Magical Girl Meme

[raptorbox]

Pretty basic concept here, sometimes teenage girls have magic powers for fighting evil (or doing evil if that's how they roll) and that's just how it is. Usually it's a secret but maybe it's not?? Maybe there are also ways to get magic that don't require you to be a girl.

Who knows, it's up to you, this is a loose-concept/AU meme! Just warn for your violence/existential horror/embarrassing teenage sexual tension in the subject lines.

1. First Transformation: Surprise, you've got magic powers! And they come with a costume that you… probably like? Maybe you don't, I don't know your life.

2. Into Battle: Possibly connected to that last prompt, oh dang, there’s some kind of monster or something. Whether you’re new at this or not, you might wanna fight that before it wreaks too much havoc.

3. Confrontation: Those monsters (or disasters, or brainwashed minions, or whatever) have to be coming from somewhere. Whether it's the first time or the fiftieth, it's time for the hero(es) to come face to face with their nemesis.

4. Prep Time: Teams, whether they're good or evil, tend to work better if they have some kind of a game plan. Or maybe you can't predict your opponent's next move so you're just doing some team-building exercises, who knows.

5. Hostage Situation: Someone's been captured! Maybe the villains have taken a heroic magical girl prisoner, maybe the good guys have siccessfully captured one of their opponents, or maybe you're just a bystander/non-magical ally/love interest who… may or may not know why you've been kidnapped. It's a little awkward, but maybe this could be a good chance to talk.

6. Slice of Life: Not even magical girls can fight all the time, alright - but there's always a risk of worlds colliding. Maybe you're getting some well-deserved downtime, trying to go on a date, or just going to school like a normal teen. And… well, time will tell if it stays normal.

7. The Secret Come Out: You probably hoped this day wouldn't come (unless you were actually kind of hoping it would, like a weirdo), but here it is. Someone's found out who you are. Is it worse if they're a loved one or just some rando, who knows!

8. Wildcard: I can't tell you how to live your life, do what you want!

Comments

[dontpokethat]

A... peacock. From how she describes it, it does sound like the sort of thing that would be likely to carry some amount of magic, so there's a chance she could be telling the truth. Or, you know, she could easily be full of shit. Time will tell.

"Depends. How do you know that?"

[pipers_son]

"I mean, it is a metal peacock with shiny jewels," Joker points out, flicking one finger Ginko's way. "S'pretty hard ta miss that when yer around here long enough, innit?"

Also she technically brought it into existence, but that's fine. A minor detail that doesn't really need to be known about right now.

[dontpokethat]

"Maybe," she replies, flatly. "Probably depends on who you are. What makes you so sure it's the source and not a decoy?"

[pipers_son]

"Do ya deal with a lot of decoys in yer work?" Joker inquires, quite honest although it might not look it. Everything has been so absurdly clean in her territory, after all. She's never left it, having never had reason to, so she has to say she's curious about what other people get up to.

Or is it juts her that's gotten the pushy sentient moth?

"Anyway, there's only one way ta be sure, right?"

[dontpokethat]

"Enough of them." Enough to be very tired, and very suspicious. Then again, the former might have to do more to do with this work in and of itself, while the latter probably has to do with Joker's attitude.

She considers that, for a few moments. "...I suppose there is. But you're going to need to bring me to it in order to find out."

And maybe she can use that time to figure out what this girl's deal actually is.

[pipers_son]

"Well, it has legs, Seelie girl. It's probably moved on from where I've last seen it." Joker can hone in on its, of course. The Seven of Diamonds is from her deck, gifted to her by the light, and there's a connection that she suspects won't ever fade. And as a Diamond card, well... It definitely has to move around, if it obeys its purpose at all.

Still- "I'll take you ta where I last saw it, how about that?" Tilting her head to the side, she winks and taps one finger to her cheek. "And then we can go from there."

[dontpokethat]

"So, you mean... an actual, walking metal peacock, then. Not a pin, or statue, or anything like that." Man, of course it is. The alternative would be too simple.

She sighs and sets a hand on her hip, fumbling for a moment for lack of any pockets to hide it in. She doesn't mind this costume, usually - it's comfortable, at least, if a little shorter than she would like. But the lack of pockets really does get to her sometimes. "Fine. Let's try that."

She's not thrilled about the prospect of being alone with this girl for an extended period, but she doesn't have time to hunt down her teammates right now. That lack of time is why they had to split up to begin with. She'll just hope that they happen to run into them on the way.

