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Connie and Mia continued to make their way through the crowded rave. The flashing lights and loud music, not to mention the sheer number of people, might have been a bit overwhelming for Connie, but having Mia by her side definitely helped. She also knew that she had to endure such things if she ever wanted to conquer her fears and become stronger. As it happened, she received some unexpected assistance with that in the form of a fiery blast of mystical energy. Instead of burning her and Gaia, it embraced both magical girls with a warm aura of comfort and contentment.
 
[color=DarkOrchid]“Oh! Wow… umm… T-Thank you!”[/color] Connie called to their unknown benefactor, but her words were unsurprisingly drowned out by the pounding music of the rave.

Suddenly, someone crashed into her from behind. Giving voice to a sharp gasp, Connie whirled around to find that it was a highly animated girl with green hair. In what seemed like little more than two seconds, the girl hastily apologised, introduced herself as Lily, and complemented Connie on her...[i]mask[/i].

[color=DarkOrchid]"Ah! Uh, t-that's o-okay,"[/color] Connie replied shakily, while doing her best to ignore Lily's mention of the "M-Word".[color=DarkOrchid]"I-I'm C-Connie, a-and this is my b-best f-friend, Mia. I-It's, umm, n-nice to m-meet y-you, L-Lily..."[/color]

[color=SpringGreen]"Likewise,"[/color] Connie's companion said with an elegant curtsy. [color=SpringGreen]"You may call me Gaia, Daughter of Mother Earth. Or simply Gaia, for short,"[/color] she added with a smile. [color=SpringGreen]"You must forgive my dearest Connie's nervousness."[/color]Gaia added as she gently placed her hands atop her friend's trembling shoulders. [color=SpringGreen]"She is very shy and is completely unaccustomed to crowded places such as this."[/color]

[color=fff200]”Hi to you too, Gaia!”[/color]
Lily answered in exuberant fashion, her cheeks red from the earlier mishap. Her mouth rounded into a look of realization.
[color=fff200]”Oh, that explains it! I totally understand how you feel, Connie!”[/color]
Though she had sat down, her knees still bounced excitedly.
[color=fff200]”Before I became a magical girl, I was a complete mess. I felt anxious in social situations, didn't know what to say, gosh, I think I even had trouble voicing my own opinions. It’s a lot better now, but sometimes I do lapse back into that awkwardness. So, uh, if I blurt out something weird, please don’t mind it, tee hee~”[/color]
She decided to ask for a fruit blend from the bartender near them.
[color=fff200]”Anyway, I found the best cure for shyness was to really mix it up and change your way of thinking. Instead of wondering what someone might think of, just ask them! And if you can’t follow up on a conversation, just ask about it! You’d be surprised how many people like to explain about the things that interest them!”[/color] It became quickly apparent to the two that once Lily began speaking, it was hard to stop. Fortunately she realized this herself, and sipped on the blended juice.
[color=fff200]”Whoops, I got a bit taken away. How are you two doing? Are you from Penrose, or did you come from somewhere else?”[/color]

[color=DarkOrchid]“W-We’re b-both from Penrose, b-but, I j-just became a m-magical girl a s-short time ago,”[/color] Connie told her hesitantly.

[color=SpringGreen]“I have been serving Mother Earth for quite a while,”[/color] Gaia explained, while gently massaging Connie’s shoulders in an attempt to help her friend relax. [color=SpringGreen]“But my tasks often take me far from Penrose, so I am not very familiar with the magical community here.”[/color]

Lily nodded, biting the corner of her lip.
[color=fff200]”So you were here when Penrose got worse, with no idea why…That must have been hard on you.”[/color] 
She gently took Connie’s hand, placing her palm on it.
[color=fff200]”But basically, there’s now two groups of Beacon here; there’s the local girls, who have started to treat people better, and then there’s the meanies. They call themselves Ascendancy, but the only thing ascendant about them is how massive jerks they are, threatening others and stuff.”[/color]
She sighed.
[color=fff200]”One of my friends with the local Beacon is trying so hard to reach out to girls just like you, but those bullies keep ruining it. I told her that she should run some public events or something, but it’s hard. Connie, what would you like to see an organization like Beacon do? Maybe some AMA’s? Or some training courses?”[/color] She asked, genuinely curious to hear a newbie magical girl’s opinion.

