Newbie Drifter
"I see...." Alicia frowned a little harder at Ciel's words; her imagination went into overdrive once again, shutting out the world around her. What did she mean by that? Of course the job wasn't going to be all that safe or easy: after all, she had just met the very same monster that served as the opponent for a Magical Girl, and nearly died because of it. But there didn't seem to be a lot of them (or at least they didn't appear to travel in groups), and the others took it down with little fuss, and-
Alicia started when she heard her full name from the little white thing below her, snapping out of her thoughts. "H-how did you know my full name? I don't remember you being there when I mentioned it."
That is all she needed. That is all... Her dreams of seeing the world have become her strength, and lifts her wings.
Bird mom
Vera commented. " Kyuebey is telepathic. He can read minds."
The Crystal Caverns A bird's gotta sing.
Newbie Drifter
"I-is that so?" answered Alicia, glancing at Vera for a moment before focusing on Kyubey again. If he could read minds, then her imagination and daydreaming sessions a moment ago were-
A light blush settled on Alicia's face, and she drew her coat a little closer to herself. "Umm... so you're Kyubey, right?" she thought, wondering if Kyubey could really read her mind. "Can you really turn me into a Magical Girl? What's this contract you're talking about?"
That is all she needed. That is all... Her dreams of seeing the world have become her strength, and lifts her wings.
"It's very simple," Kyubey replied. He licked a paw and swiped at his ear. "In exchange for making a contract with me and becoming a Magical Girl to fight the Demons, I'll grant you any one wish - no matter how big or small!"
It's been fun.
Newbie Drifter
"A wish...?"
It took a second for the word to click in Alicia's head. Her eyes widened.
"A wish!? Really!? You mean like the kind of wish a genie grants you after you release it from its lamp!?"
She had imagined that Kyubey would simply give her wonderful magical powers and then ask her to go beat up monsters like in the animes, but a wish as well? It was even better than she thought! For the third time in as many minutes the gears in her head began revolving at phenomenal speeds; she snapped out of it somewhat earlier this time, though.
"So... I can wish for anything I want? Unimaginable riches, eternal youth, delicacies from all over the world, anything?"
That is all she needed. That is all... Her dreams of seeing the world have become her strength, and lifts her wings.
Bird mom
" Generally limited by your potential." Vera said.
The Crystal Caverns A bird's gotta sing.
Newbie Drifter
"... eh? Potential?" mumbled Alicia. "What are you-"
Wait a minute.
"Wa-wa-wait, you can read my thoughts too!? Wasn't he the only one who could do it!?"
edited 21st Oct '11 10:05:57 PM by Midreus
That is all she needed. That is all... Her dreams of seeing the world have become her strength, and lifts her wings.
Bird mom
" We're all on the same channel here." Vera said.
The Crystal Caverns A bird's gotta sing.
I am now a shiny stone~
Re-holstering her smartphone, Ciel overheard Kyubey making his sales pitch to Alicia.
"Yes, you can wish for pretty much anything, and you'll get exactly what you want. The funny thing is, what we want may not be what we need. Don't waste the wish on something useless or silly or some other ridiculously pointless thing, because I've seen people regret that later. At least one good thing came out of my wish, though," Ciel smiled, "I'm no longer the cripple I used to be."
The three finest things in life are to splat your enemies, drive them from their turf, and hear their lamentations as their rank falls!
Newbie Drifter
"We're all-" One, two, three, four, five....
They could all hear her thoughts!?
Alicia's blush grew a hundred shades darker. She dearly hoped that they didn't all peek into her silly daydreaming and were distracted or something, and was on the verge of panicking when Ciel spoke up.
"You were a-" The blush vanished as rapidly as it came. "I'm sorry to hear that... You look like nothing's ever happened to you, though. So the wish really does exist...?"
That is all she needed. That is all... Her dreams of seeing the world have become her strength, and lifts her wings.
And you don't seem to understand...
'The wish is very real, Alicia.' Asuka smiled, gesturing around her. 'We're proof of its existence. It'd be nice if you did end up joining us. Though I must echo what Ciel said and warn you that it will be hard work not to be taken lightly. But... it has its perks.'
