As the head of The Beacon’s Penrose branch, Alicia had many important responsibilities. However, that didn’t mean she couldn’t shuffle them off onto some unfortunate subordinate so that she could patrol the city, just like old times. Such was the case tonight, as the Paladin Seraph leapt from rooftop to rooftop, following the path of her customary patrol route. Although some might consider it risky for a lone magical girl to travel without support in a city as dangerous as Penrose, Alicia was a veteran of many battles, and thus considered herself to be more than a match for most of the threats the city might care to send against her. Yet,
most was not
all, and as she would soon discover, such would be the case tonight…
Landing in the center of a basketball court between apartment blocks, once the site of magical graffiti that had since been removed, the Paladin Seraph felt a sense of unease, as if she was being
watched. An instant later, the source of this feeling presented themselves, as a ring of twelve figures materialized out of nowhere to surround her. They all looked completely identical, taking the form of featureless young women in generic magical girl outfits, as if they were nothing more than three dimensional outlines, or silhouettes.
“Alicia Hayden,” they greeted as one. “We are the Genericans,” one of the figures announced. “And we have chosen to appear before you now, so that you may be inducted into our ranks as a protector of Generica, the nondescript realm of meaningless banality.”
Coming to a stop with her weapon at the ready, Alicia’s gaze moved between the assembled figures as she tried to determine if they were a threat or not. Clearly not an immediate one since they hadn’t attempted an ambush, but it was never wise to assume when dealing with magical girls.
Then they revealed their purpose here, leaving her taken aback as she recoiled. “Wait, what?” It took her another moment to actually catch up with her thoughts.
“If this is some kind of practical joke it’s not a bad one, but I think I’m insulted regardless.”“Insulted?” one of the girls asked.
“Why ever for?” another inquired.
“You are a paragon of monotony, utterly devoid of ambitions, goals, or objectives, beyond the most base purpose of ‘protecting this city’,” a third stated flatly.
“Indeed, despite your ostensibly high station in your faction’s local hierarchy, you remain a perfect encapsulation of the ideal featureless figurehead,” a forth declared without a hint of derision.
“Therefore, it is only natural that we would seek you out,” a fifth continued. “You serve as an inspiration to all Genericans, and we would be honored to count you among our number in the never-ending battle against distinction.”
Listening to the group, Alicia felt her anger rising higher in her throat as they laid down their reason for coming to her. But some part of her recognized that an argument probably wouldn’t be worth it given the circumstances. She had much better things to waste her time on than something like this. So she opted for the blunt approach.
“The answer is no.” Having given her firm rejection, she turned and began walking away.
“I’m going now. Don’t bother me again.”However, she wouldn’t get far as the Genericans only tightened and contracted their ring around her.
“What reason do you have for giving this response?” one of their number inquired.
“Do you feel we are in error?” another asked. “That you are not the perfect candidate we claim you to be?”
“Do you truly believe you have even some slight degree of importance here?” a third continued.
Her hand gripping her bow tighter, Alicia’s gaze swept the circle once more as they closed in.
“I’m giving a serious effort to not resolve this with violence, I think that makes me pretty significant to you right now.”“Like, she totally wotally does~!” a cheerful voice called out.
Looking up, the gathering would see a pastel pink figure in a cute, glittery outfit standing on the edge of a nearby rooftop. Leaping off it a second later, the bubbly girl descended to the ground via bouncing along a series of small, sparkling pink clouds with smiling faces, which appeared in the air like a series of impromptu steps. Upon reaching the pavement, she skipped her way over to the group, but not before noticing a hopscotch court outlined in chalk and playing a spontaneous game, much to the giggling girl’s obvious delight. Reaching the circle, she knelt down and crawled her way inside, her passage unopposed by the gathered Genericans. Once she was next to Alicia, she sprung to her feet and spread her arms wide.
“Like, HI, everybodywody~! (giggle!)” she greeted with a bright and innocent smile.
“Ah, Magical Dream Princess,” one of the Genericans noted impassively. “Despite your considerable level of significance, we shall permit your intrusion in these matters.”
“Princess,” another added, pointing at the Paladin Seraph. “You claim this individual possesses some measure of importance, yet, can you even tell us her name?”
“Like, of coursey worsey she can~!” MDP insisted with an enthusiastic nod.
