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[Sub].:⋮Moving Day?⋮:.[/Sub]

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There was an unnoticed sense of relief that flowed through Penny as she closed the door to the Sanctuary behind her. It also came with a sense of satisfaction, she had been worrying away at this particular issue from the moment she returned from the Beach the first time to see the warehouse filled with people already.

She nodded at Ashlyn as she walked further in, the taller girl always found watching the front door relaxing. Even more so if Monica was cooking, though that wasn’t the case at the moment. The Queen would wade her way across the room, returning greetings called to her as she went. 

Normally she would have lingered and spent some time with the people she had chosen to protect, but right now she had someone she needed to find and bring the good news too. With that in mind Penny would focus her senses looking for one presence in particular. Dina would like this turn of events, Penny was sure.

Deep down in Dina's chambers, Penny would find that the usual neatness and demure that permeated the Regent’s room was gone in a flurry of chaos and restlessness. Here and there, scattered papers, half-written letters and empty vodka bottles littered the room. Her prized Dream Orb was being used as a paperweight, and she had taken a purification potion out of the usual place, hanging as an odd pick me up, yet still unopened right next to a half finished bottle of spirits. 

A single cat maid was doing her best to scrub a waist height stain of wine, alongside a shattered glass against the wall, who bowed in respect before resuming her task. It was safe to say Dina had not had a good day.

A figure stirred underneath crumpled blankets, before letting a small annoyed hiss. “For the last time, churl, I have told you not to disturb me with your brainless Valkyrie antics.” She replied to the footsteps approaching her.

Looking about the room Penny was made uncomfortably aware of just how stressed Dina must be feeling right now. She kinda knew it was bad, but this was the first true look at just how bad. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Remind me to deck Sann next time I see her”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would reply to the rude call out, knowing that her voice would be all that was needed to let the Regent know it wasn’t her Valkyrie that had arrived.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I knew you were stressing over this.”[/b][/u][/color] Because honestly who wouldn’t be [color=9e0039][u][b]“But that she let it get this bad without telling anyone is a bit much”[/b][/u][/color]

The sheets moved and shuffled slightly, only for a tired cat head to pop out of them, before letting a long drawn sigh. "Sanngridr is not the one at fault for this kind of situation. A regent must be able to keep her poise in public. At least she got that right." Dina would add as she crawled out of her bed, clad in a stylish nightgown.

"Decking her would only make things worse. And despite how she acts, the fact that she serves Odin makes her slightly more aware than anyone in Sanctuary about the situation." She would answer, before grabbing a half finished vodka bottle and emptying in a rather undignified manner.

"What can I do for her Highness?"

Penny would concede that Dina most likely had a point about Sann having a better idea than most about what was coming, same with keeping poise in front of the rest of the Sanctuary, but. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Still think she should have let me know if no one else. It is my responsibility to make sure everyone is doing alright, and that does include you.”[/b][/u][/color] She would state before letting the matter drop.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Either way. I wanted to show you something. It’s been my next location for the Sanctuary for a while, just getting it here has been a pain.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would explain. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Solved that issue a few minutes ago however. Wanted your input on how to set it up and ideas on how to get everyone moved over.”[/b][/u][/color]

"You never trusted her, why would she confide anything to you?" Dina would quip. "Well, better news than my call for help. I only got replies from Dan, some crystal entity, Odin… and a certain Romanian gentleman. I told Sanngridr to scour Penrose to get more volunteers as she is among our fastest flyers." She sighed. "Alright, show me…"

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Because she’s supposed to be your varangian.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would return [color=9e0039][u][b]“And I am your queen. Your well being should be her first concern if she is taking her oaths seriously”[/b][/u][/color] Which was just one more reason for Penny to be unfriendly towards Sann, but that could be dealt with later. Preferably without fists, as that would likely just encourage her.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Regardless. It’s a small walk, I currently have it in the bay.”[/b][/u][/color] She would go on to explain. [color=9e0039][u][b]“We can head out when you are ready.”[/b][/u][/color]

"Varangians are blunt instruments. Would Belladona, even think of reporting to you in the same situation? I think you are reading far too much into this. Sanngridr is not what you think she is." Dina would quip back.

