[center][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/16a8bf35-d965-4909-ac95-0db9781b733e.png [/img][/center]
  
After saying goodbye to Lily, Connie followed Gaia into a hallway branching off from the main dance hall. It was lined with doors to numerous smaller rooms, and it wasn’t long before Gaia decided to enter one of them. The room was filled with screens of various sizes, displaying games played on a variety of consoles, while other girls (and one or two boys) played on computers set up on several rows of long tables.
 
[color=SpringGreen]“How splendid! A game room!”[/color] Gaia noted eagerly. [color=SpringGreen]“And look, Connie,”[/color] she added, pointing to one of the larger screens. [color=SpringGreen]“They have [i]Plants vs. Zombies[/i]!”[/color]
 
Connie was a little surprised by her friend’s enthusiasm. She knew that Mia was an avid gamer, but she also knew that when her friend was in her magical girl form, her actions were greatly restricted, and Connie had always assumed that included playing video games.
 
[color=DarkOrchid]“Oh, uh, o-okay…”[/color] Connie said tentatively. [color=DarkOrchid]“But, um, doesn’t your Patron [i]hate[/i] video games? I mean, didn’t you tell me how angry she got about all those video game cartridges that were dumped in that one landfill?”[/color]
 
[color=SpringGreen]“Yes, that [i]is[/i] true, but Mother approves of [i]this[/i] game!”[/color] Gaia informed her excitedly. [color=SpringGreen]“It is all about the forces of life and renewal overcoming a dark tide of death and decay! And it has a co-op mode! Come, Connie! Let us lead the armies of nature to victory over the walking dead!”[/color]
 
Before she could say another word, Connie found herself being dragged over to the game in question, which just so happened to have two open seats. She really wasn’t much of a gamer, but Gaia really seemed to love this game, so Connie reluctantly sat down beside her nymph-like friend. After Gaia had explained the basics of the tower defense game, they began the first level, and Connie soon found that she was really enjoying herself. The game was fairly easy to learn, especially with her friend’s helpful advice, and the various plants were rather cute. Unfortunately, her enjoyment dimmed once they began the harder levels, and by the end of the tenth level, Connie was very stressed out.
 
[color=DarkOrchid]“U-Umm, Mia? C-Can we stop now? T-This is getting a little too intense for me…”[/color]
 
[color=SpringGreen]“Of course,”[/color] Gaia replied warmly. [color=SpringGreen]“I certainly wouldn’t want you to have a panic attack. How about you just relax and watch me play solo for a bit, okay?”[/color] the verdant magical girl suggested.
 
[color=DarkOrchid]“Umm, actually, I was thinking of getting a drink…”[/color]
 
[color=SpringGreen]“Oh, okay. I’ll accompany you, then.”[/color]
 
[color=DarkOrchid]“No, you can k-keep playing, Mia. I-I s-should p-probably do this on my own…”[/color]
 
[color=SpringGreen]“Are you sure?”[/color] Gaia asked, clearly concerned for her friend’s safety. [color=SpringGreen]“There are a lot of people between here and there. And you still seem a little shaken up…”[/color]
 
[color=DarkOrchid]“I know… B-But I have to do this if I want to overcome my fears! A-And also, Faith said her friends would look out for me in case anything bad happens.”[/color]
 
[color=SpringGreen]“All right… Well, good luck.”[/color] Gaia said with an encouraging smile. [color=SpringGreen]“I guess my little sister really [i]is[/i] growing up,”[/color] she added, placing her hands over her heart.
 
[color=DarkOrchid]“Thanks, Mia,”[/color] Connie replied softly, returning her friend’s smile with interest.

[hr]
 
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/gVxJlQQ.jpg[/img][/center]

Although the distance wasn’t exactly far, the trip was still an arduous one for someone like Connie, and after making her way to the bar at the back of the dance hall, she slumped over the counter with a relieved sigh.
 
[color=DarkOrchid]“I made it,”[/color] she exhaled happily.
 
[color=Crimson]“Goodness!”[/color] the [url=https://i.imgur.com/Pg1wm2z.jpg?1]girl[/url] next to her exclaimed. [color=Crimson]“Are you all right?”[/color]
 
[color=DarkOrchid]“Y-Yeah… I’m just not really all that good with crowds… And loud noises… And dancing…”[/color]
 
[color=Crimson]“Then whatever are you doing in a place like [i]this[/i]?”[/color] she asked, clearly perplexed.
 
