Flamelord

Darkest Before the Dawn: A CYOA Magical Girl Roleplay [Completed]

Alicia could understand where Rachel was coming from, and did not hold that against her. Yet she could not agree with how she saw things, or the methods in which they went about things. She still held some reservations, but if they did not give people a chance to prove themselves, then it would merely become its own self fulfilling prophecy.

"But this isn't a virus," she pointed out in turn even if Rachel did not want to hear it. "What we're fighting is intelligent and plans as much as we do. If we try to burn it all for the sake of killing an infection, then everyone else will turn away from us, even the normal girls."

She glanced away, hands balled into fists. "It was hard enough trying to convince people before. The dark forces that we're trying to stomp out, they're only going to get stronger as they earn sympathy, even as we stamp them out." But she didn't expect Rachel to get it, not yet. She had only just been put in charge after all. It seemed that she was just going to have to play damage control to the Ascendancy.

Turning from that, she nodded to Elora as the Ascendancy girl informed them of where Penny had been. "I guess that explains it. She does not waste time," Alicia remarked with a hum. Still, she would have liked if they could talk first before her friend went off picking fights.

When Serenity picked up, she nodded in agreement. "Both of them were with us during our time in the pocket dimension. Most o the work must have been done by their allies or subordinates." It wouldn't have made much sense otherwise, though it was probably only a distinction by degrees. They were still clearly causing trouble for the Ascendancy. "Have you had any luck with scrying?"

Before she could go on, pandemmonium broke out as Serenity angered pretty much every Ascendancy member in the room. As it stood, Alicia had to try very hard not to facepalm. Five minutes. The good feelings from the trial hadn't even lasted five minutes. Seriously!?!

"Serenity, I appreciate the intention, but you can't just do that sort of thing. We have limits.," she said with a sigh. Shaking her head, she thought over what a good punishment could potentially be that would even mean anything to a former Horror. Without being too cruel about it. Everyone was waiting on her with an answer.

After a moment she stiffened, looking to Serenity with a firm gaze. "It's clear that you need time to reflect, to further consider the ideals that Beacon tries to uphold. To trust in the well intentions of something incomprehensible is to court disaster. Still, your actions were driven as much by ignorance as actual intent to do harm. As penance, I want you to go and clean up Anti-Beacon and Anti-Ascendancy graffiti in the city, without the use of magic or your powers. I'm sure Elora knows a good hot spot for you to cover." she glanced over at the girl in question, hoping that this was actually a thing going on. Otherwise she was going to see very silly.

Darkest Before the Dawn: A CYOA Magical Girl Roleplay [Completed]

Everything was moving so quickly, and Alicia was not sure that the fact that she was now in charge had really sunk in yet. "Thanks Sylvia. Don't hurry on my account." She wasn't sure how long this meeting would take, and it wasn't as if she had much stuff to move in anyway. How did you even decorate an office?

The group quickly got underway, moving through the corridors of the HQ to the Hall of Luminous Valor as requested. Everything seemed a bit warmer now, now that the trial had been resolved. Beacon could move forward, and begin the process of recovery.

"Of course not, I'd never forget you," Alicia said with a look over her shoulder to Serenity. "I'm sure you'd know more about responding to the various Horror related incidents that crop up than I would." At least a first anyway. She knew how to fight, but the leadership aspect and managing strategy? That was an entirely different matter.

Arriving in the Hall, Alicia nodded to those already present as she walked over to the table that Rachel stood nearby. Disdain was clear to see, but she tried to not let it get to her. It would come in time, or so she wanted to hope.

She examined the map when it appeared, that more important than the organization chart that had preceded it. That would be easy enough to hold to. Turning to Rachel, she did her best to keep a warm demeanor. "I'll do what I can. I know we may not agree on philosophy, but we're on the same side. I want Penrose back to normal as much as you do." Even if she didn't feel the same way about the amount of blood that needed to be shed to do it.

But Rachel went on her way, and the topic of conversation shifted to the party that Aurelio had apparently been tasked to look into. While she wondered how it would be relevant to the Ascendancy, the reason was quickly explained.

"So it's either a call to arms for everyone else, or it's a trap," she observed once he had finished his explanation. "They wouldn't call us out if they weren't confident of their position." Of course it was a bit of a moot point if they couldn't find where the place was.

Arms crossed, a hum escaped as she thought about it. "We could always try and use Scrying magic, though they might have prepared for that. Otherwise I can think of a few other people to ask. Like Rebecca, she may know some contacts from when she was at the Independent who'd have the information we need." It was worth a shot to at least try, though the information might not be free. But it couldn't be as bad as dealing with the Mint for it.

