View source for 2468/Ocean Blue Meeting

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2025/04/13
|Location=Cross Mirror Room
|Synopsis=Sayaka, Hinoiri and Blue have a talk about his rule. The bluenette promise him she will give him a reason to leave it behind and look towards love with hope.
|Cast of Characters=32,NPC-Blue,131
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:32|Sayaka Miki (32)}} has posed:'''<br>It has only been a day since Madoka and Sayaka met at the "Magic in the making" exhibit, and the two of them had talked about a lot of its possible implications.<br><br>The bluenette had come out of it with two new resolves: look into a way she could go with Madoka if the latter becomes a goddess once and if they break the Fade, and talk to Blue herself about Hiddenite.<br><br>That wasn't going to be easy, and soon she would discover if she was right to think Blue already knew thanks to his mirror vision.<br><br>Right after school, in a deserted room of the club building, Sayaka stands in front of a mirror with Ula on her shoulder, and she is about to touch the mirror. Next to her is Hinoiri, whom the bluenette has met just in the hallway outside, and who had joined her after being told what was going on.<br><br>"Right, let's go then", Sayaka lets a breath out, and taps the mirror three times. "Blue?", she calls out uncertaintly, waiting for the glass to stop reflecting her image. "It will be alright", Ula touches her on the shoulder.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:NPC-Blue|Blue (NPC-Blue)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Eventually, the mirror's reflection ceases to reflect the room, and instead the shape of Earth's kami - or at least one of them - takes form in the mirror. Eyes and hair the same color, blue like the sky itself, and a white dress shirt left conspicuously unbuttoned near the top, the man doesn't entirely radiate a visual that matches his station, but in the reflection of his eyes and the energy that comes out even through the vision in the mirror, supernatural presence still emanates.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Miki-san." he says, his voice warm and kind like the verbal version of a warm spring day or a soothing ocean windl. "Is there something I can do to help you?" he asks, smiling. "I can feel your heart seeking audience with me. Is this a relatively quick question... or would you like to speak within the Cross Mirror Room?" he asks.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:131|Hinoiri Kirara (131)}} has posed:'''<br>Hinoiri Kirara had, of course, insisted she come with her friend when she said she was going to go and talk with Blue. And had agreed to try her best to not interfere or cause her any extra trouble. To behave. She wanted to be there for her friend during times like this, though. To support her. Because... well... they were friends. It was important for them to be there for each other when the times were needed. And this was no exception. Whenever the chance was there, she never wanted her best friend to feel like she had to be alone. For any reason, if possible.<br><br>So when Sayaka went in, she followed just behind her, a small, delicate smile on her lips.<br><br>She gave a small smile from besides her, though, not saying a word yet. Just standing by her friend.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:32|Sayaka Miki (32)}} has posed:'''<br>'I can feel your heart seeking audience with me'...<br><br>Ula turns her eyes upwards at that melodramatic sentence, as if Sayaka hasn't just expressely called on him. Even from what she recalls of Mio's explanation, she had always been the one to call him first.<br><br>Sayaka grins uncomfortably when the god himself turns up to her call, the picture of serenity making her feel bad at the reason for the meeting. It's the only rule, the one she has agreed to, and here she is, essentially asking him to break it.<br><br>C'mon, Sayaka, you told Madoka you would, and even Hinoiri is involved now. "Yeah, the Cross Mirror Room might be better", she agrees, looking at Hinoiri briefly before following behind Blue.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:NPC-Blue|Blue (NPC-Blue)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Blue nods, and looks over both Hinoiri and Sayaka with that same gentle smile, though there's a small halt in his eyes when he sees Ula and her eyes rolling. But he discards it after a moment and continues on.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"It's good to see you as well, Kirara-san." He adds, by way of letting Hinoiri know she's invited too, before stepping aside and gesturing as if to invite the girls within the mirror. Then once everyone is inside, he gestures to the circular bench in the room. "Please feel free to have a seat."