"Yeah, that makes sense."  She lies back and exhales heavily.  "It feels good to talk about it out loud, not just over telepathy."

"Definitely. The telepathy's - useful, but kinda weird-feeling." 

"Yeah.  And... I don't know, there's something about actually saying the words.  I am a magical girl, and I have to fight witches, because a talking cat granted a wish for me.  I have a transformation sequence, and I can conjure throwing knives."

I wished to be braver.  I would have been too scared to go in after you the way you went in after me.

She sits up.

"I... don't like keeping secrets."

"I know what you mean, though I'm more - okay - with the secrecy. It's... It's just all so absurd. In a horrifying way."

She nods.

"I wonder if... if everybody knew, someone could figure out a better way to fight them.  I know Mallory said nonmagical weapons don't work great against them, but..."

"Yeah. They have to work some. Though most people being - just potential victims - would complicate matters. A lot. And you'd probably run into child labor problems or something, and have a crackdown on letting girls under eighteen fight, and there might be resistance to letting girls wish. Some people might also freak out more about the telepathic aliens than about the witches. But we need to do something, and - I'm optimistic about the magical girl group, and how much it improves our effectiveness, but sometimes I worry it's not enough."

"Maybe we could... scale it up, somehow?  Gradually?  Like everyone who's in it now can go on to start their own groups as they have more experience, and we can just... iterate.  And - I don't know how Kyubey finds potential magical girls, but it might be easier if we can go public.  ...You're right about the kids thing, though, I don't know what to do about that."

"Yeah. We can also ask Mallory what her plan is, long-term. And, like, I definitely agree with some kind of age limit on wishing? But - not the one people would probably set. Not when - all of this - is so important."

"Yeah."

"...Do you think we were too young?"

" - I don't feel like it, but - maybe that'll change once I'm older. And I'm sixteen, that's - almost old enough to join the military. Not too long ago, it would've been old enough. Is old enough, some places."

"You're sixteen?  I'm fifteen," she says vaguely.  "Yeah, maybe you don't know you weren't old enough to become a magical girl until you are."

"Yeah, I - think you're right. And - I had to make the contract. I wouldn't trade saving you for anything, and if Kyubey cared about 'old enough' we'd both be dead."

She smiles and looks down at "wouldn't trade saving you for anything."

"Thank you," Kaylee says.  "I feel like - I'll never be able to thank you enough, for saving me."

Slight smile. "I know you feel the need to thank me, but - I don't need thanks. It was... The right thing to do, and - I'd never wanted anything like I wanted you safe."

"I can try to stop saying it so much if you want."

...She really wants to hug Kaylee right now. She's not sure if that'd be welcome.

"No, it's - not a burden to me, and you should be able to express your feelings."

"Okay.  Thank you for saving my life, Lianne."

She giggles slightly. "Thank you for being my friend."

"You're welcome.  And thank you for that, too.  Being my friend, I mean."

"You're welcome! It's really no trouble at all. Happy to be your friend at any time."

She giggles.  "Same goes for me!"

Giggle. Broad smile, then embarrassed chuckle. "Well, that got deep fast." Softer smile. "It's really nice, having you to talk to."

"Yeah, that happens with me sometimes."  She laughs.

"It's nice talking to you too.  You're a really good friend, Lianne."

"Thanks. You're - the best friend I could have asked for."

"...would it be all right if I hugged you?"