[color=DarkOrchid]“U-Umm… I d-don’t r-really know…”[/color] Connie replied, somewhat unsure of what the other girl was talking about. [color=DarkOrchid]“I-I’ve never heard of B-Beacon b-before… B-But training w-would probably be nice... S-So far, I’ve only t-trained with Mia, a-and also L-Lotus and Faith, s-so it might be n-nice to get help f-from others, too.”[/color]

[color=SpringGreen]“We live at a fair remove from Penrose proper,”[/color] Gaia explained, [color=SpringGreen]“so we were fortunate to not be considerably affected by the recent disasters. While I am not particularly familiar with Beacon, I have heard of them, and their sometimes fanatical behaviour is rather worrisome. While my dearest Connie may look the part, she is not a dark magical girl, and I am concerned that Beacon might jump to the wrong conclusions if they were to encounter her before they could be informed of such.”[/color] 

Lily nodded enthusiastically, and took another sip. 
[color=fff200]"Yeah, there you go. Some basic braining's a good start! The Ascendancy’s likely going to shoot first and ask questions later. That's why you gotta learn to protect yourself. How about we spar together some time? I can give you tips on how to fight and stuff."[/color]

[color=DarkOrchid]“O-Oh, um, sure!”[/color] Connie replied, more than a little unnerved by Lily’s thoughts on this “Ascendancy” group, but still happy that the other girl was willing to help her. [color=DarkOrchid]“H-Here, I’ll g-give you my number,”[/color] she added, while her still slightly trembling hands retrieved her phone from the voluminous folds of her robe.

Lily squeed upon seeing connie’s phone.
[color=fff200]"Oh gosh, your phone’s so pretty! Let me show you mine!”[/color]
She enthusiastically brought out hers; Connie would see that it was accessorized to weight triple it’s normal weight, with stickers and glitter covering the case, and heavy keychains hanging from a corner; they depicted cute anime characters like Sailor Moon among others.
[color=fff200]"Ok, now here’s my number...And done! By the way, have you ever thought about accessorizing your phone? I think if you put a red heart sticker right here, it would cutify by a million percent!”[/color] She stated, pointing a finger at the phone.
[color=fff200]"Or maybe you’d like something like a cute little bat sticker? The shop I frequent still has Halloween stickers on sale, so we could go there together? Would that sound fun?”[/color]

[color=DarkOrchid]“Oh, wow! T-Thank you! ”[/color] Connie exclaimed upon hearing Lily complement her phone, before gasping as the other girl pulled out her own. [color=DarkOrchid]“B-But it’s n-nothing compared to yours! It’s got so much adorable stuff on it! Oh, a heart sticker?”[/color] she asked after hearing the other girl’s suggestion. [color=DarkOrchid]“Y-Yeah! T-That’s a great idea! Thank you!”[/color] she gushed, her mask displaying an adorably joyful expression. [color=DarkOrchid]“A-And I’d love to go shopping with you! I-I’ve never had anyone t-to shop with b-before, s-since Mia’s my o-only friend, and she hates d-doing stuff like that, s-so this will be so much fun! B-But, I’d, um, r-rather not get a-any b-bat stickers, though…T-They k-kinda s-scare me…”[/color] 

[color=fff200]"Oh, that’s fine, don’t worry about it!”[/color] Lily scrambled a quick response.
[color=fff200]"I also prefer cute stuff over the scary stuff. I just thought...You know...”[/color]
She bit her lip, having realized she made an assumption based on her appearance.
[color=fff200]"I-I’m sorry. I went a bit too fast with all these plans, heh.“[/color]

[color=DarkOrchid]“T-That’s okay!”[/color] Connie hastened to reassure the other girl. [color=DarkOrchid]“I-I’m just glad s-such a nice person like y-you bumped into me. A-After all, I d-did kinda come here to m-make s-some new friends.”[/color] she added, her mask displaying a kind smile.

[color=fff200]"That's great, because I want to make friends here too,"[/color] Lily replied happily. 
[color=fff200]"So let's be friends!"[/color] She noticed that an android-like girl was looking in their direction. She stood up with an energetic hop. 
[color=fff200]"I'm gonna go back and dance some more. Wanna join me?"[/color] She asked.

