>Lie.

χ Ѫ
>Let Beatrice have the grief seed.

There’s a brief silence, as all three of them look at the unnatural gem floating in Lorene’s hand.

Vaguely remembering something she was pretty sure was supposed to be important, Clover materializes her soul gem and shows it to Lorene. “Hey... Lor-Lor? This is bad, right…?”

Lorene’s eyes widen slightly. The wolf-girl’s soul gem was pretty dark. Not exactly at the point of panic, but enough to be concerned. “That’s-”

“I-I-I’m so sorry, you two!” ‘Beatrice’ quickly bows her head down apologetically, her shoulders shuddering. “If… if it’s not too much to ask… c-could I have the grief seed?”

As soon as Clover had shown her darkened soul gem, Hermione knew she had to take control of the conversation. Otherwise, it’d have started going down a direction she’d really rather it not. With the eyes of the other two magical girls firmly fixed on her, Hermione begins to weave her tale.

‘Beatrice’ swallows nervously. “My family… w-we needed help. My dad is sick. My mom was working, trying to support all of us: me, my dad, and my brother.” Her voice wavers as she continues. “B-Between the medications and the other costs all building up… my brother said he’d had enough. He took on some risky jobs he said would get us the money we needed, and- and-!” The girl whimpers. “H-he never came back.”