[center][h1]Too Many Girls, Too Many Banners[/h1][/center]

Chloe’s abrupt return wasn’t something that did much to raise Penny’s mood. If anything it was much the opposite. Especially with the latest change in circumstances that had just dropped in their laps. So the Queen would take a moment to let out a breath before approaching the desk and picking up her notarized copy and reading it.

[color=9e0039][u][b]““Monica”[/b][/u][/color] She would say as she turned towards her retainers, who had stayed quiet as the Queen had things well enough in hand until now.

[color=#FD0E14]“My Queen?”[/color] Monica would enquire as she stepped forward.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Take this to the Regent, I want this disseminated across Sanctuary as soon as possible.”[/b][/u][/color] She would order handing over the documents proclaiming all those living in Sanctuary now absolved of any outstanding debt to the Mint.

“I understand.” The minotaur girl would say with a bow.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Ashlyn, you are to accompany her. With the latest development I don’t want anyone moving about alone if we can help it.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would add, turning to her guard captain. [color=9e0039][u][b]“In addition I want you to start gathering a consensus. I want to know if anyone else from Sanctuary has been abducted. Once that is going, get a hold of anyone who is capable of scrying or divination to see if they are willing to assist in locating Brittney more precisely. Go.”[/b][/u][/color]

With a nod of understanding the Oni girl would follow as Monica began heading towards the exit. One hand raised to her ear as she spoke in a hushed tone.

Once that was done Penny returned her attention to Chole. [color=9e0039][u][b]“For full clarification, this contract is to hold all signers and their respective organizations to the same rules and restrictions multilaterally, correct?”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=violet]”You’re talking about the whole ‘stop the killing’ bit I take it?“[/color] Chloe gave Penny a sideways glance. [color=violet]”I think we can both agree that there will always be rogue actors. But that part of the contract is to ensure that all parties realize that committing violence on other magical girls is not to be tolerated, regardless of who does it and who the target is. The general idea is that the Mint will not issue assassinations, murders, beatings, etc inside Penrose or on its inhabitants. But allowing others to subject us to lethal force necessitates something be put in place to prevent that. The whole idea of us having our own turf is so that nobody comes to kill us off. So no, I would say there are slight differences between the two. Mint is not going to use its Penrose assets for violence. Everyone else is just required to play nice with us. But that makes sense, doesn’t it? The Mint can only govern itself. Whatever you choose to do with other factions is your own business.“[/color] She swirled her hand in the air. [color=violet]”Everything else, such as ceasing research and offering services to corrupt girls in our employ, only affects us.“[/color] 

[color=9e0039][u][b]““No actually, but that clarification is useful as well.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would reply as she crossed her arms loosely infront of her. [color=9e0039][u][b]““All in all this is sounding less a treaty and more akin to a business license. Regardless, one more thing before we move on to the main reason for this. What are the consequences of breaking the agreement and how is it going to be monitored and enforced?”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=violet]”The Mint does not pretend to be royalty. Of course it’s a business contract.“[/color] A smirk crept across Chloe’s face. [color=violet]”If someone attacks Penrose, Penrose comes to its aid. It shouldn’t matter who tries to kill or harm what. If one of Sanctuary’s monster girls goes on a bender and wrecks one of Mint’s businesses, I would expect Beacon and Sanctuary to condone the offending girl. Same if Mint decided to try raiding Sanctuary [i]one last time.[/i] The other two would come to your defense. The punishment to be metered out would be dependent on the offense and is a case by case basis. If the governing bodies themselves are involved, then they will be punished as well. There’s no death curse that’s going to instantly kill anyone if someone in Sanctuary goes rogue. And of course, all of this extends to every faction and patron who signs.“[/color] 


[color=9e0039][u][b]“No but you do profess to be trustworthy, which we both know how that goes.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would reply with an unamused look. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Nevertheless, you answered the first and last part of my question but didn’t at all touch on the most important part. How it is being monitored. Is it simply an honor system? Is there magic to trace? Are we bringing in a Patron to watch over the signees to ensure it is followed? This is important to know. After all, the unscrupulous nature of the Mint proceeds you. Saddling someone with a task that will result in them getting burned by this contract does not sound outside your means.”[/b][/u][/color]