“Like, her namey wamey is…” the whimsical girl’s voice trailed off as a look of confusion entered her eyes.
“I-It’s… Ummm…” she stalled as she produced a small, pink, glitter and sticker encrusted book and began feverishly turning its pages.
“I-It’s… Alicia Wecia~!” she declared triumphantly, before quickly closing her book.
“She’s a super duper important wortant Beacon Weacon person worsen, and Kimble Wimble’s girlfriend wirlfriend~! (giggle!)” she added happily.
“Ah, yes,” a Generican noted, as their entire company nodded in unison. “The former feline monster girl, whom Miss Hayden liberated from Justine von Visceral and took under her wing. Kimble herself would have us believe that this tenuous connection subsequently blossomed into a full romantic relationship.”
“Indeed, she would insist that the two of you are nothing less than fated soulmates,” another added.
“Yet, any objective observation will reveal that you barely tolerate her attempts at affection,” the first continued. “You look upon the poor creature with pity at best, and annoyance at worst.”
“Like, that’s totally wotally not true!” MDP protested with an indignant frown.
“Not at allsie wallsie!” she added with an emphatic stomp of one foot.
“Alicia Wecia wuvs Kimble Wimble lots and lots and lots!” she added adamantly, before turning to face Alicia.
“Like, tell them how super duper wrongy ongy they aresie!” she insisted.
“Tell them how you and Kimble Wimble totally wotally are super duper wuvy dovey soulmate wolmates! Tell them, Alicia Wecia!” Somehow the arrival of Magical Dream Princess wasn’t a total shock to Alicia. She supposed that with all of the weird stuff going on already, the girl’s particular brand of weirdness wasn’t too out of left field when added to everything. At least Magical Dream Princess was willing to speak in her defense, though she did not expect the conversation to veer towards her romantic life.
She could have become prickly over it, but controlled herself enough to avoid that. Instead she focused on the truth of the matter, since she figured that would be more productive than making something up.
“I wouldn’t go so far as to say we’re soulmates. I’m not even sure romantic soulmates exist,” she admitted. But she did not stop there.
“But I do care about her and I’m happy when I spend time with her, regardless of whether or not we’re ‘soulmates’. Besides, I’m only in my twenties. There’s plenty of time for us to see where life ends up leading.”“Like, maybe waybe you don’t believe in soulmate wolmates,” MDP conceded.
“But you still wuv Kimble Wimble, right Alicia Wecia?!” the Princess of Dreams pressed.
“Yes, I love her,” Alicia agreed with a firm nod.
“Very well,” a Generican declared. “We concede that you truly do have genuine romantic feelings for Kimble. Yet, we remain to be convinced of your distinctive importance.”
“For instance,” another continued. “Although you are ostensibly the leader of The Beacon’s Penrose branch, the leadership abilities you have displayed to date have been exceedingly lackluster.”
“Indeed,” a third added. “At nearly every turn, you present yourself as more of a passive follower, rather than a proactive leader.”
“Such submissive behavior would have been overlooked, had you remained at your former station,” a fourth noted. “But with your ascent to the rank of Paladin Seraph, such can no longer be the case.”
“What have either of you to say in response to this?” a fifth inquired.
“Umm, Magical Dream Princess doesn’t know Alicia Wecia super duper well…” MDP replied with a small frown.
“But, like, she still thinkie winkies Alicia Wecia is a super duper leader weader person werson~!” the bubbly girl added.
“Like, during wuring that one timey wimey when we attacky wackied Mariettey Wettey’s placey wacey, Alicia Wecia probably wobably gave lots and lots of important wortant order worders~!” the whimsical girl noted.
“Even weven if Magical Dream Princess doesn’t remember wember any wany of them right nowie…”“You are referring to the attack orchestrated by Justine von Visceral,” a Generican stated flatly. “One that Miss Hayden simply followed along with.”
“Magical Dream Princess guesses wesses that’s true…” MDP conceded.
“But, like, everybodywody split upsie wupsie, and, like, Alicia Wecia was in chargey wargey of our groupy woupy!” she added with an indignant pout.
“Miss Hayden,” one of the Genericans spoke up. “Can you truly say you served as leader of this group? Can you truly say you coordinated their efforts in a meaningful way?”
An eyebrow rose as the topic turned to the quality of her leadership.
“A leader is defined by how well they can adapt as well as how proactive they are,” she pointed out.
