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[b]&[/b]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/z6cC6JC.png[/img][/center]

The night had been long, and the day promised to be longer. Alicia had informed her parents that she would be busy for the day due to an emergency with a friend, lest they worry about where she was. That seemed like it would be important in the days to come.

Then she had thrown herself into work. Patrols organized, girls who were causing havoc from the rave dealt with. Because of what had happened the bleeding in the organization was severe, and that meant she could not afford to give anything less than her all. Not with how bad things were.

Eventually she did manage to get a break in, the Seraph seated in the lobby of the building. Her shoulders were slumped, her head fallen. She had recovered from what happened earlier, to some degree. Her hands only shook when she wasn’t paying attention now, so that was an improvement.

[color=aba000]”Sylvia…”[/color] she muttered to herself. The tears had dried for now, but the pain of losing a close friend would not fade so easily. 

God, this was a nightmare.

Alica would feel Penny’s presence only a moment before the newly reforged girl appeared. She stood a short distance away carefully watching Alicia, her gaze much more guarded and unsure then the light user had ever seen.

Soon Penny would gather up her resolve and slowly approach Alicia [color=9e0039][u][b]“Hey…”[/b][/u][/color] She would say softly pulling a seat next to her best friend, perhaps her only real friend, or at least that was how it felt at times. [color=9e0039][u][b]“How are you holding up?”[/b][/u][/color] It wasn’t the most burning question that Penny had, but it was still the right question to start with. She was working on being less selfish after all.

Glancing over at the arrival of her friend, Alicia looked over Penny for a moment. Her eyes held an empty look, vision dulled by the carnage that she had bore witness to and everything else. The fight at the graveyard, the assault on Justine’s castle, none of that was like that. 

[color=aba000]”As well as can be expected, better than some,”[/color] she replied slowly. She had to be strong, had to keep the others moving. That was what a leader did. 

Of course there was one element that had not escaped her attention. [color=aba000]”You changed again,”[/color] she noted. [color=aba000]”Work things out with your human half?”[/color]

Penny would place a hand on Alicia’s shoulder in support, she understood, better than most, of all the carnage that the two of them had been through. Penny also knew that she was built to handle it better than most. Thus her heart went out to her human friend.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Yeah. Only got one of me roaming around once again. It…”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would stall for a moment as she looked at Alicia once again, her gaze searching the other girl for some unknowable sign. [color=9e0039][u][b]“It was good, for the most part, and a nice send off. Came with a few nasty surprises though”[/b][/u][/color] She would go on to say as she pulled her hand back turning it so that Alicai could see it open up and reveal a small microchip.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Were you aware of this?”[/b][/u][/color] she would ask softly even as her gaze focused on Alicia all the more intently. 

[color=aba000]”That went quicker than I thought it would. Should I expect an angry Chloe to swing by with murderous intent in the near future?”[/color] Surely she had not taken this change in the status quo lying down. And with what they had just been through another person gunning for their collective heads was the last thing they needed. 

Her gaze narrowed as Penny opened up a portion of her hand to reveal a small chip in it. [color=aba000]”Looks like a computer part. Should I know what it is?”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Chloe’s vanished”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would reply with more than just a little heat, the memory of feeling the Hero token slowly fade into just a simple trinket rushing to the forefront of her mind. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I don’t know where she went, but she’s gone for now. That abandonment is key to what helped heal the rift.”[/b][/u][/color]

Penny would let out a sigh, or at least the motions and sounds of one, before moving on [color=9e0039][u][b]“This, on the other hand, was snuck into my systems by Sylvia”[/b][/u][/color] she would go on to explain letting Alicia take another good look at the simple looking chip, before she sequestered it back into her frame to be tucked away until she knew what it was she wanted to do about it. [color=9e0039][u][b]“She didn’t tell you about it I’m guessing. Which I’m not sure how to feel about that, Other then I am glad you didn’t know about it beforehand”[/b][/u][/color]

She would rest back into her chair as she let her gaze drift towards the ceiling [color=9e0039][u][b]“It’s a mind control chip effectively”[/b][/u][/color] She would say succinctly [color=9e0039][u][b]“Installed back when we were working on my legs”[/b][/u][/color]

Somehow, with everything else that had happened tonight, Alicia was able to take learning that Penny had a mind control chip installed in her in stride. What was one more thing with everything else that had happened?

