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The pain in Mami's throat woke her first, followed in quick succession by a terrible thirst and blinding light. Memory flared: the grinning mouth of the Desert Witch's hidden form billowing out of the decoy doll, the sharp teeth gleaming in a hideous cartoon smile--
--only to be replaced by Madoka Kaname's face overhead, her worry brightening instantly into excitement. "Mami! You're awake! I'm so glad!"
Mami blinked as Madoka withdrew, slowly adjusting to her new surroundings. Where am I? she wondered, adrenaline surging in a rush despite the weakness in her body. If they were still in the labyrinth, they were all in danger--
She tried to sit up, but Sayaka--summoned by her friend's cry--was having none of it. "Hey, now, you'd better stay put," she said, pushing Mami back down. "You were pretty beaten up back there. I wasn't sure if you were gonna make it--"
"Sayaka!" Madoka hissed. "You're not helping!"
Privately, Mami agreed with Sayaka. She wasn't sure herself how she survived that last terrible attack, one she'd been too surprised to block. What a stupid, rookie mistake to make! The fact that her two prospective juniors had witnessed such a dramatic failure made it even worse.
"Where am I?" she croaked. The inside of her throat was red and raw, as if it had been filed with sandpaper, so that even those three words took great effort. The witch must have gotten her throat, though all she remembered clearly was its jaws barrelling towards her before everything went black--
"The transfer student wouldn't let us take you to hospital, even though we were right there," Sayaka said in disgust. "Said you'd be safe at her place. She told us to go home and she'd take care of you, but it didn't feel right to leave you alone with her, even when Kyubey said it would be all right."
"Kyubey?"
Sayaka shrugged. "He disappeared and said he'd see us later. I don't blame him, given that the transfer student tried to kill him the other day--"
"Sayaka! That's not nice!" Madoka said, ever the peacemaker. "I'm sure it was just a misunderstanding! Homura saved us all, didn't she? She even tried to warn us--"
Oh, that was humiliating. To be saved by that person, of all people--especially after what Mami had done to her--
"It could have been a ruse to get our guard down," Sayaka countered stubbornly. "I don't trust her."
"Ahem."
Mami jumped as Homura Akemi gracefully stepped forward into her peripheral vision. She wasn't the only one startled by their host's sudden arrival--Sayaka yelped and nearly fell over, nearly knocking over the tray Akemi carried in the process.
"Hey! What's with sneaking up on us like that?!" Sayaka said as she recovered herself, flustered at being caught out, but unwilling to apologize. Mami sympathized immensely.
"Excuse me," Akemi said. She didn't sound sorry at all. "I brought ice chips. If the two of you could help her sit up..."
Mami coughed, reminded once again of how thirsty she was. She did her best to help as Madoka gently eased her upright.
"What's the ice for?" Sayaka asked, shoving a bolster of cushions at Mami's back for support with unnecessary zeal.
"It's a way to help people drink without choking after an injury, right?" Madoka chimed in excitedly. "I learned about it when I became a nurse's aide for our class!"
Akemi nodded. "Correct. I'll leave this to you then."
Madoka was all too happy to accept the proffered tray and let Akemi retire to a nearby couch to observe the proceedings. Kneeling beside Mami's couch, the younger girl fussed with the tongs until she managed to get several pieces into Mami's mouth without dropping any. The ice was blessedly cool against her parched throat, and she sucked greedily on them as they slowly melted, all while studying her surroundings with great interest.
It was the polar opposite of Mami's cozy apartment--no shelves of neatly stacked books, no potted plants, no cozy rugs in bright patterns, no floor-to-ceiling windows to allow as much natural light as possible. This room was brilliant white and windowless, with an unusually high ceiling and devoid of furniture save for the concentric rings of low couches clustered around a round table at center of the room. Dozens of holographic displays floated in mid-air above them, each depicting series of satellite imagery of downtown Mitakihara in rapid succession. Behind the mass of screens, the projected image of a pendulum from an enormous grandfather clock--lined with jagged edges like a scythe--swung back and forth in a steady, ominous rhythm reminiscent of a horizontal guillotine. The overall effect was cold and unfriendly and brutally functional--just like Homura Akemi herself.
"I'm afraid my house was not designed for a prolonged convalescence," Akemi said dryly, as if sensing Mami's train of though. "Fortunately, magical girls heal quickly, especially one with your gifts. You'll need to take it easy for the next several days while your body recovers, but you'll be able to attend school tomorrow if you choose with no one the wiser."
"How is that possible?" Sayaka demanded. "We all saw Mami's head--"
She broke off, reddening as Mami flinched and Madoka made a muffled squeak into her hands as if she was going to be sick.
