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

[color=75c159]“Double post woooooooooooooooooooo!

Also Ari as Vi-chan Woooooooooooooooooo!”[/color]

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

It was time for another interrogation. A high profile one no less.

Elvira was in what appeared to be a concrete bunker. While mostly bare, the furnishings it did have were of outstanding quality. The chairs and table were sturdy, and the lighting was far less intimidating than Tetrad’s dimly lit interdimensional bar. There was also a not-so-subtle mirror that hid Veronica and a few other cradle agents from view. 

Elvira woke up to one of Tetrad’s cards poking her in the nose, and opened her eyes to squint. “Oof...Uh, whah...” She quickly realized she had been brought to an unfamiliar location, and gripped the armrests of her chair. 

Tetrad was flicking blue cards at Elvira’s unconscious body. Most of her wounds had been healed already, but they had only done enough to ensure she didn’t die.  

[color=75c159]“You awake Vi-Chan? Do you prefer Elvira?”[/color] Tetrad tapped her fingers together.  [color=75c159]“You probably don’t remember much. But um, yea, you were hit by a magical car. You almost died.”[/color] Tetrad folded her fingers together. [color=75c159]“We patched you up, and we’d like to know a few things.”[/color]

Elvira attempted standing up, only to fall back down; she was still woozy and aching from her injuries, exacerbated due to being untransformed. She put a hand to her forehead. “Ow, my head hurts-wait, huh? A car? Who are you anyway? And where am I?”

[color=75c159]“I’m Agent Tetrad, with Cradle.”[/color] She continued sorting through her cards, flicking the non-blue ones over her shoulder in an attempt to “”combo” into the ones she actually wanted. [color=75c159]“As for your location, it’ll be a lot easier just to leave it at ‘interrogation room.’ But you’re safe here. While you were running away, you were hit by a car. We recovered you shortly afterwards.”[/color] 

Elvira visibly tensed at the word ‘interrogation’, her eyes having shot wide open.

She set her deck face down on the table and folded her arms. Her face was neutral, her posture was relaxed. She swished her lips from one side to the other. Like a friend examining a quarantine haircut. [color=75c159]”Kind of weird for a pop idol to hatch a scheme like that. Do you want to talk about it?”[/color]

“W-What scheme? I don’t remember any scheme.” She briefly considered transforming and running, but then realized that if they didn’t prepare for such a thing happening, they would have bound her with chains or otherwise incapacitated her. She was too free, and that made her more scared than anything. She hatched up a plan, and brought out her pleading face.

“Well I wouldn’t know anything about that. You see, I was actually brainwashed, and don’t remember anything.” She had a pouty lip. “One moment I was chilling in my home, and the next thing I knew I was performing at some dingy club and attacked by all kinds of weirdos! I was so shocked, I needed to run away.”

Tetrad’s grin widened until her eyes shut. [color=75c159]”Oh! And here I thought you were working with the PI or Mint! It’s a relief to hear that isn’t the case.”[/color] She exhaled. [color=75c159]”Because the Mint would surely punish one of their agents. I can’t speak for the PI, but I get the impression they don’t like failure either. But if you don’t need any protection from them, that makes my job easier.”[/color] 

Elvira managed to keep her poker face and nodded with a smile, though inside she looked nervous. [i]Phew, that was sloppy, but the bimbo bought it.[/i]

Tetrad was about to get up, but then after thinking a bit, she sat back down. [color=75c159]”Still, something doesn’t quite add up.”[/color] She was still smiling. [color=75c159]”Hope you don’t mind, but one of our agents went to probe your mind. We wanted to find out what was going on while you were out. But someone put an enchantment on your mind to block mind probing. It’s pretty advanced too, it’ll take us a week to get inside.”[/color] She folded her arms. [color=75c159]”But this makes perfect sense. Whoever captured you must have sealed away your memories. We need to get in there so that we can uncover their scheme. I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before they come after you themselves. Let us help you.”[/color] Tetrad chuckled.

She blinked. “Oh, did they?” She doubled down on the lie. “In that case we just have to wait until it’s done then.” It was a week spent away from people who would want to kill her like the Mint. She also had time to think of an escape plan before they found out the truth, so she decided to accept it. “Anything else you wanted to ask me?”

[color=75c159]”A week? Oh, no, we have a much faster way in.”[/color] Tetrad reached behind herself and pulled up a piece of paper. The paper had a slightly red tint to it, but at a glance anyone could tell it was a contract. [color=75c159]”There might be a way to bypass the spell entirely if you sign this.”[/color] Tetrad tapped it. 

