[center][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/16a8bf35-d965-4909-ac95-0db9781b733e.png [/img][/center]

[center][h1][i]Make Some New Friends[/i][/h1][/center]

[center]A collaboration with [@BrokenPromise][/center]

Upon arriving at the forest clearing Gaia had in mind, Connie couldn’t help but notice how large it was. It actually seemed as if it was a naturally formed arena, and the fact that it was located in a small bowl-shaped valley only accentuated that feeling. Indeed, the gentle undulations of its sloping sides gave the impression of a series of bleachers from which a sizable audience could watch any potential combats taking place here.
 
The other immediately noticeable thing was the temperature. An icy wind blew fiercely, and the grey skies looked as if they could produce a blizzard at any moment. Even wrapped in her cold weather robe, Connie still felt chilled to the bone.
 
[color=DarkOrchid]“M-Maybe w-we s-should have picked a d-different day…”[/color] she noted, while she hugged her shivering body, trying to keep warm. [color=DarkOrchid]“I-It f-feels e-even c-colder t-than l-last n-night…”[/color]
 
[color=SpringGreen]“Not to worry,”[/color] Gaia replied, seemingly unbothered by the cold. [color=SpringGreen]“I have [i]that[/i] situation well in hand.”[/color]
 
Stepping into the center of the clearing, she called out, [color=SpringGreen]“Energies of nature, lifeblood of Mother Earth, I humbly beseech thee, lend me your power!”[/color]
 
At once, a swirling emerald cylinder of mystical energy formed around her, before spreading out to encompass the entire valley. It then shot skyward, punching through the brooding clouds to bathe the valley in a golden shaft of radiant sunlight.
 
[color=DarkOrchid]“Gosh, Mia! That was so awesome!”[/color] Connie gushed. She felt warmer already.
 
[color=SpringGreen]“Thank you, Connie,”[/color] Gaia replied, her friend’s compliment bringing a smile to her lips and a blush to her cheeks. [color=SpringGreen]“Although, it really wasn’t [i]that[/i] awesome…”[/color]
 
With the spritely grace of a spring breeze, Gaia moved to take her place on the far side of the clearing from where Connie was standing.
 
[color=SpringGreen]“Now then, let us begin!”[/color] she declared. [color=SpringGreen]“The Empress of Nightmares verses Gaia, Daughter of Mother Earth!”[/color]
 
[color=DarkOrchid]“W-Wait, Mia! I-I don’t want to fight [i]you![/i] I-I’m not ready for that yet! E-Even if I was, I’d never ever want to risk hurting you…”[/color]
 
[color=SpringGreen]“Dearest Connie, be at peace. This is merely practice. I am simply going to send some of my plant constructs against you. I shall start with the weakest ones and work up from there. If at any point you feel overwhelmed, speak thus, and I shall cease the attack at once.”[/color]
 
[color=DarkOrchid]“O-Okay… It’s just that… When you said we’d be fighting each other, you sounded so…”[/color]
 
[color=SpringGreen]“[i]Connie[/i], you [i]know[/i] how dramatic I like to be when I assume this form. My words were simply a byproduct of that. Please believe me when I say that they held no malice of any kind.”[/color] 
 
[color=DarkOrchid]“I-I know, Mia,”[/color] Connie said softly, looking at the snow-covered ground. [color=DarkOrchid]“I’m sorry. It’s just my insecurities again. I’ll try to do better,”[/color] she added raising her head and clenching one hand into a fist. [color=DarkOrchid]“I [i]did[/i] come here to get stronger, after all.”[/color]
 
[color=SpringGreen]“That’s the spirit!”[/color] Gaia said, offering her friend a brilliant smile. [color=SpringGreen]“Now, prepare yourself, Connie. Just as we practiced, okay?”[/color]
 
[color=DarkOrchid]“Right!”[/color]
 
Drawing her mystical energies around herself, Connie formed a sphere of swirling amethyst and obsidian, within which twisted shapes could occasionally be seen. This was her Nightmare Barrier, the most potent manifestation of her powers. Standing at the center of this orb, Connie summoned her tentacles, using some to levitate her off the ground, while others emerged from her robe to squirm and twist in every direction.
 
