“No, four hundred thousand,” she repeated. “See, here’s the deal. A grief seed is a very rare and difficult thing to obtain. I want to be well compensated for the time and effort sacrificed to give this to you. Of course, if you don’t have the money, I’m sure we can work out an alternative payment method.”
”I don’t like the sound of that…“
Madoka stared at her soul gem. She could throw it to the ground and crack it, avoiding whatever evil this ‘alternative payment’ may be.
Normally, Takana would closely inspect the growing darkness in a Soul Gem. This time, though, she almost recoiled in shock. She had never seen a Soul Gem this dark. She had no idea of the consequences of a completely black Soul Gem; merely that it was “very bad”. Whatever speck of conscience she had clawed at her mind to just turn over the grief seed, but it was crowded out by her greed.
“Oh, my… You need this grief seed very much, don’t you? You probably won’t live to hunt a witch in your current state.” She put her finger to her chin. “How about 400,000 yen?”
Of course the price was absurd. No 15-year-old would have that much. Takana was interested in how the girl might try to bargain for her life, though.
“Four thousand yen?” Madoka exclaimed, “but I don’t have that kind of money!” She glanced at her tainted soul gem, hoping for a miracle.
“Ah-ah-ah!” Takana hid the grief seed in her fist and made a wagging motion with her fingers. “I’m afraid it would be very counterproductive for me to just give it away. There’s always a price attached. May I see your Soul Gem?”
Madoka was very gullible. She placed her trust in everyone, hoping for the good out of them.
"Alright,“ she said without question. Clutching her soul gem, she was weary to give it to the girl. The puella magi paused– beginning to come to her senses. However, it was growing too late. Her soul gem began to darken until her body quivered and ached.
Takana stepped up to the girl with a smile and a grief seed in hand. She knelt down to be on eye level with the girl, which she fully realized was condescending, but the girl wasn’t in much of a position to argue about it.
“Hello there. Did you ask about grief seeds? I happen to have one right here.”
Madoka glanced up at the girl with wide eyes, just as she was about to give up all hope.
“–Thank you! Oh thank you!,” she exclaimed as tears streamed down her face.
