[center][h1][color=red]S[/color] [i]a m[/i]                 [color=C76689]P[/color] [i]e n n y[/i][/h1]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/cNySjrF.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/1qnbQRN.png[/img]

[quote=Samantha Howard][color=red]"Aww hell yiss. Motherfucking coffee."[/color][/quote]
[quote=Penny][color=C76689]"That other girl sounded like me."[/color][/quote][/center]

Days after the Split Penny had found herself bored, or was it distracted? It was hard to tell the difference at times for the once again human. These events had become increasingly common, and more often than not the girl found herself either working on a new task or going off in search of Chloe. The most recent bout had her searching through her phone's contact list for someone to hang out with. And on it, she found a contact listed that she couldn’t recall adding.

She supposed that her other half had snagged it back when she had fought with the person on the contact, after all, keeping track of someone by their phone signature wasn’t a bad idea, she just didn’t know why it hadn’t been pushed along when it happened.

Not that Penny spent much time worrying about that, instead she simply sent off a text to the number.

[quote=Penny][color=C76689]You still up to showing me where I can get a good cup of coffee?[/color][/quote]

There was no doubt in her mind that she did not give this girl her number, so it evoked confusion from Sil when she saw Penny had texted her. It might be prudent to return to throwaway phones like she used in her human life. Breaches like that were a way to get yourself compromised or killed, after all. But with the subject at hand, she did not feel threatened as of right now. Her response came after only a brief delay. 

[color=red][quote=Silhouette]I suppose. There’s a cafe I know of that has good food and even better coffee, I’ll meet up with you since it is tucked away.[/quote][/color]

[quote=Penny][color=C76689]Nice! Also glad to see that his number wasn’t just a hoax. Do you have any ideas how I got your number? I’ve got one, but it’s not making the most sense.

Anyway, I’m not far from the theater on 4th and Starstruck. That a good place to meet up?[/color][/quote]

[color=red]“Yes.”[/color]

Upon hearing her voice, Penny would find that Samantha was standing behind her, putting away her cell phone. [color=red]“Merely a coincidence,”[/color] she spoke before Penny could get the chance to ask, assuming she would. [color=red]“As I mentioned, it’s tucked away. There’s a few restaurants that most people don’t know about, too.”[/color] she added. [color=red]“But out of any establishment I’ve been to here in Penrose, this one takes the cake, or rather, coffee.”[/color] she motioned Penny to follow. 

[color=C76689][b]“Gwehh!”[/b][/color] Penny fumbled to not drop her phone at Sam’s sudden appearance [color=C76689][b]“A bit more warning next time would be appreciated!”[/b][/color] Penny would berate as she tried to get her heart down from her throat. 

Shaking her head she would follow after the taciturn girl. [color=C76689][b]“Were you on the way to get a cup already or was this just a massive stroke of luck?”[/b][/color] Penny would ask once they were on the way her anger already spent.

Silhouette either didn’t notice or care about her reaction, answering her question while continuing forward. [color=red]“I was considering it,”[/color] she told Penny. [color=red]“I normally go a lot earlier since mornings are… difficult for me, but I was caught up in something. So I guess I kinda wandered into the area while I thought.”[/color] she shrugged. [color=red]“Suppose your text made the choice for me, though.”[/color] Sil would lead Penny down some roads, turning off at one point from the main road, and then down a series of smaller, side roads. It really wasn’t someplace you’d stumble upon unless you were really curious. It made one wonder why anyone would set up shop there. [color=red]“So,”[/color] she said after a bout of silence. [color=red]“You don’t seem the same since I last saw you,”[/color] 

Penny just nodded along with that explanation, her gaze wandering aimlessly upon their surroundings as they walked. [color=C76689][b]“So more or less luck”[/b][/color] she would hum to herself. It wasn’t very often that her luck came into play, but that made the events that did deal with it all the more interesting.

[color=C76689][b]“Last time you saw me I was wearing an illusion that made me look like I was in a swimsuit”[/b][/color] She would point out with a smirk [color=C76689][b]“But yeah. Got Split from myself a few days ago. It’s been weird. My other half is with Beacon at the moment.”[/b][/color] She would explain as they got deeper into the nooks and crannies of the city. 

[color=red]“Split from yourself?”[/color] she repeated. She walked a few more steps before replying. [color=red]“As odd as it sounds, I believe I can relate,”[/color] she sighed, opening her mouth to speak again, but nothing came out. It seemed this was a difficult subject, in a way. 

[color=C76689][b]“Can I ask what it was that you were up to earlier?”[/b][/color]

With her back to Penny, it was impossible for the girl to see the momentary flash of scarlet paint Silhouette’s features. The morning’s events came back to her in a wave of confusion, embarrassment, and… some form of positive emotion she wasn’t entirely sure of. She stopped for a moment and raised a hand to the bite mark on her neck. [color=red]“Being rudely awoken by an idiot with an even dumber question, and making plans for that party coming up,”[/color] Hidden from Penny also would be the smile she unknowingly had when she talked about it. 

As they reached the final stretch before the cafe, Silhouette spoke again. [color=red]“Do you intend to go?”[/color] she asked. [color=red]“Almost seems like everyone’s going… though that might not be a good thing…”[/color] she trailed off. Expecting the worst of a situation probably wasn’t the ‘cutest’ thing to come of a person. Did Trixy mind that sort of mindset, she wondered briefly, before spotting the final road to turn into. [color=red]“Ah, it’s right he---”[/color] A sudden crash into her back nearly sent Sil tumbling to the floor. Did she just get hit by a truck? Thankfully she was not in her human guise at the moment as she was too embarrassed to walk around in her new getup, but enjoyed it too much to take it off. Some weird looks by normal people were nothing to her. But wait, trucks couldn’t even fit in here, could they? This was a narrow path!

Sil turned around, spotting some big-breasted buffoon before she could even turn to face Sil. It was clear what had happened. [color=red]“You’re supposed to keep your eyes ahead when you walk,”[/color] she growled. Perhaps that was a bit harsh, but perhaps that girl could’ve ran into her AFTER she had her coffee, when she was in a slightly better mood. [color=red]“But it’s whatever,”[/color] she sighed. It wasn’t worth blowing up on some random girl, especially since she seemed like a clutz. She did have a sorta familiar vibe to her, but it wasn’t important enough to bother with. She continued to walk. [color=red]“As I was saying, it’s just over here. But sorry, I didn’t let you answer. Go ahead?”[/color]

Even if she couldn’t see Silhouette’s face Penny could tell there was more to the story then she was letting on. After all, the momentary pause and the neck rub were hardly normal reactions, especially with someone that understood Penny’s prior emotional state.

Anything she would have said was lost by the momentary collision, and even as they stepped around the other two Penny couldn’t help but feel she had seen them before. Shrugging off that line of thought she refocused on the question that had been given to her.

[color=C76689][b]“Sadly no. I’ve got plans set for that night already”[/b][/color] Penny would reply with a shrug [color=C76689][b]“Was moderately curious about it, however, so if there is still time after I’m done with my stuff I’ll try and swing by.”[/b][/color] Penny would answer. [color=C76689][b]“My other half might make an appearance, depending on if Beacon learns about the location I suppose.”[/b][/color] They might also stay away. After all, Eden had been rather explicit in her warning to keep Beacon members away from the Party.

[color=C76689][b]“I guess you’re going there though? You get invited or is Veronica sending you?”[/b][/color] Penny would go on to ask moving to be more in line with her more stoic friend.