[color=DarkOrchid]“T-Trying to get better with them,”[/color] Connie replied with a nervous giggle as she turned to face the other girl. [color=DarkOrchid]“Oh! Y-You’re that knight lady I saw earlier! Y-You look very pretty…”[/color] she added hesitantly, while looking down at the counter.
 
[color=Crimson]“Why, thank you,”[/color] the other girl said with a smile. [color=Crimson]“That is very kind of you to say. I am known as Magical Knight Scarlet Valor, but you may call me Scarlet for short.”[/color]
 
[color=DarkOrchid]“I-It’s v-very nice to m-meet you, Scarlet,”[/color] Connie said, while she nervously twirled her hair around her finger. [color=DarkOrchid]“M-My n-name’s Connie, b-by the way...”[/color]
 
[color=Crimson]“It is my pleasure to meet you as well, Connie,”[/color] Scarlet replied warmly, while giving an elegant curtsy. [color=Crimson]“And I am most impressed by your desire to conquer your weaknesses. Not many have such courage and dedication.”[/color]
 
[color=DarkOrchid]“Oh, I-I’m n-not r-really [i]that[/i] courageous…”[/color] Connie replied, a blush forming on the cheeks of her mask at the compliment. [color=DarkOrchid]“But, umm… T-Thank you for s-saying that… Y-You’re really nice…”[/color]
 
[color=Crimson]“I merely spoke the truth. You should have more confidence in yourself.”[/color]
 
[color=DarkOrchid]“I-I’ll t-try to…”[/color]
 
Scarlet giggled. [color=Crimson]“So, are you here alone, or did you come with some friends?”[/color]
 
[color=DarkOrchid]“W-Well, my best friend, Mia, is in the game room, and s-some of my other friends are around here s-somewhere, but I d-don’t see them at the moment.”[/color]
 
[color=Crimson]“How wonderful! It is good to have friends to enjoy such activities with. I am actually here to keep an eye on one of [i]my[/i] comrades in arms. She absolutely [i]loves[/i] dancing, so she desperately wanted to come here, but she can get a bit… carried away sometimes. In fact, that’s [url=https://i.imgur.com/mMnHvgP.png]her[/url] over yonder.”[/color]
 
[color=DarkOrchid]“Oh, wow… She’s r-really good… I w-wish I was better at dancing,”[/color] Connie added glumly. [color=DarkOrchid]“I-I’m just so clumsy…”[/color]
 
[color=DarkGoldenrod]“It’s really nothing special,”[/color] a [url=https://i.imgur.com/4CkXlNG.png]tall, somber girl[/url] on the other side of Scarlet noted in a tone of complete disinterest. [color=DarkGoldenrod]“The ability to move your body to music, if one can even call [i]this[/i] music, has absolutely zero bearing on your value as a magical girl.”[/color]
 
[color=DarkOrchid]“Oh…!”[/color] Connie exclaimed, only just now noticing the somewhat imposing girl’s presence. [color=DarkOrchid]“I, uh, I guess you’re right…”[/color]
 
[color=DarkGoldenrod]“I am,”[/color] she said with a scowl. [color=DarkGoldenrod]“If not for the fact that this ‘rave’ provides the potential opportunity to cross blades with the elitist zealots of Beacon, I would have never even considered setting foot in such a disgusting pit,”[/color] she added, casting a disdainful glare at the utterly intoxicated redhead bawling her eyes out a few seats down the bar.
 
[color=DarkOrchid]“B-Beacon?”[/color] Connie asked nervously, remembering what Lily had said about the organization. [color=DarkOrchid]“Y-You t-think [i]they’re[/i] g-going to b-be here? A-Are they g-going t-to attack us?”[/color]
 
[color=Crimson]“I do not think it is anything to trouble yourself about,”[/color] Scarlet told her reassuringly. [color=Crimson]“This is simply a benign social gathering, nothing more. No one is doing anything harmful, so I doubt that Beacon would wish to cause trouble unnecessarily.”[/color]
 
[color=DarkOrchid]“O-Okay…”[/color] Connie replied, accepting the other magical girl’s explanation without further question. Then, having remembered why she was at the bar in the first place, she called to the bartender in what she hoped was a relatively loud voice, [color=DarkOrchid]“Umm, e-excuse me? M-May I h-have some lemonade, please? O-Or, i-if you don’t h-have t-that, then m-maybe s-some ice tea? O-Or, f-fruit punch?”[/color]

[center][h1][color=turquoise]E[/color][i]mily[/i][/h1][/center]

