[center][url=https://i.imgur.com/gmRTrWA.jpg][img]https://i.imgur.com/5ZqyPyV.png[/img][/url][/center]

So, Deni eventually came home to the place Valkyrie had allowed her to borrow. Valkyrie’s existence in a void aside, Deni was very happy she had a place to just collapse into, detransform and just be Deni for a bit as she lay collapsed in the bed. The room had no windows, no way for Mariette to spy on her, it was just her, the bed, and a short selection of clothing provided by Valkyrie. Not that Deni had any use whatsoever of extra clothing…

But no, even Deni had been somewhat exhausted by the events of the day. Genki Girl meant she wouldn’t ever ACTUALLY run out of energy, but that was different compared to feeling the toll the day had taken on her. She’d been given a bit of a reminder. Things change rapidly. The reality of one day might be gone forever the next. Therefore, it was imperative she act before it was too late.

[color=9b83de][i]Veronica?[/i][/color] Deni tried over the mental link, or whatever it was.

[color=9b83de][i]When you have the time, I’d like to discuss something important…[/i][/color]

[color=#bd71e8][i]“I am available, for a time.”[/i][/color] Veronica’s voice rang in her head loud and clear. [color=#bd71e8][i]“What is it?”[/i][/color]

Deni’s just gonna rub her face a little. Now, because she’s new in town, there’s a possibility Mariette had someone shadowing her, just like Deni had shadowed people in the past. Fortunately, even if there were, there was no way they’d hear a mental conversation, so that’s comforting. Anyways. Here goes.

[color=9b83de][i]As I think I mentioned, I want to free Eli and Mariette from Asengav. Preferably in a way that makes him not just go pick them up again. As Asengav mind-bends his girls, as I know all too well now that I’m freed, it needs to be something I can force upon them. … You wouldn’t happen to have any super-convenient solutions lying about, would you?[/i][/color]

Deni asks, grinning a bit at the end just because.

[color=#bd71e8][i]“To force?”[/i][/color] Veronica considered the request. [color=#bd71e8][i]“To undo the magic of a patron is not an easy task. Though I possess the power to do such a thing. Almost everyone presently in the cradle was formerly another patron’s magical girl.”[/i][/color] She paused. [color=#bd71e8][i]“But to force them? That would be impossible, at least with what I presently know. You could force them under duress of course.”[/i][/color]

Yeah, no. It's not like Deni thought stealing from a horror was going to be easy.

[color=9b83de][i]Alright. Then let's change the goal. I'd like to undo a horror's mind-bending. Any ideas as to achieve something like that?[/i][/color]



[color=#bd71e8][i]“It’s possible.”[/i][/color] Deni could hear Veronica groan, like she was stretching. [color=#bd71e8][i]“Psychic, Emotion and Light magic users are all capable of removing a horror’s influence through a ritual. This means that Agent Tetrad and myself are capable of performing such a task. Though it will be difficult if they resist.”[/i][/color] Her tone became sharper. [color=#bd71e8][i]“I must stress that I’m presently trying to ally myself with Mariette, and Trixy shooting at her may have made that more difficult than it has to be. But turning her away from her patron does yield certain advantages to me.”[/i][/color] A pause. [color=#bd71e8][i]“Is this something you’d like to go through with?”[/i][/color]

Deni swallowed a bit as she listened. That was better than she’d hoped for. [color=9b83de][i]Heh, so basically we just need to kidnap her?[/i][/color] she asked, keeping the thing about allying with Mariette and Trixy shooting at her just in mind for now. [color=9b83de][i]Absolutely. I want them safe and free, something they’ll never be if they have to follow Asengav’s commands. If there’s any way to save them, I want to go through with it,[/i][/color] she told, confidence in her tone.

