The school bell chimed, thankfully ending the deranged Saotome Kazuko's long crazy sermon about how Y2K was simply delayed, and how it was THIS new year when the earth would finally end in a fiery armageddon. As she noticed the shuffling of the students, it disrupted her train of thought. "Huh?" she said, hearing the bell herself for the first time, "Oh, okay then, I guess that's it. You can go students." As she said this, most of the girls had already collected their belongings and were headed out the door. Madoka, Sayaka, Homura, and Kyouko, who sit in the back regularly, were themselves already halfway out the room. "And have a happy Christmas, girls!" Kazuko waved to them as they departed. The magical girls waved back at her. All except Kyouko who was too preoccupied with trying to escape from the room.
"Come on," Kyouko said, pushing her friends from behind towards the crowd at the doorway, "Let's get out of this damn glass cage!"
"Hey, quit shoving, already! You're not helping us get out any faster," Sayaka snapped back. Madoka and Homura only chuckled. The group each went to their individual lockers, collected their belongings and got the, "Hell outta there!" in Kyouko's words. Though they wouldn't have put it so crassly, the other girls shared her sentiment.
"Yes," Madoka nodded, "Christmastime at last! I can't wait!"
"And better still, Christmas vacation!" Sayaka exclaimed. "We can finally sit back and get some well deserved relaxation!" Kyouko smiled as she put her arm around her roommate, "Yeah! For once you're talkin' my language!"
"Well, you all appear excited," a monotone, childlike voice said. "Hey, Kyubey," Madoka greeted the alien cat as he appeared. "Yeah, we're all pretty happy because Christmas vacation is here!"
"I see," Kyubey said. "Yeah," Kyouko interjected, "Of course, you probably need some explanation since you're an alien, and all. See, Christmas is this holiday here where-"
"Kyouko, Kyouko," Kyubey interrupted, "You don't need to tell me this. I've been on the Earth since the dawn of human civilization. I know very well what Christmas is. I've been here since before Christmas was here."
"Oh, yeah, right. Sorry," Kyouko said. He continued, "Although why you humans make such a major fuss about your planetary winter solstice is knowledge that still exceeds my understanding. It's just the changing of a season! I thought that once our interference developed your species to a more advanced degree of scientific understanding, you would abandon your rituals, yet surprisingly, I find that your observation of the solstice has actually become even more tenacious."
Kyubey found his obvious and objective analysis of the holiday season met by silence and stares, which was to be expected. "I will never pretend to understand your species." Kyouko said.
"Man, you're such a Scrooge," Kyouko replied, pocky now sticking out of her mouth, "Leave it to you to take a perfectly fine and fun festivity like Christmas and try to ruin it."
"I am not trying to ruin it, I'm just-"
"Humbug!" Kyouko shouted back at the creature, taking him by surprise. "That's all I hear you saying!"
"What? Well, I was ju-"
"Bah humbug!" Kyouko shouted again. "That's all I hear!"
Kyubey didn't respond, which Kyouko took as a victory, not just for herself personally but for the entire human race, which was good because they didn't get to beat Kyubey's race that often. The other three broke the awkward silence left with their laughter. Kyubey detected this sentiment and decided to let the humans have it. After all, they were just children in a race of children and he was as old as time memorial.
"Alright, alright, you two! That's enough," Madoka interjected. "It's a time for peace on Earth, remember?"
"And peace across the universe, too," the voice of a familiar older girl said."Hello everyone," Mami greeted them as she approached. "Hey Mami!" everyone greeted her in return!"
"What's going on?" she asked as the group started to walk away from the increasingly emptying school-grounds.
"Ah, Kyubey just finished up telling us his own views on the Christmas season!"
"Oh, is that so?" Mami replied with a chuckle, all too familiar herself with Kyubey's Christmas observances, having tried to explain the significance of the holiday to him on multiple occasions. Alas; however, she had long ago accepted that his race just do not hold emotions to as high an esteem as her own.
The other girls, still unfamiliar with Kyubey's views, went on trying to explain it to him. Mami chuckled, and decided to leave it to them to find out for themselves. After all, there was only so much she could teach them on her own.