Sil thought about the question briefly before answering. [color=red]“We’re here,”[/color] she said, as a neat little corner cafe came into view. Its design was rather simple, yet still eloquent. Though small, it had an outside patio, and a set of speakers played a [url=https://youtu.be/h2P_hqhu5rQ]calming tune[/url] that, just like the name of the establishment, was completely stolen from Persona 5. Don’t worry about it.

Inside Cafe Leblanc, few customers sat. Almost assuredly because of it’s removed location, the place never really was ‘poppin’, but a majority of the people that did come were regulars, many of whom Samantha recognized from prior visits. As she led Penny into the place, she nodded to the girl currently on shift and with a kind voice, the girl told them to take a seat wherever they liked and that she’d be with them shortly. So, Samantha took a booth that placed them next to a window, motioning for Penny to sit across. Sam found her hand briefly grazing the window before she noticed that rude cow from earlier entering the terrible-smelling steakhouse for potheads. It explained how ditzy she seemed, at least. Turning to Penny, she suddenly remembered she didn’t answer the girl’s prior question. [color=red]“Oh, I’m sorry. You asked about my reason for going? Someone asked me to accompany them for the night.”[/color] she explained. 

[color=C76689][b]“So you’re going on a date?”[/b][/color] Penny would ask with a sly smirk. It wasn’t a bad idea now that she thought about it, sadly she would have to figure something else out for her next date with Chloe. Shouldn’t be too difficult to find something though.

[color=red]“T-that’s correct,”[/color] she nodded after some time. Such a… convivial relationship was not among her experiences, and she was not confident in her ability to provide for another. She could do tasks asked of her, like with Veronica, but emotional matters were her weakest point. And telling people more intimate things about yourself was a lot harder, she thought, than simply signing a contract that revealed them. Would she be capable of that with Trixy? Well, she was going to try. 

As she thought this, a minute passed and the girl that greeted them came to the booth they sat at. “So what’ll you take today?” she asked with a kind smile, as she waited patiently with a pen and notepad to take their orders. 

Samantha hesitated not. [color=red]“A cup of your dark roast is fine for me,”[/color] she ordered. [color=red]“And whatever she wants.”[/color] she added. The waitress then turned to Penny and waited. 

Penny was a bit taken aback by the honest reply to her question. She had been trying to tease the other girl after all, not find out that she was correct. “Huh” She wasn’t quite sure how to react to that and was left stunned, thankfully Sil seemed to be in the same situation.

[color=C76689][b]“I’ll take the house blend?”[/b][/color] Penny would try to say, not meaning for it to turn into a question as it did at the end but hopefully that would be fine.

The server would just smile as she took Penny’s order before walking away to fill said orders, leaving the two alone once again.

[color=C76689][b]“So… Who is it that you’ve got a date with?”[/b][/color] Penny would ask once it was they were alone. [color=C76689][b]“And did they ask you or did you ask them?”[/b][/color]

[color=red]“Someone with processing power rivaling even the best supercomputer when it comes to posting about pointless stuff,”[/color] she sighed. [color=red]“She lacks a filter, has a big mouth, and won’t take ‘no’ for an answer, so I’m sure you’ll figure it out once you meet her, assuming you haven’t already.”[/color] Sil then turned the question on Penny. [color=red]“What’s your situation? I believe I saw you with Chloe a while back.”[/color]

[color=C76689][b]“Sounds… like an odd match”[/b][/color] Penny would say after a moment of digesting that description. [color=C76689][b]“Sounds like you got pestered into the date, but then you don’t seem like someone who’s easy to push around so I guess there is something there.”[/b][/color] She would before breaking out in a soft smile at the mention of her girlfriend [color=C76689][b]“Yeah, I’ve known Chloe for a few months now. She was the first person I met in Penrose in fact. She’s been a good friend to me. She gave me a key to her apartment a long time ago, but I moved in shortly before the whole beach thing happened.”[/b][/color]

[b][color=C76689]“That was a good vacation”[/color][/b] She would add on with a large grin as she remembered the end of said vacation.

The waitress arrived with their orders, a grin on her face. “There you go,” she said, placing each one’s mug before them. “If you need anything else, let me know!” and so saying, she retreated back to the counter. 

Sam didn’t touch her mug immediately, opting to wait for it to cool down. She seemed to recall something painful when Penny brought up the vacation, her mood taking a slight, but noticeable, drop. [color=red]“It’s good to see others enjoyed it,”[/color] she said, the sentiment clearly not shared between the two of them. [color=red]“But I do hope that the dolphin minds his own business in the future and lets people come to him. Look at how the city looks right now because of that. Not to mention the plans people might’ve had that were canceled because of it…”[/color] she seemed to dwell on that statement a moment. [color=red]“Anyway,”[/color] Samantha finally took her first sip of the mug, and her features began to relax. She then turned her eyes upward to Penny. [color=red]“...Have you kissed?”[/color]

[b][color=C76689]“Oh trust me if I find that dolphin I’m tearing him into shreds”[/color][/b] Penny would agree, her smile never lessening but definitely becoming sharper. He had caused a grand mess, after all, even if he had helped her get with Chloe, that wasn’t enough to offset the devastation he had brought to Penrose.

Still, she couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at Sam’s question [b][color=C76689]“I take it you didn’t pay much attention to the stage shows”[/color][/b] She would remark dryly before taking a drink from her own mug, humming in appreciation [b][color=C76689]“But yes we have, mind if I ask why?”[/color][/b]

Sam shook her head. [color=red]“I was busy trying to avoid it, at that time, so no,”[/color] she answered, recalling Shade’s persistent attempts to get her on stage. They ultimately failed, much to a few people’s chagrin, but that sort of stuff just wasn’t going to happen ever!...right? [color=red]“Oh, uh,”[/color] she hesitated. [color=red]“...well, I heard that sort of thing is supposed to be like a contract or something and you can’t do it repeatedly? I suppose in truth it’s just curiosity.”[/color] feeling a bit embarrassed, she took another drink from the mug. 

Penny couldn’t help the baffled look that crossed her face at her friend’s beliefs about kisses. [b][color=C76689]“That… You really didn’t have a normal life before all of this did you?”[/color][/b] She would ask shaking her head [b][color=C76689]“A kiss isn’t like that, it… it’s a show of affection. So long as both you and whoever it is you want to kiss agree, you can kiss each other as many times as you feel like, hell when I was a teen I spent hours just making out with my girlfriend at the time.”[/color][/b] Penny would shake her head again as she took a drink of her own coffee.

[color=red]“Is that how it works? I see. Maybe they meant with other people...”[/color] Samantha sat and ruminated on the new information she was provided, staring at her mug. A lot of this affection stuff seemed so pointlessly complicated. But she owed it to a certain someone to attempt to learn about it, at least. [color=red]“Thank you.”[/color] she nodded to Penny. 

[b][color=C76689]“Depends on  the relationship.”[/color][/b] Penny would chime in with a shrug. [b][color=C76689]“Some people are open with Poly relationships some aren’t. At the end of the day, it all depends on the people involved in the relationship. No two of them are going to work the same way, even if they have surface similarities.”[/color][/b]

Penny would go to take another sip from her coffee before making a face [b][color=C76689]“Geez I’m starting to sound like Aurelio”[/color][/b]

[color=red]“Should’ve looked at the fine writing before I agreed, I’m beginning to think.”[/color] Silhouette finished her coffee. She stared into the bottom of her mug without betraying any real emotion, but odds are she was thinking about her new affliction, and how to best deal with it. But then, as she realized she’d been stressing over it all day, she yet again sighed before calling the waitress over. [color=red]“I think one more cup wouldn’t hurt anyone.”[/color] she declared and ordered both her and Penny one more. 

