One of my most time-honored principles that Bonga and I share is that people deserve to be valued for the time that they have when serving their calling. Being laid off all of a sudden without a place to go or a new challenge to see flat-out sucks. To this end, I had decided to formally relieve my own lalafell form Bangabae of retainer duty, only being summoned as my own alternate appearance at my own discretion.
Occupying this spot is someone who feel deserved better. Now Bongaboi told me about this young woman in a dream he had, where he saw his spiritual mother, Madoka Kaname, in her formal ultimate form, take away the one who would be my newest retainer to date, and spirit her to a new place. She took it hard and was in tears and Bonga saw that and Madoka said to him, "My son, it is time for you to take her, you and your beloved." And that was the end of the vision. Soon enough, while the two of us were enjoying yet another Papashan's Pizza with frozen spirits and coffee biscuits, a portal opened.
Out walked the troubled girl in Bonga's visions, looking around, dressed like an idol. "Excuse me, where is this place?" she asked in English.
"Ah, Ashley Taylor, my wife's newest bird, welcome to your new home, you, the LA ZipZapper, our Sister Golden Hair. This is Limsa Lominsa," Bongaboi said. "I am Madoka's prodigal son Bongaboi. My mom told me to bring you here since your soul was fading away and you needed a new home to be in."
"You are Ashley Taylor, a former magical girl, correct?" I asked. "I am Kahori Harukawa, Bongaboi's husband. Welcome to Eorzea." Ashley went to me and hugged me, sobbing. "There, there, don't cry, I know things have been tough the past week, but you're here now and you are alive, safe and sound. It's okay."
"Miss Kahori, Master Bonga, thank you for saving me and bringing me here," Ashley said. "I am Ashley Taylor, from Los Angeles, California. I spent five months as a magical girl before I realized that my services were not needed and I felt scared. Thank you for believing in me."
"The pleasure is ours, Ash, you're with us now. Want some pizza?"
"Oooh, pizza, yes, I want some, can I get a few slices?"
"Have a few slices, and some OJ and dig in. Maybe having some food will calm you down. Have a seat."
"Yaaaay!" So Ashley went to the seat with the pizza and dug in, propping her toy bear on the chair next to her. "Mmmm, this is good. What brand is this?"
"Papashan's," Bonga said.
"Ooooh, like Papa John's?"
"Exactly. You know your pizza, my dear."
"The texture is so smooth, the cheese so stringy, and the pepperoni is not too sweet or spicy. I feel better already!"
"Very good," I said. "Now, I don't know about you, but I think you needed a second chance to be useful. I heard what happened to you and I didn't like how you were treated by the forces that be. So, I am giving you a second chance. How would you like to be an adventurer. But not just any adventurer, a retainer adventurer?"
"So I am not longer gonna be a magical girl?" she asked.
"Well, you will be able to work your magic by being a monk, you know, like a kung fu fighter but with magical abilities when doing attacks, like Tsuruno. You know her, right?"
"Oh yeah, Tsuruno Yui, I know who she is, I met her, Iroha and the others. She's the one that likes to cook and uses fire for her attacks. That's her."
"A-ha. Using the element of chakra, you will be able to punch and kick and spin your way past enemies. Melee-style combat, martial arts," Bonga said. "A taste of home, in a way."
"You will need different gear, but we have that ready for you," I said. "You will be selling anything that I give you and when the time comes, you will be doing retainer ventures, where you show your skills and hunt. No funny contracts this time. And, I pay you with a special currency so you can do your thing."
"Can I bring Kumanosuke too?" she asked.
"Yeah, bring Kumsy along. Let your magic-wielding bear...bear (pun intended) witness to you being a heroine reborn." I said.
"Thanks, Miss Kahori! I love you."
"Awww, shucks, give me a hug sweetie!" And so I did. "Mmmmm, it's like I am taking care of a daughter myself. Not unlike Chuchu."
"You've come a long way, Bae," Bonga said. "Never forget that, please."
"Well, Ash, I generally do this when initiating a new retainer to my team. I have this tome, or book, that when you open it, you will bear witness to my adventures so far, and this will unlock all your hidden abilities as a monk to level 80, the highest level as of now. So, Ashley Taylor, open the tome."
"I just finished my pizza, and I will open it," she said. She positioned Kumanosuke to view her opening the tome. To the strains of "Torn From The Heavens," she watched a 30-minute show of all my adventures, the highs, the lows, the triumphs, defeats, emotions and drama. When she finished, there were tears coming out of her eyes, tears of joy. "I have seen it all. I am ready to serve you, Miss Kahori and Master Bonga." There was also a standing ovation from others at the Wench. "I didn't expect a crowd to applause me! I...am moved."
And I gave Ash another hug. "Welcome to my team, Ashley Taylor, champion of my husband's home town of Los Angeles. Make us proud in what you do and live by the principles of those who will look out for you here, so you can Hear, Feel and Think and walk in the Light and Darkness of the Crystal," I said.
Her stomach growled. "Can you order another pizza for me, Mom-er, Miss Kahori?"
"Sure, let me-"
"No need to do that, ma'am!" It was the founder himself, Papashan Nonoshan, and a few of his assistants, bringing a few more pies.
"Papashan! You didn't have to come down here to give my new hire seconds, you know!" I exclaimed. "You're supposed to be back at Ul'dah monitoring supply chains and quality control!"
"I have some promoted tallfolk overseeing things. Miss Ashley, condolences on how rough it's been for you and having to come here to find work and your own purpose. We baked you a pizza with all the fixings, HQ from start to finish."
"Whoa, this is amazing!" Ashley said. "You would do all this for me! I...I better finish this before it gets cold, thank you Master Papashan!"
"Better ingredients, better pizza, Papashan's, that's my brand. Enjoy, young lady, and may your time here be much longer and much happier, and a hella lot more fun. See you folks!" And Papashan and his team left for Ul'dah via airship.
"So, Ash," Bonga said. "Tell us your tales about your time in my wife's homeland regarding your magical girl misadventures."
"Oh, the tales I could tell you..." she said, bubbly as ever. So we took the rest of the day to talk story about her journey. We all have our journeys and adventures and misadventures. But I feel that Ashley was the best of all California girls, and I think she would be right at home being a retainer under my employ. This was a second chance she would never pass up, try as fate might.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIycEe59Auc
