[Rei's appearance is a surprise, the hug is not, she's used to getting hugs from Rei even if it still feels strange. Regardless of how Maka feels about it, she can acknowledge that right now she needs it, and she melts into the embrace--unmistakable sounds of weeping starting up.

She hates doing that. She hates crying and she hates doing it in front of other people. But it just won't stop, the tears just come pouring out and she's shaking and trying to speak, yet all that comes out is sobs.

Stella, of course, looks totally distressed at her trainer's distress but helpless to do anything about it.]

[It's not that Maka can't, it's not that she thinks she can't either, it's just an unfortunate coincidence of disastrous things happening with her in proximity. Maka has always felt like she needs to take responsibility onto herself in order to justify something that went wrong and figure out how it can be fixed. She has also not learned yet that there are different types of strength and they all have their uses, ironic given that she holds the Savior's story so devoutly to her heart--a woman who had no means of defending herself but still went forward anyway.]

I--I want to be strong! I want to be strong so I can protect people! But even when I try, I still need help to accomplish something. Even with that thing in Sanctuary...I thought going to keep the peace would help, but even Stella had to help me with calming everyone down!

[Stella's ears twitch at this. What does she mean, when they went through the citizens? That's not true, I didn't do anything.]