Time will tell whether she gets annoyed enough with that nickname to correct Joker, in the meantime.

[pipers_son]

"Ha. It's not an easy life, when you've been gifted like this, huh~?" She knows that for sure herself, although she's more than glad to say that she's not on the opposite side. That is even worse, in her book. At least this way, she can sometimes pay the bills a little more, and gets something worthwhile out of it.

Being the hero doesn't really pay anyone much at all, from what she can tell.

Well, that's enough talking, or, at least, talking and standing still. With a sway of her hips, she leads the way back to the stairs. An elevator was there once, and so there's a guaranteed way up around here somewhere. A Seven can make quite a few changes within its nesting area, but it can't completely warp reality. A good thing, in the case of a hero. "So, how long have ya been doin' this kind of thing? If you're more inclined ta answer that instead of yer name, of course, Seelie girl~."

[dontpokethat]

"Hmm." At times, she's not totally sure if she'd call it a 'gift' at all. But she supposes, overall, she's probably better off than she would have been if she'd never gained these powers.

Either way, there's no point to dwelling on it, and Ginko doesn't see a reason to share those particular thoughts with her new friend here. She follows close behind Joker, keeping a careful grip on the pins she's still holding and watching her body language for any sign that she might be about to try and pull something.

"How about I tell you... if you stop calling me that."

[pipers_son]

There's nothing suspicious about Joker's body language... besides the fact how utterly relaxed she is, practically skipping up the steps and giving a nice big hop at the very top one. It's honestly a little exciting, to have some people show up when her territory has been so empty and quiet.

And, well... There's a reason she can present herself so relaxed.

"Oh, a deal it is!" She looks back behind herself with a large grin, hair swinging weightlessly around her. "Then done deal!" Look, she'll even hold off with the nickname.

[dontpokethat]

See, Ginko is willing to consider that a little suspicious in itself, under the circumstances. It could easily just be how she is, but on top of everything else, it seems... odd.

If she had some control over all this, it would also certainly explain how everything from the lighting to Joker's behavior seemed so... like that. Effortless and glittering, more like a carefully attuned, idealized movie scene than a real person in a real place.

"Good." And, with Joker's end of the deal held up: "Seven years. What about you?"

If it sounds like a lot, given her young age, that's because it is.

[pipers_son]

Wait. What? Joker comes to an abrupt stop, eyebrows rising up to her hairline at the news. Seven years. How old is the girl in front of her now? The wary scowl makes her look older, but even with that into consideration... Ignoring the question being asked of her, Joker tilts her head from one side to the other, a gesture that's theatrical even when done subconsciously.

"What, how old are ya know?" She surely can't have graduated school yet, right? Maybe recently graduated, or about to, but... Even then, that would be too young, right...?

[dontpokethat]

Ginko can't deny that there's a measure of satisfaction that comes with watching the grin fall from Joker's face - a large enough measure that Ginko has to look away to hide the beginnings of a smirk. She walks a little faster, walking a couple feet past Joker before turning back to look at her again.

"How old do you think?"

[pipers_son]

So, the cute new girl in town has a little bit of douchebag in her. A little bit of spice isn't bad, honestly, but the whole context sours it for Joker. Her head turns to follow the other girl, and only one eyebrow comes back down.

"...Not old enough ta be doin' this for no pay and no gratitude, s'what I think." This time, she lingers behind Ginko, following her instead of leading. "I mean. Unless someone is actually payin' ya. That'd be news ta me."

[dontpokethat]

From there, Ginko stays pretty close by Joker; she doesn't exactly want to give up this power move position, but she's not the one who theoretically knows where they're going. Besides, she still doesn't want to get too far ahead to keep an eye on her companion.

"Is that what you think. So, does that mean that you figure you're old enough that it's alright, or that you are getting paid?"

Whether for the same job or something... you know. Completely opposed.

[pipers_son]

She's absolutely not old enough for it to be alright but that, frankly, has been nothing new. Joker's been in that same position for most of her life and, frankly, it's stopped being a shocker when it's her life taking a downward spiral. That doesn't mean she has to like seeing it in someone else.

None of that shows on her face as she speeds up just enough to try and bump her shoulder against Ginko's arm, and she winks up at her. "I pay myself~. S'why I'm lookin' for a magical somethin' around here. It's some sorta item, and I figure it'll make my life quite a bit easier if I can get my hands on it. But ya didn't answer the question, moonflower."

[dontpokethat]

Ginko pulls away with a jolt, her fingers curling tight as she glares at Joker.