“Since we came back and found the Ascendancy had taken over the city, I’ve been successful in bringing back girls who had previously been disillusioned with Beacon, won over the Cardinal here, and I’ve even begun to convince the Ascendancy members stationed here that they may have been mistaken in their handling of the situation.”But that did not directly answer their question, and she shifted to focus on that.
“I will admit, the raid didn’t go exactly as I had hoped it would. I certainly had intended to finish off whoever won that fight, though everything worked out anyways. But yes, I helped come up with the plan, I guided one of the teams through the traps, and I tried to get as many people out alive as I could.”“Perhaps you did indeed serve as a competent commander,” a Generican admitted.
“Yet, can you offer any proof with which to demonstrate that you actually played an important role in any of the major events of the past several months?” a second inquired. “That your actions played a pivotal role in deciding their outcome?”
Growing increasingly annoyed with the Genericans, Alicia paused to take a deep breath and calm herself down by recalling her Vow. Patience was difficult, especially with these guys, but it was the Virtue she had sworn to hold to. Once she had done that, she wracked her brain to come up with an answer.
“Well, I was directly involved in preventing a Horror from manifesting in our dimension,” she pointed out with a small shrug. Sure, she hadn’t been in charge of the branch at the time, but it was still something. Nonetheless she was well aware that they might not accept an answer like that.
“Beyond that, you’re right. I haven’t played a pivotal role influencing how stuff goes. Which sucks, by the way. I was looking forward to a showdown or two. All I can say is that I’ve helped people, like Janet or Penny, who have gone on to impact events themselves.”“A showdown, you say?” A Generican inquired.
“How very curious,” another noted.
“Tell us, did these desired engagements not occur because of reasons beyond your control, or simply because you were content to play the part of a passive bystander, rather than actively working to bring them about?” the first questioned.
Huffing once more, Alicia’s face held a frown as she recalled those events.
“At least in the case of Justine and Mariette, they were fighting each other, I got intercepted by another girl in the battle, and by the time I was finished with that Mariette fled, Justine was defeated and taken by the Cradle, and the pocket dimension was falling apart. And then I guess stuff happened that made it not worth a fight anymore.
Beyond that…hm, I guess there was that person who orchestrated the deaths at the Rave. Still no idea where they went off to.” Maybe she hadn’t gotten over it as much as she might have hoped.
“So it was all due to an improbable string of bad luck?” a Generican asked.
“That’s what it soundy woundies like~!” MDP replied happily.
“So, like, none of that stuffy wuffy is Alicia Wecia’s faulty waulty at allsie wallsie~! (giggle!)”“Perhaps,” another Generican granted. “Yet, there is still the matter of personal goals and objectives to consider,” they continued.
“Indeed,” another agreed. “There are many others in this city who lack any form of grand significance or high station, yet, they still possess a greater degree of distinction than you, Miss Hayden, due to a combination of their idiosyncratic personality traits and their struggles to achieve goals of great personal significance.”
“Consider Mayra McCullough,” a third went on. “At first glance, she is little more than a minor minion, a tool employed to accomplish the objectives of more meaningful individuals. However, her distinctive personality traits combine to form a memorable and compelling presence, one that has allowed her to endear herself to many.”
“Then there is Mariette Pedersen,” a forth continued. “A major player who, like you, has
also seen the majority of her schemes and plots end in ignoble failure, yet,
unlike you, still possesses enough distinctive personal quirks, or ‘charm points’, to keep her from fading into nondescript obscurity.”
“Then there are those like Connie Williams,” a fifth noted. “Individuals who are not part of any major faction or power group, individuals who possess no great leadership or charismatic abilities, and yet still remain notable entities due to their personalities and desire to achieve something significant, either for themselves, or for someone dear to them.”
“None of these individuals would ever be suitable to join our ranks,” a sixth declared. “But you, Miss Hayden appear to possess
none of these traits. If this were a story, you would be little more than a background character, one swiftly forgotten upon leaving the page.”
“It is this type of forgettable, faceless individual that we Genericans search the cosmos for,” a seventh explained. “And it is a moment of great celebration when we find one.”
“But, like, Alicia Wecia isn’t faceless waceless!” MDP protested with an indignant pout.
“Like, she totally wotally has a facey wacey!” the whimsical girl added, gesturing at the Paladin Seraph’s annoyed visage.