[color=#bd71e8][i]“Mariette is reclusive and cautious, at least when she’s not using monsters to show off in front of other magical girls.”[/i][/color] Deni could feel Veronica smile. [color=#bd71e8][i]“It will take some time to devise a plan. Angering an interdimensional horror is something I would like to try and avoid if I can. Not to mention I’d rather not drive a wedge between us with Justine’s assault on her looms so close. Speaking of, you should try to touch bases with Justine. She has one of mine, and is likely looking to pay Mariette a visit. We need to keep an eye on her and ensure we beat her to Mariette.”[/i][/color]

[color=9b83de][i]Alright![/i][/color] Sounded promising! Which just begged the question of what Veronica would want in return, but Deni wasn't about to dwell on that! [color=9b83de][i]Yeah, I won't let Justine attack Mariette without me! And when she does, I'll let you know![/i][/color] In the meantime, Deni had one more person she needed to reconnect with. She'd initially kept her distance, but it seemed she may not have the luxury of time on her side.

[hr]

[color=9b83de]‘There it is. The Golden Trove,’[/color] Ronin breathed out as she stopped before the building. She smirked a bit. It had come as quite a surprise when she heard who was leading it. Could you believe it? That shy little creature moving up in the world, haha. So, Ronin had been putting off going here, because the time needed to feel right, but now she was realizing she didn’t have a lot of time to spend. So. Here goes nothing.

Ronin shoved open the doors with a grin.

[color=9b83de]‘Hello! I’m the Tiny Ronin!’[/color] she called, treading in. [color=9b83de]‘I’m here to make friends with your proprietress!’[/color] she announced, because that’s how she is right now.

There was a man standing at the counter. He blinked once at Ronin’s deceleration.

[b]”Where are your parents?”[/b]

[color=PeachPuff]“I’ve got this.”[/color] The Golden Trove was still recovering from being vacant for 3 months, and the manager couldn’t be bothered to dress up when there was so much that needed to be done. There was nothing especially oriental about Su’s attire. She gave Ronin a courteous bow before folding her hands over her stomach. [color=PeachPuff]“I’m the proprietress. Well, the manager. My father owns the place.”[/color] She raised an eyebrow. [color=PeachPuff]“I don’t mind being your friend though. Was there something you needed?”[/color]

Honestly, there wasn’t much that looked quite alike the “Sue” that Deni remembered. Yet, it was definitely her. Ronin smiled a happy, knowing smile.

[color=9b83de]‘Hiii! I’m Ronin! I’m soo happy to meet you, I heard a bunch about you!’[/color] Ronin said, waving happily. [color=9b83de]‘I need a bunch of stuff! I need a bunch of friends, I want to get to know basically the entire magical community, and a [i]bunch[/i] more! But right now, I’d like to talk to you in private! There are things that would be sensitive should the wrong ears hear them~’[/color] Ronin told, grinning a bit happily. 

[color=PeachPuff]“Really now?”[/color] Su had her arms folded. After taking a moment to think about it, she waved her hand. [color=PeachPuff]“Right this way.”[/color] 

[hr]

The golden trove was coming together, but the back rooms still needed to be cleaned up. Ronin was guided through a few doors until they were in a hallway. Su never took her eyes off the tiny ronin, and she kept a certain distance from her as well. 

[color=PeachPuff]“Is this private enough?”[/color] Su placed a hand on her hip.

[color=9b83de]‘A hallway, huh? Isn’t that, like, a perfect spot for people to eavesdrop on?’[/color] Ronin told with a grin.

[color=PeachPuff]“No one is back here.”[/color] Su leaned against a wall. [color=PeachPuff]“all of the employees are walking the halls where the guests are. This is just a hallway that leads to some storage rooms and a private elevator that only I use. There are no nearby windows, and if there was a new magical presence, I would be notified about it.”[/color] Su rolled her shoulders. [color=PeachPuff]“It’s private.”[/color]

[color=9b83de]‘… Alright then! If you say it’s private, then it’s private! After all, I will be rather literally entrusting my life to you, anyway!’[/color] she then told, before spinning around to face Su, a little smile of nostalgia on it, or at the very least of bittersweetness.