Connie would hear a light thump as another figure leaned over the counter of the bar on the other side of her. [color=turquoise]“Oh, do they have lemonade? I’ll get one too!”[/color] she waved at the bartender, who hopefully would listen to their request, as she threw one away. She wore a [url=https://i.imgur.com/Z2xB5u8.png]relatively simple dress[/url] alongside a warm smile, which she directed Connie’s way, and then to Scarlet. [color=turquoise]“Are you two having fun?”[/color] she asked, having presumably missed what another girl said about the party. [color=turquoise]“It’s fun to see so many people enjoying themselves, isn’t it?”[/color]

[color=DarkOrchid]“Y-Yeah,”[/color] Connie agreed. [color=DarkOrchid]“And...uhh… I guess so? I’m n-not really used to parties, especially not ones like this… Oh! I-I’m Connie, by the way, and t-this is Scarlet. W-We j-just met. S-She’s here with one of her friends, who’s, like, a really amazing dancer,”[/color] she rambled nervously. [color=DarkOrchid] “D-Do you like dancing? I’m really terrible at it myself...”[/color]

[color=turquoise]“Connie and Scarlet?”[/color] she repeated to make sure she got them correctly. [color=turquoise]“I’m Emily,”[/color] she said, giving a soft wave at the two. [color=turquoise]“As for dancing… um, I haven’t actually gone to a party like this before. The closest thing was a concert, I think, but I wasn’t there to dance…”[/color] it almost felt to her like her arm began throbbing from the wounds she received from Lupa, but she didn’t let it get to her. [color=turquoise]“But I do think dancing is a beautiful thing, even if, um, I’m not exactly good at it.”[/color]

[color=DarkOrchid]“Y-Yeah, I enjoy w-watching it too. A-And it’s r-really nice to m-meet you, Emily. I k-kinda came here to m-make s-some new friends, and get over my shyness, s-so I’m r-really glad I’m m-meeting so many nice people.”[/color]

[color=Crimson]“It is my pleasure to meet you as well, Emily,”[/color] Scarlet said with a smile. [color=Crimson]“My comrade and I are visiting from another city, so it is good to see that the magical girls of Penrose are so personable, and, dare I say, cute,”[/color] she added with a small giggle. [color=Crimson]“Ah! But, on the topic of dancing,”[/color] she added, casting a worried glance at the dance floor. [color=Crimson]“While it may indeed be pleasing to observe, sometimes the dancers in question might overestimate their abilities. For instance, I believe my colleague is trying just a [i]little[/i] too hard in her attempts at flirting with someone who is clearly [i]not[/i] interested. If you ladies will excuse me, I believe I shall take my leave and attempt to defuse the situation before it gets out of hand.”[/color]

[color=DarkOrchid]“Oh! Umm… O-Okay…! G-Good luck!”[/color]

Emily’s features appeared to be slightly reddened, presumably because she was surprised at the sudden compliment, yet she remained calm as she listened to Scarlet speak, only breaking her silence after Scarlet’s departure. Emily turned to Connie and decided to pick up where they’d left off. [color=turquoise]“I hope to make as many friends with as many sisters as possible, so if you wouldn’t mind, I would love to be someone you can consider a friend too!”[/color] she told Connie right as the bartender would show up with the two’s drinks, setting them before the two. Emily gave her thanks to them before turning back to Connie, taking a sip from her lemonade. [color=turquoise]“So you’re new to Penrose?”[/color] 

[color=DarkOrchid]“N-No, just new to b-being a m-magical girl. Oh! A-And I’d love to be friends!”[/color] Connie exclaimed, almost squealing with delight as her mask formed a big smile. [color=DarkOrchid]“Y-You seem r-really nice, Emily. I was s-so afraid that everyone here w-would just want t-to bully me… I-I know I p-probably shouldn’t be so p-pessimistic, but t-that’s the kind of thing t-that’s always h-happened to me b-before...”[/color] 

Emily tried not to frown. [color=turquoise]“Oh, that’s so terrible to hear!”[/color] her eyes almost seemed to moisten for Connie. [color=turquoise]“People weren’t always great with me, either.  But…”[/color] she couldn’t help but think of Luna and Amaryllis. [color=turquoise]“...There are plenty of good people in Penrose, too! I’m sure things will begin to look up for you like they did for me!”[/color] she assured Connie as she took another sip of lemonade.  