True to what Penny said it wasn’t a far walk, at least not for a pair of magicals, and upon first look there wasn’t anything that Dina would be able to see sitting in the bay. Or at least nothing out of the ordinary. But there was an unmistakable smirk on Penny’s face as she looked at something in the distance.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Have I ever told you much about the ship I got?”[/b][/u][/color] She would ask after a short moment. [color=9e0039][u][b]“It is something I got from a Dragon, by accident.”[/b][/u][/color] She would reach over and lay her hand on Dina’s shoulder. [color=9e0039][u][b]“It was something that I knew would help the Sanctuary since I got back from the Beach the first time.”[/b][/u][/color] As Penny’s hand touched Dina, the Regent would notice the air in front of them shimmer and suddenly the Earth Bastion would fade into view towering above them.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“What do you think?”[/b][/u][/color]

Dina eyed the massive mechanical monstrosity, a twinkle forming in her eyes alongside a purr. "It's wondrous. Truly a fortress."

But it was then when she reigned herself in. "But also a poisoned gift."

[color=9e0039][u][b]"How so?"[/b][/u][/color] Penny would ask shifting all her attention to Dina. She wasn't doubting the older cat girl, not with this, but she did want to know what she had overlooked. [color=9e0039][u][b]"The dragon themselves have left Penrose and none of their girls are in town as far as I'm aware."[/b][/u][/color] She would explain. [color=9e0039][u][b]"And I'm pretty sure that neither Beacon nor the Mint know I've smuggled it in."[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]"What am I missing?"[/b][/u][/color]

"With this no one in Penrose answers to you. Your position might be stronger than even Cindy in her heyday." Dina tilted her head. "It would draw a lot of attention. Not to mention…"

She trailed off, hesitant of what she was about to say. "I supported you despite your Beacon ties, but… If Beacon wanted, this fortress could easily become a prison, with you as Warden."

Penny mulled over that for a moment. [color=9e0039][u][b]"Is my open ties to Beacon really that detrimental?"[/b][/u][/color] She would ask,annoyed. The idea that she would turn the Bastion into a prison was so far off base as to be insulting. She would never, it was contrary to the entire reason she built the Sanctuary.

But she did remember how everyone reacted to her revealing that she was part of Beacon, even though she had never hidden it.

[color=9e0039][u][b]"I wouldn't do that. But would so few of them trust that?"[/b][/u][/color]

Dina averted her gaze, as she let the breeze outside sway her hair gently. She looked at her own feet. She did know Penny had delivered up until now. And yet…

"I don't really know." Dina would look. "I do not think your standing has improved that much ever since you took charge. There were advances, but the carnage of the tournament fiasco remains." The Regent would answer truthfully.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Damn it”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would mutter as she removed her hand from Dina’s shoulder and ran it through her own hair, the mighty ship vanishing from Dina’s sight in the same instant. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Do you think asking up front if the rest of the girls would want to move in would help?”[/b][/u][/color] Penny was glad that she showed this to Dina privately first, even if it was annoying to learn that the girls at the Sanctuary hadn’t brought up their issues with how she was running it to her.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I got it here, so it’s not going to be leaving anytime soon, so at the least we will have it for an emergency fallback. But getting everyone moved now would be a lot better.”[/b][/u][/color]

"You should make it a briefing." Dina answered, now noticing the tap on her shoulder. Dina's body flinched in response, as she drew apart from Penny. "It would be best, yes but forceful relocation is always traumatic." She eyed Penny. "I will make sure we don't get raided from the Mint again for the time being."

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Point”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say with an absent nod, her mind whiring for a moment on the brief she’d need to set up. As well as a timeline that would work for everyone at the Sanctuary. It was a touch frustrating, but also good to be reminded that not everyone could simply roll with the punches like Penny could.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Good luck with that.”[/b][/u][/color] She would say setting aside enough processing power to deal with the briefing in the background. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I doubt the Mint is going to be as brazen as last time. Though we are lucky they didn’t try anything with the Wendigos, that would have been a nightmare to deal with.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Curious as to what your plan is though”[/b][/u][/color]

"Penny pinchers and misers. You just grant them Corsair status and point them in the right direction." Dina would say. "It worked for Sir Francis Drake." 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“You want to hire the Mint?”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would ask slowly, her tone cautious. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Have you done this already or are you meeting the contact later on?”[/b][/u][/color] There was a notably calculating look in the queen's eye as she regarded Dina. 

"I…took a gamble. For the sake of getting allies fast." Dina answered. "A very dangerous gamble." She admitted as she produced the document with the conditions for Penny to see.