Chloe rolled her eyes. [color=violet]”Right, because over the course of a few weeks, you went from Beacon’s poster girl to an outcast playing royalty in the scrapyard slum. I’m sure there’s an explanation that puts you in a good light, but if it’s all the same to you I’d like to stay focused.“[/color] She furrowed her brow.  [color=violet]”It’s a generic magical contract. What’s more important than the words written on it is the intent of the people signing it. I couldn’t midirect you even if I wanted to. Breaking contracts like this has always been a bit mysterious. Maybe you’ll get cursed, maybe you’ll become weak, maybe you’ll flat out cease to be. It all depends on how egregious the break is. But regardless of how or who breaks it, everyone who signed will know the moment it was. So it’s in nobody’s interest, especially mine, to break contract.“[/color]

Penny nodded for a moment as she considered the information. She was tempted to snipe back, but knew that they both would simply perpetuate doing so for the entirety of this discussion if she did. And she had better uses of her processing power.

With one more nod to herself she would match Chloe’s gaze [color=9e0039][u][b]““Then there are five things I would require from the Mint.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“First is a tithe. So long as the Mint want’s to operate within Penrose I want the Mint to take on at least forty percent of the costs of repair to the Penrose as a result of magical occurrences. The money does not need to be seen by me or anyone from Sanctuary, but I would like an itemized list for how the money is being spent.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Second is support. I want the Mint to found and contribute to an outreach program that operates within Penrose’s borders. This would be both a mundane and magical program, though you can separate it into two different programs if you wish. Furthermore these programs can not be employed solely by mint operatives, nor solely by any of the reigning powers of Penrose. With the exception that if it takes off and becomes its own power.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Third, I want the ability to buy the Debt of Mint agents. The hows and why of such can be discussed at another time.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Fourth is that I want an exit clause in the contract. A way for any of the signees to leave the contract. Stipulations that enforce them to the rules within for at least two weeks upon divesting themselves of the contract as well as making such a decision known to all other signees at time of them bowing out.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Lastly, I want restrictions on Brokers seeking out Maho to give Black coins too. If they come to your organization freely and knowingly that is their own business. But hunting girls down on their luck just to turn a quick deal needs to go within Penrose’s boundaries.“[/b][/u][/color]

Chloe raised a finger to her chin. [color=violet]”Working backwards, number five can be done. Al and I are the only brokers in Penrose and we don’t plan on letting anyone else in. Four is a little weird. I’m not sure why someone would want to back out of a contract that keeps the peace. But sure. The contract thus far does far more to restrict the Mint than protect it. We’ll discuss specifics later, but it’s nothing that’s going to happen on a whim. The third is a non-issue. There have been plenty of romantic stories about lovers buying their lover’s debt, and sometimes it happens in real life too! But can you afford it? Second was going to happen anyway. This might sound crazy, but the Mint likes to protect its investments. It doesn’t do anyone any good to let Penrose fall into disarray. Our new business empire is not only going to need local employees, but local customers as well. But it’s that first point where we’re going to have a little bit of an issue.“[/color] A smile spread across her face. [color=violet]”Forty percent? Thanks to Lily’s suggestion from earlier we’d be lucky to make enough to cover [i]five[/i] percent and still pay our employees. Not to mention that kind of cut is going to really stunt our growth moving forward, and will harm the outreach program you [i]also[/i] want us to run. Moreover, I refuse to put myself in a position where I have to pay every time you or one of your underlings goes on a little rampage.“[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Hmm, I suppose it was out of hand for me to assume a multidimensional crime syndicate would be able to assist in the maintenance of a single city’s infrastructure to such a degree without their tried and true method of squeezing it dry to do so.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would reply with a raised brow. It was interesting to hear the reason that Chloe was against that demand however, the Truth meant one of two things so far as Penny was concerned.

[color=violet]”It comes down to profits, not ability.“[/color] Chloe corrected. [color=violet]”We’re not going to make a deal that costs us money. Maybe if we had some nefarious reason for being in Penrose we could siphon some funds from other sectors. Nut nah, we’re just running a business.“[/color] 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“But fair enough, I’ll retract that request and the one for a line of communication to your superior. Since it is just you two in the city I’ll likely encounter them sooner or later regardless. Instead how about this. The Mint will indefinitely forestall the research, development, and production of the machines you are constructing based on my blueprints and turn over all assets the project has amassed so far to me.”[/b][/u][/color]

Nefer blinked, and slowly turned her head towards the two, now listening intently.

