[h1][colour=BlueViolet]E[/colour]den Campbell and [colour=Black]A[/colour]l Scarpe[/h1] [hr] A man, massive in height, broad of shoulder, sat upon the bench of a public playground, watching as a monochromatic girl swung back and forth on the swing set, her gothic attire perfectly suiting the dreary weather. Neither of them made any sound, and the world was dominated by the creaking of chains, the roar of a distant plane. Peaceful; this was how the world should be. He adjusted the multitude of white roses pinned to his suit, clicking his head at disapproval when a couple wilted petals fell out of their own accord, before shaking his head. [b]“Well, Eden Campbell, was it? Or do you prefer Cynthia Martell? Heard ya got quite an interesting proposition for me, so...go on ahead. Whatcha need ol’ Sharpe for?”[/b] [colour=BlueViolet]”That name of mine has started making the rounds, huh?”[/colour] Eden replied. She took her seat beside Al, the large, patchwork coat that hallmarked her human disguise creasing slightly as she sat. [colour=BlueViolet]”Suppose that’s four years of work keeping things quiet for nothing then. I wanted to source this locally, rather than turn to you, but apparently my specialists just aren’t special enough for this. As of the past two months, I’ve come into a large collection of magical energy - I need a receptacle that can safely accept it, and convert it into a spell of the users choosing, and I need it within the next week. You think that’s possible?”[/colour] [b]“Secrets tend ta be easier spread than sealed, yeah.”[/b] Al Sharpe chuckled slightly, reclining further against the bench. [b]“And the Mint’s settling back here now, so don’t worry yer pretty little head over whether or not you’re supporting local businesses, darlin’.”[/b] Another laugh. The bench creaked as the man’s body shook with mirth. Settling down after a moment. Al Sharpe brushed a couple of white petals off his suit, before turning his inhuman gaze fully onto the magical girl. [b]“As for this little receptacle o’ yours...suppose this is fer the rave?”[/b] [colour=BlueViolet]”And after,”[/colour] out of her periphery Eden could see him looking her over, though she didn’t turn to look back in kind. Hands in her pockets, leaning backwards into the bench, her own gaze resided firmly on the girl at the swings. [colour=BlueViolet]”Collecting large quantities of Magical Energy isn’t much good if I can’t use it. There’ll probably be quite a bit of fighting in the near future, and a lot of energy to collect. An easy way to use it all’d be nice. How much of my soul’s that gonna cost me, eh?”[/colour] [b]“Militarizing so eagerly?”[/b] Al Sharpe shook his head, more bemused than disappointed. [b]“Always a tragedy to see journalists having to take sides, and doing so in such a [i]drastic[/i] manner.”[/b] The giant tapped one of the spikes protruding from the side of his head, sparks pinging off it on contact, before saying, [b]“Souls aren’t exactly a product the Mint’s interested in, unfortunately, ‘specially not one so cheap as yours…”[/b] The Mint broker removed his finger from the spike, resting instead upon the head of one of his wooden puppets. He stroked it carefully, and the doll rattled, arms flailing in a panic. Though it damaged his roses, the squirming of these little toys always did bring a smile to Al Sharpe’s face. Didn’t count for much though, when everything did. [b]“Remind me, Eden, how many magical girls does the PI employ again?”[/b] [colour=BlueViolet]”As of late,”[/colour] she pulled a hand from her pockets, and reached deeply into her coat. [colour=BlueViolet]”Thirty one agents are employed. The Ascendancy has managed to both cull and boost our numbers.”[/colour] [b]“Enough for a full class,”[/b] he replied. [b]“Well, these sorts of receptacles are usually things only [i]large[/i] organizations get to play with, y’see. If I were to get one of my...associates to craft something of that magnitude for the PI, hm…”[/b] With a snap of his fingers, Al Sharpe popped the head off one of his dolls, instantly ending its squirming. He rolled it between his fingers gently, molding it into a perfect sphere, before flicking it off into the frost-covered wood chips of the playground. [b]“Say, Eden, how ‘bout just working under the Mint?”[/b] [colour=BlueViolet]”Sorry, I don’t sign with record labels,”[/colour] Eden retorted. Visibly she rummaged through the pocket for a number of moments, attempting to find something lost within its depths. Then she stopped, as if she’d found the things she was looking for, and withdrew her hand - empty, holding nothing. [colour=BlueViolet]”Should I be offended that you don’t consider us a large organisation? I mean, you could always come work for me instead - at least you won’t have to meet in places like this, but I guess you’re not much of a gambling man, are you? You’re too happy with where you are. So, what would you take instead?”