[color=9b83de]‘How are you, by the way? Is everything as it should? I should be asking that first and foremost. Look at you, running a hotel! I’m impressed, hahaha! Still, yeah. Are you alright and all? Does this lifestyle suit you well?’[/color] Ronin asked, because she didn’t want to just head directly to the reveal, and also she genuinely wanted to know.

[color=PeachPuff]“Things were rough at first. Very rough.”[/color] Su looked down the hall. [color=PeachPuff]“Lost some friends, but that’s starting to feel commonplace. I don’t think I’m alone in that. I tell myself they’ll come back some day but it still feels like a long wait.”[/color] She brushed her hair out of her face. [color=PeachPuff]“Managing the hotel is enjoyable, but with everything going on I question why my Patron hasn’t decided to leave yet.”[/color] Su looked to Ronin. [color=PeachPuff]“I’m sorry, why did you want to talk in private?”[/color]

[color=9b83de]‘Because if a select number of individuals learned what I’m gonna share with you, they’d snatch me up, like, instantly!’[/color] Ronin told, grinning widely. She giggled some more and then sighed out through her smiling lips, returning to the bittersweet smile. She turned away from Su for a bit, for entirely drama-related reasons. 

[color=9b83de]‘I'm sorry you had to go through that. I'm delighted to hear you're enjoying your hotel, did you open it as a safe haven for those who are lost? That's so like you![/color]

Su hugged herself and looked away. [color=PeachPuff]“I-It’s just a business. ”[/color]

Ronin just smirked at said statement, and then continued. [color=9b83de]‘I'm so sad I couldn't be there. What happened to me wasn't my choice, I'd never have picked it by myself, but it let me cast off my chains, so I don't regret it. What I do regret, is however my disappearance may have affected you. I didn't mean it. Sorry!’[/color] she said, and as she did, her body started to grow… 

Su turned her head back towards Ronin. [color=PeachPuff]“Do I know you?”[/color]

Slowly, Ronin had her body become longer, wider, grow notably in certain places… finally new clothes unfurled from nowhere and behind them her hair had changed style notably.

[color=9b83de]‘Tihi, yeah, you do. I vanished some time ago. But, I'm back now! Don't ask me how, because I definitely should be dead and I have no idea what saved me. Besides, I've decided it doesn't matter!’[/color] she said in a jovial tone. [color=9b83de]‘Because now, I can finally…!’[/color]

And so, Deni spun around, grinning, winking and making a peace-sign.

[hider=the same as that time][center][url=https://i.imgur.com/PzkeANN.jpg][img]https://i.imgur.com/Gtx8HrW.jpg[/img][/url][/center][/hider]

[color=9b83de]‘Hi! Sorry for being late! You didn't wait too long, did you?’[/color]

Su was still leaned against the wall when Deni transformed. But her eyes looked like they were going to pop out of her head. She even had difficulty keeping her mouth shut. [color=PeachPuff]“D-De-Den-Dei-”[/color] She almost fell over sideways, but managed to get her foot underneath herself. Then with a sigh, she wiped her face with her hand. But Deni was still there. [color=PeachPuff]“What did I try to put on the table during our date?”[/color] 

Ronin grinned widely, recalling the event. [color=9b83de]‘You tried to place a-’[/color]

Su wrapped her arms around Deni and pulled her into a tight hug. [color=PeachPuff]“Deni, I-”[/color] She inhaled. [color=PeachPuff]“You’re alive!”[/color] She started laughing. [color=PeachPuff]“Where have you been?”[/color]

[color=9b83de]‘Woah!’[/color] Deni grinned widely, embracing the girl that had hugged her. That was entirely fine. She patted the girl's head a bit, before replying. [color=9b83de]‘I was consumed by Caroline, and for a while there, I was lost inside her. But, Eli defeated Caroline! … And I was left behind, everyone thinking I was dead. It's just recently [i]something[/i] revived me, and I ran back here as soon as I could!’[/color] She grinned a bit. [color=9b83de]‘And I'm tied to a Horror no longer, but Asengav would snatch me up immediately if he learned I survived, hence~’[/color] She gestured to the location.

