[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/z6cC6JC.png[/img] & [img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/180715/d80bb0fbb433935c1613207a0d09ae3f.png[/img]  & [h2][color=cyan]Janet/Jenna[/color][/h2]

[b]Earlier That Morning[/b][/center]

Training was, naturally, an important part of the Beacon’s organizational structure. New recruits had to be taught how to use their powers effectively, as well as how to work both alone and as part of a team. For a sizable organization, it was one of the main advantages they had against the myriad of enemies that opposed them, and they were quick to exploit it.

That was why Alicia was currently preparing for another training session. Beacon HQ had areas laid out, walls reinforced with magic to prevent external damage so the occupants could practice combat and magic. The new renovations after the bombing were nice, though she hadn’t had much time to exploit them beyond hearing descriptions in meetings. 

She already had a couple of novices set up on the other side of the area, mock sparring for the moment with occasional input provided on her part when she felt that they needed it. Currently transformed, she was waiting for the rest of those scheduled to take part to arrive In her head she ran over possible exercises to test Aurelio and put him through the paces. Sylvia wanted to know what he could do, and she was more than happy to find out. 

Aside from those already in attendance Janet was also due to arrive. Though she had been acting rather peculiar the last couple of days, and by that meaning no one had seen her in the last couple of days. She didn’t answer her phone when called, but did respond to texts after several hours. And from the Beckoners any concern over the girl was dismissed and reassurance was given that the girl was fine. So to know that she would be coming was a relief even though she seemed to be running late.

In that time two girls walked in. They were not transformed and no one there seemed to recognize them or know how they got into HQ to begin with. Their presence seemed to have drawn some attention though as several heads were peeking in through the doorways trying to catch a glimpse of the strangers and their activity. Both looked pretty nervous though as they glanced around, overly self conscious of the eyes on them. Spotting Alicia they froze where they stood. After a few seconds though they seemed to recover their confidence. [color=khaki]”Alicia.”[/color] The girl with the slightly curled blond hair greeted.

Turning towards the sound of the door opening, Alicia broke into a warm smile as she found herself addressed. She did notice that they seemed a bit nervous, and tried to put the both of them at ease. After all, this was supposed to be a welcoming place, and the members of Beacon like family. A team required trust, and that was the best way to build it.

“Hello,” she replied, stepping forward and offering a hand. “New recruits, or transfers?  I don’t think I’ve seen you two around before.” Any resemblance to Janet was completely missed, understandable when most recently she had seen her with blue hair, among other things. “I was about to have a small training session, but don’t let me get in your way if you’re planning on practicing.” 

Glancing back at Jenna for a second, Janet tried to piece together a way to explain things. It wasn’t like she hadn’t mulled over it the last couple of days, but now in the moment it was harder than anticipated. [color=khaki]”You actually know us more than you may think. I, or I guess we, are Janet.”[/color] She gestured to the girl behind her.

Waving her fingers playfully Jenna smiled. [color=plum]“Hello.”[/color]

Unaware of the powder keg he was walking towards Aurelio was glad that the upswell of curiosity just happened to also be in the direction that he was headed, as one it was quite the gathering of Curiosity which was always good to have on hand, and two he didn’t want to be late, granted he wasn’t exactly going to be early either, but that wasn’t here nor there.

He entered the training room just a moment before Janet and Jenna started talking with Alicia, but with his ears he was still able to clearly hear what was being said.

That answer was not the one that Alicia had been expecting, and she frowned a bit on the off chance that they were pulling some kind of prank on her. That wouldn’t be very nice, though she would accept it with due grace.

A few seconds passed and it became clear that this wasn’t some kind of joke, that it was indeed real. Her eyes widened in disbelief, flickering between Janet and Jenna as if trying to cope with what she was now seeing. “Janet? But...how...What happened to you?” she asked, worried about whatever had happened to change her from the girl she knew into this.

Putting her hands up to slow her friend down, Janet made an effort to explain. [color=khaki]”I’m fine Alicia. Really.”[/color] 

[color=plum]”Mostly.”[/color] The other girl spoke up. [color=plum]”I’m Jenna by the way.”[/color] 

Snapping her head back she glared at her twin. [color=khaki]”Not helping.”[/color] Back to Alicia. [color=khaki]”We’re still adjusting, but we’re not hurt.”[/color]

Speaking a little lower so the other people standing further away couldn’t hear. [color=plum]”Beacon needed someone to test the thing we discovered.”[/color] Even though they had permission to talk about the Red Coin they didn’t want to just blurt it out for everyone to hear just yet. Not that they could hide it forever with Janet keeping her first name. 