[/colour] [b]“Thirty-one girls is a club at best, not an organization,”[/b] Al Sharpe said, [b]“Thought a playground would suit y’all just fine.”[/b] He laughed at that, a joke with no real threat behind it, before sitting up properly. [b]“Being honest though, the PI becoming a subset of the Mint is the [i]most[/i] generous offer I can give. We [i]do[/i] watch out for the interests of our own, after all.”[/b] [b]“As for what else I’d take...it honestly feels out of your league, y’know? As far as track records go, the PI doesn’t exactly have the reputation to handle anything the Mint can’t do alone.”[/b] A shrug, a smirk. [b]“Of course, you’re free to prove me wrong, but something like that will have to be done...beyond whatever deal we’re to broker regarding your receptacle.”[/b] [colour=BlueViolet]"Is that right?"[/colour] for the first time since the meeting began, and she sat on the bench, Eden looked towards Al Sharpe. The gaze itself was apathetic, but somewhere deep behind it she was scanning him, taking in his every aspect, understanding him, at least on a physical level. She leant forwards, resting her elbows on her knees, and looked up into the giant man's eyes. [colour=BlueViolet]"From what I hear, The Mint's got a lot of outstanding problems, don't they? Agents and Coin Brokers running off to join The Cradle, Chloe Irving's doing whatever she feels like, Veronica's off the grid completely and consorting with Beacon. If you wouldn't mind saying, The Vermin Killer's Mint, ain't he? - and he couldn't even take out Shion successfully. If it were [i]my[/i] agents fucking up so consistently, well... honestly, I'd be disappointed, y'know? I'm not exactly sure what kind of third rate Magical Girls you employ over there, but see, when we do a job, we do it properly. 'Doesn't have the reputation', have you been paying attention lately? Or did you miss the Janet Howell Trial, which we had out as public knowledge within [i]hours[/i] of its conclusion. I'll ask again - what will it cost?"[/colour] [b]“So you’ve reported on a trial; congratulations,”[/b] Al Sharpe responded. With his eyes and face the way they were, it was hard to tell what sort of expression was hidden behind the constant smile of his. [b]“Any news agency could have gotten that done, and your work elsewhere has been...unsatisfactory, no? The Mint’s got its hands on quite a few things these days; can’t exactly be bothered dealing with pests who’ve isolated themselves in a single city, y’know?”[/b] A pause, a tilting of the head. Whatever machinery was within Al Sharpe’s skull was creaking now. [b]“But I appreciate your gumption, if nothing else, Eden, so I’ll give you a chance to do something...bigger than merely printing local publications every month or two. Test the viability of dealing with your ‘professional’ group of middle school children.”[/b] Sparks bounced off the spikes again, as Al Sharpe toyed with another one of his dolls. [b]“What do you think of Penny?”[/b] [colour=BlueViolet]"Penny Asimov,"[/colour] she echoed, sliding back against the rest of the bench, finished with her attempt at persuasion, or intimidation. She had no intention of fighting it further, not when he wasn't half wrong in the first place. For as strong as Eden herself was, The Penrose Independent was a drop in the pond. As she thought, she reached into her coat once more, delving into the opposite pocket from before, and fished out a small folder, labelled with Penny's name. She quickly undid the binding, to reveal a number of pictures. Some dated back to the Graveyard and further, but many were seemingly from The Beach. [colour=BlueViolet]"Physically, she's probably the most powerful Magical Girl I've ever seen. One of the most connected in Penrose, too. She's allied with Beacon, Cindy Ford, and about a dozen other girls, including myself, though she's pretty heavily connected to Alicia Hayden and Chloe Irving mainly, especially since she's dating the latter. She's had dealings with Veronica in the past as well. "Personally I think she's valuable - a bit too volatile maybe, but valuable, mainly as a combat asset,"[/colour] the assessment was truthful, if only thanks to her nature. She wouldn't have been surprised if The Mint already knew everything she was saying, but she wasn't interested in lying, or giving half-cocked information. [colour=BlueViolet]"If you're looking for weaknesses, well, she's prone to overreacting, and is pretty weak magically. Course, you've got her girlfriend and other connections, and there's a Monster Girl called Thalia Alvoy who she's relatively attached to. I also noticed some audio distortion in a conversation I had with her the other day, so it's possible she's becoming more Corrupted."