Su pulled away and wiped a tear out from under her eye. [color=PeachPuff]“That’s great!”[/color] She folded her arms, and her expression became more somber. [color=PeachPuff]“Amber died shortly after you, um, vanished. I don’t even know where to start with what I’ve been up to.”[/color] Su placed her hand on her lower lip. 

[color=9b83de]‘Eh? Amber d…?’[/color] Wait, didn't that clash with, but, hm? Deni got a curious and mildly troubled expression for a bit. Yeah, “Raven” had been a bit different, but… Then Su talked some more.

[color=PeachPuff]“It happened a few months ago. It hurt me for a long time, still does a little bit.”[/color] Su placed her hand on her lower lip. [color=PeachPuff]“Penrose has been saved a few times, this new girl Mika’s been following me around. She’s more like a daughter now. And Helga and I sort of-”[/color] Her smile faltered. She didn’t look upset, but it was as if the situation had just become awkward. [color=PeachPuff]“Right, we, um, heh, we were going to go on more dates, weren’t we?”[/color] She scratched the back of her head.

[color=9b83de]‘Wait, Helga? As in Justine's follower Helga?’[/color] Deni asked, looking a tad worried. Still. Dates, was it. Deni smirked. [color=9b83de]‘I didn't give you a proper answer last time, I think. But, yes! I definitely owe you a couple dates now that you've waited this long for me!’[/color] Deni called, reaching to grip one of Su's hands with both hers just for the sake of it. [color=9b83de]‘If you still want to, that is!’[/color] 

[color=PeachPuff]“Ngh!”[/color] Su’s eyes were trembling in her sockets. Then with a sigh, she lowered her head. [color=PeachPuff]“It’s been a really strange last few months.”[/color] She picked her head back up. [color=PeachPuff]“Helga fell madly in love with Amber. She looked at her as her savior, I still don’t fully understand it. She became one of the good guys. And then when Amber died, we were both upset for a while, and-”[/color] She shifted her eyes side to side before leaning her head forward like a vulture. [color=PeachPuff]“We… Kind of became an item?”[/color]

Deni raised an eyebrow at the fact that Helga had fallen in love with Amber. She'd been turned, huh. Wouldn't have thought that, given Helga's first impression. And then came… Deni's eyes widened in stunned surprise. [color=9b83de]‘Wait, you and Helga? You and the crazy sharp-teethed one that wanted to eat us!?’[/color] Deni would look stunned for a while, and then threw her head back and laughed. It was just too weird. She had to laugh.

[color=9b83de]‘Hahahaha, oooooh, yikes, the strangest things happen when you're gone for a couple months! Missed a bunch of character development and stuff, heh…!’[/color] she looked to Su again with a proud smile. [color=9b83de]‘Good on you! Bounced back from a loss and went and scored! Guess that makes me late to the party, but still, I'm happy for you…!’[/color] She was also the slightest relieved, but she wouldn't say that. While she'd been gathering courage to have a girlfriend, it was really a boyfriend Deni had been craving within… eventually, anyway. 

[color=PeachPuff]“Y-yeah.”[/color] Su chuckled. [color=PeachPuff]“Well, let me tell you what else you missed.”[/color]

[hr]

Their conversation, as well as their location, had jumped around a bit. But Su was careful not to guide Deni out of the back room. They had found some boxes in a storage room to sit on and were using a giant crate as a table. They had touched on many topics, from the graveyard to the beach vacation to the rave.

