[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/K2ssvzh.png[/img][/center] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/72bEcUi.png[/img][/center] Lily didn’t blame Connie for not knowing the answer to the confounding conundrum that the paper represented, and gave a comforting little pat on the masked girl’s shoulder after she gave the paper away. [color=fff200]”It’s okay, I’m sure someone here can solve it. As long as each of us can bring something unique to the table, it’s sure to help!”[/color] She said this as much to herself as she did to Connie; her low self-esteem had taken a hit by her blunder. However, this was not the time to dwell on her mistakes as Chloe spoke at length on the deal. Lily was alarmed by Chloe summoning another monster, finding her antics kind of obnoxious. But she afterwards seemed to relent, and even accepted Lily’s condition. [color=fff200]”Oh, you will Chloe?”[/color] [color=violet]"Of course."[/color] Chloe placed a hand on her hip. [color=violet]"We [i]might[/i] even use some of your suggestions."[/color] Lily nodded to Alex’ clarification; she knew from her experiences at the Christmas party to not agree to something this important on the behalf of others. Lily and Justine then turned their attention to Ronin and Miko. [color=fff200]”Shrink everyone? Oh, that might work! When they’re all chibi, we can fit them anywhere we want!”[/color] Lily seemed enthusiastic about the idea, while Justine scoffed. [color=bc8dbf]”I guess if it’s possible…”[/color] Lily then clenched her fists before her and visibly trembled in excitement as Ronin mentioned Bleach. [color=fff200]”Oh, you know Bleach, Ronin? That’s amazing! Isn’t Ichigo so cool, and Rukia so cute? Haven’t watched past season one, but I really hope they end up together!”[/color] [color=bc8dbf]”Getting back on track…”[/color] Justine interrupted, causing Lily to frown as the moment passed. [color=bc8dbf]”Fabricating a fake city on top of Penrose would require Illusion magic, and powerful magic at that. Do we even have any Illusion magic specialists here?”[/color] Lily perked up as Mariette actually stood up and physically joined them, something she had only rarely seen from the elusive magical girl. She confirmed Valerie’s words about Wonderland, and clarified the effects of the enchantment. Justine in particular seemed interested in the information. [color=bc8dbf]”A perpetual effect, huh…While slow-acting, it’s still very powerful magic to be able to enchant an entire dimension…I wonder…”[/color] She put a hand to her chin in thought while Mariette explained her part in the Queen’s designs, causing Lily to gasp. [color=fff200]”What, the queen thinks she’s your mom? And you’re fated to die because of that? That’s crazy!”[/color] She went over and took Mariette’s hand, looking straight into her eye with determination. [color=fff200]”Mariette, don’t worry. I won’t let you die! I promise!”[/color] As the discussion advanced, it seemed the others weren’t as willing to negotiate as Lily and Alex were. The green-haired girl looked on as one by one, everyone declined Chloe’s offer after the broker had agreed to let Penrose be free of crime, and also to provide all kinds of help with their fight against Wonderland. Even so, nobody would listen. Even Magical Dream Princess, who she expected out of everyone to be understanding, seemed to ignore her. Instead, she corrected Lily about the dimension belonging to Amanda. Lily blinked, seemingly a bit out of it, and smiled awkwardly. [color=fff200]”S-Sorry, got a bit of a mix-up there…I really am a bit of a ditz, haha…”[/color] She looked up at Angel of Hope as she settled in, glad that at least someone here was tolerant and kind. She decided that she would need to get to know the angelic girl more after Penrose was saved, and possibly even become friends with her. Not that she deserved to be friends with someone as wonderful as AoH… Justine didn’t seem as shocked by the unfolding events as she had folded her arms. [color=bc8dbf]”I’ve worked with Mint before, but I can’t say I’m familiar with how they operate. Still, Chloe’s offer sounds too convenient. They probably attempted to deal with Wonderland first, and when that fell through, came crawling to us.”[/color] Chloe clicked her tongue. [color=violet]"Speaking from experience, Justine? The number of times you’ve double crossed others even makes [i]me[/i] blush."