Chloe narrowed her eyes. [color=violet]”You know about that? Al only told one other soul...“[/color] After staring at Penny for a few seconds, Chloe started to laugh.  [color=violet]”Al and his big mouth! He probably blabbed to some dame he was having a one night stand with.“[/color] She bit her lower lip. [color=violet]”Research on that was going to stop per Binky’s condition anyway. And sure, we can turn over the few robots we made. But then no more extra requests.“[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Thank you for the confirmation”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say with a nod and a smirk. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Eden left a lot of interesting things behind if you know where to go poking around. Always nice to know that I found something valuable. Besides we both know that Binky’s condition wouldn’t have really hindered that project regardless of what you say.”[/b][/u][/color]

Chloe snorted. She looked to the other magical girls and then back at Penny. [color=violet]”I’m not going to explain how the contract works again.“[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“And I’m not requesting just the finished product. I want all the materials, all the data, all the paperwork, all the tools, everything. I want every bit of the nonpersonal assets that went into the project.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=violet]”That might be a problem.“[/color] Chloe narrowed her eyes again. [color=violet]”This is something that everyone has to sign off on, and while I’m sure you get [i]great[/i] satisfaction out of making me squirm, I don’t think everyone is going to like the idea of us equipping you to make armies of yourself, regardless of how inferior to the original they may be. But here’s what I’m willing to do.“[/color] She stood beside Penny holding what would, hopefully, be the final version of the contract. [color=violet]”If everyone who signs this is okay with these demands you’re making, I’ll get you exactly what you asked for. But if someone doesn’t like the idea of extra versions of you running around, then I’m striking it out of the contract. Maybe you’re unwilling to sign because of that. Understandable. Sanctuary can keep its loan forgiveness, but I won’t be obligated to follow any of these new conditions you added. And before anyone asks, everything pertaining to the Pennybots will be destroyed to conform to the contract, in the event that Penny doesn’t get them that is.“[/color] She rolled her shoulders. [color=violet]”I think we’ve talked enough, your highness. I consider myself pretty flexible but I don’t think you’ve [i]ever[/i] bent me this far over.“[/color] A pen appeared in her hand, which she offered to Penny. [color=violet]”What do you say? Is it a deal?“[/color]

“I actually have one condition.” Nefer suddenly spoke up from her seat on the sofa. “I would like to acquire one of these so-called Pennybots. Oh, but purely for intellectual reasons,” she added as Penny’s eyes moved to her. “I have no interest in utilizing someone else’s work on the field. But the technology seems fascinating based on the performance I have observed.” Now Penny was the one being looked over. “The System-on-Chip architecture, the interwoven blend of carbon fiber and nanoprocessors…Oh, I could spend months with that alone.”

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Then you best hope that the rest of the signer's are alright with me acquiring the project assets,”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say in a flat tone as she examined Nefer. [color=9e0039][u][b]“As if it’s not me receiving the results of my stolen schematics, I’ll only consider signing with the written understanding that the project is indefinitely scrapped. I’d like to add in a clause about cloning, but people seem less interested in replicating organic entities, so it doesn’t seem worth the effort.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“What says you, Broker?”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=violet]”I hate repeating myself, Penny. Yes, I’m fine with my conditions that you outlined in your own words. As for Nefer’s addition, if you’re fine sharing the pennybots with others that wish to study them, who am I to stop either of you?”[/color]

“I can give the toy away once I am done playing with it,” Nefer responded with a smirk at Penny. “Or I can forgo the fake one…If I get to take a little look at the real cutie’s machinery instead~”

Penny would give Nefer a smile, one that would be hard pressed to be viewed as not a threat. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Seems we will have to have our own negotiations then, once we hear back from the rest.”[/b][/u][/color] She would turn towards Chloe, taking the offered pen as she did. [color=9e0039][u][b]“You have my signature, and if my last request is repealed, you will continue to have it only so long as a condition that the Pennybot project in its entirety is scrapped, is added in its place.”[/b][/u][/color] With that said she would add her signature to the document.

“And you have mine as well,” Nefer added as she wrote her name in a way oddly reminiscent of hieroglyphics. “By the way, I look forward to the date you promised me, Chloey~”

For the briefest of moments, Chloe’s eyes were fixed on the first pair of signatures the way one might look at someone who gave them a surprise kiss on New Year’s: In utter bewilderment. [color=violet]”Ah…”[/color] Her gawking persisted until Nefer’s words finally registered. [color=violet]”Well.”[/color] Chloe smiled. [color=violet]”I’m sure I can pencil you in, provided you aren’t busy oogling Penny or someone else. Not that I mind. We’ll have to arrange a time when we’re both free.”[/color]

It wasn’t long before the others signed as well. Even Alicia had little trouble signing Beacon on the contract. Once everyone had signed, Chloe looked over everything.