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Kirara-san, I'm very happy to see you did find a way to get powers." he says, and there's no sarcasm or cruelty in his voice as he says it. Behind him, the mirrors display scenes of this - the beach cart crashing into the youma, and then Cure La Licorne's victory pose. In all of its glory. "I may not have been the right patron for you, but I am glad that you have found a way to make yourself an ally of good - we certainly still need as many of those as we can get." he continues.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"The two Pretty Cures standing before me now, there are so many people rescued from despair and terrible fates between you both." he says, and his smile is honest and wide, while behind him, in their field of view, the mirrors show scenes pulled from their hearts of various rescues and monster defeats they both can be proud of. "So of course, I'm happy to help in any way I can, as long as it is a way I can do so."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:131|Hinoiri Kirara (131)}} has posed:'''<br>Hinoiri Kirara was keeping her own roll of the eyes to herself. She was going to be on her best behavior today. No mishaps at all, in fact she was--<br><br>And then, slowly, her eyes fell on the mirrors. "O-oh, thank you. I--" Annnnnnnnd the beach cart was fine.<br><br>The victory pose made her cheeks BURN with embarrassment and let out a small slurry of sounds that, almost, approached words. Before settling on a squeak. Burying her face in her hands. She took a seat and gulped, pushed down her shame, and reached out a hand, placing it on Sayaka's back. She was here. Sayaka was NOT alone.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:32|Sayaka Miki (32)}} has posed:'''<br>Were it any other occasion, Sayaka would have shown interest in witnessing Hinoiri's moment of triumph, she would have even playfully teased her a little bit, but here her heart only skips a beat at the confirmation of just how much Blue is aware of. There is no way she didn't see her meeting with the Hiddenite, the first one at least, if not the one in the Labyrinth.<br><br>She gives a nod to Hinoiri in response to her touch, and then looks again at her magical employer. "We have been discussing some matters about the Fade recently, but and what it means for Madoka-chan, or who is behind a weird museum exhibit that shows magical warriors much older than us, or magical creatures mixing with people freely", she starts out slowly.<br><br>"Madoka-chan is worried about what it means for her life, becoming someone like you or Aqua Regina, and we don't know if the Fade can actually be broken, or what the intentions of the organizer are", she looks up at him. His counsel could serve her childhood friend well, in this occasion. "But there is something else too. You certainly know how my fights have been going recently. Did you happen to see someone save me from an attack?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:NPC-Blue|Blue (NPC-Blue)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Blue pauses and starts to consider Sayaka's questions individually. "Mmmm. The Fade, yes. A... troublesome thing, and... not always present, no." he says, slowly. "While some of that exhibit is surely flights of fancy - magical creatures casually mixing with humans so easily as to become expected - much of it may be inspired by truths." he says. "The Fade was not always present, so there's no reason for me to believe the Fade must always be present. The Veil, on the other hand - that is something that has been a part of this world since its most recent rebirth - and I think it serves humans well, to have a line drawn between their world and the world of Gods and Monsters, of Demons and Magic." he says, bluntly. "In fact, even the Fade... I don't think would be bad, except it risks leaving the mundane world without enough protectors - the fact that it seems to provide more benefit to our enemies." he says. "There is something to be said about the idea of someone being able to put the trauma and weight and duty of protecting humanity from the things that go bump in the night and live their adult lives in peace..." he says, softly. Perhaps, too, Mirage would have done better in such a case.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"But I'd rather such a choice be made by those heroes rather than enforced upon them by some sort of law or rule, as some might find the loss greater than the gain." He says, his eyes moving to Hinoiri for just a moment, but in a way she might notice.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I don't witness everything you do - certainly, I can't witness everything, but especially if you're in trouble, I'm likely to be aware." he says, his voice still largely calm. "I did witness the rather dramatic rescue."