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Everything was moving so quickly, and Alicia was not sure that the fact that she was now in charge had really sunk in yet.  [color=aba000]"Thanks Sylvia. Don't hurry on my account."[/color] She wasn't sure how long this meeting would take, and it wasn't as if she had much stuff to move in anyway. How did you even decorate an office?  

The group quickly got underway, moving through the corridors of the HQ to the Hall of Luminous Valor as requested. Everything seemed a bit warmer now, now that the trial had been resolved. Beacon could move forward, and begin the process of recovery. 

[color=aba000]"Of course not, I'd never forget you,"[/color] Alicia said with a look over her shoulder to Serenity. [color=aba000]"I'm sure you'd know more about responding to the various Horror related incidents that crop up than I would."[/color] At least a first anyway. She knew how to fight, but the leadership aspect and managing strategy? That was an entirely different matter. 

Arriving in the Hall, Alicia nodded to those already present as she walked over to the table that Rachel stood nearby. Disdain was clear to see, but she tried to not let it get to her. It would come in time, or so she wanted to hope. 

She examined the map when it appeared, that more important than the organization chart that had preceded it. That would be easy enough to hold to. Turning to Rachel, she did her best to keep a warm demeanor. [color=aba000]"I'll do what I can. I know we may not agree on philosophy, but we're on the same side. I want Penrose back to normal as much as you do."[/color] Even if she didn't feel the same way about the amount of blood that needed to be shed to do it.

But Rachel went on her way, and the topic of conversation shifted to the party that Aurelio had apparently been tasked to look into. While she wondered how it would be relevant to the Ascendancy, the reason was quickly explained. 

[color=aba000]"So it's either a call to arms for everyone else, or it's a trap,"[/color] she observed once he had finished his explanation. [color=aba000]"They wouldn't call us out if they weren't confident of their position."[/color] Of course it was a bit of a moot point if they couldn't find where the place was. 

Arms crossed, a hum escaped as she thought about it. [color=aba000]"We could always try and use Scrying magic, though they might have prepared for that. Otherwise I can think of a few other people to ask. Like Rebecca, she may know some contacts from when she was at the Independent who'd have the information we need."[/color] It was worth a shot to at least try, though the information might not be free. But it couldn't be as bad as dealing with the Mint for it.

However Aurelio's comment about his future plans caused her frown to deepen, mind drifting back. The absence was glaring now, and a myriad of emotions began to eat away at the good feelings that had persisted since the end of the trial. Worry, anxiety, all rising higher and higher. [color=aba000]"Actually...I think we need to talk about that. Has anyone heard from Penny since we got back? Because she hasn't contacted me, and after what happened during the talent show the final day of our forced trip I..."[/color] She could not finish, did not want to express the doubts that had surged to the foreground of her mind. She wanted to reject it, but could not deny what she had seen. It seemed that even after joining Beacon, Penny had still kept her secrets.

She looked between the trio gathered in the room, wanting one of them to say something, to put her mind at ease. If they could. 

[@Ariamis][@Crusader Lord][@Shifter Master]