[/colour] [b]“Oh, I don’t care about ‘common’ information, Eden. Really, I don’t care much about her at all.”[/b] Al Sharpe’s eyes flickered briefly towards the child still playing on the swings. [b]“But y’see, I have it on good authority that Penny was recently...split in half. Human on one side, machine on the other side. And I also happen to know a...pervert of sorts that’s quite interested in divine machinery.”[/b] The doll squirmed, shook, until its limbs were rattled out of its joints. [b]“Let’s call it a down payment. Either bring the machine, incapicitated, or bring accurate blueprints of its construction on all three levels: magical, physical, and spiritual. I usually wouldn’t give any sort of time limit for such work, but considering how pertinent this rave is...”[/b] The giant chuckled. [b]“Once you’ve completed this assignment, the receptacle’s yours, and we’ll discuss the terms of your [i]mortgage[/i]. Does that sound fair, or would you prefer, now, to just join in on ol’ Sharpe’s family business?”[/b] [colour=BlueViolet]”Figured as much,”[/colour] Eden redid the binding on the folder, and slid it back into her pocket. This had gone poorly. Almost every moment since she sat down had been one fuck up after another. And now she was stuck between two less-than-ideal offers. She hadn’t known about Penny’s split, that alone was enough to beat herself up over, but the rest of the meeting was simply further punishment. [colour=BlueViolet]”Blueprints on her construction? That should be fairly easy. I’ll have them drafted in three days, and have them delivered by the fourth - to The Bowery, unless you’ve got somewhere else in mind?”[/colour] [b]“Hrm...just send me a message; I’ll have someone collect. Now, for the contract…”[/b] Al Sharpe motioned towards the girl on the swing, and the monochrome girl immediately hopped off, striding over at a controlled, graceful pace. Producing a matchbox from her frilly sleeves, she slid it open, before extracting a scroll, too large to naturally fit in such a container. Dark red script filled the yellowed parchment, already filled with the terms that Al Sharpe had just come up with. With a nod of her head, the girl handed the contract over to Eden for her inspection, before withdrawing a simple dagger from the matchbox as well. Al Sharpe took it this time, slicing open his thumb. A greenish ichor seeped out. He wiped the blade with the cuff of his suit, stuck it into the bench, and pressed his bloodied thumb against the bottom of the parchment. He motioned again. [b]“Go on ahead. Let’s seal the deal, eh?”[/b] Without a sound, Eden pulled the blade from the wood of the bench, and drew it across her thumb. A black, viscous substance pooled within the open wound, and slowly began to spill down towards her palm, until she pressed it into the parchment. For as far as she could read, the terms were exactly as had been laid out in the conversation. This was a deal she could make, at least in relative comfort. Though, it was still The Mint she was dealing with. Once two thumbprints, both made of inhuman blood, were made upon the parchment, the edges of it began to char, before the entire document dissolved to ash. Still rubbing his thumb, Al Sharpe stood up and said, with a tip of his hat, [b]“Well, it’s been a pleasure, Eden. Hope ya prove me wrong, but we’ll just hafta see about that, won’t we?”[/b] [colour=BlueViolet]”Yeah. We’ll see,”[/colour] Eden reciprocated the gesture with a tip to the bill of her cap. She remained seated, watching Al stand and prepare to leave. Just two more stages, and she would be ready. [colour=BlueViolet]”See ya around, Al.”[/colour] [b]“Mhmm.”[/b] And with that, the giant strode off, humming a song under his breath. The gothic girl remained where she was for a moment, before bowing once towards Eden and dissolving to dust. [hr] [h3][i]In the meanwhile[/i][/h3] It was a few days from the Split as Penny was starting to refer to the incident. She had been spending a fair bit of her free time simply assisting in the day to day operations of keeping the Sanctuary running. Her physicality was less than it used to be, but her magical ability went from laughable to simply megar so that was still something she was able to do to help in the expansion of the place. At the moment however she wasn’t working on that, nor was she about to go out on another patrol which she would do from time to time, nor was she off to try and track down any more leads on Sammy. She needed to hear back from her other half before she could do that. No, today she was looking for Cindy. As Penny had just remembered her deal with Eden. [color=C76689][b]“Cindy!”