[color=aba000]”Sylvia’s gone,”[/color] she said, the words heavy and like ash in her mouth. [color=aba000]”She was defending the Cardinal from Cindy’s sneak attack.[/color] She could have scried what happened, but had not been able to work up the will or courage to do so. 

Another shaking breath escaped as her hands were clasped together in her lap. It was easier to keep them motionless that way. [color=aba000]”I didn’t know. I guess she just didn’t trust Laat.”[/color] Considering what had happened with him, it wasn’t the most unreasonable decision. But what to do about it now?  

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I know”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would reply with a shrug [color=9e0039][u][b]“I’ve been tapped into the Beacon network most of the night doing what I could to help. I saw the report. Don’t blame her for not trusting the bastard, it’s…”[/b][/u][/color] She shook her head and sat up [color=9e0039][u][b]“Not important right now.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“You are more important right now. Is there anything I can do to help, anything. I’ll even track down Kimble and drag her here if you need it”[/b][/u][/color] They could deal with this ghost later, it wasn’t important right now even if Penny wanted to vent about it. She could be patient, and ask Sylvia about it herself one day if she really needed too. Right now Alicia needed more support than Penny did, Penny wasn’t fine, she wasn’t going to delude herself on that, but her issue could be put on hold, besides Alicia didn’t know anything that Penny didn’t about it at the moment.

Well, if Penny didn’t want to discuss this issue further, Alicia couldn’t blame her. As she had noted, there was plenty vying for their attention right now, the very organization perhaps at stake in this struggle. 

[color=aba000]”Just doing what you would expect,”[/color] she replied matter-of-factly. [color=aba000]”I think we’ve got most of the monster girls who escaped the rave taking cover now. But we’ve still got to deal with the Penrose Independent, and the holes this left for dealing with the normal monsters. That and making sure somebody doesn’t blame us for what Vi and the PI did.”[/color] She had some plans in mind for that, but the time to do it was proving much harder to grasp on top of the current major crisis

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I might be able to help with that”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say slowly as she thought about it [color=9e0039][u][b]“Or at the very least I can give you a starting point for that”[/b][/u][/color] as she spoke up her little drone would pop out and float over to Alicia and just bob in front of her for a moment before give a few cherry beeps.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Meet Snoopy. I had him in the rave, even after you told me not too, because I saw Veronica head in and felt it would be a better idea to keep an eye on her.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would explain as the drone bobbed around just looking at things. [color=9e0039][u][b]“That means I have a recording of most things that happened at the Rave. That should be a decent starting point for a PR campaign”[/b][/u][/color]

Her instructions might have been ignored, but for once Alicia could be glad that that was the case. Sure, it wouldn’t convince everyone But those individuals who were not swayed probably weren’t the ones they were trying to appeal to anyways. [color=aba000]”That’s good. We’ll have to see about getting that up in the public eye.”[/color]

For a moment she considered mentioning collaboration, before being silenced by the other thing which had been digging at her brain this whole time. The issue that grew more and more glaring as she looked at it. [color=aba000]’Still, for best you keep away from Rachel. Not with...whatever it is that you did to your Spark.”[/color] Her gaze was sharp, perhaps closer to a glare. A suspicion that perhaps Penny’s issues were not as resolved as she claimed. 