However Aurelio's comment about his future plans caused her frown to deepen, mind drifting back. The absence was glaring now, and a myriad of emotions began to eat away at the good feelings that had persisted since the end of the trial. Worry, anxiety, all rising higher and higher. "Actually...I think we need to talk about that. Has anyone heard from Penny since we got back? Because she hasn't contacted me, and after what happened during the talent show the final day of our forced trip I..." She could not finish, did not want to express the doubts that had surged to the foreground of her mind. She wanted to reject it, but could not deny what she had seen. It seemed that even after joining Beacon, Penny had still kept her secrets.

She looked between the trio gathered in the room, wanting one of them to say something, to put her mind at ease. If they could.

@Ariamis@Crusader Lord[@Shifter Master]

Darkest Before the Dawn: A CYOA Magical Girl Roleplay [Completed]

It's fine, just channel the electricity through yourself and shoot it at the nearest person you don't like. That's how magic lightning works, right?

Darkest Before the Dawn: A CYOA Magical Girl Roleplay [Completed]

More wonders followed on the heels of those that had already taken place, and Alicia watched along quietly as Aurelio descended from the stands to join them in the middle of the room. "Show off," she teased quietly. Yet in the end it did not matter. Isthar had seen to the core of the matter, and announced her judgment once again.

"See, told you," the Seraph said to Serenity with a pat on the shoulder before stepping back and allowing her to have some personal space. She was curious to see how the girl would use her White Coin now that she had it.

That left Sylvia and Kimble. Nervousness rose, more for her leader than for Kimble. Alicia was touched that even after what had been done to her in the short time they had been separated, Kimble was still willing to go through the process of being purified. To say nothing of her boss, who had only acted as she thought was best. Alicia hadn't meant to sell her down the river by doing this. Fortunately, at least Isthar recognized as much.

So she nodded in approval with a relieved look as the collective group used their White Coins and took on the Shine Spark. "Hehe, well I guess a verbal tic is harder to get rid of than physical changes," she added as Sally lamented the loss of the tails and ears. "Look on the bright side, Sally's Luck is probably even more out of whack than it was before." All things considered, this had worked out pretty well. Better than what they had been looking at when they first entered the courtroom at least.

Then the floor dropped out from under her. Again.

Wide eyes stared back at Isthar as she voiced her next decision. "M-Me?" Alicia pointed back at herself at herself in disbelief. Oh, she wasn't going to get into some cliche about not being ready, especially with Sylvia able to advise, but everything seemed to be happening so fast! She was just getting comfortable with being a Seraph, and now she was being made the leader of the entire branch? Anyone would be uncomfortable in that situation.

"I'll do my best," she added once Isthar had addressed Rachel's objection. It was too soon to tell whether she was up for the challenge, but it would not be due to lack of trying.

With that the trial came to an end. People began to file out, now allowed the time to think and reflect on what had happened. Hopefully her words had reached them. But there was little time for celebration. She could understand why Rachel wanted to talk with her given their new relationship, but she wasn't sure why Serenity and Aurelio were included. They would find out soon enough.

Turning to Sylvia, the new Paladin bowed to her former superior. "I'm...sorry for what happened," she admitted. "I shouldn't have misled you like that. We'll talk once I'm done with Rachel, okay? I'm sure I'm going to need your help a lot, at least for the first couple of days." There was so much that she didn't know how to do, so if she could take advantage of the experience that Sylvia had, she would.

With that said she turned to Serenity and Aurelio. "Let's be on our way. I don't want to leave the annoyed Ascendancy leader waiting longer than necessary." So they headed off to the Hall, and their next task.

London By Lamplight: A Victorian Magical Girl's Story !

So this is the last Character we'll be accepting for now. :)

@SimpleWriter

Alright. Hit me up if a spot does appear.

Darkest Before the Dawn: A CYOA Magical Girl Roleplay [Completed]

Having said all she could, once again Alicia returned to waiting. She had done all that she could for their case. Now it was for the girls i in front of them to decide what happened next. If this was the end, hopefully her next life would be able to make up for it, even if it was ended with injustice.

She tensed as Rachel stepped forwards, saying that which was no surprise. She thought they were guilty, and there was nothing that Alicia could say that would change her mind. "Well, it was nice knowing you guys," she whispered back to the others. Then Isthar moved.

And the world froze.

Eyes opened, a voice rang in the air. To be the focus of it, to face the full brunt of the Cardinal directed upon her, it was too much for her to handle. She dropped to her knees, arms hanging limply as tears budded in her eyes. They flowed unbidden, rolling down her cheeks and dripping to the ground.

She was struck not just by how it was said, but also what was said. It was like her soul was being stripped bare and held under a microscope. All her doubts, her worries about herself, the path she was on, even about Beacon in general, exposed for the world to see. Yet when there should have been scorn there was reassurance, comfort, forgiveness.

