[@Lunarlord34]

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[centre][h1][color=coral]Penny[/color][/h1][/centre]
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What could Penny say? The silence seemed to grow, and Penny knew she was going to face the wrath of a dragon. Dead or alive, that would not be a pleasant thing, she knew. There was nothing she could do, nothing she wanted to do. She deserved anything that the old dragon sent her way. And she’d face that with her head held high, knowing she had done the only thing possible of her. She’d face it, not crying, but strong. She could do that. For Solias. She drew a deep breath, preparing herself. Perhaps it was only the solace that he wouldn’t harm her in front of Jasmine that made her strong. Penny didn’t know, but she knew that she would always face her death head on. 

It wasn’t like she couldn’t choose to come back, at least that first time… 

It wasn’t like she couldn’t choose to come back, the first time. And that was when she knew she would, as long as those she loved were alive. Surprised at that revelation, she contemplated it a moment, before she let out a slow breath. Let Ryujin do his best. She as ready. And so it was that she was taken aback when Ryujin didn’t smite her where she stood. Instead of feeling comforted by his words, Penny felt anger. 

[i][color=coral]He was in pain! He asked me for my help! There aren’t many, if any other, Phoenix Slayers around! And even if there were, he trusted me. He asked me… I couldn't deny him.[/color][/i]. No matter how hard it hurt, how much she wished she hadn’t had to kill Solias, she knew that it had been the right choice. Even if it would torment her for the rest of her life. [i][color=coral]It was not selfish… I was the only one who could give him peace… he was suffering… [/color][/i] and before she knew what was going on, she started to cry once more even as she fought against it. 

Her emotions were fluctuating, she didn’t know what she was suppose to feel anymore. She felt like she had to defend Solias… that she had to defend his honour, It was perhaps a foolish thought, given that she had killed him. What perhaps disturbed her the most was that she had sought those few months of solitude to gain control of herself once more. The change in her magic… the way that it felt, the difference… the way it affected her… she had thought that she could at least control her emotions, even if she didn’t yet understand what had changed within her. 

[i][color=coral]No… My flames were always lit… The wheel of time turns, and what was, is again.[/color][/i] She knew those words, words that Solias had told her time and time again. A phoenix just continued to turn, throughout time. [i][color=coral]... until it dies… a new age must always come… [/color][/i]

Only a Phoenix slayer could kill a phoenix. Although, that wasn’t true, was it? A Phoenix could kill another Phoenix just as easily. Although, there weren’t any Phoenix’s around… at least, she thought Solias had been the last one. And now… Ariel might not be a full Phoenix, and neither was she, not yet anyway. [i][color=coral]I… I don’t know if I can handle it… [/color][/i]. With everything, would it kill her? Would it destroy her? 

And then Jasmine was hugging her, crying and clutching her shirt. Penny didn’t know what had happened, but at once she put her arms around the younger girl, holding her up, holding her close. She held her close, hugging her. She didn’t know what had upset the girl, but Penny would fight whatever it was. [color=coral]”Shhh… shhh… its okay, Jaz… its okay, sweetie.”[/color] she murmured, absently reaching up to stroke her hair. 

Jasmine’s words left her frozen for a few seconds, as she struggled to realise that, somehow, Jasmine knew what had gone on. Jasmine knew. She knew what she had done. And she was crying on her, hugging her like she was never going to let go. She… didn’t hate her? [color=coral]”Jasmine… “[/color] She said softly, pulling back to meet her gaze, [color=coral]”You are not useless, you are not a nobody.”[/color] she said strongly, [color=coral]”I won’t have you saying that about yourself, okay? You are strong. And you are selfless. You need to realise that, realise you are stronger than you think. And I’ll be there, to help when you need it.”[/color] she promised, hugging her once more. 

Jasmine needed her… she could be strong, for her. And the guild needed them, right then. She could be strong, for them. Turning, she took in the two exceeds, frowning over them. She’d had enough of the little one and her angry demands. [color=coral]”We’ll be leaving soon. I can fly, but if I give Jasmine a lift I won’t be much use on the island. I know that you can carry someone. Would you carry Jasmine, Ignatius?”[/color] She asked, [color=coral]”Unless, of course, Rajah is capable of doing so… and willing.”[/color] let the angry little Rajah think of that what she would. 

While she waited for a response, Penny said to Ryujin in her mind [i][color=coral]I would like to speak again… to learn more about my father. For now… I’ll return to pendant to Jasmine.[/color][/i]