Penny would give Alicia an odd look for a moment before understanding seeped in, a somewhat sad smile on her face as it did [color=9e0039][u][b]“The Spark is fine”[/b][/u][/color] She would say leaning forward onto her knees [color=9e0039][u][b]“And there isn’t going to be another Split issue either”[/b][/u][/color] She continued on her gaze tracing across the far wall. She didn’t have it in her to match eye’s with Alica for this next part. [color=9e0039][u][b]“There can’t be another split issue, Jason is gone after all, so it’s only me in here. For better or worse.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=aba000]”Explain,”[/color] Alicia replied, confused and not all that reassured by the answer. Jason? She didn’t want to force the secret out, but she would if she had to. Seemed she would be doing that a bit more these days. 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“When we first met face to face, I told you I considered my name to be Penny, and that they had referred to me as the Engine. That’s because they never got used to all of this.”[/b][/u][/color] She would gesture around as she spoke quietly, for this was a secret that she had always kept close. [color=9e0039][u][b]“She used to be he, and his name was Jason. The Coin gave him a way out, something he had wanted for a long time if we are being honest, but it left its effects as you can see.”[/b][/u][/color]

She would look at Alicia again, a tired smile tugging at her lips [color=9e0039][u][b]“I don’t think it’s possible for me to become anymore human then I am right now, because at my core, I am no longer human. But the Spark hasn’t left me yet, which I think counts for something, and if it ever does that won’t change that I am here for you if you need it.”[/b][/u][/color] 

There was something incredibly off putting here, the notion that Penny had reached reconciliation by excising the human portion of her soul entirely, removing it from the world of magic and leaving only herself behind. She supposed that did explain some things, even if this was a situation she had never been confronted with before. 

She wasn’t sure how to feel about it, confused and still a bit worried despite Penny’s reassurances. After what had happened in the past, trust was proving more difficult to marshal. Still, she did at least have a point when it came to the Spark. Silently, the Seraph resolved to talk to the Beckoners about this later. 

[color=aba000]”Alright,”[/color] she agreed in the end. [color=aba000]”I’d still avoid Rachel though. Even at the best of times I’m not sure how well she would take this.”[/color] As it was now, there was just too great of a risk. 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I hear ya.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would agree with a nod, Rachel had been accepting of her before but this was a change rather out of left field so there was no reason to provoke the Ascendency while things were still tense. [color=9e0039][u][b]“It’s not how I wanted this to turn out, but his spirit was too close to breaking and I was worried for the both of us.”[/b][/u][/color] She would add after a moment as she knew that what she had done was very much in a gray area, and she was under no illusions that Alicia’s trust in her was fully restored after only a week.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Hey, at least this way I can claim to have known you most of my life”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would give a short lived grin as she tried to inject some levity. She couldn’t help but feel that it fell a bit flat so...

With a sigh she’d shift back to other topics [color=9e0039][u][b]“Other then the PR issues, anything else that I might be able to help with?”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=aba000]”Heh.”[/color] Alicia snorted a bit at the joke, though it really wasn’t all that funny if she was being honest. But she at least appreciated the attempt. 

That quickly returned to normal as Penny asked what she could do, if there was any way to help. [color=aba000]”I’m not sure. Just keep doing what we normally do. I wanted to try and do some of my plans, but when things are like this…..It’s hard to say the Ascendancy is wrong.”[/color] If their enemies were willing to go to such lengths, maybe it was easier to just burn it all and sort it out in twenty years. 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“It seems like that”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would agree [color=9e0039][u][b]“But I wouldn’t say that they are sustainable long term. From my point of view everytime they purge an area they simply kick the issue down the road. For in twenty years there are going to be a lot of girls returning, and nothing will have really changed other than that to those girls returning Beacon has become someone to distrust which will only make it more likely that the Ascendency needs to be called on again.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“You and the Beacon you have shown? Well there is me and Kimble at least, that know better, and untold numbers that will learn due to the white coin, that will only trust it because you showed you were willing to trust girls like me and Kimble. Those are the girls that will help change the world to one that doesn’t find itself needing to be purged again and again in two decade cycles.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=aba000]“I hope others feel the same way,”[/color] Alicia noted aloud. She was, of course, pleased by the support that Penny had for her dream and what she wanted to do. But making it work in reality, against the conflict that the Ascendancy and the Mint were pushing, that was an entirely different story. They had already lost some, and in all likelihood more would fall before this was over. Could she pay that price? 

