someone who ventures too close, but most of them don't seem to notice her.

    Homura is incredibly difficult to read. Almost impossible, even. She could be lying through her teeth, and the rumors would suggest that, and there's no way Madoka would be able to recognize it. It puts her on her guard a little but at the same time she's the type of person who always wants to think the best of someone.

    "Transferring is very difficult," she agrees, "I've been through two transfers now and it didn't get any easier." Toughening her up? She hadn't thought of it that way before. "If they're trying to teach me to learn to rely on the people around me in order to get by I think I should get an A for effort," she replies. This comes with a giggle however, rather than the glum self-deprecating tone that sometimes accompanies such a statement from Madoka.

    When the soda is offered she nods, leaning forward and taking it from Homura before opening it slowly, looking like she's being very careful not to let it spray her in the face. She really doesn't want to embarrass herself!

    She gets through about half of it by the time they arrive, looking around quickly before she gets out before sticking it in an armrest.

    Aside from that her general mood seems to increase rapidly as they exit, "Come on, Homura-chan! This is going to be a lot of fun!"

    As they move through the crowd Madoka sticks close to Homura- very close in fact. This many people in one place... she isn't so used to the crowds of Tokyo as she once was, and she's always been shy around people she's yet to meet. As the crowd starts to press closer she reaches out and grabs for one of Homura's hands, trying to hold onto it tightly so they don't get separated.

Homura looks like she might almost comment on the subject of relying upon others. She decides not to say most of it. All she says is, "Mamoru-kun is reliable." She's here to have a good time, after all.

With the two of them in the crowd, Madoka sticks closer, and even reaches out to grab Homura's hand. Homura just takes it. She doesn't want to lose track of her. She really really really doesn't want to lose track of her.

This is just a concert, she reminds herself. It's not a labyrinth, there's no witches or youma, kyubey's not around. It's perfectly safe. Yet something inside of her is just not at peace. Well, maybe it'll be better when everyone's inside and there's no more shuffling around.

Homura turns around to look back at Madoka, as she leads her into the concert room proper. Her attention is drawn away only for a moment, to show her tickets to the doorman, before turning back to Madoka. The lights are a bit low, yet there's still enough room to see where you're going, and the moving spotlights seem to be trying to set some kind of mood. Homura tries to force a smile. Maybe the strange lighting will make it hard for Madoka to realize that it's forced, or maybe it'll just make it look stranger.

"Yeah, it should be fun!" says Homura. She hopes it will be. She actually doesn't know much of what to expect. Concerts are kindof a new thing for her, too.

She draws closer to their seats... though many of the people here don't seem interested in sitting. Homura pulls out a few light sticks and offers a pair to Madoka. "Here... um... if you want to..." She's a bit more awkward when she isn't being shot at, apparently.

    When Homura looks back to look at her Madoka looks uncomfortable and perhaps a little worried. It's an odd thing, the way her shyness manifests itself. Here she is with someone she doesn't even know very well, whose interest in her she doesn't understand, and who seems to have a bit of a hard time talking when it was she that set this whole thing up.

    And yet... in the crowd she's practically clinging to her. Not physically, except for that hand, but she's almost using Homura and her imposing presence as a shield against the rest of the crowd. It should be downright odd, maybe even weird or bizarre, for her to use her classmate for protection like this. Or it would be if protecting Madoka wasn't exactly what she was doing.

    There's a deep breath in and then out as they reach their seats, and Madoka seems to realize then how strangely she must be seeming to act. "I'm sorry," she offers with a tinge of embarrassment as she tries to pull her hand back.

    The light stick is looked at for a moment before being accepted. The swirling lights do make it pretty hard for Madoka to read Homura's face- maybe she would normally be able to recognize something's off about it, but not like this. Even in normal lighting though Madoka would like to think that Homura is enjoying herself, and is naive enough to think she has no reason to hide her feelings.

    Just what are those feelings, though?

    Her own mood fairly high she is among those that stays standing, at least for now. She bounces on her heels a couple of times, her previous anxiousness over the crowd melting away as the lightshow buildup continues. "This is really exciting! Thanks for bringing me, Homura-chan."

