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Far removed from the chaos of lich chases and heretic hunts playing out in Penrose proper, Connie and Mia were safely back at the orphanage, enjoying twin mugs of hot chocolate. Having changed back into their normal human forms, both girls were sitting on the large bed, which took up about half the small room’s space, snuggly wrapped up in soft blankets, and surrounded by several stuffed animals and fluffy pillows. Despite being sixteen, and thus somewhat old for pillow forts, Connie had always loved the sense of comfort and security they gave her, and Mia, for her part, was only too happy to indulge her best friend whenever possible. This was also the reason for the single queen-sized bed, rather than two smaller ones, as Connie found the presence of her friend and protector so close at hand to be especially reassuring.

[color=DarkOrchid]“Mmm… This hot chocolate is absolutely delicious, Mia!”[/color] Connie told her friend enthusiastically. [color=DarkOrchid]“Thanks so much for making it!”[/color]

[color=SpringGreen]“No problem,”[/color] Mia replied with a smile. [color=SpringGreen]“Being a magical plant girl [i]does[/i] have its advantages, after all.”[/color]

Before changing back, Mia had used her magic to create a plant capable of acting as a biological hot chocolate dispenser. Her creation would only last a few short hours, but that was more than enough time for her and Connie to each have several mugs worth.

[color=DarkOrchid]“You’re such an amazing magical girl, Mia,”[/color] Connie gushed. [color=DarkOrchid]“You’re so beautiful and confident, and you’re so talented with your magic. Not like me…”[/color] she added sullenly. [color=DarkOrchid]“I don’t think I’ll [i]ever[/i] be anywhere close to as good as you are…”[/color] 

Mia blushed at her friend’s complements, but frowned when she voiced her low opinion of herself.

[color=SpringGreen]“Connie… You’re still getting used to this. You’ll get better. Just give it time. I mean, look at tonight. You were amazing out there!”[/color]

[color=DarkOrchid]“Y-you really mean it?”[/color]

[color=SpringGreen]“Sure do! I’m really proud of you, Connie,”[/color] she added, giving her friend a hug. [color=SpringGreen]“I want you to know that.”[/color]

[color=DarkOrchid]“Thanks, Mia,”[/color] Connie said softly as she set her mug down and returned her friend’s hug with interest. [color=DarkOrchid]“I’m so lucky to have you as a best friend. When you’re with me, I just know everything’s going to be all right.”[/color]








[hider=Elsewhere...]Everything was NOT all right. Not even close. Despite the protestations of both her father and the family physician, Violet Covington was certain that her father’s steadily intensifying string of reoccurring nightmares was far from a normal phenomenon. She did not give voice to this certainty, of course. To do so would make her appear to be decidedly less than fully sane, but regardless, she knew that [i]something[/i] needed to be done. And [i]she[/i] would need to be the one to do it.

As she gazed out upon the ruined skyline of Penrose through the vast windowpane before her, an eruption of arcane energy brought her out of her deep contemplation and focused her mind fully upon a possible solution to her father’s mysterious predicament.

“Magic,” she whispered.

Although she was the heiress of one of the world’s largest tech corporations, Violet had long known in her heart that a mystical world existed in tandem with the mundane. However, where once that world was virtually imperceptible, now it was becoming ever more apparent to anyone who cared to look. This latest expulsion of power was ample proof of that. So it was that Violet Covington came to the not-at-all unreasonable conclusion that some foul magic was at work. Now, she simply needed to find out what, or [i]who[/i], was responsible for this despicable attack on her father.

And put an end to them.[/hider]