[color=violet]”Hmmm? We’re missing Cradle.”[/color]

[color=goldenrod]"That was what I tried to tell you earlier."[/color] Aurora looked away while twiddling his thumbs. [color=goldenrod]"It seems something happened with them. They ran off to see what became of their leader. It sounded serious."[/color]

[color=violet]”That so?”[/color] Chloe looked shocked for all of .2367 seconds before cracking a smile. [color=violet]”I’ll have to track them down. Everyone here signed, so we can freely share the details about the wonder eggs and everything else we have on Wonderland.”[/color] Chloe snapped her fingers, and a dimensional  door phased into reality. She didn’t even wave before stepping through. 

[color=goldenrod]"Right! The date of the attack is about three days away. The eggs are all located in one facility but, eh, it would be easy to just show you."[/color] Aurora looked between Penny and her phone. She was holding a USB cable in one hand that linked up to her phone. [color=goldenrod]"So, if I plug my phone into you, can I trust you to only download wonderland’s plans? There’s nothing super secret there. Just um, some of my DMs are a little personal and I’d rather you not look at them."[/color]

In response Penny would simply hold her hand over Aurora’s phone, a solitary spark would jump between the two of them and then everyone would receive another text from Penny. This time holding the plans that Aurora was offering up. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Done.”[/b][/u][/color]


[hr]

While the fight between the others went on, Morrigan searched the area. But it really was just as plain as it looked on TV. Other than the crater and the road leading into it, there were only a few bushes here and there. Truly, it took something special to just scatter magical girls through space and time. But Morrigan could confirm with their own eyes at least. She could see the road was scorched with tire marks on one side, and not the other. Moreover, the crater was too perfect to be made by a true explosion. It had been cut out of reality, as if transported to the overcity. But if that were the case, surely Summer’s magic would have had little difficulty tracking it down. 

[i]Had there really been an Overcity Shift here? Or did they go somewhere else?[/i] Morrigan decided to speak into the air, hoping that the others could hear her through the television. As she did, she turned an eye back to her partner and Makoto. “Can you hear me? There seems to have been a shift that caused the crater. Perhaps you should search for the cause?”

Shortly after asking, Morrigan received a reply in the form of a written letter popping into existence just in front of her. She swooped up to grab it in her talons and let her movement and the air unfurl it, before flapping her wings to stay in place as she attempted to read it. 

‘Yeah, I can find them. We’ll keep switching back to you every sixty seconds, so if you need something, just repeat it for a minute or so and we’ll catch it. -Summer’

Well, that was convenient.

Less convenient was Wisdom, who was locked in combat with Makoto and Kain. Her duplicates had transformed into what looked like piles of organs, or eldritch creatures that could only be compared to such grotesque imagery. Duplicates in this world were quite frail, but these ones could take a beating. 

[color=goldenrod]"You’re doing so well!"[/color] The student counselor clapped her hands together. [color=goldenrod]"Let’s see how much further you can go!"[/color]

Yea, they were fine. 

Similarly fine was Mac, apparently, as Summer tuned the television in to her location. She seemed to be on some sort of rock floating between various worlds. She also appeared to be sad, perhaps defeated, and at the very least not in a great headspace. 

[color=8dc73f]”Well, that sucks. Our most interpersonal people are fighting, so we’re stuck with just us, if you want to try talking to her.”[/color] Summer said to Shion.

[color=0076a3]”No, not really. But we probably should anyway. Got a way to contact her?”[/color]

[color=8dc73f]”Well, I’m no dragon, but…”[/color] Summer pulled another parchment like she had sent Morrigan from her hammerspace handbag, and quickly wrote on it. She then took a lighter and burned the paper away completely, sending it to appear at Mac’s location in a puff of smoke.

‘Hey, are you okay?’ it read.

Mac had her knees tucked up against her arms folded in front of her head. The sudden  “fwoof” of a note burning into existence caused her to jump. The note did figure eights in the air until Mac grabbed it and took a look at the contents.

[color=cfff04]”...What?”[/color]

She looked around herself, saying nothing but clearly suspicious of her surroundings. 

Another note appeared. This time Mac was able to get it more quickly. ‘I’m not a voyeur, but I am watching you. You disappeared when I wasn’t looking and now you look like you’re not doing too hot. So what happened?’