Madoka's clinging isn't unnoticed by Homura. In some ways it's more familiar, even nostalgic. This was what she wished for, a long long time ago. When Madoka finally does pull away and apologize, Homura says, "You don't have to be sorry." Protecting her is just natural at this point. Some might argue that she shields Madoka a little too much.

Homura remains standing next to Madoka, because it's either that or be staring at someone's back the whole time. The seats in this case seem more like a formality than something anyone actually wants to use.

Seeing Madoka get excited adds a bit if sincerity to Homura's smile. She's still maybe a bit out of her element, but at least she isn't messing up too horribly. She turns to look at the stage, watching the musicians get into place and the lights start to flash, change color, and move more. It's quite an image, Homura thinks.

"I'm glad, Madoka...-chan. I really like this composer. She's very... um..."

Homura trails off as she tries to think of the words. She curses herself a bit, swapping so rapidly between 'tough protector' and 'shy schoolgirl who doesn't know how to say anything', but what else is she going to do aside from lament her own weakness?

Well, Madoka's having a good time. That's what matters to her.

    "Okay. Then... thank you," Madoka responds as Homura deflects the apology. She's relieved that her clinginess isn't taken as too strange. As she stands there with Homura next to her she turns the light stick over in her hands, casting them in red and throwing thin shadows against her clothing and face.

    As she looks over to Homura and sees her stumble over words she suppresses a giggle. She's not sure why but there's something about it.

    ...nostalgia?

    But that doesn't make any sense.

    Endearing, then, to see the strong, unflappable Homura seeming so out of place. The use of her first name and that honorfic puts a warm smile on her face. "She's very talented, isn't she, Homura-chan?" she offers, trying to soften the verbal stumble.

    "I wonder what song they're going to play first," she muses speculatively. She does wonder, but she's trying to make conversation. She's having fun, and now that she's actually here with her at the concert she wants Homura to have fun too.

    On an impulse she reaches over and tries to turn on Homura's light stick before raising her own into the air and waving it in time to the flashing stage lights.

    Then, surprisingly, she joins one of the other few girls who lets out a loud anticipatory cheer!

    She looks over to Homura afterwards, blushing at her own audacity but also smiling.

    "I need to practice..!" she half explains.

"Yes! Talented," says Homura, accepting the words that Madoka offers. Homura still doesn't like being weak... but something about Madoka makes her feel like it's okay. In fact, she hasn't really felt this okay in a long time. Maybe this was a good idea after all.

She'll have to thank Mamoru later.

"I'm not sure. It seems like they'd want to open up strong, though. I didn't see a program or anything. I guess it'll be a surprise."

Speaking of surprises, Madoka reaches over to turn on Homura's light stick, hers is a bit more purple as opposed to Madoka's red. Homura blinks at the gesture, but then smiles and starts waving her stick in the air.

She doesn't scream out when the other girls do, being a bit too reserved for that, but she giggles as Madoka does. "Sure! Go ahead and practice."

Homura finds herself wishing that things would always be like this. Maybe some day they can be.

Yet Homura has a hard time letting go of the weight on her back.

No, no, forget about that for now. Despair is unhealthy, especially for her. Better to focus on the positive, right? Madoka is here, and the two of them are having fun. That's what matters.

"Quite a crowd, huh?"

    Madoka smiles a little, laughing happily as Homura follows her lead with the light stick. They're not alone; there's an electric anticipation building in the crowd that's had to miss for even the most oblivious of people. Even Kyubey would notice it, even if he couldn't understand it.

    The band certainly must. It's a great crowd- the show will probably be amazing.

    Easily moved by the crowd she cheers loudly a couple more times, though that seems to be enough and she has to fan herself a little. She'd probably die of embarrassment right there if she heard herself on a youtube clip of the concert; someone in the crowd has to be recording.

    Just as she's easily energized by the crowd, she is quick to notice the change in Homura. Normally she's all but unreadable to Madoka. A perfect wall of guarded expressions and tone.

    It makes it so obvious when her guard is lowered, even just a little bit. "Yes! The crowd is wonderful. I don't think I've ever been so excited to be around so many people before. But we're all here for the same reason, aren't we? To have fun"

    It's a comment that actually makes her wonder as soon as she says it. Is that why Homura is here? She stares for a moment, giving away her thoughts without even realizing it.