That didn’t explain much, though Alicia was at least glad that she was alright. Jenna would be mostly ignored at this point, the Seraph choosing to focus on one thing at a time instead just so she didn’t get even more stressed than she was already. 

“But why?” she asked, still clearly confused by what was going on. “You just stopped being a monster girl, why would you want to change again?”

[color=khaki]”I didn’t exactly. But they wanted to see if I would go through with it. A test of loyalty.”[/color] Opening her arms to each side. [color=khaki]”I had to prove myself. Maybe it did a little more than I bargained for but it isn’t the end of the world. I can live with the changes.”[/color]

Confusion changed to realization, and with it something else blossomed. Alicia took a step back, her frown growing as her fists clenched in a rising anger. Things were starting to make sense, and with that realization came a disgust rising in her core. “Seriously?” she spat, no longer needing to look between them even if Janet said she was okay with this. “That’s not right.”

She began moving, dodged around them both as she headed for the exit of the gym with a firm intent. “You two stay right here, I’ll be back. I need to give a couple people a piece of my mind….”

The moment Aurelio felt the disgust pouring off Alicia he knew it was time to step in. he had been hanging back and just observing as he was as curious as everyone else, he just had the advantage of superior senses.

Thus when Alicia dodged around Janet and Jenna she would find herself face to face with Aurelio. [color=fff79a]“Woah now, slow down and take a deep breath before you go racing off to force feed someone their own shoes”[/color] he would say partially screening her from going any further. A blanket of calm would flow from him as well, one that could be easily ignored if the three girls wanted to.

All set to brush Aurelio out of the way, the wave of calm that flowed out from him washed over Alicia, jarring her from her anger and bringing her back to her senses as she was reminded of her Virtue. Yes, this wasn’t right, but what’s done was done. They couldn’t exactly take this back, could they?

“Alright, I suppose it wouldn’t really help anything,” she agreed with a sigh, shoulders sagging a bit as she took a step back. Her smile returned, even if it wasn’t quite as bright as it had been at first. “Well, I guess that means we’re all here for the practice sessions.” Her gaze settled on the twins, unsure as to whether they were merely letting her know what had happened, or actually looking to take part. She could accommodate whatever their intention was. 

Both the twins were visibly relieved that Alicia had been stopped by Aurelio. Even though things weren't 100% at least no one would be taking any rash actions just yet. [color=khaki]”Great. We haven't really been able to do much with our magic yet.”[/color] 

Given that they were about to start it seemed like a good point to transform. Janet raised her left hand as Jenna did her right. Speaking in unison they recited their new incantation.
[color=khaki]"May the oppressed and broken find shelter beneath our banner."[/color]
[color=plum]"May the oppressed and broken find shelter beneath our banner."[/color]
The air around them began to swirl. Two lances bearing banners appearing in their hands they each held them high as the rest of their transformation played out. Janet’s blonde locks grew down to her knees, Jenna’s doing likewise while notably shifting to a lighter shade to her twin’s. Dresses glowing they burst with a flash. As the light died down the girls new uniforms formed around them, Janet with her knightly armor and Jenna in her lighter gambeson.

Aurelio was taken aback by just how easy it had been to calm down Alicia, but would recover quickly, after all he wasn’t one to snub good luck. Looking on he watched the twin transformation  with a measure of curiosity, especially the incantation, as for someone like Janet, who seemed to be a magnet for personal change, it could tell you a lot about the person.

[color=fff79a]“Oooh, fancy”[/color] He would say taking a step closer to examine the arms and armor they carried.

[color=fff79a]“And if we are starting with transformations, I have to say mine’s rather lackluster”[/color] He would say before being overcome by a puff of smoke that would vanish quickly, revealing him to be no longer transformed.

[color=57441E]“As it tends”[/color] Another puff of smoke, and a moment later he was back in his costume.

[color=fff79a]“To be”[/color] again he was out of uniform.

[color=57441E]“Over rather quickly”[/color] and again in his costume [color=fff79a]“The speed is rather handy though”[/color] He would tack on with a grin.

