[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/Pqt7488.png[/img]

[b]&[/b]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/z6cC6JC.png[/img][/center]

It was a sunny day outside, something that Alicia Hayden currently had the time to appreciate as she stood on the roof of Beacon’s HQ in Penrose. She was already transformed for what she would be doing very shortly, a state of affairs that gave her ample opportunity to feel the warmth of the sun as well as the gentle wind that ruffled her skirt and sent her hair swaying. 

[color=aba000]”Yeah, this is a good day. Perfect for a patrol,”[/color] she mused to herself with a light smile. Normally this was just the sort of thing that she had to do as part of her Beacon duties, but this patrol in particular was different from those in recent days. It would be her first with Janet and Jenna since they had unveiled their ‘White Coin’ invention, and she was looking forward to spending a bit of time with them.

She expected this would be a nice change of pace for them as well. They had been so busy in the past weeks with that invention and preparing it to be produced on a larger scale so Beacon could take advantage of it, that they might need some time out of a lab to take their mind off things. The sort of pressure they were under, even with Binky’s help she could imagine what it might be like. 

It was just about time for their patrol to start, which was why she was on the roof. The twins would show sooner or later, and then they could get underway. Until then, she would relax and enjoy her day. 

As predicted Janet and Jenna arrived not long after. Their absence hadn’t really been felt too much as they had still been active, presumably to not be MIA for a long period of time. One could count on their hands the number of people that knew what they had been up to for the last week. That did mean even more work for them though, keeping up with their normal duties and all. Thankfully a bulk of the White coin project was done and the restriction was time and less figuring out how to make it work. Letting out a relieved sigh Janet walked over to Alicia. [color=khaki]”Sorry we’re late. Trying to get back into the groove of things again.”[/color]

[color=aba000]”it’s fine,”[/color] Alicia assured Janet as she turned to face the twins once alerted to their presence. [color=aba000]”There haven’t been any alerts recently, so it should just be a standard patrol. We’re slotted to head out east, around the Historic district out there.”[/color]

She would wait for them to transform before stepping over to the edge of the rooftop. Poised on the edge, Alicia glanced back over her shoulder at the duo. [color=aba000]” Now then, time to get going,”[/color] she said before hopping off to the nearest adjacent building in the direction of their patrol route. 

Stepping off the edge of HQ the twins followed after Alicia. Despite all that had changed Alicia was still something of a mentor to the two. Being a magical girl was new enough but adding on everything else just made it even more confusing. This patrol would probably be one of the most normal things they’ve done in a while. [color=plum]”Good, I could use a little break from the world ending.”[/color] Smirking slightly Jenna and her sister kept up as they crossed the cityscape of Penrose.

There was something that never got old about jumping from rooftop to rooftop, flying over the people below who would never know that you were there. It was as close as one could get to being a superhero, and in this case they kind of were. Just superheroes that everyone would forget about meeting afterwards. 

The path was direct and straightforward, and Alicia led the way even as her companions kept up. She was more relaxed for now, though once they got on location they would need to be more alert for potential dangers. With Mariette and Regina and that new trouble squad, who knew if someone would try and take a shot at them. 

[color=aba000]“So, how have things been going?”[/color] she asked as they moved along, making sure her words could be heard at the same time. [color=aba000]”I hope you’re not too overworked and underpaid. Cause that sort of thing can really wear you down.”[/color] If it was, then she was more than willing to talk to someone about it. The well being of their sisters came first, no matter how important the White Coins were. 

Skipping across the rooftops Janet responded first. [color=khaki]”Busy as you can imagine. I think things will start slowing down here soon. We got the process down so now it’s just refining everything so there’s not so much babysitting.”[/color] 

Pulling alongside Jenna had to shake her head a bit. She wouldn’t put it so lightly but it wasn’t like anyone else could do it. [color=plum]”Glad to be out here though for sure. I can only sit still for so long in that place.”[/color] Looking down she thought to herself how oblivious he had been to the fact that magical beings has been running all around him. Being brought into the fold as a magical girl was like having a spotlight blasted in your face revealing how blind they were.