Akemi didn't even twitch. "Magical girls can survive injuries that would kill an ordinary person," she said coolly into the awkward silence. "Even so, hunting witches is still quite dangerous."
Mami winced again at the subtle rebuke, and gingerly brought her hands up to her throat for the first time. She was afraid to probe her injury lest she make it worse--but without a mirror, there was no other way for her to know the extent of the damage.
It wasn't so bad, she decided after a moment. There was a deep, ridged scar along the entire circumference of her neck, but as Akemi attested, no one at school was likely to notice the injury. The placement of the wound strongly suggested that the witch had bitten straight through her neck--
No, don't think about it, she quickly decided. Whatever had happened was safely in the past, and she was better off not knowing all the details. Right now she needed to focus on the positive, and what she could fix--
Magic sparked beneath her fingers. The familiar yellow ribbons of healing wrapping around her throat in a welcome balm, soothing the pain and encouraging connective tissues to heal. She'd healed countless injuries this way in the aftermath of battle--but never quite like this.
She noted that the soul gem ring on her finger was clear and sparkling--Akemi must have used a grief seed on her while she was unconscious. Somehow, that unexpected generosity made the whole situation that much embarrassing.
"See?" she managed once she'd done all she could to speed the healing. To her relief, her voice had regained a hint of its old confidence and it no longer hurt so much to talk. "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine." She glanced at the digital clock on one of the floating screens, surprised at how late it was, and turned to Madoka and Sayaka. "It was sweet of you two to make sure I was all right, but both of you should be getting home now. It's a school night and your parents will be worried about you."
"But, Mami-san--" they protested in unison.
"I'll be fine," Mami said firmly, waving off their arguments with a stern glare. She didn't trust Akemi, but if the other girl had wanted to get back at her, she'd had plenty of opportunities, which meant this was a truce of sorts, if not an outright cessation of hostilities.
Grudgingly, the two other girls departed, though not without a host of sideways glances--concerned (Madoka) and suspicious (Sayaka)--in the process. The apartment was eerily quiet in their absence, broken only by the hum of the monitors and the steady ticking of the pendulum above them, both of which unnerved Mami more than she wanted to admit, especially combined with Akemi's unsettling presence.
More than anything, Mami wanted to go home, back to the familiar haven of her apartment in all its glaring normality. Yet despite her protestations to Madoka and Sayaka, she was still dizzy and lightheaded, and not yet ready to go anywhere just yet. And she needed to talk to Akemi without an audience.
"What did your parents think about me staying here tonight?" Mami asked, unable to bear the silence any longer. The ice cubes in the bowl were half-melted now, but she fished around with the tongs for a few more pieces, knowing she needed to stay hydrated.
"That won't be a problem," Akemi said with a brusque nod. "I live alone."
It was disturbing to have something else in common with this enigmatic girl, Mami thought, though she didn't expect Akemi to offer any more details even if she was rude enough to ask for them. Even so, she could imagine any number of scenarios that might lead Akemi to make a wish she regretted--perhaps enough to try and revenge herself on Kyubey for it.
"Thank you for the ice," she said at last, not knowing what else to say in response. She owed Akemi her gratitude for far more than that, of course, but maybe she could work up to it. "How did you know that would help?"
"Before I became a magical girl, I spent a great deal of time in the hospital, and learned many useful things."
"Oh. I see," she said, then gritted her teeth and spat out the necessary courtesies. "Thank you for your help tonight. It's not that I'm ungrateful, but... I don't understand why you did it. I... wasn't exactly nice to you earlier--"
Akemi raised an eyebrow. "Does it matter why? You would have done the same for me had our positions been reversed."
That was true, but besides the point, Mami thought in annoyance. Why did this girl have to be so difficult she couldn't even accept a simple 'thank you'?
"Madoka Kaname was greatly disturbed by the extent of your injuries," Akemi added, almost as an afterthought. "Had I not arrived to settle the matter, she likely would have made a contract and become a magical girl to save you."
So it wasn't personal, then. That was better, Mami supposed. Somehow, it always came back to Madoka with this girl. Why was Akemi so invested in her fate?
"You really don't want her to contract, do you? So much so, you'd go out of your way to save someone you despise?" Mami asked.
"It's true you and I don't see eye to eye on many matters," Akemi granted. "But I don't think you deserve to die for your beliefs. You are a talented magical girl who works dutifully to keep the residents of Mitakihara safe from witches, but it's simply not a role Madoka is suited for. Aside from that, I have no particular quarrel with you."
Akemi was... probably right about Madoka's unsuitable temperament, much as Mami hated to admit it. Despite her immense latent potential and genuine desire to help people, Madoka was too tenderhearted to bear the grim reality of a magical girl's life. Even with Mami coaching her, it would be hard for her to adjust.
(It was hard enough for Mami to cope as it was.)