Elvira’s eyes darted to the contract; she felt a bead of sweat trickle down her back. “Huh?” The contract laid open before her, and she visibly shivered; it brought out bad memories with the Mint, when she signed her hellish contract. “A c-contract?” She asked, and bit her tongue for the stutter. “Uh, sorry but-”

[color=75c159]”You’re a free agent, right? So you won’t be stepping on anyone’s toes if you sign. It’ll temporarily make you an agent of Cradle. This will give us direct access to your mind. So any troublesome barriers and such shouldn’t pose a problem.”[/color] Tetrad rapped her hands on the table. [color=75c159]”We can put whatever you want on this, within reason. Would you like a security detail? That can be written in! Would you like money? That can also be written in! We can even write in other rules like that we aren’t allowed to hurt you after you sign. Not that we would, but you seem a little nervous.”[/color] 

She tapped a finger on her knee, her eyes moving between Tetrad and the paper. [i]They’re bullshitting. Nobody can provide complete security. She’s just baiting me so she could bust me and then kill me.But if it’s true, I could admit my guilt right now and then-[/i]

Tetrad leaned forward. [color=75c159]”Well, not that I would. I don’t want you to get upset, but Veronica is a former mint coin broker. She had very different ideas for you, so I’m hoping we can solve this with a contract.”[/color]

A bead of sweat trickled from her brow. [i]No no no! She’s got connections to them! Chloe’s got you covered, Chloe’s got you covered, don’t buy it![/i] 

“Uh, what kind of ideas, exactly?” She asked, trying to get more time as she sorted out her inner dilemma.

[color=75c159]”I doubt you want to know the specifics. But she’ll probe your mind, get what she wants, and then you’ll be at the mercy of the world.”[/color] Tetrad sighed, her smile vanishing. [color=75c159]”I get it, I signed Veronica’s contract too. Situation was a bit different for me, but it’s still scary.”[/color] She looked at the contract. [color=75c159]”Honestly Elvira, this is not typically how I approach these, erm, interrogations. [/color] She waved her hands over the table. [color=75c159]”But I don’t want you to be scared or anything like that.”[/color] She pointed at Elvira. [color=75c159]”I believe that you are innocent, or at the very least, wish to help.”[/color] 

She pulled the contract closer to herself. [color=75c159]”So if you have any demands, just let me hear them and we can make this contract easier to sign. Right now it looks like you’ll be a cradle agent for a week. Though you won’t actually have to serve us, that’s just to give Veronica access to your mind for the duration. No harm will come to you during or after the contract is fulfilled, and you’ll be given a studio in a safe location that will have a computer, some speakers, looks like there’s some props written down here, a studio microphone. Anything else you’d like to add?”[/color]

Elvira tapped her foot, and leaned on the palm of her hand as the elbow rested on her knee. She was still suspicious of Tetrad’s words, though she was also tempted by what was offered. “I once signed a contract with the Mint,” she admitted before she realized it. “Biggest mistake of my life. I didn’t read the fine print, so I was treated like crap and got zilch for pay. And every waking day I had to be afraid that the big boss upstairs didn’t decide to bump me off...Or worse.”

She stopped her tapping and averted her eyes. “I managed to run away, but I’ve been in hiding ever since, doing everything I can to keep them off my trail.” She glanced at Tetrad. “‘Veronica’s ex-Mint, correct? Did she quit because she wanted to earn more money off of suffering magical girls?”

Tetrad pushed the contract off to the side. [color=75c159]”I’ve never worked for Mint, but having worked under her, I’d have to say no.”[/color] She pulled out a deck of Tarot cards and started shuffling them. [color=75c159]”We don’t have any debts. I’ve yet to see her send an agent to their death or anything like that. We’re a small force so we feel more like a family than anything else. We have a Glimmr page, which I don’t see the Mint doing.”[/color] She cut the deck of cards without looking at them. [color=75c159]”My situation was something like this: A puchu took me on as a magical girl, he left me for dead, some Cradle agents found me, and that’s when I was offered a contract. I feel like she saved me, if anything.”[/color] Tetrad set the cards down with a smile. [color=75c159]”Would you like to talk to some of the other agents? There are a few in the other room.”[/color]

"Uhh...Sure." Elvira was surprised by the turn this interrogation took. To her, Tetrad seemed like someone willing to torture her, but so far she was courteous and co-operative. Then again, maybe it was all a ruse just to catch her. "I'd like to see what other agents the Cradle has." Maybe then she'd get a better feel for the truth.

