[center][img]https://images-ext-1.discordapp.net/external/Fw5WD1APdySjlDqyO8Ng1vCupEXRYeTwXEmcdiQsEk0/https/i.imgur.com/KYjPRFx.png[/img][/center] When Delta awoke, it wasn’t a pleasant experience. Her back was sore from laying on an uneven hard surface, and she could just barely recall the events that lead to her winding up here. Regina had struck her, and then- She didn’t know where she was. It looked like a cave, There were some rays of sunlight spilling through the cave entrance, but there weren’t any other features. Nothing but the woman leaning up against the wall. Half dragon, half human, entirely obscured by shadow. The light was only able to reveal the silhouette of the figure, but it had to be Regina. [color=f200f2]"Hello, Annabelle."[/color] She began. [color=f200f2]"I feel like we have a few things to discuss."[/color] [color=gray]“...”[/color] Delta sat up. She indulged in a moment of silence - a choice not quite as dramatic as Regina insisted on being, but an appropriate one. Since Regina insisted on throwing her name around as though that was supposed to be impressive. [color=gray]“How astute of you,”[/color] Delta said, flatly. Regina raised an eyebrow. [color=f200f2]"Are you not curious as to why I haven’t enslaved your mind?"[/color] She lowered it again. [color=f200f2]”Or is your goal to piss me off until I do, because you’re not that far away."[/color] [color=gray]“I managed to save your life. Considering how hard you were trying to throw it away, that wasn’t an easy feat. Presumably, this is your way of showing gratitude.”[/color] Delta gestured vaguely to the cave. [color=gray]“An audience with the Monster Queen. A rare honor.”[/color] [color=f200f2]"Gratitude is only required if the act is selfless. You want something out of this. You didn’t save my life, you protected your objective. But I digress…"[/color] The monster queen stepped forward. [color=f200f2]”I simply intend to give you what you want because you are not alone. Your kind will keep coming, and you are a nuisance to deal with. So what do I have to do to stop the lot of you from hunting me?"[/color] Delta took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly. [color=gray]“Alright. Look. I appreciate the fact that you have used a Black Coin twice, and have twice as many mental problems as a result. But do you honestly have try so hard at being dramatic?”[/color] She shook her head. [color=gray]“I don’t [i]need[/i] to hunt you. Your existence may be a curiosity, but it’s a replicable process. Your brother’s already said as much.[/color] [color=f200f2]"My ‘brother’, if that’s what we’re calling that thing now, must have lied to you. We were brought into the world as monsters, and used a coin from there."[/color] With a grunt, Regina’s gaze broke and her eyes softened. [color=f200f2]"But it is more or less like you say. I can’t really help being like this."[/color] Regina fidgeted with her hair. [color=f200f2]"I’ve only been a magical girl for a few months. All of this confuses me. I don’t really look at myself as a queen or anything like that."[/color] She released her hair and looked back at Delta. [color=f200f2]"I’m letting you go for many reasons. I realize things only get worse when I interfere. You saved me. You have her first name.."[/color] Regina hugged herself. [color=f200f2]"She died, I know it."[/color] Delta wasn’t entirely sure about what to say. From Regina’s point of view, she had just watched her brother die. And, despite the fact that his memory lived on in his bone spider… she wasn’t entirely wrong. It wasn’t quite Elroy - for a start, it lacked the mental mutations forced upon his mind from his Monster Boy forms - but it was as close as one could get to him under the circumstances. As for Annabelle Irons… … Well, there just weren’t many things you can really say to someone grieving for the only two people they cared about in the world. So there was only one real option for her in this situation. [color=gray]“...do you... need a hug?”[/color] Delta offered. Regina’s arms parted, like she was going to embrace Delta, but then she stopped herself. [color=f200f2]"No. Self pity is what got me here in the first place. I’m surprised you’d show me any compassion."[/color] She looked Annabelle up and down before folding her arms. [color=f200f2]"Well, if there’s nothing you need, I’ll let you go. I don’t plan on sticking around Penrose much longer."[/color] [color=gray]“There is something I need,”[/color] Delta said. [color=gray]“A request… and an offer.”[/color] Regina raised her eyebrow. [color=f200f2]"Oh?"[/color] She gave Delta a sideways glance. [color=f200f2]"Well, go on."[/color] [color=gray]“You not only managed to mentally manipulate four active members of Beacon, not only preserving their Sparks, but using them to defend against reversing that manipulation. I would like to know the process you used to accomplish this.”[/color] [color=f200f2]"I figured that was why your organisation was interested in me."[/color] Regina scratched the side of her neck. [color=f200f2]"But nothing good can come from that kind of power. Aside from that, I don’t think it’s something the average magical girl can do. I’m sorry, but I can’t fulfill your only request. "[/color] [color=gray]“...let me guess,”[/color] Delta said. [color=gray]“In spite of my own thoughts on what that information could be used for, you can’t be certain of what my associates would actually do with it. And if it were used in the way you fear it might, you would probably blame yourself for whatever happens.”[/color] Delta paused for a moment. [color=gray]“Either way, it doesn’t really change my feelings on this matter.”[/color] Delta looked Regina directly in the eyes. [color=gray]“I’m offering you a new home.”[/color] Regina folded her arms again. [color=f200f2]"I’m going to have to decline for now. There are some things I need to take care of on my own, and I don’t really think I’d be happy working for them. I’d tell you I think you should break away from the Archive, but I’m sure you have your reasons."[/color] Regina took a step towards Delta. [color=f200f2]"B-but I wouldn’t mind exchanging phone numbers. Just in case I change my mind later."[/color] Delta smiled softly. [color=gray]“Of course.”[/color] She took out a small notepad and ballpoint pen. [color=gray]“Take all the time you need,”[/color] she said, as she finished writing down her phone number. After carefully removing that page, Delta handed the number to Regina. Regina, ever so gently, pulled the paper out of Delta’s hands. [color=f200f2]"Thank you."[/color] She glanced down at the paper and then back at Delta. [color=f200f2]"Perhaps if we meet again, it will be under better circumstances."[/color] Regina shuffled backwards into the shadows and disappeared from sight. After staring into the darkness for an appropriately dramatic interval, Delta closed her eyes and sighed. Then she turned to the cave wall, and opened a Way into the Catacombs. [color=gray][i]Alexandra… wherever you are… hopefully that brought you some peace.[/i][/color] [img]https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/415785156096557058/487780721419616287/med.png?width=200&height=45[/img]