"Who am I, Elisha Otis?"
Red-headed Smasher
Hakona continued on her walk down the street, thinking about past events. The talk and chatter through the telepathic link broke her trance. She looked to the sky and then back down to the road.
Where is that coming from?
She walked down the street, trying to find the source of the noise. Then she tried to find the source of the voices. She couldn't find anything so she sighs. With the pocket watch in hand, she walked down the street.
"Hello? Bleh... whatever."
edited 21st Oct '11 11:32:47 PM by RagnaTheSaviour
"Hey you! Nano-something or other!"
Newbie Drifter
Asuka's voice echoed through Alicia's head. Giving herself a moment to clear her head, she responded: "I see... I think I know where you guys are coming from, and I haven't really thought of a wish yet, but..." Turning to Ciel with a smile, she continued: "But I think the world behind the rabbit hole is a world worth exploring, too. If I do jump in, you'll be there to guide me, right?"
There was no doubt in Alicia's eyes. Only faith.
And then her cellphone rang.
"Hello?"
"Where are you, Alice?"
"Oh, Dad! I, uh..." A bead of sweat formed on Alicia's forehead. "I-I just went out to get some fresh air, is all. Nothing else."
"... you're out exploring again, aren't you?"
"Umm...." Twenty more beads of sweat joined the initial one.
"And you haven't even finished reading the chapter you promised me. I'll really have to ground you one of these days, it seems."
"I really did come out for a breath of fresh air; I'm not even that far from the hotel! And how did you know I haven't finished reading that chapter!?"
"You left the book open."
"... oh."
"Anyways, it's getting late. You should hurry back."
"Alright, I'm on my way... see ya in a moment. Bye!"
"Bye."
....
Alicia looked at the other girls, then at Kyubey, the expression on her face clearly indicating that she didn't want to go yet; but she didn't want to test the limits of her father's patience, either. "I'm sorry, everyone, but I have to go now... my dad's waiting for me in the hotel," she started apologetically. "Kyubey, is there any other way I could find you? Some form of contact number or something?"
That is all she needed. That is all... Her dreams of seeing the world have become her strength, and lifts her wings.
"If you need me, just call for me," Kyubey replied. "I'll be there as soon as I can!"
It's been fun.
I am now a shiny stone~
Ciel smiled. "No harm done, I do not regret using my Wish to restore my legs."
As a small blip of telepathic messaging registered, Ciel's ears twitched ever so slightly. She put that aside for later reference though, as Alicia began speaking again.
"It would suck to go into this line of work alone, so yeah, I'll help you wherever possible. We might want to trade phone numbers or something later, and maybe even e-mail addresses. As for Kyubey, he'll probably wait patiently for you to prepare your Wish, so don't worry on that count." Ciel's smile took a slightly sad tone. "Even though we're from different countries, I wouldn't mind remaining in touch whenever, because us Magical Girls have got to stick together and support each other. Just don't call me when I'm enjoying private fun time with my boyfriend," she finished with a slightly saucy grin.
edited 21st Oct '11 11:50:37 PM by AceOfScarabs
The three finest things in life are to splat your enemies, drive them from their turf, and hear their lamentations as their rank falls!
Newbie Drifter
"Ah, alright! And I'll make sure to call you only when you're having your private fun time with your boyfriend~," Alicia added mischievously.
Turning to the other girls, Alicia bowed politely (you were supposed to do that in Japan, right? She couldn't quite remember). "I'm in a bit of a hurry, so I'll take my leave now. I'm living in the hotel just over there, room number 5038, if you want to find me. Bye, everyone!"
She took about twenty steps away from the group before turning around. "We'll meet again, right?" Alicia called out with a grin on her face. They all seemed like nice people, after all; it would be too much like a dream to only meet them once.
edited 21st Oct '11 11:56:57 PM by Midreus
That is all she needed. That is all... Her dreams of seeing the world have become her strength, and lifts her wings.
I am now a shiny stone~
"Sure thing, I'm usually around this hotel near the mall I jumped off from," Ciel said, gesturing in the general direction, "Well, at least when I'm not out sightseeing."
edited 21st Oct '11 11:58:13 PM by AceOfScarabs
The three finest things in life are to splat your enemies, drive them from their turf, and hear their lamentations as their rank falls!