She held the pages in either hand and sighed. [color=cfff04]”It’s just… I don’t know what happened.”[/color] Her arms dropped to her sides. [color=cfff04]”I was fighting some Mint agents, then there was an explosion, and I’ve been like this for a few minutes. And-”[/color] She fret her brow. [color=cfff04]”You’re not recording this, are you?”[/color] Mac stood up. [color=cfff04]”Who are you? You’re not Cradle.”[/color] 

[color=0076a3]”Cradle? The Mint offshoot?”[/color]

[color=8dc73f]”You can fill me in on if they’ve changed any recently, later.”[/color] Summer said as she wrote another note. 

‘I’m not recording this, should I be? Definitely not “Cradle,” either. Do you want to come home or are you happy there?’

Mac had her hands full, but she managed to stomp the note out of the air and read the text just above her foot.  [color=cfff04]”I would like to know who I’m dealing with.”[/color] She sighed.  [color=cfff04]”But I wouldn’t mind getting out of here either.”[/color] 

As soon as she finished saying that, Mac would find a television on her head and her upper body being brought through the T.V. that Summer and Shion were watching, looking almost like Sadako from “The Ring” as she did. 

[color=8dc73f]”There, I solved both your problems. You’re out of there [i]and[/i] you get to know who we are.”[/color]

Shion simply put her hand on her head in exasperation. What if this girl started a fight?

The wolf girl picked herself up and adjusted her hat. [color=cfff04]”No shortage of sass I see.”[/color] Her eyes moved between the two girls. [color=cfff04]”But the antics of Miss North shouldn’t really surprise me. I’m far more surprised that Shion’s hooked up with you. I guess none of us really need an introduction, do we?”[/color] Her thumbs slid into her pockets. [color=cfff04]”At any rate, I’m thankful that you guys got me out of there, but what the heck is a Beacon faithful and a coin exploiter doing with me?”[/color] 

[color=0076a3][i]Oh, so she[/i] is [i]picking a fight.[/i][/color] Shion thought, a slight bit of annoyance visible on her face.

[color=8dc73f]”Honestly, I was using you as an example and then you disappeared, so we decided to figure out why that is. Besides, as a ‘Beacon faithful,’ I have a vow of Generosity to uphold. Helping people is a requirement for me.”[/color] Summer said as she tuned the T.V. back into the fight. [color=8dc73f]”Why were you fighting a truck, anyway?”[/color]

[color=cfff04]”We both know you don’t need me to tell you that.”[/color] Mac crossed her arms. [color=cfff04]”We were told the truck had an artifact on board that could bring harm to Veronica, which would further cripple Cradle. Naturally, it was a trap designed for Maura and us. Mid-fight the thing got super hot and exploded. Magical bullshit ensued. It’s so wild it confounded my every sense.”[/color] Mac’s eyes moved to the TV. It was showing a jubilant Wisdom and her horrorling doubles ganging up on Makoto.  By some stroke of luck it seemed that none of them were able to pin down Kain. [color=cfff04]”Do you have any plans to rescue the others?”[/color]

[color=8dc73f]”Oh, hey, they’re doing pretty well.”[/color] Summer said before replying to Mac. [color=8dc73f]”You seem to know a lot about me and my magic when it’s only been… what, a year, my time, since I learned what my magic really is? Besides, I’d rather spend mana on helping someone and talk to them to get answers than using that mana to get answers and leave that person out to dry.”[/color]

Mac placed her hand on her face. [color=cfff04]”Alright, fair.”[/color] With a sigh, she folded her arms again. [color=cfff04]”I’m still reeling from what happened. To avoid complications, let’s just say that I used to have some rather potent divining powers. With those powers, I was able to watch what you could do with yours. But I lost the power to do that a few weeks ago during the christmas party. So if there have been any new developments, I didn’t see them.”[/color]

[color=0076a3]”Rescue the others as in the ones on the T.V., or as in your allies? Because we were only watching you, but Summer could probably pull the same thing for your friends.”[/color]

[color=cfff04]”My allies.”[/color] Mac lowered her head. [color=cfff04]”I don’t know what I’ll do if boss doesn’t come back…”[/color]

Summer stared into space for a moment, trying to remember the names of Mac’s allies. [color=8dc73f]”Oliver and Maura, right? Let’s see what I can do.”[/color] She walked over and smacked the television, causing it to shift to showing static. [color=8dc73f]”That’s weird.”[/color] She tried again, and this time the screen broke slightly, a small piece of glass flying off of it. 