[color=SpringGreen]“My, my, Connie,”[/color] Gaia said approvingly, holding an elegant hand over her mouth. [color=SpringGreen]“You look like quite the badass.”[/color]
 
[color=DarkOrchid]“Uh, t-thanks, Mia,”[/color] Connie replied. [color=DarkOrchid]“But, uh, I’ll just take your word for it, since I kinda have my eyes closed…”[/color]
 
Gaia laughed at this revelation.
 
[color=SpringGreen]“All right, well, just be ready, for here I co—”[/color]
 
Gaia stopped short, when, suddenly, the sound of a new voice called out.

[b]”Mother!”[/b] The voice was getting louder by the second. Eventually Connie and Mia would notice someone running towards them. It looked to be a [url=https://i.imgur.com/9wPD6RF.jpg]fairy[/url], only it was far too tall and it was evident that the wings coming out of her back were merely part of her costume. [b]”Mother! Your daughter is here~!”[/b] She spread her arms and showed no sign of slowing down. Her steps kicked up the snow in her wake. [b]”You’d better spread your arms mommy~!”[/b] The fairy hopped into the air, and then upon landing sprung towards Gaia. At this point her wings stiffened and allowed her to glide straight towards Gaia.

[color=SpringGreen]“Well, now!”[/color] Gaia exclaimed with a surprised giggle as she swiftly opened her arms to embrace the oversized fairy. [color=SpringGreen]“You’re certainly an enthusiastic one, aren’t you? Although I’m afraid you might have me mistaken for someone else.”[/color]

[b]”Mistaken, me?”[/b] The fairy girl laughed and pulled herself closer. [b]”You said it yourself, didn’t you? You called yourself Gaia.”[/b] She pointed at Connie. [b]”Unless she is Gaia and you are the Empress of Nightmares. But that doesn’t sound correct~!”[/b] She kicked her feet. [b]”I understand you may have a lot of children, mother, but I would think you’d remember the most divine among them.”[/b] She placed a hand on her chest. [b]”Faith? Your demi-godess daughter who was fathered by Adam?”[/b] A loud crash snapped everyone’s attention to some distant trees. [b]”Oh dear, did Lotus follow me?”[/b]

But the newly arrived girl was approaching them from behind. She looked like a pint sized [url=https://66.media.tumblr.com/fc3ee0fa24fc06ef5c9e2396af7edcf1/tumblr_osntdf1evz1wt7ek9o1_1280.jpg]sailor[/url], only her red hair was replaced with tentacles that tumbled down her back. She wasn’t much taller than Connie, but she floated about a foot off the ground. Her hands were clasped together as if in prayer, and her eyes were blankly searching for something in the distance. One of her tentacles coiled around Connie’s wrist. It wasn’t tight, but she could feel the suction cups squeezing against her flesh. 

[b]”Hmmm, perhaps she is an impostor.”[/b] Lotus’s eyes moved from Gaia to the girl at her side. She was examining Connie like she was nothing but an insect. Something so far beneath Lotus that it almost didn’t warrant acknowledgement. [b]”Which would make you an impostor too, I suppose.”[/b] Her eyes squint. [b]”Who are you? Do you have a reason for trespassing in our domain?”[/b]

[color=SpringGreen]“I [i]am[/i] Gaia.”[/color] The verdant magical girl replied. [color=SpringGreen]“This name was bestowed upon me by Mother Earth, herself, and it is the name I proudly bear as her chosen champion. My companion is Connie, the Empress of Nightmares and my dearest friend. We were not aware that we trespassed upon lands claimed by others. Please accept our most humble and sincere apologies.”[/color]
 
[color=DarkOrchid]“W-We’re sorry!”[/color] Connie whimpered. [color=DarkOrchid]“We’re really, really sorry!”[/color]

Connie’s shock at the sight of Faith’s sudden appearance had caused her to drop her Nightmare Barrier, which in turn had allowed Lotus’s tentacle to wrap itself around her wrist before she even knew it. Now she was starting to panic. A tentacle was [i]touching[/i] her, an [i]octopus[/i] tentacle, and Connie had always been terrified of octopuses…
 