Alicia watched Janet and Jenna as they showed off their transformation, quietly curious as they did so. Twin Souls were always intriguing to her, and she enjoyed seeing in what ways they were similar and different to each other. The same would probably hold true for Janet too.

“You’ve already seen mine, so I don’t think we need to repeat that,” she noted once Aurelio was done with his own demonstration. It did seem convenient, if a bit underwhelming. But there was more to this life than just transformations, and she didn’t spend too long dwelling before moving on to address that. 

Having gotten a bit of distance between herself and the others, the next thing that Alicia did was produce Star Seraph, the familiar weight of the bow hanging easy in her grip. “Now then, I don’t think I’ve seen you fight before Aurelio, and obviously it’s anyone’s guess with the two of you, so what weapons do you have? It will make working out what to do for training easier.” 

With a flourish Aurelio would draw his cane and hold it out, balanced on the tip of his finger, for the others to see [color=fff79a]“It’s sturdier than it looks, but it’s main use is as an amplifier for my spells”[/color] after giving them a moment to examine it he would twirl it around so that he could lean on it [color=fff79a]“I’m more of a mystical combatant then a physical one. I specialize more in support magic then straight offensive spells as well.”[/color]

[color=plum]”Yeah, for whatever reason our transformation is a little flashier than before. And weapons, other than the lances Janet has her fists and I have Huxley.”[/color] Janet smashed one armored fist into the other hand while Jenna brandished her gun. 

[color=khaki]”My magic seems to lend a lot more to support now as well. It changed to Reinforcement and Psychic. Obviously I now have Twinned Soul so Jenna has the same magic. Jenna’s power though, it’s a little…”[/color] She trailed off.

Picking up where her twin left off. [color=plum]”We haven’t figured it out yet. I doesn’t seem to do anything.”[/color] She shrugged with a slight hint of frustration as she dropped her arms to her side.

Alicia found her question answered with an eclectic assortment of weapons, though she did appreciate the cane for being fairly unique. Most people didn’t tend to have a cane, the more magical types either going with a staff or a wand primarily. “That sounds useful,” she agreed.

Once again though, Janet and Jenna were successful in stealing the attention. To their credit, however, they did seem to have a problem that needed to be addressed while Aurelio was just here for practice. It was nice to see what he did, but helping them figure out what they could do with their magic, that was a bit more important. 

“Really? What seems to be the problem?” Alicia asked, turning towards Jenna with a slight frown, free hand resting on her hip. “If you want we can try and work on that, see if we can figure out what it’s intended to do.” 

[color=plum]” I don’t want to take up a bunch of time. Besides, we need to get a grip on all our magic.”[/color] Putting away the pistol she thought over the problem. [color=plum]”When I try and use my power it’s like something is missing. I need… an example?”[/color] Jenna wasn’t really sure that made a lot of sense but that was the best way she could think of explaining. 

[color=fff79a]“That sounds… annoying”[/color] Aurelio would say as he mulled over the issue. It was the first time he could think of hearing about a power that wasn’t instinctively understood. [color=fff79a]“Well if you need Jenna”[/color] he would begin turning towards the girl with the issue [color=fff79a]“we can always split off and try to figure things out”[/color] he would offer as he snapped his fingers and three clones of him would appear in their own clouds of smoke [color=fff79a]“As being in more than one place at a time is kinda my favorite trick”[/color]

Alicia nodded slowly, her comprehension growing as Jenna explained her problem. That did seem tricky, and unfortunately it wasn’t something she could particularly help with. Reinforcement maybe, but definitely not Psychic. It just wasn’t in her skill set. 

It seemed that Aurelio had a solution for that, and she was intrigued as he split off into a couple of duplicates of himself. “That seems handy,” she noted as she observed the quartet. “I’m alright with that, if you’d like to try and see if that helps.”

When Aurelio used his power Jenna raised an eyebrow. Duplication? She was pretty sure that she didn’t have third eye but she could identify the power immediately. More than that actually, she understood it. A red glimmer flashing over her eyes and she could feel her magic shift slightly. Raising up a hand she paused for a second before snapping her fingers, mimicking what the magical boy just did. Just as it happened with Aurelio’s clones, three clones of Jenna appeared in puffs of smoke. [color=plum]”What the hell. I couldn’t do that before.”[/color] Looking at her clones for a moment she was quite confused.

