Maybe this is just me being self-centered, but I can't help but feel this episode is my fault. The explanation I can give is that I am controlling and myopic and precise with regards to Homura and Sayaka, if not on a direct interaction level then on a level Spaz pointed out on a larger arc that for a game like this is an ill-fit at best and more likely a millstone dragging everything down.
I still have issues with Rebellion - I know at least that what happened at the end still gnaws at me eight months laternote and I don't know how to really deal with it. I really wish that what happened at the end didn't happen that way. On another hand, I feel like it has to be a case of A leading to B leading to C and then D then E and F and so on, and that if it were A' rather than A that happened everything beyond to what I'd prefer would then be justified. I am not comfortable with just declaring "Homura would reject Homucifer" or "Homura and Sayaka are friends" without a solid explanation as to how it came to be. I guess combining a strong desire to respond to Rebellion and a need to have a meticulous explanation of it occuring equals the past six months.
As for Homucifer, in retrospect I think it was ill-conceived to bring her in on April 2nd. The idea was pretty spur of the moment because of the date - the Rebellion DVD went on sale that day. Even more, though, I didn't drop her because what ended up happening was that more and more of Homura's actions revolved around her, because I the author had this fixation on her (specifically, trying to change her circumstance) and that I brought Homucifer in already with some idea of how it was "to end", whether Homura rejecting her or following her path in some form.
As Spaz said, all this meant it's a high obstacle for those not already in on it to interact with the Puella Magi because there's a lot of backstory due to me not comfortable with unexplained "OOC" and yet wanting a somewhat different characterization than canon. If I had known that that whole thing would lead to alienating Spaz and others, at the very least I would have done it differently and I'd probably would have just not done it altogether. But it happened, and in the end it seems like my selfishness to want to give a better Homura and Sayaka than Rebellion did has hurt the FG play.
As for going forward, I'm definitely not bringing in anything of Homucifer's level again after this mess. In any case, I am going on a (long-planned) vacation starting next week so I won't be able to RP during that time - maybe time away for me will be good for getting the FG back to normal. After that...maybe we'll see if I can get over myself. I know those of you who were able to interact with me generally seem to like how I've written, but if it's at the expense of others being left out...
Like I said, I'm probably being too self-centered and melodramatic about this. I have to go to sleep because I have church in the morning, but if you guys could comment I'd appreciate it.
The damned queen and the relentless knight.

Nah. Was mostly just confused.
Also I want to finish watching Phantom Blood first. And the one that comes after it (Steel Ball Run?).
MY SOUL IS DARK BUT MY HAIR IS COLORFUL — Brahian Pokémon Alchemist