And so, the cafe, conversation, and coffee remained the focus of the two’s afternoon for a little while longer.

[center][h1][color=F65772]H[/color] [i]i l a r i a[/i]                 [color=#652DC1]V[/color] [i]i v a[/i][/h1]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/NC28lmu.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/VlvXaMV.png[/img]

[quote=Helewi][color=F65772]"Ye~"[/color][/quote]
[quote=Viva][color=#652DC1]"Ye?"[/color][/quote][/center]

[color=#652DC1]“Geez why is everywhere closed at the moment?”[/color] Viva would grumble to herself as she scrolled through her phone leaning against her bike. On her phone’s screen, there was a list of restaurants in Penrose, both mundane and magical. Sadly most of them were either closed down permanently or simply closed up early. Which made finding something to eat very difficult.

[color=#652DC1]“I just want to find a bloody place to eat! Is that so much to ask?”[/color] She would half yell as her stomach rumbled again. She was hungry, in more than one sense, but she didn’t want to dig into her stash of food just yet, she was saving some of the things in it for the celebration when she finally became one of Lamashtu’s children. But if her luck didn’t change soon she was going to be forced to dig in early.

[color=#652DC1]“I just want some food”[/color] she would sulk as she scratched off another place on the list as closed.

[color=F65772]“Oh~! That’s so terrible~!”[/color]

The girl would hear a dramatic voice coming from behind her, the source being a rather busty, silver-haired girl. Without warning, she would take Viva’s hand into her own, and stare deep within her eyes. [color=F65772]“To be deprived of nourishment is the most horrible of woes~! But Hilaria won’t allow you to be Famished~!”[/color] she stated with a determined look. [color=F65772]“Would you follow? Hilaria will ease your suffering~!”[/color]

[color=#652DC1]“You know where to get food?”[/color] Viva would ask, hardly registering that this strange bombshell had come out of freaking nowhere. All that really made it through to the corrupted nurse was the fact that this person knew where to get food and that she was easy on the eyes. But mainly the food.

[color=#652DC1]“Yes! I’ll follow you to where I can get food, lead the way!”[/color] She would say excitedly as she stood up from her bike, banishing the thing with a vague hand wave.

There was not a single person who enjoyed food as much as Hilaria, this much was as sure as the sky was blue and the sun was hot. In her many years, not a single person had matched her appetite. Dark Magical Girls who were compelled to eat anything and everything would pale in comparison, and so long as it was indeed 'food', she'd beat anyone who ever tried to take her throne. 

So naturally, she was knowledgeable when it came to food and its procurement. Hilaria would begin to lead the girl down the street, across the road, past a pathway leading into a small turn-in where some smaller shops and a cafe resided, and on onwards. After this, it wasn't too far away. [color=F65772]"Mmm~"[/color] the magical girl looked back. [color=F65772]"The best places to find food are never the obvious ones~! Those just make you pay for bells and whistles, while the real deal is mediocre at best, so you’ll convince yourself it’s very fine food because otherwise you just kicked yourself in the bank and won’t forgive yourself. Food critics are nothing but imposters! They pretend to appreciate food, but all they care about is prestige!”[/color] she warned as though Viva's very life depended on this message being received. [color=F65772]"Mm, but what do you prefer~? There's a couple of places Hilaria knows~"[/color]

[color=#652DC1]“Steak or a burger.”[/color] Viva would reply when prompted [color=#652DC1]“Or any meat dish really”[/color] Regardless of that Viva seemed to be very intently listening to the message that Hilaria had been trying to tell her. She was trying not to drool as well, for as much as she was compelled to eat by her corruption, she was something of a foodie as well.

[color=F65772]“You’re in luck~! There is a steakhouse, I believe it’s called, um… ‘High Steaks’, just past the cafe I mentioned~”[/color] Hilaria had a skip to her step and started walking backward without losing speed. [color=F65772]“Hilaria has been treated recently, so she’ll cover for you~”[/color] she explained. [color=F65772]“But what has caused you to land in such a dreadful, unforgiving situation, Hilaria wonders~?”[/color] 

Hilaria apparently knew the way by heart at this point, effortlessly walking backward and making the turns required to reach their destination tucked away, but no matter how familiar one might be with the roads, if you weren’t paying attention, you’d walk right into someone. And, as she turned the final corner that would lead them into the pocket of unappreciated cuisines, she did just that. 

[color=F65772]“Oh~!”[/color] She had nearly bulldozed the person she bumped into. [color=F65772]“Hilaria’s very sorry~!”[/color]

The person, a moody-looking girl, seemed displeased. [color=red]“You’re supposed to keep your eyes ahead when you walk,”[/color] she growled. [color=red]“But it’s whatever.”[/color] Said girl turned towards the person they were walking with and said, [color=red]“As I was saying, It’s just over here...”[/color] having lost any interest in Hilaria or Viva.

[color=F65772]“Mmm~ Hilaria gets a bit too excited when it comes to food~!”[/color] she laughed. 

[color=#652DC1]“I’m a solo act at the moment”[/color] Viva would explain to her current savior’s query [color=#652DC1]“That doesn’t pay very well unfortunately and a girls gotta eat. My appetite tends to be larger than most others as well so I find myself often hungry”[/color] Her hunger tended to not be very specific most of the time, just her being hungry, but her darker cravings always tended towards cannibalism.

Thankfully Viva was rather light on her feet and didn’t continue the chain of bumping into people when Hilaria ran into the stranger. Not that Viva would have complained about bumping into Hilaria, but food first.

[color=#652DC1]“Hey I hear you, nothing beats a good meal.”[/color] She would pick up the conversation and hardly give the two they ran into a second look, though one of them seemed vaguely familiar. [color=#652DC1]“I’m working on getting a Patron. So I’ll definitely pay you back for this when I can”[/color] Viva would promise, after all, one never forgets a debt of food.

[color=F65772]“Oh, to see another who understands cuisine chivalry brings a tear to Hilaria’s eye~”[/color] The busty girl stopped in front of a restaurant. The building wasn’t anything special and looked as generic as a steakhouse could get, aside from the sign. ‘High Steaks’ it read a wavy font resembling heat distortion on top of a leaf. But this was not just any leaf. It was the kind that gave ‘High Steaks’ a new meaning. [color=F65772]“Here we are~! As far as steaks go, there’s only one other place that gives here a run for its money, but it’s on the other side of Penrose, so you’ll have to take Hilaria’s word for it.”[/color] 

Viva looked up at the sign with an intrigued expression. She wondered if the leaf in question was only used as a spice or for more recreational purposes while eating. Either way, she was interested and quickly pinned the address in her phone. Before she took hold of Hilaria’s hand and dragged her inside [color=#652DC1]“Why are we waiting around? let’s go!”[/color] she would say her stomach rumbling loudly in agreeance with that plan.

Inside the steakhouse, the two were blessed by the wonderful scent of freshly-cooked meat, but this was shortly-lived as another smell soon overpowered it. The place had a fair amount of customers despite the fact it was nearly hidden away, and the restaurant was filled with the sound of chatter between people as they dined. A man wearing a black shirt with the place’s logo stood at a small podium at the entrance to the place greeted them with a somewhat droopy (but probably well-meaning) smile that widened as he apparently recognized Hilaria. “Oh hey guy!” he laughed, then looked at Viva. “And other guy. Weh-heh-helcome to High Steaks!” he looked over the small divider behind him and grabbed the attention of a busboy who’d just finished his job at a booth. The younger man, who looked even less stressed than the one standing before the two girls, gave him a thumbs up and nodded, before moving to attend to another area. “Seems like you guys are good to go with a booth if that’s cool with ya.” he told them as he turned back. 