[color=DarkOrchid]“I r-really hope so,”[/color] Connie replied, taking hold of her glass with slightly trembling hands. [color=DarkOrchid]“I-I mean, I’ve already met Faith and Lotus, a-and some of t-their friends, and t-then I met Lily, and n-now I just met you and Scarlet, so I t-think I’m off to a f-fairly good s-start!”[/color]

[color=DarkOrchid]“Huh…”[/color] Connie mumbled to herself as she stared down at the glass of lemonade in front of her. [color=DarkOrchid]“H-How do I even drink this when I’m wearing a… a… Mm… Mmm… M-Mas… O-One of [b]those things[/b]...?”[/color]

[color=turquoise]“?”[/color] 

Emily blinked as she took an awkwardly-long sip out of her lemonade, perplexed at the girl’s hesitance with the word ‘mask’, or at least that’s what it seemed like anyways.. [color=turquoise]“Um… can’t you take it off?”[/color] she asked.

[color=DarkOrchid]“Oh!”[/color] Connie gasped as she realized she’d been thinking out loud. [color=DarkOrchid]“Umm… N-Not r-really… It’s k-kinda attached to m-my f-face. Mia, t-that’s my best friend, s-said that it was m-my m-magical girl w-weapon, or s-something… I r-really d-don’t like t-talking about it, though…”[/color] she added, squeezing her glass as her hands began to tremble even more violently. [color=DarkOrchid]“Or even [i]t-thinking[/i] about it… Since, it’s, um, o-one of my p-phobias…”[/color]

[color=turquoise]"Oh... I see. Well, we don't have to talk about things you don't want to,"[/color] Emily told the girl. Of course, she wasn't sure exactly how to remedy their initial problem if the mask was a part of her face, other than telling her to rip her face off, but then she imagined there'd be a slightly bigger problem left afterward. This wasn't some odd JRPG where doing so would help you obtain power. 

Emily also thought to tell her to just transform back when she was drinking, but since that was so obvious, she imagined there was a problem there. As meek as this girl was, maybe she didn't want to be seen in human form? [color=turquoise]"Um, well, lets talk about something else, then..."[/color] she suggested, admitting defeat. This dilemma was beyond her. [color=turquoise]"Oh, I know! What are things you DO like? Like, um, I enjoy watching anime and playing games. How about you?"[/color]

[color=DarkOrchid]“I like anime, too!”[/color] Connie said, a little excited that Emily shared one of her hobbies. [color=DarkOrchid]“N-Not the s-scary ones though, m-mainly just the cute s-slice of life shows. I d-don’t really play m-many games, but I enjoy w-watching my f-friend Mia play them. S-She’s really good… She’s even w-won awards and s-stuff! I also like to paint. T-That’s my most favorite hobby. A-At l-least, it u-used t-to be… Ever since I became a m-magical girl, all my p-paintings end up b-being so c-creepy…”[/color] Connie explained, her tone filled with sadness. [color=DarkOrchid]“I a-always try to m-make them c-cute, b-but all these a-awful t-things always s-start appearing in them… M-Mia says it’s b-because of my M-Magical S-Specialization...”[/color] 

Emily went to move her hand, as if to rest her hand on the girl’s shoulder, before apparently discarding the idea. [color=turquoise]“Oh, that sounds so unfortunate…”[/color] she seemed concerned, going quiet for a few seconds.

Suddenly, her face reddened a bit, but she did her best to make eye contact with Connie’s mask. [color=turquoise]“U-um, so…”[/color] she seemed a bit hesitant. [color=turquoise]“...I always liked the fighting ones, and, um, the magical girl ones,”[/color] while it was clear that she considered this some sort of embarrassing secret, it was not clear why. [color=turquoise]“I even have a few figurines tucked away at home where my roommate can’t see… uh, but you can’t tell anyone!”[/color]

[color=DarkOrchid]“Oh! O-okay, then,”[/color] Connie said, not quite sure why Emily would be embarrassed by something like that. [color=DarkOrchid]“Y-Your secret’s s-safe with me!”[/color] she added with what she hoped was a reassuring smile. [color=DarkOrchid]“But, um, w-why don’t you w-want anyone to k-know you like magical girls? I m-mean, you actually [i]are[/i] a m-magical girl, r-right?”[/color]

[color=turquoise]“Yes! I’m definitely one!”[/color] she confirmed maybe just a bit too loud. [color=turquoise]“So, the thing iss…”[/color] Emily’s expression became quite firm. Being the victim of this, it was impossible for Connie to not notice the severity of the subject she had brought up, and the importance of the answer she was about to receive. It was the kind that destroyed careers, that wiped away kingdoms, and the sort that one would be killed for. She had foolishly opened a can of worms, as was now gonna pay the price. 