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As Blue says this, the rescue itself appears on mirrors behind him - out of his line of sight but fully within Hinoiri's, and in those images one can see the whole rescue from mulitple perspectives, including the way it would look to be Sayaka and look up at her rescuer. "Impeccable timing." He says in a way that just might have the tiniest hint of suspicion, mostly buried but not entirely. "Not someone I've seen much of, this Hiddenite."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:131|Hinoiri Kirara (131)}} has posed:'''<br>Hinoiri Kirara eyed the boy for a moment, huh. So THAT was who she was eying lately. He looked cute. Had glasses, kind of a dork. Cute. "... Wait, how much of that do you have on us? Like, whenever we henshin can you see us? Or is it just like... our own memories you're drawing from kind of thing?" Weird magic unicorn and all, she'd have suspicions.<br><br>".... But yeah, on the fade, I will say it's something I massively dislike. Especially... now. I uhhhh... I actually do have a comment on that, if you don't mind? It... kind of pertains to what was said before. About how love had affected me. And... you were right." She glanced to the mirrors, wondering if they'd shift to images of Sunbreaker.<br><br>"Love hurt me. A lot. More than once. And I had a chance to... toss it out. To get rid of my feelings for Sora. To lose all of those memories. Not to mention the ones of Dee. But, I realized something. I spent my time trapped in a nightmare where I'd forgotten so much of that... and I realized I'm the sum of my parts, more or less. Yes, Sora hurt me. And sometimes? Love hurts. But that doesn't make it bad. It was a long, winding path getting to where I am. But all of my worst moments, the ones where I was most hurt? Weren't from the love... it was from denying that part of myself. Erasing the love I have for Sora wouldn't fix my issues. It would just leave a hole.... and suppressing it, burying it, all it does is cause more pain. Love... is powerful. Possibly more powerful than anything else. And it can hurt more than anything else. But it's the denying it, suppressing it, refusing to face it and even running away from it for fear of what might happen, that did the most damage to me. If I had just... confronted Sora, told her the truth? So much of this could have been avoided. And Dee... still hurts. But it's a hurt I'm accepting and not destroying the world over, because I'm facing it."<br><br>She then gave Sayaka a small smile, hoping this would give her the help she needed.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:32|Sayaka Miki (32)}} has posed:'''<br>"I think the Veil mostly serves us, not the humans", Ula expresses her own opinion when Blue starts listing the benefits and the disadvantages. "Without your and others' magical warriors, humans would be in danger just as much by youmas or dark generals, regardless of the Veil, and it stops them from learning what would tell them to run away."<br><br>"My friend Madoka, she is worried about what becoming a goddess will be like, and the fact she would spell end to her normal life", Sayaka insists when that doesn't turn up among the things Blue is answering. She feels very strongly about that, as well as anything that is concerning to the pinkette.<br><br>Sayaka looks silently towards Hinoiri. Those things, they are very personal to her, right? Is she forcing herself to say it for her sake? "You shouldn't have done that, dummy", Sayaka smiles at her friend, and taking her fondly for a second.<br><br>She really has to buy Hinoiri something after this, or maybe make her listen to one of the pieces she likes, or even both. "Hinoiri is saying all of that, because Hiddenite has made advances to me since then, and Ula has tried to push him to consider that too."<br><br>She takes a second to look at his face, knowing that she wouldn't need to say anything more now, but Sayaka continues talking nonetheless. "I have been trying to follow your rule, and I know it's the only thing you have asked of me, but I can't say that those moments don't make me feel nice", she blushes slightly.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:NPC-Blue|Blue (NPC-Blue)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Blue folds his hands and considers Ula's commentary. "Think about it though - your average humans have no magic. The strongest weapons human militaries can muster are useless against even the most simple Youma from the Dusk Zone." Blue begins. "And knowledge won't change that. Most people simply do not have the hearts or energy for most magic. In fact... the magic that's most accessible to adults; especially fearful, panicked adults... that's Dark Energy." Blue says, his voice much more serious and grave. "You show the whole world the threats that live in the darkness, the monsters - a gumball machine youma tromps down the city streets of Tokyo, while the JSDF unloads all of their munitions into it to no effect..." he shkes his head. "You'll create fear and terror. Even if they learn they should run away, being in a position where all you can do is run while you hope a magical girl arrives to come to your rescue? That's going to create people who try to fight fire with fire."