[ madoka is too pure for senri ]

[usogi]

Comments

[usogi]

Uh-huh.

... because I think we need something a little odd, and a little funny, and a little sad right now.

Instead of just - sad.

[frilly]

That sounds perfect.

[usogi]

Once upon a time, there was a stage actor. He had a lot of friends, but also had a bad lying habit - what was wrong with seeing people smile, he thought? If he told them what they wanted to hear, then they could remember him, and give him a little bit of attention. He was a little bit of a hog that way.

And - the details are a little fuzzier here. But there's also a very beautiful young man - who was very well-loved in his life. Things grew complicated, but he eventually managed to find a family amongst his friends. Though... I think he started looking to a greater plan, and he was eventually got the chance to become a god. He took it.

[ . . . ]

I wonder what might happen, when two people like that meet - besides a lot of chaos.

[frilly]

[ Madoka listens patiently, but at the second part of the story the interest in her expression fades. She just looks mildly troubled by the end. ]

I... I don't think I understand.

[usogi]

[and senri just hums a little note]

Does Madopyon remember?

When you said - it'd be hard to meet someone here that you might want to date, but then you'd have to leave at the end....

[frilly]

... Is this a love story?

[usogi]

Bingo!

[senri laughs a little]

I said I could tell you later... and I think you're the only one that'll actually get an answer out of me.

[frilly]

Then...

[ she looks like she can't decide if it being a love story makes her happy or sad ]

[usogi]

.... I told him - I don't think that a story about love can ever be really sad. Because love is such an impossible thing to find sometimes. People who are really lucky get to feel it - and when I was with him, I felt really lucky.

[and he offers up a soft smile]

So I hope you remember that - even if the ending isn't happy, that doesn't mean the story isn't good.

[frilly]

[ . . . ]

Of course. I'll always remember that.

[ even without Senri, she would. but it's still nice to hear it from someone else. it's nice to hear that he can see it positively. she's happy that - he gets the good story, even if not the happy ending. ]

... Are you doing okay?

[usogi]

... it feels a little silly to be thinking about something like that, when everything is happening....

But I think it makes sense for me to be a little heartbroken.

I'll get over that too.

[frilly]

Even if bigger things are happening, it's not wrong to have your own feelings.

I'm happy that you get to experience something so nice.

[usogi]

.... me too.

[and senri just laughs a little]

Soooooo - I guess it wouldn't surprise you if I said that the person I'm talking about is Beauty.

[frilly]

No, you gave that part away.

[ hmm... ]

Then is that who you're hoping wins, now?

[usogi]

[ . . . ]

I don't know, actually.

I like Piety's world a lot... but I've just been trying to make sure that all the gods can be happy, no matter who wins.

[frilly]

I want them to get along, too.

But they'll have a lot of time to resolve their issues together, after all of this. They'll have forever.

[usogi]

.... but it'd be easier if they got it done while we were all still here, you know?

[ . . . ]

Bambi wants more friends - so I told her to go to the carnival with Piety, and she did.

Dizzy told me that she wanted to make up with Cheri - and they ended up hosting trial together.

I think... these relationships can be repaired faster than we think.

[frilly]

Wow...! That's amazing, Senri-kun! You're like... Matchmaking?

[ no, that's not the word. she doesn't know the right word. ]

W-what do you think they should do next? Can I help, somehow? I don't know them as well...! But I want to help!

[usogi]

Oh - no, they're doing a lot of the work...! I'm just trying to encourage and help them.

[and he laughs a little bit,,]

.... but.... I haven't talked to Cunning and Ruin yet. I heard that Ruin keeps to herself a lot... but I'm going to try to talk to her next week maybe.

And in general I think Bambi needs more friends... you saw her at trial today, right? She's a little hard to reach at first, but she's really sweet...

[frilly]

[ Madoka nods, looking determined. when she moves to clench her fist ala her icon, she knocks her elbow into the edge of the counter and winces... ]

--Ouch!

[ but moves on quickly!!! Ignore that!!! ]

I need to do better and talk to the gods more.

[usogi]

[oh my god - ]

Madopyon please be careful....

I think it'd help... I gossip with them a lot, but that's all I know how to do....

[frilly]

You shouldn't say that's all you know how to do, or say it like it's a bad thing. Being able to talk to people and let them talk about each other comfortably is really nice!

[usogi]

[ . . . . ]

It doesn't... really save anyone the way that I want it to, though.

I don't know how much of a difference I actually make...

[frilly]

You just told me about all the differences you've made!

[usogi]

Sure but... has that actually helped any of us....?

[he's actually

not sure]