[color=8dc73f]”Okay, new plan.”[/color] Sitting down on the bed, Summer pulled a sketchbook out of her handbag and began drawing Oliver. But as she did, despite drawing him perfectly, the image on the page became distorted and soon became complete black. She flipped to the next page and tried the same thing with Maura, to the same results. 

[color=0076a3]”That can’t be a good sign.”[/color]

[color=8dc73f]”... Well, I have bad news. The last time this happened was when I tried to scry on Kain, and he was gone from the reincarnation cycle. So I could either assume that’s the case for them as well, or we can assume something else but equally as bad has happened.”[/color] She flipped back to the only past drawing she had of Maura, and found that the page had become soaked with water that wasn’t affecting the other pages. [color=8dc73f]”And that’s a new one, so it’s probably the second option. Something happened that I can’t really explain, and I’m not sure what it was. I’m sorry, but I don’t know what I can do to even [i]find[/i] them, let alone rescue them.”[/color]

[color=cfff04]”Ah…”[/color] Mac groaned. [color=cfff04]”Well, that really sucks.”[/color] She laughed. [color=cfff04]”Boy, it really couldn’t get any worse. I put everything on that bet, and I was sure I was powerful enough to make it pay off. But I guess there are always forces bigger than you out there.”[/color] She adjusted her hat. [color=cfff04]”It’s unfortunate I’m a monster girl. Maybe I could join up with Beacon. Maybe then I could make a difference out there. But I guess it’s not too late to join Mint, huh?”[/color] 

[color=8dc73f]”Yeah, tell me about it. I’d offer to help you out with Beacon, but last I checked in, the Ascendency was around.”[/color]

[color=0076a3]”Weren’t you part of the Mint offshoot, though? I doubt they’ll take you back with open arms.”[/color]

[color=8dc73f]”Plus, despite how strong you are and how useful you could be to any group, or in the coming fight, it’s best [i]not[/i] to be involved.”[/color]

[color=cfff04]”I wasn’t being serious.”[/color] Mac clarified. [color=cfff04]”But let’s forget about that for a moment, what are you guys doing?”[/color] 

[color=0076a3]”Well, we were watching this big meeting on what to do about Wonderland, and then Summer decided to use you as an example of someone strong. Then we stopped being able to watch the meeting, so we watched you again and wondered what was going on. So we sent two of our little group out to talk to the person who was where you disappeared from, and now we’re here talking to you.”[/color]

[color=8dc73f]”That does about sum it up, yes.”[/color]

Mac pursed her lips. [color=cfff04]”Well I’m glad you think I’m strong, but as you can see, even I can’t stop things from happening. I certainly can’t dive into pocket worlds and fish people out of them after a magical nuke goes off. But what about the meeting? I’m assuming you’re referring to the one Lily set up. So you’re just trying to find a way to protect penrose? I’m curious what your MO is.”[/color] 

[color=8dc73f]”I guess. But yes, the one Lily’s dealing with. As for what we’re trying to do, well…”[/color]

[color=0076a3]”We tried to do something, didn’t work. Now we’re hoping to find a way to get something close to it, guess. Penrose is the epicenter of what we were trying to change, so we’re trying to help out however we can, basically.[/color]

[color=cfff04]”I see, sounds mysterious.”[/color] With a sigh, Mac pushed herself off the wall. [color=cfff04]”But I think you have good intentions. Sorry, I’m not a huge fan of Beacon, but recently I’ve been learning that Penrose Beacon is a lot different from Beacon everywhere else. I also seem to recall you going on a long vacation. Seemed kind of irresponsible at the time, but if you’re willing to do stuff like this…”[/color] She waved her hands all around her. [color=cfff04]”I’d like to get back to Penrose so that I can check on the rest of Cradle, but after that uh, hmmm. If Boss is gone, I wouldn’t mind pooling our forces together. If you have any ideas, maybe I can help make them a reality.”[/color] 

[color=8dc73f]”Well, I’m sure you know the way from here, but as a heads-up, we’re currently in the Golden Trove, in case you run into anyone working here. And thank you for the offer, we’ll see if it turns out to be the best idea once you’ve figured things out.”[/color]

Mac blinked. [color=cfff04]”This is the Trove? Yea, I should have known that. What a day…”[/color]