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[sub]-Out of the Parlor-[/sub]
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Upon hearing the front door swing shut behind Sam, and having made sure she was no longer in danger of choking on her tea Penny couldn’t help but remark sarcastically [color=9e0039]”Cheery that one. Figures she would be Mint”[/color] Shaking her head she drained the rest of her tea [color=9e0039]“Wonder if she recognized me as well”[/color] 

[color=violet]"You know her?"[/color] Chloe asked curiously. [color=violet]"She could certainly stand to be less rude. At least she accepted my coffee without a complaint. Hmph. I had half a mind to smack her, but as generous and merciful as I am I overlooked her bratty behavior."[/color] Chloe stood, taking the mug and placing it back on the countertop.

[color=violet]"That aside though..."[/color] Quickly, Chloe took a seat next to Penny. Her body was pressed gently against the other girl's arm as she continued. [color=violet]"Who's been messing with my adorable little Penny? And what's this about you joining beacon?"[/color]

[color=9e0039]“Wouldn’t say that I know her, we tried to kill each other about a month ago”[/color] Penny leaned back in to the couch as she spoke, her exhaustion starting to come to the forefront due to feeling safe here in this apartment. [color=9e0039]“They were trying to destroy a flying pirate ship for some reason, I needed the ship intact to help assault a Dark Magicals castle in the Overcity. I was something of a mess at the time.”[/color] her eyes had a distant quality as Penny pulled up the memories that felt like they had happened so long ago, but in truth was only a month and a half ago.

[color=9e0039]“There was this girl, Thalia”[/color] Her voice cracked slightly at saying the girls name and a slight shine could be seen in her eyes. Penny forced herself to swallow before continuing [color=9e0039]“She’s a Foxgirl, I keep running into her. Have since I got dragged in to this crazy world. Kinda like you and Laat and Alicia, the only solid points of reference I have anymore.”[/color] her voice wavered at that declaration [color=9e0039]“I ran in to her at a fight at a hospital, and we just stuck around each other for the next couple weeks. I didn’t know where you had vanished off too and the key wasn’t working so I welcomed the company”[/color] Penny just shrugged helplessly, she knew how it sounded, but that didn’t make it any less true.

[color=9e0039]“Then the day prior to the ship fight I had been out doing some patrols, Laat had made a deal with the Beckoners so I’ve been working alongside the Beacon since a day or two after the meeting in the park.”[/color] She gave a soft, wistful chuckle at remembering that deal being forged. Not much good had really come from it, outside of meeting Alicia, granted nothing all that bad had come from it either.

[color=9e0039]“A fight broke out and I got winged by a few makeshift metal lances right after someone cursed me to compromise my durability.”[/color] Faded anger and frustration colored her tone as she continued her tale and for the moment her sadness seemed to be forgotten [color=9e0039]“Thalia Redlined and hauled me out of there and back to my Lair, ‘cause I guess I looked like hell. I was in the process of rewriting my regen to incorporate the lances into my chassis, which always takes an annoying amount of time, but I had back up and the fight was pretty much done with so I was going to be alright.”[/color]

[color=9e0039]“Guess I shut down at some point, so my regen could do its thing, because the next thing I remember is waking up next to a sleeping Thalia. She had just Redlined to get me to safety in full view of Beacon members and the only goal she had was to get me to safe. What can I say, I fell hard right then.”[/color] Penny’s voice had a touch of awe as she recalled that moment, but the hurt of what came next was unmistakable [color=9e0039]“Only to have her bolt when she woke up.”[/color] she curled in to herself as she finished her voice straining to not waver as she kept herself from crying over it again [color=9e0039]“I tried to chase after her, but every time I thought I was getting closer she seemed to freak out and would get faster. I tried calling her for hours afterwards. Voicemail every time. I’ve yet to see or hear from her since”[/color]

[color=9e0039]“To make my situation even worse I had been approached by a Coin Broker while Thalia was still sleeping. Felt like such an idiot, still do.”[/color] she finished weakly rocking softly as she did. It still felt raw to think about it, still hurt to remember. But she was feeling better, and now that she had been able to tell someone she felt a weight lift from her. She had wanted to tell Alicia, but fear had kept her silent, she always felt she was on shaky ground due to being a Monstergirl, a Black coin would have been too much.

As Penny recounted the past few months of her absence, Chloe could only frown. It was painful to hear it, really. Penny had a rough time of it, it seemed. Ditched by someone who was involved with her. Twice if she included herself in that that. Being alone without someone to care for you was always a difficult thing. At least now though, she had been caught up and she was never going to leave her little Penny again.