Penny looked over the contract with a wary look. [color=9e0039][u][b]“As much as I hate to say it, you might have been right to do so.”[/b][/u][/color] It was a simple thing, the terms that Dina had signed were rather straightforward, but Penny didn’t trust it as much more than a way to open the door further for the Mint. Still, [color=9e0039][u][b]“If they ask, you convince me to leave them alone, but I’m only honoring it until they betray us or Wonderland is taken care of.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Normally I’d have not even bothered to humor them, but it seems that politics has the Ascendency ready to simply stand aside and let Wonderland take over.”[/b][/u][/color]

Dina looked at Penny, her scowl accentuating. "So much for the Beacon's elite. It seems we are beneath them." Dina sighed. A voice in the back of her mind wanted to raise alarms. "Penny, if you want to take everyone in the Bastion and leave this place, I will not stop you any further."

[color=9e0039][u][b]“If you mean the warehouse I’m a step ahead of you I think,”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would return the document to Dina [color=9e0039][u][b]“But if you are talking about leaving Penrose all together I’m not sure I’d be able to leave personally. This city means a fair amount to me, and I’m not willing to simply leave it without putting up any resistance.”[/b][/u][/color]

Dina breathed in deep. "Okay." She seemed to have something gnawing at her mind. "Would you walk with me, if you are so kind?"

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Of course”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would gesture for Dina to start walking [color=9e0039][u][b]“Lean on and I’ll listen”[/b][/u][/color]

"I don't want to die. I am afraid." Dina would bluntly state. "Half of me is screaming to leave this forsaken place already. " She began to walk away. "But…too many people are depending on me." She began to walk away. "Someone has made me an offer. Well, several people. But this person is both worshipped as a hero and reviled as a monster. I got lucky with my monster girl traits. But if I take this offer… it will mean I will become something else."

[color=9e0039][u][b]“If you’re worried about how I will handle that, don’t.”[/b][/u][/color] Following alongside the Regent Penny had an understanding look. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I’m much less human than I look, I’ve just gotten lucky that my inhumanity is easily hidden. If you are worried about how it will affect you personally? The Sanctuary still has a few Red coins and a few potions, so we can change things if you need, or at least try. In the end the responsibility we have due to our positions is not worth damaging your sense of self over.”[/b][/u][/color]

Dina would just lead Penny into her chambers once more, as Dina dismissed the maid in there and picked up a few letters. "Dan, Odin, Crystal entities… Hera, Volos the god of Earth… and this one." She produced a single letter, with a dragon eating its own tail. "He said he will give me power over the dragons. And unlike Volos, it might be no prank."

In the back of the letter, in elegant words… an ominous name was revealed to Penny. "Vlad III, son of the dragon."
 
Penny looked at the name on the back of the letter with a bit of awe. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Tepes contacted you?”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would ask, though she doubted it could truly be anyone else. She wondered how the man joined the magical world in passing, but more than anything she could see the appeal in his offer. While she doubted that Vlad was still a classical human, he still understood what Penny and Dina stood for, and would be the last person to blanche at what might be needed to defend one's home.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I can see why they are at the top of the pile.”[/b][/u][/color]

"Looks like my birthright still matters in some circles. Zmey Gorynych put a good word for me. And thus how I got Volos and Tepes interested." She admitted. "There is a catch though."

[color=9e0039][u][b]“And what would that be?”[/b][/u][/color]

"He will not take a cat for a bride." Dina admitted.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Ah”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would turn silent for a moment, obviously mulling over that bit of information. [color=9e0039][u][b]“That’s really up to you. I’m assuming that the legends about him would be, at least guiding in what you’ll end up as. But I can’t make that choice for you.”[/b][/u][/color] She would explain, before giving a shrug. [color=9e0039][u][b]“For me the sticking point would more be the fact that he wants to make it a marriage, but I’m pretty sure that’s more to do with my age than anything.”[/b][/u][/color]

"A purification potion and the Orb of Dreams should make it work." Dina admitted."But…in the event I go out of control, I want you to personally take me down." Dina sighed. "It is fine. I had been groomed for this. It arriving 90 years late is of no consequence."

[color=9e0039][u][b]“As long as you’re sure”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would prompt one last time. Searching Dina’s face for any sign of uncertainty. [color=9e0039][u][b]“But you have my promise; if you are to lose control I’ll make sure to stop you before you cause any damage.”[/b][/u][/color]

"Thank you…" Dina added, before one of the maids arrived at the entrance, obviously frazzled. "Regent! Your Highness! There is trouble at the entrance!"

Penny was more curious than worried at the maid’s sudden entrance. Whatever the trouble was it wasn’t an attack so the queen didn’t see any reason to be worried. “No rest for the wicked” Penny would quip as she started on her way to the entrance, checking only once to see if Dina was going to be following or leaving this to her.