...or at least that’s what it could’ve looked like, had Emily’s face not also been flushed red. It was probably hard to take it too seriously because of this. And while her flushed features were influenced by her embarrassment, it also felt like there was some other reason...

Taking a small breath, the fire girl revealed the answer for Connie. [color=turquoise]“...if I tell people, they might find out all my stuff is named after annime!”[/color] she told her new friend in a dramatic way, slamming the rest of her lemonade and staring at a wall. [color=turquoise]“Even my transformation…!”[/color] she frowned. [color=turquoise]“I’ve got nooo creativity…”[/color] 

[color=DarkOrchid]“B-But, w-what’s so bad a-about that?”[/color] Connie asked. [color=DarkOrchid]“I t-take inspiration from all s-sorts of s-stuff when I paint. I-It doesn't s-sound like what y-you’re doing is all t-that d-different.T-Then a-again…”[/color] she added in a more somber tone. [color=DarkOrchid]“I-If you t-think you might g-get b-bullied for it, I t-totally understand w-why you w-wouldn’t want p-people finding out. B-Being bullied i-isn’t v-very fun…”[/color]

[color=turquoise]“You’rre probably right about it being nnothing,”[/color] she agreed. [color=turquoise]“I don’t know anyone I think would go so far as to bully me over it, thankfully. I just kinda rammble about anime when I speak about it, so I don’t want to bother people, is all.”[/color]

After she explained that, she placed her empty cup on the counter and sighed. The streak of red had yet to leave and, in fact, only seemed to darken. She looked at Connie and gave a skewed smile, tugging on her own dress. [color=turquoise]“Iss it gettingg hot in herre or what?”[/color]

[center][h1]Sakura[/h1][/center]

It was then when a new challenger approached, her pink hair swaying and ear bunnies from the playboy costume that evidenced her pitiful figure hopping in unison. “Oh...gods, it's you...Emily.” She did a double take, not noticing the other girl as much as noticing the sorry state of Emily. “Are you drunk already??” She paused for a moment, and eyed the other girl. “Uh, hi.” She said curtly. She seemed a comely lass… but Emily looked … smashed now.

Upon noticing Sakura, Emily gave a small clap in approval of the girl's appearance. [color=turquoise]"Ohhh, Sakura, aren't you looking just adorabllle~!"[/color] she seemed delighted by it, oddly, and gave a playful tug to one of the ears. [color=turquoise]"I jussst made a new friend!"[/color] she motioned to Connie. [color=turquoise]"Connie, thiss iss Sakura, who has also recently become a magical girll,"[/color] she began to introduce the two, but found it hard to ignore Sakura's comment, almost taking offense to it. [color=turquoise]"Drrunk?"[/color] she shook her head... a few times more than necessary. [color=turquoise]"I don't drink everrr!"[/color] she protested. [color=turquoise]"All I've had... iss lemonade! Oh, and some fruit juice that sssome girll gave me cus she couldn't finishhh it... but it didn't taste too good..."[/color]

[color=DarkOrchid]“Oh! Um, h-hi there,”[/color] Connie said with a timid wave, after Emily introduced her pink-haired friend. [color=DarkOrchid]“I-It’s, um, n-nice to m-meet you, Sakura.”[/color] she added, a little taken aback by the oddness of what she assumed was the girl’s magical girl outfit. [color=DarkOrchid][i]And Mia thinks [b]her[/b] outfit is embarrassing…[/i][/color] she thought to herself. Mia had all that hair of hers to cover herself up with, and sometimes even a robe, like tonight, but [i]this[/i] girl… 

“Nonsense, you reek of booze. I can smell it in your breath. You can´t drink anything a stranger gives you, Emily. You might end up in one of the cages, dancing and not getting paid for it.” The bunny girl frowned, as she tried to help Emily maintain her verticality. She gave a piercing stare to the masked girl. “Haaah? You gonna kill me? “ She said, obviously mishearing Connie´s words. “Oh, wait. Yes, Nice to meet you, Mask-chan. Do you know the cocksucker bitch who spiked my Emily’s drink?” 