If Aurelio haven't been already paying attention to Jenna he would have missed the flash of red that proceeded Jenna’s mimicry, add in the fact that she mimicked his output exactly and the white magician was starting to get a suspicion. [color=fff79a]“Something tells me that it’s not going to be that easy”[/color] one of the clones would say as they walked over and started poking one of Jenna copy’s.

[color=fff79a]“Can you do it again?”[/color] Another would ask the original Jenna looking back and forth between the two twins as they mulled over this new puzzle piece.

Aurelio himself would turn towards Alicia [color=fff79a]“Testing a theory. Try out your Power, feel free to use me as a target if you need to”[/color] He would say pointing at his third clone who would just sigh and move away from the group incase he was chosen as a target dummy.

“Huh, that’s unexpected,” Alicia remarked as Jenna suddenly revealed a use for her power, making three clones to match the ones that Aurelio had made. Judging by her appearance, even she hadn’t been thinking anything would actually happen from that. So they were all learning something. 

She had some idea of what Aurelio was getting at, but using him as a pincushion wasn’t needed. “Offensive magic may not work, but we can try,” she agreed as she turned, raising a palm before shooting a beam of light from it at a placed target on the other side of the room - one who wasn’t Aurelio. Having displayed a combat application of her problem, she turned to see if Jenna could do what she seemed to be doing.

There was no flash this time around and Jenna didn’t notice any change or prompt for the power that had just been used. After a bit the girl shrugged. [color=plum]”Don’t think it worked.”[/color] Spawning another clone she nodded. [color=plum]”Yeah I still… seem to have Duplication”[/color]

[color=fff79a]“Hmm, the mystery grows”[/color] Clone the Second would say looking at the newly formed clone, dramatically stroking his chin.

[color=fff79a]“Indeed, the question becomes now...”[/color] Poke and Prod would agree trailing off as he tried to figure out the holes in their theory.

[color=fff79a]“...Is that her real power or not”[/color] Thankfully not a Target Dummy would finish as6 he returned to the group, moving to stand by his clone brethren.

[color=fff79a]“Regardless”[/color] Aurelio would comment after a moment of thought himself. [color=fff79a]“We know she has one. We can keep working towards figuring that out, or work on her other magical aspects, or work on teamwork, or work on all of the above.”[/color]

Turning towards Alicia he would give another snap of his fingers and his clones would vanish another puff of smoke [color=fff79a]“Your call Seraph”[/color] 

Alicia wasn’t too surprised as her display had no effect, Jenna still demonstrating her Duplication power. It was curious to find out, but she was confident that her friend would grasp more of her new abilities as time went on. It was just a matter of being patient and taking things one step at a time. 

“I would say working on teamwork is the most important,” she decided as the others looked to her for what to do next. “We know Aurelio is mostly a support fighter, and the two of you are a bit closer to jack of all trades. I’m a ranged fighter myself, with some close in options. We just need to make that all work as a unit. Ready to begin?” 

[color=khaki]”I am.”[/color]

[color=plum]”Same here.”[/color]

[hr]

[color=57441E]”Well, that was fun”[/color] Kyle would comment as he stretched. They had spent quite a while training, working on variety of both simple and more intricate training methods that Beacon had at its disposal and now it was nearing lunch time. So the group had decided to call it quits for now and head to the cafetiera. 

[color=57441E]“Hey Alicia, have you ever thought about carrying around a quiver of real arrows?”[/color] the boy would ask, folding his hands behind his head as he walked.

A sigh escaped as Alicia worked her shoulders, well worn out from a good exercise session. There was nothing like it, and now she was heading to join the others with a growing appetite. “No, why?” she asked, confused as to how it would be in the first place. 

[color=57441E]“There was another bow user I met at one of the other HQ’s that got a wood girl to make her a set of solid arrows so she could conserves her mana. She came up with the idea to try and overcome her low reserves.”[/color]

Nodding, Alicia could understand what Aurelio was getting at. It was something that she had thought up, and something that she had rejected as well. “It’s not a bad idea, but I don’t have access to hammerspace item storage. So either I’d have to carry around a thing of arrows, which would be awkward, or just stow them all around town. Then they could be found by someone else.”