[color=PeachPuff]“So you were at the rave?”[/color] Su rested her hands on her knees. [color=PeachPuff]“Just as well we didn’t have our reunion there. And oh!”[/color] Su raised a finger to her lips. [color=PeachPuff]“I won’t tell anyone you’re Deni, but not many people know I was Amber’s familiar either. I’d like to keep it that way.”[/color]

[color=9b83de]‘I… I can’t believe I missed the swimsuit event…’[/color] Deni said, hands on her head a bit. Sure, she’d heard about the event from other sources, but, now she’d heard all the details… [color=9b83de]‘Aaaah, darn it! Oh, well!’[/color] she said with a large shrug! [color=9b83de]‘Yeah, I was at the rave. I was hired by Veronica to protect Cindy Ford. That didn’t go so well.’[/color] She then smiled at that Su wouldn’t tell about Deni. [color=9b83de]‘Your secret’s safe with me! Good thing you told me, I wouldn’t have thought it was a secret, heh.’[/color] 

Still… suppose she needs to talk to about that.

[color=9b83de]‘… So, I met someone on my way back to Penrose. Not by my choice, I was looking for someone who could transport me back to Penrose and was directed to her. This is… probably going to hurt. … I met with Justine von Visceral,’[/color] she said, waiting a bit for a reaction.

Su’s eyes softened. [color=PeachPuff]“I did see her at the rave. I know she’s up to no good, but I don’t know what to do about it.”[/color] She folded her arms and leaned on the box. [color=PeachPuff]“I have a meeting scheduled with Beacon. I feel like it’s the best time to bring something like that up.”[/color] She hesitated. [color=PeachPuff]“But you, you met her?”[/color] Su’s eyes locked with Deni’s. [color=PeachPuff]“She let you live?”[/color]

[color=9b83de]‘Hahaha, worse than that. She forcefully recruited me,’[/color] Deni said with a little laugh. [color=9b83de]‘Or, well, something like that, anyway. See, she intends to attack Mariette. She wants me to help her… for some reason. She wants to destroy Mariette… and I don’t intend to let her,’[/color] Deni steeled herself a bit, to keep talking. [color=9b83de]‘Having been freed from Asengav now, I know for certain. Mariette, Eli, the rest of the champions. They’re mind-bent, following Asengav by what they think is their own volition, but it’s not. A horror would not be so kind. So, knowing that… I want to save them. By any which means I can,’[/color] she said, looking to Su’s eyes.

Su inhaled deeply. [color=PeachPuff]“I regret letting Justine live.”[/color] Su stood up. [color=PeachPuff]“Regardless, this is something I want to help with if I can. I doubt Veronica would let her old rival escape, same with Beacon. I’m going to bring this up at the meeting for sure.”[/color] Su folded her arms. [color=PeachPuff]“Just don’t get caught, alright? She must have recruited you for something. Just keep reporting to Veronica. Some of her agents stay here, so we should be able to work something out.”[/color] After a moment, she grinned. [color=PeachPuff]“After all, I can’t adopt you if Justine kills you again.”[/color]

Deni nodded to what Su told her to do, she’d been doing that, gathering allies and so on the way. And, finally, on the last part, Deni grinned right back at her. [color=9b83de]‘I’m gonna need to stay alive for that exact purpose~! Mariette and Eli, too!’[/color]

Su nodded. [color=PeachPuff]“Let’s call this secret meeting adjourned.”[/color] She pulled out her cellphone. [color=PeachPuff]“I’ll give you my number so that you can skip the counter next time.”[/color] After they exchanged phone numbers, Su stood up. [color=PeachPuff]“If that’s all good with you, ‘Ronin,’ I have a lot of work to do. But I’d like to see you again soon.”[/color]

Deni nodded in turn, and as she stood up her form shrunk again. The chest deflated and her muscles decreased in size and her clothes shifted to roll out the eastern-inspired Ronin outfit again, complete with sword. Numbers were exchanged, and… [color=9b83de]‘Yeah! This time I am not missing out on being your friend! We’ll see each other again, with the whole family in tow!’[/color]

So Ronin told, before she dashed in and hugged Su one more time, this time in her more tiny shape. [color=9b83de]‘Count on it!’[/color]

Su blushed. [color=PeachPuff]“Heh.”[/color]

With that, Ronin then leapt off, waved a salute to Su with a happy grin, before she turned around and dashed out.