[color=DarkOrchid]“Oh, um, t-thanks for the o-offer, but, um, I’m r-really terrible at d-dancing... A-And, uh, M-Mia said she w-wanted to explore s-some of the r-rooms down that h-hallway,”[/color] Connie told her. [color=DarkOrchid]“I-It was v-very nice meeting you,”[/color] Connie added. [color=DarkOrchid]“M-Maybe we’ll r-run into each other l-later on!”[/color]

[color=fff200]“Okay then! See you later, Connie and Mia!”[/color] Lily waved, and went back to the dance floor with abundant life; she bumped her behind with Helga’s as she shook her stuff, followed by breakdancing on the floor and spinning like a Beyblade top.
[color=fff200]“WAHHOOO!”[/color]

[hr]
[color=662d91]“Hm?”[/color]
Justine turned with a pout to Shane; she then smiled, her peeking fangs reflecting the strobe lights of the rave.
[color=662d91]”Oh, aren’t you a precious little boy. I suppose I made a lasting impression since last time...”[/color] She reached out to caress Shane’s face; one of her claws drew blood on his skin.
[color=662d91]“Are you among them, then? Does my visage make your heart tremble? Does my countenance shake you to your very core?”[/color]
She giggled.
[color=662d91]“But don’t worry, I won’t be staying long. I’m just here to take care of some unfinished...business...”[/color]
Justine had glanced toward the side, when her crimson eyes sharpened upon a single girl...Or rather, a lump of slime masquerading as one.
[color=662d91]“Well now, what have we here...”[/color] She began walking slowly toward Eli with a refined style, a wicked smile on her lips.
[color=662d91]“If it isn’t Mariette Pedersen’s disgusting little lackey. If you’re here...She must be close.”[/color]


[hr]
Cindy gave the restrained giggle of a noble lady as Reaver continued using honeyed words and Ronin amused her with her antics, and took more sips of her battery acid. “My, you’re a charmer~” She spoke, only to lift her electric arcs serving as eyebrows when Reaver requested his drink. “Excuse me, but...Are you sure, young man? This drink is not meant for the average person.”
However, her curiosity took the best of her, and her gaze stayed on Reaver’s expression, carefully watching to see if he dared to go through with his foolishly-seeming act, oblivious to the missed phone call.

“Wait, surely you jest. Please don-Ah!”
She put a hand to her mouth as the acid was downed, shocked in ways more than one.
To her amazement, he had survived, and she clapped..
“Bravo, bravo! You have veritably shown to possess great vitality and endurance. Ronin, be a dear and fetch ser Reaver a handkerchief.”
She downed her glass of acid, and had developed a yellow tinge to her cheeks. “Ah, such a valiant man...” Cindy then began on another glass. “It has been ages since I have met one capable of enduring such hazards...I would like to see how far your regenerative magic stretches…” She reached out to touch his face, causing another small jolt. Her eyes had a subtle static in them, like television screens with interference; it was a look of desire. “In my private room hm hm~”

At that moment, Goblina stepped into the room. She had a small entourage of corrupted girls including a lamia monster girl, a magical girl with their face hidden under a heavy black cloak, a dark magical girl with a mohawk and studded leather gloves, and a centaur monster girl. “Your highness, we got trouble and we need your-Oh!”
She observed the scene, and blushed a bit. “Erm, I hope we didn’t interrupt anything, Queen Cindy.”
Cindy’s eye twitched, and her form rumbled for a brief moment. “This better be an issue of royal ramifications,” she responded with an annoyed tone. Goblina nodded, and stepped back towards the doorway, looking embarrassed that she had walked in. “Well, you see, one of our guards had reported seeing suspicious activity on the east exit, and-”
Suddenly, the hooded person brandished a dagger, and rushed towards Cindy. “Die, monster!”
She screamed, but the dark magical girl with the mohawk punched them in the back of the head, knocking them right out.

“An assassin!” Goblina screamed. “Jane, bring her in for interrogation!” She ordered, and the mohawk girl saluted. She was about to pick her up when Goblina stopped her. “Wait, let’s see who it is first...” She lifted the hood; she looked like a normal magical girl, brown hair in a ponytail. “Wait, could this be... ” She rolled up the sleeve on her cloak; everyone saw the Beacon insignia she was wearing. “Beacon!” Goblina growled, and next patted her down. 

