The Goddess and The Lizard
Once upon a time, there lived a goddess and a lizard.
They had been together for a very long time. It might have been days, or it might have been decades. It didn't matter to them. Spending time with each other, their days were just like moments turned to hours.
Wherever the goddess went, the lizard would follow, perched upon her shoulder. They were very happy to be by each other's side. They were happy enough to be by each other's side.
One snowy winter morning, with the sun shining softly through the clouds, they were flying past an empty meadow when the lizard said,
"I'm feeling a little tired."
"Then should we stop for now?"
"Yes, please. Thank you."
And so, they landed in a small clearing. The goddess sat on the grass, gently letting the lizard down beside her.
"It's cold today, isn't it?" the lizard said.
"Then do you want to huddle closer?"
"Nn. Okay."
The goddess puffed up her wings and folded them onto her lap. Then, picking the lizard up, the goddess nestled her in her fluffy feathers.
"Is it warmer now?" the goddess smiled and said.
"It is. Thank you."
The lizard curled up comfortably.
"Are you sleepy?" the lizard asked.
"Not really."
"I'm sleepy. Can I rest here?"
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"Nn. You get some rest."
"Really? It's fine? Just for a bit?"
"Really. It's fine. You've lived a long life, so it's fine."
"Have I lived a long life? How long has it been? I'm not too sure anymore."
"Nn. I'm not too sure either."
"But I have lived a long life, haven't I? It's true, isn't it? So it's okay for me to sleep now, right?"
"Of course. It's okay. You go to sleep."
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"Uwehihi. I've lived a long, long life with you, so this is a nice and peaceful death. Don't you think so too?"
"Yes. I do think so too. You can sleep well now."
"Oyasumi."
"Oyasuminasai."
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"Homura-chan?"
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"Homura-chan?"
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"Ah, ah! Please don't cry, Homura-chan! I want you to send me off with a smile! Thank you for everything, Homura-chan!"
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Long before then, on a fine spring day, when they were strolling about the gardens together –
"Madoka."
"Nani, Homura-chan?"
"Don't you want to become a goddess too, just like before? Then we can be together forever."
"It's alright! I'm a lizard that lives and dies! Don't worry, Homura-chan! I'm still alive! And even when I'm gone, I'll always be with you because of the time when I was alive!"