“And, like, maybe waybe Magical Dream Princess forgot her namey wamey beforsie worsie, but her memory wemory is, like, super duper terrible werrible, so, like, that shouldn’t wouldn’t county wounty!”“There is nothing to distinguish Miss Hayden from a generic member of her organization,” a Generican responded. “Therefore, we hold to our assertion that she should join with us, for that is her true calling.”
“Like, Magical Dream Princess thinkie winkies Alicia Wecia probably wobably has lots and lots of stuffy wuffy that makes her super duper special wecial!” MDP shot back.
“Even weven if Magical Dream Princess doesn’t know what they aresie warsie, Alicia Wecia totally wotally does~! (giggle!) So, like, tell them, Alicia Wecia~!” the bubbly girl insisted.
“Tell them, tell them, tell them, like, right nowie~!”“What is this meta question,” Alicia grumbled.
“I’m a lie detector, not a mind reader. How am I supposed to know what people find memorable about me compared to other people. I don’t even know who that first person you mentioned is.”“Like, Mayra Wayra is a super duper toughy wuffy dragon wagon person werson, and Magical Dream Princess’s friendy wendy~! (giggle!)” MDP explained with her typical cheerful exuberance.
“Meta question?” a Generican inquired.
“In what way do you believe this to be the case?” another asked.
“Indeed,” a third added. “We simply wish to know if there are any unique traits or qualities that you believe allow you to stand out from amongst the rest of your peers.”
Though as it would turn out, someone else was watching Alicia that night. A girl in an orange and black space suit floated out of the darkness and landed between MDP and Alicia.
”Is someone having an identity crisis? Have no fear, the Knight of Tonight is here!” She placed a hand on MDP’s head.
”Thank you for believing in me. In fact, you believed in me so much that I just became real!” She laughed like a classic superhero.
”MDP, would you like me to see if I can convince these meanies to stop picking on Alicia?” Alicia could tell that was a lie, with or without her power to detect as much. But it at least seemed like this knight of the stars was looking to help.
What the fuck!?Speaking of stars, massive ones now filled MDP’s widened eyes, as she stared up at the new arrival, her bright smile spreading from ear to ear.
“Wowie zowie~! Ashley Washley’s realsie wealsie nowie~?! YAAAAY~!!!” she cheered in childish delight, and perhaps a little too loudly for everyone in such close proximity…
“Like, thatsie watsie makey wakies Magical Dream Princess soooo super duper happy wappy~! (giggle!)” the whimsical girl added, clapping her hands together and bouncing up and down, before giving the Knight of Tonight a big hug.
“And, like, Magical Dream Princess would, like, totally wotally wuv to see you helpy welpy~! (giggle!)”“....Yeah, sure,” Alicia said after a moment. Some part of her wondered if MDP had set all this up, perhaps unintentionally, but what was one more weird thing here? Her luck stat wasn’t high enough to explain all of this.
”Haha! Alright…” The corner of Ashley’s lip twitched, but she wrapped one of her arms around MDP anyway.
”Alicia has unique attributes, or at least, attributes that at one time were unique. When Victoria Reales was giving her speech about uniting Penrose’s monster and mundane populations, Alicia was the only one who opposed it. There was another Beacon girl there and even she wanted to go along with the idea. Obviously Alicia has relaxed her stance on monster girls, or maybe it just became more nuanced over time. She’s dating one and convinced the Ascendancy to take a less extreme approach, but she still has her concerns. Her ‘quirk’ has shifted from her stance on corrupt magical girls to her own perseverance.” She lightly bumped Alicia’s shoulder with her fist.
”She’s the one straight laced rock in Beacon. Maybe you don’t find her as interesting as an all powerful robot, a bisexual magician, a lucky rabbit girl, or a hammer girl with glasses, but she’s the one Beacon girl who’s resisted the most change. Penny joined Beacon early on, but she’s since gone off to make her own empire. Alicia is the only one who personally saw Victoria Reales and is still as she was. You might find her boring, but she’s not generic.” Her eyes drifted down to Alicia’s legs.
”Also I’ve heard her leg game is really good, but you’d have to go to New York to confirm it.” “Fascinating…” a Generican murmured. “So you would have us believe that her steadfast lack of personal development is the very thing that sets her apart from her vastly more noteworthy and nuanced contemporaries?”