[color=SpringGreen]“As for my relation to you, fae one,”[/color] Gaia continued, addressing Faith, [color=SpringGreen]“while I have never known the joy of bringing forth a child into this world, I believe that I may have some possible ideas as to your true parentage. You see, dear Faith, I am not the first to bear the name Gaia. Many such champions have existed before me. Perhaps your mother is among their number? Indeed, even Mother Earth herself once bore that title, in the dimmest depths of antiquity when her power was at its peak. Before humanity had begun to despoil her…”[/color]

[b]”So you share my mother’s name is all?”[/b] Faith lifted a finger to her lips. [b]”Well if that’s true, this is all very embarrassing!”[/b] She leaped out of Mia’s arms. She paced back and forth, occasionally kicking the tip of her shoe into the snow. [b]”But that does sound correct. Mother couldn’t possess her divine power unless she was the earth itself. Though you look like you could be her.”[/b] Her eyes rolled until they were looking at Connie. [b]”Oh! I’m sorry little miss!”[/b] She dusted herself off and turned to Lotus. [b]”You may let her go, Lotus! They are simply misguided souls who wandered too deep into the woods.”[/b]

[b]”Hrm.”[/b] Lotus released Connie’s arm with a flick. 

[color=DarkOrchid]“T-Thanks,”[/color] Connie said with obvious relief.

The octopus woman looked back towards her companion. [b]”Trespassing or not, I demand to know why they chose to come here.”[/b]

[b]”If I had a gander, I’d say they were going to spar. Gaia made it sound like they were going to fight, but it’s clear they are friends~!”[/b]

[b]”Hmmmm, is that right?”[/b] Lotus looked between the two “trespassers” before looking at Faith. After a moment, they both nodded at the same time. [b]”Hmmm, you can’t learn very much fighting your friends. To truly expand your horizons, you need to fight as many different opponents as possible.”[/b] Lotus extended her hand, and a full sized ship cannon appeared in her hand. It was coated in barnacles and a patina of red rust. Witnessing such a small girl hold such a large weapon would have been comical if she couldn’t use it. But that did not appear to be the case.

The eyes of Connie’s mask grew wide at the sight of the massive cannon’s materialization. [color=DarkOrchid]“U-Umm… T-That’s reeeally [i]big…”[/i][/color]
 
[color=SpringGreen]“Fear not, dearest Connie,”[/color] Gaia told her reassuringly, while placing a hand on her shoulder. [color=SpringGreen]“It would seem that our tentacled friend here would like to provide you with some combat practice, and I, for one, think that is a wonderful idea.”[/color]
 
[color=SpringGreen]“Please try not to be too hard on her, though,”[/color] Gaia requested. [color=SpringGreen]“She is rather inexperienced and very unsure of herself.”[/color]

Lotus turned to Mia and fret her brow. [b]”I wish to test some new strategies on an unfamiliar opponent. Beyond ensuring she doesn’t die, I will be no easier on her than I would any other prey.”[/b] 

[b]”Ah, yes.”[/b] Faith leaned on Mia’s shoulder. [b]”Lotus has a flair for the dramatic. But if the young lady is unsure of herself, then why don’t you fight alongside her? Or even…”[/b] Faith danced over to Connie’s side. [b]”I can fight beside her! And then you can fight alongside Lotus. You may not be able to control Lotus, but you’ll be able to control how difficult [i]one[/i] of the little lady’s opponents are~!”[/b]

[b]”Hrm.”[/b] Lotus dragged her hand over her face.

[b]”It’s all up to you of course.”[/b] A harp appeared in Faith’s hand. [b]”But that was your original plan anyway, right? To be the little lady’s opposition in a training exercise?”[/b]

[color=SpringGreen]“It was, yes,”[/color] Gaia confirmed with a nod. [color=SpringGreen]“And I believe your suggestion has merit. This way, my dear Connie can experience what it’s like to work alongside someone other than myself. Is that acceptable to [i]you[/i], Connie?”[/color]

[color=DarkOrchid]“U-Umm… I-I guess so…”[/color] Connie replied hesitantly, while casting a slightly worried look at Faith. [color=DarkOrchid]“I-I mean, I should p-probably try to work on g-getting over my s-shyness… I-It’s nice to m-meet you, b-by the way.”[/color] she added in a quiet voice.

