Spectrum Guardian Turquoise stood at the front of the meeting room. Her uniform both authoritatively sharp and relatably simple, her light brown hair gently waving in a wind that isn't there. You want to listen to her, you want to be her friend and you feel there's a good chance that might actually happen.
Facing her and naturally resisting some of her friendly aura in simple chairs sat the 20 newly empowered magical youths with their chromatic orbs in their laps. Some gazing at their orbs, some daydreaming about their future outfits, some googling things like "438 nm color name" did you mean 438 nm blue violet diode laser?.
Turquoise began:
I know you all want to be full Spectrum Guardians. For some of you this might be your most ardent desire. For others a nice passing fancy. Good! Keep that aspiration alive! In fact, you should at all times work as though you are already there! But also it is my duty to say, that most of you will likely never go beyond the Spectrum Auxiliary.
She could see a little disappointment on some faces. Just like every time before. She could, of course, drop in a pinch of magic, make them inspired, but that would be uncouth.
There's a lot of pride to being in the Auxiliary. In fact, for most people, the only magical youths they will ever encounter will be auxiliaries. And their lives will be changed by your hands. However, if you can prove yourselves to be exceptional, if you can hold an ideal strongly enough, you can ascend to Guardianhood and maybe form your own Triad. I believe in you.
Well, ok, maybe a little magic is fine.
Besides, I'm sure you'll agree this is a much better system than the lethal trials of old.
Some nervous laughs, some eager nods. One of them raised a hand for a question.
Miss Turquoise? You mentioned working in Triads. Will we get to meet your teammates?
Good question, 624 nm. And may I say, what a lovely orange shade! But yes, and in fact, it will be part of your first trial today. But first, does anybody want to tell us what you imagine your transformation will be like?
A boy with a greenish orb spoke up first.
I uh... I think I wanna be taller, with long hair and a sort of cyclist style outfit in my British Racing Green. Or is it more like Mossy Green? I'm still working on the name.
Good, excellent, probably very hot. However, you'll note that you're working off the template that is your current body. And I'm sure everyone else is too. Which is only natural, it is a big part of your selfhood, right? It's a logical starting point. But the concept of an ideal body goes so much farther. You can be a different gender
That one always got a few excited looks, this time was no exception.
different species, different material, different concept of body. There are many golden sharkgirls in the Auxiliary.
624nm, whom Turquoise started to think of as Tangerine, again raised her hand.
If it's not too personal to ask, miss, then why are you so... normal?
No no, that's a very fitting question. In short, I am nothing like this in my mundane form. I like to keep that private, so you'll just have to trust me that I'm otherwise an unremarkable everythem. That's the press answer. The longer answer is that we ourselves call our Triad the Vanguard and between us, my callsign is Agitprop. I am the most approachable, the most relatable, the most inspiring and the most trustable person you've ever seen. If I asked for your granny's address, you would tell me and assume I intend to bring her cookies. (I will never ask, I don't have a large enough cookie supply) I'm pursuing an ideal of sociability, hence the look. And why I get to do press meetings and course intros. On the other hand, let me introduce you to Spectrum Guardian Magenta, callsign Theory.
A thin man in his mid 20s was suddenly standing next to Turquoise. He had entered the room a minute ago, but evaded everyone's attention until now.
Hello. Transform.
With a flash his body transformed into a mass of pinkish light. Strands of cloth whirled around his form, folding and weaving together, forming both an outfit and a set of tools. Meanwhile the light-form was changing shape. Its legs disappeared entirely, its head reformed into a sphere, its arms split lengthwise and then again. The transformation concluded and in the front of the room floated a being all hands and insectoid compound eyes, surrounded by magitechnical shards. Turquoise resumed in her usual chipper tone:
Those of you who are still conscious will see that Magenta pursues ideal perception and analysis. Good for battlefield awareness, great for finding a missing person, AMAZING at knowing where you left your keys. It can also fashion a needed tool or weapon, if the situation calls for it. Now, unfortunately your peers have already failed this trial. And we haven't even gotten to the spicy bit! Don't worry, we have good therapists on staff, they'll be in good hands.
She did note with some delight that both "Tangerine" and Racing/Mossy were still in. Always nice to have someone around who speaks up. Makes the friendly patter easier.
Now let's get you into hazmat suits, so we can go meet the third member of Vanguard. Spectrum Guardian Gamma. Or as we call her - Praxis.
