[center] [h1][color=red]S[/color] [i]a m a n t h a[/i][/h1] [img]https://i.imgur.com/TAbex0N.png[/img] [color=red]"Suppose I should edit in some stats and perks in the header soon."[/color] [color=888888]— Sam[/color] [/center] [url=https://youtu.be/cTX2Lg1O7-M]Ruminating on recent events[/url], Samantha Howard had taken to leaning against a tree in Penrose Park, one of few that had survived all that transpired in the place. She stared at the dirt beneath her with no real emotion on her face. It was as if the rest of the world was separate from her and this small place. So much had transpired in the last few months that she could not help but entertain the idea that this was all just some show she wound up in. From fighting monsters in a facade that would later become sentient, to abandoning the Mint despite the risks to join her employer as a member of her new faction, to being forced into a beach dimension with a dolphin. Really, what was all of this but some absurd show? And the worst of it was Trixy. But there was a reason for that. Samantha could not once say she felt any romantic feelings towards another individual before. Her old life was utterly devoid of meaningful relationships. It had to be, given that she murdered for a living. And when she became a magical girl? At first, her goal was merely to avoid dying. Given her unfamiliarity with the world, she opted to not make an enemy of the Mint. If they wanted recompense for a missing agent, then sure, she figured she might as well go along with it. She felt something new for Veronica. But she didn't know if it was love. How could she? What use had she had for it up until that point? What she did know was that she found herself not wanting to disappoint Veronica. That Veronica was a being in her life that she honestly wanted to stay that way. She thought she could follow the former Mint broker anywhere. As for Trixy... Samantha still wasn't certain why she went ahead and chose to date her. The girl had been mostly an annoyance up to that point and Sam was practically a baby-sitter for the girl. And yet... well, they were dating now, weren't they? She realized this and gave a derisive laugh at herself. It was Trixy! Trixy of all people! She had more in common with Blair! And all the stuff Trixy did and liked was either of no interest to Sam or outright irritated her. Flirting with every girl in her sight? Worrying about looks? Posting on social media with a frequency that suggested she also had the Time Spec? What about her was appealing to Sam? But then, she was usually honest. She worked hard when she had the motivation. And she was even helping Samantha with aspects of socializing she would agree she was lacking in. Did Samantha care about her? Did she think Trixy was annoying? Were both true? Why couldn't she be sure about any of this? Samantha was supposed to be a perfectionist. She wanted some modicum of control. Part of this meant she wanted to be sure of things. But how can she be when all of this is alien to her? Not being sure about everything was terrifying to her. She felt like she was lost on a boat in the middle of a storm, never knowing when the waves might kick up and throw her off. She let out a sigh and didn't envy Veronica if the woman had chosen now to spy on her thoughts. If they were a jumbled mess to Sam then she imagined they'd be completely incomprehensible to the former broker. [b]"--llo? Are you okay?"[/b] Samantha practically jumped when she finally registered someone had gotten so close to her. Her eyes jumped to what was an innocent-looking girl and was prepared to transform in case she was a threat. [color=red]"What do you want?"[/color] Sam asked with a stronger tone than she'd intended. The other girl almost shrunk in response but replied anyway. [b]"O-oh, umm! See, you looked like you were troubled, so I was wondering if you needed help!"[/b] she explained. [color=red][i]Help?[/i][/color] Samantha took a better look at her. The girl was wearing a cute and simple dress, and nothing about her particularly stood out. If remaining incognito was her intention, then this girl was a genius. [color=red][i]And she doesn't look very reliable to begin with.[/i][/color] [color=red]"Do I need help?"[/color] she repeated. [color=red]"Well, I can't say you're wrong."[/color] The girl spoke up. [b]"In that case, could you tell me about it? I know it's a bit rude, but maybe I can do something for you. Of course, if it's something too personal, I understand."[/b] Samantha sighed. So she was the selfless type? As far as Sam was aware, most girls got forced into service. Some signed contracts, but a lot were simply baited or guilted into joining the ranks of the magical girls. How there were so many that seemingly wanted nothing but to do right by others Sam couldn't quite comprehend. The normal response to that sort of situation should be to be bitter, right? [color=red]"I sincerely doubt there's anything you could do,"[/color] she stated bluntly. [color=red]"Besides, it's all stupid and boring stuff anyway. You seem nice and all but there's no reason to worry yourself over it. Just a waste of time."[/color] The girl shook her head. [b]"But if it's troubling you, then it isn't stupid and it's not a waste of time!"[/b] she declared. [color=red]"Most people would take the hint and leave."[/color] The girl looked determined to continue prodding. [b]"Do you really want me to? I told you I'd leave if you said it was too personal, and I wasn't lying,"[/b] she told Samantha. [b]"Since you didn't take that out, I just figured you were being tsun about it."[/b] Samantha's cheeks flushed until they were as red as a beet. That wasn't true! She was not that sort of person! But then Samantha slowly realized that her typical response to this situation, to begin with, would be to tell this girl that it was personal. Did that mean that since she didn't do it, that she did want her help? More stuff she wasn't sure about. After a long pause to let the color in her cheeks return to normal, Sam finally answered her. [color=red]"...I told you it was stupid and boring. I won't watch over you if you fall asleep in this place."[/color] [b]"I won't!"