[/b][/color] Penny would call out cheerfully when she finally found the regal monstergirl [color=C76689][b]“Do you have a moment to talk?”[/b][/color] Cindy was overseeing the construction of a new tunnel when she noticed Penny calling out to her. “Goblina, take over from us,” she ordered ,and the smaller monster girl saluted. She stepped to the sidelines to speak with the newly-changed dark magical girl. “I currently do. Now, speak your mind, Penny.” [color=C76689][b]“Do you know much about the PI?”[/b][/color] Penny would ask [color=C76689][b]“I had a run in with them a couple days before you made your proclamation. They gave me some information in an attempt to help me track down Thalia again in return for a favor.”[/b][/color] She would explain briefly [color=C76689][b]“Well their boss, a girl by the name of Eden Campbell got a hold of me recently and wanted to cash in the favor. I was happy to agree as it was a really simple one. She wants to meet and talk business with you.”[/b][/color] She would explain as she looked around at the tunnel still in construction. [color=C76689][b]“At least one of the things she wanted to talk about was getting a hold of a Red Coin to try and help Thalia, as her Monstrous half has gone kinda psycho”[/b][/color] Cindy had a tense look as she heard certain topics brought, most reactive to the mention of Thalia. "The fox girl? I have received reports of one running amok in town, killing anything that comes too close. Thus, we have kept our distance." She tapped a finger on her chin, or the electric energy equivalent of one. "Tell Eden to meet me on top of the Town Hall at Dawn. I also have business to discuss with her." [hr] [center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/200318/e63a6ea969df28c7b98259c372f3637c.png[/img][h2]AND[/h2][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/200319/3c4e2568d224f650e7584019071e6e3f.png[/img][/center] Dawn had come, but Eden had arrived early. Despite her predilection to remain disguised, making her way up onto the roof had been an easy task; humans tended not to question things when presented with paperwork and identification, of which she and The Penrose Independent had access to in abundance. Magical resources had been stretched thin with The Ascendancy crawling every street of Penrose, but the mundane resources she had access to never dried up. She had taken her perch on the edge, legs held over the side and allowed to dangle freely in the open air. Even if she was affected by the cold of the night, the thick coat she made her motif kept out the worst of it. With her collar turned up, her form was obscured from behind, save the red-purple hair that leaked out from under her cap. Eden stayed sat, for an hour, waiting for dawn and the meeting to arrive, looking out over Penrose City. [colour=BlueViolet]”Should be about time.”[/colour] Eden saw as a streak of electricity raced across the sky. As it came closer, she would see it had the shape of a humanoid female, her eyes intense as they looked upon her. She slowly floated down, landing on the rooftop with a small crackle of static. “Eden Campbell, I presume?” The mass of living electromagnetic energy approached the disguised girl with a smile. “I am Cindy, Queen of Penrose. I have heard from Penny that you sought an audience with me on the matters of business. Now, what business would it be that you desire?” She asked. [colour=BlueViolet]”Yup, hiding my name isn’t gonna do me any good anymore,”[/colour] she sighed. Her head tilted to look behind her, over her shoulder and towards Cindy. A living mass of lightning - as far as Monstrous Mutations went, she was easily one of the most curious Eden had come across. Her eyes trained on Cindy’s, scanning her face and body with a quiet intensity. [colour=BlueViolet]”We never got a chance to speak back when you first arrived. This probably would’ve been worth doing a long time ago - but I could do with your help. “Things are… difficult, at the moment. The Ascendancy has been hurting some good people,”[/colour] as she spoke, Eden looked back out across the city. For a moment she paused, and then lifted herself up off the edge of the roof. She began walking, towards Cindy, hair fluttering slightly in the breeze. [colour=BlueViolet]”Good people that thought I’d protect them. I want to do something about it - fight back against The Ascendancy - but with my numbers, I’m not sure I’d win. But you might. If you’d be willing to accept, The Penrose Independent will back your claim on Penrose, and join you in the war that’s coming.”