The Halls of Eientei
Mami left the room. Unable to end it all, she might as well see what there might be to live for. Mami almost didn't notice the small girl walking through the halls. She almost tripped over her, in fact.
"I'm sorry, I didn't see you there." Mami apologized. Her Soul Gem reacted, playing a distantly familiar tune... The girl was likely another youkai, then.
"Oh wow! I didn't think I'd see you here!" The girl exclaimed, apparently recognizing Mami. Mami tilted her head and tried to remember why the girl seemed so familiar.
She was far younger than Mami, and had short blonde hair, left loose. Her outfit featured a dark red skirt and a black blouse, and was shared by the small doll that floated over her shoulder.
A picture was forming in Mami's mind, but before it finished, the young girl introduced herself.
"Well, fancy meeting you here. You don't seem to recognize me... does the name Medicine Melancholy ring a bell? I see you ditched that blue-haired idiot; she was such a bother."
"Sayaka wasn't-" Mami finally finished the picture. The tune and the doll's appearance were familiar, but mention of Sayaka had brought the event to the front of her mind, and she transformed on the spot.
Medicine Melancholy... finally, Mami had a name for Sayaka's killer. Rage ripped through her... demanded vengeance. Not just for Sayaka's death, but for all the suffering Mami and the others had gone through because of it. She leveled a glare at the youkai, who seemed so much smaller, now.
"Oh! I didn't realize you were one of us. You just seemed an awful lot like someone I ran into on a hunt, once." Medicine shrugged. Mami was confused. Medicine had recognized her, hadn't she? Then why...
"You'll have to forgive me for not shaking your hand. Eirin told me it makes more work for her, and that means less time for her to teach me." Medicine pointed out, seeming very pleased she'd managed to understand that simple message.
"R...right." Mami said as her transformation faded. What was going on? This... this -was- the youkai responsible, wasn't it?
"Sorry about the mistaken identity, but you're the spitting image of that one Magical Girl. I owe her a good beating for tying me up like that. It's just not even playing fair! I mean, here I am on a hunt, and all of a sudden like four Magical Girls jump me! Four! It's just ridiculous!"
"Y...yeah. That... that sounds pretty unfair." Mami said in quiet agreement. While rage still simmered within her, she realized she had almost picked a fight with a youkai... and she really didn't need a refresher on how that would have likely gone.
"I'd just like to see them try that nonsense here! I'd show them who's boss. Ah! Sorry. I didn't catch your name." Medicine seemed to remember Mami's presence.
"Candeloro." Mami didn't hesitate at all. She'd only been talked to this way by one other youkai, and she'd been a youkai herself when it had happened. Medicine seemed to see her as a youkai... Mami must have transformed via Candeloro's power rather than that of a Magical Girl as she'd intended. Were those two transformations really so similar she couldn't tell them apart? She'd have to be careful around Kyouko and especially Homura, once they met up. She didn't... feel like Candeloro had taken over.
"Oh, good to meet you! Anyway, I've got some work to do. Maybe I'll see you around." Medicine waved jovially as she walked away.
Mami heard her inner voice screaming not to let her go. To catch Medicine and bind her, to demonstrate Mami's own power by subjugating Medicine Melancholy. Mami shook her head. Destroying or defeating Medicine Melancholy wouldn't bring back Sayaka.
Of course not, but it would keep her from claiming others, wouldn't it? Mami would have to win, but she could, couldn't she? She'd done it before.
No... she'd done it before only with the help of Homura, Kyouko, and Sayaka. She'd grown since then, though... maybe she could manage. And Medicine wasn't suspecting anything. Mami struggled with the decision until Medicine turned a corner. She let out a sigh... she had just let Sayaka down... she knew it deep in her heart. Her cowardice and shame knew no bounds as she lowered her eyes to her feet meekly.
She couldn't have won. Backing off was the smart thing to do. No... she was making excuses. She had been ruled by fear, when she should be ruling with it!
Mami lifted her head. That wasn't right. She didn't want others to fear her. She wanted their companionship, friendship and love.
"Nice try, Candeloro." She told herself. Well, she couldn't fault herself for trying, anyway. Still, one day she'd make sure Medicine got her just dues. Mami shrugged in concession... on that point at least, it seemed she was in agreement.
Mami continued to wander the halls lost, until she heard the pained plucks of some sort of plucked string instrument. Curious who was playing it, she homed in on the music. It led to a door much like the one to the room in which she had awakened. After a brief pause, she opened it and peeked in.
Inside, in a long, flowing pink and purple floral-patterned robe, was a woman. Her black hair was long and full, pooling around her... it must have been longer than she was tall. She sat and played her... biwa, was it? Mami watched, transfixed. Not held by the mere sound or even sight, but by the experience.