After a moment she rose, smoothing out her clothing once she was on her feet. There was no point in sitting around and getting down about it, not when there were things that needed to be done. [color=aba000]”Anyway, like I said right now we’re mostly doing damage control. That’s the big area you can help with. Once things have settled we’ll see about more long term plans,”[/color] she told her friend. 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I’ll do what I can”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would agree as she stood up with Alicia [color=9e0039][u][b]“That being said I am working on a longer term plan as well, they kinda dovetail into each other in this case.”[/b][/u][/color] She would add rubbing the back of her neck a bit nervously [color=9e0039][u][b]“I’m working towards taking Cindy’s place. I kinda took command of the girls that stayed behind when I got to the Sanctuary last night. Sent a few groups out to try and help quell the riots. And now with Cindy’s death I don’t think it would be a good idea to leave the Sanctuary without someone leading it for long so I’m kinda stepping into the void left behind.”[/b][/u][/color] She gave something of a helpless shrug after that admission, knowing full well that she had more or less admitted to massively breaking part of the basic vow each Beacon member took to the head of the local Beacon branch. Yet Penny didn’t feel right in trying to keep any more secrets from Alicia, she had done that too much already.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I don’t really know, how well it’s going to pan out, but I know there is at least a handful of girls who will stick with me which is about the best I can hope for at the moment”[/b][/u][/color]

Alicia froze, eyes widening as Penny revealed what else she had been up to. The Seraph had been considering if she should tell Rachel the location of the Shelter, but it seemed that that might be off the table. At least in the short term. 

 [color=aba000]”I...see.”[/color] Her response was slow, cautious. Another boundary to be pushed, for better or worse. [color=aba000]”Can you keep them under control? If they follow their instincts and start to hurt people, I won’t be able to condone the Shelter continuing to operate.”[/color] She was all for giving people a chance, but they had to make the effort. 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“For the moment, I think so, but it’s hard to know for the long term. I’m going to be trying my best to make it work though.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would admit [color=9e0039][u][b]“That said, if you need to drop me and the shelter, do so. Twenty years of you running Beacon will give us another chance at making this shelter idea work.”[/b][/u][/color] She would speak with quiet conviction fully willing to place her future into Alicia’s hands.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Just, try and give me a warning if you can?”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=aba000]”I can do that,”[/color] Alicia agreed with a nod. She wouldn’t make any predictions as to what might happen in the future, but there was no doubt that she would let Penny know if things went wrong. Ideally before any armed force was used. 

The thought of that did cause something to occur to her, and she reached into a pocket before tossing a small bag to Penny. [color=aba000]”Before I forget, here. Courtesy of Aurelio. He said he felt like we needed them more than he did.[/color] she had her own little portion, but she wasn’t carrying that with her right now. 

Penny would catch the bag and glance in, noting that it held a decent chunk of Coins. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I’ll swing by the infirmary and give him my thanks before heading out again”[/b][/u][/color] She would say as she sequestered away the welcomed boon. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Keep me in mind if you need anything done”[/b][/u][/color] She would say as she turned to leave, before she turned back and gave Alicia a short side hug [color=9e0039][u][b]“And I’m glad you made it through the night.”[/b][/u][/color] she would add in honestly before moving to leave. After all there was still much work to be done.

[color=aba000]”I will. And thanks, you too,”[/color] Alicia assured her friend before moving off in a different direction. They both had their responsibilities, it was time to get back to it. 