[/color] Nefer on the other hand seemed amused as Chloe took offense to her meddling, and gave her a grinning side-eye while examining the Artifact with a hand-held scanner; so far it seemed to be holding up. “You’re right, I could be. But if I was, would I really go out of my way to show my meticulously crafted, beautiful art just as a cover?” She giggled at Chloe’s second claim. “I know, I just wanted to chime in, and even the odds. Someone oughta take Prid-I mean, the queenie cutie down a notch,” she readjusted after Akhenaten suddenly grunted. “Thinking she’s better than the rest of us, with all that sparkling gemtech…Hah! As if!” She afterwards rolled her eyes at the flirting. She stepped closer to Chloe despite the monsters and her entourage of magical girls, seemingly trusting her bodyguard to intervene in case of conflict. She leaned her head down at the shorter girl. “For a coinbroker, you seem a bit green. Did they hire you in the last month or something? That’s cute~” It was now Viper’s turn to be provoked, as she glared at Nefer. “Another insult at Boss…” She summoned her weapon at her side. “...and it’ll be your last.” Akhenaten responded by grunting loudly. He then took a step forward, causing the ground to slightly shake, but Nefer swiftly waved him off. “Now now, I think it’s great that Mint’s getting new blood. Most brokers are not cuties at all. In fact, I wouldn’t mind giving my number.” She produced what looked like a small piece of paper from her pocket, quickly wrote something, and afterwards offered it to Chloe. “My contact info’s on that. Gimme a call, ok Chloe-cutie?~” Chloe eyed the paper with a grin before shoving it between her breasts. [color=violet]"Well, I’m busy, but I can probably pencil you in sometime."[/color] The situation developed as Penny suggested leaving Chloe and moving on to her place to continue the discussion. Chloe just groaned. [color=violet]"Glad everyone is willing to work together against an external threat. Did you even raise a weapon to the queen when she appeared, or did you run off like I would have done?"[/color] [color=fff200]”Uhh…”[/color] Lily felt the urge to speak out against the discrimination she witnessed. But she also trusted her friend Alicia, and to a lesser extent Penny, and so didn’t want to outright object. However, this was about far more than mere grudges or personal feelings. There were hundreds of thousands of lives at stake. She couldn’t stay silent. [color=fff200]”Shouldn’t we give her a chance? She seems sincere about it…”[/color] She thought hard about her next words. [color=fff200]”Maybe we could give her something smaller at first, and then the rest after she’s proven herself to speak the truth?”[/color] [color=baddab]”Who knew Lily would be the most level-headed one here?”[/color] The new voice introducing itself to the discussion was none other than Binky, surprising Lily with her suddenly speaking. The green haired, cultist-looking magical girl had been through the entire meeting. Though the array of taller, more important magical girls hid her from view. But there was no doubt that there was pure contempt in her gaze as she observed the magical girls around her. But at last, they came to rest on Penny. [color=baddab]”Penny, you helped me get out of Beacon. I’ll always be grateful for that, but the reason Lily had us come here was to make it accessible to everyone in Penrose. Moving everything to your ‘secret treehouse’ gives you all the power. Most of us feel safest right here on neutral ground.”[/color] Binky folded her arms. [color=baddab]”You’ve done your own fair share of betraying too. You refused to give Su her ship back. You became a Mint agent, and I doubt you told Beacon right away. You’ve even taken the mantle of a dictator like Cindy Ford. It’s clear to everyone that if you can do something to acquire more power, you’ll do it. Maybe you’re better than those bozos at Mint, but you don’t get to preach about what it means to be trustworthy. You need to set the bar a lot higher for yourself if you want to be Penrose’s moral authority.”[/color] Chloe smiled, but that faded when Binky pointed a finger at her. [color=baddab]”You’re no better! Penny might have a low bar to step over, but you’re the one person who could [i]limbo[/i] under it!”[/color] Then Binky looked at Alicia. [color=baddab]”Alicia, we never got to talk much. I don’t know you, but I’m going to assume you care about Penrose as much as everyone here. Are you really going to reject help from the Mint if it can prevent an invasion of Penrose?”