[color=F65772]“Ye~”[/color] Hilaria nodded, drawing out the ‘word’ even longer than normal as if she were under the influence of some strange plant. The man led them to the booth that was just cleaned and then told them to wait for an ‘Ed’, who was presumed to be their waiter. Hilaria sat down and waited for Viva to do the same before speaking, doing so in the same way she had just done. [color=F65772]“It’s all good steak here, gal~”[/color]

[color=#652DC1]“Smells like it”[/color] Viva would agree once they had been seated looking about the place as she did. [color=#652DC1]“Is there a reason you’re talking like you’re already stoned out of your mind?”[/color] She would ask as she picked up the Menu to take a look at what her options were.

She wasn’t offended by the fact that this place was a druggy den. If anything, it actually upped the appeal because if there was a motto that Viva lived by it would be ‘Hell I’ll try anything twice’

Hilaria nodded. [color=F65772]“Cus’, it’s like, how everyone else speaks in here, gal~”[/color] she replied with a grin, taking a glance at her own menu. It was more of an idle action while she waited for someone to come over and take their order, as she was very familiar with what they had. [color=F65772]“They also have, like, a totally good dessert menu, too~”[/color] she informed, eying a guy starting towards their table. He’d be there shortly. [color=F65772]“Order what you want~ Nobody should leave a restaurant when they’re, like, unsatisfied, gal~”[/color] 

[color=#652DC1]“You keep spoiling me and I’m going to end up following you home to show my appreciation~”[/color] Viva would reply with a grin of her own because seriously a woman like Hilaria was looking more and more like a dream come true to someone like Viva. fun, friendly, curvacious and willing to make sure that she had enough food to become satisfied? It wouldn’t be hard to fall in love with such a woman.

Sadly she wasn’t sure if Hilaria was on the menu. As for the food menu, it didn’t take Viva long to make her choice of food. A nice rare porterhouse steak a big as they would allow, if she could get a drink of some sort along with it as well that would be all the better but she wasn’t sure if they would be checking ID’s or not, but with the smell in the air she doubted it.

Taking another sniff of the air, she’d opt towards getting a nive hit of some of that as well, whatever it was they were offering up really, she wasn’t picky about that at the moment.

A man wearing a nametag that clearly said, “Rohnathan” approached their table. “Hey there, guys. Do you, like, want a bit of drinkage first, or nah? If ya look in the back of our Munchie Menu, we got some good deals on herbal medicines, too.” Rohnathan gave what was probably supposed to be a wink, but looked more like a mini-stroke. 

[color=F65772]“...ye…~?”[/color]

Even Hilaria was concerned about this man, but she only let it show momentarily. She ordered their special filet mignon, enough sides to feed a family, and drinks to go with it. There was also something she grabbed named the “Purple K”, which, if Viva decided to look at the menu, would notice it was on the back of the menu, along with other oddly-named ‘herbal medicines’. Rohnathan gave Hilaria a thumbs up, presumably as a way to communicate he got her order, before turning to Viva and taking hers. Once they were done, he went to retrieve them.

[color=F65772]“Mmm~ You said you were alone right now, gal? Hilaria was in the same way until, like, just recently~ If you like good eats, you could join with Hilaria’s patron~”[/color]

Viva for her part showed no concern for the waiter, but she did add to her order some of the ‘herbal medicines’. [color=#652DC1]“I’d have to ask who it is that you’ve gotten to pick you up”[/color] She would ask with a smile, not that it was likely that she was going to agree with Hilaria, after all, she liked Lamashtu, and truly wanted to join in her ‘family’, but know her options was never a bad idea.

[color=#652DC1]“But you being with them is a plus already~”[/color] She would add flirtatiously, after all, she did need to find out if Hilaria was on the menu for later. 

Hilaria sat back in the booth. [color=F65772]“Dan,”[/color] she said. [color=F65772]“Dan the dolphin~ He’s, like, a really cool dude who lives in a resort in a beach dimension and has a lot of good stuff to eat~”[/color] she raised a finger to her lips. [color=F65772]“Hilaria assumes you’ve probably at least heard of him, what with all the commotion he’s responsible for, though~”[/color] She figured if anything that might be the dealbreaker, but there wouldn’t be anything she could do about that. If Viva declined, then she declined. [color=F65772]“Oh~”[/color] Hilaria smiled as she was complimented. Clearly this girl liked having an eating buddy, and Hilaria could never have enough. It was the closest thing to a friend she felt she could have, after all. [color=F65772]“Mmm, like, Hilaria eats and sunbathes at Dan’s place, all the time~”[/color] she added. [color=F65772]“Hilaria’d love to see you there if you join~”[/color]

The ancient pondered something for a moment. [color=F65772]“Mmm, but why is…?”[/color] something caused her to pause. [color=F65772]“...Hilaria doesn’t believe we’ve, like, introduced each other, have we~?”[/color] she gave a small laugh. [color=F65772]“Hilaria’s name is Hilaria, and you are~?”[/color] 

[color=#652DC1]“No we haven't but we both had something more important on our mind.”[/color] Viva would say with a laugh of her own [color=#652DC1]“Vivian, or Viva is my name and it is a pleasure to have met you Hilaria”[/color] She would say with a large smile. Before leaning back into her seat.

[color=#652DC1]“Hmm, free food, a warm beach and you being there for it all? Tempting offer”[/color] She would muse aloud, and it was, but she didn’t really know this ‘Dan’ She had heard a bit about him from the grumbling from people back at the shelter. Most people seemed annoyed with him, but she hadn't been affected by him so she didn’t really care.

[color=#652DC1]“For the moment I’ll have to decline, not very polite to just drop a Patron who I’m working for without finishing the job after all”[/color] Viva would add with a shrug [color=#652DC1]“I wouldn’t mind dropping by to visit this beach with you at some time, however.”[/color]

After Viva finished speaking, Edward (Rohnathan) returned to their tables, along with their steaks and ‘herbal medicines’. The scent alone was enough to perk her up, and if they tasted even half as good as they smelled, Hilaria would leave more than satisfied. [color=F65772]“Hilaria thinks Dan would love the company.”[/color] she said, but that was all she could manage before she turned all her attention to the steak.

Hilaria, tired of addressing things as ‘herbal medicine’ or ‘Purple K’, Hilaria set the weed to the side. Purple Kush would have to wait. The steak was the priority here, so she took her knife and set to cutting a piece off and devouring it. [color=F65772]“Mmm~!!!”[/color] it was just as great as she remembered. Most people find murder to be a horrible thing, but if people tasted as good, well, Hilaria might actually become the biggest threat to humanity. Thankfully, nobody was reading her mind right now. However, in a rare bout of self-control, she managed to pull away long enough to spy on how Viva was enjoying her food.

Similar to Hilaria, Viva had set aside the drugs in favor of the main reason she was here, the food. A steak as close to mooing as they could get away with selling. For unlike her table companion Viva did find people to taste as good as a well-cooked steak, and her choice was fulfilling her urge quite nicely. She was going to be lost within the bliss of food for a fair bit of time, but that wasn’t exactly a bad thing considering the present company.

