Ringo sighed in the lobby of the Supernatural Guardian Alliance's recruitment drive. Her magical girl squad was nice. But when it came to the bigger issues- the big bads, the organizational questions, the how do we get stronger- they were completely ineffective.
Ringo thought her squad could really use the backing of a greater sponsor, whether officially or unofficially. Berry was open to joining the Supernatural Guardian Alliance or the Magical Girl Union. Cherry was understandably concerned we'd get blacklisted in this country for openly aligning with such "politically charged" organization. But Orange was against "unofficially" engaging in mutual aid with one of the groups. Summer wanted to join the kNights Against Riotous Chaotic Magical Abuse & Destruction (NARC-MAD), which left Ringo and Berry deeply uncomfortable. Gaia, their magical mascot, appeared to have opinions at some point, but only communicated in 'meep's.
In other words- hearing a sales pitch from the Supernatural Guardian Alliance accomplished nothing They got nowhere. They're still independent. They're still underpowered. And no one else was particularly bothered by this- other than Ringo.
However, Ringo had a secondary goal in coming out here. There was a certain magical girl she wanted to see.
"Honk honk" A dry voice announced "Coming through."
A magical girl on a unicycle rolled into the lobby. In one hand, she held an open book. In the other, she held a little horn. Her look had the professionalism of something between a librarian and a mage, with the tassels of a clown.
"Honk honk" she spoke quietly "I have arrived."
Magenta, the Magical Philosopher Jester Girl, parked herself right next Ringo. She tossed her horn dramatically. A vague sound of a piano falling was heard in the background. However, Magenta did not lift her eyes from her book.
"I heard you wanted to talk to me, Ringo. Do you want to join my book club?"
Ringo smiled politely at the strange woman "Uhm, no. Well, uh, that's not what I'm here about. I wanted to talk to you as the last guardian of Shoreside City"
"I suspected as much." with a flick of magic, Magenta turned the page on her tome, "I would still encourage you to join my book club. It's good to forge bonds with like-minded individuals- anyway, continue with your questions."
"Well, you see-" Ringo stared into the lobby "Shoreside City seems peaceful. Like sure, we had a bout of low-level mooks showing up everyday for years. But everything easy and obvious happens during the day. I have night patrol, and there's this... rogue who is just way out of my league."
Magenta nodded into her book "I know of them."
"So I'm just- constantly getting captured. Pushed around. And once or twice corrupted in embarrassing ways! But because everything goes back to normal at 7am, no one else in the squad cares! It's just... aauugh!"
Magenta, with a quick movement, reached into her non-existent cleavage to produce a giant party popper. The party popper shot confetti everywhere. The laughter of children could be vaguely heard. She looked up from her book to gaze at Ringo "I hoped a moment of spontaneity and whimsy could bring you joy."
Ringo was nonplussed.
"Turn that frown, upside down." with a quick circular movement of Magenta's hand, Ringo's sulky pout literally flipped on her face.
"H- hey!" Ringo attempted to sulk deeper, but her mouth did the opposite. Till the magic wore off and her mouth poofed right-side up.
"It's just a joke." Magenta commented flatly. She looked pensive. "Follow me."
Ringo, a little annoyed, nonetheless followed the strange woman. Out the door, through a park, and towards a quiet skyscraper- mostly empty on a weekend. Magenta's unicycle approached the skyscraper's side, and then went up. She continued on as though gravity simply went sideways now.
"Follow me." Magenta reiterated.
Ringo found that somehow, even without her flying magic, she could, indeed, follow Magenta. She walked up the skyscraper's side.
Magenta stopped a few stories up, "I think we'll be able to talk frankly here." She closed her book and swallowed it. After a quiet burp, she looked over the city, "I think your problem... with both Luci and your team... is a matter of perspective."
Ringo sat down on the building. "What do you mean?"
"Your serious in your convictions, dedicated to your craft, and have a taste for what magic can do for you. I think you're like me- Dedication gives you magic. Magic gives you freedom. Freedom lets you be your authentic self. And you want more." Magenta closed her fists. Then flicked up one finger. It had a finger puppet on it that kind of looked like Ringo.
"But your team-" she opened up her other fist to reveal a squad of fruit-themed magical finger puppets "To them, having any magic at all is a big deal. Maybe they just want some health benefits. Or to look nice. Maybe they just want a cushy job. And considering magic is legally dubious at best in this country- they'd rather not rock the boat."
Ringo furrowed her brow. She had always felt as much. But it felt nice to have someone else acknowledge it.
"As for your little rival" Magenta revealed a villainous gothic lolita finger puppet "they're kind of loud and obnoxious... but can only do what they do by keeping a low profile. They're heavily involved in their little underworld, but their deep network and kickbacks seems to make them popular with the locals. And between that, and being a big fish in a small pond... they just quietly do what they want."
Magenta stared at Ringo again, "You don't have to agree but... if your team doesn't think they're a problem, maybe they aren't. I know its hard to admit as a magical girl- but the magical world is complicated, and sometimes its best to focus on what you can do."
Ringo frowned, "But I cant just- ignore my job! I have to get out there every night! Then it's either nothing happens, and its the most boring patrol in the world. Or they show up and embarrass me."
Magenta blink pensively "Well, maybe look at it differently. You have opportunity to fight a rivals that's way stronger than you. And the stakes are low. And it's happening all the time." Luci and Ringo's finger puppets wiggled at each other aggressively. "Maybe that's a chance to grow. Maybe..." Magenta reached out and honked Ringo's nose "it could be a chance to have fun?"
Ringo blushed and held her nose, which was thankfully unchanged. She wanted to mad. But somehow she couldn't.
"Magic is supposed to be fun." Magenta said in her emotionless tone. Ringo couldn't muster a smile. Magenta thought for a moment "Well... what if I sit here with you, and we just talk for a while?"
So they did. It was mostly small talk- hobbies, shows, games, anime. But Ringo enjoyed it. Her coworkers didn't give her much opportunities to talk about herself. And other than the occasional strange gags, Magenta was a great listener. After what could have been a few hours, Ringo felt more relaxed. She had a lot to think about, but she was at least feeling a bit more optimistic.
"Well, I hope you're feeling better." Magenta shuffled her legs to stand up. "I really have to go now. I'd offer you transportation, but my ride doesn't have much leg room."
"That's fine Magenta. I can get back myself." Ringo smiled softly "Uhm, I would like to join your book club. I think branching out a little more would help."
"Great." Magenta returned a quiet grin "I'll send you the details later."
"Also-" Magenta reached behind Ringo's ear and produced her book "I'm not done reading that."
She got on her unicycle and hailed a taxi. A small, toy car drove up to the skyscraper.
"Take care of yourself, Ringo!" Magenta waved goodbye, with a little enthusiasm, before riding her unicycle into the tiny car. It took off, leaving the other magical girl alone.
Gravity readjusted itself slowly, and Ringo floated down to the ground. She headed towards her bus home, with a lot on her mind.