[b]”You’re so precious~!”[/b] Faith patted Connie on the head. [b]”The Empress of Nightmares can’t be scared though! Certainly not when she has a demigoddess on her side~!”[/b] She giggled. [b]”Oh, I usually support Lotus from the back. I have very encouraging words and many say my music improves the troops ability to fight. In fact, the music I play becomes tangible!”[/b] When Faith strummed her harp, a gold music ribbon common in sheet music seemed to weave out of the strings. [b]”I’m pretty much the world’s best cheerleader! I’ll keep you safe, just focus on our opponent.”[/b] 

Lotus watched Faith and Connie discuss strategy before turning to Gaia. [b]”Hmmmm. I destroy everything I hit.”[/b] She floated above everyone. [b]”Alright, so what are some good sparring match rules. Hmmm. Lets avoid using powerful ammunition and spells. Contenders are considered out if they fall onto their back, thus the goal is just to tip over your opponent. Let’s start some distance away from each other.”[/b]

[color=SpringGreen]“Sounds fair to me,”[/color] Gaia confirmed.

[color=DarkOrchid]“O-Okay…”[/color] Connie added, moving with Faith to the opposite side of the clearing from where Gaia and Lotus had taken position. [color=DarkOrchid]“Ummm… That’s really cool and all,”[/color] she whispered to Faith, [color=DarkOrchid]“but umm… I’m not really much of a direct fighter either. I mostly just give people nightmares and… Well, I guess you’ll see in a moment.”[/color] 

[b]”I’m sure you’ll do fine. I don’t lose often~!”[/b]

[b]”Alright!”[/b] Lotus aimed her cannon into the sky. [b]”We’ll start on the count of three, two, one…”[/b] And then Lotus’s cannon went off, filling the air with smoke. A dozen or so clones of Lotus poured out of the treeline. They were all hovering towards Connie and Faith. Their weapons weren’t drawn, but they had their tentacles spread. 

[b]”Are you familiar with magical girl abilities?”[/b] Faith held her harp like it was a bow. [b]”Duplicates are just as strong as their creator, but they tend to be frail. A knock in the right place is all you need!”[/b] With a strum of her harp, A note was sent tumbling through the air. It spun like a thrown hatchet, and reduced one of the duplicates to a puff of smoke. [b]”Throw a stone if it’s all you have~!”[/b]

[color=DarkOrchid]“A-Alright!”[/color] Connie acknowledged.The next instant, several dozen inky black tendrils shot out of her robe. Wrapping themselves around any rocks and pebbles they could find, they flung the projectiles at each of the Lotus clones with considerable force.

But that wasn’t all.

Although this was her first time using it in an actual battle, Connie had been practicing her ability to impart nightmares to conscious minds, and she now employed this ability against Lotus and her clones. While nothing visible occured, Connie sent a pulse of nightmare energy towards the charging octopus girls. It would cause whatever fears plagued them the most to manifest around them. What those fears might be, only Lotus herself knew, but the intensity of her fear would determine the nightmare constructs’ durability and power. If her fears were minimal, they would be little more than illusory phantasms. On the other hand, if the fears were particularly pronounced, the constructs would be able to take physical form and thus affect Lotus and her clones directly. 

As soon as the nightmare pulse went off, the duplicates started to behave strangely. Their forms stretched and twisted, and even their “deaths” seemed to be delayed. They would blow up slightly before or after a piece of debris hit them.

[b]”Um!”[/b] The corner of Faith’s lips twitched. [b]”Good job! Connie! Let’s push our advantage~!”[/b]

Lotus herself was holding the side of her head, growling as sweat started to stream down her face. [b]”Hrm! I thought we agreed on no strong magic!”[/b] 

[color=DarkOrchid]“S-Sorry!”[/color] Connie called out to Lotus, clearly upset by the anger in the other girl’s tone. [color=DarkOrchid]“I r-really didn’t think it was t-that s-strong of a spell… I d-didn’t hurt you, did I?”[/color] she added, her voice filled with concern.

Lotus looked at Mia out of the corner of her eye. [b]”Are you going to do anything?”[/b] She managed between breaths.

[color=SpringGreen]“Of course,”[/color] Gaia replied serenely. [color=SpringGreen]“You were just doing so well, at least, up until now, and I simply did not wish to get in your way. But I shall hold back no longer!”[/color]

In a flash of movement, dozens of roots shot up from the ground behind Faith. They swiftly wrapped themselves around the fae magical girl’s waist and arms in an attempt to pull her over backwards.

