[ To put it quite simply... magical girls had been disappearing without a single trace... not even a sign of their becoming witches, though it did seem like some witches had been popping up rather frequently after their disappearances, though there were never more than a few in each place. The easier way to figure out one thing was behind this was to realize not only had magical girls been disappearing, but... so had regular women. Sometimes married, sometimes couples, sometimes single in high school. It didn't matter the age as long as they were beautiful. Mami couldn't fail to notice this odd kiss ending up on another beautiful woman who seemed to mindlessly be wandering through the city one day. It was purple and intricate, it looked rather like a beautiful rose, actually. The men who ended up falling under it would go out and collect more victims, though the one behind it was actually quite crafty and careful, it looked like one of these girls had slipped through the cracks.
Locating that barrier was going to be difficult indeed. But wasn't Mami an expert? Surely she'd be able to find it in the end...?
And when she finally does... it is not at all the usual type of confusingly strange. In fact, the barrier appeared to be a gorgeous estate with a mansion at its center, and there were no sort of familiars yet in sight. The grounds are huge, surrounded by a beautifully tended flower garden and then a lake... such a strange place. The sky above is crystal clear, a beautiful blue. Birds can be heard, and all manner of things that seem far too normal. But of course she'll want to go past those gates and up to the grand double doors, opening them, won't she? ]
[Kyuubey had confirmed Mami's suspicions ever since they started to look into this particular witch. It was once a familiar that separated from another witch. She can only assumed it has gotten more powerful with each passing day. Puella Magi like Kyouko wouldn't go after it because it may not leave a Grief Seed once it was defeated. While others who emulated Mami's style in witch hunting have failed to killed it. And their numbers are escalating, magical girls and women alike.
She had a put a stop to this.
Sure enough she finds the barrier, taking note it was unique from the other barriers she had entered before. What made it seem off despite its perceived normalcy was that its facade looked out of place, like it belonged in a European country instead of a Japanese city. She decided not to transform yet, still wearing her school uniform while she activated the entrance with her ring. Once she was inside, the ring transforms into a Soul Gem, prompting Mami to start on her quest:
Find the witch and slay it once and for all.
She turns around a corner, the light in her gem shining brighter the farther she went into the corridor.]
Edited (Wanted to add more detail) 2013-05-05 06:06 (UTC)
[It'd be impossible for Mami and Kyuubey to miss it. One day, a large surge of magical energy appeared in the middle of the night, before it slowly dissipated.
But by the time they come to check, there seemed to be no one around.
However, the lingering magic in the area might be both unfamiliar and oddly familiar. Along with some scratch marks on the ground. Not only that, but a presence of a magical "girl" watching nearby.
They're looking down at Mami from high up, sitting on a metal bar near the ceiling. Because it's night time, it's almost hard to make out their features.]
[Kyuubey leaps from Mami's shoulder to get a closer look at this mysterious figure. Mami activated her Soul Gem, transforming in flash of yellow light. With a flourish of her hand, a musket appears, pointing it at at the sources of the magical presence.]
[The design might differ, but he knows that yellow flash and that musket all to well. It's enough to baffle him and rouse his suspicions.
Each magical warriors, girl or boy, have their own unique designs. Why does this girl's uniform resembles his? And wears that hat?
...Tch, is that Kyuubey? A scowl appears on his face when he recognised the Incubator.]
And why should I, missy? Did I end up in your territory?
[...Since he's not the kind of person to stay in the shadows for too long, he casually slide off the bar and falls. Landing on the ground with bent knees, cushioning his fall, he stand up and look at her. In his hand is a familiar looking spear.]
And do you always point your guns at people on your first meetings?
Going with a walking in the snow/date combo! Because it sounds cute and hey why not XD
[ The snow was falling in light flurries around them as they walked. Snow was sticking to Sasuke's hair, he hadn't bothered with a hat, but he didn't really mind. He glanced over towards Mami and he couldn't help but smiling a little. This wasn't too bad. Actually it was really nice.
[ He reached out to take Mami's hand into his, ready to twine their fingers together as they walked. ]
[ The inside of the mansion may as well be entirely different. Something about it projects a real sense of "you don't ever want to leave, do you?" Even Mami will find it a little hard to fight it off at first. There are all kinds of women inside in various states, lounging around in very erotic kinds of clothing.
... There's obvious remnants of this barrier as you go further inside. These people are impossible to move, any attempt to save them will be unsuccessful. She may find remnants of former magical girls deeper in, even; objects that are obviously still slightly infused with the magic only a magi could have. The mansion itself is enormous. There's a ballroom as you approach another corridor, and a hallway split...
... Yet no sign of any sort of witch?
Or any familiars. In fact, it seems like this is the most benign barrier ever, and it just projects such a cozy feeling. That "I'd love to stay here forever it's so nice what could ever go wrong?" kind of feeling. Who wouldn't want to live here, you know? ]
[The fact that the barrier was too normal (save for the scantily dressed women) made alarm bells ring in Mami's head. Usually at this point, she would have needed to fight off a few more familiars before finally facing off with the witch itself. She shook off the feeling of wanting to remain there, focusing on the task at hand. As much as she didn't want to, she could sense all of the magical energy lingering in the air, making her remember one of the hardest truths of being a Puella Magi:
Once you die in a witch's barrier, your body is lost forever.
