There were times when Homura Akemi wanted to get away from everything. This was a wish easily granted in the course of her normal day. Few people thought to look up to the rooftops for the girls fighting to keep them ignorant and safe.

So far, everything was just as expected: A deceptively quiet evening, irregularities to be put down. Then some sense beyond sense, a prickle at her neck, told her to turn around. Her heart beat quicker. And she saw the dearest face in the world.

Her shock was unfeigned, and unfiltered. She drew up visibly before pitching forward, even heedless, in this moment, of the strong possibility that the impossible could be a trick.

"Madoka!"