She found her phone, and opened it up; there were a bunch of messages made just a couple of hours ago. “All of them had come from a single sender: Cardinal Ishtar,” Goblina explained, showing the message logs to Cindy and the others while she offhandedly signalled for mohawk girl to carry the assassin to the back room; she saluted, and without another word disappeared beyond the corner, carrying the assailant. “She was planted in the party with the intent of killing you, and to return back to her boss at Penrose Park.” Cindy was seething.
“Those villains! But does this mean Isthar is at the park?” Cindy asked. Goblina looked unsure.
“I guess. Should we gather our forces and go there?”

Cindy shook her head. “No. That would only cause a panic, and ruin the morale-boosting event. I will personally go see her with Ronin using a secret passage; while the Beacon is distracted by the party, we can slip out without detection. It’s an opportunity to catch them unawares...” Her hands crackled with electric energy, her smile wide. “I will personally execute her for her treachery. Ser Reaver, I shall grant unto you a quest; join me in bringing Ishtar to justice, and I shall reward ye with the title of knight. Will you accept?”

[hr]
“Got it”, Leena and FanFan both replied. They used their Disguise Artifacts given by Sylvia and transformed into party attire to better blend in. FanFan wore a punky black and red tutu-dress like something Harley Quinn wore in the Arkham series, and had every imaginable type of piercing visible on her body including multiple earrings, a belly piercing, and a nose ring. Her back arms had taken the look of a set of metallic skeleton wings. Leena dressed in an oversized ripped white t-shirt with ink splotches, a cap with “GET REKT” written on it, a pair of khaki booty shorts, and a bandana covering her mouth with a shark mouth insignia, resembling a certain K-pop star. FanFan quickly detached from Alicia to talk with others, while Leena stayed relatively safe, having simply taken a drink and sipping on it while keeping company to Alicia. But then, Trixy happened to speak up, and Leena flipped her brim up. "Oh, thanks. You don't look too bad yourself," she answered with a monotone, almost bored voice. FanFan also came over soon after, her metallic pieces making a jingling sound.
"Oh, this is just something I threw together last minute. You know how it is~" She answered in coquettish fashion, adding a little giggle afterwards. "Oh, I would love to dance. My favorite style is ballet," she spoke, lifting one leg high behind her. "I'm more about the hip-hop style," Leena said. "We're martial artists too. However, I have a feeling about half the people here are too, so I don't think it's that uncommon." FanFan's smile widened as Trixy showed off her flexibility. "Ah yes, you have the poise and form of a ballerina yourself."
She went over to the dance floor with a pirouette, followed by an uplifted jump. "Come, show me your moves!"
She challenged the eyepatch girl. "There can only be one swan princess!" Leena chuckled, taking a sip of her drink, followed by nudging Alicia's shoulder. "Don't mind FanFan; she loves her classical stuff."

[hr]
“Affirmative” Rachel answered over comms to Robot Penny and Alicia, sounding irritated. “There’s an enormous magical signature blanketing the entire building; try to find the source for it. Penny, use the ventilation system with the drone; it should be small enough to pass through.” Rachel then held a hand forward, and a magic circle surrounded her; she began preparing a complex, powerful spell, using a long and complicated recital.

As she did this, she watched over to the distance, having adjusted her glasses. [i]Wait...What is that…?[/i]

She saw, far in the distance, two blurs speeding into the distance. It was a high-speed parkour chase, with Dorothy running and leaping with extreme agility, and pursued by Kimble who relied on her Wind magic to propel herself, her bottom half in a  miniature whirlwind. Sh used her sickle to launch slicing air projectiles, but Dorothy avoided each and every one, cutting cars and lamp posts in the process. Eventually the two reached the Penrose Gardens, a park separate from the Penrose Park. This park was unique in that the center of it had a sand court for playing various sports games, and was where Aurelio had waited for the two.
“Stop already, you rabbit monster!” Kimble screamed, and launched an air wave that curved like a boomerang, hitting Dorothy in her unlucky rabbit’s foot and causing her to trip on the park.
Kimble then pointed towards Aurelio. “Now, catch her!” She screamed, while she closed in from above with a sickle.