[b]”Oh my~!”[/b] Faith giggled. [b]”There are far too many tentacles out here for my liking. Even the trees have them~!”[/b] The fairy was nimble, but so were Mia’s roots. Faith was only able to avoid them for a few seconds before one of them coiled around her waist. [b]”They’re rather sturdy too.”[/b] Before her arms were ensnared, she played a chord that sent a ribbon of music spiraling around her. It sealed itself shut, creating an elastic barrier that held its shape. The root around her waist was still trying to pin her on her back, but the barrier was making that difficult. It seemed to be anchored to her position and refused to give out. [b]”See if you can take out Gaia before she pins me.”[/b]

Lotus dragged her hand over her face. [b]”Hrm, wrong target, but I guess it’ll do.”[/b] She sprinted towards Connie before diving into the air. Hitting her would be difficult, as she split into three as soon as she left the ground. Lotus and her doppelgangers didn’t move in a straight line either. They rolled through the sky, indirectly advancing on Connie’s position.

Connie had been planning on following through with Faith’s suggestion, but before she could do so, a more immediate threat presented itself, in the form of Lotus’s sudden charge. The octopus girl and her attendant clones were moving at a considerable speed, and Connie only had mere moments to formulate a defense. Falling back on her training with Mia, she gathered her mystical energies to herself and summoned her Nightmare Barrier. It wasn’t large, and it was completely permeable, but once Lotus entered its confines, she would find her nightmares amplified tenfold. Concurrently, Connie's tendrils were still hurling projectiles at Lotus and her clones, in an attempt to at least slow them down.

Gaia, for her part, was still focused on eliminating Faith from the engagement. With a burst of emerald energy, she summoned even more roots to assail the fae magical girl. Then, conjuring her weapon, Nature’s Blossom, she also shot off a few mystic bolts at Faith, in an attempt to distract her enough so that she’d weaken the music barrier she had placed around herself.  

Faith and Mia were both powerful magical girls with a deep affinity for magic itself. But while Faith’s specialty was defensive magic, Mia was clearly right at home attacking her opponents directly. Even if Faith could hold up against her onslaught, she would never be able to retaliate. [b]”Are you sure you aren’t my mother? Mummy wouldn’t hold back either~!”[/b] With lotus aggressively pushing an assault, it was evident Faith wasn’t going to get any backup. [b]”It’s all up to you Connie~!”[/b] Faith strummed her harp one last time. The ribbons of music she created launched far beyond her barrier and even Mia’s incoming projectiles, and coiled around Connie instead. It was the last thing she could do before her own barrier shattered. She was mercilessly thrown to the ground afterward. It only half hurt.

Even though the three Lotuses should have passed through the shield, Connie witnessed them bounce into it and attempt to fly around. Connie must have been unlucky, because she hit two of them and they exploded into dust, revealing themselves as duplicates.The last one barreled towards Connie with its palm extended. She was determined to close the distance. Fortunately Faith’s shield activated and bounced Lotus off to the side. The octopus girl was already rising, but it seemed Connie had time to act.

Not wasting the opportunity she had been provided, Connie directed her tentacles to shoot towards Lotus in an attempt to pin her to the ground, while sending out another nightmare pulse to disorient her. She hoped it would be weaker than the last one and not cause Lotus too much discomfort, but she still wanted to win this fight and she was pretty sure her tentacles alone would not be enough.

The remaining Lotus was distorted, much like the duplicates did last time Connie struck Lotus with a nightmare attack. She could hear Lotus bellow from overhead, and sure enough, she noticed a second transparent Lotus clutching the sides of her ears. [b]”What is that?”[/b] she growled.

[b]”Good show Connie!”[/b] Faith cheered. [b]”Her go to strategy is creating duplicates before sneaking up behind magical girls. It’s one that catches less cautious magical girls off guard.”[/b] 

But not all was well. 

Lotus’s nightmare started to manifest itself in the physical world. A giant white opera mask phased into existence. One by one, it sprouted barbed tentacles that writhed with anger. The tentacles made its final size equal to that of a small house. It had no eyes, but the holes in the mask set their sights on Faith.

