[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/EitNp5D.png[/img]

[b]“This’ll teach ya to knock me out and wipe my memories like some disposable side character!”[/b]

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

Penny would take a moment to herself as she stood outside the door that led to Binky’s lab. A moment to reflect on just how fast it was that her life had changed in the last forty eight hours. It wasn’t as much of a surprise anymore when it happened, she understood now, better then she had ever done so before, that she was likely forever touched by that ever changing chaos, and if she was honest she had taken solace in that fact.

But that had nothing to do with why she was here.

Pushing open the door Penny would take a look around for the wayward scientist, one she held a debt of gratitude towards. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Hey Binky, it’s Penny”[/b][/u][/color] She would call out as she moved further into the lab in her search.

Binky jumped at Penny’s sudden appearance, but regained their composure quickly. After so many surprise visits, she must have been getting used to Penny. 

[b]”Oh hiya bud.”[/b] Binky greeted Penny with a wave. [b]”You keep getting better with every incarnation huh?”[/b] She rubbed her chin. [b]”So it was a success then? No pains or abnormalities?”[/b] The green haired girl gestured at Penny with a smile. [b]”Except for the appearance, of course.”[/b]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“As far as I can tell yeah.”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would answer with a nod [color=9e0039][u][b]“Ran a full diagnostic shortly after the reforging and everything came back green. There was one bit that was odd.”[/b][/u][/color] It was hard to put into words, even though Penny’s aura plainly told the story, but it was easily apparent to the robotic girl that she was locked in, for lack of a better way to describe it, as a Monstergirl now. [color=9e0039][u][b]“But it’s more a result of how I went about fixing things I think. Other than that I feel great, so I’d call it a complete success. Thank you again for the help”[/b][/u][/color] She would reiterate placing a hand on BInky shoulder as she spoke. She didn’t want to contemplate where she would be right now if not for BInky’s assistance.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“On that, I was wondering if now would be a good time to fulfill my end of the bargain”[/b][/u][/color] Taking a step back she’d give Binky an easy going smile [color=9e0039][u][b]“It’s the least I could do at this point”[/b][/u][/color]

[b]”Oh, I don’t think that that will be necessary anymore.”[/b] Binky placed a hand on Penny’s. [b]”I mean I think if she really wanted to find me, she’d have done it already. That was why I didn’t press going with you last time you were here. It doesn’t matter that much to me.”[/b] Binky grinned. [b]”But if you feel you owe me, it might be interesting to take a closer look at you.”[/b] 

[b]”Totally!”[/b] A second Binky who looked just like the first stepped into the room. [b]”Like, I sooooooo wanna peak under the hood!”[/b] Binky prodded at her metal frame. 

A third Binky, like a silent assassin, dropped down from the ceiling and attempted to hug Penny from behind. She would both run afoul of one of Penny’s new passive systems as a gravimetric barrier would repulse the surprise hug, at least until Penny fully realized what it was and let her through. [b]”It could probably help with research! Yes, there’s a lot here to research. Everything needs to be thoroughly examined.”[/b]

A forth binky was darting around with a camera, taking pictures from every single angle. [b]”I am genuinely curious what’s under those metal plates myself. Especially the face, it’s so smooth compared to everything else!”[/b]

One of the closets made a muffled noise. Penny’s heat sensors could pick up something roughly Binky’s height on the other side of the door. Oddly it was floating off the ground, like it had been pinned to the ceiling somehow.

All things said Penny was giving all of the gathered Binky’s with a suspicious look, one that only got worse when she noted the hidden Binky sized reading.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Uh huh”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would give the gathered Binky’s another once over [color=9e0039][u][b]“Going to take more than that to get me to bare it all for you”[/b][/u][/color] She would say as she walked towards the closet, not bothering to allow any of the current Binkys to stop her, before opening it.

To say that she was surprised to see yet another BInky tied up and hanging within the closet, would be something of a lie, the fact that the other four Binkys instantly fled once she opened the door was something of a surprise however. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Do they do stuff like this often?”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would ask the Binky in the closet as she set about getting them down.

[b]”Quite often, yes.”[/b] Binky stood upright, but her arms were still bound to her sides because of all the rope wound around her. She almost looked like a spool. [b]”They hate me, so they’ll do things like this. The twins usually catch on quickly enough, but they’re getting better at impersonating me.”[/b] Binky looked up at Penny. [b]”And hello.”[/b] Binky didn’t smile. There were giant bags under her eyelids and her hair shot out in every direction. [b]”The coin does appear to have worked. I take it the second you is alright as well?”[/b]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“They got the peace they’ve been wanting”[/b][/u][/color] Would be Penny’s reply to the real Binky’s question, as she set about freeing Binky from her cocoon of ropes. 