As the two finished their steak, Hilaria squealed in delight as she normally did upon eating something fantastic. This was the only happiness afforded to her, after all, and she did not forget this one truth. But, that left only one thing left. What followed the steaks was the reason why this place was tucked away and hidden, and why everyone seemed so happy. But truth be told, something so lightweight as this wouldn’t have much of an effect on Hilaria. At least, normally it wouldn’t. 

But even if she kept her heart under lock and key, there was a small but notable truth to the world: Most things were better enjoyed when in the company of another.
 

[center][h1][color=CCBFFF]T[/color] [i]r i x y[/i]                 [color=red]S[/color] [i]a m[/i][/h1]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/1vUTjQG.png[/img]

[quote=Samantha Howard][color=red]"Trixy... remember the basics of CQC."[/color][/quote]
[quote=Trixy][color=CCBFFF]"Only if you turn off friendly fire!"[/color][/quote][/center]

And on another day...

Trixy was impressed with the Golden Trove. It was a little run down, but the inside was brimming with style. She could spend all day walking up and down the hallways. 

[i][color=ccBFFF]”Sam lives in absolute luxury! I wonder if I can get a room beside hers? Or maybe we can move into a bigger room together!”[/color][/i] Trixy’s marble white skin was turning red at the thought.

But she had to focus. Samantha had wanted to see her. Trixy had asked for more information but she wasn’t getting any. It wasn’t long ago that she had stepped into the ring with the Contender, so maybe Samantha had finally seen a youtube video of it. Maybe she prepared a special treat for Trixy. She could use some good food right now. It had been a whole hour since she ate something and one could only have so many apples. 

As she approached the door, she opened her phone to look at her wallpaper. The phone company had been able to recover the data from her old phone, so she still had that picture of Samantha in glasses to use as her wallpaper. 

She picked up her leg and pushed her foot into the upper corner of the door frame before knocking on the door.

[color=ccBFFF]”Honey, I’m home!”[/color]

The knob would turn as the door opened, revealing a normal Schatten. It beckoned her to come in with a hand before shutting the door behind her and bowing and then melting back into a normal shadow that snaked along the ground until it reached the bed. Sitting cross-legged at the end of the said bed was obviously Silhouette, who was facing the wall just to the side of where the door was, where there was a dresser with a TV on it. She did not turn her head, only moving her eyes to look at the girl, with an unamused expression. [color=red]“Come in,”[/color] she said. [color=red]“And I’d appreciate it if you didn’t take a husband in a 50’s sitcom tone with me.”[/color] Samantha patted a spot on the bed next to her and urged her to sit down.

[color=ccBFFF]"It’s also a 1999 song by Shania Twain.”[/color] Trixy chuckled at her own joke. There was an odd feeling in the air. The atmosphere wasn’t what it had been the day she got her date. What was more disconcerting was that she couldn’t smell any cake. Trixy strode over to the bed and sat down on it, right beside the intense magical girl. [color=ccBFFF]"So, Sam.”[/color] Trixy wasn’t oblivious to the situation. She now realized Samantha had called her over because something was bothering her. It felt grave, something that jokes alone wouldn’t be able to fix. [color=ccBFFF]"Has something been bothering you? You seem a little on edge.”[/color] Trixy kicked her legs into the air.

Samantha quietly gave Trixy a look over that lasted a bit longer than necessary, as if looking for something on her. When she was done, she turned and faced the girl sitting next to her. [color=red]"That would be because I am,"[/color] she replied. Her gaze slowly shifted from Trixy and onto the screen of the TV, which was currently turned off. There, as if contemplating something, she stared for a long few seconds. Finally, with a sigh, she turned back to Trixy with a stern expression. [color=red]"We need to talk about something,"[/color] she said. [color=red]"It's about you..."[/color] there was a short delay. [color=red]"...and me."[/color]

Trixy’s legs stopped swinging. [color=ccBFFF]”Oh, okay.”[/color] She looked away from Silhouette. Her energy was completely different from before. It was hard to believe this was the same girl who was on her phone’s wallpaper. Trixy felt like she was being judged, but had no idea what she had done wrong. This was no time to smile. She dragged her hand over her face before looking back at Silhouette. [color=ccBFFF]”Alright, I’m listening.”[/color] She patted Silhouette’s thigh. [color=ccBFFF]”You can talk to me, Sam.”[/color]

Her eyes lingered on Trixy momentarily before she returned to face the TV. She raised a hand, which held a remote, and pressed the power button. As the television powered on, Trixy would see that at the center of the screen was a man on fire, a face she would undoubtedly recognize as the man she fought recently. [color=red]"I was there,"[/color] she spoke. [color=red]"I witnessed every moment of it. Each time you two clashed... each movement, each thrown punch or kick, each grapple... I allowed none of it to hide."[/color] as she spoke, a highlight reel of the fight was playing, showing the parts people enjoyed the most, usually in slowed speed. 

She abruptly stood up, and then, without turning her body, looked at Trixy. [color=red]"Why didn't you tell me?"[/color] she asked. 

Trixy remained seated. The moment was strangely bittersweet. [color=ccBFFF]”I didn’t want to hide it from you!”[/color] She wore a nervous smile. [color=ccBFFF]”The timing was just wrong. I scheduled myself for the fight weeks ago and asked you out only the day before. I almost forgot about it myself until they phoned me up. I didn’t want to bother you.”[/color] She tapped her fingers together. [color=ccBFFF]”I uh, I’m glad you saw it though! I was thinking about you when I stepped into the ring with that guy.”[/color]

Samantha's expression quickly transformed. Its appearance was that of someone bewildered. [color=red]"What?"[/color] she tilted her head. Then, as if realizing something, she snapped back to normal. [color=red]"No, I'm not talking about the fight itself."[/color] Turning back to the TV, she raised the remote and pressed a button, the images sliding in reverse until it landed on her first attempt at a grapple. The screen showed Trixy taking a hook in response to her first grab attempt, and then the failed sweep. She then paused, the TV showing a frame right before Trixy took a punch from The Contender. 

Samantha yet again turned to Trixy. [color=red]"Pay attention to this!"[/color] she ordered. [color=red]"What was that?"[/color] she demanded an answer from the girl but didn't give her time to give one. [color=red]"Is rushing in blindly all you can do? That rash action could have cost you dearly had he been just a bit quicker."[/color] Sam seemed more frustrated than angry, though. [color=red]"Where'd you learn to fight?"[/color]

Trixy had watched a lot of fights. Sparring matches, live magical girl fights, and everything in between. Lots and lots of fights. But she hadn’t done much live sparing herself and had only been a magical girl for a few months now. Most of which she spent without Veronica or anyone who could offer her proper training. But even Trixy realized this sounded like an excuse, and likely wouldn’t appease Silhouette. 

[color=ccBFFF]”About that.”[/color] Trixy chuckled nervously. [color=ccBFFF]"Veronica implanted a bunch of techniques in my head with her magic. I haven’t really had a lot of time to practice them.”[/color] She shrugged. 