    "Homura-chan..." Her voice is a little bit lower, less obviously enthusiastic. "I don't know why you asked me to come here tonight. I feel like I've only just met you. I don't know what you see in me, or what I mean to you."

    A short pause that stretches on as the crowd buzzes with excitement around them.

    Madoka thinks back to a couple days before, and to some simple but powerful words that were said to her. When she speaks again her voice is perked up and cheerful again, "What I'm trying to say is, whatever it is? I'd like us to be friends."

Homura is a bit infected by the energy too, though between herself and Madoka she's still the more reserved of the two. Something about the concert reminds her of a Witch's barrier, and she's trying very hard to ignore that.

Homura smiles and nods as Madoka says that they're all here for the same reason. "Right!" but a bit of her cheer fades when Madoka moves to the next topic of conversation. She isn't unhappy, persay, but she's a lot more serious.

Homura looks away from her for a moment, straight ahead. How can she even say this? Even after telling Mamoru that she would, this still isn't the right time or place to have that conversation.

It never seems to be the right time or place for that conversation.

After a moment, Homura decides on what to say. Perhaps it's more cryptic than helpful, but it's certainly an answer.

"It's a long story. You're a lot stronger, and a lot kinder, than you realize."

As for what Madoka means to her... Can Homura even put that into words? Are there even words for it? Is there a word that describes someone who has been a close friend, a distant stranger, a person who has lived and died without ever fully knowing you and yet at the same time has grown so close as to trust you with their life?

There have been a hundred relationships between Homura and Madoka. Whose to say which one is the most real? The most valid?

Friendship is enough of a catch-all term that it works close enough.

"Yeah... I'd like to be your friend."

    Madoka feels just a little bad. After all she did just take what was becoming a purely happy an enjoyable time and turn it into something a more conflicted, even if just a little bit.

    But it isn't conflict she's after; she's not even after anything huge revelations. When Homura speaks up it's actually more than she's expecting. Even if it's cryptic, it's still something. "I am?"

    A tinge of doubt. A tinge of confusion.

    How can she understand? A long story with someone she's only known a few months, how can such a thing be?

    That confusion, that doubt, it is there, and on Madoka's hopelessly expressive face it shows. But there's something else there too that shows even more. Eagerness. Happiness. Eternal optimism. To sum the whole of her expression up in a single word is simple: Hope.

    Whatever the long story might entail and whatever Madoka might mean to Homura, the pink haired girl with the red ribbons is hopeful for the future. Their future, together, because they both want to be friends. The doubt and confusion are overshadowed and pushed away by her radiant smile.

    Madoka claps her hands together once, lightstick held between them. "Then lets be friends from now on, Homura-chan! Whatever happened before... we're friends now!"

    It's the simplest of things, but it's also at the very heart of them, and it makes Madoka very happy. The electric crowd doesn't hurt either.

    And because it's what she does with her friends she hops forward, laughing and pulling Homura into a close hug. "We're going to have a lot of fun tonight, I know it! Let's enjoy ourselves, okay, Homura-chan?"

Homura knows that Madoka wont understand, but there really is too much to explain. Especially with so many people around. Even if Homura told her, she might not be believed.

If only she could just show up at Madoka's house one day and say 'Madoka! There's no time to explain! I'm from the future. You have to not listen to Kyubey!'

She did try that once, but then the crab witch got her. Not going through that again.

Homura looks at Madoka's expression, an expression that is just so... Madoka. 'Let's be freinds from now on, Homura-chan!'

With a smile (a rare sight to those who usually only see her in class or fighting Witches) Homura says, "Yeah, let's."

Homura is surprised by the sudden hug, but after a second's hesitation she returns the hug, saying, "Yeah, let's have fun!"

The music starts up, the lights dim, and it seems like the show is about to start. The music is transcendant, airy, and touches the spirit in a unique way. With all of this energy, it'd be a good time for a youma attack.

Which is exactly why there's a youma corpse in a dumpster filled with 9mm bullets somewhere nearby.

No one ever has to know.