[b]”Oh!”[/b] The fairy exclaimed. [b]”I don’t think you understand sir, we’re both on the same side~!”[/b] But Faith was unable to reason with the mask as it advanced towards her position.

[b]”Hrm!”[/b] Lotus’s cannon appeared in her hand, and she fired cannonball after cannonball at the creature. Before any of her shots could hit, the creature simply lifted up its tentacles to absorb the shot. [b]”Faith, run!”[/b]

Try as she might, Faith was still held squarely in place by the roots. She tried to squirm free, but progress was slow and the mask was swift.

Connie gave a frightened gasp at the sight of the enormous tentacled mask. [color=DarkOrchid]“Faith!”[/color] she cried out in alarm as the horrific creation descended upon the fairy. 

[color=DarkOrchid][i]W-What do I do? W-What do I do?![/i][/color] Connie thought frantically. [color=DarkOrchid][i]I can only cause the nightmares to happen, I can’t actually control them![/i][/color]

[color=SpringGreen][i]Oh no…[/i][/color] Gaia thought with dawning horror. [color=SpringGreen][i]She’s lost control of her powers! I need to act fast, or that thing she conjured will cause some serious harm![/i][/color]

Not wasting a moment, Gaia commanded her roots to release their hold on Faith, while simultaneously summoning a large flower, which burst out of the ground in front of the utterly horrified Connie. The nightmare girl scarcely had time to take note of this most recent arrival, before the flower expelled a cloud of mist into her face. Immediately, Connie slumped to the ground, utterly unconscious, and, more importantly, completely relaxed. In a flash of obsidian-laced amethyst the Empress of Nightmares reverted back to her normal self, and with this reversion, the nightmare mask dissolved into a wispy mist of unhappy thoughts, which soon dissipated completely.

[color=SpringGreen]“I must apologize for that,”[/color] Gaia said in a resigned voice. [color=SpringGreen]“Connie possesses an incredible amount of power, but she has yet to gain any real measure of control over it. Additionally, the strength of her nightmare creations is also fueled by the fears of her opponents, and, based upon what we just witnessed, I would say that Lotus’s fears were quite strong indeed.”[/color]

[b]”Hrm!”[/b] Lotus landed beside Mia. She was keeping a straight face, but the twitch in her body hinted at how much the event affected her. [b]”Do not pretend to know me. I fear nothing. Not even my own death gives me cause for concern.”[/b] She pointed at Connie. [b]”When she gets back up, I will fight that monster again.”[/b]

[color=SpringGreen]“I greatly admire your resolve, Lotus,”[/color] Gaia said in as diplomatic a tone as she could manage. [color=SpringGreen]“But it might not be the best idea to wage such a combat right now. Connie will still be quite exhausted after she wakes up, and, like I said earlier, she currently has very little control over her powers. The next nightmare she manifests could be even more powerful than this last monstrosity.”[/color]

Faith slid herself between the two magical girls, banana in hand. [b]”I think Lotus really likes Connie. I hope she wakes up soon~!”[/b] The fairy girl giggled before turning to Mia. [b]”I don’t normally engage in full contact sparring with people I meet for the first time. But you must admit it was pretty interesting! Perhaps our next encounter should be a bit more casual.”[/b]

Lotus folded her arms. [b]”Hmmm, you mean to invite them to the dark magical girl party?”[/b]

[b]”Of course~!”[/b] Faith threw her hands in the air. [b]”Don’t let the name fool you, there’s really nothing dark about it. Well, aside from some of the girls. But Connie would fit right in. She seems really shy, so it would be good to get her interacting with people, right?”[/b]

[color=SpringGreen]“It would,”[/color] Gaia said with a nod. [color=SpringGreen]“But I am unsure if such a crowded event is the best place for her to start such interactions. And there is also her safety to consider. Some of those in attendance may not be as friendly as you two. Still...”[/color] she added after a moment’s thought, [color=SpringGreen]“I suppose it is a decision for Connie herself to make.”[/color]

Moving over to her unconscious friend, Gaia knelt down beside her and gently stroked her head. [color=SpringGreen]“Connie… Connie…”[/color] she called softly.

[color=DarkOrchid]“M-Mia...?”[/color] Connie asked as she slowly opened her eyes.