Samantha’s eyes narrowed. [color=red]“She what?”[/color] Her tone made a drastic shift as she went from irate to livid. [color=red]“You’re telling the truth? What you’re saying is the truth?”[/color] Sam was worked up harder than she’d been in some time. Maybe ever. [color=red]“Hold on,”[/color] she said, holding up a finger to shush Trixy as she looked off to the side. [color=red]“Veronica,”[/color] she mentally spoke to the vampire over the link. [color=red]“What’s this I’m hearing about Trixy being implanted with fighting techniques? Is this true?”[/color]


[i][color=#bd71e8]”You didn’t know? I forget sometimes that you weren’t part of Cradle from the beginning. But if she told you that, she isn’t lying.”[/color][/i] Veronica confirmed. [i][color=#bd71e8]"Most of the early Cradle members were just as much experiments as they were agents. I copied some techniques from one agent and bestowed it onto Trixy. I can’t say the results were favorable, but I do believe they helped her out some. Why, Is there a problem?”[/color][/i]

Trixy could hear the telepathic communication. She didn’t know if Silhouette had made a mistake, or if Veronica chose to let her hear, but it was making her uncomfortable. She refrained from joining in knowing that it would likely make things worse.

[color=red]"Yes, there most certainly is!"[/color] Samantha didn't even register Trixy's presence at this exact moment. [color=red]"They know of the techniques, but they don't seem to have been taught them! It's not enough!"[/color] Noticing her breathing had gotten a bit erratic, Sam took a moment to calm herself. After a few deep breaths, she continued. [color=red]"It's irresponsible to leave them like this. Who did you ‘teach’? I need names.”[/color] she asked.

[i][color=#bd71e8]”Trixy was the only one I’ve done this to.”[/color][/i] Veronica groaned. [i][color=#bd71e8]”She had some experience fighting before turning into a magical girl, I simply gave her tools to do more than flail at her opponents. Not unlike when I gave you a black coin. She is a strategist that does very well with a rifle at range. What I gave her was something to protect her if that fails.”[/color][/i] Now Veronica sounded like she was getting irritated. [i][color=#bd71e8] “Is this what I have to look forward to when I leave Penrose? Can you not function without me? As I’ve told you previously, she has to answer to you. Her managing Cradle operations does not change that. If you find her performance unsatisfactory, it is up to you to flush out any weakness she may have. Don’t waste my time with this drivel.”[/color][/i] 

Trixy Had started to crawl across the floor while Silhouette was distracted. The atmosphere was getting tense, and it was starting to upset her stomach.

[color=red]"What you 'gave' her was knowledge she can't make effective use of, and potentially confidence she shouldn't have,"[/color] Sil snapped. [color=red]"And this 'drivel' had the potential to get your substitute killed. It's a 'weakness' you introduced by a misguided attempt to bandage a shortcoming of hers."[/color] 

Samantha sighed. [color=red]"Whatever. As long as she's the only one, then it doesn't matter. I'll fix it.”[/color]

[i][color=#bd71e8] “You’d do well to.”[/color][/i] 

Samantha didn't say anything more to Veronica. 

Unfortunately for Trixy, a shadow snaked along the floor at an incredible pace and grew into a Schatten that blocked the door. [color=red]"Where do you think you're going?"[/color] Samantha's head made a slow, yet disturbing turn towards the girl, her eyes open wide.  

[color=ccBFFF]”Uhh.”[/color] Trixy turned to look at Silhouette. [color=ccBFFF]”I thought I saw a cockroach, so I was gunna try and eat it.”[/color] She stood up and dusted herself off. [color=ccBFFF]”B-But anyway, the crowd loved me out there, and I survived!”[/color] She grinned. [color=ccBFFF]”I’m not sure why you’re so upset.”[/color] She laughed. It sounded forced. It was forced. [color=ccBFFF]”I mean okay, a sniper going up against a boxer with her fists and her mouth probably isn’t the greatest idea, I knew that, but he’s been getting his butt kicked every year for the past 2 decades! I wouldn’t have gotten in the ring with him unless I knew I could win.”[/color] She put a hand on the back of her head. [color=ccBFFF]”Where’s Shade by the way? I think she might have something to say about this.”[/color]

Sil glared at Trixy, but it slowly relaxed into her neutral expression. [color=red]"I wasn't actually upset until I learned about Veronica's choice to do that to you,"[/color] she sighed. Samantha suddenly appeared behind Trixy, and then placed one hand on her shoulder. She didn't allow the girl to turn around and instead forced her to twist to one side and then the other as she inspected the girl. When she was done, Sil suddenly reappeared in front of Trixy. [color=red]"You seem to be fine, considering the fight,"[/color] she said. [color=red]"You did do extraordinarily well,"[/color] Samantha didn't seem to acknowledge the request for Shade, instead looking Trixy in the eye. [color=red]"Might not sound like it, but I'm impressed.”[/color]

Trixy’s heart skipped a beat. [color=ccBFFF]”R-really?”[/color] She let out a sigh. Her stomach settled. Maybe it was just because she was so nervous before, but she felt like she was on cloud 9 again. [color=ccBFFF]”Thanks. You seemed a little intense when I first came in here, heh, glad it was nothing.”[/color] She approached Samantha and placed her hands on her shoulders. [color=ccBFFF]”So uh, since I’m here, did you wanna do something?”[/color] She lifted one of her legs up and rested her heel on Samantha’s shoulder. [color=ccBFFF]”We could work on my Judo a bit, among other things.”[/color]

Samantha eyed her leg, offering the smallest of smiles. [color=red]"Sure,"[/color] she agreed. [color=red]"I invited you here because I wanted to work on you, after all."[/color]

A duplicate split off of her and stepped behind Samantha. “Dusty”copied Trixy and also placed a heel on Samantha’s shoulder. [color=CCBAAA]”What did you have in mind?”[/color] Dusty placed her hands on Samantha’s forearms and leaned forward. [color=CCBAAA]”There’s probably an abandoned gym we can tussle in.”[/color]

Trixy also leaned in. [color=ccBFFF]”Or did you want to continue going over the video?”[/color]

Silhouette looked at the twins and then nodded. [color=red]“We can find a place to ‘tussle’ in, I think the best way to get comfortable with this sort of thing is to practice.”[/color] she grabbed Dusty’s leg with her index finger and thumb and slowly moved it off of her. [color=red]“I’m proficient in Jiu-Jitsu, Krav Maga, and Tae Kwon Do, but I am not very familiar with Judo.”[/color] she smiled. [color=red]“So we can both learn whatever Veronica put in your head.”[/color] 

Dusty shrugged but gleefully smiled before merging with Trixy. Her eyes rolled into her head, and she stumbled backward, her foot sliding off of Samantha’s shoulder.  [color=ccBFFF]”Uguu!”[/color] Merging with her duplicates was always a disorientating experience. Not for any reason other than having their experiences and memories transferred over to her was always dizzying. But the disorientation was never long-lasting. With a shake of her head, everything was normal. [color=ccBFFF]”That’s a lot! I’m not sure I’ll have a lot to show you. I’m told the basics of most styles are pretty interchangeable. But I don’t mind being shown a few things.”[/color] Trixy slid her arm under hers and pointed towards the door. [color=ccBFFF]”Let’s be off!”[/color]

…
…
…
…

Samantha stood a back entrance to a Karate Dojo that had been vacant since the evacuation. She investigated the room to find nothing out of the norm. There were some mats to train on, gis laying in the corner, as well as some weapons, such as bos, sai, katana, nunchaku, and bokken. The bladed weapons were mounted on the wall, suggesting they did not see actual use. 

Where better to train? 

Sam had brought a few water bottles and a towel for herself. She was in her magical girl form, but once it seemed as though there was nobody there to interrupt them, she changed forms. At the moment, she was wearing a black gi. She turned to Trixy. [color=red]"Alright,"[/color] she began stretching her limbs. [color=red]"What do you feel most comfortable doing?"[/color]

Trixy banished her hammer space wardrobe. She was wearing a Hapkido. While similar to gi, the outfit was much heavier to handle rolling on the floor and resist tearing when students threw each other around. It was a common uniform for students of Judo and Jiu-jitsu. It was mostly white, with the Cradle’s crest embroidered on the back, shoulders, and the left side of her chest. 