[color=DarkOrchid]“N-No… I c-can’t say t-that I do…”[/color] Connie repiled. [color=DarkOrchid]“E-Emily a-already had it w-when we met. A-And… Ummm… C-Could y-you, u-um, p-please n-not c-call me t-that…? I-I’m k-k-kinda t-t-teriffied b-by t-that w-w-word…”[/color] 

Emily placed a hand on Sakura’s shoulder. [color=turquoise]“Her name’sssss Connie, Sssakura!”[/color] It was a bit hard to take seriously given her speech, but Emily was apparently trying to scold Sakura. She looked over to Connie. [color=turquoise]“Pleasse forgive her, she doessn’t mean anything by ittt…”[/color] After saying such, she called back to the bartender and asked for another lemonade.

[color=turquoise]“Y’know, it would have been rrreally rrude to wassste it, ya?”[/color] she looked towards Connie as if asking her. 

[color=DarkOrchid]“Oh, um, I-I g-guess so?”[/color] Connie replied uncertainly, being rather unfamiliar with alcohol and its effects. [color=DarkOrchid]“A-And, d-don’t worry,”[/color] she added reassuringly, [color=DarkOrchid]“I-I k-know s-she w-wasn’t trying t-to be o-offensive… M-Most people r-react the same w-way, unfortunately… I-I g-guess it’s just s-s-somenting I have to t-try and d-deal with…”[/color]

Sakura raised an eyebrow, looking at Emily. "And you are supposed to be my senior, fucking god." The bunny girl shook her head in disappointment. "Oi, if she gonna be smashed gimme some sake." Sakura mentioned to the barman, who shook his head and offered him a juice too. "I said sake, dammit!" She grumbled as she eyed Connie, her eyes narrowing. "What, like mask? You are wearing one. Still kinda wimpy, Connie-chan. Coney. Oh i get it. Bun bun -chan it is. Coney is bunny, or something like that? " She paused.

Well maybe talking would help her calm down."So you new too, huh? Did you have a penis too but a little bastard took it, bunbun-chan? What were you before?"

[color=DarkOrchid]“Y-Yeah… T-That “M” word r-really f-frightens m-me. I-It’s o-one of m-my p-phobias, and… W-What?!”[/color] Connie suddenly exclaimed in shocked confusion, the cheeks of her mask reddening. [color=DarkOrchid]“N-No, I-I’ve always b-been a g-girl! J-Just a n-normal g-girl… W-Wait…”[/color] she added as horrific comprehension began to dawn. [color=DarkOrchid]“Y-You mean t-that y-you weren’t a-always a g-girl?!”[/color]

[color=turquoise]“Oho~ Yer telling me dat yaaaaaa didn’t know?”[/color] Emily giggled, apparently getting even worse. [color=turquoise]“Y-yeah, not alllll magical girlsss were girlsss befo’! Ya got sssome guys’ n ya got some girlsss! Old an’ young, too! Dere’s little d’scrimnation ‘er anythin’...dey just want magical gals no mattuh what!”[/color]

“Emily, you´re losing your posture.” said Sakura before trying to avoid the intoxicated girl to slide down, vomit or both at the same time. “Yeh, I was a good ol 58 year old man, until some little fluffy jerk stole my manly jewels and told me to fry monsters with maaagic, Bunbun-chan.” Sakura paused. “Can´t see my buds, my wife, and have to spend my entire life being given headpats, saving half-digested girls from horrors, and watching Emily drown in her own puke. Still I guess, newbies should help each other.”

[color=DarkOrchid]“O-Oh…! W-Wow…”[/color] Connie replied to Emily and Sakura’s revelations. [color=DarkOrchid]“I-I’m s-so sorry t-to hear that… I-It s-sounds absolutely awful…”[/color] she told Sakura after hearing her tragic tale. [color=DarkOrchid]“U-Ummm… S-Should we d-do something to h-help her?”[/color] she asked the pink-haired magical girl in regard to Emily’s plight.

Around this time was when the bartender returned with the drink Emily asked for. As he set the drink down on the counter, he couldn’t help but raise an eye. He only remembered serving her a lemonade, and it wasn’t spiked with anything. Why was this girl drunk? He, sadly, wasn’t being paid enough to bother asking, so he opted to remain quiet and resume taking orders from other people. 

[color=turquoise]“H-helf? Iunno, I’m fine…! Justalittl’tipsyisall”[/color] she waved her hand horizontally in rejection to any such idea, but then hiccuped, sending a fleeting silhouette of flame in her shape out behind her. Despite its appearance, it was just warm, and didn’t really burn anything. 