She chewed the matter over in her mind. Was it fair for her to ask Madoka Kaname to join her as a magical girl so Mami wouldn't have to fight on alone? Wasn't it selfish of her to ask for that, especially when Madoka's life was so idyllic, she couldn't imagine a wish for Kyubey to grant--so much so she'd been willing to waste her one chance to get whatever she wanted on Mami--
But she promised to stay with me. She *promised*!
But look where that promise had gotten them. Mami's excitement and eagerness at Madoka's impulsive vow had lead her to take sloppy shortcuts against the Dessert Witch, and she'd nearly died because of it. There was no way Madoka would want work with Mami anymore after tonight's debacle--especially now that she knew the bitter truth behind her sempai's carefully crafted facade--
"In the meantime, you needn't worry about the witches getting out of hand," Akemi said, interrupting Mami's train of thought. "I will ensure that Mitakihara is safe and share the grief seeds with you while you recuperate."
A partnership. This cold, enigmatic girl was proposing a partnership of sorts, even if it was only the most tentative alliance of convenience. She didn't have to do that. She didn't have to do any of this--especially not after Mami had threatened her and bound her in ribbons in the Dessert Witch's labyrinth. It was the kind and generous thing to do, even if the delivery itself was lacking in either, and Mami hated her for it.
But was it really so terrible? If Madoka and Sayaka didn't contract, Mami would be all alone once more. As unpleasant as she was to deal with, Homura Akemi had certainly proven her competence tonight. If Mami allied with her instead--
Well, in that case, there were some things to work out. "Why do you hate Kyubey so much?"
If Akemi was surprised by the apparent non-sequitur, she didn't show it. "Have you ever wondered what his true purpose is? Why he's so diligent about making contracts with suitable candidates?" she said at last
"I don't need to wonder, I know," Mami said. "He's an enemy of witches. Of course he'd want us to fight them!"
Akemi's lip curled. "Are you familiar with the Latin phrase 'cui bono'?"
It was close enough to the Italian that Mami was comfortable hazarding a guess. "'Who benefits', right?"
"Precisely. Now ask yourself what rewards Kyubey gains from our efforts and if he is as truly as selfless as he claims?"
"Of course he is!" Mami said hotly. "He's--"
"Believe me or not as you will," Akemi said. "That is my answer."
"What about you? You're not that selfless, either," Mami said, triumphant at turning the tables on her. "What do you get out of this?"
Akemi stared back at her, unyielding. "Walpurgisnacht will arrive in Mitakihara soon."
Walpurgisnacht. The massive witch Kyubey had warned her about--one reason why Mami had been so delighted by the extent of Madoka's latent potential. "Wait. How do you know that?"
"Statistics," Akemi said, as if that explaind everything. "Once Walpurgisnacht is defeated, I will leave this city to you. That said"--she hesitated for a moment, only to plunge on grimly ahead--"if you and I fought together, that would make my task that much easier. All I ask in return is that you refrain from encouraging Madoka's fantasies."
"I don't think you have to worry about that now," Mami whispered, her cheeks hot.
"So, then, do we have a deal?"
It could be worse, Mami thought. Homura Akemi wasn't the sort for tea parties and cake, but at least she had some sort of moral compass, even if it was one-hundred percent centered around Madoka Kaname, and Mami desperately needed the help, especially while her injuries healed. This wasn't the magical girl duo Mami had lovingly envisioned for herself--but it would have to do under the circumstances.
Kyubey would understand why she'd made peace with Akemi like this. He'd probably even be happy about it--Mami suspected she was more offended by Akemi's attacks on him than he was.
"Deal," Mami said aloud. She was proud of her voice for holding steady; she still had enough pride not to cry in front of her new ally.
Their business concluded, Akemi stood, and took the tray of now-melted ice from Mami. "Get some rest. You'll feel better in the morning," she said as she headed for the door. All the lights in the room went off as she reached the exit, plunging Mami into darkness.
"Wait, I don't--" Mami started.
Without missing a beat, one solitary light flickered above her head, a glowing beacon to chase away the darkness.
Mami's mouth dropped open. How had Akemi known she didn't like being alone in the dark?
"Good night," Akemi said softly from the shadows, and then Mami was alone once more.
Slowly, carefully, unable to control her shaking hands, Mami moved the cushions out of the way and lay back on the couch. Every time she thought she understood Homura Akemi, the other magical girl pulled the rug out from under her, leaving her flailing once more in search of answers. It was absolutely maddening, and Mami hated not knowing what was going on more than anything.
Despite her exhaustion, she couldn't fall asleep. She lay on her back, watching the shadow of the pendulum swing to and fro on the wall, while Akemi's question echoed in her mind--a nagging ache not unlike the wound in her throat.
Who benefits?