[color=khaki]”For all we can do it’s the practical that sometimes stops working.”[/color] Janet said with a slightly amused smirk. Moving along with the others she huffed slightly. This was the first time training with her new form. [color=khaki]”I definitely needed some practice. Not even counting my magic. I wasn’t quite used to my new body. It’s uh, a little different.”[/color]

[color=57441E]“Hmm, fair point”[/color] Kyle would concede after thinking it over, he figured the other girl must have had hammer space as she never seemed to take issue with carrying them around. Only other option was to have someone make them in the field, but he wasn’t sure of anyone who could do that.

[color=57441E]“If Duplication ends up sticking around it makes a really good training tool if you’re willing to spend the mana. After all muscle memory does get absorbed along with all of the other memories if you recall the copies correctly.”[/color] The magician would explain to the twins, figuring they could easily share such with each other due to their psychic magic.

Transforming back into normal as they made the walk, Alicia nodded in approval as her intentions were understood. It just seemed like it was more trouble than it was worth. “Speaking of magic, since you’re a magician I don’t suppose you know any card tricks?” she asked as they rounded a corner, nearing the cafeteria. 

It could never be said it was hard to get on Kyle’s good side, but if there was one sure fire trick, it was to ask him about stage magic. [color=57441E]“I know tons”[/color] He would said with a massive grin [color=57441E]“Card tricks, rope tricks, vanishing acts and more. I was thinking about becoming a legit stage magician before I signed up with Beacon.”[/color] he would explain as he started to dig through the pockets of his school uniform but came up empty handed [color=57441E]“Doesn’t seem like I’ve got any cards on me at the moment though.I know I’ve got some in by backpack, I’ll grab them after lunch.”[/color]

[color=khaki]”Look forward to it.”[/color] 

Jenna following along she was being a little quiet. Not that she was the quiet one, quite the opposite so far, but she was trying to sort something out in her head. Not really paying attention to the others there she attempted to make another clone by snapping her fingers but coming up with nothing. Doing it a couple more times she glanced up realizing she probably looked ridiculous. [color=plum]”Hm, sorry what are we talking about?”[/color] 

Alicia hadn’t really noticed Jenna’s distraction, more interested in Kyle as he listed off what he could do. It definitely seemed impressive, and she was looking forward to the demonstration. “We were talking about the old fashioned kind of magic,” she explained, glancing over at the twins momentarily.

“If that was what you planned to do, what changed your mind?” she followed that with, focus returning to Kyle. It seemed like that would be a lot easier than this after all, and she was even in the organization itself. 

[color=57441E]“I got what I thought was a joke email”[/color] Kyle would start with a chuckle, he never got tired of explaining this [color=57441E]“It promised a lifetime of adventure and magic while I protected the world from darkness. At the time I was bored, and figured, what the hell might as well see if it was a bot or someone with an odd sense of humor. So I replied to it and promptly forgot about it, thing is about thirty seconds later a Puchuu came tumbling out of my computer screen, with a rolled up contract in it’s mouth.”[/color] He shook his head thinking about the black bunny like Puchuu that was his Beckoner [color=57441E]“Spent a good few hours discussing everything that I could with the little guy, to make sure I wasn’t dreaming, but it wasn’t a hard sell really. After all who doesn’t want magic, plus this way I can be a real magician and a stage magician. You’d be surprised how much they benefit each other.”[/color]

Turning towards Jenna he would ask [color=57441E]“Any trick you’re wanting to see?”[/color]

[color=plum]”Me?”[/color] Lifting a hand up to her chin Jenna gave it a little thought. It wasn't something she'd ever given a consideration. Having been dragged into a world of magic the illusion of magic seemed distant. [color=plum]”I don't know. Anything really. Can't say I've had much opportunity to see a magic show so I never really thought about it.”[/color]

Alicia nodded as Kyle relayed his story. Since she was a magical girl it wasn’t the most ridiculous thing she had ever heard or seen, but it was pretty up there. “Sounds familiar, though my introduction to them had a bit more pomp and circumstance,” The corners of her mouth lifted in a smile as she flashed back to the memory. “Guess that’s a bit more usual when one of your distant ancestors was a big time heroine.”

She took to the front of the group as they neared the cafeteria, glancing back as Jenna expressed her indifference. “Well, I guess you’ll have time to think about and come up with something impressive while we eat,” she observed. She did have a meeting with Sylvia planned, but after that she was looking forward to seeing what he came up with for the impromptu show. 

Overall it had been a productive training session, one that left her ready and invigorated for what the rest of the day might bring. Hopefully it would be just as exciting.