[/color] She spun her head around. [color=baddab]”Am I… Does Lily have to be the voice of reason here?”[/color] With a sigh, Binky looked over at the group of magical girls that were keeping to themselves. The ones that hadn’t thrown their lot in with any of the big three. [color=baddab]”I don’t know most of you, but I’m Binky. Yes, like a kids security blanket. It was a nickname that Veronica gave me because I used to cry all the time.”[/color] She raised her hand, and a red coin glistened in it. [color=baddab]”I’m the one who made the red coins, and assisted with the white ones later on. Like most magical girls, my form is less than ideal. I wanted to change it. I wanted to be stronger, I didn’t want to be afraid anymore. I went on quite an adventure to get this made, but more interesting is the story of why I haven’t used it myself.”[/color] She held the coin close to her chest, pinched between her thumb and finger. [color=baddab]”There was this girl that used to be my friend. Her name was Betty, and she’s the only person who made me feel like I was enough. I spent years working on this coin, and it just took her a few weeks to convince me I didn’t need it.”[/color] Binky, slowly, turned to look at Justine. [color=baddab]”Could you come here, please?”[/color] Justine was surprised; out of everyone there, she least expected Binky to talk to her. Binky must still have enmity for her, so the fact she wanted to converse with her was baffling. [color=bc8dbf]”Um, sure.”[/color] Curious yet wary, Justine tucked in her wings, and approached Binky. She didn’t know where this was going. [color=bc8dbf]”You wanted to speak with me, Binky?”[/color] [color=baddab]”For a while, actually.”[/color] Binky turned back towards everyone. [color=baddab]”This is Justine Von Visceral. I doubt she needs an introduction. Some of you fought her at her castle when she tried to wipe out the concept of love, and again when she laid siege to Mariette’s dimension. No one here has double-crossed, manipulated, and masterminded as many catastrophes as she has. But I probably dislike her more than most. Because she abducted Betty. No, she brainwashed her and turned her over to the Mint like she was into human trafficking.”[/color] She rubbed her nose. [color=baddab]”Betty was not the same after that, and I’ve since lost contact with her.”[/color] Binky turned to face Justine and looked her directly in the eye. She sighed. [color=baddab]”You’ve mentioned you regret your actions, but I never got an apology. Maybe you believed it was all ‘Father’s’ fault and such a thing wasn’t necessary. Even if you had apologized, I don’t think I would have believed you.”[/color] Binky sniffed, but her face remained hard. [color=baddab]”I’m still not sure why Maura felt like it was a good idea to turn you loose, but…”[/color] Binky extended her arms. [color=baddab]”I forgive you, Justine.”[/color] Justine sighed, and averted her eyes, holding her arm. [color=bc8dbf]”For what it's worth, I'm sorry for what happened. Father was of course the instigator behind my actions, but it wasn't entirely his influence…I am also to blame for enabling his corruption in me. So yeah.”[/color] She glanced at Binky. [color=bc8dbf]”Was that all?”[/color] [color=baddab]”No.”[/color] She stretched out her fingers and fretted her brow. [color=baddab]”I-I’d like a hug, too…”[/color] Justine blushed, her face in a grimace. [color=bc8dbf]”F-Fine.”[/color] She went over to the cultist girl, and gave her an awkward hug; like the kind you give to a distant aunt or uncle that you’ve never really known but you’re still expected to show affection to upon meeting. Binky responded a bit like you’d expect said distant uncle to. She pulled her in closer and patted her back with one of her hands. Though Binky’s eyes were open and staring straight ahead. [color=baddab]”Sorry for putting you on the spot.”[/color] She whispered. The hug only lasted a few seconds before Binky released Justine and took a step back. [color=baddab]”Thank you.”[/color] Again, Binky turned to address everyone. [color=baddab]”If I can forgive Justine, then you can overlook your differences with one another. This isn’t about any one of us. Everyone here wants to protect Penrose. If I couldn’t forgive Justine, Cradle would never be able to work at maximum efficiency. I don’t have to think she’s a good person, I just need to stop living in the past so that I can focus on the present.”