[color=aba000]”That’s good to hear.”[/color] Alicia was reassured by what they told her, and that she could be of some help even if it didn’t involve the more technical aspects of the project that they were embarked upon. Most of her expertise was in dealing with threats, not this sort of thing. Which was a shame, since the White Coins were ultimately the sort of endeavour that would really make a change in the world. 

Thinking about it caused her smile to widen just a bit more. [color=aba000]“Still, it’ll be nice when it’s finished and we can get this out there. It’s hard enough dealing with all the bad press we usually get. Maybe we’ll actually be able to change some people’s minds, if they don’t just think it’s some kind of trick.”[/color]. And though she didn’t want to be cynical, well, she had the sneaking suspicion that more than a few might think that way regardless. 

[color=khaki]”Can’t please everybody. But it’s always going to appeal more to those that don’t like the place they’re in now. Others are going to reject it either because they don’t want it or because it’s associated with Beacon. I do hope it spreads to other chapters though. Penrose can’t be the only place that could benefit”[/color] It would also help to avoid any other friction to what they were doing. Right now they were treading new ground and there wasn’t really a way to know how the rest of the organization would respond.

[color=aba000]”True, but one can try.”[/color] Alicia let out a loud huff, before trying her best to push that out of mind. That was a good point raised, though she could only assume at least some of the chapters would hop on, if for the increased immunity to brainwashing and mind tricks and nothing else. That was relevant regardless of your attitude. 

They drew near their destination at last, and she did her best to focus on the task at hand, rather than letting herself be troubled by her own darker thoughts,. This was important, and she needed her head in the game. Not off brooding on her problems. 

Hopefully conversation might help with that. [color=aba000]”Anyway. So Jenna, have you had any luck in learning more about your magic since the last time we practiced together?[/color]

Being addressed Jenna perked up. [color=plum]”Oh yeah, I think I know what’s going on.”[/color] She glanced off in the direction of the graveyard. [color=plum]”I’m pretty sure I can copy other people’s power. It’s hard to explain but whenever I see someone use their power I can choose to use that same power. I’m pretty sure there is some kind of cooldown before I can switch again though which would explain why I couldn’t just copy your power during training.”[/color] Arriving in the Historic district the trio headed toward one of the taller buildings to get a vantage point. From their perch they could decide where to start their patrol.

Hearing that Jenna was getting a handle on things helped to distract from Alicia’s own worries, and she was glad for that. It meant that her intended approach was having the effect that she wanted it to, even if it might only be a short term reprieve when it came down to it. [color=aba000]”Good, I’m glad for you. That sounds like a neat ability, though it might be useful in some situations more than others.”[/color]

The trio ended up on top of an old clocktower, providing the height needed to survey the surrounding area. [color=aba000]”Alright, I think we’ll do a loop, kind of like this,”[/color] Alicia told her companions, tracing out the general path she wanted them to take with her finger on the city below. They might deviate a bit, just to check out possible disturbances, but on the whole that was the path they would take. 

[color=aba000]”Keep an eye out,”[/color] she added as they prepared to depart. [color=aba000]”With that whole ‘ruler of Penrose’ schtick from before Soth attacked, we want to be alert in case someone who works for Cindy tries to pick a fight.”[/color]

[color=plum]”Right.”[/color] Moving out they began their patrol. It meant less conversation, but since the battle against Soth the magical girls and boys in Penrose had spent a fair amount of time cleaning out the city of monsters. Didn’t mean they weren’t still around but they were in hiding.

After a while of a quiet patrol Janet struck up a question for Alicia. [color=khaki]”So we haven’t really had the chance to ask you much lately. How have you been doing?”[/color] It was a genuine question. Remembering back to the day they tested the White Coin Alicia had expressed some sense that she wasn’t really contributing much. It wasn’t a sentiment that Janet shared on the matter given everything that had been done for her. 