[/colour] Cindy's expression, though a bit difficult to read due to her nature, still showed enough doubt for Eden to recognize. "I did not think the local news would wish to wage war against a fearsome power like the Ascendancy. Then again, they do rob the futures of everyone they meet, yours included. Based on what my people have spoken, you employ monster kind among others, without bias. That is commendable." She looked to the distance. "I do wonder if your intentions are limited to revenge and freedom. Regardless, your offer is a welcome one." She offered a hand to shake. "I am willing to enter an alliance. However, I must first ask what you want from me besides assistance in the war to come?" [colour=BlueViolet]”Dunno if it’s commendable,”[/colour] as Cindy looked past her, Eden stepped up before her, eyeing the handshake with vague curiosity. She didn’t often accept handshakes. But this one she did. [colour=BlueViolet]”Call my intentions a debt. To an old friend, and her dream. We - I, am a Monster Girl. It’d be hypocritical if I didn’t hire the ones who need my security the most. On that note, there’s another debt I need to clear, to Penny. She probably already gave you the details, but I need a Red Coin for a girl named Thalia - she came to you on the night you claimed Queenship. I owe Penny, and to that end, I’ve pledged to help save her friend.”[/colour] Eden felt a small jolt of electricity as she shook hands with Cindy, followed by a pleasant tingle; based on Cindy’s attentive look, it might have been a test of hers to gauge her reaction. “Regardless, you provide hope to the downtrodden and the outcast. That is something that can’t be denied. As for Thalia, I do remember her; she is truly a misfortunate soul, burdened with grief and rage.” She nodded at the request. “I see. I can grant this boon, to honor your debt to Penny.” She then reached into her body, and brought out a sealed plastic bag. She opened it, and took out a coin of a vivi crimson hue: the Red Coin. “However,” she then spoke, holding the coin on her palm. “In return, you will swear fealty to me as my vassal, and work for the good of monsterkind. For this night, and all nights to come.” [colour=BlueViolet]”Swear fealty, right,”[/colour] with her fingerless gloves, only a small area of her hand made contact with Cindy’s body. But for it all, there was no reaction; not a single, subtle twitch or change. But, for the first time in any of her meetings that week, Eden managed a small laugh. Something heartfelt, borne of a memory that she closed her eyes on to remember. [colour=BlueViolet]”I haven’t had to pledge my allegiance to someone since Primary, Christ. No time like the present to try again though, I guess. My name is Eden Campbell. “And you are my Queen,”[/colour] at the end of the statement, she stepped back a small distance. Her right foot moved in front of her left, and her right arm moved horizontally across her chest. It was a more masculine bow, but Eden had no intention of lifting her coat like a dress. When she came back upright, she made half a move to reach for the Coin, though not fully committing, to allow Cindy to make it easier, and obvious that it was allowed. [colour=BlueViolet]”Not sure if there’s, like, any sort of Rites I’ve gotta take or anything. I’ve already bowed once, that’d better be all there is to it."[/colour] Cindy seemed very pleased with the courteous gesture that Eden displayed. She opened her palm, allowing Eden to take the Red Coin. "The Rites you shall perform next are those you choose yourself, to dedicate yourself to the crown." She smiled, and closed her palm. "I expect great things from you, Eden Campbell. But be warned; if you are to ever cross me...The Queen's blade shall be swift in taking your head off." [colour=BlueViolet]”Well, I suppose that’s some assurance,”[/colour] Eden replied half-heartedly, eyes locked to the Red Coin she now held. Her eyes flicked across it rapidly, as though she were reading something, but for the moments of silence where she held it, her pupils remained unfocused. She wasn’t reading the power of the Coin - she was feeling it. Within a number of seconds, she turned to look back at Cindy, as she slid the coin into the depths of her coat’s inner pockets. [colour=BlueViolet]”If you don’t mind there’s one other thing I wanted to ask about. There are Monster Girls with - I don’t know how to describe it, the ability to project their auras as something tangible. The Bates had it, and surrounded the graveyard in it, but it wasn’t Specialisation based. I’m pretty sure it’s something innate, found in certain kinds of individuals. Do you have anyone like that serving you?”