On Sundays, New Eden was an isolated haven for wayward Puellae Magi to come and train— even if the owner was quite a harsh trainer— and receive healing in the basement clinic. On every other day, however, the latter service was still offered, so long as magical girls kept their presence subtle and under the radar, and didn’t disturb the other patrons of the otherwise public gym. But today, one otherwise quiet Friday afternoon, it was almost as if the middle and high schools had let out directly into New Eden’s doors. Yui did her best to quell suspicions while Aoi did her best to keep up with the healing. Yui was especially anxious today, however, and once the last girl left, Yui wasted no time in heading to the basement, wanting all of her bases covered. Why Yui was in such a rush was anyone’s guess, but lately, Yui left nothing to chance.

Yui: …Yo, Aoi. I think the tide’s goin’ down now. You alright?

Aoi: (She straightens up in her chair when Yui comes in) No problem. That was more people than usual. What’s going on?

Yui: Just makin’ sure is all. Since, like… damn, where’d these girls all come from, anyway? I covered it well enough, I think. No one thinks twice about a school trip story if they see a large enough group, I guess. But damn… 

Aoi: …? Oh, cover it for the other gym people. Kyubey must be at it again after his little vacation.

Yui: God damn… Incubator didn’t take a vacation after that Balancer shit, either. Must be trying to get back to a status quo around Mitakihara. That, or run you into the ground. (Her gaze falls onto Aoi a bit more intently) …Speaking of which, lemme see your Gem.

Aoi: … Are you doing experiments again? I’m a little tired, so I might rest for a second.

Yui: …Yeah, a little experiment I’d like to call ‘I’m Not Letting Aoi Turn Into A Witch’ or something, title needs work. Gem, please.

Aoi: (She hesitates for another moment, before giving an exasperated sigh. She pulls her Soul Gem from her pocket. It’s almost black, with only a quarter inch of its usual white at the top. Even Aoi seems unaware, like she hasn’t checked it in a long time. She closes her fist around it) Well, I guess that’ll happen after I use it as much as I have. 

Yui: (A sigh leaves Yui’s lips as she strides across the basement floor, already reaching into her pocket. Reaching Aoi, she holds out her palm expectantly, pulling a Grief Seed from her pocket. The entire time, she’s muttering swear words under her breath.)

Aoi: I can do it myself. I’m not so laid up I can’t touch two orbs together. 

Yui: Judging by that shade, I’m inclined to disagree. But fuck’s sake, man, you have to take care of yourself. (She holds out the Grief Seed)

Aoi: I’ll do it right in front of you. See? (She touches her Soul Gem to the Grief Seed, the darkness draining out of it) 

Yui: (She sighs in audible relief) Jeez, how did you let it get that bad? Why? Like… shit, am I running you too ragged? Do you need training? Fuck…

Aoi: I just hadn’t checked it in a while. You know how it is. I’m not going anywhere while I still have friends to heal. 

Yui: Can’t heal anything as a Witch… look, all I’m askin’ is that you keep on top of it, yeah? I have a ton of seeds stashed here, and my power kinda… keeps them dormant. They’re not gonna hatch or anything. Though, that might be a fun training regimen for the newbies…

Aoi: A live fight with a Witch isn’t what I’d call fun… but if none of them have done it before, might have to. 

Yui: R-Right, ‘fun’ wasn’t the right word. Any case… you sure you’re okay? Like, as the one who shanghaied you into this, I gotta make sure you’re okay.

Aoi: Now that I’ve used a Seed, sure. (She smooths down her hair) When you’re a Puella, that’s the most important thing. 

Yui: (Her voice softens considerably) …I know tunnel vision is a bitch, but don’t let it get that bad again, okay? Like, I mean it. If you need like anything, let me know, ‘kay?

Aoi: (She thinks for a moment, briefly closing her eyes) Did Kouki-kun come by again today? (She speaks of a regular, a high school boy who seems to come just to admire Aoi) 

Yui: He came by, yeah. Kinda got spooked by the crowd of girls comin’ down here though. Probably’ll come back again tomorrow, assuming this tide of healing isn’t a new trend…

Aoi: Hmn. That’s nearly every weekday now… oh well. I’ll just be down here healing if more come. 

Yui: …Need anything else ‘fore I go? I’m gonna be away for a little while. 

Aoi: (She shakes her head quietly) Good luck out there. 

Yui: Thanks. …Hopefully, we’ll be back before you know it.

Yui didn’t wait for a reply, instead making a beeline for her office. She swung the door shut behind her, not even checking to see if it was closed properly before pulling the Soul Lantern from under her desk. Next to it, a small, ordinary glass with a red-orange liquid resting in it. Yui then poured a generous amount of powder into the glass, swirling it to mix properly enough. 

Seia: (Before she can drink it, the door opens again behind her. Seia stumbles in, a little off-balance as she expected the door to be fully closed.) Yui… san, are you in? 

Yui: (She looks up at Seia, not showing any audible reaction to the sudden intrusion) Yo, what’s up, Seia? I’m just at my desk.

Seia: A lot of people just came through… do you think Kyubey’s trying to overload us? (She pauses now and then while she speaks, seemingly thinking about something)

Yui: That’s my guess, yeah. …Spit it out, Seia. (She swirls her glass again, her eyes locked on the Lantern) You got somethin’ on your mind. Rip the bandage off.

Seia: … What are you doing? There’s a strange smell in the air… 

Yui: Sleeping medicine. Crushed up in a cup of berry soda. I’m… (She sighs, then speaks with more refined confidence) …I’m bringing Mei back. If your sight worked properly, you’d see a lantern on my desk. It’s the Virtuoso’s Soul Lantern. With it, I can bring Mei’s soul out of the Dreamscape. After that, all I need is a body to put it in.

Seia: A body…? Where are you going to get that? 

Yui: Mitakihara’s got a lot goin’ around these days. Won’t be hard. A Puella’s body would be ideal, of course, but… well, I don’t think the soul’s picky if the body’s compatible.

Seia: You’re going to rob a random grave or something…? What about their family? 

Yui: You uh… really oughtta keep up on the news, Seia. (The sound of Yui drinking the glass’s contents in one long gulp follows) …Do me a favor, keep people away from the office for… uh… a few hours. 

Seia: (A long silent pause. Eventually, Seia closes her eyes and sits down on the office sofa, on the very edge like she expects Yui to lie down there) Alright. I’ll watch over you, then. 

Yui: Heh… if that’s what’cha wanna do… (The softest of thuds. Yui’s head hitting the desk) …Might give Mei a run for her money for that right hand spot… 

Seia: Not in the office chair! You’ll kill your neck. 

Yui: (Nothing but the sound of soft breathing remains to cut the silence)

Seia gets up, grumbling something about “stupid Yui.” After thinking for a minute, she pulls Yui back in the chair and rolls it over to the couch. With great effort, she lifts Yui just long enough to transfer her to the couch. She takes off her shawl and lays it over Yui as a makeshift blanket. Quietly, she heads out of the office to make sure nobody else comes in.