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…Lorene hated this. She hated this whole situation. Why did genuinely kind, good people always have to throw themselves on the line? Why did they always have to be the ones putting themselves into danger, the ones sacrificing their own happiness and livelihood for others?
Why did she always have to be the one to stop them?
Lorene puts her face into her hands. “FUCK!” The scream echoes down the alleyway. She wants to both laugh and cry. Only in a world this cruel, this fucked up, did these situations have to exist.
She looks up and storms toward Samantha, grabbing her arm and forcing her to look into her eyes. “Listen to me, Samantha. There is nothing for you beyond that door. I don’t know why you’re doing this, I don’t know what brought you here today, but I do know one thing.” Despite her best efforts, Lorene is crying. “There’s no beauty in nobility. If you come with us, all you’ll do is hurt yourself, and hurt those around you. …Please, Samantha. Go. Home.”
Samantha looks away for a moment, silent. She looks back at Lorene with renewed will. “…I can’t, Lorene. I’m sorry.”
>> Ѫ (M4 Mind roll: 76 = Success) << (Use your magic on Samantha.)
Ever since she learned what her magic did, she’d loathed it. She’d sworn to never use it, to resolve any issues she faced to the best of her own ability. Lorene knew she was bad with words. She never knew how to say things convincingly, how to speak her true thoughts without coming across as rude or unreasonable. Even then, it was better than resorting to magic. Erasing someone’s memories just to get them to do what you wanted… it was no better than lying and misleading them.
Lorene’s lip trembles as she stares at Samantha’s eyes. Magical girls had to protect those unable to protect themselves. Even if it meant becoming someone she hated.
>> Ѫ (M4 Magical Affinity roll: 17 = Failure) << (Make her forget why she came here.)
Lorene takes a few steps back, breathing heavily. Samantha stares blankly off into space, dazed. …Did it work?
Samantha blinks once, then twice, then shakes her head, returning to her senses. She looks around the alley, before taking a deep breath. Lorene’s heart falls in her chest. That girl still had resolve in her eyes.
Lorene just moves to the side, unable to say anything. The three girls stand before that darkened door.