[hr]

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/n2IAELE.png[/img]

[color=#bd71e8]“Cool banner T2wave. Be a shame if someone stole it.”[/color]

[color=888888]— Veronica[/color][/center]


In the past, Veronica was a difficult person to get a hold of. With the advent of the Cradle’s Glimmr account however, it was easy for anyone to get in touch with Trixy. Alicia sent Trixy a DM requesting an audience with Veronica, and waited. It wasn’t long before she could hear Veronica’s voice in her head.

[i][color=#bd71e8]“Greetings, Alicia Hayden.”[/color][/i] Came her monotone voice. [i][color=#bd71e8]“I had thought you would contact me sooner. Is Sylvia still interested in my proposal?”[/color][/i]

Waiting patiently, Alicia had expected a phone call, or maybe an instant message. But she was not too surprised at the sudden sound of Veronica’s voice in her head as she relaxed in her bedroom for once rather than staying at HQ. 

An eyebrow rose, mostly for her own benefit rather than any signal before she answered. [color=aba000]”Sylvia is no longer in charge of the Penrose Branch of Beacon. I am. I’m surprised you didn’t know that,”[/color] she observed while shrugging off the awkward feeling of talking to herself despite the voice in her head. 

[i][color=#bd71e8]“I don’t really care who’s in charge, she said she was interested in allying with me and I thought it was best to get in contact with her. But if that’s to go through someone else, so be it.”[/color][/i]

[color=aba000]”As for the proposal you mentioned, that would depend on whether the attempt on the head of the Ascendancy would represent the official policy of the Cradle.”[/color] 

[i][color=#bd71e8]“As I understand, said Ascendancy head ordered that my agents ‘be dealt with’ after assisting with the take down of a monster queen, during which they avoided firing upon the inquisitor.”[/color][/i] There was a click. [i][color=#bd71e8]“Surely you don’t expect my agents to part with their lives just because they were told to?”[/color][/i]

While Alicia would admit that Rachel had been a bit hasty, she couldn’t entirely fault her in the heat of the moment. [color=aba000]”By that same metric, your people also possessed the ability to leave at their will. Since the dealing with had been left to my prerogative, wanton violence had not been my first instinct. But attempting an assassination is a significant escalation, as I’m sure you realize.”[/color] She had to be firm, especially where Veronica was concerned. She was a former Mint broker after all.

[i][color=#bd71e8]“They could have left, yes.”[/color][/i] Veronica agreed. [i][color=#bd71e8]“They also could have been attacked as they fled. They could have run into Beacon reinforcements or had a bounty put on their head. While we’re talking about hypothetical situations, Rachel could have kept her mouth shut. That would have solved everyone’s problems.”[/color][/i] There was a growl in her voice.[i] [color=#bd71e8]“If it were a Cradle agent ordering the death of some Beacon girls who helped them slay a monster, I know you wouldn’t take it lightly.”[/color][/i]

While Alicia would concede that Veronica had a point, it still grated on her a bit. It took force of will and determination to take deep breaths and pull away from the pain of those memories. She had to follow her Virtue after all. 

[color=aba000]”You’re right. And I apologize. Emotions were running high at the time from all the violence, and we’re still working through the aftermath of that. I’m not opposed to an arrangement like the one that you approached Sylvia with before, as long as that stays an isolated incident. More fuel on the fire to keep the Ascendancy here is the last thing we need.”[/color]

