Sue submitted to Lily's bear hug without a fuss. Invading one's personal space seemed to be something magical girls did. Well, Amber was never like this, but she seemed to be the exception in most cases regarding magical girl etiquette. Sue didn't mind the closeness, but it was still a little difficult to relax. She wasn't use to be so close to all these people. “I-I'm happy to see you too, Lily.” Lilly was talking with Mariette now, so Sue didn't expect a response. “Oh, Hi Sakura, you too Violet!” In truth, Sue wished that she had a bit more time to talk with the portal queen. Though her inability to do so had less to do with everyone showing up and more to do with her dwindling mana. Between testing all of those clothes on her human form and arriving early, she didn't have a lot of time left. Of course, she could wish for more time, but it didn't seem fair to make the djinn do anything. They came here to relax like everyone else after all... Right? “Um, Deni?” Sue was still locked in Lily's hug, but did her best to face the disguised harpy. “T-thanks for coming. I realize it wasn't easy, walking into what could have been an ambush.” Sue folded her hands together. It was about the only thing she could do without moving Lily. “My time is running out, but I really would like to hear more about you. Do you think we might be able to meet up again in the future?” [@PlatinumSkink][@Ariamis][@Shifter_Master][@t2wave] [hr] Shining scale waited in the dark. It smelled a little funny, but that was pretty normal for a sewer system. She knew this was the only place Mariette wouldn't think to look. Well, she suspected that was true anyway. The portal witch had proven that she was pretty capable at laying ambushes, but there wasn't any reason for her to check below street level was there? It was damp, dark, and smelly. Even if her underlings could see in the dark, the narrow passages and vile water gave Shining scale a very large advantage. It would just be a repeat of last time, only everyone would smell like the sewers. The only disadvantage to this hiding spot aside from the smell was that Amber couldn't really enter the Pit Stop without revealing herself. That was part of what made it a wholly worthwhile place to investigate however. But this was a trap that Shining Scale hopefully wouldn't have to use. Just some extra security should her friends get attacked by the portal witch. Amber was not ignorant of what was going on inside the Pit Stop. She had requested Sue leave her cell phone on so that Amber could get a rough idea of what was going on inside. Sue wasn't happy with the choice, but honored her master's wish. Amber couldn't hear every spoken word, as the cell phone was in Sue's pocket book. But so long as she didn't hear anything exploding or Sue crying out her name, it meant things were going smoothly. [hr] Elroy and Regina were back in their disguises, walking through the city. “So Reggie.” Elroy was picking at his teeth with his thumb. “Are you still angry with the Asian lady?” Regina looked away from Elroy sharply.”We don't connect with them at all!” Her arms remained folded as she walked. “I understand you and Ilia like that kind of antagonistic relationship, but I expected better from Umeko.” “Really?” Elroy tipped his head. “Maybe this doesn't mean a lot coming from an animal, but I thought Asian lady was a nice person.” “You're not an animal.” Regina sighed. “The fact that this is all a game to her is what bothers me 'Rex.' She acts like our fight for survival is some form of enjoyment.” “It isn't?” Regina groaned. “Ha! Look I get it Regina, you like to have everything just so, and Asian lady is a little more party girl than you'd like.” Elroy grinned. “But she knows a lot more than us. She can answer all of those lingering questions that I can't.” He rapped his arm around Regina's waist and pulled himself closer. “Who knows, maybe the two of you will REALLY get to like each other eventually.” Regina shoved Elroy away from herself. “Why do you have to be so gross?” She grit her teeth. Elroy laughed. “I still can't believe we're the same person. But see, we could talk to Asian lady and figure this whole thing out. I'd say it would be better than talking to a bunch of random twins for their input.” “I do find the fact that so many twins are gathered in this area interesting. And one pair was talking in a friendly manner with Caroline.” Regina shuttered. “I suppose Umeko isn't that bad if she's offering us sanctuary from such things. I guess can tolerate her.” “First step to love is denial, don't make the vampire's mistake!” Elroy cackled. “Anyway, I wasn't kidding when I said I'd treat you to something.” He pulled some money out of his pocket. “That old man paid pretty generously, I think we can go somewhere fancy.” Regina acquired funds by having Elroy restrain wealth people so that she could “convince” them to pay her. Their last target was an old man. Regina noticed he had just mowed his lawn, so she made him remember Elroy mowing it. Then Elroy just had to approach the man to receive his payment. “Well, where did you want to go?” “It's not a ton of money...” Elroy rubbed his chin. “How about the Pit Stop?” “NO!” Regina shouted. “It's too crowded! Especially this time of day. You know I don't like those kinds of places.” “B-but cars!” It would seem they still had a few things to work out. [hr] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/OuA3B6J.png[/img] [hider=Tonya “Mac” Murphy] [b]Age: 24/11 | Gender: Female/Female | Illusion, Gravity Body | Power of Friendship, Regeneration | Moirai Wings, Soul Jar, Martial Training, Familiar, Environmental Sealing, Gifted, Awareness, Mystic Artifact Magical Overload, Paragon, Blessing, Gifted Item | Monster Form, Big Brother, Arrogance, Vendetta Redirected Magic, Second Specialization | Non-Standard Limbs, Destroyer[/b] STR: 05 | AGI: 04 | VIT: 05 | MAG: 03 | LCK: 03 STR: 12 | AGI: 08 | VIT: 10 | MAG: 16 | LCK: 05 Earnings this post: Zilch Total: 0 Gold, 14 Silver, 16 Bronze [/hider][/center] Another day, another chance to balance the scales of power. It amazed Tonya how frequently magical girls started fights over simple misunderstandings or petty things like territory. Magical girls were originally suppose to embody the pinnacle of virtue. Pure, innocent young girls who knew no evil and were unsullied by the horrors of the world. She could forgive a magical girl for not being born female or past adolescence, but too often did magical girls [i]act[/i] and [i]think[/i] like children for Tonya to feel comfortable. Well, it was whatever. Her goal here was simple: Ensure the Bates survive despite overwhelming reinforcements. This was going to be more challenging than last time, but it wasn't anything she couldn't handle. Just another case of magical girls smelling blood, not understanding the situation, and picking sides based on who was more likely to win. Technically she could be accused of doing the same thing, but Tonya would be out of a job if the fates were correct on everything. The Bates winning a 2 V everyone without help? As if! She decided to wait up on the rooftop of a nearby building. In time, Regina would be arriving at her exact location.