”Is that what you’re taking away from this?” Ashley groaned.
”Look, there are two types of people in this world: People that need to change, and people who don’t need to. Alicia is more like your Batman, Superman, or Captain America type. She’s pretty much the best version of who she can be. If she changes, it’s probably going to be for the worst. That’s what I mean by she resists change.” She placed her hands on her hips.
”You guys just got done talking up Connie. All she’s done since arriving in Penrose is stutter and be pathetic. The only time she’s deviated from that was when she took a road trip, and what sort of long term implications did that have? She’s exactly who she was when she left. If she’s not a candidate for a Generican, then why is Alicia? Is it because she doesn’t have a speech impediment?” “We are afraid we must dispute that claim,” one of the Genericans responded. “Connie Williams has, in fact, made significant progress since becoming a magical girl.”
“Indeed,” another agreed. “For instance, she has gained considerable mastery over her powers, despite her fear of them.”
“And on the subject of her fears,” a third continued. “She has done much to overcome several of them.”
“She has also made a not inconsiderable number of new friends, when at the start of her magical girl journey, she had but one,” a fourth pointed out.
“As to your claim that the events that occurred during her recent trip to New York have had no substantial effect on her, we must also disagree,” said a fifth. “If anything, it has given her an even greater resolve to improve herself.”
“Finally, we wish to make one small correction,” a sixth noted. “Connie Williams has lived in Penrose her entire life, so to say she ‘arrived’ is in error.”
“Unless you are referring to her arrival in the Penrose magical community,” a seventh added.
”Nah, I just assumed she was from elsewhere because almost everyone else is. She’s not really on my radar, but I take interest in anyone who leaves Penrose for anything.” She scratched the side of her head.
”But I hadn’t realized you guys were such Connie connoisseurs. She still hasn’t evolved past being a mostly scared, mostly awkward girl who needs friends. But I guess if I was thinking, I’d have suggested Gaia instead, but why does any of that matter? The takeaway is that there isn’t a single magical girl that’s been active in Penrose as long as Alicia has without compromising themselves in some way. Not because Alicia ‘lacks personal development,’ but because she believes in her vow of patience. Sure, it would be fun to see Alicia snap and push Justine’s shit in, but she stands by her vow even when it doesn’t benefit her organization.”“Perhaps you are correct,” a Generican conceded. “Remaining true to oneself in opposition to any and all external forces is indeed a noteworthy characteristic.”
“That said,” another added. “We must dispute your assertion that Gaia, aka Mia Cooper, is devoid of uniqueness.”
“Yes,” a third concurred. “In addition to her personality shift between her mundane and magical personas, Miss Cooper’s sisterly bond with Connie Williams is far more noteworthy and meaningful than the ostensible romantic bond Miss Hayden and Miss Kimble claim to share.”
”Whateeeeeeeeeeever you guys say…” Ashley rolled her eyes.
During this exchange, MDP struggled to follow the rapid flow of words, but one particular point stood out, causing the whimsical girl no small amount of indignation.
“Like, Connie Wonnie’s not pathetic wetic at allsie wallsie, Ashley Washley!” the whimsical girl snapped as she glared up at the Knight of Tonight with a hurt expression.
“Like, take that backsie wacksie right nowie!”Ashley spun on her heel and kneeled in front of MDP.
”Hey! Come on now!” She was grinning ear to ear.
”Sometimes you need to use strong language to figure out what the other person’s thinking. I don’t think she’s pathetic, in fact, I think she’s very brave and strong for coming as far as she has.” She placed a hand on top of MDP’s head and pushed her hand side to side.
”I’m sorry I said that about one of your friends. Do you forgive me?” Upon hearing Ashley’s apology, MDP’s upset frown quickly shifted into a joyful smile.
“Like, Magical Dream Princess totally wotally forgivey wiveies you, Ashley Washley~! (giggle!)” the whimsical girl replied as she gave the Knight of Tonight another hug.
Alicia had an easier time keeping up, which was unfortunate because it meant she could hear it all. Her annoyance was rising, and once again she found herself wondering if she should be insulted. Was it too late to go back and make this a fight scene?
“I don’t think I could have put it any better myself,” she said after a moment.
“Are we done here?”“Yes, Miss Hayden,” a Generican confirmed. “We concede that we were in error regarding your status as a suitable candidate to join our ranks, and we shall now take our leave.”