The woman was beautiful. Not in the sense that someone with a pretty face or bright eyes or a pleasing figure would be beautiful. The word 'beautiful' could be used to describe them, but this woman was beyond that. To use a mere word like 'beautiful' to describe her seemed sinful. Mami viewed the essence of beauty, distilled into the form of a woman.
The glorious view that had recaptured Mami's heart when she had stepped under the sun, ready to leave behind the underground... that view reflected now off of the woman's shimmering black hair. Mami's heart beat faster and faster, though not from fear as it often had lately.
The music continued, as Mami beheld the truest form of beauty. The woman's small movements reminded Mami of a carefully crafted poem that spoke right to the soul. Her face was as friendship strong enough to survive death, and her fingers called to mind masterwork paintings ready to jump to life.
Beauty takes many forms, in many different mediums, but all of them can only try to capture that characteristic. Artists try and catch beauty, to weave it into their works, but these works can portray 'beauty' only indirectly. Mami had thought true essence of what beauty is could never be truly captured or evoked, only witnessed and imagined.
Until Mami set eyes upon this woman, when everything artists had been trying to capture for ages... the very existence of beauty itself... sat on the floor in front of Mami. Playing a biwa.
Time passed, though Mami had no idea how much. The performance seemed like it would continue forever. Eventually, though, the woman noticed Mami, and stopped playing to speak to her.
"Oh, hello there. You must be one of those Magical Girls that has been keeping Eirin so busy."
Mami didn't know how to respond... or even if she should. This woman was so beautiful, Mami knew she would be willing to throw away everything just to make her happy. Mami's life, here and now, revolved around this perfection... perfection too great to even have a name.
"You can talk, can't you? I am Kaguya Houraisan. You may have heard of me... but who are you?" Kaguya smiled warmly. So such perfection did have a name. Mami knew no other name would have satisfied her.
"Mami Tomoe!" Mami stuttered out and bowed, then remained silent, unsure if she was allowed to say anything more.
"It is a pleasure to meet you. Come in, come in, tell me about yourself. I don't get out a lot, so I'm sure you have plenty of stories to share." Kaguya offered, putting down her biwa and indicating a spot on the floor next to her.
"If you're sure..." Mami hesitantly stepped forward. That Kaguya had even noticed her made her heart flutter. She wasn't worthy...
"Oh, you bet I am. What do you think of Eientei so far? I hope your reason for being here hasn't soured your visit."
Mami shook her head, blushing as she approached and sat as ordered.
"It is splendid, but no building could compare to you. You're... perfect." Mami admitted.
"Flatterer." Kaguya laughed. "It's caused some trouble before, actually. Men completely lost their wits over me back in the day."
"I... I can see why. Your beauty is peerless." Mami said honestly.
"By local standards, I suppose. Anyway, how about those stories? I'm bored out of my skull."
Mami nodded and indulged, sharing tales of her exploits. She found herself exaggerating and boasting more than normal, but it was the only way to hide the concern that gnawed at her... so perfect was Kaguya, that surely she would turn Mami away if she ever learned how Mami had failed her allies.
Kaguya enjoyed the tales, and Mami rejoiced, growing more comfortable around Kaguya. Every time Mami looked at Kaguya's radiant smile, she knew she had found her life's purpose at last.
"There you are." The most loathsome voice spoke.
Mami cringed. Not here... not next to such a perfect being. She had to protect Kaguya.
"Yes, well, then we'd best leave soon before I start looking into her heart out of boredom." Satori beckoned... And Mami excused herself and left to approach Satori. Though Mami wished little more than to remain near Kaguya, it wasn't worth the risk that Satori would mar that perfect being. Satori led Mami along and spoke hateful lies.
"She isn't that perfect. And she is far more worthy of your pity than your admiration."
"Don't you dare insult her!"
"Hmph. And Eirin scolded me for shaping your mind. Yet she'll doubtless take your side." Satori rolled her eyes.
"I pity that you can't see Kaguya's beauty." Mami felt as though she were glowing, still.
"I see her beauty, but I see also the tumultuous storm of her uncertain mind... I feel the strain on her soul from it being stretched so thin. I pity that you are blinded by her presence."
"What are you talking about? Just looking at her is enough to tell that her mind is settled and her spirit is whole." Mami said defiantly.
"You are a fool. Mami Tomoe, you have heard of the Hourai elixir, have you not?" Mami nodded. She recognized it from a tale told to her as a child... it bestowed eternal life and health upon one who drank it. Satori continued.