Once Penny untied Binky, she rubbed her arms. [b]”The longer we linger here, the more desperate my clones will be to, um, examine you. That is what I feel at least.”[/b] She rubbed her eyes. [b]”That is to say I would appreciate you escorting me to Penrose Middle School. It’s just a crater now, but I’m sure she’ll drop by if we go there.”[/b]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Sounds like a plan. Don’t really want to get into a position where I am forced to banish a clone of yours”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say as she turned to lead the way to the middle school [color=9e0039][u][b]“You want to stop by the cafeteria or a gas station and pick up some coffee? You look like you could use some. I’d recommend some sleep but I get the feeling that would be ignored.”[/b][/u][/color]

[b]”Meeting with Betty would fix a lot of this.”[/b] She pointed all over her face with her finger. [b]”I’m also strapped for cash. I don’t think I could afford a cup of coffee.”[/b] She tapped her fingers together. [b]”Unless...”[/b]

[hr]

Binky and Penny had arrived at the old site for Penrose middle school. The green haired researcher had gotten a small coffee to go and was now leaning against a charred fence post. 

[b]”I don’t like relying on coffee, but thank you. This is a lot better than what I can make myself.”[/b] She slurped from the cup and wiped her sleeve on her arm. It was cold out, and Binky’s uniform wasn’t the warmest. There were goosebumps all over her skin. [b]”We shouldn’t have to wait long. Thank you again for bringing me out here. The outer alliance makes going outside troublesome.”[/b]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Yeah I can see how that would have made going out and about solo rough”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would agree as she scanned the surroundings. She had to admit she wasn’t sure if this place had been blasted before or after the Ascendency showed up but the desolation that it evoked was the same regardless. 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Hard to say if it will be better or worse considering what happened at the Park a couple of nights ago.”[/b][/u][/color] It was too early to gauge what the loss of leadership within the Outer alliance would lead to, to say nothing about Penny picking up Cindy’s title.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Why are you so certain that they will find out that we are here?”[/b][/u][/color] She would go on to ask bringing her gaze back around to Binky [color=9e0039][u][b]“Because without a coat it’s just going to get worse, would have stopped for you to grab one if I had known you didn’t have sealing”[/b][/u][/color]

[b]”It’s alright.”[/b] Binky slurped their coffee again. [b]”You could say we have something of a connection.”[/b] She forced a smile.

Not long afterwards, something bubbled in the center of the crater. Dark forms took the shape of humans as they ventured into the light. The first shape shrugged the darkness off of itself, revealing the person underneath.

Veronica.

[color=#bd71e8]“Binky, I was wondering when you’d come out here.”[/color]

[b]”It’s been hectic.”[/b] Binky looked around. [b]”I’m surprised you didn’t come for me sooner.”[/b] 

[color=#bd71e8]“The ascendancy has made doing anything with Beacon difficult. But your stay wasn’t that bad was it?”[/color] She turned to Penny. [color=#bd71e8]“Who are you?”[/color] 

[b]”That’s Penny..”[/b]

[color=#bd71e8]“No. No she is not.”[/color]

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I’m starting to see what you meant Binky”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would say with a sigh. A few questions she had now have been answered, just not in the way she had been expecting. 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Hey Veronica”[/b][/u][/color] she would greet with a half hearted wave [color=9e0039][u][b]“I am Penny. got a systems update a few days ago hence the new look”[/b][/u][/color] She would explain before pinging Veronica with the comms unit she had gotten from the vampire to further prove she was who she said she was. Because Penny had a feeling Veronica could tell that which most others wouldn’t or couldn’t.

Veronica squinted her eyes. [color=#bd71e8]“It has been a confusing few weeks. Perhaps the full story can wait.”[/color] 

Binky looked to the second shape coming out of the inky darkness. While a magical girl emerged from it, it was not one that Penny recognized. A white haired girl carrying an assault rifle. 

[b]”H-hello Remedy!”[/b] Binky lifted a hand to her chin and looked around. [b]”Excuse me Veronica,I’m glad to see you, but I was really looking forward to seeing Betty.”[/b]

Veronica looked at Binky for a moment. The same way an office drone might look at a stack of paperwork on a Monday. She slid a ring off of her finger and held it out to Binky. It looked like an ordinary ring, save the large ruby it was decorated with.

