Containment

"Hello, Aaron."

"Ah, Mami! Come in."

Mami bowed her head, careful to not drip her package; walking into the apartment. Aaron smiled at the new friend from the bed and breakfast.

"Sorry, but I can't stay long. It's Saturday and I am going to make money with the cab. Drunkards."

"I understand, Aaron-san. Work calls."

"Alex is in his room if you need him. Make yourself at home."

"Thank you so much."

After the New Yorker left, the Caribbean man came out.

"Mami Tomoe!"

She smiled, placing her package on the coffee table. "Alexander! So glad to see you!" The two exchanged hugs before Mami lost some of her casual mood. "Now, down to business."

"Of course! Sit down. Aaron doesn't mind sharing his recliner."

"Thank you." The blonde woman sat down, taking the package to open it. "I made you something. I think you'll love it."

"Oh, you didn't have to. I just wanna talk about the Cycle."

"No, I insist."

The package was undone to reveal a black cake, bursting with fruit. Alex's eyes widened. He was trying not to salivate right there in front of her.

It has been a long time since he's seen rum cake.

"Took a while to find a good recipe, but it's worth it for someone I consider a friend." She pulled a small China plate from the package, as well as a fork and knife. "I'm guessing you're a fan of it."

The Magi had to snapnhimselfnput of his trance, staring at the giggling woman, handing him a hearty slice.

"Don't worry. I'm used to it. Enjoy."

It took a lot to hold back from scarfing it down. But by the goddess he met, this was the best damn rum cake he ever had.

"We've been working on finding a way out for you and Aaron. Sayaka has given me a prototype of an item to bind you to our cycle. It won't prevent you from turning to a Warlock, but you will awaken in our realm."

Alexander nodded, trying to pay attention between bites. "So, you're going to do what Philip's doing, but in her realm?"

"Yes. That is, until we can end your grief altogether and it won't taint your Soul." Back to the package. She pulled out a gilded ring. Small enough to fit on the gem that the Magi held. "In the end, we hope that you'll live in our cycle, making grief into energy. But to get this on... we need your Warlock."

He stopped with another forkfull. "MY Warlock?"

"Alexander, I apologize for what I did to you, but I promise, it will be worth it."

He dropped the fork. A wave of pain washed over him. "Argh! Mami....?!"

"The cake was filled with grief. It will taint your Soul Gem to bursting. I need your Warlock to make sure we get you in."

He fell forward, using his arms to support himself on the table. His hands looks like they were turning to melt, black sludge.

"How could you do this?! You were my friend!"

"And I still am." Mami leaned forward, scarily calm, as she placed her hands on his. He raised his head, metal eyes staring into hers. "I will be there the whole time, Alexander-san. I will not leave your side."

Then, black.
......
Screams.

Paper and ink.

A hurricane of voices.

A flurry of debate.

White sand.

Blonde hair.

Gunfire.

Crying.

Screaming.

Binding.
.......
Alex shot up, gasping for air.

This was not his apartment.

The bed he laid on was silky and soft, carressing his whole body in unworldly comfort.

"Good morning."

He looked over to find the Puella Magi beside him. She looked tired and disheveled.

"Mami?"

"I told you I would stay at your side. I told Aaron a Witch attacked us, so he won't be worried as much." She looked to the table beside her, taking a piece of cake from it. "Rum cake?"

The Caribbean reeled back before she laughed.

"Don't worry. I disposed of the tainted one. This is very much safe. I'll eat a piece to prove it, of that'll help."

Footsteps made the two turn to face another girl.

A red dress akin to a plant pot covered her body. A flytrap mask covered her face.

"M-mister Hamilton... glad to see our ring worked..."

The vpice was shaky and familiar.

"Maria?"

The masked opened slightly, showing the scared face of the infamous Maria Reynolds peeking out.

"How did you end up here?"

"I'm sorry! I know, I'm hideous... I'll leave!"

As she ran off, Mami had to hold him back. "Don't worry. Miss Reynolds was missed by your cycle. Using her, we managed to do this." She put her hand around his, putting his Soul Gem into it. A gold band ran through the green, shimmering brightly.

"This is it?"

"Yes."

He couldn't stop thinking about Maria, though. Why was she so skittish? "Mami? Why is she upset?"

A small sigh. "Madoka helped us fight her Witch. She purified her Seed before she could be taken into your cycle. The scarring on her soul makes her like that, but her panic is just her insecurity. We're trying to make her feel better and to reverse Soul scarring. Maybe knowing you're okay would help her... unless you plan to publish it."

He looked her her, laughing. "Mami!"

"'Have you read this?'"

The two began to poke fun at each other. The progress to free one person was slow, but it was something. The two knew that any progress was good progress.