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then he turns to Sayaka. "I don't know. Becoming a goddess from a mortal ins't a thing that usually happens. I've always been a kami. I don't know anyone directly who has travelled that path, and... it really depends. There's a lot of different things becoming a Goddess can mean. How much they connect to their current life is... variation. Kami is really just a title, but even among us, it means so many different things. I wish I could offer you more help on that front, but... being a Kami myself doesn't mean I know everything. It just largely means I exist in a different way than you do, and for longer, and my connection is to the Earth. It may very well depend on what she connects to and what her new nature of existence becomes." he says, his eyes showing his sympathy and a slight frustration at not having a better answer.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Even with all of these mirrors, I don't see everything clearly." He turns to Hinoiri... then back to Sayaka, and speaks to both of them now. "I can't see the future, I can't see the past, I've made... mistakes." He admits. "I'm not omniscient and I'm not infailable. What I am trying to do is keep this world safe, and to do so in a way that prevents my attempts from backfiring horribly." he says, looking down and away. "Kirtara-san, I understand that you've overcome the difficulties and trauma that your relationship created for you. And it's something good, that you should be proud of. But... I've also seen romantic relationships that end poorly be... the thing that drives a Pretty Cure to become as much of an ally of Obsidian's plans as Queen Beryl, as Joker, as Gaito..." he adds.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I don't deny my Pretty Cures relationships beyond romance. The love they draw from friends, from family, from the love of their city, from the love of their planet, of life itself - all of that are sources of strength that are far less likely to sour, while romances at this age... often do." he says.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And at the comments on Hiddenite he frowns. His face loses any kind of smile or happiness, now. "Of ''course'' such things make you feel nice, Miki-san. Love, romance, it's a wonderful thing when it's right. Everything is brighter, things are better. But it's also a terrible thing when it goes wrong. If his words stop being gentle and start being harsh, if he stops trying to pursue you and instead pushes you away, if he one day changes from telling you that you are worthy to telling you that you have been replaced or that the relationship is over... you won't feel nice."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"The rule isn't to control you, Miki-san. It's to protect you. To protect ''everyone'' from what could happen if you had the powers I granted you, weidled by someone with a heart blackened from hurt."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:131|Hinoiri Kirara (131)}} has posed:'''<br>Hinoiri Kirara gave a small smile to Sayaka. "I... well, I just... you know. I had a lot on my mind. I felt I should share it. For both your sakes. And... well... at the end of the day, the heart wants what it wants. It's not a tool or a box. You can't just... close it. You can mean not to fall in love, but it doesn't mean you won't." Admittedly, she didn't know if Sayaka was in love or not...<br><br>"... But... you're right, Blue. That kind of love DOES hurt. If it goes sour. Being rejected, cast aside. But... denying yourself hurts to. Refusing to give yourself the chance. Regret. Aching. Forcing yourself to deny your own feelings. All of those feelings can lead to dark energy as well. Emotions... our care for each other, that love, is what gives us so much strength and power. We can't deny that part of ourselves and do what we need to do. It CAN be dangerous."<br><br>"But we literally fight monsters and witches and jerks with way too much arrogance. We're already doing something dangerous. And if he turns out to be a jerk... then that'll hurt, too. But locking those feelings up inside a box in her heart, shoving them aside, can and will do just as much damage. Because no matter how much we wish we could, we can't turn our hearts off to protect ourselves and we can't make them listen when we say love is off limits for us."<br><br>She gave Sayaka a small smile, trying to encourage her.