Her eyes widened upon seeing the White Coin revealed, as shocked by that as anyone else here. "I...I don't..." she murmured, not letting her voice sound over the praise provided by Isthar. There was an obligation in that, she understood as much. But with such confidence how could she possibly reject what was at hand?

So as the Coin drifted across to her, she stumbled back to her feet. Once it had come to a stop she reached out to take it. The instant she held it the cuffs that she bore cracked, falling away on their own. It was as if they could not stand up against the sheer amount of power radiating from the Coin.

"T-Thank you," she replied, her voice trembling. "You honor me with this. I will do whatever I can to serve as an example, and to protect everyone no matter the challenge."

Clenching the White Coin, she let her magic trigger it, and let the power flow into her.

An involuntary breath followed as she was met with the sudden rush of blessed energy. She had heard what it was like from Penny, but it had not really prepared her for this. It was warm like the heat of the sun, and bright enough to be blinding. it felt like a miniature sun had been embedded in her chest. And though she had never used a Coin before, what she needed to do next was almost instinctive. She channeled the energy, directing it, letting it improve her and taking on a new power for herself.

When the light from the Coin had faded away, allowing those present to see her again, they would find Alicia Hayden standing tall, and resolute. Her wings were spread, and her eyes glowed with a light they had not held before. It was not on the same level of Isthar, but it was present nonetheless.

"I can see...so much," she said in awe as she looked around the room. So many more details, so many layers that had previously been hidden, laid bare now. it would take a bit of getting used to.

She quickly got ahold of herself before she was too distracted, bowing to Isthar. "Thank you, again. I will not disappoint you."

Then Serenity stepped up to speak, Alicia falling silent and letting her do so. She watched as the Soul Gem was presented, the light within revealed, and passionate words rang out to all. When it had ended she reached down, supporting Serenity and helping her to her feet. "We're all in this together," she replied with a smile as her eyes faded back to their regular color, and her wings withdrew. "That's what being in Beacon means. None of us should have to stand alone." She didn't know how the court would react to the plea, but she had the feeling that Isthar would surprise them all.

London By Lamplight: A Victorian Magical Girl's Story !

@Flamelord

Oh hi Mark-

I haven't even continued work on Emily yet. :'D

@Majoras End

Who is this Mark you speak of? I know no Marks? Only Daves.

>_>
<_<

London By Lamplight: A Victorian Magical Girl's Story !

Hmm, well I am interested, though it looks like you have a decent amount of people at this point. May app something if only for the waitlist, and otherwise keep an eye on this.

Darkest Before the Dawn: A CYOA Magical Girl Roleplay [Completed]

It was hard to tell whether her words were having any impact, if she was swaying any minds. Perhaps in the crowd, but this was not that kind of trial. It wasn't like Ancient Rome where that crowd would approve her guilt or innocence. It was all about the Ascendancy gathered before her, and what they believed.

There was definitely not one person who was not convinced, and that was Rachel. At the mention of Pandemonium she flinched, as anyone else would in the same situation. Really, she should have expected no less.

Turing, she frowned as the video played. For a moment she was tempted to ask how the girl had gotten this, before mentally stopping herself. Right, Scrying magic. Stupid question. Instead she listened quietly at the various cases presented, the arguments made. She waited patiently for her opportunity to speak, to defend herself.

At last it did, and she nodded in turn. The first thing to address was the video, and what had happened during it. "That's right," she confirmed with a nod to Hudie.

That detail cleared, she moved into her actual explanation. "At the time things were....tense. We were still recovering from the devastation caused by Justine. I was worried, afraid that out of anger or revenge or justice one of my sisters here would kill her before she had the chance to be purified, even though I had confirmed her apology and desire for redemption to be sincere." Alicia's head fell slightly. "I know it wasn't protocol, and I went beyond my bounds, but at the time I made what I believed was the right choice."

She then moved on to the matter of what they had done for Penny. "As far as the modifications are concerned, but that point we considered her to be an ally, despite being deceived by her Patron at the time. I felt it was reasonable to help an sally, though it wasn't entirely my decision." As much as she might want to stand beside her leader, that had been Sylvia's call in the end. She couldn't deny it.

"As for Serenity..." Alicia looked back over her shoulder, flashing the girl a warm smile before shrugging. "You really give me too much credit. You all can feel it. She has a Spark, she passed the tests that all have to go through to join Beacon. You can test her for yourselves if you want, but I'm not sure what else I was supposed to do in that situation."