Alicia led the way as they patrolled, moving on rooftops and occasionally ducking into alleyways as well as some buildings. They were on the lookout not just for monsters or dark magical girls or what have you, but signs that they had been there in the past, or that they would return. Knowing the territory a girl liked to run in was just as useful as meeting them face to face. 

Fortunately, or not, the first part of the patrol was relatively uneventful. They picked up some signs of things that might be worth looking into, but there was nothing pressing going on. Which meant there was time for them to continue talking as well, at least a bit. 

Slowling, Alicia flashed a smile towards Janet in turn. [color=aba000]“I’m doing alright,”[/color] she responded swiftly. [color=aba000]”Just out fighting monsters, making new friends, trying to figure out how to track down the people who want to kill us, that sort of thing.”[/color] Though for someone who could read emotions, it would be obvious that there was more than she was letting on. 

Humming to herself slightly Janet looked away for a moment before coming back. [color=khaki]”Mmm, no. I may not look it but I’m old enough to know that almost no one is just ‘doing alright’”[/color] Putting a hand on Alicia’s shoulder she slowed her down. [color=khaki]”Plus I’m not just going to forget the things you mentioned during our last meeting. We’re your friends, if you have something on your mind you should let us know.”[/color] Jenna returned from scoping out a small alley. While not 100% sure on what was going on, it didn’t take much to tell her that Janet was trying to talk things out.

Alicia made no effort to resist as she was slowed down by Janet, a huff escaping as she shot a rueful grin her friends way. [color=aba000]”Well, ‘alright’ is petty subjective so I guess we’ll have to disagree on how possible it is to just be doing alright.”[/color] Though she tried to counter the validity of Janet’s statement, she quickly realized that she probably wouldn’t walk away from this one. Not with magic powers involved.

There didn’t seem much point in lying about the reason either. They might not be able to tell if she was, but she didn’t see a reason to hurt her friends like that. [color=aba000]”I guess...I’m just feeling a bit useless,”[/color] she admitted, her shoulders sagging as the tension left them. [color=aba000]”I’ve been around for stuff basically my whole career, but I haven’t done anything that someone else couldn’t have done if they were in the same situation. That’s all.”[/color]

Mulling over the idea in her head for a while Jenna resumed walking. It was somewhat tricky to respond to that without sounding insensitive. Thinking back to her own experiences so far as a magical girl she could see how that could be felt. [color=plum]”I wouldn’t say that we’ve really done anything that important until now. And even then it wasn’t because we are super smart or anything, it’s more like we cheated.”[/color] They couldn’t sit around too long so she got them to start moving again. [color=khaki]”Maybe it’s because of who I used to be, but being a magical girl has given me a second chance. Third if you count the trial. And I’ve been trying to find ways I could make up from the mistakes in my life. Maybe I never will, but after all the shots I’ve been given I owe it to Beacon and you to give it my best attempt. It’s not glamorous but it’s a lot better than where I used to be.”[/color] Perspective was something Janet and Jenna were blessed with. It wasn’t the only perspective but the one they had at least gave them some direction.

Seeing an opportunity to speak up Janet took it. [color=plum]”Not everyone does what they do for the same reason. Redemption is kind of our motivator. I wish I could say it was for more altruistic reasons, but I don’t think we’re quite there yet.”[/color] Looking at Jenna for a moment she added. [color=khaki]”I know the feeling though, I do. It’s one of the reasons I decided to use the Red Coin. I didn’t feel like I was having much impact. Hell I practically hurt more people than I helped. Was it the best idea? I don’t know. But I only have forward to move so....”[/color] The girl shrugged a bit. She wished she had better encouragement to give but it was something she struggled with as well.

[color=aba000]”Haa, it sounds dumb when I complain to you,”[/color] Alicia observed with a sigh. [color=aba000]”You’ve gone through a whole lot worse than I probably ever will.”[/color] If there was someone she shouldn’t be expressing this sort of thing to, it was Janet. Not after what had happened with Justine. 

