Chapter Text
“Hi Alexis. How are you doing?”
Alexis recognized Ethel’s lispy baritone immediately. She hadn’t heard from Ethel since her graduation just over a month ago. She hadn’t intended to fall out of communication so quickly but life had simply taken over. She was still busy with school and Team Victory. Maria had graduated and lost her powers but now she was focused on her new career in the ring and Ethel was still busy patrolling with her mysterious partner.
“Ethel. What’s up?” Alexis said, genuinely pleased to hear from her new friend.
“Can you…um…get the girls together. Like for a get together or a lunch or something…I juth lost my powers yesterday and I could really some company.” Ethen sounded sullen. Alexis simply hadn’t picked it up at first because sullen seemed to be Ethel’s default tone of voice.
“Aw crap Ethel. You ok?”
“Eeeeh…thorta. On one hand it sucks to not feel special anymore. And it sucks that I won’t be able to thee Mina anymore.”
“Who’s Mina?” Alexis never heard Ethel mention anybody by the name of Mina.
“My partner. Well, my former partner now. Goes by the name of Iron Needle.”
“Didn’t you say you didn’t talk much?”
“Some stuff happened. We’re friendth now.”
“That’s awesome!”
“Shame I won’t be able to thee her anymore.”
Alexis didn’t understand the problem.
“You can still hang out outside of magical girl hours.”
“Maybe but she has an issue. She’s severely immunodeficient and she can’t be outside unless she’s transformed. Found that out when I had to rush her to the hospital after a fight went bad. I’ll get into more details if we can all get together.”
Alexis was curious but felt like the conversation was going off on a tangent. “It might not be right away but I’m sure we’ll all be able to hang. I’ll talk to the girls and set up a date. Are you going to be ok?”
“I think so. I’ll really miss it. I got a lot of validation from being a magical girl. In so many ways.”
“I know you did Ethel. We all do. But I think you more than most.” Alexis said, a way to subtly tell Ethel she knew exactly what she was talking about.
“But I think I’m ready to focuth on being Ethel Bright now. It’s gonna be a lot of work. But I’m looking forward to it. Thanks to you Alexis.”
Alexis was happy that she was alone in her room. She didn’t want anybody to see her blush.
“Eh, I just told you what you should have been telling yourself all along.”
Ethel paused a moment before replying.
“It’s different to hear somebody else say it.” Ethel said the words like it was something profound. The impact was largely lost on Alexis.
“Well ok then. Let me go make some calls and I’ll get back to you with a time as soon as everybody can agree on one.” Alexis could have waited and talked with Ethel for a bit longer. But she wasn’t a fan of talking on the phone and Ethel sounded like she had a lot to say to more than one person.
“Thanks tho much for this Alexis. I would have called them myself but…” Ethel trailed off.
“Don’t worry about it. It’s better if I coordinate it anyway. Besides, you only met Aubrey at graduation.”
“Yeah. She’s…really cute.” The words came out more as being envious than being complimentary.
“Alright. Talk to you soon Ethel. Stay strong.”
“You too.”