Dina for the most part, frowning, wondering why she was called instead of the guards. When they arrived they had an inkling why. She wasn't really sure but someone had conjured a storm, a literal storm [i]indoors[/i]. Here and there, frantic cat minions were trying to avoid getting the papers of a reception guest soggy with various degrees of success. The first reaction besides facepalming was to cover the desk in barriers.

"Well, you people wanted me to know what I am capable of, so here you go you fucks! Hah!"

A certain pink dragon girl was at the center of the ruckus, her gaze directed at the desk.

Penny would take a quick look at the minor chaos going on and would hold back a snort. Noting the barriers that Dina put up, Penny would let out a sharp whistle to gather everyone's attention.

Her presence would suddenly demand attention as she strode forward, some of the rain being to swirl about her as she went. [color=9e0039][u][b]"Please don't torment the maids."[/b][/u][/color] Penny would state calmly as she walked over to the dragon girl. [color=9e0039][u][b]"They do so much for us, the least you can do is be polite."[/b][/u][/color]

"Oh, you the boss of this place, swiss knife-chan? And the neko-baba too. Just tell these nekos to set me up. Isn't this the Monster Syndicate or something?" said the dragon girl while Dina was making a very strange face of repressed anger.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Sakura?”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would ask, a touch surprised at the drastic change in appearance from the last time she had seen the other girl. She wouldn’t let that surprise distract her too much however. [color=9e0039][u][b]“We are closer to a refuge than a syndicate, only me and Dina have much say in how things go.”[/b][/u][/color] She’d explain. [color=9e0039][u][b]“And we can easily get you settled if you need it. Mind calling off the storm cloud?”[/b][/u][/color]

Sakura huffed, as if proud of herself. "I am turning into a dragon. Cool huh?" She said as she dismissed her own power. "I'm even immortal or something like that! So what do I get? A pile of treasure to sleep?"

It was then, when Dina offered a polite smile as she approached. "We can manage something close to such tastes." The cat girl would add, her tail swishing uncontrollably.

Sakura didn't have time to react when Dina struck the mighty dragoness on her face with a mighty slap.

<<"You stupid asshole">> She would say in Sakura's own tongue. <<"Bow down and show some respect">>

"Oi you-"

[i]Slap.[/i]

Dina did it again, her face a scowl, before Sakura reluctantly bowed down.

"It's a start." The Russian former noble answered. "You shall serve me as my handmaiden. You don't have enough training and finesse to even attempt to be a regal dragon."

Penny hadn’t yet bothered to go and compile an understanding of any other language, so the short stint of Japanese went over her head. That wasn’t to say that she didn’t catch the gist. She turned a sharp look on Dina and raised an eyebrow. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Why exactly are you browbeating a newcomer into being your handmaiden?”[/b][/u][/color] She would ask calmly. Her calm tone belaying the anger that spiked though her at the seeming abusive action of her Regent.

Dina's bluster would be evident. "Well, would you let a 65 yr old crook under a deceptive appearance loose on the Sanctuary girls? She was an old Yakuza prior to this." Dina said, not bothering to hide her distaste for Sakura.

Penny’s eyebrow didn’t lower, but the edge of her look did relent. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Yes.”[/b][/u][/color] Came her answer, annoyance in place of anger. [color=9e0039][u][b]“My second friend I made in Penrose was a 67 year old convict who embraced the new life as a second chance.”[/b][/u][/color] And she did miss Janet, but she was never sure if she should put up something for her in the memorial or not. She  was gone, but she wasn’t exactly dead. It was difficult to categorize.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Everyone deserves a space where they can be safe, even if that means from others' expectations.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would go on to say. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Besides, most of the girls here can take care of themselves, and if not I am not afraid of standing in for them if they need it.”[/b][/u][/color] Her recriminations lacked true heat. Penny was annoyed, but she could see where Dina was coming from.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Sakura.”[/b][/u][/color] She’d turn back to the now dragon girl, [color=9e0039][u][b]“You're free to stay here for as long as you need, and you don’t have to do anything to earn that. If you want to work with Dina, that’s your choice.”[/b][/u][/color] She’d say gently. [color=9e0039][u][b]“And only your choice.”[/b][/u][/color]

Dina's patience would be tested as the dragon girl in a fast fluid movement, hung her arm around Dina's shoulders, completely destroying her personal space. The poise of a noblewoman and the irated face of a cat about to bite were coexisting on her face.