"It's not just about it turning from fall to winter, you space idiot!" Sayaka said, "It's more than that."
"Yeah, yeah, I know," Kyubey said with the same monotone voice as always, but with a subtle hint of irritation, "It's about the birth of Jesus." He wasn't keeping count but this was probably the 1500th time a magical girl has tried to explain Christmas to him and it wasn't any more fun now.
"Well, yeah, for Christians," Madoka attempted to explain, "but for nonreligious people, it's more of a day to spend with loved ones and give them gifts and show your appreciation. Like with your family!"
"Yeah, yeah," Kyubey replied again, still snug in Mami's hands, "I've heard the family thing said before. "But that doesn't make a whole lot of sense. I mean after all," he said, "Mami here still celebrates Christmas, and she doesn't have a family."
A car zoomed by the group at the crosswalk followed by dead silence. All four of the other girls turned towards Kyubey and shot him with deadly glares. Kyubey had to admit a little that he was just a bit frightened. Mami, having also heard it, just looked away.
"You little rodent!" Sayaka and Kyouko growled together.
"Eyeh! What?" the little creature asked.
"Why would you say such a thing!?" Madoka asked. "HOW could you say such a thing?" Homura shook her head, "Just when I think you couldn't possibly be any colder… you manage to surprise me," Homura said.
"What?" Kyubey asked. "Why the hostility? I am merely calling attention to an obvious and objective point!"
"Don't call attention to it!" Kyouko exclaimed. "Yeah, Kyubey," Madoka added, "It's just impolite."
"For an advanced race such as yours, you'd think you would've invented some manners!" Sayaka shook her fists. Kyubey simply stared at them silently. Before he could devise a response, Mami intercepted on his behalf. "Girls, girls, please!" Mami said, waving her arms, "It's okay!"
"What? No Mami! It isn't!" Madoka said, "It was completely wrong of him to say something so terrible like that!."
"Well, it's true, isn't it?" she replied, taking everyone by surprise a little bit.
"Huh?" they all gasped together. "Well, yeah, it's true, sure," Madoka attempted to reply, but stammered on her words, unsure of what to say. The others were no better equipped to deal with such a response. "But-but still, it was wrong of him to call attention to it and bring up, without any regard for your feelings!" Madoka finally said.
Mami smiled, "Thanks, Madoka," she said, "but believe me, it's alright."
"Are you sure?" Sayaka said. Homura nodded, "Yes, because if need be," she said in her usual way, as she made a colt .45 appear from thin air. "I can blast him just as a punitive measure. I mean, it won't do much but it might make you feel better-"
Mami shook her head again. "No! No! It's fine."
"Well, I might later, anyway," Homura said to herself, "because it does make me feel better."
"Are you sure it's alright?" Sayaka asked again. Mami shook her head again, and still keeping her smile going and keeping Kyubey in her hands, she replied, "Yes, it's perfectly alright, I assure you! I've come to terms with what happened. My family is … gone … and I accept that. There's nothing I can do about it."
The group got silent again as they processed this. "I guess…" Kyouko finally said, "but it still isn't right by me!"
"I forgive him anyways! I am used to his blatantness," Mami said, "Besides, I can take care of myself!"
Mami's assurance had the desired effect and shortly afterwards the gang was back to walking and talking on their way through the cold air. The water had frozen over in the canal below, and people were ice-skating on it. Some of them were families. Mami watched a bit as the parents helped their children on the ice, and she sighed.
Truth be told, Kyubey's coldness did bother her a small bit although she would never say it aloud, although it wasn't just Kyubey, it was everyone. Because Kyubey was right, she would be spending Christmas alone again. As normality returned, everyone gradually began to discuss their own yuletide plans in greater length. Madoka received permission from her family to let Homura spend Christmas with them and of course Kyouko would be spending Christmas with Sayaka. Mami; however, would be spending it alone. Well, except for perhaps Kyubey, who was a bit of company, but he wasn't human company.
The group reached the end of the canal and had to go their respective ways. Madoka and Homura went off in one direction and waved good-bye. "Well," Sayaka said to Mami, "we've got to get going, too. See you, Mami!"