[/b] she promised. [color=red][i]What am I even doing? Speaking about this and to a stranger? I'm sure it's only because she's so persistent. [/i][/color] .... .... .... Samantha had told the girl about what bothered her. It took some time. She was vague about a lot of things and didn't give away every little detail, but at the very least the girl should have had a basic understanding. Sam felt as though a weight had been lifted off her chest when she concluded. At some point, they'd gone from standing near a tree to sitting on a bench. Sam hadn't even realized it. The girl had remained silent, causing Sam to worry that she might've lost interest. Embarrassed to have expected anything else, she broke the silence that had formed. [color=red]"...see? Just boring and dumb stuff. Nothing serious."[/color] Samantha was honestly surprised that the girl was even still awake, but then again she might've just been able to sleep with her eyes open. The girl fervently shook her head, throwing that idea out the window. [b]"Not at all! I even enjoyed it! Um, not, like, in a bad way! I just meant to say all that stuff is far from boring or unimportant! I understand how you feel, anyway. I was just thinking that we were similar, in a way"[/b] Sam raised an eyebrow. [color=red]"You do?"[/color] she asked. [b]"Oh, well, not exactly! Um, my situation isn't as complicated or noteworthy as yours. And honestly, it's been mostly good changes, too. But even still, I do relate,"[/b] the girl assured Sam. [b]"Before I moved back to Penrose--"[/b] [color=red]"Back?"[/color] Sam found herself cutting in. [b]"I was born here some time ago. But something happened and I moved elsewhere until recently,"[/b] she explained. [b]"But back to what I was saying... well, when I was gone, things weren't exactly good for me. Um, excuse me if this bores you..."[/b] It was Sam who shook her head this time. [color=red]"After bugging me until I told you, you're really going to worry about that?"[/color] [b]"Oh, okay. Sorry, it's just a habit. I try not to bother people by talking about myself too often."[/b] [color=red]"Just go for it. Apologizing for every little thing is just annoying."[/color] [b]"Is that so?"[/b] she placed a finger to her lip and went silent. The girl seemed to take the words Sam said too seriously, perhaps making a mental note of it. But eventually, she continued. [b]"So, as I was saying... when I got back to Penrose..."[/b] More time passed as the girl explained how she found herself ostracized by all the magical girls where she was operating because of her very own patron! But once she moved back here, it didn't seem like any of that mattered. Penrose had become active enough that most people didn't care much for rumors. There were so many of them after all. She also explained how she had made many friends since returning a short while ago, and how thankful she was. But she confessed that even if things were going well, it all felt so weird to her. It wasn't like she had taken a month's vacation. No, it was years of being ignored or feared, when all she wanted was to be helpful. So when people suddenly start being nice... when she suddenly got friends by moving out here, she wanted to keep them. She cherished them. But... she had bad thoughts, too. She would wonder if they were all faking it. Were they laughing behind her back? Were they going to abandon her? She wanted nothing more than this to not be true, and she wanted to trust those close to her, but the doubt was there and it ate at her. Wasn't it disrespectful to them? Like Sam, this girl had also come out here to clear her mind. What a coincidence, right? Samantha felt there were differences between their situations, but also a few similarities. A shared unease and (probably) pointless doubts because of their unfamiliarity with their lives at this point. At least that's what she thought it was. Speaking to this girl had helped ease her mind if only a little. She was still uncertain, but now she was beginning to feel like that was okay. She gave a small smile to the girl. [color=red]"I think speaking about it was what I needed,"[/color] she said, then looking away and coughing into her hand. [color=red]"...and thank you."[/color] Though she felt relieved in a way, Samantha's subtle curve of lips paled in comparison to the huge smile the girl gave in return. It seemed genuine, too. [b]"Oh, I'm happy to hear that!"[/b] she cried. [b]"Even if all I really did was listen to you. I wish I could do something more."[/b] [color=red]"No,"[/color] Sam shook her head. [color=red]"You've done more than enough as a stranger. In fact, I believe people pay for this sort of thing, don't they?"[/color] The girl seemed confused but then understood. [b]"Oh, I guess that's true. But I'm not a therapist, so I couldn't even if I wanted to,"[/b] suddenly, as though she had a brilliant idea, she perked up. [b]"I know I just said I wouldn't charge you, but would you at least tell me your name? I would love if we could be friends, too!"[/b] [color=red][i]If you're so scared of people betraying you, then why are you trying to make friends with everyone?[/i][/color] Samantha kept the thought to herself and answered with a nod. [color=red]"I don't see why not. My name's Samantha. You can call me Sam, if it pleases you. I'm not sure about the friends part yet, though."[/color] The girl smiled. [b]"That's okay! It's a bit silly of me to ask to be that close right away, after all. Oh, no, it's rude to ask someone's name before giving your own! I completely forgot! Sor--"[/b] she caught herself before finishing the word. [b]"Um, well, I'll just fix that then."[/b] after what almost looked like hesitation she took a big breath and spoke. [color=turquoise]"I'm... Emily, I'm so very pleased to have met you!"[/color] she even stood up to give a polite bow. [color=red][i]Isn't she trying just a little too hard? She's definitely a bit strange.[/i][/color] Another thing they shared, she supposed. Samantha stood up as well. She'd spent enough time at the park, mulling over this stuff. [color=red]"Well, I should go,"[/color] she told Emily. [color=red]"I'll see you around, maybe."[/color] [color=turquoise]"Oh, I'm here somewhat often, so I'll be looking forward to it. Bye!"[/color] as Samantha turned to leave, she saw Emily wave and she continued to do so up until Sam could no longer see her. She probably had enough energy to rival Trixy, Sam thought. Well, she'd had enough time to herself. She didn't really have anything to do as of the exact moment, but something was bound to happen eventually. Penrose was a lively place, for better or for worse.