With that, all twelve Genericans seemed to merge into one, before slowly striking a generic magical girl salute pose and vanishing in a flash of light.
“Like, bye bye, magical wagical silhouettey wetty people weple~! (giggle!)” MDP called with an enthusiastic wave, before returning her hyperactive attention to Alicia and Ashley.
“Like, now that thatsie whatsie’s finished winished, do you wanna do something womething funsie wunsie together wether~?!” she asked excitedly, her cute, smiling visage getting perhaps a little too close to the pair of young women for comfort.
“Do you~?! Do you~?! Do you~?!”Alicia let out a small sigh of relief as Genericans made their exit. She didn’t really feel a sense of relief that it had worked out, she was just glad that it was over. Any longer and that temptation might have become too strong to ignore. With that finished, she considered continuing her patrol before dismissing the idea. After all of that she needed something destress.
Then she was approached by Dream Princess, and the notion of ‘destressing’ vanished into thin air as well. As much as Alicia would like to decline, she really didn’t have anything more pressing at the moment. So she put her best foot forwards and sucked up any discomfort she might feel.
“Sure,” she agreed, glancing over to Ashley to see if she was going to find an excuse to leave or not.
”I don’t see any reason to decline!” She laughed, but Alicia was pretty sure she could hear her grumble “fuck me” under her breath, and not in a tone that suggested it was a request.
”It’s been a while since I’ve spent a night out on the town, and…” Ashley stopped talking when she heard a basketball bounce. Once, twice, three times. A figure stepped into the light. Short in stature, wearing a long gothic shirt and lavender colored hair.
”A basketball court…” She continued to slow dribble the ball towards the other girls.
”I find a street court to be a rather interesting place to hold a debate. In basketball, you have two teams that are trying to score points. They’re passing the ball, maneuvering around opponents, trying to block their shots, It flows much the same way as a debate, doesn’t it.” She caught the ball under her arm and smiled at the other girls present.
”In a debate, you’re trying to get your point across while blocking your opponents. Yes, I think this is a very good analogy, and undoubtedly why something like this happened here. A shame that the least valuable player on your team was Alicia herself. I would have thought she’d have been the most motivated to tell off those goons, but she left it to a voyeur and a simpleton.” Ashley blinked.
”Aria Rizzo?” ”The one and only.” She bowed her head with a dramatic wave of her arm.
”So tell me, Alicia, what do you plan on doing in the upcoming conflict? I imagine someone of your station must have put forth an incredible battle plan for the day of the attack. Complete with contingencies should Mint or Sanctuary use the opportunity to seize more power over Penrose. Certainly you don’t plan on just leaving it to those dirty monster lovers, hmmm?”Before they could move on, the group was approached once more. Turning to the newcomer, Alicia was not thrilled to hear what the subject that the person had decided to bring up was.
“A friend of yours?” she asked as she glanced over to Ashley once again.
”You could say we’ve encountered each other a few times.” The Knight of Tonight bit her lip.
”She’s not bad, but she can be a little mischievous… and sassy.” Her arms folded over her chest, Alicia tapped her foot on the asphalt as she regarded all the stuff that the new arrival was saying.
“Alright, first of all, I don’t have to explain anything to you. I don’t even know who you are. Secondly, I don’t know where this impression that I’m opposed to the Sanctuary came from. If monster girls are working to overcome their instincts, then we should support them. Thirdly, it sure would be convenient for me to discuss any hypothetical plans I have in a place where someone could scry it, though I’m sure the Mint expects a betrayal anyways.””I’m glad you gave me an itemized list, that makes things much easier to respond to. Here, let me do it for you.” She started to count her fingers back to Alicia.
”Number one, I wasn’t expecting you to respond going by your interaction with the Genericans. You seemed more than happy to let others speak on your behalf. Number two, I never said you opposed Sanctuary, I asked if you had a contingency in place should they try anything, which seems reasonable since she was thrown out of your organization. Number three, all of my questions were rhetorical and required no answer. You’re just a wallflower, so obviously you’re going to go with the flow. Little more than a turd that’s been flushed down the sewer.” Aria quickly looked at MDP.
”Yes? You were saying?” MDP, who had been growing increasingly distressed as she listened to the new arrival’s words, finally decided to speak up upon being directly addressed.