"Then you should know that she has partaken of that vile concoction. That you see the elixir or its victims in a positive light sickens me." Satori said as they reach another door, which was ajar. Satori pushed it open to reveal Eirin, leaning over a much-recovered Kyouko. Satori explained.
"Mami was fascinated by Kaguya's beauty. I was enlightening her on the princess's condition."
Eirin turned around and glowered at Satori, before giving a simple command.
"Leave us."
"Yes, yes, I'll find Udonge, don't worry." Satori waved dismissively as she left.
"How much did she tell you?" Eirin asked as she kept working.
"She claimed that Kaguya Houraisan drank the Hourai elixir. Even less believable, Satori also claimed Kaguya is not perfect."
"She is correct on both counts. Kaguya's imperfections are too subtle for one such as yourself to see, but they do exist."
"I don't believe you. My eyes are sharper than you give them credit."
"And unlike Satori, I won't try to convince you. Belief is too powerful a force to try and shape so recklessly. As for the elixir, Kaguya did indeed drink it, and has become eternal. And when I say that, I do mean eternal. Do you know that that means, Mami? How about you, Kyouko?" Eirin asked her patient... and it was Kyouko who responded.
"Eternal? So, what she's immortal then? Sounds like one nice deal, eh, Mami?" Kyouko gave a weak smile; she clearly wasn't quite over her disease... immortality and immunity to disease probably sounded especially good. When Mami nodded in agreement, Eirin sighed and shook her head.
"I swore to Satori I would explain this in return for a favor from her, so bear with me, please." Eirin cleared her throat and continued. "Compared to Kaguya's expected lifespan, how long have you lived?"
"Well, if she's gonna live forever, then... not much, I guess." Mami shrugged.
"Wrong. You have not lived at all. Not even a moment."
"Don't try to pull that." Kyouko coughed for a while. Once she got her coughing under control with Eirin's help, she continued. "I've lived. Don't try and pretend I haven't."
"Such is the nature of infinity. Everything in existence is finite, perhaps even existence itself. In the face of the eternity a Hourai immortal like Kaguya faces, the life of the Earth and everything on it has the same value: nothing."
Mami felt a chill run down her spine as she began to grasp what Eirin was saying.
"Infinity is not merely 'inconcievably large'. It is a concept which transcends numbers. Yet Kaguya is the embodiment of infinity. By consuming the elixir, she has been damned to an eternity of suffering. Perhaps it will take six billion years for that suffering to begin, or perhaps she and humanity will leave for the stars, and that suffering will take trillions of years to begin. Whichever the case, it will begin, and it will never, ever end." Eirin stated coldly.
"So what's the point? Of anything? If everything just ends-" Mami shook her head in denial. "I won't believe my life is meaningless."
"Then it will not be. Just because eternity exists doesn't mean there's no meaning to life: death exists, and life leads inevitably to it... excepting Hourai immortals, of course. There is existence beyond life, and it is there that a soul can eventually find eternal rest. Kaguya is barred from that, and it is my fault. I makde the Hourai Elixir, and now I try to atone for my mistake. My sin will never be washed clean, but I will spend my life doing what I can to at least alleviate Kaguya's suffering." Eirin explained. Mami nodded.
"If anyone deserves that sort of loyalty, Kaguya is the one."
"I'm glad you agree, and should you find yourself lacking purpose, perhaps you could find some in making her world the best it can be. Perhaps enough good memories will keep her in good spirits once the stars have ceased burning." Eirin suggested, and Mami nodded enthusiastically, before Eirin continued.
"Now, Satori tells me you came here for another purpose beyond merely being treated. She has explained to me your friend Homura's situation. The bad news is that I don't know how much can be done to retrieve her lost soul. The good news is that I am merely very knowledgeable, not omniscient. Satori was wise in seeking Remilia's aid; she has some experience in contracts like those that Magical Girls are familiar with, and I suspect Homura's contract will be the keystone to retrieving her."
"You... know a lot about us, don't you?" Mami asked.
"I know a lot about a great many things, Magical Girls among Girls have been around for a very, very long time, and in my years, I've run across a few, yes. There have been some changes, but the past hundred thousand years have seen little change in the contracts, from what I understand. Did you know there were Magical Boys, once?" Eirin asked with a wry grin.
"What? Seriously?" Kyouko found the strength to speak. She looked rather confused.
"Yes, but only a few, near the dawn of humanity."
"And just what makes you think that's the case? Don't tell me you found one of their soul gems or something?" Mami asked, rather curious.
"Well, I met them. I've lived a very, very long time." Eirin shrugged.
Kyouko laughed aloud, and Mami found herself joining in, having recognized the joke for what it was. Kyouko's laugh turned into a cough, and soon settled back down, but she continued to wear a grin.