Tetrad lifted her fingers up to the side of her head. [color=75c159]”Who have we got?”[/color] Tetrad waited. [color=75c159]”Eliza’s on a date? Figures Silhouette won’t be available. But those others should be enough.”[/color]

A wooden door swung open, and Trixy stepped in. Her rifle was holstered across her back. [color=CCBFFF]“Hi!”[/color] She gave the idol a dumb smile and waved her hand. [color=CCBFFF]“I’m Trixy! I run the Cradle’s Glimmr account, maybe you remember me sending you a message? Maybe not, you’re pretty popular.”[/color] She laughed. 

Elvira had to hold herself from scrunching her nose at Trixy, having remembered the message she got from her. [i]Oh crap, she's here.[/i] She gave an awkward smile as she lightly waved back at the new girl. "Uh, hi? Yeah, I get tons of pings, so I must have missed yours, sorry~."


[color=CCBFFF]“That’s fine, but are you single? Asking for a friend because I have a girlfriend myself. I love her to death and it would be rude if I cheated on her. But if things were to fall through-”[/color]

"Oh, thanks, but I'm good. An idol like me isn't allowed to openly engage in relationships anyway, hah."

[b]”Hello!”[/b] A lanky white haired girl gave a single wave as she entered the room. She had an assault rifle strapped to her back. Though she also had what looked like a surgeon's medical kit. [b]”I’m Maria, but everyone just calls me Remedy.”[/b] She nodded. [b]”Apologies if you weren’t healed adequately. Water magic isn’t the most efficient, and my magical bandages only work when applied directly to wounds.”[/b]

She didn't know the other girl, but she seemed decent enough, if a bit cold. "Well, as long as it doesn't leave a scar; I need my skin to be unblemished for my fans~"

[b]”You shouldn’t have any scars.”[/b] Remedy reassured her. [b]”But I understand you wanted to talk to us?”[/b]

The NEET smiled a bit. "Well, I just wanted to hear some opinions about Cradle and Veronica. What is it like working for her? How would you compare it to the Mint?"

[color=CCBFFF]“Oh you cannot compare Veronica to anyone!”[/color] Trixy clasped her hands together like the fangirl she is. [color=CCBFFF]“She’s sweet, very pretty, and sees the good in everyone.”[/color] Her eyes squeezed shut. [color=CCBFFF]“I had nothing going for me, but she looked inside me and found my potential. Now I’m her top manager!”[/color] She gave a nod to Remedy.

[b]”My Puchuu abandoned me a long time ago, so I was trying to make it as a solo girl.”[/b] The medic smiled. [b]”But once I started working for Veronica, I knew I didn’t want to do anything else. I knew she’d have my back.”[/b]

“Is that so?”

Elvira asked, interested to see the girls with such positive views on Veronica. Still, since they haven’t worked for the Mint, it was hard to gauge. All this thinking had taken a toll on her, and she held her head again-

A guttural laugh cut through the room, and a third guest invited themselves in, causing Elvira to blink in surprise. This one was a woman in a black dress. Her flesh was gray, and there were veins running all over her body. [b]”I suppose if she wants to hear how Veronica compares to the Mint, She’ll have to hear it from someone who’s actually worked for both, huh?”[/b] Her voice was almost as deep as a man’s.

Tetrad pulled her head back. [color=75c159]”…Oh! Hi sunshine!”[/color] She pointed at the newly arrived with both hands and looked at Elvira. [color=75c159]”Anyway! This is Blair.”[/color]

