[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/z6cC6JC.png[/img] [b]&[/b] [img]https://imgur.com/ImkLeJL.png[/img][/center] It had been a week since the unsuccessful purification weapons test, and four days since the Howell sisters had fallen off of Beacon’s radar. Things weren’t looking good. Either Cindy’s plan to separate didn’t go as planned or something else had happened. Finally though, Alicia received a message to meet at the old lake house outside Penrose. There was really only one person that would request this location. It was still daylight out this time. The lake looked quite different this time with it being frozen over. With her arms folded around her and glowing with some magic for warmth, a girl waited. The freezing wind caused her long white hair to flow behind her as eyes as icy blue as the lake looked out over the scene. Two smaller girls, clearly Twinned Soul, stood by wrapped in pairs of wings for their own warmth. Picking up the Beacon girl’s approach, the white haired one turned and gave a cheerful greeting. [b]”I’m glad you got my message.”[/b] It felt like Alicia was walking down memory lane as she approached the lake. It was crusted over with a thin layer of ice at points, but overall it had not been too affected by winter. It had been months since then, but with the time dilation they had suffered it had been far less for them. So her memory of meeting Janet after the fight with Justine here was much more fresh. Despite everything that had happened. Drawing near the meeting site, her gaze narrowed as she eyed the trio that waited for her. Only one person knew this location, and the numbers matched up. It seemed she should not be in ease. [color=aba000]”Janet, Jenna? I see you’ve had a makeover again.”[/color] [b]”A bit more than a makeover I’m afraid. I can explain, but my name is Kayli Devon.”[/b] She would introduce herself. Alicia lifted an eyebrow as she regarded Kayli somewhat skeptically. [color=aba000]”I see. Well met Kayli. Go ahead and explain what’s happened this time.”[/color] Kayli couldn't help but laugh a bit. [b]”Yes, this seems to be a theme of theirs. I am not sure if you are aware, but the test of the weapon did not go as hoped. Four days ago the twins had an encounter with the djinn girl. Seeing this as another chance they wished for a weapon of purification. For whatever reason the wish enveloped and used them to fulfil the wish and created me. I am my own person with pieces of the ones you know as Janet, Jenna, and Cindy filling in the gaps. I have their memories and share most of their aspirations. It's strange to say the least, but the struggle they were having is over at least."[/b] She gave a light shrug and took a couple steps closer. [b]"They promised to update you, and I thought that if there was anyone they would want me to tell it would be you and perhaps Penny."[/b] Alicia nodded slowly as she listened to Kayli’s explanation. It sounded ridiculous, but after everything Janet had been through it came off as more reasonable than one might expect. She looked Kayli over once more, critically and trying to observe what she could. [color=aba000]”Well, that explains that I guess. I don’t suppose you feel particularly weapon-y, do you?”[/color] It was a long shot, but if that was what the wish had been about then it was odd that nothing had come of it. Holding out her left hand, Kayli summoned her lance of purifying light. With her third eye Alicia could tell that it's magic was not much different from what she'd observed purifying Janet before. Looking at it briefly she soon lay it down across her other arm. [color=crimson]"It appears I have been crafted to better bring purification to others. When I came to the djinn girl was gone so I was not able to ask why the wish manifested the way it has."[/color] The girl with the reddish hair spoke up. She was a little sheepish at first, but seemed to gain some confidence as she went on. [color=plum]"Uh, hi there. I'm, er, was Hilde."[/color] She started off. [color=plum]"I was there when they made the wish. I think that maybe it didn't go like the wish girl though it would because she seemed surprised when it went around Janet and Jenna. I tried to get them out of it but, well, the magic changed me too."[/color] Having offered what little she could to explain things she gestured to herself and then the similar girl beside her. [color=plum]"You can call me Rose and this is my new sister, Iris."[/color] She offered a weak smile. Iris gave a slight wave but didn't add any further comment. Alicia eyed the lance curiously, recognizing the magic at play and how Kayli interacted with it. That was impressive, though at the same time it did raise a lot of questions regarding her abilities. If the potion had been able to purify the Spark, who knew what Kayli could do now? Before she could pursue that further, Hilde drew attention to herself. Alicia would admit that she had not been as close to her, so the news of her fate was not as personal as it had been with the Twins. But it was still interesting to see nonetheless. [color=aba000]”It sounds like their Patron was playing some tricks of his own,”[/color] she observed. It was the only explanation she had for this happening. With that having been explained, she turned back to Kayli. [color=aba000]”So what will you do now? I’d like to hope we can still be friends.”