[i][color=#bd71e8]“Then we are in agreement.”[/color][/i] Veronica’s voice was still a low growl, but it seemed to be clearing up. [i][color=#bd71e8]“You’ve been rising through the ranks, Alicia Hayden. I believe you even outstrip Sylvia now. What is it, paladin now? Hard to keep track.”[/color][/i] She sighed. [i][color=#bd71e8]“But I requested Sylvia not because of her rank, but how she held herself. Sylvia is cautious, yet has a rational mind. I hope you don’t mind me saying those are rare in Penrose. Even in Beacon, I would not be surprised if they allied with Justine just to take a shot at Mariette.”[/color][/i] Veronica grunted. [i][color=#bd71e8]“That was a joke. I doubt Beacon would ally with a world ending horror worshiper. But Justine is no joke. She was at the rave. She turned one of my girls, so she’s clearly up to her old tricks again. Anyway, I have my agent’s soul stone, so don’t worry about ‘killing’ her should Justine use her when she sieges Beacon again.”[/color][/i] Veronica chuckled. [i][color=#bd71e8]“Anyway, allying would be good for both of us I feel. I’ll give you some time to set that up. Message Trixy again in a few days with the news. But I’m getting off tangent here, you were the one that wished to contact me, So what would you like?”[/color][/i]

For a moment Alicia got the impression that Veronica knew everything that had happened and was trying to subtly imply something, but she quickly dismissed that from mind. If she didn’t know about what had happened to Sylvia despite her death happening near her agents, then she probably didn’t know about the deal with Justine. 

Besides, there was still a difference. There was no doubt that Justine could not be trusted, and she recognized that fact. It was just about getting the drop on her first. [color=aba000]”I’ll keep that in mind.”[/color] Odds were good she wouldn’t have recognized who it was beforehand anyway, but the assurance was nice.

That brought them back to the meeting. [color=aba000]”That incident was the main thing,”[/color] Alicia freelty admitted, before pausing to consider the opportunity at hand. [color=aba000]”Still, if you have information on where to find the people behind what happened at the rave, it would be appreciated. We’re working on it from our end but your sources are different than ours.”[/color] 
[i][color=#bd71e8]“What is the likelihood of the Ascendancy attacking my agents again? Because unless it’s near zero, cooperating with Beacon will be more trouble than it’s worth.”[/color][/i]

A sigh escaped as Alicia’s head bowed. As much as she wanted to say that there was no possibility, she knew that to be a lie. She couldn’t control Rachel, especially not after all of this. [color=aba000]”Then I guess there’s nothing else to talk about,”[/color] she replied. 

[i][color=#bd71e8]“You may have the potential to change things at Beacon, Paladin. But such change is something you need to actively pursue if you want it. It won’t come falling into your lap.”[/color][/i] A pause. [i][color=#bd71e8]“It is unfortunate that Beacon has reverted back to its old ways. With Justine hanging around and a war between corrupts and Beacon in sight, it’s feeling like a bit of a repeat from a few months ago, isn’t it?”[/color][/i] A rhetorical question, Veronica continued. [i][color=#bd71e8]“I know you’re not stupid, Alicia Hayden. The person who needs to be sat down and talked to is the inquisitor. Until you’re willing to fix your organization, don’t bother contacting mine. I won’t ally with someone who actively tries to use and kill my agents. You know how to contact me again should things change.”[/color][/i]

Alicia could feel a pressure being lifted off of her mind. Veronica had disconnected.

Well, that was that. Slumping down, Alicia’s gaze fell upon the ceiling as she reflected on what had been, and what might be. [color=aba000]”Things must be so much easier when you’re self employed,”[/color] she sighed. For now, she would just need to come up with a new plan.

[hr]

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/z6cC6JC.png[/img]

[b]&[/b]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/B4kzEWC.png[/img][/center]

The next couple of days after the Rave were very busy. With so many fallen, Beacon had to work harder than ever to police the town and keep the individuals inspired by Eden’s call to war from causing further trouble. It was not an easy task, but it was one that needed to be done. 

As head of the Penrose branch, Alicia had been heavily involved in those efforts. Sometimes she had gone out personally, and other times she had delegated to create a better picture. The nights weren’t as long now as they had been, but she still wasn’t satisfied. If they couldn’t restore order in the city, that just made it all the more likely that the Ascendancy would just bring it all done because they believe the cause was hopeless here. 