"'Pay yourself', huh." That sure sounds like a euphemism for theft - which, actually, doesn't bother Ginko too much. There are far worse things that Joker could be doing, some of which Ginko suspects she might, so... money isn't that high on her list of priorities, unless Joker is taking it from homeless people or orphans or something.

"Seventeen. You don't know what the item is?" She'll just opt not to acknowledge the new nickname for now.

[pipers_son]

Seventeen, and seven years... Joker leans a little bit closer to her, just barely not touching, and thinks on that. That's really too young... and for what? Joker can't really imagine it herself.

"No clue, really. Apparently it either gives strength ta plants, or makes humans more violent." Her hands flop to the side in a careless shrug. "The source I got the information from wasn't particularly helpful."

Stupid bleedin' moths.

"Three, by the way."

[dontpokethat]

Ginko takes a pointed step to the side, putting a little more space between them. She knows it sounds like a bit much, but... she's got her own reasons for sticking with it like she has.

Not that someone she just met needs to know about how this is about the only thing making her existence seem worthwhile.

"One or the other, huh. Mind explaining what, specifically, you'd want with an item like that?"

And, while she's at it: "Years, or months?"

[pipers_son]

"Years." And while they haven't been the best years, she has to admit that this has made keeping her head above the water a lot easier.

But she can't imagine having the head for it when she'd been ten.

Joker continues, pauses at what looks like fencing around an otherwise open path. Really now? She glances along it, making her way through the neon to find where the latch is for the gate. It has to be there. Cards are a pain in the ass, but they do let things be passable, for her sake if nothing else. "And I figure I might make some money off of it. I mean, I'm not the only one interested in things like this, right?" Ah, there it is. She swings it open with a bow to her stoic and grumpy companion.

"Pretty ladies first~."

[dontpokethat]

"So, you're planning to sell off a potentially dangerous magic item. Do you not realize how much trouble that could cause, or do you just not care?"

Whoops so much for employing any kind of subtlety. Speaking of which, Ginko is even more determined not to turn her back on this girl now. She stops where she is and crosses her arms, raising her eyebrows slightly.

"...Alright. So, are you going through, or what?"

Look, as far as she's concerned, that's not even a weird thing to say here. All it implies is the objective truth.

[pipers_son]

"I mean, would ya rather I keep the potentially dangerous magic item for myself?" Joker tosses back with a laugh before twisting around through the gate. "And I'll remember that compliment! I'm glad ya think I'm so attractive~."

As far as she can tell, it's just a normal place besides the appearances, and what she can tell is the most important thing. If there was something she couldn't tell... That would sure be worrying. Good thing she doesn't have to worry about it.

Unlike the rest of the hallways, this one is bathed purely in neon pink with none of the darker colors to contrast against it. The metal fencing seems to go all around it in a circle, with only a couple of gates. Making a show of circling through the room, she glances back to where Ginko is. "Looks clear ta me."

[dontpokethat]

"If you were doing that, maybe I could believe that you wanted to keep it out of the wrong hands. But it doesn't sound like that's a priority of yours, huh." Her one eye stays fixed on Joker's face, sharp and bright. Once again, she chooses not to comment on that last part. It strikes her as a little pointless, since it's just true.

She nods slowly and follows Joker into the room, casting a glance around herself. "Good. How much further to where you last saw it?"

[pipers_son]

"As it turns out, morals are a pretty expensive pet ta take care of." One she doesn't really have the money for.

As Ginko steps inside, the gate swings shut behind her, and the whole area shudders. Not particularly worried, Joker flops down onto the ground, legs folded beneath her and arms behind her head. "Just up a couple floors~!" she sings, and laughs. "Can ya guess what this used ta be before things changed?"

It should be pretty obvious, considering that the walls around them seem to be sliding down... or, rather, the two of them are sliding upwards.

[dontpokethat]

Ginko's expression darkens - not dramatically, not into a snarl or even really a scowl. But it's certainly a visible change from the flat, tired expression she's held for most of this conversation. She can understand the need for money, but talking about morality, about taking a moment to think about other people, as if it's some kind of... frivolity, simply for one's own self-satisfaction, doesn't sit well with her.

She flinches again, glancing over her shoulder at the closed gate before looking back to Joker. She doesn't sit down; she'd like to, of course, but with this girl right there... not happening. Instead, she just adjusts her stance, leaning more weight on one hip and crossing her arms. "Hmm."

No, she's not actually going to answer that.