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:32|Sayaka Miki (32)}} has posed:'''<br>"Do people that are able to remember now try to get dark energy, even once?", Ula asks Blue. "Whenever we hear somebody new is at Obsidian, it's never due to "oh, this youma attacked me", but more so they have some sort of ambition, so I don't think that humans would have any easier a time getting dark energy. Maybe Norie is the closest to your idea, but she got dark energy on her first."<br><br>The fairy mermaid floats off of Sayaka, starting to pace through the air to help herself think. "If magical girls were known across the land, I think people would turn to them as their hope, it would just reinforce the feelings that make up a magical girl", she gives her thoughts.<br><br>But she stops saying anything more when she realises that would potentially make a military out of children in a way that isn't the case now thanks to the efforts of those like Blue.<br><br>Sayaka nods when Blue explains why he might not have an answer that would help Madoka. She can't really expect that their paths would be that similar. Maybe it would be like asking him to rescue a Witch now. "Anything that will be come out of this is Madoka's answer to this. I just want to be at her side no matter what", she nods.<br><br>She can't help but bite her lips when they go back to discussing her feelings. Which are what, exactly? She feels some sort of impulse that leads her to want to try and do things with Hiddenite, but is the guilt of breaking Blue's rule making her see things worse than they are, or is it actually that important to her?<br><br>"I don't think of it as you wanting to control me, but you said it too, that's for everyone's sake, right? If you stopped me from being one of your Pretty Cures, it's because I broke the rule that is meant to steer away from danger for me and them."<br><br>"I don't want you to ultimately take their powers away, but I am not sure if I would end up just as problematic if I didn't try to see where these feelings lead", she looks to Hinoiri, as she too is involving herself, for Sayaka's sake. That would mean there is something to be fought for, right?<br><br>"It's cheap of me to say this after giving you my agreement", she looks back at you, "but I would make myself weaker, I think, if I tried to steer away from being open to this form of love. But I want to do my best, and I feel confident when I say that I won't curse the world over this."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:NPC-Blue|Blue (NPC-Blue)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"There's an entire company of those people, Ula." Blue notes, his voice a big long suffering. "There are more of them than there are you girls. And selfishness and ambition are distressingly common human traits." he adds. "Plus, think about the stress it would put upon you girls - or the girls that aren't magical, being aware some of their friends are fighting, even dying. It's one thing when you think of Wolfrun and Oresky... but what about Witches? Living in fear that a Labyrinth could open up around them at any time?" he adds. "I admire where your heart comes from on this, Ula. It's what makes you such a great teammate and friend for Miki-san. I don't want you to lose that, but there are good reasons, sometimes, for why things are the way they are, and some secrets -are- best hidden, even if I don't like it either."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I too think it would be nice to help Madoka in any way I can, Miki-san." Blue says. "I can sense an incredible power from here, even when I only see her for a moment in the mirrors. Even your memory, your thoughts for her, carries so much power. It is almost like she is an anomaly, in some ways. But there are many anomalies, so perhaps it's my expectations that are off." Blue admits with a smile.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Miki-san, I couldn't even stop the other girl in this room now from becoming a Pretty Cure on her own path." Blue admits. "There are limits to my power, such that I need to bring you girls into these battles at all. With your spirit, with your sense of justice, I do not think if I were to tell you to stop being a Pretty Cure of mine, you wouldn't find another way to help people. You've already broken free from becoming a monster that curses the world, and even tamed that darkness inside of you." he points out.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"If there is anyone that would be aware of what it's like to let a bad relationship curse the world, it must be you - and if there is one girl I should trust to know where that line is, it should be you." Blue admits. "But I can't say it's okay for you to do it." He says, shaking his head. "I think it's a terrible idea, I think it risks disaster, and I have made the same agreement with everyone who became one of my Pretty Cures, the one rule I ask. The same reason I told Kirara-san she couldn't follow this path. Now with her standing here, you certainly can't expect me to endorse doing the same thing that prevented her from walking this path." he says.