That said, she still found some spare time. Right now, she was looking for someone. There had been a new member to join Beacon just before the Rave, and they had not gotten the opportunity to chat. But she had heard things, and wanted to ensure that she had a passing familiarity with the members of the Penrose Branch. 

So she walked along, greeting those she walked past while poking her head into this room and that. How hard could it be to find Anaya? 

It was there Alicia would run into one of the spirit girl's smaller dolls, wandering around the halls. Once it noticed the seraph, it waved to her as to say "Excuse me!"

Coming across the doll, at first glance Alicia thought nothing of it. It took her a moment to remember what the files said Anayas magic was, and how the doll connected to that. 

Once she had she would come to a stop, turning to face the figurine. [color=aba000]"Hey there," [/color] she said to it. [color=aba000]"Is your owner around here somewhere? I was hoping we could talk."[/color]

The doll tilted it's head, then nodded. It tugged gently at Alicia's sleeve as it lead her to Anaya. Anaya herself was busy trying to make some life sized dolls, more smaller ones floating around her and trying to assist.

Following the doll, they soon arrived at their destination. Alicia came to a stop, simply watching for a moment as Anaya went about her work. It was intriguing to watch how she went about the creation process, with dolls helping her to make more of their kind. The room was sizable enough that she had the space to work, so it seemed she was availing herself of Beacons facilities well enough.

After her initial curiosity had been satisfied, the Seraph-Paladin soon approached. [color=aba000]"Looks like you're hard at work,"[/color] she noted with a nod. [color=aba000]"I take it that means you're settling in well?"[/color]

[Color=Mistyrose]"Oh!"[/color] Anaya jumped some when Alicia spoke up, turning to face her superior. [Color=Mistyrose]"Uhm, yeah! I mean, I have my own tools back in my interdimensional apartment, but there's a lot more to work with here."[/color] she said, brushing away some dust. [Color=Mistyrose]"Still have to start on their armor though, eheh..."[/color]

[color=aba000]"Good, I'm glad to hear it.[/color] Not that she would have been offended otherwise, but Anaya seemed like she was satisfied, so that was good enough for her. With that said, she turned to her true purpose here. [color=aba000]"Do you have a moment to talk? I know you joined up fairly recently, so I was hoping we could get to know each other a bit better." [/color]

[color=mistyrose]"Oh, okay."[/color] the spirit girl set her tools aside. She let the other spirits continue working. [color=mistyrose]"What do you wanna know?"[/color]

Stepping over, Alicia leaned against of the tables as Anaya gave her approval. [color=aba000]"I guess well start easy. How long have you been a magical girl for?"[/color]

[color=Mistyrose]"A few years or so, maybe more."[/color] Anaya said.

Alicia nodded. So, kind of like herself then. not that unusual. [color=aba000]"travel much, or did you just stick to a couple cities before coming to Penrose?[/color]

[color=Mistyrose]"I mostly traveled often. Crawley didn't want to stay in one place for too long, always kept me active."[/color] She shrugged.

That in itself seemed like a decent segue, and Alicia took it. This was one of the main reasons she had wanted to chat after all, besides getting to know Anaya as a person.[color=aba000]"About that, so...What was it like, working for a Horror? I mean I've talked to Serenity, but that's still a weird situation so I don't want to act like its indicative of anything."[/color]

[color=mistyrose]"Eh, Crawley was a more reasonable...guy. Guy? He didn't want to enslave the earth or something like that, just to take advantage of it's resources."[/color] Anaya explained. [color=mistyrose]"Hell, he was the one that gave me the tools to make more dolls. The armor was just from collection, but I did try and make my own eventually. But all in all it was...strange, for a lack of better terms. But I know there are other, far worse horrors out there, so I consider myself lucky."[/color] she sighed.