[/color] The weapon disappearing from her hands, she gave a smile and clasped her hands together. [b]”Yes, I would like that very much. I realize it may not be the same as with Janet, but I would like to do my best to be helpful to you and Beacon. I believe we have similar goals. Though I hope to offer a lighter touch. Since I am not affiliated with any patron perhaps I can serve as a go between for some of the factions here in Penrose. I am confident that a few of them are more reasonable than one might expect.”[/b] As she spoke, her words carried magic with them. It wasn’t necessarily something she was purposely using to persuade Alicia. Rather the Beacon girl would pick up that this was something of a side effect of her altered magic. The djinn certainly did a number to her friend. Alicia folded her arms over her chest as she settled onto a back foot, listening to Kayli’s explanation. She wasn’t sure about how successful the girl would be, but perhaps that was because of the tug of magic that accompanied it. Trying to purify her of the Spark? It was hard to tell, but it made her a bit more wary all the same. [color=aba000]”That sounds pretty good, though you can turn off the magic whammy. I’m not the one you’d need to convince after all.”[/color] It didn’t seem like Kayli intended to become some sort of evil villain, so Alicia was not opposed to her expressed goal. [color=aba000]”That said, I am going to miss having you around.”[/color] Taking a breath and holding it for a second, Kayli reigned in her passives a bit. [b]”Sorry. I’m not quite used to some of the nature of my magic. I didn’t mean to…[/b] She sighed a bit and looked down at the ground. She could tell Alicia was being cautious of her. Taking a few moments her magic guided her a bit. [b]”I will miss being around. I’m fairly certain I couldn’t rejoin you in Beacon even if I wanted to. At least not in an official capacity."[/b] Hesitantly, she stepped forward with her arms open a bit. It looked like she was asking for a hug, but she didn't want to just give Alicia one if she didn't want it. [b]"I don't want to hurt you in any way, Alicia. And would like to keep up the friendship you had. In a way, you were instrumental in forging who I am now. The circumstances might be dubious, but I wouldn't go around your back to change you or anyone else in Beacon. I know it's like family."[/b] Alicia slowly nodded, less tense now that the magic had been dialed back. As much as she hated to admit it, Kayli was right. She wouldn’t be able to come back so long as she was still purifying herself of the Spark. That would raise too many questions, too many doubts. It wasn’t like Janet had been particularly trusted even before all of this had gone down. Though Kayli advanced hesitantly, she would meet with a warm reception as Alicia gave her a modest hug. It did not last long, but it was notable nonetheless. [color=aba000]”I’m glad to hear that. You’ve got my number, so feel free to send a message whenever you want to chat or hang out or something. I can make the time.”[/color] If she could work Penny into her schedule, she could do the same for J-Kayli. [b]"Thank you. I'm just glad the crazy roller coaster is over."[/b] She smiled. [b]"I'll be talking with Penny next. See if maybe I can help things there. I still believe we can work things out between them and Beacon. If nothing else I can help remove some of the more harmful mutations with my magic, if they'll have me."[/b] Alicia could only hope that Kayli was right about the ride being over. For some reason though, she did not find herself at ease considering such a thing. Not with past experience. [color=aba000]”Sounds good. I wish you the best of luck with that.”[/color] She certainly didn’t mind Kayli helping out with the Sanctuary and Penny. So long as she was still doing good, then what was there to worry about? Remembering something, a red envelope was presented. [b]"Oh yes, Jenna was given this to give to friends. We were all invited to a Christmas party by Dan the Dolphin. You can concentrate and make copies to give to others at Beacon. Maybe you could invite Rachel so she can meet Dan and clear up that we were indeed trapped in his world. He's fixed the time dilation issue so we don't have to worry about that happening again."[/b] A hum escaped as Alicia took the envelope. A Christmas Party run by Dan? Considering what had happened last time, that sounded...interesting. For now, Alicia slipped it into a pocket so she wouldn’t forget it. [color=aba000]”Thank you. I’ll see what I can do, but no promises that Rachel will go along with it.”