[/color] She looked at Chloe. [color=baddab]”We could say some of us don’t deserve a fourth or fifth chance, but we’re letting emotion dictate our actions. There are really only two outcomes: Mint gives us assistance for some territory, or they don’t. As someone who values life, I don’t know why you wouldn’t pick the first option.”[/color] At last, Binky shrugged her shoulders. [color=baddab]”I’m just a researcher. I’m kind of used to people treating me like dirt. But letting past events get in the way of an important co-op feels childish. That’s why I like Maura more than Veronica. She’s not the best at her job, but she’s not as jaded as my last boss. Letting Justine off easy turned out to be the right thing to do.”[/color] Chloe tipped her head with a grin. [color=violet]"And that’s all to say that Penny and Alicia should take my contract?"[/color] [color=baddab]”Not quite.”[/color] Binky approached the contract and looked it over. [color=baddab]”The only authority I respect is Maura’s. You could sign a contract with any other faction and I probably wouldn’t honor it unless Cradle backed it personally.”[/color] The coin broker chuckled. [color=violet]”So you want every patron in Penrose to sign it?”[/color] [color=baddab]”It’s our city, and we’re all going to have our own stipulations too.”[/color] Chloe scoffed, but Binky wasn’t deterred. [color=baddab]”The way I see it, the two signatures you want are also the ones you aren’t getting. Maybe if you can satisfy everyone else, they’ll decide it’s something they need to be a part of.”[/color] [color=violet]”Well…”[/color] Chloe trailed off. [color=violet]”I’m open to suggestions, certainly. What would it take to get your signature?”[/color] [color=baddab]”I’d like to ensure that Mint doesn’t conduct any research of a magical nature inside Penrose.”[/color] [color=violet]”Sounds reasonable.”[/color] [color=baddab]”I also forbid them from performing research on magical artifacts that were made [i]in[/i] Penrose, such as the magical coins I helped make. That includes outsourcing the work to other institutes or performing it in other worlds.”[/color] [color=violet]”...Less reasonable, but I think I can make it happen.”[/color] Binky looked over her shoulder at Justine. [color=baddab]”Got anything you’d like to add?”[/color] Justine shook her head. [color=bc8dbf]”I have already said my piece. The rest is up to everyone…else…"[/color] Her words drifted off as she peered at something in the distance: a person who had turned the corner. The figure seemed to be wandering around, seemingly unsure. Based on Justine's subsequent reaction of alarm, she seemed to recognize who it was, and headed out. [color=bc8dbf]”Continue the meeting without me,"[/color] she hastily spoke before she left the field. [color=baddab]”...Okay?”[/color] Binky shrugged before turning to look at Lily. [color=baddab]”You thought it would be a good idea to give the Mint their territory in increments? How did you want that to work?”[/color] [color=fff200]”Uhh…"[/color] Lily seemed unsure. [color=fff200]”Maybe instead of an entire sector, we could give them a building, a street, or even a city block. Something like that?"[/color] [color=violet]”[i]Instead?[/i]”[/color] With a huff, Chloe folded her arms. [color=violet]”I have to get this to pass with people over my station, you know? But fine. So long as there’s an opportunity to get additional territory, I can probably make it work.”[/color] Binky relieved herself from the spotlight by stepping away from the center of everything. [color=baddab]”It’s not often we get to dictate our terms to the Mint. I hope the rest of you add your own stipulations.”