Binky shuffled closer and held out her hand, to which Veronica lowered the ring into. [b]”I don’t understand.”[/b]

[color=#bd71e8]“It’s her soul stone.”[/color] Veronica folded her arms behind her back. [color=#bd71e8]“Justine was going to attack an innocent magical girl, and she rushed to her defense. Her body was corrupted, but her soul remains safe inside that ring.”[/color]

Binky’s hands trembled. She curled her fingers around the ring and sunk to the ground. [b]”Justine has her body then?”[/b]

[color=#bd71e8]“I’m not sure. She left with it, I know that much.”[/color] Binky hung her head, but Veronica continued to speak. [color=#bd71e8]“Justine bit her, so she was likely corrupted like the other girls who worked under her were.”[/color] The green haired girl sniffled, Veronica started to pace. [color=#bd71e8]“Best case scenario, the body doesn’t function without the soul, and Justine sees fit to destroy it. If she does that, then Betty will return with her body in a month’s time. Though I think it’s far more likely that Justine would have other uses for her body. To display it as a trophy, among other things.”[/color] Veronica stood behind Binky. [color=#bd71e8]“Perhaps Justine’s curse doesn’t need Betty’s soul to work, in which case she would still have control over her body. If that happened then we may never get Betty back. She’s turned girls into monsters before, she might decide to do something like that again.”[/color] By this point Binky was balling. Veronica gave her a moment to grieve before kneeling down and wrapping her arms around Binky’s neck. [color=#bd71e8]“But I don’t plan on letting her keep Betty. I have a score to settle with her. She will pay for every atrocity she has ever committed. When I’m done with her, she will regret every action that led up to this point. Her entire life will feel like a string of bad choices.”[/color] She hugged Binky against her chest. [color=#bd71e8]“You and Betty will be reunited, like you would have been tonight.”[/color] Binky sniffled, but she seemed to be calming down. Veronica let go of her. [color=#bd71e8]“Would you like to help me save Betty?”[/color]

The timid magical girl didn’t need time to think about it. She wiped away her tears, wiped the snot off on her arm, and stood up. She turned to Veronica and clasped her hands together. [b]”I will do whatever it takes to bring her back!”[/b]

The former coin broker rose to her feet and looked to Penny. [color=#bd71e8]“I’m not sure what’s off with you, but it’s clear you don’t want to talk about it. Quite honestly, it doesn’t interest me.”[/color] She folded her arms behind her back. [color=#bd71e8]“What interests me is putting an end to the Mint, Justine, and any other forces that would harm this wonderful city. For that I will need magical girls. Strong ones.”[/color] She spread her arms. [color=#bd71e8]“Would you be interested in joining the Cradle’s cause?”[/color]

It was interesting to watch Veronica convince Binky to come back into the fold, a mix of cold fact, emotional plea, and the answer to a desperate situation. It stung to see because Penny had fallen for it herself once, yet Veronica had left the Mint, so Penny didn’t feel the need to speak up against Binky’s choice, besides from the sounds of things Binky had been cut off, rather than tried to flee so she doubted that she could do much to keep them apart other then turning Binky into an actual prisoner. 

Penny would simply raise an eye after she was addressed again, silently expressing her doubt at Veronica’s claim of not wanting to know, before shrugging [color=9e0039][u][b]“I doubt that many people get to hear more then one sales pitches from you”[/b][/u][/color] would be her reply as she loosely crossed her arms in front of her [color=9e0039][u][b]“And while I can see the benefits, not to mention my own personal interest in keeping Penrose safe, last time I dealt with you I jumped in without reading the fine print so I would prefer to know what the catch is up front this time. If you don’t mind?”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=#bd71e8]“Veronica the Mint coin broker is a different animal than Veronica the Cradle mother.”[/color] She placed a hand on Binky’s shoulder. [color=#bd71e8]“The Mint keeps secrets from everyone, including their own people. The Cradle is much more open about its work. We have a Glimmr account and everyone knows who my agents are. This makes conventional espionage tricky, but not impossible. We don’t disclose active operations to the public, but we declassify missions much faster than the Mint does. We’re a tightly knit group that’s proud of what we do.”[/color] Binky had stopped sniffling by this point. [color=#bd71e8]“Also unlike the Mint, things are set up so that agents don’t become debtors. I don’t gain anything by penalizing my agents for requiring special help. You’ve worked with Beacon, correct? Then you probably understand some of the Cradle’s capabilities.”[/color] She shrugged. [color=#bd71e8]“You can imagine the drawbacks. Being so exposed does put a target on you from other organizations, We’re not nearly as large as Beacon or Mint, and our numbers even pale to most puchuu. On a more ‘personal’ level, I’m connected to everyone’s thoughts. Technically I can dig up anything that is housed in your mind. This is in place to ensure traitors do not emerge in our ranks rather than some pointless display of mental voyeurism.”[/color] Veronica lifted her hand, and a contract appeared with a puff of smoke. [color=#bd71e8]“If you wish to see the ‘fine print’, you may inspect the contract.”[/color]