Red-headed Smasher
Hakona turned to look at the ticking pocket watch.
Tick...tock...tick...tock...
The thin-minute hand moved past the twelve again. Hakona's eyes lowered half-way. She sighed. The clock told Hakona that she had around three or four days left if she didn't find any demons. Was this thing here to taunt her? This clock, ticking away as if to say 'you'll vanish at this day and at this time.' She closed the watch, she didn't want to look at it again.
"Three days... what kind of bull is that? You keep on ticking away... are you trying to edge me on? Is this my punishment? Guess I deserve it..." the girl thought to herself as she continued down the road, trying not to let her memories bother her.
edited 22nd Oct '11 12:12:55 AM by RagnaTheSaviour
"Hey you! Nano-something or other!"
Bird mom
Vera was silent unsure how to progress. "Umm.... Is it OK if I go now?" she said. "Thank you all for your assistance but I'd like to take my leave."
The Crystal Caverns A bird's gotta sing.
Red-headed Smasher
"Hakona Haruhi to any other magical girl, HAKONA HARUHI TO ANY OTHER MAGICAL GIRL! Testing! Testing! One... two... three! Testing!" the girl sent out another broadcast, hoping for someone or something to respond to it.
She sighed. Hakona fell flat on her buns onto a bench, taking another seat. She was more than capable of fighting multiple demons, but that's what's she had been doing for four months.
Pretty soon I'm going to vanish... just like Suzu-chan did...
Again the girl let her thoughts take over. "No no Hakona! Suzu-chan wouldn't want you feeling sorry for yourself.. not now at least." Hakona raised her hands into the air. In the next second, she slapped herself in the face, breaking her train of thought.
"There we go!" Hakona said as she stood up from the bench, nodding to reassure herself.
The Puella Magi took in a deep breath. She grabbed her bag which lay on the ground nearby. She slung it over her shoulder before looking down the road again.
I think I'll find someone if I just stay put for a bit...
edited 22nd Oct '11 10:49:59 AM by RagnaTheSaviour
"Hey you! Nano-something or other!"
Bird mom
"Hello?" Vera said. "This is Vera Carol. Who are you?''"
edited 22nd Oct '11 10:51:56 AM by RhymeBeat
The Crystal Caverns A bird's gotta sing.
Red-headed Smasher
"Hell yeah, a response! The name's Hakona Haruhi but people just call me Hakona. New to town, actually looking for a job now." the girl said via telepathic communication.
Finally, someone responded, she wasn't alone in this vast city!
"I'm a magical girl, obviously... anyways, nice to meet ya!"
edited 22nd Oct '11 10:59:53 AM by RagnaTheSaviour
"Hey you! Nano-something or other!"
Bird mom
"Ditto. Vera thought. "I've got to go soon, though.''"
The Crystal Caverns A bird's gotta sing.
Red-headed Smasher
"BLAAAGGHH! Alright! Alright! I finally find someone and they end up leaving me.. WHOAAAA WAS ME!!!... ... ... Anyway, I'll see ya later than, probably? I don't know the future, so it'd be nice that you could reassure me!" she thought to the girl.
Hakona was a strange kid. A very strange kid.
edited 22nd Oct '11 11:17:30 AM by RagnaTheSaviour
"Hey you! Nano-something or other!"
Kyubey, who had been doing something Incubator-related while the girls chatted, finally trotted over to the small group of Puella Magi. "Hello, Alicia Maxwell," he said cheerfully. "I'm Kyubey! The creature you just encountered, and which these brave girls just destroyed, is called a Demon. It's a physical manifestation of despair. They attack people just like you and drive them to suicide if they're allowed to run free. In order to fight them, and to preserve the safety of Kyoen City-" he took another few steps forward and stared up at Alicia, his eyes gleaming in the lamplight. "Will you contract with me and become a Magical Girl?"
At the same time, Ciel heard a quieter voice in her head. "Don't worry, Ciel! We can translate your thoughts for you. It won't work with regular speaking, though!"
edited 21st Oct '11 9:37:36 PM by RedSavant
It's been fun.