She took a moment to stretch herself as well. [color=ccBFFF]”Well, I know Judo!”[/color]  she folded her leg around her back and over her shoulder. Almost all of Trixy’s limbs were double-jointed. She could probably pack herself in a suitcase if she really wanted to. [color=ccBFFF]”Everything else is self taught. So I guess I feel best grappling.”[/color] She rolled her neck around. It cracked a few times before she shook out her shoulders. [color=ccBFFF]”Though I’ve got lightning fast strikes too. They just don’t hit with the same power as other girls.”[/color] She curled her arms around themselves like a corkscrew. [color=ccBFFF]”Unless you’re talking about a specific technique, in which case I’m going to say any of the basic throws.”[/color] Once she was done, she passed a quick glance over Samantha. It was a real shame they didn’t get uniforms for everyone, they would look a lot cuter in a gi.

[color=red]“Then we’ll work on your striking,”[/color] Samantha stated, taking her stance, facing straight at Trixy with raised hands, yet open palms, slightly-bent knees, and a tucked chin. [color=red]“The absolute most basic thing about any martial art would be learning its stance,”[/color] she explained. [color=red]“It is from a stance that you can unleash each and every attack with full effectiveness, ignoring outside factors. Though I imagine you already know the stances associated with Judo, I’d like you to mimic me.”[/color]

There were only so many ethical ways to position the body for a fight. The stance Samantha used looked common, with the feet spread apart just enough to give some stability while giving the fighter access to a multitude of different strikes. The most unique thing about it was the open hands, and that her feet were spread apart a bit further than they would be in Judo. It didn’t take Trixy more than a moment to mimic Samantha. [color=ccBFFF]”All right. So is this Krav Maga, or Tae Kwon Do we’re doing right now?”[/color]

[color=red]“We’ll start with your hands first. This would be Krav Maga’s fighting stance,”[/color] she confirmed. [color=red]“You want to take a wide stance like this because unlike, say, Boxing, you need to be ready to throw and defend against any sort of strike. With this stance, we can more easily string together punches and kicks from each side, while intercepting our opponent’s own attacks,”[/color] Samantha threw out three quick jabs into the air with her left hand. [color=red]“Fast strikes are good for keeping an opponent at distance, for testing their reaction speed, and changing things up,”[/color] she said. [color=red]“But ultimately, they’re best used as a supplement, not your main form of offense,”[/color] she threw out a hook with her right hand. [color=red]“You’ll want something with a bit more ‘oomph’, like a straight or a hook, if you’re looking for damage.”[/color] Samantha looked at Trixy. [color=red]“Throw a few my way. If you can throw those decently enough, we can practice my preferred strike.”[/color]

The basics that Samantha was covering weren’t new to Trixy. Even if most of her training pertained to Judo, it was important to know about different types of strikes. When in stance, one side of your body was always closer to the opponent. This was the leading side, which could deliver faster strikes. The side that was further back was slower but gave a combatant’s limbs more room to extend and build up power. This is why leading hand jabs were faster but never as strong as hooks and straights coming from the other side. 

[color=ccBFFF]”Sure thing!”[/color]

Trixy hopped closer to Samantha and threw a jab at her chest. Like her instructor stated, this was just to test her reaction speed. The rest of the combination would come out afterward.

Samantha made minimal movement, her left hand catching the jab as it neared and directing it away from her in a single motion. As the straight came, she took a more proactive approach to deflect it, and then weaved out of the way of Trixy's first hook. As the final hook came, Samantha's arm reached out to meet it, stopping it in its tracks and in that instant, Samantha's free hand snapped out into a straight to her gut, followed by a heavy strike to Trixy's jaw with the palm of her hand, strong enough to force her to stumble back. 

Samantha took a step back. [color=red]"You did well.”[/color]

Trixy’s jaw had been dislocated by the blow. Perhaps there was a downside to being so flexible. She grabbed her head with both hands and straightened herself out. [color=ccBFFF]”Just remember, you might end up kissing this face down the road.”[/color] She said with a humph. [color=ccBFFF]”Alright, let’s try this again!”[/color] She lunged forward again, this time leading with a straight. She wouldn’t be afraid to use her elbows this time. Dirty tactics, but it seemed like her instructor threw out the rule book anyway.

Like earlier, Samantha parried the straight out of the way and weaved through the hook that followed. Only this time, Trixy threw out something Sam wasn’t expecting her to. She was in no position to move out of the way of the vertical elbow her ‘pupil’ had thrown, so she suffered a blow that snapped her head up, and she stumbled a step back. 

As her head came back down, she rubbed her chin. [color=red]“...doesn’t seem like you need instruction on elbows,”[/color] she smiled. [color=red]“But that’s good. Being unpredictable will let you get through anyone’s defense,”[/color]  she took up a stance again, only this time her hands were closed and her right foot was further back. [color=red]“Allow me to demonstrate, and I’ll teach you some kicks, as well…”[/color]

…
…
…
…

It had been a few hours since they started, and by now Samantha had gotten a feel for what Trixy was capable of, and what she needed to work on. Since she was not wholly incompetent and could throw standard punches, Sam gave her a few advanced strikes to work on, such as a hammer fist to supplement her moveset in a grapple, a spinning crescent kick to keep opponents on their toes (and totally not because it looked cool or anything), and a spinning back fist. Unfortunately, Samantha’s idea of introducing these techniques involved implementing them into their sparring without prior notice. Trixy suffered because of this, and by now, she was certainly ‘feeling the burn’, and in multiple places too. 

Sam took a drink from her water bottle, looking mostly unfazed. [color=red]“How are you feeling?”[/color] Samantha asked as if it weren’t already apparent.

Normally Trixy had no difficulty keeping her cheerful smile up. Even when receiving a beating from an opponent. But that was not the case today. Samantha and her were on the same side. They were going to go on a date in a few days. She had listened to Samantha tell Veronica that she could get hurt without proper training. If that was the case, this was not proper training. Trixy was in too much pain to be angry though. She just felt tired and a little sad.

 [color=ccBFFF]”I look the way I feel, Samantha.”[/color]

She was hunched over, one hand on her [i]probably[/i] dislocated shoulder. There were a few bruises on her face, but most of the damage was under her outfit. She felt tender all over. [color=ccBFFF]”By the way, I’m not an instructor, and I don’t mean to sound ungrateful.”[/color] She dragged herself over to a bench. [color=ccBFFF]”But if you cripple half of my body? I can’t train with it.”[/color] 

[color=red]“Toughen up,”[/color] Sam said. [color=red]“It’s just that I’m trying to teach you techniques you can use in an actual fight. And I want you to be able to use them with the intent to permanently put down your opponent if need be.”[/color] She explained.

Trixy bit her lower lip. [i][color=ccBFFF]”Permanently, huh?”[/color][/i] She thought to herself. But she didn’t have the energy to argue with Samantha right now.