It would be easy to see the exact moment that Penny found the deal untenable, and it was the moment that Veronica mentioned that she would have free access to Penny’s mind. Penny flinched away at that, as it was perhaps her greatest fear at this point. Someone having more power or influence over her mind then she did. It didn’t matter how well she understood on an intellectual level that wasn’t the case, the simple existence of that back door being a requirement shut down any chance of Penny joining the cradle. Not that the odds were very high in the first place.

That said she would still take the contract and read it over before speaking. [color=9e0039][u][b]“I know that you are a different person from when you used to work with the Mint. Otherwise I wouldn’t still be a part of this conversation. I agree that Mint and Justine need to be shut down and to that end I am willing to work with you, When it comes to working towards keeping Penrose safe and reversing the disastrous state the city has fallen into I am willing to work with you.”[/b][/u][/color] She would raise her eyes off the contract before rolling it back up unsigned and offering it back to Veronica.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“But I can't agree to giving you, or anyone, free access to my mind. For any reason.”[/b][/u][/color] She would meet Veronica’s eyes [color=9e0039][u][b]“Until that changes I will never join your cradle, but I will still work alongside you towards the betterment of this city, if you would allow that.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=#bd71e8]“More or less what I was expecting.”[/color] The contract was swallowed up by a shadow. [color=#bd71e8]“Though you must understand why that is necessary in my line of work. The Mint is everywhere, and the privacy of my agent’s thoughts is not worth more than their safety. My terms will [i]never[/i] change.”[/color] She pointed at Penny. [color=#bd71e8]“[i]Especially[/i] for you. You were working for the Mint, Laat, and Beacon all at the same time. You were double and triple crossing people right out of the gate.”[/color] She gave Penny a sideways glance. [color=#bd71e8]“Or were you? I’m not convinced that Jason is the one rattling around in there. Your mind looked familiar, but-.”[/color] 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“That’s because Jason is gone”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would interrupt. [color=9e0039][u][b]“Chloe’s latest betrayal finally broke him and when we used the Red Coin, he gave over everything before cutting himself out. He won't be coming back.”[/b][/u][/color] She didn’t want to be telling them all this, but Veronica already could tell the important part, and she could figure the rest out easily enough by looking into BInky’s memories if she was as intelligent as Penny assumed. So if people were going to learn, it was because Penny was going to tell them, she wouldn’t bury the truth that deeply. 

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I am Penny, I have only ever been Penny. And while we have never directly met before now”[/b][/u][/color] She would say gesturing between herself and Veronica [color=9e0039][u][b]“I was there when you and Jason first did. I can’t claim that my actions would have been drastically different from his, but I can say that I am trying to learn from his mistakes and that I am trying to be a better person then he was.”[/b][/u][/color] For as much as she wasn’t Jason, she also was to a degree.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“I don’t begrudge you not trusting me, but at least understand that the only thing I have that is truly mine are a scant handful of memories and thoughts. I want those to stay mine, as I have nothing else.”[/b][/u][/color]

[color=#bd71e8]“Sentiment.”[/color] She rolled her shoulders before gesturing towards Binky. [color=#bd71e8]“I came here for Binky, and I won’t stay here any longer than I have to. You helped bring us together, intentional or not. We may work together in the future. Under special circumstances of course.”[/color] Veronica folded her arms. [color=#bd71e8]“Regardless, I hope you don’t repeat your predecessor’s mistakes. I may have betrayed the mint, but I have never betrayed my agents.”[/color] She stepped into the crater, and disappeared inside a shadow. 

Binky’s eyes were still red from crying, but there was a strange look of determination in her eyes. She turned to Penny and bowed [b]”Thanks for the coffee!”[/b] She lifted her head. [b]”If you ever want to get in contact with us, just come here.”[/b] Binky followed Veronica into the crater, and the medic trailed behind her. Before long, Penny was alone.

[color=9e0039][u][b]“Gods be damned, you are still confusing”[/b][/u][/color] Penny would mutter to herself once she was alone, before shrugging and turning to leave. She would stop at the edge of the property simply looking back at the spot that Veronica and Binky had left. Wondering. She would eventually turn away and continue on her way. There were people that needed her help, and the only thing she could do at the moment was take things one step at a time.