[/colour] Cindy put her hands to her hips, deep in thought. “Hmm...I have only seen Monster Queens possess that kind of power. They are ones who have dared to dip into the hellish gifts of the Ebon Mint even further. Most are overtaken by the power, and lose their minds. But a few have had the resolve to take it as their own. There is one such individual among my people. However, she is a reclusive one, seemingly afraid of losing herself to her wildness. I can arrange a meeting with them if you desire one.” [colour=BlueViolet]”If you wouldn’t mind, that’d be great,”[/colour] she pushed her hands into her outer pockets, and leant against a large vent entrance nearby. [colour=BlueViolet]”But just so you know, if she agrees to help, I’ll want her at the party. I’ll keep her safe, and I’ll have Thalia give me her Meditation Stone so she isn’t so tense, but the first shots are probably going to happen there. When the time comes, I hope your people are ready to defend themselves.”[/colour] “...What makes you think so?” Cindy’s eyes sparked with electricity. “Why do you think violence will break out at the coming rave?” [colour=BlueViolet]”Why do you make it sound like it won’t?”[/colour] Eden’s hands withdrew from her pockets, and crossed in front of her chest. For a moment, her gaze once again lingered on the skyline. [colour=BlueViolet]”There’s nothing too bold for The Ascendancy, and I have it on good authority that there’s an individual in their ranks who can nullify magic. Beacon has to attack for the same reason the party has to happen, frankly an assault is guaranteed; if we’re not ready then the war’s gonna start and end before we can even fight back.”[/colour] Cindy frowned. “So my suspicions were correct after all...There have been rumors circulating that Koothe Beacon has found the location.. However, I will personally make sure it won’t end in a riot. The party is meant to unite our hearts, and steel our resolve, not cause chaos and carnage!” She tapped her foot, and tiny sparks flew from the floor. “But what you mentioned is very intriguing. How much do you know of what is happening in Penrose? If you are to work as my vassal, you shall indulge the information you possess to your queen.” [colour=BlueViolet]”Honestly? Not as much as I’d like,”[/colour] her foot began to tap, ever so slightly, against the roof of the town hall, which one of her index fingers began to match. The constant questioning was becoming tiring - all Eden had hoped for was a concise meeting, but it could never be that simple. And based on the way Cindy made no comments about being ready to fight, Eden couldn’t help but begin to agree with Elvira’s assessment. But even then, she reached into one of her pockets, and pulled out a photograph. It wasn’t exceptionally clear, and appeared slightly marred in interference or static, but it displayed the appearances of Leena and FanFan. [colour=BlueViolet]”The Penrose Independent has an agreement with Elvira, so we’ll be providing additional security in case things get out of hand. But if you want to help prevent a one-sided fight - one of these two girls has some magic nullification ability. If The Ascendancy attacks the party, they’ll be there, and the chances of anyone getting out unharmed go down massively. I’d say that’s probably the most valuable information I can give you, ‘cause stopping them is top priority.”[/colour] Cindy took the photograph, taking a closer look. "I see...They look very powerful. I recommend you exercise the utmost caution when dealing with them. Thank you for your hard work." She placed the photo in the plastic bag, and stuffed it inside her. "Well then, I must take my leave; if what you say is true, there will be a confrontation, and it is one I don't intend to lose. Therefore, our forces must be prepared. Let us stay connected for the future. Goodbye." She launched up into the sky, accelerating herself through electromagnetic forces far into the city. [colour=BlueViolet]”What do you think?”[/colour] Eden asked aloud, remaining where she stood leant against the unit, watching Cindy vanish into the night. One more thing, she thought. And the stage would be set. There was no reply to her question, but she continued speaking regardless. [colour=BlueViolet]”She has spirit. Not sure that translates to being a good ruler, but we’ll see soon, I guess. At least she advocates helping everyone - you were big on that, I bet you two’d get along. Well… except for the whole hierarchy bit. Just hope she doesn’t fuck this up me.”[/colour] She pushed against the unit with her back, hand slipping into her pockets, as she began to walk, and [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjST75n8sSM]whistle[/url].