[/color] At least they wouldn’t have to worry about missing several months again. The answer was fair. Seemingly out of things on her mind, the white haired girl let out a sigh. [b]"Well, that was the main things I had on my mind. I don't know if you have any questions for me or anything. Or maybe if you aren't too busy we could try and do something more normal to unwind"[/b] She would offer. They had something of a friendship from before, but in other ways they were starting over. [color=aba000]”Not right now. But if I do then I have your phone number. So it should be fine,”[/color] Alicia replied as she shook her head. Things seemed fairly straightforward at this point. The only question was whether more would develop from here that could complicate the situation. There was one thing that occurred to her though. It was small, relatively minor given the use of magic, but knowing how Janet had been it seemed only reasonable to ask. [color=aba000]”...What should I tell your ‘parents’?”[/color] That question gave her some pause. Beacon had provided her parents, and she wasn't really sure if they were created or an existing family. Thus far their memories seemed to alter to fit with Janet's various changes. This time though she wasn't connected to Beacon so it was hard to say if the wish would make the same leap. Her expression became more solemn as she contemplated what to do there. For all they probably knew, their girls went to a game with their cousin and they all just vanished. Opening her mouth for a moment she stopped. [b]"C-could we go back to my place first so I can see what they believed happened? I don't want to send them the wrong message. I don't know what Beacon does with families if their girls go missing."[/b] It was a rather heavy topic, or at least could be. [color=aba000]”Of course,”[/color] Alicia assured Kayli with a quick nod. It seemed the question had been as important as she had expected it would be. She then extended a hand to her friend. [color=aba000]”We can leave whenever you’re ready.”[/color] Kayli would take the hand. Together they would make their way to the home the twins had been given by Beacon. As a format member, with a little looking Kayli would be able to see that there were some changes. Alicia though would recognize right away that Beacon had removed their magical protections. [color=aba000]”I guess Beacon knows already,”[/color] Alicia observed once the pair had returned to that familiar dwelling that Janet had lived in during her time in Beacon. [color=aba000]”The magical protection is gone, since it isn’t really needed anymore.”[/color] After all, the protection they provided was for the well being of their members families. So they could do their jobs without worrying. Alicia then turned to face Kayli. Learning this did change a few things. [color=aba000]”I can’t promise that they’ll remember who you were before. But if you want to try anyway, I won’t stop you.[/color] [b]"Uh, well… Let me take a look."[/b] Her magic was sensing something up in the room. While she wasn't as strong as before she was still pretty agile and climbed up to look into her old room. Two beds sat there in their usual place. However, they were not empty. Two girls slept, looking strikingly similar to Janet and Jenna's untransformed appearance. Eyes growing wide she slipped down back to the ground and stood silent for a while. Breathing in she exhaled in order to calm herself. [b]"It looks like… Beacon replaced Janet and Jenna with normal girls so their parents wouldn't worry. Uh… "[/b] The development left her a little conflicted and she sat down on the porch. Waiting down below, Alicia was silent as kayli scaled up to the second story bedroom to confirm what she had sensed. She slowly nodded as Kayli returned and revealed what she had found out. She’d heard about this, but had never experienced it personally. It seemed that things were running particularly fast with Rachel here to supervise. Stepping over to Kayli, Alicia crouched beside her to rest a comforting hand upon her shoulder. [color=aba000]“Do what you feel you should. You wouldn’t be the first.”[/color] Despite what Janet or Jenna would have felt Kayli was not them and she seemed to rationalize the scenario rather quickly. Brushing a little water from her eyes she reached up and put a hand over Alicia's. [b]"It's alright. There was no way I could really go back and give either of them a proper send-off. They would be happy to know their parents didn't have to go through losing them."[/b] Removing her hand she would take a deep breath and let it out slowly. Putting on a much more peaceful smile she stood back up. [b]"I have a new life to live. Your friend's memories will help guide me. Hopefully I can live up to their hearts."[/b] Her confidence seemed to rise as a burden had been lifted. Kayli could let go of one of the biggest problems the Howell 's had been causing her. Smiling, Alicia removed her hand now that it was not needed and Kayli announced her intent. She didn’t mind either way, so long as there were no regrets about the decision made. And right now, it seemed like that was something she did not have to worry about. For now, she nodded in approval. [color=aba000]“In that case I suppose this is goodbye.”[/color] she mused, though her smile nonetheless remained. [color=aba000]“I’ll see you around.”[/color] Giving her friend one last hug the two parted. There were a few other loose ends the twins and Cindy had left that needed tying up.