[b]”You’re useless, all of you.”[/b] Blair took a seat beside Tetrad, who just looked away and folded her arms. [b]”Now I just want everyone to shut up. I’m going to say this once and then I’m going to leave. It’s way too crowded in here with even just two of you idiots.”[/b] Her skin seemed to pulse with the beat of her heart. [b]”So, you want to know how working for Veronica compares to working for Mint, right? That’s easy, they [i]don’t[/i] fuckin’ compare.”[/b] Blair leaned back in her seat and lit up a cigarette. Tetrad covered her nose. [b]”The Mint sinks you as far in debt as it can, and then uses that debt to control you. You never move up, you always move down.”[/b] She flipped open a zippo lighter and lit up her cigarette. With a solid click, she stashed it in her pocket. [b]”They kept pressuring me to do more and more dangerous things. I ended up using my own coin and stole another one off a fellow agent. It was a shitty thing to do, but I think I got the worse end of the bargain. I was doing both of our operations, and still my debt grew.”[/b] She exhaled through her nose, and the gray smoke tumbled over the table. [b]”The others will tell you Veronica makes them feel appreciated, that she’s honest, or that she’s the second coming of Christ. I don’t know about any of that crap. I do know I’ve been her agent since her coin broker days, and things didn’t get better until she broke off from the Mint.”[/b] She poked the contract while standing up. [b]”You do what you want, makes no difference to me what happens to you. But me? No regrets.”[/b] Blair headed for the door without looking back at anyone. 

[color=75c159]”Right, um. So yea!”[/color] Tetrad smiled. [color=75c159]”That was Blair, I’m a little surprised she showed up with everyone.”[/color] She waved to Trixy and Remedy, who waved back before leaving the room themselves. [color=75c159]”She’s sort of a loner, doesn’t seem to like any of the other agents, but I’ve never heard her say anything bad about Veronica.”[/color]

Elvira was astounded by the powerful speech Blair made before she left, as suddenly as she had arrived. The internet idol could tell that she spoke from real experience, having also felt the burden of those debts. She lightly waved back to the others before turning to Tetrad.

“I see...Looks like Veronica’s a good boss for you girls.” She bit her lip. “I like the look of this place too. Nice and shady...Just like my old hangout.” She sighed heavily. “So, a week-long membership? That’s what you’re offering, right?”

[color=75c159]”We can change it to whatever you’d like really. Within reason.”[/color] Tetrad folded her arms and leaned forward. [color=75c159]”It can be made longer or shorter.”[/color] She picked up the contract to look at it again before pushing it away. [color=75c159]”I mean, if you wanted to actually work with us, that would be cool too. I don’t think it’s what Veronica’s expecting but it wouldn’t be hard to convince her. The process is the same either way, you’re shown a contract that outlines everything and then you sign it.”[/color] She locked eyes with Elvira. [color=75c159]”Up to you though. I think we can make this contract better for you if you’d like though. Maybe get a TV thrown into the deal?”[/color] She grinned. [color=75c159]”Chocolates? A plush?”[/color]

“Hey now, don’t treat me like a spoiled brat,” Elvira retorted. “As long as I get a room and a computer with wi-fi, that’s all I’d need.” She took a deep sigh as she closed her eyes...And then took a pen, writing into the contract.

[i]Sorry Chloe, but I just can’t trust you anymore after how you abandoned me at the rave...Goodbye.[/i]

After a moment, she slid the contract back to Tetrad. It had new additions in the terms including living space for Elvira, basic amenities, internet connection, and even a right to lock her room whenever she wants to. Most surprisingly, Elvira demanded full membership into the Cradle.

“These are my terms. I’m sick and tired of running, and even more sick of people who use me before leaving me. So if I’m going to be here...I’m settling in for good, I suppose.”

[color=75c159]”Yis!”[/color] Tetrad squealed with excitement before clapping her hands together. [color=75c159]”I think you’re making a smart choice, and I can’t wait to show you the others!”[/color] She looked over the contract. [color=75c159]”Alright, let’s get these changes amended.”[/color] 

[hr]

Not much later, Veronica walked into the room with a new contract. She placed them side by side so that Elvira and Tetrad could see they were the same. [color=#bd71e8]”This is agreeable then?”[/color]

Tetrad took a look over it. [color=75c159]”Looks good to me, But you should look over it too Elvira.”[/color]

Elvira read through it, with a grim face she nodded. "I don't like the fact that my life is in your hands, or that I can get sent on dangerous missions," she stated, not sugarcoating the facts. "But it's a lot better than trying to fend for myself in a hole somewhere, waiting every day until a debt collector kicks down the door. I'll also have a better chance to further my career as Vi-chan. I'll get to live...In more ways than one." She managed a bittersweet smile. "I accept the terms."

Tetrad had no problem waterboarding, electrocuting, or anything of the sort to get the information she needed. Her targets were always evil, and using evil means against them didn’t feel wrong to Tetrad. It was poetic justice. But something felt off this time. That was why she decided to go easy on Elvira. 