[color=Violet]"Ah…I should never have left."[/color] Chloe replied quietly when Penny finished. [color=Violet]"My dear little Penny has had a rough time of it, and for that I apologize. I should have told that crotchety old dragon to stuff it, but it's difficult to ignore direct orders. I also was busy ensuring that should he be killed, we have an insurance policy for that."[/color] Chloe continued, releasing Penny from the hug. Leaning back on the couch, she sighed. [color=Violet]"And the Beacon! I'm surprised they even tolerate your presence. Humph, perhaps they're not entirely bad…best not to tell them about the black coin or the fact I'm your best friend. I doubt they'd take kindly to such things."[/color] Smiling over to Penny in a friendly, if mildly suggestive manner.

[color=Violet]"But enough of that. You look tired, Penny. If you're not busy…take a rest? I have missed you quite a bit, you know."[/color] She pointed to her open lap, her suggestion of a lap pillow fairly obvious.

[color=9e0039]“Don’t worry about it. It’s not like I can ignore direct orders from Laat when he gives them, so I get it.”[/color] Penny said with a weak smile, truth of it was she was just glad to have her friend back regardless of the reason. Checking her phone Penny set a quick alarm for twenty minutes from now [color=9e0039]“I’ve got a bit before I need to head out and some rest sounds great”[/color] she answered before indulging in the offered ‘pillow’ not caring about what it could mean, just glad for comfort that was offered.

[color=9e0039]“Most of Beacon are more or less how the stories portray them, rigidly adhering to their rules and ignore me on principle even though It was one of their Beckoners who sought me and Laat out, but there are a few who aren't so bad.”[/color] Penny explained as she got comfortable, yawning softly as she did [color=9e0039]“Even made a friends with one, her name is Alicia, she wouldn’t get on my case for being your friend I think she knew about me hanging out with the fox, but you're probably right about the coin, only you and Laat don’t care about me having it.”[/color] 

Closing her eyes Penny just set aside everything and just enjoyed the comforting presence of the apartment, something that had been lacking in her lair since Thalia had left. [color=9e0039]“Feel free to wake me if I start drifting too far, not sure how much I weigh when I’m unsealed but I’m doubt it will be comfortable”[/color]

[color=Violet]"Heh, don't worry my pretty little Penny."[/color] Chloe replied with a chuckle. [color=Violet]"Just rest your head."[/color]
 
Quietly time would pass. Penny would never reach a point where she was fully asleep but would fade in and out always hovering just near the edge of sleep. Then the soft quiet would be broken by the loud rumbling of thunder that was Penny’s phone alarm. At which point the tattooed teen would sigh and open her eyes once again [color=9e0039]“Thanks”[/color] she would say with a smile before sitting back up [color=9e0039]“But I’ve got to get going before they wonder where I wondered off too and start looking for me”[/color]

 With a sigh Penny stood and stepped away from the couch she didn’t go too far before the sound of an engine started to hum out from the girl. A few moments later there was a brilliant flash of light accompanied with the sound of tearing metal and once again Penny stood in her true form. Turning to face Chloe Penny fished a small piece of paper from one of her compartments [color=9e0039][u][b]“Here, it’s my number since I actually have one now”[/b][/u]
[/color] she explained handing it over as she did.

Chloe mostly had contented herself with just making sure Penny got some rest, as well as painting her fingernails a lovely shade of purple. For the most part, she was happy to assist her so-called friend in getting some much needed rest. When she finally awoke, Chloe sighed, seemingly a little disappointed.

[color=violet]"Tsk, I was hoping to get you to stay longer, but fine."[/color] Chloe grumbled lightly as the mecha girl handed over her phone number. [color=violet]"I'll try not to bother you too much - oh, and, one thing from me."[/color] Reaching into her dress, Chloe pulled out a small necklace. The silver colored pendant was beautifully designed in the shape of several interlocking diamond shapes. In the center of it was a small amethyst. [color=violet]"If you ever get into trouble, I'll come running, okay?"[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I’ll likely spend the night here so I’ll be back”[/b][/u]
[/color] Penny replied [color=9e0039][u][b]“And feel free to call anytime, not much going on at the moment”[/b][/u]
[/color]

At the gift of a rather elegant looking necklace Penny was momentarily stunned and openly confused until she took a closer look at it and could feel the simmering magic just below the surface running her thumb over the gem in the center Penny gave a heartfelt smile to Chloe her eyes glowing a soft indigo [color=9e0039][u][b]“Thank you”[/b][/u]
[/color] she said earnestly as she slipped the gift on her plating shifting around it so that it would not get damaged but it could still be seen.

Reaching back for one last hug Penny turned and walked out the apartment door and back to Beacon HQ.