[hr]

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

[color=#bd71e8]“There and back again.”[/color]

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

There was no moon in the sky.

Veronica had been waiting a few days for this type of night. One where the overcast clouds blocked out the starlight, and the moon was nowhere to be seen. A magical girl of her caliber could move great distances in pure darkness. A moonless winter night was perfect.

Veronica was concealed by her magic, preparing to shadow step to her new base. The one outside of Penrose that Trixy had set up. This was an important step in her plans, and she wasn’t going to let any of her worries stop her.

Not how close Samantha and Trixy had become.

Not the fate of Betty.

Not Maura or Eliza’s feelings.

Not the twists, betrayals, or loses.  

Not anything.

She had done everything she needed to do, and even managed to meet with Mariette before leaving. She would likely need to use that surrogate for the next few days, but Penrose would be left in the care of her Cradle agents while she focused her efforts elsewhere. 

Behind her, Binky held a briefcase in on hand, and a tome under her arm. The briefcase was a little large, and Binky had dropped it several times on her way up. After a few minutes, she had finally gotten into position.

[color=#bd71e8]”Are you ready Binky?”[/color]

[b]”Are you, Veronica?”[/b]

[color=#bd71e8]”…No.”[/color] Veronica looked over her shoulder. [color=#bd71e8]”Can I tell you something?”[/color]

Binky set down the briefcase and sat on it. [b]”Sure.”[/b]

[color=#bd71e8]”When I devised this system for Cradle, I knew the most problematic part of it was going to be the mind reading part. I knew that I was going to be subjected to a lot of things I didn’t want to know. Even with an “algorithm” in place, I am bombarded by things I don’t wish to see.”[/color]

[b]”I can understand that.”[/b] Binky looked at the starless sky. [b]”Trixy’s obsession with girls. Any time she looks at me I feel like I’m being undressed. And, well.”[/b] Binky looked at herself. [b]”There isn’t even that much to imagine!”[/b]

[color=#bd71e8]”It’s personal thoughts that I despise the most.”[/color] Veronica placed a hand on her face. [color=#bd71e8]”One of the reasons I was so effective as a coin broker was because I didn’t relate with my tools. They did their job, and then I would treat them accordingly. My best tools were oiled and further honed, while the cheap garbage was cast aside. But how can you make these types of choices when you can grow attached to them?”[/color] Veronica pulled her hand away from her face and examined her hand. [color=#bd71e8]”Maybe you like a tool because it has a cute handle? Or maybe you see yourself in a relationship with a tool down the road? If you work with your emotions instead of your mind, how can you remain a craftsman worth talking about.”[/color]

[b]”That was an interesting analogy Veronica!”[/b] Binky’s eyes shifted side to side. [b]”But what does this mean for you?”[/b]

[color=#bd71e8]”I need to separate myself from these thoughts so that I can do my job properly.”[/color] A red coin appeared in the palm of Veronica’s hand. [color=#bd71e8]”You’re still adamant about not using one of these, correct?”[/color]

[b]”I don’t want to, no.”[/b] Binky’s head shot up. [b]”B-but I also want to be useful! I want to save Betty!”[/b] She sighed. [b]”Why? What are you thinking?”[/b]

[color=#bd71e8]”That’s a question for the next Vermilion Veronica.”[/color]

Her hand closed around the red coin, and her body was enveloped in the coin’s magic.

[h3][right][i]Veronica and Binky ~ Will Return[/i][/right][/h3]