"Well you heard Swiss Knife-sama. We should get along, Neko-chan. I'm her friend." She cheered with a lawyer's smile."I am sorry for your loss though…come to think of it, my bust is bigger than yours."

It was at this point that Dina extricated herself and began to walk away. "I will be in my room, your Highness." She said.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Have a good evening, Regent.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would call out to her as Dina left. [color=9e0039][u][b]“And let me know if there is to be a ceremony.”[/b][/u][/color] She’d add before turning her attention onto Sakura, a look of disappointment appearing on her face. 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Did I not tell you to be polite just a moment ago?”[/b][/u][/color] She'd ask, her voice echoing over to Dina even as the cat girl ostensibly left earshot. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I mean being abrasive to the staff is bad enough, but Dina’s the one who hired them, not me, if you want to get poor service keep it up.”[/b][/u][/color] 

"I was being polite! When I hear that queenly voice I imagine a tall lady, not a neko loli baba!" Sakura would reply before a sharp pain made her wince."Ow!" She saw one of the maids scamper off after kicking her tail.

"Everyone is being a jerk lately! I fisted Card Liner Piston Cereal just like her sister Juice Tin! And everyone got mad because she was a child! She is not!"

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Physical based discrimination is a lot more common to Monster girls.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say, not remarking in the least about Sakura getting kicked in the tail by the maid. [color=9e0039][u][b]“And not everyone gets an appearance that they enjoy. Dina’s older than all of us here, far as I can tell anyway. She was a nobility back when she was human. Might be again here soon as a matter of fact.”[/b][/u][/color] 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“As for the other parts of everyone being jerks, who is Juice and Card?”[/b][/u][/color] She would ask, tilting her head a bit in curiosity. She figured those were nicknames, but that did nothing to help her actually narrow down who Sakura was talking about.

"The titty leech! Vice Cereal! Or was it Vicky Real?"

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Von Viceral?”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would ask, though she figured that was right. Or at least Penny wasn’t aware of another set of sisters in Penrose other than Justine and Caroline. [color=9e0039][u][b]“My best guess on that end is that you ran afoul of the Crimson Cradle. Justine is a member of theirs now, though I’ve not got a full idea of how that happened.”[/b][/u][/color] 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Were you able to take Caroline out for good or did they interfere?”[/b][/u][/color] 

“I just gave her a good smacking but everyone said she was going to die, including Green-chan and Bunbun-chan, and then the weirdo-chan with the black wings healed us all, so I kinda left. Juice even thanked me for stopping her sister or something. There was Ronin there. And the copy.” Sakura would add.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Yeah, it sounds like the cradle was trying to capture Caroline for Justine.”[/b][/u][/color] Which was a really rapid response plan for them, but then again their memory network would make such plans easy for them to formulate at the drop of a hat.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Not exactly sure who weirdo-chan is, but I’m guessing you might run into her around her if I’m guessing correctly.”[/b][/u][/color]  Penny would say. [color=9e0039][u][b]“She’ll try and provoke a fight out of you, if you go with it stick to the gym and no lethal hits.”[/b][/u][/color] 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Ronin and Miko make it out of there alright?”[/b][/u][/color] 

"I think they did. That Sanwhatever, weirdo-chan, kept them close." Sakura added. "I mean I don't like hitting girls but then again I could use a few challenges."

Yup, weirdo-chan was Sann. [color=9e0039][u][b]“She’s a valkyrie and a follower of Odin. Combat is kind of her thing.”[/b][/u][/color]  Penny would explain. 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“You want the tour, or are you good just exploring by yourself?”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would ask. Normally there was a third option of having one of the maid’s to give them the tour, but Penny doubted that any of them wanted to deal with Sakura at the moment.

"Can I get the cow lady? She seemed nice." Sakura would add.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Monica’s not one to give tours”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would remark [color=9e0039][u][b]“But if she’s in the kitchen she’d be willing to make you some food if you're hungry.”[/b][/u][/color] She’d half turn in her explanation [color=9e0039][u][b]“We can go see if she’s there and ask at the least.”[/b][/u][/color]

Sakura just chuckled to herself, muttering something about mama-sans and drinks. But she seemed to be content with just…finding her way out and and about.

“If you want drinks you're going to want to talk to Ashlyn.” Penny would say “She’s the one with the stash. I’ll introduce you so she knows you’re good for it.” She’d add as she turned to guide the way, afterwards she’d leave Sakura to her own. There was plenty of stuff to take care of in the Sanctuary after all, even without everyone moving just yet.