Silhouette looked down. [color=red]“If a few bruises is what it takes to make sure you can defend yourself from people trying to kill you, then that’s how I feel I should teach. I.. don’t want you to die.”[/color]

Trixy’s teeth chattered. [color=ccBFFF]”I heard you over coms. I know what you’re trying to do.”[/color] She hauled herself over to a bench and sat on it. Practically dropping her butt onto it. [color=ccBFFF]”What happened with the Contender won’t happen again. Not unless I get a lot better. If he was more than a boxer, I wouldn’t be here right now.”[/color] She placed her hands together, they were trembling. [color=ccBFFF]”I’m going to transform, that’s okay right?”[/color]

[color=red]"You heard...?"[/color] Samantha looked up to Trixy. Well, she was arguing with Veronica in the same room so it's not like it mattered. She grabbed her drink and placed the bottle of water to her lips and took a nice swig. Now that she thought about it, had she ever fought with Veronica like that? That sort of argument wasn't common, at least. 

Having caught Trixy's request, Samantha nodded. [color=red]"I don't see why not. I think we've done enough today.”[/color]

Trixy closed her eyes and uttered her incantation. As she sounded out each part, her body started to glow. One by one, her outfit assembled itself over her form.

[color=ccBFFF]”P-E-N-R-O-S-E…

M-I-D-D-L-E… 

S-C-H-O-O-L… 

Let's roll…"[/color]

Her chant was lower energy than what she typically used. Pain had that effect on her. Once her transformation was complete. Trixy took an entire water bottle and chucked it into her mouth, swallowing it in one gulp. [color=ccBFFF]”Ahhh!”[/color] A banana appeared in her hand. She peeled the skin about halfway down before chucking the entire thing into her mouth. [color=ccBFFF]”That’s already starting to feel better.”[/color] Trixy reclined against the wall. Eating was important to activate her regenerative abilities, but eating tasty food also did a lot to improve her mood. She extended her arms, and a grape fine bridged them together. It wasn’t long before the vine started to bear grapes. She could hardly contain herself and started to eat them as soon as they appeared.

[color=ccBFFF]”The rave isn’t too far away now.”[/color] Trixy plucked a grape off the vine and offered it to Silhouette. [color=ccBFFF]”Are you excited?.”[/color]

Samantha took the grape and plopped it in her mouth. [color=red]"Anxious,"[/color] she said. [color=red]"I fully expect something completely dumb and dangerous to happen there. An attack of some sort, or maybe some pointless conflict,"[/color] she sighed. [color=red]"And parties and dates aren't something I'm accustomed to, so I don't know about that..."[/color]

Trixy smiled. It was nice to see that even Samantha had a vulnerable side. There was the time she was betrayed by her double, but this felt different. [color=ccBFFF]”We won’t be able to get too comfortable, that’s for sure.”[/color] Trixy was about to shove another grape in her mouth, but instead layed her arm across her lap. [color=ccBFFF]”I’m not as crazy about it as I was at first either.”[/color] She brushed her hair back. [color=ccBFFF]”I never thought I’d have a date for it. Figured there'll be plenty of people at the party to hook up with. But after I spoke with you, and then Veronica being all doom and gloom about the whole thing.”[/color] She chuckled, but grabbed her side afterward. Still seemed like she was a little sore. [color=ccBFFF]”We’ll have to do a real one after the rave. Kinda hard to be an operative and be casual at the same time.”[/color]

[color=red]"I don't mean to dampen your experience or expectations,"[/color] Samantha finished off her water bottle and then set it down next to her. [color=red]"Looking forward to and enjoying a party should only be natural. That is the point of one, yes?"[/color] she said. [color=red]"I even envy that eagerness, to an extent. But I can only see and expect the worst to come, probably because of what I used to be,"[/color] she wasn't looking in any particular place as she said this. Perhaps trying to elevate the atmosphere then shrugged. [color=red]"But who knows? Maybe things'll go swell there. And if not, I suppose we just try again. I wouldn't exactly be averse to doing something another day."[/color]

[color=ccBFFF]”I fully plan to [i]try[/i] and enjoy myself.”[/color] She flicked the grape into her mouth. [color=ccBFFF]”But a little caution isn’t bad. That’s what you’re trying to instill in me, right?”[/color] Trixy leaned her head on Samantha’s shoulder. [color=ccBFFF]”Let me just say this. If someone tries to hurt you, I’m gunna hammer fist them and pull them into a suplex before biting their legs off. Barring that, I’ll shoot ‘em.”[/color] Another grape appeared in her hand, which she slowly guided towards Samantha’s mouth. [color=ccBFFF]"Otherwise I’ll tear up the dance floor with my break dancing.”[/color]

[color=red]"Just enough to keep you from being too lost when things go south. But being close to paranoid is my job,"[/color] she joked. Samantha eyed the grape Trixy was trying to serve her with a confused look, apparently not understanding her intention. [color=red]"Uh?"[/color]

[color=ccBFFF]”Zooooooom!”[/color] The grape
moved closer to Samantha’s lips. [color=ccBFFF]”Here comes the airplane!”[/color] She covered her mouth with her other hand and breathed into it to create static. [color=ccBFFF]”This is Trixy air, Ground control, please clear the runway.”[/color]

Samantha only seemed more confused. [color=red]"That's not a plane. That's a grape,"[/color] her expression then twisted to worry. Had something broke in her?

That was exactly what Trixy was thinking when Samantha acted so. She fret her brow. [color=ccBFFF]”That’s right, and you’re supposed to eat it!”[/color] She plunged the berry past Samantha’s lips.

While the grape did indeed taste good, Samantha found it strange Trixy thought she needed to be fed. Trixy was the one that was in pain, wasn't she? Chewing the grape and then swallowing, she raised a concern. [color=red]"Then why did you call it a..."[/color] It suddenly dawned on her that this was some kind of display of affection or something of that nature, probably. [color=red]"...well, anyway... um, thanks...?"[/color] she might've returned the action had she a grape to do so with, but that wasn't the case.

Trixy smacked her own face. As she sat upright, it came to her. Sam’s unusually brutal training, her inability to enjoy things like parties and dating, how awkward she was in certain social situations. Why this woman didn’t know how to love! Trixy was mortified by the thought. She found it hard to look at Samantha with anything but a wide-eyed expression. This would not do.

[color=ccBFFF]”Sam.”[/color] Trixy folded her hands in her lap. [color=ccBFFF]"I’m your first, aren’t I?”[/color] Samantha looked away and remained silent in response. 

Trixy sighed. This was going to be hard. But it would also be a lot of fun. Samantha must have felt this way when she decided to train her. [color=ccBFFF]"Your romance game needs a little more pep.”[/color] She cracked her knuckles. [color=ccBFFF]"But first, tell me this: What do you feel most comfortable doing?”[/color]

What did she feel most comfortable with? Was Trixy the one tutoring now? Well, in this matter she could certainly use a teacher. [color=red]“...Training?”[/color] Samantha spoke. [color=red]“And drinking coffee, I suppose. Oh, and--”[/color] she suddenly cut herself off. She was terrible when it came to romance, but even she could see that speaking about her ability to kill someone was not something Trixy wanted to hear about. [color=red]“...that’s all, I think. Probably not too romantic, I know.”[/color]

As easy as it would have been to turn coffee drinking into an innuendo, she wasn’t sure if Samantha would get it or appreciate the humor. That didn’t stop her from smiling about it.  She opened her hand, and a single coffee bean rested in the center of her palm. [color=ccBFFF]"Let’s start with coffee, then.”[/color] 

Some coffee would’ve really hit the spot right now, Sam thought. She eyed the coffee bean and then paused. The student had, in a way, become the master. Their roles had definitely been swapped. And though they wouldn’t be training in the same way they had, Samantha worried about something:

Trixy would take it easy on her, right?