“Like, Magical Dream Princess doesn’t know who you aresie waresie, but, like, she thinkie winkies that you’re a super duper meanie weanie head, and that you should totally wotally apolowologisey wisey to Alicia Wecia right nowie!” she shouted, while glowering at the lilac-haired young woman and stomping one foot.
”Yes, yes that is a very magical dream princess thing to contribute. But tell me, am I incorrect?” She spun the basketball on the tip of her finger.
”I mean we’ve established that she’s not generic. It’s plain to see that no one in Penrose is quite like her. But being a snowflake doesn’t make you interesting, does it? I mean, the Ascendancy is made up of a group of really powerful magical girls, and while they all have really broken powers, cool outfits, yadda yadda, I struggle to remember anything interesting about them. I mean we all remember Rachel because she’s the big cheese, but like, what’s Leena’s deal? Has Violette done anything of note other than look adorably cross eyed? Has Tsuki even been in Penrose? I assume she has, yet I can’t remember a single thing she’s done. I wonder if you were an Ascendancy plant from the start.” The Knight of Tonight looked to Alicia again.
”She’s something of an ‘observer’ type, you know? Spends a lot of time-””So tell me Alicia.” Aria looked squarely at Ashley. The basketball was still spinning on her finger.
”When’s the last time you did something cool?””Why are you looking at me?””Because I want someone who can give a satisfactory answer.” Her eyes darted between Ashley and MDP.
“Well then, you guys can figure that out amongst yourselves,” Alicia said at last, her efforts at being patient finally boiling over. This was sounding an awful lot like the conversation that just ended, and with no threat of some weirdo cult hanging over her head anymore she didn’t see a reason to subject herself to another person with some inexplicable axe to grind.
Turning to Magical Dream Princess, she gave the girl a small nod.
“It was nice to see you again.” Then to Ashley.
“Maybe I’ll see you around one of these days.” With that, she turned away from all of them and walked away. She had the feeling that being back at HQ would be less stressful than all this, somehow.
“Like, Magical Dream Princess still wants to have funsie wunsie, Alicia Wecia!” MDP protested, tears beginning to fill her innocent eyes.
“Like, let’s just leave this meanie weanie head behindsie windsie, and forget all about the awful wawful stuffy wuffy she’s saying waying!” the whimsical girl added.
“‘Cause, like, you’re a super duper cooly wooly person werson, and, like, if this meanie weanie head doesn’t understsandy wandy why, then she’s just a super duper dummy wummy!” she finished, sticking her tongue out at Aria.
”Ah! So that’s it!” Aria pointed up in the air.
”This world is like a painting, and the people who inhabit it are the paint. A masterwork does not try to draw your attention to every brushstroke, but instead, it captures your imagination with just a few bold lines! In other words, if everyone stood out, nobody would!” She looked between MDP and KoT.
”Imagine if the world was filled with bubbly delinquent minded simpletons and covert voyeurs? The two of you would be out of a job! I’d be asking Alicia what makes the lot of you so special!” She picked up her basketball with both hands.
”I was about to propose a course correction, but I don’t think that’s necessary or even warranted at this point. Yes, I think I’m all done with Penrose. Done with the observations and data collection. My play only has an act or two left before I draw the curtain.” She raised the basketball over her head.
”May you all applaud the performance!” She chucked the basketball into the ground, causing it to burst. And with that, she was gone.
Ashley rubbed the back of her head.
”Heh, um, well how about you have fun with Alicia. I’ll just um, make sure that meanie doesn’t follow you guys, okay?”“Awww… Magical Dream Princess wanted to have funsie wunsie with Ashley Washly, too…” MDP pouted.
“But, like, she guesses wesses keeping weeping that meanie weanie away is probably wobably more important wortant,” she conceded, before massively brightening as she turned to Alicia with a gleeful smile.
“Like, Magical Dream Princess knows~! We can watch those magical wagical girl video wideos you gotsie wotsie at the Christmas Whistmas party warty~!” the Princess of Dreams declared with eager excitement.
“After thatsie whatsie, Magical Dream Princess is positive wositive you’ll feel lots better wetter~! (giggle!)”"...Sure. That'd be fun," Alicia agreed as she was joined by Magical Dream Princess in her exit. It certainly couldn't be worse.
VitaVitaAR
Izurich
Genkai
twave
Knight 7
