It's not unexpected, that tone. It's not even unfamiliar. It's how Homura has often spoken to her, after all. Especially earlier on, when they - from Madoka's point of view - first met. Not that it doesn't discourage Madoka a little all the same, usually wilting a bit every time she's met with that kind of attitude.
But she can't avoid the question. It wouldn't be right. So despite her natural instinct to shrink away, she doesn't.
Instead she answers. ]
I couldn't leave you alone, Homura-chan.
[ Madoka is well aware that it's not the answer Homura is waiting for. Not what is still hanging in the air between them. And she-- she'll get to that, but she feels like this one is more important, needs to be put in front of it. ]
There's.. There's no way you could fight that kind of thing all by yourself. It wouldn't be right for me to just hide away when someone who did so much for me was fighting something much too strong.
[ She shakes her head. ]
Besides.. Kyuubey told me. [ And he doesn't lie. He omits, he is vague, he does a lot of things that won't tell them the full truth, but Madoka has never caught him in a full on bold-faced lie. ] That you have no choice but to keep fighting. Even if you have no chance but winning. T-- That you'd fall into despair if you gave up.
[ And they all know what happens then. ]
Homura-chan.. You're my friend. [ That's something she can still say, even in the face of that cold tone. If anything, Madoka's tone takes on an edge of determination at those words. ] I won't let you keep suffering by yourself.
sssh it's ok, you're back now!!!
It's not unexpected, that tone. It's not even unfamiliar. It's how Homura has often spoken to her, after all. Especially earlier on, when they - from Madoka's point of view - first met. Not that it doesn't discourage Madoka a little all the same, usually wilting a bit every time she's met with that kind of attitude.
But she can't avoid the question. It wouldn't be right. So despite her natural instinct to shrink away, she doesn't.
Instead she answers. ]
I couldn't leave you alone, Homura-chan.
[ Madoka is well aware that it's not the answer Homura is waiting for. Not what is still hanging in the air between them. And she-- she'll get to that, but she feels like this one is more important, needs to be put in front of it. ]
There's.. There's no way you could fight that kind of thing all by yourself. It wouldn't be right for me to just hide away when someone who did so much for me was fighting something much too strong.
[ She shakes her head. ]
Besides.. Kyuubey told me. [ And he doesn't lie. He omits, he is vague, he does a lot of things that won't tell them the full truth, but Madoka has never caught him in a full on bold-faced lie. ] That you have no choice but to keep fighting. Even if you have no chance but winning. T-- That you'd fall into despair if you gave up.
[ And they all know what happens then. ]
Homura-chan.. You're my friend. [ That's something she can still say, even in the face of that cold tone. If anything, Madoka's tone takes on an edge of determination at those words. ] I won't let you keep suffering by yourself.