"Well, your bedside manner's pretty good." Kyouko admitted. "Guess I probably shouldn't laugh so much though, huh?"
"Laughter may not be the best medicine, but it does help. You're well on your way to recovery, though; especially if you can find the strength to laugh. Now, as I was saying, there is a chance that the lost Homura can be found and returned by finding and following the contract she agreed to by way of your spellcard duel. Kaguya may be necessary to reach out to her, so she and I will be joining you all. My counsel will be invaluable, I suspect."
"I... I'm not sure about going to the Mansion." Mami said. "Wouldn't it be possible to bring them here?"
"Perhaps, but the magician that lives at the mansion may have some insight as well, and she is unlikely to travel all the way out here."
"Oh. Just... Keine warned us... I mean, we... well, we just need to be careful, I guess."
"Why would she-" Sudden insight flashed on Eirin's face. "You're outsiders, of course. Well, if you stay near Keine, it should be alright. Besides, I don't think she'd particularly enjoy feeding on Magical Girls. If you don't trust me, ask Satori. She's annoying as they come, but she is honest, at least."
"Wait, but you accused her of shaping my mind or something?"
"I did. She tells the truth, and all of it. Yet she has a will; it is up to her which truths she reveals first, and the words with which she does so. She claims to do it to guide others towards enlightenment, but she is a youkai. She enjoys watching others squirm under her truths, so she sees no reason to speak them in a gentle manner."
"She really doesn't break news lightly, does she? I'm sorry you had to deal with her."
"Oh, she didn't bother me too much. She seeks knowledge, and I have plenty of that. Everyone needs a good dose of humility now and again. I'm not looking forward to the trip to the Scarlet Devil Mansion alongside her, don't get me wrong, but she has her place like everyone else."
"Maybe we could just... go on ahead of her and she would catch up?"
"Maybe she'd be willing to, but I wouldn't count on it. She told me she's very, very interested in you. From what she told me, I can see why... and I'd like to keep an eye on you myself, to ensure the new Soul Gem is working fine."
Mami sighed. "Yeah, I guess so."
"New Soul Gem?" Kyouko asked. "I thought you were just going to fix hers..." Mami walked up to Kyouko to show her the new gem.
"Here, see? I'm... still not used to it." The shadowy radiance filled the room.
"Wow, that's seriously creepy looking. What... is it shining darkness?"
"Yeah. Um. So, I think I should probably tell you. I'm... kinda a youkai. Not right now, but sometimes."
"That makes so much sense. You weren't acting yourself back in that spider lady's cave. You looked different too... I couldn't be sure it wasn't just a fevered dream, but hearing you say that... thank you for the warning."
Mami nodded. "I'll try to let you know and... well, it's a bit much to ask, but..." Mami was interrupted...
"Yeah, I'll try to keep her under control." Kyouko grinned as Mami stood, surprised. "What, you think I don't know you that well? You're worried about what you'll do when you're like that. Don't be; I've got your back." Kyouko coughed rather severely this time, and croaked out one more sentence. "Well, once I get better, anyway."
"Actually, while we're talking about it, I thought of another whose situation isn't too far removed from yours. A Magical Girl who touched her youkai side and yet lives. Meeting her is difficult, but Byakuren of the Myouren Temple may be able to help you do so, should you wish to."
"I would... Candeloro keeps whispering thoughts into my head and I don't even realize it..."
"Those thoughts are as much yours as hers, now. Control them and you'll control yourself. Now, Mami, perhaps you should go and rest some more. Kyouko should be fine by tomorrow, but I'd like to keep her here a while longer to be safe. Besides, another patient presently requires my attention for a short while at least. If we fly, we should be able to reach Remilia's mansion in a day or so."
Mami nodded and left... There was no doubt in her mind where she would go to find that rest...
Mami returned to Kaguya's room, and the two continued to talk and share company for a timeless, enchanted evening.
Author's Notes: So, there's that saying 'beauty is in the eye of beholder.' It's not well known, but Kaguya went and murdered the beholder race and ate all their eyes. That's why no beholders appear in this story, of course. Sorry for that, but it had to be done.
Part of me wants to do a 'Medicine Melancholy at Eientei' fic at some point. There's a lot of potential there, I think, what with her poisoning Tewi earlier and the resident physicians, and kaguya's immortality. It could be like... a sitcom or something.
But as to Medicine's role in this fic... yuuup. She's the killer. The one who set off the whole chain of events. That was probably guessed by a lot of people earlier, but now it's actually known, I suppose.
Anywho, thank you all for reading, and I hope you continue to enjoy what you read (and read what you enjoy!).