[color=aba000]"Huh."[/color] Alicia wasn't sure what she had been expecting. Fawning praise was one option, but this didn't really get that far. She'd have considered apologism if Anaya didn't already have the Spark. That probably gave her a better perspective. 

So for now she pushed on. [color=aba000]"What sort of stuff would they usually have you do then?"[/color] She didn't intend on judging, but it would help her get a better idea of things. 

Anaya stretched. [color=mistyrose]"Normal stuff for anyone working for a lovecraftian entity, mostly intercepting other horrors' operations. Most of my work was for the Mint, so...yeah."[/color]

There was a reflexive tightening of fists at mention of the Mint, inspired by all that had occurred recently. Alicia took a few deep breaths to calm herself down, and to remind herself that Anaya was no longer with the Mint. 

[color=aba000]"It sounds like you it pretty easy then, relatively speaking,"[/color] she noted. [color=aba000]"Why join Beacon then?"[/color]

[color=Mistyrose]"...Because,"[/color] the spirit girl started. [color=Mistyrose]"I wasn't really happy where I was back then. Between the voices of the dead crying out for help; for vengeance, "Big Brother" Mint always watching, and trying not to get killed at all times? I felt like nothing more than a ghost myself, a phantom. My mother made the right choice leaving them."[/color] she explained.

[color=Mistyrose]"Besides, you guys were willing to spare me after my screw-up with the Endsinger. I guess it made me think that...maybe you're not as bad as others make you out to be."[/color] Anaya smiled. [color=Mistyrose]"So don't worry. After they turned Penrose into a warzone, I don't plan on going back to the Mint.[/color] she added, having noticed Alicia's reaction.

Alicia couldn't imagine what that was like, that sort of pressure and suffering that Anaya had to deal with. She couldn't blame Anaya for wanting to get out of this when she had the opportunity to do so. [color=aba000]"Reflex, don't worry. I didn't think you'd go back so easily."[/color]

She smiled after a moment, tapping the desk. [color=aba000]"I just hope that we've been living up to your expectation so far. It hasn't exactly been the best of circumstances."[/color]

Anaya nodded. [color=mistyrose]"I understand, and even if times are tough, being here's great!"[/color]

[color=aba000]"I'm glad to hear that."[/color] Considering some of the things Serenity had been through, Alicia was glad to hear that it was not the same for Anaya. She liked to think it was a good sign. [color=aba000]"Well, if you need anything just let me know. With all the trouble getting along and being prepared so we can trust each other is more important than ever."[/color]

 [color=mistyrose]"Right, okay!"[/color]

Pleased that things had gone so well, Alicia felt comfortable returning things to a less serious topic. To do so, she leaned forward to examine one of the dolls that Anaya was working on. [color=aba000]"So, do you give them names?"[/color] she asked, glancing between it and its creator. 

[color=Mistyrose]"Not really. Most of the spirits have their own names."[/color] Anaya started putting the finishing touches on the more recent doll. [color=Mistyrose]"But some don't remember, so we give them monikers to go by, at least till they do."[/color]

[color=aba000]"Ah, makes sense."[/color] Alicia didnt know that much when it came to Spirit girls beyond the basics, so this was a new experience for her. [color=aba000]"I can use some of my more mundane magic to talk with spirits, but this seems really impressive compared to that. Is there a particular kind of spirit you use for this sort of thing?"[/color]

Anaya shrugged. [color=Mistyrose]"Hm, not really. I do look for spirits of old warriors, or of magical girls long passed. Just those that are capable and willing to fight."[/color]

[color=aba000]"Huh. Is it alright if I hang around to watch a bit? I'm a bit curious as to how it works,"[/color] Alicia admitted. 

The spirit girl nodded. [color=Mistyrose]"Of course, the others do love the company."[/color] she chuckled.

Having gotten approval, Alicia settled in to watch Anaya as she worked. She might pick up a thing or two, but even if she didnt, the idle chatter would have to let the day go by. There were worse things that she could be doing right now.