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I don't doubt that you believe it would make you weaker. It might even well do so. But it also gives you a weakness in its own right. One that is dangerous when exploited."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:131|Hinoiri Kirara (131)}} has posed:'''<br>Hinoiri Kirara clenched her fists and kept her mouth shut, for once. She wanted to snap at him. To call him arrogant, a jerk. To say his notions were just WRONG. That he was handicapping her friend over, what, some unrealized fear? Because he thought she MIGHT, one day, be a threat if she dared to have a crush? Dared to fall in 'love'?<br><br>... She wanted to, but she kept her mouth, her words, to herself. Because, admittedly? This was NOT her battle. IT was NOT her place to argue, to say what she could, and couldn't, do. This was her fight. She'd said her piece, and now? It was up to Sayaka to see if her words could reach him through that wall of ice in his heart.<br><br>It took all she had to not just snap and ask who hurt him. what, did he fall for a precure and almost go dark general or something?<br><br>But she bit her words back and instead, kept her words to herself. A hand on her friend's back. Nodding to her. No matter what, she had her back. She would fight this fight with her. Until the end.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:32|Sayaka Miki (32)}} has posed:'''<br>An entire company of people that have given in to fear rather than ambition? Ula looks perplexed at that sentence. Where is this mysterious company and how does it relate to Obsidian, she silently wonders. But she doesn't intend to endorse that opinion of the Veil anymore, so she lets that question go unexpressed.<br><br>Her thoughts for Madoka carrying power? Maybe Kyubey would have a disgustingly cold explanation of that sentence, or maybe he would tackle it from a human's point of view, but if it's about how important Madoka is to her, then of course the memories of a friend she has had since childhood are that strong.<br><br>"Is that a bad thing, though?", Sayaka questions. "Since it's not your own path, Hinoiri doesn't have the risks I would have right now, no?" Up until now, Sayaka thought of it as something that wasn't going to put Hinoiri at risk with other methods, but if the risk is the same for any Pretty Cure, why would Hinoiri be admitted as a Tropical Cure?<br><br>"I think I misunderstood something. But you are worried about any and all slip ups, right? You could be a Sailor Senshi, or a Chara Bearer, or a Mermaid Princess, and it wouldn't matter", Sayaka looks at him differently, with some kind of... unsure compassion. "Are you hurting?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:NPC-Blue|Blue (NPC-Blue)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Blue sighs. "I obviously don't have a monopoly on magical power, or even good magical power, or even Pretty Cures." he says. "A Pretty Cure can come from many places, and I can't prevent the Mermaid Queen's blessings from reaching Hinoiri. I can only control my own." Blue says. "It's about what I'm responsible for. The Mermaid Queen granted Hinoiri power, and so if anything happens to her, she's responsible for it. But I granted you power, Miki-san, and therefore I'm responsible for whatever happens with that power." he explains.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I am... I have..." he pauses, and theres something quiet in his energy. It's a long silence before he picks back up. "I have had to learn, even as Earth's Kami, to worry more about the things I can control than the things I cannot control. I provide the help that I can, and I try to prevent tragedies from happening... either as a result of my inaction or my action." Blue says.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I am hurting, Miki-san." he says. And then he gestures to the mirrors, which show a lot of scenes of normal people being terrorized by various youma. It's ''mostly'' Generals and Youma from the Phantom Empire specifically, but not entirely; Black Moon Droids, Witches, Salarymen, Akanbe, Riventon and Fate - all are represented in flashes. "Earth is hurting. This much presence of evil, this many attacks? This is normal for you, but for me, it isn't. Barely a few decades ago there would be vastly fewer attacks, so much less Dark Energy, so much less hurt." he says, slowly.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"We have more protectors, but we need more protecting, too. And at this point, if something major were to happen - if a Pretty Cure were to become another threat - who knows if that might be what tips the balance on the other side? How can I not seek to avoid that?