[color=SpringGreen]“Yes, my dearest Connie,”[/color] Gaia told her soothingly. [color=SpringGreen]“I am right here, and I am so deeply sorry for having to do that to you.”[/color]

[color=DarkOrchid]“It’s okay, Mia,”[/color] Connie replied drowsily. [color=DarkOrchid]“I lost control of…”[/color] With a startled gasp, she shot bolt upright. [color=DarkOrchid]“Faith! Oh my gosh, Faith, are you all right?!”[/color] she inquired frantically, tears welling up in her eyes. [color=DarkOrchid]“I’m so, so sorry! I didn’t mean for any of that to happen! Please, please, please don’t hate me for it!”[/color] she begged the other magical girls, kneeling before them with her hands clasped over her chest, while tears streamed down her face. 

[b]”It’s alright~!”[/b] Faith bent over to embrace Connie. [b]”We had things well under control. Lotus didn’t even have to get serious. Well, as serious as she can get~!”[/b]

Lotus looked down at Connie. [b]”It was… An interesting match.”[/b] Her eyes moved up to Mia. [b]”I will have one again. But not today.”[/b]

Faith stood back up. [b]”Well, all I can do is encourage you to come. I’m in an alliance with Cindy Ford, and I know for a fact she wouldn’t let harm come to any of her subjects or mine. While I cannot vouch for how safe it is, The rest of my noble troupe will be there, and we can personally assign a bodyguard to Connie if she wishes it.”[/b] She clapped her hands. [b]”But that’s a ways off. Shall we do something else in the meantime?”[/b]
     
[color=DarkOrchid]“O-Okay… T-Thanks for not being angry with me…”[/color] Connie said softly, while enthusiastically returning Faith’s embrace. [color=DarkOrchid]“Oh, b-but come where? A-And b-bodyguards…? I-Is something else going on?”[/color]

[color=SpringGreen]“Yes, Faith and Lotus have invited us to a rave for magical girls,”[/color] Gaia replied. [color=SpringGreen]“I told them that it was up to you. I know how nervous you get around crowds, and this one will be larger and potentially more scary than most. But you also said that you’d like to work on overcoming your shyness, and I think that this might be a good venue to facilitate that.” [/color]

[color=DarkOrchid]“Y-Yeah… You’re probably right…”[/color] Connie said thoughtfully. [color=DarkOrchid]“Okay! Let’s go there!”[/color] she declared with newfound resolve. [color=DarkOrchid]“I guess I can start my socializing with Faith’s other friends, the ones who will be looking after me. I know I get scared around new people, but if they’re anything like you, Faith, then I think I’ll be okay!”[/color]

[color=SpringGreen]“Very well,”[/color] Gaia replied serenely. [color=SpringGreen]“It shall be as you wish it, my dearest friend. As for more immediate activities,”[/color] she added, turning to Lotus and Faith, [color=SpringGreen]“what did the two of you have in mind?”[/color] 

Faith put a finger on her chin. [b]”We could build a snowman.”[/b]

[b]”Hmmm.”[/b] Lotus’s tentacles started to roll the surrounding snow into balls. [b]”We shall build snow forts, and see which one survives the night.”[/b] She spun around and floated her way to the treeline. 

[b]”Lotus!”[/b] Faith stood up. [b]”Diplomacy is an important part of world politics! We need to build a diplomat~!”[/b] She flew after her friend.

[color=DarkOrchid]“I-It’s okay!”[/color] Connie called to the departing Faith. [color=DarkOrchid]“Building snow forts sounds like fun! Come on Mia! Let’s make ours really cute and whimsical!”[/color]

Gaia smiled at her friend’s sudden enthusiasm. [color=SpringGreen]“That sounds like a wonderful idea,”[/color] she said approvingly. [color=SpringGreen]“I shall work on the battlements, while you plan out the central towers.”[/color]

[color=DarkOrchid]“You got it, Mia!”[/color] Connie said with a giggle, while giving her friend a playful thumbs up.

[color=DarkOrchid][i]This is gonna be so much fun![/i][/color] Connie thought to herself as she began happily planning out what the main castle would look like. 

She had initially approached the day’s events with great trepidation, but now she was overjoyed to have made two new friends. Friends who were willing to help her almost as much as Mia. Not even in her wildest dreams could she have ever imagined things turning out like this, and the fact that they had gave her hope for the future, whatever it might bring.