[color=#bd71e8]”Very well.”[/color] Veronica pulled a quill out of her sleeve and quickly swiped the tip across her cheek. Elvira flinched, but did little else. Her blood splattered on the contract, and Veronica cleaned the tip of the quill with her tongue. [color=#bd71e8]”It’s done.”[/color]

[color=75c159]”You’re one of us, Elvira!”[/color] Tetrad placed her hands on her hips. [color=75c159]”Turning you over to the C-team was hard, but I’ve got MAD charisma!”[/color] She laughed. [color=75c159]”I don’t hug girls often, but you’re an Idol so come here!”[/color] She leaned across the table and placed her hands on Elvira, only to realize she was locked in stasis.

[color=75c159]”Elvira? You okay?”[/color]

She was still wearing her bittersweet smile, flinching at the signing process. 

[color=#bd71e8]”Oh, now these are quite lovely.”[/color] Elvira’s gauntlets appeared on Veronica’s arms. [color=#bd71e8]”And she has a big backpack too? I wonder if Myria would have a use for that.”[/color] The red rouge inspected the gauntlets. [color=#bd71e8]”These will make [i]fine[/i] weapons once they’re cursed. I may use them in my own arsenal.”[/color]

[color=75c159]”Veronica!”[/color] Tetrad stood up. [color=75c159]”What are you doing? She’s an agent now!”[/color]

Veronica looked at Tetrad out of the corner of her eye. [color=#bd71e8]”Did you really not see this coming?”[/color] She stepped behind Elvira. [color=#bd71e8]”You were interrogating someone [b]inside the cradle.[/b] Why wouldn’t I take the opportunity to plunder her gear?”[/color] 

[color=75c159]”Her contract says we can’t hurt her.”[/color]

[color=#bd71e8]”She is not in pain.”[/color] Veronica placed a hand on the back of Elvira’s head. [color=#bd71e8]”She isn’t even aware she’s in stasis. It’s like she’s asleep, only she’ll never dream. If I were to awaken her right now, she wouldn’t even realize she was in stasis.”[/color] Veronica pulled a spectral red tome out of the back of Elvira’s head and flipped through the pages. [color=#bd71e8]”So she was in league with Chloe? And the PI did their own thing? No wonder the rave was a mess.”[/color]

[color=75c159]”We need more people.”[/color] Tetrad approached her employer. [color=75c159]”You need someone to replace Bet-”[/color]

[color=#bd71e8]”Don’t. You. Dare.”[/color] Veronica slammed the book closed. [color=#bd71e8]”How do you think people will respond to Cradle knowing that we are harboring Elvira? What will you tell Maura and Eliza who lost two of their number to the rave?”[/color] The book was held up in the air. [color=#bd71e8]”She lied to you Tetrad, she was in control the entire time.”[/color]

[color=75c159]”I know that, I'm not a literal bimbo!”[/color] She cast out her arm. [color=75c159]”I’m not going to pretend our idol here isn’t a shady person, or even that she’s perfect.”[/color] With a sigh, the gambler continued. [color=75c159]”Penrose will be stronger if they know who their enemy is. We know Chloe is a Mint agent. If we can spin a story where Elvira was brainwashed by the Mint, that will hurt their image, right? Hell, if Justine and the Mint are working together, it’s all the more plausible.”[/color] Tetrad placed a hand on her hip and forehead. [color=75c159]”Eliza and Maura is something else, I can try talking to them.”[/color]

[color=#bd71e8]”You really don’t want to see her left in the Cradle?”[/color] Tetrad nodded, to which Veronica clicked her tongue. [color=#bd71e8]”Very well. We will leave it to a vote.”[/color] Veronica opened the book again. [color=#bd71e8]”The next cradle meeting will begin in a few days. I will ask for everyone’s input then. [b]If even one agent wants to see Elvira imprisoned, in the Cradle she stays.[/b] Now let me read in peace.”[/color] 

[color=75c159]”That is fair, Veronica.”[/color]

Tetrad sighed. She had been given a chance to set Elvira free. She understood Veronica’s concern. Elvira would require some explaining to the general population. The Acendency was already not too happy with them, and they would be making themselves a pretty big target if Elvira joined their employ. All the same though, Elvira was a lot like Tetrad. Tetrad had been left for dead by her Puchuu, but Elvira had been left for dead by everyone who she ever chose to work with. The only difference was that Tetrad was fortunate enough to meet Veronica first.

Sometimes, all someone needs is an opportunity.