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:131|Hinoiri Kirara (131)}} has posed:'''<br>Hinoiri Kirara blinked a few times and then, slowly, her gaze softened. He was hurting, wasn't he? He'd been through... something. Something painful. Something rough.<br><br>And she sighed, giving Sayaka's arm a little squeeze. She could do it.<br><br>"Things are changing, it's true. They're a lot more fierce than they used to be... and the people defending it are different as well... We're not all the same... And I can say, without a shadow of a doubt..."<br><br>"There is nowhere that Sayaka, that Sharpsong, could fall, that we wouldn't drag her back out. It doesn't matter what got in our way, be it romance, an underwater king or even a kami. We've faced all of those and we'll face a lot more before the end. And, to be honest? Blue-sama? Am I saying that right? I swear I mean this with all due respect and I can't believe I'm saying this to a god of all things. But you are VASTLY understimating Sayaka. Because, believe it or not? You can't shift this balance forever, one way or the other. I know I'm relatively new to this world by... well, any standard. But I have seen these people, again and again, break the very rules of existence. Do the impossible. Even walpurgisnacht, a terror that was supposed to be a horrific, monstrous doomsday, went down without any deaths. They managed to stop Beryl. Bring hope to witches. Got me to actually listen..." she mumbled that last bit off to the side.<br><br>"And they're going to keep doing it. I know... Sayaka will, as well. Because she's good. She's that noble warrior of justice, who never asks for anything in return sort. I mean, she saved my life and got self conscious about me buying her lunch. She will always be there for those who need her... and... like it or not..."<br><br>"I don't think she'll go against her word. She told you she wouldn't... so I think she won't. But she deserves your support in this. I... can understand you've been hurt. And I can understand faith is scary. It's hard to trust we won't be hurt again... and I can't speak for the people who hurt you in the past. But I can say this. The balance won't shift. No matter how dark or scary it gets, I know she will always be there, with others. I know she will stand for what's right, regardless. Even if she didn't have magic, she always would. The only thing you can do, you can truly change, is if you'll support her. If you'll trust her to always do the right thing, even if things do go poorly. Even if she gets hurt. Because that's the kind of girl she is."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:32|Sayaka Miki (32)}} has posed:'''<br>Sayaka's eyes flash with understanding. He is trying to make it less about himself, and more about the Earth, probably because it is both genuine and allows him to avoid talking about the rest. "I mean, ''you'' are hurting, right? I won't pry in what you went you through, but I think I understand how you feel. Even I was reluctant to take those steps again, so perhaps it's good this is happening."<br><br>She lightly pats Ula, who has spurred her to try, even when her stubborness was having her think otherwise.<br><br>She looks with a smile at Hinoiri, who is standing again, despite Double Trouble, and she isn't thinking of going back to Obsidian, rather she has turned into more strength to go ahead and blaze open her path that made her stand at their side.<br><br>She thinks of Madoka, who has encouraged her on this road, who has has someone at her side whose love has never become a curse, never given in to despair, no matter how impossibly hard it was for her or how many times she had to do it all over.<br><br>If love like that can exist, then it's not wrong to hope in love, isn't it?<br><br>"I am going to break your rule", she stares with determination. "Not because you are wrong, but because you and I need it. We both need to believe in love, because even if you stumble, you can get up and try again. We shouldn't be trying to put limits in it, and I will get you to believe in love again, without reservation."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:NPC-Blue|Blue (NPC-Blue)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Blue has a lot to think about. Hinoiri's proclamations, and Sayaka's firm statement. He's quiet. But the mirrors reflect his heart. They show many scenes; mostly, scenes around redemption. Sunbreaker becoming Hinoiri becoming Cure La Licorne, and the moments of outstretched hands that lead to it. Sayaka, becoming a Witch and then coming back, learning to even sometimes control her Witch. Madoka, turning magical girls back from their moments of highest despair. Hematite becoming Mamoru and the redemption of the Obsidian Shitennou. But it's not all good, reflecting the turmoil in his heart. Beryl's destruction of Paris, narrowly averted by a do-over. Gaito's despair when Riventon handed over Sara to him. Destruction wrought by the Black Moon Clan. Joker, sitting across from Rashmi. These and so many other scenes roared through the mirrors as Blue's silence filled the room.