[/color] And with that, she stepped behind Valery. [hr] [center][hider=Anja]Age: 34/16 | Gender: Female/Female | Wood Dark Melee | Killing Blow | Lesser Force/Ebon Mint Martial Training/Flexibility/Enhanced Weapon/Gifted/Awareness/Incognito/Environmental Sealing Non-exclusivity/Mana Font/Focused/Subtle/Mystic Might/Physical Prowess | Debt/Betrayal/Limited/Alien Mind/Alien Tongue/Big Brother | Warrior 17/15/12/9/5[/hider][/center] [center][hider=Seppa]Age: 26/13 | Gender: Female/Female | Metal/Psychic Melee | Killing Blow | Deity/Ebon Mint Enhanced Outfit/Defender/Training (Arcane Blacksmithing)/Sorcery: Enchanting/Lure Magical Overload/Non-exclusivity/Mana Font/Divine Competence/Paragon | Debt/Betrayal/Monstrous Form/Rites/Arrogance/Hidebound/Loud | Thick Skin/Hoarder/Second Specialization/Broken Reincarnation 13/6/17/14/7 [/hider][/center] [center][hider=Alma]Age: 30/15 | Gender: Female/Female |Beast/Reinforcement Fist | Regeneration | Lesser Force/Ebon Mint Healing Artifact/Martial Training/Mana Channel/Monstrous Metamorphosis/Bestial Magical Overload/Non-exclusivity/Mana Font/Focused/Subtle/ Mystical Might/Physical Prowess | Debt/betrayal/Monstrous Form/Limited/Alien Mind/Rival Force (Gaia)/Formless | Thick Skin/Discordian/Second Specialization/Weakness (Wood) 15/7/9/20/6[/hider][/center] [center][hider=Varjo]Age: 36/18 | Gender: Female/Female | Darkness/Illusion Mystic | Focus Fire | Horror/Ebon Mint Familiar/Sorcery/Awareness/Gifted/Incognito/Enhanced Weapon/ Intuition/Mystic Artifact | Minions/Mystic Might/Gifted Item/Transportation/Supplier/Magical Overload/Non-Exclusivity/Mana Font | Insomnia/Quick Tempered/Mind Bent/Fearsome Reputation/Debt/Betrayal/Monstrous Form 7/7/8/23/6[/hider][/center] [center][hider=Ilmarinen]Age: 26/17 | Gender: Male/Male | Time/Air Ranged | Prime | Puchuu/Ebon Mint Gifted/Sorcery/Incognito/Overlay/Masculinity | Well Connected/Mystic Might/Physical Prowess/Supplier/Magical Overload/Non Exclusivity/Mana Font | Debt/Betrayal/Monstrous Form/Distracted/Hostile/Clueless | Wings/Chaos Engine/Broken Reincarnation/Second Specialization 5/20/6/18/8[/hider][/center] The plan was coming together. Anja reacted swiftly as she was swarmed by the Mac illusions. Her blade slashed and stabbed, the dark power imbued in her blade flaring as it struck each in turn. They did not react to the fear that the blade radiated from it, so it wasn’t a complete surprise when they simply vanished rather than dying. Her awareness helped with that as well, though she did not have a Third Eye or Light powers to draw on. That meant she was not ready for Mac’s follow up. The bumper struck her head on, sending her flying back and over to the sidewalk, where she rolled to a stop. Were she a normal human she would be out of it, but a dark magical girl was made of sterner stuff than that. Pushing herself back to her feet, Anja wiped the corner of her mouth off with her sleeve as she surveyed the area. “Now this is more like it,” she said with a grin. Her blood was starting to sing, pulled by the siren lure of combat against a worthy opponent. “Seppa, we’ve got an illusionist.” “Nothing we can’t handle,” Seppa remarked. She rolled her shoulders and summoned her weapons, a variety of blades and weapons floating out of the back of the truck. With the flick of a wrist she tossed an object to Anja, who snagged the tiara out of the air and placed it upon her head. A red gem glowed in the center of the ring, adding an extra gleam of light to Anja’s eyes. That was when Oliver’s duplicates began shooting from any vantage point that they could find. Rifle bullets split the air in a veritable hail of fire. This quickly drew the attention of Seppa and Alma, whose Thick Skin endured under the barrage of weapons fire for now. “Handle that you two,” Seppa said with a glance towards the rooftops. “Ah, there you are,,” Anja said as she darted towards Mac at the front of the vehicle. She unleashed a flurry of stabs. None of these would be lethal on their own unless Mac really messed up, but it did occupy her attention. WHich in turn made it that much easier for Seppa to come sweeping in from above with a crushing overhead hammer blow. She figured as long as she aimed for the area where Anja was hitting it would be good enough. “On it!” Oliver’s doppelgangers found themselves under assault in turn as two more Mint agents joined the fray from the upper levels. Ilmarinen’s rifle barked, each shot spearing through a duplicate with unerring precision. Ilmarinen took slow breaths from his rooftop perch, as methodical in the process as he was precise. This was contrasted by Varjo, flitting from rooftop to rooftop as her Familiars floated above her. Bolts of darkness lashed out as she sought out the original Oliver. “Come on out so I can kill you already,” she called in a sing song voice as she kept moving. There was but one last obstacle for Maura to fend with. Not everyone had gone to fight Mac, for Alma remained by the back of the truck. She would need to be distracted or moved out of the way if the Witch wanted to get to the device inside.