“Most of the time, we let people flush on their out on their own, but like this… It´s not like we can just wave our magical hands and wish for the alcohol to be gone, bunbun-chan.” She paused. “Or maybe…” The pink bunnygirl put on a pensative stance, before grabbing Emily and trying to lift her.

Only to fail.

“How much do you eat…” She wondered. “Come on, bunbun-chan, help me get Drunkmily get to one of those magical quacks. I think I at least know one” She added, thinking on Alexander.

[color=DarkOrchid]“O-Okay!”[/color] Connie replied, gently putting one of Emily’s arms around her shoulders. [color=DarkOrchid]“W-Where to, n-now?”[/color] 

[color=turquoise]“What’re ya doin’, I’m not-I’m good! I’m… good!”[/color] Emily struggled against the two, but it was a rather pathetic attempt. [color=turquoise]“It was jussta littl’ juse izzall”[/color]

“We just need to find a good healer… I just know of one, bunbun… you?” Sakura said while trying to search for Alexander as she shouldered her weight too.

[color=DarkOrchid]“W-Well, um, M-Mia can m-make some h-healing herbs, but s-she’s in the game room r-right now, s-so m-maybe w-we should try the p-person you know f-first,”[/color] Connie suggested as they began their search. It wasn’t the easiest thing, but it really didn’t bother Connie as much as it once might have.

[color=DarkOrchid][i]A-At least I’m h-helping someone in n-need,[/i][/color] Connie thought to herself. [color=DarkOrchid][i]T-This feels a lot n-nicer than g-giving people n-nightmares… I c-can’t believe I’ve m-made so many f-friends in such a s-short time,[/i][/color] she reflected, a small smile forming on her mask. [color=DarkOrchid][i]I w-wonder if Mia is m-making any new friends, too...[/i][/color] 

[hr]

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/Yu1EPD0.jpg[/img][/center]

[color=SpringGreen]“Perish, zombies! Fall before the fury of nature!”[/color] Gaia shouted as the final undead assault wave was repelled. [color=SpringGreen]“Yes! Gaia, Daughter of Mother Earth, is once again victorious!”[/color] the verdant magical girl exulted. [color=SpringGreen]“Now for the Endless Assault, where I shall not submit until I have attained at least fifty flags!”[/color]

[color=DeepSkyBlue]“Pfft, [i]fifty[/i]?”[/color] a contemptuous voice asked. Turning to face it, Gaia saw an [url=https://imgur.com/f42clTS]average-looking girl with glasses[/url]. [color=DeepSkyBlue]“[i]I’ve[/i] easily gotten over a hundred!”[/color] the girl continued. [color=DeepSkyBlue]“What’s [i]your[/i] highest score? Seventy-five?”[/color]

[color=SpringGreen]“Ninety-seven,”[/color] Gaia replied pointedly. [color=SpringGreen]“And that is only because I was forced to stop playing and attend to more important matters.”[/color] She added indignantly. [color=SpringGreen]“If I had been permitted to continue, I am certain that I would have easily passed [i]two[/i] hundred.”[/color] 

[color=DeepSkyBlue]“Lame,”[/color] the other girl said, while rolling her eyes. [color=DeepSkyBlue]“But I [i]guess[/i] that’s a valid excuse. [i]My[/i] high score is one thousand and seven. Hey,”[/color] she added, seemingly having thought of something. [color=DeepSkyBlue]“We’ve got plenty of time now, and I’m getting tired of beating the crap outta [i]these[/i] losers,”[/color] she said, jerking her thumb at a collection of unhappy-looking girls gathered around one of the larger screens. [color=DeepSkyBlue]“Why don’t we have ourselves a little challenge? You can see how a real pro does things, and I can laugh at your pathetic attempts to prove yourself. If you’re not chicken, of course.”[/color]

The girl then gave a smirk that was so smug and condescending, that it made the normally serene Gaia clench her hands into fists. For the other girl’s sake, she was thankful she was not in her human form, or she would have punched her lights out then and there. As it was, it took considerable effort to remain cordial to this little brat.

[color=SpringGreen]“Very well,”[/color] Gaia said as gracefully as she could manage, given her simmering fury. [color=SpringGreen]“Challenge accepted! May I be permitted to know the name of the one whom I have the honor of competing against?”[/color]

[color=DeepSkyBlue]“I’m surprised you haven’t heard of me,”[/color] the other girl replied, placing her splayed fingers over her chest. [color=DeepSkyBlue]“I’m only the number one best magical girl ever, but you can call me Angela, if that title’s too long for you.”[/color]

[color=SpringGreen][i]Best magical girl?[/i][/color] Gaia thought to herself with contempt. [color=SpringGreen][i]Mother’s Mantel this girl has an ego… One that it shall be my great pleasure to crush,[/i][/color] she added with a fierce smile.