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then after all of that time the mirrors return to their reflections one by one, and Blue slowly smiles. "I suppose this is inevitable when I recruit girls with the strongest hearts, who can face the strongest foes, with the strongest convictions." he says, shaking his head. "And you know what... more than anything, Sayaka-chan..." he says, switching to that from Miki-san now, for the first time this conversation. "...I want you to be right. Deep in my heart, I want more than anything for you to be right. I want love to triumph over everything - and that includes my fear, and the past." he says.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I still can't... change my mind or my rules. But sometimes - and maybe this time - it's the rules that are wrong. Maybe this is why magical girls are who they are, why they're picked at this age, before hope can be attacked on all sides by mistakes and memories. This is why the Fade doesn't hit until you're older. Because right now is the time when hope is strongest." he says.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I'm not going to take away your PreChanMirror, Sayaka-chan. Even if maybe I should. I'm going to give you the chance to show me the rule is wrong, instead. Because deep down, I do want it to be."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:131|Hinoiri Kirara (131)}} has posed:'''<br>Hinoiri Kirara blinked and looked to Sayaka. When Sayaka made her statement? When she said she would do it, regardless? It took ALL Hinoiri had to not yell 'OH BUCK YEAH!' She did, however, move a hand subtly towards Ula, palm up. Low five me, mermaid, don't leave me hangin'.<br><br>But the grin on her face only grew when Blue... relented. At least, for now. He was giving Sayaka the chance.<br><br>... And, hopefully? He'd understand. She saw those mirrors. The trouble. The pain. But there was joy and love. Sometimes... sometimes one led to the other. Sometimes it was hard, sometimes it even hurt. But she couldn't, ever, believe love was wrong.<br><br>And she was trying so hard not to squeal! But... more than that?<br><br>She was looking at Sayaka with a new found respect. For so long she had just seen Sayaka as that pillar of good, the knight. And she was. But... she'd grown. She'd learned to not just protect others... but to protect herself. To ask, even fight, for what SHE wanted.<br><br>... It looked like she wasn't the only one to grow after all of these fights. Knowing her best friend had only made her heart grow stronger.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:32|Sayaka Miki (32)}} has posed:'''<br>None of the images are missed by Sayaka, and she takes them in silently, wondering if all of this applies for the many, many years he has been around. He is probably only showing her the ones she can understand.<br><br>She doesn't comment on him switching to her first name, but she understands just how much that moment may have meant to him. He must be more tired than he lets on of sticking to his position.<br><br>"Thank you, Blue. I will keep you updated", she smiles to him, for a second thinking of bowing her head to him, but not going through with it due to the breaking of formality the man has wanted to show her. She isn't going to waste this chance, not for anything in the world.<br><br>Meanwhile, Ula approaches Hinoiri and gives her the low five she asks for, putting a bit of a dash in it so the redhead can actually feel it.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:NPC-Blue|Blue (NPC-Blue)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Blue gestues back out the mirror they came from. "Alright, I'm... thinking.... that covers the questions for today. Remember to focus hard on the place you came from so you don't end up on Mt. Fuji or something." He advises, and it is clear that he's kind of urging them out.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Once the two of them are gone, Blue pauses to look through a couple mirrors before picking up a small, ornately decorated box, sitting down with it on the semicircle bench, holding it in his hands sadly, quietly, thinking of other days.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:131|Hinoiri Kirara (131)}} has posed:'''<br>Hinoiri Kirara ges the mermaid five, a big grin on her lips. She gave Blue a wave. "Thanks, Blue-sama. Trust me... Sayaka won't let you down. She's amazing like that."<br><br>Getting home was easy enough... However, once they were out...<br><br>Hinoiri made her move. Picking up Ula and hugging her (gently) like a stuffy, she gave the biggest grin to Sayaka.<br><br>"Soooo, spill. I want to know alllllll about this new boy who's got you all being cute and sticking up to Blue."<br><br>Time for gossip~<br> <br>
}}