"Alright, see you two later, then!" Mami waved her hand. Sayaka went on ahead, but Kyouko stayed. "Hey, Mami," Kyouko said quietly. "Hmm?" Mami asked, "What's up, Kyouko?"
"Are-?" Kyouko asked, "-are you going to be alright? With everything?"
Mami smiled again. "Of course I am, Kyouko! You know I will!"
"Yeah, but, that's not exactly what I meant," Kyouko said, "I know you'll be alright physically, but-" She didn't exactly know how to get her point across. She wished she had Mami's way with words then she could actually articulate her point a little more clearly. "What I mean is, if you want … I know I am spending the holiday with Sayaka, but if you want, I could come and spend it with you."
"Kyouko? What's up?" Sayaka yelled back at her upon realizing her companion wasn't with her. Kyouko waved back her. "I'll be there in a minute, okay?" She turned back to Mami. Mami chuckled, "It's alright, Kyouko really. Spend Christmas as you want."
"Really?" Kyouko asked, "Are you sure? I just-" Mami cut her off. "Yes, yes," she said, waving her hand dismissively. "I'll be fine. I have little Kyubey here, after all," she reminded her. Kyouko glared at the catlike alien. "Yeah," she said, kind of to Mami, but kind of to herself, "That's what worries me!" Mami chuckled. "And most of all, I'd hate to be burden on anyone. Please don't change your plans on my account. I'll only end up feeling guilty!"
Kyouko heard what Mami was saying, but she wasn't sure. A part of her felt that Mami was just putting on a face and being strong, but another part of her felt that Mami was being a little serious. She was their souhai, after all, and she knew just how seriously titles and propriety meant to her. They never meant anything to herself personally, and usually Kyouko would poke a little fun at her for it, but today was a little different. Kyouko knew personally what it was like….
"Well, if you're sure. But if you change your mind…" Kyouko said. Mami cut her off again with a lighthearted chuckle. "Geez, Kyouko," she said, "this isn't like you at all! Usually I'm the one worrying about you." Kyouko gasped quietly as her elegant friend said this. For whatever reason, Kyouko couldn't help but blush a little bit. Kyouko chucked it up to embarrassment or something, but nevertheless, looked away just a tad. "Besides," Mami continued. Kyouko looked back towards her. "I'm sure Sayaka would like to spend Christmas with you. I don't want to cut into anybody's plans."
"Yeah," Kyouko said, "but-"
"I'll be fine, Kyouko! Really!" Mami said again, "You're so stubborn sometimes! You and Sayaka both! Now, please, go, and have a merry Christmas!"
"Well, okay," Kyouko said, looking away again, and heading towards Sayaka's way. Turning back around, she said, "Have a Merry Christmas, too, and take care of yourself!"
Mami waved to her as she ran off. "I always do," she said. She turned back and proceeded to walk her own way home.
"Why didn't you let Kyouko come spend Christmas with you?" Kyubey asked. "I mean, it was a nice gesture, and you surely can't like being by yourself all the time."
"It's impolite to burden others with your problems, Kyubey."
"I agree, but Kyouko offered herself. That doesn't seem like a burden."
"Sometimes a burden doesn't seem like one. Kyouko is supposed to spend Christmas with Sayaka. I would feel guilty if someone canceled a plan they had with someone else all on my account; it wouldn't be fair."
"Huh-" Kyubey reflected, "I suppose that makes sense enough. Well, anyway, for what it's worth, I am sorry about what I said before. It was rather careless of me." Mami stroked the creature on the head, which made him purr a little bit. She chuckled. For all his emphasis on logic and all his power, Kyubey was basically a furry space cat at the end of the day.
"It's okay," Mami forgave him. "I've come to terms with what happened, I told you. And as I keep telling everyone, I can take care of myself." She felt something land on her nose. Something cold and moist. She looked up and saw that it had started snowing. She remembered that the weather report from this morning called for mass snow. It would be a white Christmas this year, and there would be snow all over Mitakihara City. She took off her glove and let a few flakes of snow fall gently onto her warm hand for awhile. "I can take care of myself," she said again, as she watched the snowflakes melt into water from the warmth radiating off her skin. "I always do…"
End of Act I