[color=SpringGreen]“Oh my! The best magical girl!”[/color] Gaia exclaimed with mock awe. [color=SpringGreen]“It is such a [i]great[/i] pleasure to make your acquaintance,”[/color] she added with a small bow, her voice dripping with false politeness.

[color=DeepSkyBlue]“Wish I could say the same,”[/color] Angela replied dismissively. [color=DeepSkyBlue]“Maybe I’ll show more interest in you if you actually do something to deserve it, but I sincerely doubt [i]that[/i] will ever happen…”[/color]

With that, the contest began.

From the outset, it was easy to see that each player was employing their own, unique, strategy. Gaia began by planting as many Sunflowers as possible, and letting the Lawn Mowers and Pool Cleaners take care of the early zombies, only placing a defensive plant when absolutely necessary. After accumulating an impressive amount of sun, a defensive force composed primarily of Cob Cannons and Pumpkin-protected Gloom-Shrooms would take it from there.

Angela, by contrast, started out by placing Sunflowers in only the back two rows, while using Cattails and Wall-nuts to deal with early zombies, before creating a defensive force predominantly consisting of Gatling Peas. In another marked difference to Gaia, she would never build a single Cob Cannon. This was due to the next phase of her strategy, wherein she would then take advantage of game mechanics to use ladders dropped by ladder zombies to provide an extra level of protection for her plants. 

Gaia was aware of this strategy, of course, and might have even employed it herself, had she been in her human form. As it was, however, she could not bear to see such a filthy object touch one of her precious plants any longer than necessary. What kind of a daughter of Mother Earth would she be if she did that?

[color=DeepSkyBlue]“Y’know, I’ve roflstomped all the other idiots here so easily it nearly bored me to tears,”[/color] Angela commented. [color=DeepSkyBlue]“I really [i]do[/i] hope you can offer a bit more of a challenge.”[/color]

[color=SpringGreen]“I shall endeavor to not disappoint you,”[/color] Gaia replied, her pleasant tone concealing a bubbling caldron of rage.

[color=DeepSkyBlue]“Wow, you’re using [i]that[/i] strategy?”[/color] Angela observed. [color=DeepSkyBlue]“I mean, it’s a good one, if you’re a total noob.”[/color]

Gaia clenched her teeth. This girl was [i]seriously[/i] trying her patience. Did she actually [i]want[/i] Gaia to attack her? Or, perhaps… Perhaps this was just another aspect of her strategy… Perhaps she was simply trying to distract her… After all, maintaining focus [i]was[/i] a key skill for any gamer. Well, [i]two[/i] could play that game…

[color=SpringGreen]“I am curious, Angela, do you hail from Penrose, or do you join us from abroad?”[/color]

[color=DeepSkyBlue]“Oh, I’m just here for the rave,”[/color] the other girl explained. [color=DeepSkyBlue]“When I heard how big a thing this was gonna be, I knew the Best Magical Girl just [i]had[/i] to make an appearance.”[/color]

[color=SpringGreen]“Have you taken to the dance floor yet?”[/color] Gaia inquired. [color=SpringGreen]“I would imagine such a renowned magical girl as yourself would swiftly become the center of attention.”[/color]

[color=DeepSkyBlue]“Oh, [i]that[/i] comes later,”[/color] Angela replied. [color=DeepSkyBlue]“I thought I should give all those tryhards out there a chance to have some fun, before I put them all to shame.”[/color]

[color=SpringGreen]“How magnanimous of you,”[/color] Gaia observed sardonically.

And so the contest continued. In contrast to Angela’s low maintenance build, Gaia’s Cob Cannon set up required constant focus and perfect coordination. This was because the Cob Cannons needed to be aimed manually, and had to be fired in a precise order, at just the right time, to attain maximum effectiveness. Although somewhat challenging, it was easy enough for Gaia to do this in her human form. With the sublime serenity and supernatural agility her magical girl form provided, she could literally do this all day. Or night, as the case may be. No, Gaia mused, she would not lose to this mouthy brat. Her honor as the Daughter of Mother Earth was on the line, and that was far more important to her than any mere video game. She only hoped no unforeseen distractions would bring an end to the contest before their flag counts reached the triple digits…