She followed along as they resumed walking, keeping up as they moved at a slower pace now. [color=aba000]”I’m not sure what you mean by cheating at it, but you’ve done something that could dynamically change the entire magical girl community. And me? Well, it just feels like I was there, like that’s all I’ve ever done.”[/color]

With a small burst of magical energy her wings shimmered into existence, spreading wide enough that she could look back at them. [color=aba000]“Like that Justine thing. I was there, sure, but I spent most of the actual assault frozen or useless without mana. I wasn’t even there for the actual final battle to save the world and all that stuff. But I ended up as a Seraph anyway. And I guess… I don’t feel like I earned it. It’s just hollow, like the Beckoners wanted to pretend we didn’t get caught with our pants down the entire crisis.”[/color]

She came to a stop at the edge of a rooftop, hand on her hip as she stood like a sentinel in the wind. [color=aba000]”That fight at the graveyard was the first time that I felt like I actually deserved to be a Seraph. And then there was that whole thing with Serenity and them thinking it was something I did, and that feeling was swept away.”[/color] Not that she blamed the others for that, not knowing any better. It was just frustrating for her to deal with when she compared herself to others. [color=aba000]”The Beckoners know what they’re doing, I’m sure. I just don’t see what they have planned, and I guess I’m stuck.”[/color]

An air of silence hung for a moment before Jenna spoke up. [color=plum]”Have you asked them?”[/color]

[color=khaki]”Eh, I’m not sure if that would really help. Maybe, but it's hard to say.”[/color] Admiring the wings for a bit Janet managed a smile. [color=khaki]”I see what you’re saying though. Getting attention that isn’t really something you did. Beacon was at a low point and I’m sure they knew that people need hope. You could provide that and it’s just gotten a little out of hand. I would talk with the Beckoners, not about the why, but about how you feel. I’m sure they didn’t mean to have this happen.”[/color] Stopping she faced Alicia directly. [color=khaki]” Although personally I think the title fits with what you’ve accomplished. Sure maybe it’s not for some super spectacular feat that just wows the masses but you’ve honestly been like a guardian angel for me. No one else in Beacon would have fought for me like you have. I really only have you to thank for that. I’m sorry I’ve never really expressed that to you. You mean the world to me and I owe you my life.”[/color]

[color=plum]”I blame having been a guy. Guys suck at expressing themselves. Or at least I did. Which is probably why…”[/color] Jenna trailed off from that though as she realized it didn’t really matter. They were having a moment and she jumped over and pulled the other two into a group hug. [color=plum]”No matter what the others may think you are our Seraph.”[/color]

Glad that she had managed to convey just what she meant to express, Alicia averted her gaze when they suggested she just talk to the Beckoners about it. It was a simple solution, but one that she was just nervous to attempt. She didn’t want to disrupt things, or make it look like she wasn’t up to the responsibility they had placed upon her shoulders. 

Still, she supposed she didn’t have much of an excuse, not anymore. Sometimes it took an outside perspective on things to really push you into action. [color=aba000]“I guess I should. What’s the worst that could happen, going back to being a normal member of beacon like everyone else?”[/color] With her current state in mind, she couldn’t say the idea didn’t have a certain appeal to it. 

But she was distracted that by being drawn into the sudden hug as the twins professed how they felt. Stiff for a few seconds, Alicia soon gave in, eyes watering without becoming tears as she bit at her lip to hold back. [color=aba000]”Thanks you two. I appreciate it. Really.”[/color] She was going to need a moment or two to recover from this before she could get underway again. 

Glad to have gotten that out there the twins held the hug for a while before letting go and giving Alicia a chance to pull herself together. [color=plum]”Don’t mention it. If you ever need someone to talk to just let us know. It’s the least we could do.”[/color]

[color=aba000]”I’ll remember that,”[/color] the Seraph assured them as she took some deep breaths to get herself back under control after the impromptu emotional release. She brushed her hair back, straightened her clothes a bit, and calmed down before nodded to the duo. [color=aba000]”So, I think we should get back to that patrol, don’t you?”[/color]