She couldn't bring back her fallen comrades from the dead but she could still do something. The only way that she could save all who were still trapped in here was to break this witch's spell.]
[Kyuubey takes a step back when the figure finally makes himself known. His ears twitch for a moment, looking at the boy before glancing back to Mami.]
"This presence..." [the Incubator said.] "It is similar to Sakura Kyoko's."
[Mami's eyes widened a bit at Kyuubey's declaration. He was right; it was similar to Kyoko, the resemblance to the redhead only strengthened when she got a good look at his face. Her gaze flickered to the spear he held in his hand before she lowered her own weapon.]
No. I apologize. That was terribly rude of me.
[With a wave of her hand, the musket disappeared.]
[It was very, very nice, walking beside him like this. She returns the smile with one of her own, taking his hand and lacing their fingers together when his searches for hers. Mami couldn't help but giggle when she noticed all the snow that was sticking to Sasuke's hair. With her free hand, she reaches out, gently pushing the snow away.]
[ ... Teehee. Oh that's cute--a voice (it's hard to tell where it's from, who it's from, or even who it belongs to, the gender distinction is entire garbled somehow with an odd energy, it might just be the barrier) filters into Mami's ears from somewhere.
He's grandiose. He can't help himself. ]
Breaking into someone's home and accusing them of hiding? That's just rude. Haven't you any manners?
[ ... Oh, witches do not normally reply to you, do they, Mami? ]
You can find me in the book under "Boy Wonder, Robin the." You could also make a lot of money altering clothes, judging by that display. Wouldn't that be nicer than killing people?
[ Familiars might, but not witches, no. The fun is finding him, of course. He isn't bothered. He wants to see where she goes from here. Will she find his secret little basement in this maze of halls and fancy rooms? It's possible. If she does, they will likely have to battle, but ah, that's fine. If he can put her under his spell... that will be much better. More fun. He wants to add this girl to his harem. ]
Ah... to apologize and end with an insult. At least you have some form of manners, though I cannot say they couldn't use work. To come here alone unlike the others, do you not have many friends?
[ He's curious. He cannot help himself. He is always curious about the magical girls who wander into his spider web. It is why he wants to collect them so badly. They're so unique. ]
[So many people were going missing in this area, no one to be seen again. And that all lead to this barrier, quite a grand one. Seeming like an old warlord's castle upon a rocky hill in a barren landscape. The castle is imposing, painted a deep red as if from dried blood, and if Mami enters, she'll find it's been left rather unattended--save for the hallway leading straight to the kitchens and the dining hall.
The kitchens are where everything seems to happen, with humans who had gone missing hung on meat hooks, a fire roaring in a large fireplace for cooking, and a large pot boiling. But there is no one here--alive, that is. What will she do?]
[She is definitely going nowhere fast if this keeps up. Mami stops in front of the door, checking with her Soul Gem if this was the right way to go. She opens it to find... another long corridor. So close but still so far away.]
I've never needed to be polite with your kind. I do hunt you after all.
[There was a pause at his question, choosing her words carefully.]
[Interesting. It was as if this would be Kyoko if she was born a boy instead of a girl. And this is certainly the first time she has seen a male contracting Kyuubey. Speaking of Kyuubey, it seems he is studying the boy very closely, like he was trying to figure how this was possible in the first place.]
I suppose it is. But I do not wish to fight. From the looks of things, you seem to be lost. Am I wrong, Sakura-kun?
[ Well, her Soul Gem is responding a little more the father in she goes, so at least she's making progress! But, of course, what Mami can't know is simply stepping inside to his 'home' of sorts allows him to see all that any person is, laid bare like the women he loves so very much. THAT is the reality in his barrier, truly. The longer she is here, the more he will know. Even her powers, though they may protect her from harm, will not completely block her heart. Seeing into a person's heart is so easy for a familiar born from a Witch who only desired others to love and understand how she felt. He was created as her ideal Prince Charming, the kind who can tell how anyone is feeling and is sensitive to it, who can destroy anything that would hurt her, who would pamper and love her unconditionally. But he grew bored of that one woman, and his wants and needs were not being met, and so she simply created a new familiar when she felt he was not what she wanted. But he was left on his own. For the good it did, since she'd later die. But that left him free. Free to go find the Princesses he wanted instead, the kind worthy of his desire. He is certainly an odd anomaly. ]
... Ah. I see you do not know the truth. Well, then... allow me to pose you a question, and then explain something: are you really protecting them from me? Or are you protecting yourself from the pain of losing them? You see, a Puella Magi leads a life destined to be nothing but destruction of other things to survive. I would argue your killing my kin would not be any different from what you perceive me to do--simply because you do not speak with us means we are monsters, doesn't it? Because it's easier to kill something and use its essence if you tell yourself we're no better than simple rabid dogs... when, really, we must do the same thing you do to survive.
[ And he would know, because the poor girl who was once his "Master" led a very vicious, short life during her career as a magical girl. ]
I find your opinion interesting, however. Won't you indulge me, lonely little girl? I am sure you have time. Perhaps we can have tea together. There is no need to fight... not immediately, even if it is for survival.
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