She then met Rachel head on. Firm, determined, confident in what she had said and her reasoning behind it. "I don't deny any of these claims. I do deny this fearmongering, this belief in some grander conspiracy lurking beneath the surface. A lot of stuff has happened here in Penrose, more than I ever would have anticipated when I signed up to join Beacon. I'd like to think it's the same way for everyone else in the Branch. Yet we're still here, and the world is still standing. I'd like to think that counts for something."

One could only hope

Darkest Before the Dawn: A CYOA Magical Girl Roleplay [Completed]

Shifting as Aurelio joined them, Alicia gave the magician a wry grin. His return was sudden and unexpected, and it was a bit too bad really. They would just have to make the best of it. "When you said you would try to be there for the trial, I didn't think you meant being part of it," she observed, though that was all she said for now.

Entering the Hall of Divine Judgment, the changes there threw her off for a moment and left her wondering why it had changed. She didn't mind the old timey courtroom aesthetic, but given their professed beliefs one would think the old set up would be preferable for them anyway. Maybe it had something to do with distractions? But this was something fairly unimportant compared to the other things that she had to worry about. For now she was guided to the stand with the others to face the trial.

The judges opposite them were unfamiliar, even the Beckoners. The tension was palpable in the air, and she knew that expecting a lenient trial would be hoping for too much. But there was no more time as the trial was called to order.

Alicia stood proud, her head held high even as the charges were read out. Then as expected Sylvia made her move, claiming full responsibility for what had happened. Her eyes met Sylvia's, even as the feelings in her heart continued to push her onwards. She would not allow this. Not so long as a Seraph of Beacon.

So once they asked her to comment, she wasted no time in stepping forwards. "My name is Alicia Hayden. I am a Seraph of Beacon. It is a great responsibility that I have been entrusted with. And I cannot in good conscience allow my superior to take the blame on herself for all of these crimes, especially in light of my own responsibility in them."

She shifted, giving Sylvia an apologetic look before going on. "We are innocent of the charge of dereliction of duty and its related charges. We were transported, against our will, to a pocket dimension where time moved faster than it does in this world. For us it was only three days, and we were unaware that months had passed here." She swept the crowd, trying to make eye contact with as many people as possible. "There are a pair of sisters in Penrose, who deal in the business of wishes at the behest of their patron. I don't know exactly what happened, but in the events preceding our return it became clear that they had aided this Lesser Force in some manner to give him power beyond his normal limits."

Despite the circumstances, she felt bad giving up the information about the Djinn sisters to those gathered here. But there was no way to explain otherwise, and she wasn't even confident that they would believe it even after she had said it. For now, she plunged on. "The presence of Kimble was my responsibility. During the events of Justine Von Visceral's reign of terror, we participated in an assault on her castle. Kimble was part of the defending force, and was seriously injured during the battle. Using my powers, I determined that she had been mind controlled by Justine into fighting us, and that she was no threat otherwise. Initially I had intended that she would only remain until she had healed, but I guess familiarity grew and things got away from us." It was a weak excuse, but she did not have much better.

She then turned to talk about the other individual who was the subject of this trial. "I was also the one who arranged for the alliance with Penny and her patron. There had just been a terrorist attack on a gathering of all the cities magical girls, with ourselves pinned as responsible. We didn't know who actually did it at the time, but we couldn't allow ourselves to become isolated from the general population in a time of crisis." It seemed like it had been ages ago since then, and so much had changed. It was incredible really. "As it turned out it was a ruse by her patron, but her experiences with us motivated her to reveal that and join us, before she did us any harm"

Then, her gaze fell. "As for the White Coin...." There was a deep breath, a marshaling of will before she could face the tribunal again. "Our branch has suffered heavily in the past few months, even before we vanished. Our headquarters was destroyed, our members subverted by dark forces such as Justine and others who plotted harm to the people of this city and plotted our own destruction. If someone like that could use twist our minds, turn our very own sisters against us, then what chance would we have? We saw a potential threat, and we acted to address it." There was a small shrug from her. "I thought the Beckoners had approved it, but I was mistaken."

A few steps carried her forwards, practically up against the railing at this point. Had she been able to use her wings at this point, they would have been spread wide and shining with a brilliant radiance. Alicia would have to make due without it. "I am a Seraph. I believe in Beacon, it's ideals, it's purpose, it's mission, the people who are part of it. But the people out there, beyond these walls....We're supposed to be an example, a light guiding all to what magical girls can and should aspire to be. But the people out there don't see us like that. They see us as zealots, as murderers, and they'd rather side with the monsters and the creatures lurking in the dark because of how easy it is to spin a sob story that makes us look bad. What good is a beacon when no one wants to follow it?

She fixed upon the judges, directly looking at each in turn. "I believe that people should be judged by what they do, and how they choose to use their powers. If that is a crime, then so be it."

Now, to see if it mattered even in the slightest. Or if this would be the end for her.